Lower School Back-to-School Information
New Parent Orientation - Monday, August 22, 2011
This orientation event is for parents who are new to Minnehaha Academy. We’re thrilled your student is attending our school. We invite parents of new students to join us for a night to “Get the Scoop.” This back to school parent orientation will give you an opportunity to meet the President, administration, faculty and current parents and ask questions.
Join us at the Lower and Middle School, Monday, August 22 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
First Day of School Orientation (students/parents) - Wednesday, August 24, 2011
8 - 10 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.
Students and parents can meet the teachers, put supplies in their desks and visit the bookstore to purchase supplies.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
The schedule for PK and Kindergarten conferences will be mailed the last week of July. Parents and students meet with the teacher and spend time getting comfortable with the classroom. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 and Thursday, August 25, 2011. Please see the Supply Lists for PK and Kindergarten.
First Day of Classes
Grades 1 through 5 will begin school with a full day on Thursday, August 25, 2011. Our school day is 8:45 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. Students may come into the building at 8:15 a.m. and gather in the cafeteria. Students who need to come to school earlier than 8:15 a.m. must be enrolled in the Fun ‘N Friends program.
Three and five day PK and Kindergarten students will begin school on Monday, August 29, 2011. Two day PK will begin on Tuesday, August 30, 2011.
Parent Coffees
Come join other parents for coffee hosted by the MAPT board in the Redhawk Commons on your child’s first day of school. It’s a day for celebration and tears – come share with others who feel your joy/pain!
School Pictures
Student pictures will be taken on Friday, September 2, 2011. Student pictures are taken for the Hawk Calls Student Directory, and pictures of ALL students are taken even though you may choose not to purchase picture packages. If you do not wish to have the information for your child(ren) published, you will have an opportunity to set those preferences on the Redhawk Online Registration System (RORS).
Information and order forms to purchase student photos will be mailed the last week of July. Students should bring completed order forms and payments with them on Friday, September 3. Class pictures will be taken later in the year.
Fun ‘N Friends
This extended day program provides care for your children before school from 7 - 8:30 a.m. and after school from 3 - 6 p.m. Please access your RORS account to sign up for this care or call 612-728-7745.
Parent Open House
All parents are encouraged to attend our Open House on Thursday, September 8, at 6:45 p.m.. Meet in the Monson Chapel and then go to your child(ren)’s classroom for classroom sessions. Art, music, physical education, Spanish and media specialist teachers will be available in the library.
Building Security
All Minnehaha Academy campus doors are locked from outside access between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.. All visitors to each campus are screened and registered before access is granted.
Lunch
Hot lunches will be served every school day. The cost is $3.25 for students in K-2 and $3.50 for students in grades 3-12, which includes milk. Students may purchase the hot lunch or many bring a lunch from home and purchase milk for $0.40. All food will be eaten in the cafeteria. Grace will be offered in the students’ homerooms before they go to the lunchroom.
Music Lessons
Private piano, violin/viola and cello lessons are offered at South Campus. Information on these lessons is available in the South Campus office.
Parent Communication
All administrative and general communications are consolidated into a weekly Principal’s Broadcast and distributed to parents by email. This weekly broadcast will include all information about upcoming events, policies, and other school news. Parents are automatically subscribed to the Principal’s Broadcast using the email address(es) entered in RORS.
All faculty/staff have voice mail and email, and their extensions and addresses are listed on our website under Quicklinks employee directory. Parent/teacher conferences will be held on October 18-20, 2011 and on March 15-16 2012.
Student/Parent Handbook
The Lower School Student/Parent Handbook will be distributed at the New Student/Parent Orientation. The handbook is available to all parents online. Parents are expected to read the handbook and review the school expectations and policies with their students.
