Attendance Area Moves

If you are planning to move out of the East Lake attendance area this summer, please let us know so that we may transfer your child's records to the appropriate school.

Before school starts in the fall all students in grades K-5 will meet with their teacher individually approximately 45 minutes for literacy assessments.  Giving these assessments before the school year starts will allow targeted instruction to begin sooner and free the classroom from the disruptions that testing has caused in the past.

The elementary school assessments will be held on Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29.  While students are meeting with the teacher, parents are asked to complete forms and paperwork. 

Having paperwork completed will also make for a smoother start to the school year.  If at all possible please leave those two dates available for the assessments.  It helps us out tremendously if we can complete the assessments during the assigned days.  Students not assessed during those dates will complete assessments during the first week of school, though it may not be with their classroom teacher.

You will receive a letter from East Lake Elementary in early August.  This letter will include information on how to sign-up for an assessment time.  Sign-up will be completed online.  For parents without computer access, please contact the East Lake office at 952-423-7896.

Wanted-Gently Used or New Books 

Fifth Grade is looking to build class sets of 5 novels.  If you are cleaning out book shelves and are willing to donate a copy please send them to school with your child and label them for 5th grade.  

• City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
• Night Divided by Jennifer Neilson
• Hatchet by Gary Paulson
• Wonder by RJ Palacio
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Thank you!!

From the 5th Grade Team

Note from Mrs. Branscombe:

Hello East Lake Families,

I would like to share some exciting news with all of you: Mid-March, I was offered and accepted a role as a District Peer Leader for the 2024-2025 school year.

My time here at East Lake has been nothing short of extraordinary. I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most inspiring teachers and dedicated staff who truly work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of our students.

Transitioning to the role of Peer Leader presents a new and exciting chapter in my journey, one that I am eagerly anticipating. I am passionate about continuing to contribute to our district's mission of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. 

While I am sad to be leaving this amazing school, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you that are part of this East Lake Community for sharing your child/children with me. I have been truly blessed to have been a part of this incredible community and I’m looking forward to continuing to support School District 196.

Students will be keeping their district-owned iPads over the summer. This allows learning opportunities to continue throughout the summer as needed. As a family, you can also choose to place the iPad in a safe space until school resumes. Just as teachers are the guides of iPads in the classroom, you as parents/guardians monitor and steer digital use at home.

Summer Guide for District-Issued iPads

Specialist News

Band Notes

Fifth Grade

Students playing school owned instruments (tuba, baritone, tenor saxophone, French horn) and Band For All instruments (scholarship donated instrument program) please pick up your instrument from your middle school June 3rd or 4th.

Fourth Grade Families

I really enjoyed meeting our fourth graders this February! I was lucky enough to meet with almost all of the fourth graders at East Lake!

If your child would like to be in band but has not yet met with me, please email me (Anja.Firchow@district196.org) and I will be sure to meet with them as soon as possible.  When emailing, please include your child’s name and classroom teacher.

After meeting to select an instrument, I gave each child a green, yellow, or blue sheet showing the instrument your child chose as well as instructions on how to obtain an instrument. Students also took a picture of these sheets on their iPad as a backup reference.

Here is a reminder of important dates:

Most families completed this step in February: Students with green sheets arrange for an instrument online with one of the music stores.

*If your student was sent a blue “Band for All” sheet or a yellow “School Owned Instrument” sheet you do not need to do this step with the music stores, HOWEVER, you will need to complete steps on My Payments Plus. Most families completed this in February. If you are unsure, you can check your My Payments Plus account/receipts.

Now- Be sure you have arranged for an instrument for your musician.

August- Instruments are delivered to your child’s school.

August- I prep each instrument again with a few more things. This is different for each instrument. We add various items that may not be included already and various literacy aides. If you own the instrument already, your child can bring it to school in September and drop it off with me so I can prep it if needed. (Exception: Please do not bring percussion instruments to school.)

September- Lessons begin!

I am looking forward to working with our young musicians!

Anja Firchow, Band Teacher  
Anja.Firchow@district196.org

STEM

This month in STEM students have been working really hard to finish up a lot of their projects. Fifth graders are almost done with their own 3D printed keychains, which they worked super hard to code. Fourth graders wrapped up their wind powered vehicle testing. Third graders finalized some of their own Kodable Creator game designs. Second graders added some final pieces to their TinkerCAD designs. First graders tested some penny boats to see if they could float and hold weight. Kindergarten students worked on their teamwork and engineering skills with their choice in design tools. What a great month!

Summer Reading Opportunity at East Lake! 

Many parents have been asking, and YES, our school library will be open during the following dates and times listed below.  These scheduled dates and times are for children to come to East Lake and check out books over the summer.  All East Lake students are invited to come check out books to keep their reading progress moving forward over the summer months.  You will see signs for “Summer Check Out” and be able to enter school on the lower level at Door 8

SUMMER Media Center Schedule:

Questions may be directed to Katherine.Nordquist@district196.org in the Media Center.

Plan a Summer of Fun and Learning

Registration for summer programming is open online. Page through the interactive catalog, click on a class you want to learn more about and register!  Browse and Register now.

FREE SUMMER MEALS!

SEE FLYER FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION INCLUDING DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS