‘Paws’ for News from the Principal

December 18, 2015

COWERN P WPRINTS Upcoming Events

Dec. 23 thru Jan. 1

NO SCHOOL;

Winter Break

Classes resume Jan. 4!

Contact Information

Adventure Connection 651-748-6898 Attendance 651-748-6824

Office 651-748-6800

School Nurse

651-748-6815

Cowern Elementary

2131 Margaret Street

North Saint Paul, MN

55109

http://www.isd622.org/

cowern

Future events can

be found on the

Cowern website

listed below:

http://www.isd622.org/

cowern

Dear Cowern Families

& Friends,

It is hard to believe that

the first trimester of the

school year has come to a

close. The students have

worked extremely hard

and have accomplished so

many learning objectives

throughout the trimester.

None of this would be

possible without the dedi-

cated staff and families

that make up the Cowern

community. Thank you to

everyone for all the hard

work, dedication, long

hours, and commitment to

each and every Cowern

student!

With only 2 days until

Winter Break, we con-

tinue to enjoy warm

weather! Report cards

were sent home last Friday

with each student in their

take home folder. We, as

Cowern staff, hope you

have a safe and fun-filled

Winter Break and return in

the new year ready to fin-

ish the school year strong.

January always brings in

our testing season which

tends to dominate much of

our school time. Enjoy

time with family and

friends and know that we

are thankful for you and

your students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gena Abrahamson

Busers/Walkers/Parent Pick-up If your child is not going home as he/she usually does, the teacher must be notified

IN WRITING detailing the change in arrangements. The school must receive a

note from a parent or guardian that gives permission for a student to leave school

in a way different from usual. If a note is not received, the child must go home as

they usually do.

We have received an unusually high number of phone calls regarding changing the

mode of transportation for students. Most of these phone calls are occurring after

2:30 in the afternoon. Please understand that it gets increasingly difficult to get a

message to the teacher during that time frame. Please allow us more time to get

messages to teachers in regards to changes in student transportation. Arrangement

for transportation should be made before school from home and a note sent in to

the teacher. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Lost & Found All lost and found items will be donated during winter

break. Please check for your child’s lost items! They are

hanging on the rack, down the stairs next to the reception

desk.

PAGE 2 COWERN PAWPRINTS

These programs are open to all parents, caregivers and staff.

CHILDCARE: We ask that you do not bring children to meetings, but they are welcome to attend our childcare. The cost

is $2.00 per child, per meeting. Pre-registration for childcare is required at least one week in advance. Call 651-748-7594

and leave your name and phone number and the ages and names of your children. This information is required for all child-

care reservations. Childcare will close promptly at 8:30 p.m.

Give Kids A Smile On February 5 and 6, 2016, Minnesota children in need will have access to free dental care, thanks to

the thousands of dental professionals who volunteer with the Minnesota Dental Association’s annual chari-

table event, “Give Kids A Smile.”

While we do not yet have the complete list of participating dental clinics (that will be available in the beginning of January

2016), free care will likely be in your area or in a community nearby. That’s why we want to make sure you have the infor-

mation early enough to share it with families you know who could most benefit from this event. Though there are no eligi-

bility requirements, this program is intended to help children from those families who face barriers to obtaining dental

care. Here is more information:

All patients must have appointments in advance and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. After

January 1, parents may call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1) or 800-543-7709. Operators will have a list of participat-

ing dental offices and will be able to direct people to a location in their area. Parents will then call the dental office to

schedule an appointment. An online list will also be available at www.mndental.org.

Services will vary from preventive care, which includes cleanings, sealants and fluor ide treatment, to restorative

care, which includes fillings. Information on specific services that will be provided will be outlined when an appointment

is scheduled.

Typically, clinics treat children ranging in age from 3 to 18. When calling for an appointment, parents should ask

about any age requirements.

ISD 622 Social Work Department & PrairieCare Presents: ADHD Parent Support Group

1/11/16 “The Basics of Play Therapy” by: Stacy Lundell, LMFT, RPT of Prair ieCare

2/08/16 “Responding to Children’s Emotional and Physical Outbursts”

by: Jenny Hanlon, M.Ed of Jenny Hanlon Consulting

3/14/16 “Connections between Positive Psychology and Parenting Children with ADHD”

by: Lauren Braswell, PhD, of St. Thomas University

4/11/16 “Discover the R’s of Parenting; Parenting Strategies for Your Special Needs Child or Teen”

by: Mitch Leppicello, LICSW, of East Metro Family Counseling

For full 2016 Support Group Schedule please see www.prairie-care.com/resources/for-families/add-adhd-parent-support-group/

If you have questions please contact: Jenna Kellogg - jkellogg@prairie-care.com or 952-228-7033

Diane Peterson - dpeterson@isd622.org or 651-748-6766

ISD 622’s District Education Center

2520 East 12th Ave., North Saint Paul, MN 55109

Welcome to ADHD Parent Support Group Presentations are from 6:30-8:00 p.m., stay until 8:30 to continue the conversation

PAGE 3 COWERN PAWPRINTS

PTG (Parent Teacher Group)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Buffalo Wild Wings

Kick-off; 12/21—

Go any time!

Eat Out Night at

Buffalo Wild Wings—

Go any time thru

March 13!

PTG Meeting

1/11; 6:30 p.m.

Roller Skating at

Saints North

1/14; 6-8 p.m.

Plaza Movie Night

1/21; 6 p.m.

We’re on Facebook!

Cowern Elementary

Parent Teacher Group

Happy New Year!

Plaza Theater Movie

Night

Movie to be announced

When: January 21

Time: 6pm

Cost: $2

(100% comes back to

Cowern)

Questions or concerns?

Contact us at

cowernptg@isd622.org

PTG Community Service Event We received a great response from everyone who donated items for birthday bags for kids

at Cowern and the community. We assembled 58 birthday bags! Thank you to everyone

that donated and helped out at this event!

Plaza Movie Night Thank you to all that came to make Plaza Movie Night a huge success! The winner of

the Pan Poster prize and lunch with Dr. Abrahamson is Allan Foster in Mrs. Biddick’s

class.

Eat Out Night Our Buffalo Wild Wings Kick-off is on Monday night, December 21! Buffalo Wild

Wings has agreed to keep raising money for Cowern thru March 13. Mention you are

from Cowern and 10% of all purchases will come back to school!

We look forward to more “FUNdraising” in the new year!

Have a great holiday season and we’ll see you next year!

Reminder about delays, dismissals and closings

With the winter season upon us, please take a minute to review the district’s procedures regarding delays in school opening, early dismissal or emergency school closings.

All delays in school opening, early dismissal of school, or emergency school closings are announced via the School District’s emergency calling system and over local radio and television stations.

The emergency calling system allows the district to notify all parents by phone in the event of an emergency, such as a school closing. When the emergency calling feature is used, all phone numbers listed as contact numbers for a family will be called. If you have changed phone numbers, please notify the school secretary.

In the event of a delay in school opening or emergency school closing, local radio and televi-sion stations will be contacted by 6 a.m. Students and parents should watch local television channels for emergency messages.

Delayed Start

When there is a delay in opening the schools, the school starting time will always be delayed at least two hours. In addition:

Morning Stepping Stones is canceled.

Morning Community Education classes and activities are canceled.

Morning Early Childhood Family Education programs are canceled.

Morning Early Childhood Special Education programs are canceled.

Meals on Wheels is canceled.

Adventure Connection will be closed for the before-school session. The after-school session will be open as usual, unless administration announces otherwise.

Early Dismissal

All afternoon and evening Community Education classes and activities will be can- celed unless the superintendent or designee makes an exception.

Adventure Connection is closed.

After-school activities will be canceled unless the superintendent or designee makes an exception.

When School is Closed

All Community Education activities are canceled including ECFE programs, Meals on Wheels, and Adult Basic Education and GED classes.

Adventure Connection sites are closed.

When inclement weather necessitates the cancellation of activities on non-school days or after the end of the school day, all community education activities will be canceled unless the superintendent or designee makes an exception.