1. education
2. school

F EBRUARY 2015
D EERWOOD N EWSLET TER
1480 D EERWOOD D RIVE
*
E AGAN , M INNESOTA 55122
P HONE : (651) 683-6801 * F AX : (651) 683-6808 * W EBSITE : WWW . DISTRICT 196. ORG /DW
P ARENT -T EACHER C ONFERENCES ~ F EBRUARY 11 & 12
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12. A letter was sent home in
January encouraging all Deerwood parents to sign up on-line for a conference time with your child’s teacher. Parents can go to
the Deerwood website (www.district196.org/dw) and click on the link entitled, “Winter Conference Sign Up” if you have not
yet reserved a 15 minute block of time. If you do not know your child’s conference time, please call the main office at
651-683-6801.
Wednesday, February 11 - Conferences: 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. School is in session for all K-5 students.
Thursday, February 12 - Conferences: 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS.
Friday, February 13 - NO SCHOOL
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for fifteen minutes. It is important for everyone to be on time so that you receive the
time reserved for you. If you need more than fifteen minutes, please call your child's teacher to request additional time.
D EERWOOD
2015 W INTER S OCIAL
F EBRUARY 27
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Put away the winter coats, boots, snow pants and join us for a
TROPICAL BEACH PARTY!
Dancing
Fun Games
Take home a trinket
Refreshing drinks
Invigorating inflatables
Pizza and snacks
Fabulous face painting
Photo booth memories
All Deerwood families are invited to join in the fun!
Volunteers make the fun happen! If you ‘d like to help behind the scenes or the
day of the social, contact Jenny Williams: [email protected]
F EBRUARY 16 ~ P RESIDENT ’ S D AY
NO SCHOOL
U PCOMING E VENTS
February 5
* Site Council Mtg. - 3:30-5:30 p.m.
February 6
* Valentine’s Day Party - 1:15 p.m.
February 11
* Parent-Teacher Conferences
3:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
February 12 (NO SCHOOL)
* Parent-Teacher Conferences
3:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
February 11
* Kindergarten Registration
8:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m.
February 12
* Kindergarten Registration
12:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
February 13
* NO SCHOOL
February 16
* NO SCHOOL- President’s Day
February 19
* Jump Rope for Heart Family Fun Night
6:00-7:30 p.m.
February 27
* Winter Social - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
~ E DUCATING O UR S TUDENTS T O R EACH T HEIR F ULL P OTENTIAL ~
D EERWOOD N EWSLETTER
P AGE 2
V OLUNTEERING AT D EERWOOD
J ENNY W ILLIAMS , V OLUNTEER C OORDINATOR
P HONE : 651-485-7357
E- MAIL : JENNYWILLIAMS @ COMCAST . NET
February is a busy month at Deerwood, with many fun activities to look forward to, from the classroom Valentine’s parties, to
our Winter Social! These events offer many opportunities for our parents to volunteer, and we appreciate all of your help!
We couldn’t make these things a success without all of your support. If you have questions about volunteering, or are
wondering how you can get involved, please contact me.
Solos pizza Night IN EAGAN
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17th ~ 4:00-9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Solos Pizza in Eagan.
WHY:
Deerwood will earn 30% of the proceeds from our orders(dine-in and
carry-out). Simply turn in the flyer, which will be sent home 3 days before the event
and be sure to write your teacher’s name on the flyer so the classroom with the most
students attending can win a free pizza for each student.
Let friends and family know about this night, and help support our school, while enjoying delicious pizza!
Keep turning in your Box Tops!
Keep turning in your Box Tops! Thanks to your efforts, our fall submission earned $1700.00 for
Deerwood! Our next submission is at the end of the month, so continue clipping those Box Tops,
and help earn money for Deerwood!
S AVE THE D ATE !
T HURSDAY , F EBRUARY 11 & 12
S CHOLASTIC B OOK F AIR
~ W ED ., T HUR . N IGHT
D URING C ONFERENCES
T HURSDAY , F EBRUARY 19
J UMP R OPE FOR H EART F AMILY N IGHT
~ 6:00-7:30 P . M .
F RIDAY , F EBRUARY 27
D EERWOOD W INTER S OCIAL
~ 6:00-8:30 P . M .
F RIDAY , M AY 15
I CE C REAM S OCIAL
~ 6:00-8:00 P . M .
AND
B ASKET R AFFLE
F EBRUARY 2015
P AGE 3
Volunteer Opportunities
We still have plenty of spots open for volunteers at the Winter Social and the Scholastic Book Fair. We need parent
participation to make it happen!
If you haven't received an invite from Sign Up Genius with a link to view all of the details, please contact Jen Williams at:
[email protected]
M Y C OKE R EWARDS
If you purchase Coke products, you can turn over your points to
Deerwood. There is a code located on the Coke products, and
when you go online to
www.mycokerewards.com, you can select Deerwood to receive
your points.
Please don’t bring the pop caps to Deerwood; you need
to enter the code yourself from home. These points can
then be redeemed for items for our school.
K OWALSKI ’ S ~ “G ROCERIES FOR G OOD C AUSES ”
Kowalski’s Receipts~When shopping at Kowalski’s, remember to place your receipt in Deerwood’s box, located by the exit
doors. Every quarter, Deerwood receives money based on the NUMBER of receipts turned in, not the dollar amount! Remember, you can also turn in receipts from the Starbucks located inside the store!
2015 B ASKET R AFFLE I NFORMATION
We are starting to plan the Deerwood annual basket raffle. We are seeking donations of
time or talent from our Deerwood families. Creative new ideas are always welcome to
add a new flair to our always wonderful baskets.
Here are a few examples of what we are looking for:
* Do you have a pair of event tickets you can't use?
* Can you arrange for a behind the scenes tour of someplace interesting?
* Do you have a connection to the Gophers, Timberwolves, Vikings, Lynx or Wild so we could raffle autographed items?
* Do you make jewelry, take portraits, arrange flowers or teach piano?
* Gift cards/gift certificates to local businesses
* Does your work/business have items they could contribute?
Like last year, we will be wrapping all of the baskets ourselves. In order to keep down our expenses, there will be only one
basket per theme. Please don't limit yourself to this list! If you have a great idea for a basket or a basket
item, gives us a call...we'd love to hear from you. Contact Sharon Meekin at [email protected] by March 12, 2015.
D EERWOOD N EWSLETTER
P AGE 4
D ISCOVERY C LASSES S TARTING IN M ARCH !
The next session for the Deerwood Discovery After School Enrichment Program will begin March 3. Course offerings and
days are being sent home today (January 30) with the students. Registration for all classes are due on February 11.
Classes meet from 2:45-3:45. If you have any questions regarding your child’s registration status or are still interested in registering, you can contact ISD 196 Community Education Learning Services Center at (651) 423-7920.
N ATIONAL G EOGRAPHIC B EE F INAL R OUNDS AT D EERWOOD !
For the 27thth year, the National Geographic Society has organized the National Geographic Bee for students in the fourth
through eighth grades. Deerwood Elementary chose to participate again this year. The Bee addresses the subject of geography
in its broadest sense, including knowledge of place-names and locations of cultural and physical features.
In December all interested Deerwood fourth and fifth graders were invited to participate in the Preliminary Competition,
which consisted of seven rounds of questions. From that competition, the following students qualified for the Preliminary
Round Tie Breaker Round (each having earned 6 points in the Preliminary Round): Solange Conlon, Henry Franken,
Gayathri Gajjela, Bryna Gulbrandson, Delaney Hicok, Kelly Hjulberg, Jackson Larson, Tony Marudas, Josh
Moeller, Sana Tahir, Shreya Takkella, Rowen Phillips and Jordan Wold. Our Final Round competitors included
Rowen Phillips and Jordan Wold, (who had both earned all 7 Preliminary Round points) and Henry Franken, Tony
Marudas, Kelly Hjulberg and Jackson Larson. From that we saw our third place winner was Henry Franken.
Jordan Wold was Deerwood's runner-up. Rowen Phillips received a medal from the National Geographic Society and is
our Deerwood 2015 Geography Bee Champion! He next completes a 42-question written test to try to qualify for our state
level Geography Bee, which is March 27th. (Keep an eye on TV listings; the National Championship Round of the 2015 Bee,
hosted by Soledad O'Brien, is May 13th!)
We congratulate all Geography Bee participants and hope this has spurred you on to continued study. There is ALWAYS
more to learn! Now is a great time to “map” your path to the future!
J ORDAN W OLD
R OWAN P HILLIPS - C HAMPION
- R UNNER - UP ~ H ENRY F RANKEN - 3 RD P LACE
F EBRUARY 2015
P AGE 5
F OURTH G RADE M USIC C ONCERT ON M ARCH 5, 2015
By Lisa Schoen, Vocal Music Teacher
The Deerwood fourth graders have been busily preparing for their upcoming vocal music program, entitled “Go West!” Their
performance will take place on Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 P.M. in the Deerwood gymnasium. Family and friends are invited
to come and enjoy. A dress rehearsal will also take place at 1:40 P.M. during that school day, which you are welcome to
attend. Parents of fourth grade students: please note that this is your child’s only vocal music performance of the school year,
and it is an important part of your child’s participation grade for this trimester. Please make every effort to see that your child
is prepared and in attendance for this special event. Looking forward to seeing you there!
T HIRD G RADE M USIC C ONCERT ON M ARCH 12, 2015
By Lisa Schoen, Vocal Music Teacher
The Deerwood third graders have been busily preparing for their upcoming vocal music program, entitled “Interplanetary
Jammin’.” The program will tie into an upcoming social studies unit about space. Their performance will take place on
Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 P.M. in the Deerwood gymnasium. Family and friends are invited to come and enjoy. A dress
rehearsal will also take place at 1:40 P.M. during that school day, which you are welcome to attend. Parents of third grade
students: please note that this is your child’s only vocal music performance of the school year, and it is an important part of
your child’s participation grade for this trimester. Please make every effort to see that your child is prepared and in attendance
for this special event. Looking forward to seeing you there!
D A C APO C HOIR C ONCERT ON M ARCH 15, 2015
By Lisa Schoen, Vocal Music Teacher
The Da Capo Choir has a unique opportunity to sing our music in a spring concert with the Velvet Tones on Sunday, March 15
at 2:00 P.M. at Eastview High School. In order for students to practice and get ready for the concert, recordings of the songs
have been placed on Mrs. Schoen’s music website. This can be found on the Deerwood website by clicking on “For Students”
and then “Music Class Online,” or by typing the link below:
https://sites.google.com/site/musicatdeerwood/home/choir
Please encourage your son or daughter to be listening and practicing in the coming weeks.
Also, we will have two rehearsals in the gym prior to March 15 (this is a change from the communication I sent home earlier
this year). It is important for your child to attend these rehearsals in order to be ready for the concert.
*** Monday, March 2: Rehearsal for Monday choir students only 2:45-3:45 in the Deerwood Gymnasium.
Pick up promptly at 3:45 PM.
*** Wednesday, March 4: Rehearsal for Wednesday choir students only 2:45-3:45 in the Deerwood Gymnasium.
Pick up promptly at 3:45 PM.
*** Wednesday, March 11: Combined Monday and Wednesday choir rehearsal 2:45-3:45 in the Deerwood Gymnasium.
Pick up promptly at 3:45 PM.
*** Sunday, March 15: Combined CONCERT with the Velvet Tones at Eastview High School Auditorium. Rehearsal at 1:00
PM (arrive 10 minutes early) and Concert at 2:00 PM. Students wear “special occasion” clothes.
Watch for a note with more information to come home with your son or daughter with an attached portion to be returned to
Mrs. Schoen.
D EERWOOD N EWSLETTER
P AGE 6
S TUDENT P LACEMENT FOR 2015-2016
During the months of April and May, staff will be developing class lists for the 2015-16 school year. In order to ensure
the best learning environment for all students, it is important that classes be balanced with an equal number of boys and
girls, a blend of various ability levels, and separation of students who do not perform well together. Staff spend an
incredible amount of time making sure that classrooms are balanced and that individual student needs are met.
Each staff member works extremely hard in providing an excellent education for the children at Deerwood Elementary.
Therefore, it is not recommended that parents “select” their child’s teacher. With fluctuating enrollment and the
uncertainty of funds from year to year, we cannot guarantee the number of sections we will have or what grade level
specific teachers will be teaching. Please understand that adjustments may need to be made over the summer months.
If you feel you absolutely must provide additional input into your child's placement for next year that we do not already
know, you may obtain a "Student Placement Form" from the office. All completed forms must be returned to
the office by Friday, April 10, 2015.
K INDERGARTEN R EGISTRATION FOR 2015-2016 S CHOOL Y EAR
Kindergarten registration for the 2015-16 school year will be held on February 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on
Thursday, February 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you cannot register your child on this date, please call to let us
know when you can come in and register. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2015 are
eligible to attend kindergarten in 2015-2016.
Parents are asked to bring their child's birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of age and proof of Early Childhood
Screening.
This session is for PARENTS ONLY. Students will have an opportunity to visit Deerwood Elementary during an open
house on April 23.
J UMP R OPE FOR H EART F AMILY F UN N IGHT
By Amy Fischer, Physical Education Specialist
Jump Rope for Heart is coming soon! As always, the program is open for ALL Deerwood students
who wish to participate and make a difference. Students have the opportunity to fundraise for the
American Heart Association.
Fundraising is not required, but is extremely encouraged. All grades will participate in an
open-house jump-a-thon, which will be held in the Deerwood gymnasium on Thursday night,
February 19th from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. You may come and go, the event is intended to be
“open-house” style.
A $1 donation is suggested at the door of the event. The Jump Rope for Heart Family Fun Night
will be full of FUN, exercise, FUN, smiles, FUN, sweat, FUN, prizes, and more FUN!!!
Participants can start collecting donations for the American Heart Association prior to the event. The participants will
have the opportunity to earn great thank you gifts, for their hard work from fundraising and jumping.
The informational letter and fundraising packet will be sent home 2 weeks prior to the event. Fundraising money is due
by Thursday, February 19th. I encourage you to create an account and do all fundraising on-line. Please help make a
difference for a good cause and encourage your child to have a healthy lifestyle.
If you are interesting in volunteering please contact Deerwood’s wonderful volunteer coordinator, Jen Williams, at
[email protected].
F EBRUARY 2015
P AGE 7
4 TH AND 5 TH G RADE B AND N EWS !
By Susan Smith, Instrumental Music Teacher
4th Graders Attend EHS Band Instrument Demonstration Concert:
On Wednesday, January 28, 4th Graders from Deerwood, Glacier Hills School of Arts &
Science, Northview, Pinewood, and Woodland Elementary had an opportunity to attend a
phenomenal concert led by the Eagan High School Wind Ensemble and high school band
teachers: Mr. Tom Maeck, and Mr. Conrad Miska. Students heard a demonstration of
every band instrument led by the high school students themselves, participate in a rainstorm selection, and one lucky 4 th
grader from each school had the opportunity to conduct the band!
Upcoming Band Sign Up:
Look forward to seeing a band handbook coming home mid to late-February. The handbook provides information about the
band program, has an “Instrument Selection Form” in the back for parents to give students permission to sign up, and has
space for students to select “2-3” instruments they can test play in March with Mrs. Smith.
I believe every child should have the opportunity to participate in band. If your family is in financial need, there is a blank you
can mark on the “Instrument Selection Form” on the back of the band handbook, and I will see what I can do to help ensure
your son/daughter is able to join band as well. I hope all of our children are able to participate in this intrinsically rewarding
experience. “When kids learn to play a musical instrument, they are laying the groundwork for a lifetime’s appreciation of
music.”
Instrumental Music and Brain Research:
Research connecting instrumental music training with enhanced brain development continues to grow. Interested? Here is
an excerpt from the following article found at www.parentingscience.com/music-and-intelligence.html: Evidence that music
training is the cause-not merely the effect-of high IQ: “…One such (long-term) study is being conducted by Schlaug and his
colleagues at the Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical
School. These researchers are tracking the effects of music lessons—specifically, piano and violin lessons—on brain
development and cognition. Fifty kids, aged 5 to 7 years, began the study with no prior music training. Before starting music
lessons, these kids were given brain scans and cognitive tests to establish baselines. Researchers are also following a control
group, matched for age, socioeconomic status and verbal IQ. One year into the study, the musically-trained kids already
showed greater improvement in fine motor skills and auditory discrimination skills. …The musicians also showed trends for
a greater increase in grey matter volume, and greater improvement on verbal, visual-spatial and math tests. Schlaug and
colleagues are betting that these trends will become statistically significant over time (Schlaug et al 2005).
Band Registration for Middle School Is Fast Approaching:
5th Graders have made excellent strides in their musical development already! I encourage our band parents to continue your
child’s musical education by keeping your child participating in instrumental music in 6th grade.
5th Grade Jazz:
5th graders are learning how to improvise and play jazz music! Every child will be given the opportunity to improvise a 4measure solo (if they feel brave enough) during our next, spring concert. This is a wonderful enrichment opportunity! While
your son or daughter is improvising, he or she must create and develop a tune based on a set of rules (in real time) using
creative rhythms as well as notes. Along with high level thinking, your child is learning a new, positive avenue for expression!
D EERWOOD N EWSLETTER
P AGE 8
4 TH & 5 TH G RADE S KI & S NOWBOARD C LUB
By: Amy Fischer
We will be having an informational meeting for all Ski Club members the first week in February. This
meeting is during school and will cover all information that skiers and their parents will need to know
before we go on our ski trip. Parents do not need to attend. Members will be taking an informational
letter and checklist home from this meeting.
Ski and Snowboard Club will be held on Monday, February 9th , at Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area in Bloomington. We
meet at Deerwood at 3:30 p.m. and the bus departs to Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area in Bloomington, we return at 9:00
p.m. An hour-and-half lesson is mandatory for all skill levels.
If your child signed up for Ski Club before the deadline, December 19th, a yellow waiver will be sent home with them.
Please fill it out and return to school.
Please contact me if you have any questions @ [email protected] .
V ALENTINE ' S D AY P ARTIES - F EBRUARY 6
The Valentine's Day parties are scheduled for Friday, February 6 at 1:15 p.m. for students in grades kindergarten through
four. Students in grade five will be going to Burnsville Bowl in lieu of a classroom party.
Students are asked to contribute $2.00 to cover the cost of the party. Please send your party money to school in an envelope
clearly marked, "Party Money" and give it to your child's teacher by Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
T HINK S UMMER ! G RASP 2015 P REVIEW
Parents, it’s time to start thinking about summer and how you’ll help your children keep their math and reading skills sharp.
Many of you know that the GRASP workbook program, available through Community Education, is one way to help your
children during the summer. However, GRASP should not be considered as a replacement for participating in summer
school, if a child qualifies. This year, GRASP registration information will be sent home with students the week of February
17-20. Sample workbooks will be available for review in the school office during parent/teacher conferences and the registration period. The deadline for registration this year is March 31. Watch for more information later this winter.
W INTER B OOK F AIR C OMING I N F EBRUARY
By Dawn Lyons, Media Specialist
It’s almost book fair time! Our winter book fair will be held during conferences Wednesday,
February 11 (3:30 to 8:00) and Thursday, February 12 (12:30 to 8:00). Your children will
have had the opportunity to preview the book fair during school prior to conferences so
watch for their “wish lists” to come home. We love to see students during the conference
book fair hours, but we do request that they attend with a parent or other adult.
We’re looking for volunteers to help out with set-up, take-down, during the browsing time during the regular school day, and
during the actual book fair itself. If you are interested in helping, please either email me at [email protected] or call
me at 651-683-6801.
Your support for the book fair is very much appreciated by your children. Our profits from the book fair help us purchase new
children’s books for the media center. I’m looking forward to meeting you. See you there!
D EERWOOD N EWSLETTER
P AGE 9
N EWBERY A WARD -W INNING A UTHOR V ISTS D EERWOOD !
On January 20, Deerwood students from grades 2-5 met
Margi Preus, a Minnesota author who has earned some
prestigious book awards. She shared some words of wisdom,
she shared a lot about how she researches and writes, and she
spent time with each group answering questions.
Ms. Preus read a lot as a child, crediting Harriet the Spy books
to helping her understand that she wanted to be a writer when
she grew up! She also loved Pippi Longstocking and Nancy
Drew books. She shared that she owes her writing life to disappointment, because she really wanted to be Sleeping Beauty in
a play, and when she didn’t get the part, she decided she would
write plays and then she could pick her own part! She reflected
that disappointment can create a determination that can push a person to new limits!
Ms. Preus does a tremendous amount of research for her books, which are mostly historical fiction. She reads, interviews,
writes, and when she gets stuck and wonders how something should happen, she reads more!
Students loved when she shared that she has learned much about writing from her dog:
1. Challenge yourself: Why carry a little stick, if you can carry a big one? Why read an easy book when you can read a bit more
challenging one? Why stop, when you can add a bit more detail to your story?
2. Not every fit will be a good one. Margi’s dog HATED his dog shoes, and he WOULD NOT walk in them! Not every book
will be a good fit for every reader. You might want to put it down and try it later, or suggest another person with different interests read it
instead.
3. Mistakes are OK. Margi’s dog, while sitting in the back of her station wagon, got mixed up in red paint, and was pink
most of the summer! Mistakes can be fixed, and sometimes create new ideas and humor! Margi shared her stacks of drafts…just to write
one book. She said , “I enjoy the hard work of writing.”
4. Sometimes you have to dig. Margi’s dog loves to dig in the snow and in the dirt. Sometimes you have to dig for what to say
and write. Sometimes, you have to stop writing and research!
5. Don’t hoard your ideas! Margi has a friend whose dog hid all of her bone toys under the couch, and when the couch was
moved, the friend found about 20 bone treats! Get your ideas down! The more ideas you get down, the more ideas you will get!
6. Keep your eye on the prize! Margi’s dog loves watching her open new treats and toys. Stick with your writing. Stay focused
and don’t get side-tracked!
7. Just GO FOR IT. Margi’s dog jumps off the dock and into the lake. Try! Try! Try!
District 196 School Board Members
Rob Duchscher, Chairperson
Jackie Magnuson, Vice Chairperson
Gary Huusko, Clerk
Art Coulson, Treasurer
Joel Albright, Director
Mike Roseen, Director
Bob Schutte, Director