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Friday, April 10, 2015
Words From Wilshire is sent via email to all of our families. If you are not receiving the email version,
please email Cindy Ridge to be added to the contact list: cridge@stanthony.k12.mn.us
Dear Families,
I hope that everyone had some time to relax and enjoy the warm weather during spring break and
that students returned to school recharged and ready to finish out the school year.
Welcome Grandparents! In past years we have invited students’ grandparents to come to lunch
in the spring. With feedback from grandparents who would like to
see their grandchild’s classroom and through brainstorming with staff
we are excited to announce a new celebration for grandparents! The
evening of Tuesday, May 12th, we would like grandparents to come
to Wilshire Park with their grandchild. Classrooms will be open from
5:30-6:30 p.m. and a short activity will be planned in the room for students and their
grandparents (or special adult friend). At 6:30 p.m. parents may join the fun with our annual ice
cream social, art show, Scholastic Book Fair, bicycle helmet sale and used book swap. Our
student “ambassadors” will be able to show off their classrooms and desks to grandparents until
6:30 p.m. and then from 6:30-7:30 p.m. invite their grandparent or special adult friend to stroll
the hallways with them while enjoying free Culvers custard and the incredible art on display
throughout the building. Parents are also invited to the Ice Cream Social and Art Show from
6:30-7:30 p.m. Weather permitting, families will be able to enjoy their ice cream outside on the
west end of the building. Please give grandparents the information so they can plan on attending
the evening of Tuesday, May 12th. A flyer will be sent home soon that you can share with
grandparents. We are excited to explore new ways for our students to proudly show their
families their classrooms and show off their artistic creations!
Spring is Testing Season: Teachers and students are preparing for the upcoming Minnesota
Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) for students in grades 3, 4, 5. Our goal is that all students
will be well prepared, confident, and ready to do their very best.
Our students have done well on these assessments in the past and we are confident that this
year’s students will carry on that tradition. They have been working hard and are well prepared
for success. Thank you, families, for your work at home as well. The partnership we share is so
important!
Sincerely,
Kari Page, Principal
kpage@stanthony.k12.mn.us
Important Phone Numbers:
Wilshire Park School Office: 612.706.1200
Attendance Line: 612.706.1204
Bus Company: Metropolitan Transportation Network:
763.571.1541 1
The Creativity Fair was a success! Many students and families
enjoyed the 13th Annual Creativity Fair on March 24th. The students
were the stars as they showed their creativity through projects,
performances and exhibits! Many people helped to make this event
happen and their time and effort are greatly appreciated!
A special thank you to …. Mary Przybilla, Barbara Johnson, Carole
Froehle, Hayden Grooms, Mika Nozawa, Karen Hagen, the many
parents who volunteered to work during the event, the Halverson Family, WPPA, Kristie
Frudden, Dolly Smyth, Todd McDonough, Jeff Lundgren, Bill Carlson, Cindy Ridge and
Helen Siggelkow. We also appreciate the support from some local businesses, Culver’s, Cub
and Tracy Printing.
Julie Miller
GT ACHIEVE Teacher, Long Term Substitute
Announcements:
Carl Nowlin Selected as 2015 Villager of the Year
by St. Anthony Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1991, the Villager of the Year award honors and recognizes a resident of St.
Anthony Village who has made outstanding contributions to improve the quality of life in the
community.
“Mr. Nowlin has taught and inspired students for over 12 years,” explained seventh graders Tori
Tholkes and Kaylene Kerber, who nominated Mr. Nowlin for the award. “Over the years, he has
always had a cheerful attitude and is very welcoming. He taught me a lot about math and how to
work with tough problems in math and in everyday life.” A letter of recommendation from third
grade teacher Bobbie Jo Tronsgard stated, “Carl will always be a teacher, he takes time every
day to not only teach his 25 students, he stops students in the hall and is constantly seen teaching
them too. In fact, he is teaching all of us as teachers, teaching us how to lead our children to be
the best children they can be. Now, he is teaching us grace, love, and perseverance as he battles
the biggest battle of his life.”
Congratulations to Wilshire Park’s Superhero Carl Nowlin on his selection as the 2015 Villager
of the Year!
Carl will be recognized at the St. Anthony Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting on
Thursday, April 16 at Jax Café. To register, visit http://www.saintanthonychamber.org/
Wendy Webster
Director of Community Services and Communications
Carl Nowlin Video
As many of you know, 3rd grade teacher Carl Nowlin recently went on leave due to ALS (Lou
Gehrig’s disease). Dave Ash, the parent of a former student put together a video tribute. The
purpose of the video was to give Mr. Nowlin’s former students a chance to talk about how Mr.
Nowlin has touched their lives as well as to raise awareness of the Nowlin Family Fund, which
has been created to support Mr. Nowlin, his wife and their two small children.
o Please click on the link to watch the video: https://vimeo.com/122776553
o To learn more about the Nowlin Family Fund or to make a contribution, visit:
http://www.gofundme.com/h9x3fk
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Important Testing Dates: Please Put On Your Calendar
All students in grades 3-5 will take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). It is
important that students come to school rested and fed for these very important tests. Students will
be taking all of the tests online. Several classes per day will be taking the tests. Your child’s
classroom teacher will notify you of the specific days that your child will be testing. If you have
any questions, please direct these questions to your child's teacher.
The testing dates are:
• Week of April 20: MCA Reading Grades 3-5
• Week of April 27: MCA Math Grades 3-5
• Week of May 4: MCA Science Grade 5
• Week of May 11: MAP Reading Grades 2-5
• Week of May 18: MAP Math Grades 2-5
Kindergarten Registration for 2015-16 School Year
Do you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2015 and live in the St.
Anthony-New Brighton School District? Please e-mail cridge@stanthony.k12.mn.us or call the
school office at 612.706.1200 to be added to our kindergarten mailing list for the 2015-16 school
year. Kindergarten registration materials for the 2015-16 school year have been mailed out.
Kindergarten Registration will take place on Monday, April 13th and Tuesday, April 21st at
Wilshire Park.
Volunteer Appreciation Event on Friday, May 1st from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE to RSVP for the Volunteer Event! If you’ve given Wilshire Park your gift
of time this year, we want the chance to say THANK YOU. This special event is our way of
doing that. We have a surprise activity planned for you with snacks and beverages provided.
Please RSVP by Friday, April 17th by emailing Jolene at jhodson@stanthony.k12.mn.us or by
calling 612-706-1267 and leaving your name and whether you will need childcare that day. Hope
to see you there!
Jolene Hodson, Volunteer Coordinator
Bike Helmets Will Be For Sale during Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, May 12th
Bicycle helmets will be for sale during the Tuesday, May 12th Ice Cream Social so
you can purchase your family bike helmets for the summer. The cost is only $15 for
the Schwinn brand helmets. A flyer is attached so you can take a look at sizes and
see how to measure for proper size. If you have questions contact Julie Philbrook
(WP Parent and Wilshire Park Safe Routes to School Committee member) at
Julie.philbrook@hcmed.org More information about the Ice Cream Social will be in
the next Words From Wilshire newsletter.
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Classroom Placements for 2015-16
Teachers are beginning to work on making student placements for classes next year. If you would
like to provide input on your child’s placement for next year, you may request a Student Placement
Form from the school office. We can send you a paper copy or email you a pdf. This is an
opportunity to give your child’s teacher feedback about the environment that would suit your child
best. Requests for a specific teacher will not be considered. Forms are due in the school office no
later than Friday, April 24th. You will be notified in mid-August of your child’s classroom
placement for the 2015-16 school year.
Are You Planning to Move?
If your child will not be attending Wilshire Park School next year, (or in the case of fifth graders,
St. Anthony Middle School), please let us know. It is helpful for our planning and as we order
materials. We will prepare your child’s records to forward on to his or her new school. Thanks
for your help!
WILSHIRE PARK
Celebrate Earth Week: April 20th- 24th
Monday: Green Day: Wear Green.
Tuesday: Clean-up Day: Clean up the playground.
Wednesday: Bike/Walk to School with family or friends
to school (No meeting location).
Thursday: Donation Day: Bring in milk jugs or flower
pots for the plant sale.
Friday: Butterfly and Bee Day: Wear Orange or Yellow.
Fourth/Fifth Grade Program on Thursday, April 30th
Author Michael Northrup is coming to Wilshire Park Elementary on Thursday, April 30th from
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to speak to our fourth and fifth graders about his newest adventure,
TOMBQUEST: AMULET KEEPERS!
• About TOMBQUEST: From the team that brought you The 39 Clues and Spirit
Animals comes a brand new epic Egyptian adventure! When Alex's mother uses the
Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead to bring him back from the brink of death, she
inadvertently summons a slew of other spirits from the underworld.
•
•
About Michael Northrup: Michael Northrop brings his love of Egyptian history, his
explosive adventure writing, and his dynamic personality to TombQuest. His other books
include Trapped, an Indie Next List selection, and Plunked, a New York Public Library
best book of the year and an NPR Backseat Book Club selection. When he’s not
researching mummies, Michael writes full-time from his home in New York City.
Advance Sale Book Fliers will be sent home with the fourth and fifth graders next week.
Books must be ordered in advance and the form needs to be returned by Tuesday, April
21. Michael Northrop will autograph the pre-sale books that are ordered.
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The 2015-16
16 School District Calendar was approved at the January 6, 2015 School
Board Meeting. Click here for the 2015-16
2015
school district calendar.
Safety Hazard: Highcrest
ghcrest Road as Drop-Off/Pick-up
up Location
Please do NOT drop your child off for school on Highcrest Road
Road in front of school or use
Highcrest Road as a pickup after school unless you have parked your car in a safe location
located southeast from the building on the east side of the street. We are concerned for the safety
of students being dropped off on either
either side of Highcrest directly across from the school with
cars stopping and children crossing. Please use the parking lot, Elmwood church or 36th Ave
(alongside the playground) for student drop
drop-off.
Looking for Lunchroom/Playground Substitutes
Do you have a little time during the day and are willing to substitute occasionally at
Wilshire Park? We could use some additional on
on-call
call substitutes to work in the cafeteria
and playground supervising children at lunchtime. The hours are approximately 11:00
a.m.
.m. until 1:30 p.m. We can work with your schedule. If interested, please visit the
school website and click on “Employment Opportunities” to complete an application.
Please let Cindy or Helen (612-706-1200)
(612
in the school office know when you have compl
completed
your online application and we will work with you to complete the process.
Bus Company Information
Metropolitan Transportation Network is the new bus company contracted
for our student transportation. Occasionally delays in student pickup or dropdrop
off may occur for a variety of reasons. Our office staff is always available to
assist during office hours but please note our office does close at 4:00 p.m.
Please make your first call to the bus company at: 763.571.1541 and ask
for “Dispatch”. This transportation phone number is also listed on the home page of the
Wilshire Park website.
Bus Stops
Please be aware that if a bus stop goes unused for a period of 10 days, that stop may be
inactivated by our bus company, Metropolitan Transportation Network.. Please contact our
Transportation Director, Todd Niklaus at tniklaus@stanthony.k12.mn.us or 612.706.1117 if you
need assistance with your child’s bus route.
Another Note Regarding Busing:
With a note from
m a parent to the school office, students are permitted to ride on a different bus
with a friend unless the bus is at capacity. T
This year, Bus #1 is full to capacity and cannot
accommodate additional students for playdates, etc. Parents will need to arrange
arran another form of
transportation.
After School Change in Plans
We understand that after-school
school plans for your child may change occasionally. Please send a
note with your child or email the teacher, when possible. On those occasions when plans change
during the school day, please call the school office as early as you can. Many times, the office
staff is inundated with calls and visitors at the end of the day. Some grades have late-afternoon
late
recess which makes it challenging to deliver a message to your child.
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Money Sent to School with Your Child
When sending money to school with your child, please mark the check or envelope clearly with
your child’s first and LAST name, teacher’s name and why the money is being sent (lunch
money, field trip, book order, etc.). If paying on your child’s lunch account, please include your
child’s Lunch PIN number.
If Your Child is Absent or will be arriving late. . .
Please call the attendance line at 612.706.1204. Please call before 9:05 a.m. You may leave a
message 24 hours a day.
• If your student needs to leave school early for an appointment please either call or email
the morning of, or send a note with your student. We will communicate the information
to your child’s teacher so they are aware that your child will be leaving. Come to the
school office to sign your child out of school. Office staff will page the classroom to
have your child meet you in the office.
Target: Take Charge of Education® Help Target help your favorite school. Sign up for a
Target REDcard and Target will donate 1% of your Credit or Debit REDcard purchases made at
Target and Target.com. Choose your kids' elementary school, the neighborhood middle school
or any other eligible K–12 school. Wilshire Park recently received a check from Target’s Take
Charge of Education program for $6,584.01. Fantastic! Thank you for choosing Wilshire Park as
your favorite school!
Box Tops for Education: We collect box tops! Clipping the boxtops brings
money into our school to be used for programs. The boxtop collection area is
inside Door #3 in the cabinet by the Lost and Found. WPPA received a check
over Winter Break in the amount of $2,274.90. Wow!
AmazonSmile Program: AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your
favorite charitable organization, at no cost to you, every time you shop through Amazon. When
you shop at smile.amazon.com you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and
convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate
0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose
from nearly one million organizations to support. Of course, we hope that you will choose the
“Wilshire Park Parents Association, Inc.”!
There are three easy step to designate Wilshire Park Parents Association to receive funds:
1. Click on: https://smile.amazon.com/
2. On the screen titled Select a Charitable Organization to Start Shopping, in the search
field titled Or Pick Your Own Charitable Organization, enter "Wilshire Park Parents
Association, Inc."
3. Select the entry for "Wilshire Park Parents Association Inc."
Note: searching on Wilshire Park Elementary returns a Wilshire Park Elementary PTA in
California. Be sure to enter "Wilshire Park Parents Association, Inc."
After the first time, each time you log into AmazonSmile at http://smile.amazon.com to shop,
you will see WPPA designated as your charitable organization at the top of your screen.
TAR GET
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Flyers
Non-school-related
related flyers are not sent home with students but will be made available to parents
in the school office. Parents may also call the school office to request that a flyer be sent home.
Flyers currently available in the school office:
• Piano lessons
sons offered by Michelle Carpenter in her home studio in St. Anthony. Visit the
website
ebsite for more information: michellecarpenterpianostudio.com or email:
michellelynncarpenter@gmail.com
michellelynncarpenter@gmail.com.
• Piano lessons offered in St. Anthony by Jenny Trosen. Second grade and up are
welcome! Email: jennifer.trosen@gmail.com or call 651-485-9945.
9945.
Community News:
Huskies Diamond Club Fundraiser - Hanging Basket Sale:: LAST DAY TO ORDER!
Color your world with some beautiful hanging floral baskets
from
rom the Huskies Diamond Club and help support girls softball in St. Anthony Village.
The Huskies Diamond Club, supporters of St.. Anthony Softball in our community, is having a
hanging flower basket fundraiser. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to defer the
cost of the new varsity uniforms. If you are interested in ordering a hanging basket(s), you may
complete the attached
ached order form and return to Helen Siggelkow in the Wilshire Park office or
mail the form and payment directly to JJulie Memorich by Friday, April 10,, 201
2015. If you have
any questions, Julie can be reached at richmemo@msn.com or 612.788.6181. Thank you for
your support.
St. Anthony Boosters Soccer
Registration is now open for Summer 2015!
Information and registration at: www.saboosters.org
Flyer is attached to electronic newsletter.
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Wilshire Park Calendar Information
Date
Time
Event
Monday, April 13
9:15 a.m.
Gr. 3: Ms. Nord’s class presents, “The Wizard of
Oz” - Cafeteria
Gr. 3: Mr. Nowlin’s class presents, “The Wizard
of Oz” - Cafeteria
2015-16
16 Kindergarten Registration (session #1)
th
5 Grade Recognition Parent Meeting – Staff
Lounge
Gr. 3: Mr. Nowlin’s & Ms. Nord’s classes: field
trip to Mpls. Institute of Art
Ms. Behm’s & Ms. Gibb’s classes: field trip to
Mpls. Institute of Art
Ms. Luckhardt’s & Mr. Peterson’s classes: field
trip to Mpls. Institute of Art
Grade 4: Ms. Kopesky’s & Ms. Paulson’s classes:
field trip to Bakken and Pavek
Crossing Guards to MN Twins Game
Grade 4: Ms. Kopesky’s & Ms. Paulson’s classes:
field trip to Mpls. Institute of Art
MCA Exams for Grades 3, 4, 5:
5 Reading
9:45 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14
9:30
9:30-11:30
a.m.
Wednesday, April 15
9:30
9:30-11:30
a.m.
Thursday, April 16
9:30
9:30-11:30
a.m.
9:30
9:30-2:00
p.m.
Friday, April 17
10:30-3:15 p.m.
10:30
9:30
9:30-11:30
Monday-Friday,
April 20-24
Monday, April 20
Lunchtime
Tuesday, April 21
4:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22
8:00 a.m.
Thursday, April 23
9:15
9:15-2:50
p.m.
Friday, April 24
Saturday, April 25
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Week
Celebrate Earth – Wear Green
5th Grade Class Photo
Celebrate Earth – Clean-up
up Day
2015-16
16 Kindergarten Registration (session #2)
School Board Meeting – St. Anthony Community
Center
Celebrate Earth – Walk or Bike to School
K-Kids Meeting – Room 132
Celebrate Earth – Donate flower pots or milk jugs
for plant sale.
Grade 3: Field trip to MN Zoo
Celebrate Earth – Wear orange or yellow
Pops Concert: MS/HS Auditorium
Pops Concert: MS/HS Auditorium
Upcoming Events/Reminders:
Monday-Friday,
April 27-May 1
Tuesday, April 28
Friday, May 1
MCA Exams for Grades 3, 4, 5:
5 Math
9:25 - 3:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
Grade 3 to MN History Center
Volunteer Appreciation - MPR
Words From Wilshire is published twice each month on the second and fourth Friday of the month. (Exceptions: one issue in
November on November 14th, one issue in December on December 12 and one issue in March on March 13th). Deadline for
articles to be printed in Words From Wilshire is noon on Tuesday before publication. Editor: Cindy Ridge:
cridge@stanthony.k12.mn.us
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