3-23-17

 

Greetings Countryside Families!

 

Young Scientists and Artists Share Their Talents

On March 21st Countryside families, students and staff were treated to a celebration of learning at our Science and Innovation Fair, along with the first Artists Gallery Walk. This year's science fair included participation from over 50 students from all grades and each project amazed and fascinated our Countryside students and families.  Some students will show their talents on a bigger stage as they participate in the Regional Science Fair in Mankato in April.  Hundreds of Countryside students also shared their love of art and their talents as they visited the Art Studio and showed off their talent by displaying their art in the galleries around our school.  Congratulations to our young scientists and artists and "Thank You" to science fair parent coordinator Tamara Whear and our fabulous art teacher Ms. Kitzman for planning and assisting students in displaying their science expertise and their art work.  Well done everyone!

 

Phase I Construction Complete

We are so pleased to announce that our newly constructed classrooms are complete and they are now being used in a variety of ways.  The two new classrooms will be used as a temporary home for our Gifted/Talented classroom, as well as flex spaces for several of our learning specialists for the remainder of the school year. 

 

Phase II Construction Planning Continues, With Countryside Leading the Way

Planning for our summer construction project is underway, and we are anxious for the new learning spaces we will have available to us in the fall.  Construction does not begin until June 2, but the plans for our reconfiguration are being finalized. 

 

I am so proud of the efforts we have made at Countryside to ensure our current and future construction projects are planned and implemented well.  We have done a great job of "making it all work" without it impacting our primary job - continuing to deliver fabulous instruction for students.  In an effort to share our great work, I have been asked to extend our successes at Countryside with preparations for construction to the other elementary buildings.  Please be aware that over the next few weeks I will be helping with some of the planning and organizing for construction related to our improvements with each school's furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE).  Essentially I will be partnering with my elementary principal colleagues and district level staff to assist in providing some consistency to each elementary building planning for construction.  Superintendent Dressen has recognized the importance of this work, while balancing the need to continue our day-to-day activities at Countryside without interruption.  To that end, we welcome the assistance of Mr. Bob Brancale, former Minneapolis principal and our "principal sub," as he will be joining us a few days a week to assist with student topics and some general admin support.  Bob is thrilled to be able to hang with us at Countryside (who wouldn't?), so please know he is available and here to help when I am working on the construction side of things. 

 

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)

Students in grades 3-5 began taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) the week of April 11.  With a few exceptions for individual students, all the assessments this year will be online.  Classroom teachers will send specific dates and times for their students.  Please be aware of the dates and know that it is recommended students be in attendance, if at all possible, on their assigned testing dates.  We will schedule makeup assessments, but that can be a cumbersome task, so your assistance is appreciated in making sure your student(s) are at school on their testing dates.

Building Schedule for MCAs - Countryside:

 

Parent Volunteers Needing on MCA Testing Dates

We are in need of parent volunteers to assist with hallway supervision during the testing times.  Testing generally takes place in the morning.  If you are available to assist, please call Carrie or Jen in the Countryside office at 952-848-4700.  Thank you in advance for donating your time.

 

Grab and Go Breakfast Update

Beginning in the fall, we began making breakfast available for all interested Gr. 1-5 students in a "Grab and Go" format.  Student stop by the kiosk outside the office to "grab" breakfast and "go" to class.  School breakfast is available every day for $1.65 per student using their food service account and FREE for those accessing free and reduced priced meal benefits.  I am so pleased with the number of students who are accessing breakfast here at school.  In the next few editions of the Connect we will be sharing some information regarding the choices students can make in choosing their breakfast.  For now, check in with your child to ask about what they are choosing and look for more information to come.  Fuel up and get a great start to the day of learning!