Newsletter Archive

Hello and Happy Fall! 

Over the next two weeks, Northpoint teachers will be meeting with our parents and caregivers for conferences. We always look forward to these visits. They are an opportunity to share good news and insights into your children, and a great time to plan for the next steps in student learning. We strive to host conferences that are collaborative and informative. 

As important as it is for our Northpoint faculty to give you an update, it is equally important that we learn from our parents. Please be ready to share how you believe the first weeks of school are going for your child, any questions you may have and any insights that may be helpful for your child’s teacher to be aware of.  Your voice and perspective are critical to us as we serve your children. We will see you soon for conferences, and in the meantime don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything from our Northpoint staff.

Fall Conferences

Fall conferences will be held October 15, 16 and 24. Click here to schedule your student’s conference. Please call the Northpoint office with any questions at 763-600-5700.

Cold Weather Reminders

Fall and winter weather with cold temperatures and wind is approaching. All students will be expected to go outside for recess unless the weather does not permit. Please make sure students are dressed appropriately in coats, hats, mittens, etc. Please also be sure to label these items so they can be returned if they end up in the Lost and Found.  

Health Office News

With the start of a new school year, we have seen a few cases of head lice in school. Please be checking your children frequently for head lice. Click here to watch a video that can help with identifying lice and nits.

The Health office is also in need of boys' pants size 4 and up if any families are looking to donate. 

Lifetouch Questions

If you did not receive your student’s pictures or there was only a proof sheet in your student’s envelope, please call Lifetouch Customer Service at 1(800)736-4753 and they will be able to assist you.

Updating Contact Information in Parent Portal

Did you know that you can update primary phone numbers and email addresses in the Parent Portal? Click here to view instructions on how to update your contact information in Parent Portal. Please call the Northpoint office with any questions at 763-600-5700.

Scholastic Book Fair

The fall Scholastic book fair will be held during conferences, October 15, 16 and 24. We are in need of volunteers to help run the book fair. To volunteer for the book fair, please click here.

You (and all your friends and relatives) can also support Northpoint and shop the book fair from home by clicking here.

Calendar

October 14-18 – NO SCHOOL/Fall Break

October 15 & 24 – Evening Conferences 5-8 p.m./Schedule conference time here

October 16 – Daytime Conferences 8-4 p.m./Schedule conference time here

November 1 – Picture Make-up Day

November 11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. NP Media Center (Date Correction From Paper Newsletter) 

Reports from 2019 MCA and ACCESS assessments

In the next few weeks, watch your email for your child’s Individual Student Report (ISR) of scores from when they took the 2019 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and/or ACCESS for English Learner’s assessment. If you wish to change or update the email we have on file for you, please contact your school.

As a reminder, MCAs are administered to grades 3-8, 10, 11 and high school students who took biology and ACCESS for English Learners are administered to kindergarten through 12^th grade students who have been identified as English Learners.

If you have questions, please contact Jenna Johnshoy-Aarestad at jjohns2@district16.org or Kris Skeate at kskeat@district16.org.

Levy Renewal Update

Did you know compared to other metro school districts, our funding from district residents is among the lowest? Find fast facts like this and other information about the two levy renewal questions on the ballot this fall on our website.

Did you get a chance to attend a community meeting? If not, mark your calendar for the final community meeting on Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Centerview Elementary School.

Apply now for free and reduced-price meals

Families who received free and reduced-price meals during the 2018-2019 school year must reapply before Monday, October 21 to continue benefits for the 2019-2020 school year. If you do not reapply by Monday, October 21, your student(s) will no longer receive free or reduced-price meals. Meals will be charged at full price, which is:

• Breakfast: $1.30
• Lunch: $2.60 (kindergarten-grade 4) and $2.80 (grades 5-12)

Learn more about free and reduced-priced meals and reapply today 

This week, I had a wonderful visit to second grade where I observed our students practicing their thinking related to STEM.

They were studying engineering in the wild, learning about animals as designers and builders. In the particular lesson I witnessed, children were planning how to build a dam using natural resources, including leaves, stems, bark, etc. They were in the design phase, thinking and often rethinking about how to build a structure that would prevent water flowing from one side of the dam to the other. Children weren’t allowed to use items that aren’t found in the wild, so creativity was needed to come up with an alternative to glue and tape!

As the friends worked in teams, they practiced the skills of cooperation, collaboration, advocacy and inquiry. They needed to listen to all ideas with respect, and practice the concept of “yes, and” in order to build on one another’s thinking.  Students experienced some of their ideas not being what they hoped for, so there was an opportunity to fail forward. We could have considered this activity as simply “building a dam," but through thoughtful facilitation by our teachers, our students learned so much more. In addition, they voiced to me that they were having a blast in this fun learning experiences!

Calendar

October 4 – PTO Sponsored Northpoint Fun Run

October 7 – PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m./Media Center

October 14-18 – NO SCHOOL/Fall Break

October 15 & 24 – Evening Conferences 5-8 p.m./Schedule conference time here

October 16 – Daytime Conferences 8-4 p.m./Schedule conference time here

November 1 – Picture Make-up Day

November 11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. NP Media Center (Date Correction From Paper Newsletter) 

Northpoint Fun Run

The Northpoint PTO Sponsored Walk/Run Fundraiser will be held on Friday, October 4. Families can volunteer, run or cheer! Do you have spirit? We want to see it! Wear your SLP, Northpoint or red, white and blue gear! Money raised goes towards all-school field trips, books, power hour supplies and PTO sponsored events.

Fun Run Schedule:

K – 9:25-10:10 a.m.
1 – 12:05-12:50 p.m.
2 – 1-1:45 p.m.
3 – 11:10-11:55 a.m.
4 – 10:10-10:55 a.m.

Volunteers are needed to make the Fun Run a success!  To sign up/learn more about the Fun Run click here. 

Scholastic Book Fair

The fall Scholastic book fair will be held during conferences. We are in need of volunteers to help run the book fair. To volunteer for the book fair, please click here.

You (and all your friends and relatives) can also support Northpoint and shop the book fair from home by clicking here.

Fall Conferences

Fall conferences will be held October 15, 16 and 24.  Click here to schedule your student’s conference. Please call the Northpoint office with any questions at 763-600-5700.

Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Please see a few reminders below to ensure a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal process:

• Please do not exit for your vehicle in the car drop off-line. Only have students exit curbside
• If you student’s end of day plans change, please call the office no later than 3:30 p.m.
• Please drop and pick up students behind the stop sign in the car line
• Please do not drop off students in the parking lot. You must park and walk your student across the crosswalk or use the car line

Homecoming Week Festivities!

Homecoming week is September 30-October 4. To celebrate, Northpoint will be having some fun dress-up days: 

• Monday - PJ / Comfy Clothes Day
• Tuesday - Rec. T-shirt or Jersey Day
• Wednesday - Crazy Hair / Hat Day
• Thursday - Twins Shirt Day
• Friday - SLP Celebration Day - wear red, white, and blue

Fun Run Schedule - Friday, October 4

• K – 9:25-10:10 a.m.
• 1 – 12:05-12:50 p.m.
• 2 – 1-1:45 p.m.
• 3 – 11:10-11:55 a.m.
• 4 – 10:10-10:55 a.m.

Updating Contact Information in Parent Portal

Did you know that you can update primary phone numbers and email addresses in the Parent Portal? Click here to view instructions on how to update your contact information in Parent Portal. Please call the Northpoint office with any questions at 763-600-5700.

Apply now for free and reduced-price meals

Families who received free and reduced-price meals during the 2018-2019 school year must reapply before Monday, October 21 to continue benefits for the 2019-2020 school year. If you do not reapply by Monday, October 21, your student(s) will no longer receive free or reduced-price meals. Meals will be charged at full price, which is:

• Breakfast: $1.30
• Lunch: $2.60 (kindergarten-grade 4) and $2.80 (grades 5-12)

Learn more about free and reduced-priced meals and reapply today 

Important information regarding online nutrition services payments

The online Campus Parent Portal Nutrition Services recurring payment system has been disabled and is currently under construction. It is important to note, families are still able to make manual one-time payments online. We are working with our provider on finding a resolution to the recurring payment issue.

The district will send an update via email when this issue is resolved. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you need further assistance, contact Jane Sweney at 763-600-5041 or jswene@district16.org.

Dear families,

In the coming weeks, you will begin to see more information about the November 5 election. People who live in our school district will see two questions on their ballot. Both ask voters to consider renewing existing levies that fund programs and technologies for our schools.

Renewing these levies does not increase funding and does not increase taxes for taxpayers. By state law, each levy must be renewed to keep funding that is already in place.

I hope you will take a moment to learn more about the levies. Most importantly, please plan to vote on – or before – November 5. Find more levy information on the Spring Lake Park Schools website.

Homecoming Week Festivities!

Homecoming week is September 30-October 4. To celebrate, Northpoint will be having some fun dress-up days: 

• Monday - PJ / Comfy Clothes Day
• Tuesday - Rec. T-shirt or Jersey Day
• Wednesday - Crazy Hair / Hat Day
• Thursday - Twins Shirt Day
• Friday - SLP Celebration Day - wear red, white, and blue

Fun Run Schedule - Friday, October 4

• K – 9:25-10:10
• 1 – 12:05-12:50
• 2 – 1:00-1:45
• 3 – 11:10-11:55
• 4 – 10:00-10:55

Health Office Reminder

With the start of a new school year, we have seen a few cases of head lice in school. Please be checking your children frequently for head lice. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the health office at 763-600-5704.

Meal Benefits Application – School Year 2019-2020

Families who received free/reduced-priced meals during the 2018-2019 school year must reapply by October 21 for the 2019-2020 school meals program, otherwise, your student(s) will no longer receive free or reduced-priced meals. Meals will be charged at full price: Breakfast $1.30 and Lunch $2.60 (K-4). The application can be completed online through your Campus account or a paper application is available at any SLP school, the DSC and on the Nutrition Services website.

Updating Contact Information in Parent Portal

Did you know that you can update primary phone numbers and email addresses in the Parent Portal? Click here to view instructions on how to update your contact information in Parent Portal. Please call the Northpoint office with any questions at 763-600-5700.

Northpoint Fun Run

The Northpoint PTO Sponsored Walk/Run Fundraiser will be held on Friday, October 4. Families can volunteer, run or cheer! Do you have spirit? We want to see it! Wear your SLP, Northpoint or red, white and blue gear! Money raised goes towards all-school field trips, books, power hour supplies and PTO sponsored events.

Volunteers are needed to make the Fun Run a success!  To sign up/learn more about the Fun Run click here. 

Volunteer Opportunities

To be added to our email list for receiving information and opportunities from PTO please sign up here to volunteer.

Calendar

October 4 – PTO Sponsored Northpoint Fun Run

October 7 – PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m./Media Center

October 14-18 – NO SCHOOL/Fall Break

October 15 & 24 – Evening Conferences 5-8 p.m./Schedule conference time here

October 16 – Daytime Conferences 8-4 p.m./Schedule conference time here

November 1 – Picture Make-up Day

November 11 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. NP Media Center (Date Correction From Paper Newsletter) 

Nut Aware Classrooms

There are many students in the Spring Lake Park schools who have severe allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, peanut butter and/or products that contain nuts. Accidental ingestion or even touching a tiny trace of a nut may cause a potentially fatal reaction for some students. Spring Lake Park Schools is continuing to emphasize practices that make our schools safe for all students. This work includes partnering with parents in adopting peanut and nut aware practices. Visit the Health Services page and click on Nut Aware Classrooms to learn more.