East Lake Newsletter

East Lake Pickup and Drop Off Instructions

Birthday Treats Policy

For the benefit of our students’ health and wellness, all District 196 elementary schools have changed the way birthdays are celebrated at school.  Students are not allowed to bring food or small gifts such as pencils and stickers to share with other students.  

Despite this change, birthdays will continue to be fun events for students and classroom teachers will recognize them in special ways on their special day. 

The primary reason for this policy is to comply with our district’s wellness policy on making healthy choices as required by Section 204 of the Child, Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. The policy also addresses increasing concerns about students affected by food allergies and childhood obesity. These are safety and health issues we must take very seriously. This District 196 birthday practice is also sensitive to the economic struggles some families are currently experiencing. 

We strive to provide a school environment that promotes and protects students’ health, well-being and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating choices and physical activity. This policy incorporates current research to create guidelines that will help all of our students to make healthy choices.  If you are interested in reviewing our district’s wellness policy, it is available at: http://www.district196.org/district/schoolboard/policies/500/508.pdf.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Breakfast and Lunch Menus Available Online

Families can access the District 196 breakfast and lunch menus on-line. If you have any questions, you can call the East Lake office at 952-423-7896.

Menus

Crosswalk Information

To help our walkers, bikers, scooter riders, etc. arrive safely we have designated multiple cross walk areas this year at East Lake.  We will have assigned patrols at each of the cross walk areas in the AM and PM.  In the AM, patrols will be ready to cross students and families starting at 9:00 a.m.  We ask that students do not arrive at school any earlier than 9:10 a.m.  We will have crossing patrols available at each of the designated areas at the end of the school days as well.

We ask that students and families follow these guidelines when using the crosswalk areas.

Crosswalk Guidelines

Conference Online Sign Up Information

East Lake Elementary parents will be signing up for fall conferences similar to the way parents signed up for our before school assessments.  In early October, a letter will be sent home to all parents informing them about the on-line procedure put in place for signing up for fall conferences. Parents will be asked to go to the East Lake website and click on a button labeled, “Fall Conference Sign up”.  Parents will then select their child’s teacher and conference block on either Wednesday, November 2 or Thursday, November 3.

If parents are unable to access the on-line system, you may contact the school office and we will assign you a conference block with your child’s teacher.

Conferences will be held Wednesday, November 2 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, November 3 from 12:30-8:00 p.m.  There will be no school for students on Thursday, November 3 & Friday, November 4. 

Make a difference for girls in our community this year! 

Do you believe in the power of girls? Do you have a sincere interest in leading a healthy life and inspiring the next generation to reach their full potential? Consider volunteering as a coach with​ Girls on the Run Minnesota! 

Enjoy the chance to get outside, laugh, jump, cheer, and most importantly, help girls realize their full potential this fall! 

Three things to know: 

(1) YOU would be a great coach! Coaches do NOT need to be “runners.” GOTR is seeking responsible, enthusiastic adults (of all genders!) with a commitment to preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Volunteer coaches come from all walks of life and currently include: crossing guards, financial analysts, carpenters, kindergarten teachers, personal care assistants, PhD students, stay-at-home parents, physicians, yoga teachers, grocery store clerks, chemists, IT gurus, grandpas, principals, pharmacists, retirees, college students, psychologists, army sergeants, and more! The most important criteria? That they are positive role models and dedicated to Girls on the Run core values of inclusivity, optimism and gratitude. 

(2) All training and materials are provided. The fun, interactive, age-appropriate lesson plans are ready to go! Even the markers and handouts are provided. Coaches are assigned in groups of 3-6 adults who lead a team of girls together through 10 weeks and 20 lessons. GOTR provides the training, materials, and support, and you provide the enthusiasm and life experience.

Attention 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Students

East Lake Physical Education is extending an extra fitness opportunity for our students to help increase their cardiovascular fitness.  Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 may voluntarily join the East Lake Go-Getters Club.  Go-Getters may choose to run/walk around the blacktop with a friend during recess time and track their individual progress throughout the school year.  8 times around equals a mile.  After completing the 5-mile green strip, the students may bring the strip to Ms. Salter to receive a colored plastic toe token incentive marking the milestones that they have attained.  If your child does not receive adequate physical activity outside of the school day, you may wish to encourage them to use this opportunity.  Every lap can make a difference. Good luck Go-Getters!     

Keep moving and grooving for at least 60 minutes of exercise each and every day, Lakers!

Parents must decide on optional iPad Protection Plan

After waiving the fee the last two years, District 196 is once again offering an optional iPad Protection Plan for the 2022-23 school year to help protect against unexpected costs for accidental damage to or loss of a district-issued iPad. 

All families are asked to accept or decline the optional iPad Protection Plan by Monday, September 19, at which time a non-response will be considered declining the offer.

Learn more about the iPad Protection Plan and Student User Agreement in this letter. 

School Picture Day – Thursday, September 22

On Thursday, September 22, all students will have their picture taken by Lifetouch School Portraits. 
Order forms will be sent home prior to September 22 with information about ordering picture 
packets.  Families who wish to purchase pictures can follow the directions on the order form.  
Additional forms will be available for parents in the East Lake Main Office.  You may indicate on the form your choice of the background for the photo and which package you will choose to purchase. 

The order form with payment must be sent to school on or before picture day.

If for any reason you are not satisfied with either pose or your child is absent that day, pictures will be retaken on October 25, 2022

The East Lake online spirit wear store is now open and taking orders. 

You can purchase your items in 3 easy steps:

Laps for the Lake KICKOFF

Friday, September 16th 

5:00-7:00pm

Join us for our Laps for the Lake fundraiser kickoff! Food Trucks will be set up in the lower lot (for purchase) while the playground, fields and basketball courts will be open for play. Bring your blankets, chairs, yard games and enjoy a fun evening with your family and classmates!

List of confirmed Food Trucks:
MN Nice Cream
T Rex Cookies
Las Tortillas
Up in Smoke BBQ
The Vikings Table
MJ's Steak & Chicken

MAP Testing

Students in grades 2-5 will be taking MAP math and reading tests between September 26-October 11, 2022. More than 1,200 school districts and educational partners use MAP to help all students learn. The assessment itself is administered on an i-pad and it adapts to the student's ability, accurately measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. In addition, MAP will measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. Most importantly, the results educators receive have practical application to teaching and learning. MAP test results provide educators with timely access to information they can use for instructional planning and school improvement. More information will be sent to grade 2-5 families in the coming weeks.

A complete assessment calendar can be found on the EL website under Academics > Assessments. From this page you will see the East Lake Testing Calendar along with other testing information.

News from the Nurse

Please notify the school nurse, Jenn Hall, of any health concerns related to your child. Health conditions, such as, food allergies, asthma, epilepsy, activity restrictions, or daily medications that will need to be given requires doctors authorization. The appropriate forms can be found on the District 196 Health Services website or in the East Lake Health Office. If you have not yet turned in your immunizations, please do so as soon as possible. The immunization record can be faxed, emailed, or dropped off at East Lake during school office hours

FIRST PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION MEETING

East Lake Media Center

Tuesday, September 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

East Lake is excited to offer a number of Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings scheduled throughout the school year. These meetings will focus on various topics related to education initiatives at East Lake and District 196. There will also be opportunities to talk about future social events and fundraising opportunities for East Lake Elementary.  

Please mark the following dates on your calendar and we will provide more information about each meeting as we get closer to that date. 

PTO INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS (All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. in the East Lake Media Center)

Important PTO dates

Donate to East Lake Elementary every time you shop at Amazon, all year long!

The only difference between shopping at AmazonSmile vs. Amazon is the login page. You can donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to East Lake in 4 EASY STEPS:

1. Go to smile.amazon.com
2. Enter your existing Amazon account information. Your settings, lists, registries and shopping cart will be exactly the same.
3. Under “Pick Your Own Charitable Organization” type in East Lake Elementary.
4. Do your shopping and don’t forget to bookmark smile.amazon.com for future purchases!

Please note that even after designating East Lake as your benefiting charity, donations are ONLY received if you log in through smile.amazon.com. Please consider using this every time you shop at Amazon. Thank you for your support!

FIGHTING CHILD HUNGER THROUGH COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. Every Meal supports families with programming over the weekends, extended school breaks, and summer to make a difference in children’s lives by specifically focusing on food gaps.  Scan the QR code below to apply.

Volunteering at East Lake Elementary

We are so excited for another fantastic year of learning and fun at East Lake!

If you are interested in volunteering during the school year, please click the link below or contact Sara Swanson, one of our East Lake Volunteer Coordinator at sara.swanson@district196.org. 

Thank you so much for supporting East Lake with your time and efforts.  It is going to be a great year with support from our volunteers!

Volunteer Interest Form