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October

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Dear Edinbrook families:                           

We have had an outstanding start to the school year and our students are doing a wonderful job. We had a fantastic turn out for our fall BBQ and it was nice to see so many of you! We have several new families to the Edinbrook community and want to extend a warm welcome to each of you. We actually have nearly 910 students this year at EB.

As I indicated in my last letter home, the School Board approved additional funding to lower class size in an effort to close the achievement gap for all students in the Osseo School District . As a result, Edinbrook received 2.5 FTE's to lower class size in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd grade. Staff will be hired and in place by October 11 th . Letters will be sent home Thursday, October 7 th to the students and families affected by the change. I hope you join me in thanking the district administration and Board Members for this commitment to our students.

October is another important month for Edinbrook. Conferences for 2 nd - 6 th grade students are scheduled for October 12, 14, and 19 from 4:30 - 8:30. This is an important time of communication between the teacher and parent/guardian. As a teacher, I always enjoyed conferencing with families because I learned more about the students and strengthened my relationships with my families. Our goal is to have 100% of our parents/guardians participate in conferences. Your involvement and input is critical to the success of your child. Please see the information about preparing for conferences inside the newsletter. Remember, conferences are approximately 20 minutes so it is important we make the most of the time.

At Edinbrook, we continue to focus on student achievement and to look at ways to improve it. Based on the 2003-2004 test data, we have again developed a site improvement plan that will focus on improving reading and writing. Once site council has approved the final plan, it will be communicated to you in more depth.

Speaking of test results from 2003-2004; hopefully you have had time to review data that was found in the EB brochure that was mailed to you in late August. As a school, we met and exceeded many of our improvement goals last year and would like to highlight two of them. In reading, our goal was to have 55% of our student meet or exceed a year's growth on the NWEA tests. 59% of our students met or exceeded typical growth which ranked 2 nd of the 19 elementary schools. In writing, our goal was to have 70% of 5 th grade students proficient according the MCA test. 78% of our 5 th grade students demonstrated proficiency. Again, these are only two highlights of the many achievements our students experience everyday.

Again, I am excited about what we do for EB kids everyday and look forward to another outstanding month. Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone, in person, or by email. groenkej@district279.org

Sincerely,
John M. Groenke

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Making the Most Out of Conferences

Conferences are a critical time for communication between parents and teachers. It is important to be well prepared. Here are some tips for parents.

Before :

• Talk with your child. Ask about concerns he/she would like you to discuss with teachers.
• Ask what subjects your child feels he/she is doing well at. Are there some that need extra work?

During the Conference :

• Please be on time. Conferences are scheduled very tightly. Each conference should last at most 20 minutes.
• Keep an open mind. Some parents get angry when teachers discuss trouble spots. Remember that it probably isn't easy for the teacher to share the difficult information but the goal is always to help the child achieve. Working together with the teacher will help your child succeed.
• Have questions prepared. Here are some examples:
• Is my child working up to his ability?
• In what areas is my child doing well?
• In what subjects does she need to improve?
• How much time should my child be spending on homework each night? How can I help with homework?
• What can you tell me about how my child learns best? Is he a hands on learner? Does she need to move around? Does he enjoy cooperative learning or independent learning?
• Does my child get along with other children?
• What other ways can I reinforce classroom learning at home or learn more about my child's progress in school?

After the Conferences :

•  Have a meeting with your child and discuss the teacher's comments. Remember to praise all the things your child is doing well and pass along the teacher's compliments. If you need to, talk about what areas that you and the teacher will be working on to help your child improve.

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Requests to Ride an Unassigned Bus

The transportation system is not designed to permit children to go on different busses or to other stops because of birthday parties, clubs, etc. Parents need to find other systems for meeting these needs. Requests for students to ride a different bus than the one assigned will be denied. Parents must obtain permission from the principal if they are requesting to ride the bus with their students.

Page 29 of the "Elementary School Parent Handbook"

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Absence Reporting

The new "Message Magnet" went out at the beginning of school in your child's Wednesday envelope. Please note the new reporting number, which is 763-493-4737 and press #1 for reporting an absence. The absence line is available 24 hours. If you have the old magnet with the old number (763-391-7240) please dispose of that magnet.

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No Pet Policy

Due to health and air quality concerns: No dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, reptiles, fish, birds or exotic animals are allowed at school. Certified therapy dogs will be permitted not more than three days per week. Science curriculum approved by the principal may bring in the above listed animals. Organizations that may be approved for presentations may include but not be limited to Critters & Co., Raptor Center , Humane Society. Animals brought in for "show and tell" should be scheduled for fall or spring, thus permitting the viewing of these animals in an outside location of the school.

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October Orchestra News

WELCOME BACK SINFONIA PLAYERS! Our 6 th grade Sinfonia Orchestra members are ready to start a new school year as the advanced orchestra members in their building. Students are already busy preparing music for their first concert, the "Pizza Concert" to be held on December 1 at Osseo Junior High School . Starting fresh this year is a good time to review the basics: setting aside a quiet practice place, specifying a daily practice time, recording the practice time and securing a signature on the practice card. We are asking the students to practice 120 minutes throughout the week.

Rehearsals for the "Pizza Concert" will be held on:

Monday, November 15 4:15 - 5:30 Edinbrook Elementary
Monday, November 22 4:15 - 5:30 Elm Creek Elementary
Monday, November 29 4:15 - 5:30 Elm Creek Elementary
Wednesday, December 1 4:15 - 7:30 Osseo Junior High(rehearsal, pizza party, and concert)

I WANT TO PLAY is the kickoff theme for our new 5th graders.
In the month of October, the 5th grade students will be working on holding their instruments correctly and learning how to play a few notes. By the end of the month, they should be starting on their first song!

I am looking forward to a wonderful year. Please feel free to call or e-mail me if you ever have any questions.

Ms. Ninnemann
Ninnemannj@district279.org
(763) 391-7200 ext. 27516

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