What's Buzzing at
Independence Elementary STEM
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STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
What do Lego’s, cars, and coding have in common?
Well, likely if you ask a 5th grader at Independence they would be able to tell you! During Trimester One all 5th grade students are participating in a STEM challenge regarding those three things! Students first use Lego WeDo kits to build a race car. The car is complete with a motor, sensor, and codable Smarthub. Students then use a specific app on the iPad to code the car and track its speed. Next they change a few variables like tires and pulleys to investigate how each change affects the speed. This STEM Challenge is a great introduction for future science projects within their classroom.
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A Visit to Big Lake Veterinary Hospital
by Wesley Johnson,
5th grade student
This year my class has the Big Lake Veterinary Hospital for our Community Partner. Recently we were able to go there to learn all about it. We were first brought into a room with a vet to see some x-rays of animals. There were a couple of normal x-rays and some others of animals that had swallowed some stuff like nails and wire. We then saw some different bottles of parasites that animals can get. After that we took a tour around the clinic and saw some different treats and muzzles for animals. They had brought some dogs and cats from their homes for us to pet and play with. There were two dogs, five kittens and one cat. We were split into four groups and got to pet and play with the animals. They were very kind and it was really fun. This was a great experience because we got to learn more about our Community Partner and the work they do.
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PBIS: Positive Behavior
Interventions & Supports
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It’s been an exciting month here at Indy with regards to PBIS. At the end of last month, our students got to experience their first Student of the Month Assembly for the 2023-24 school year. Our September Students of the Month were recognized for their positive display of Collaboration. Be sure and follow our X (Twitter) account @Indy_STEM to regularly see pictures of the happenings at Indy. This is where we post our Student of the Month pictures as well. At these assemblies, we also have Hornet Ticket drawings for coins to Buzz’s Bookstore, our book vending machine; as well as participate in some fun Minute To Win It Challenges.
This week we will be having our October Student of the Month Assembly which will be combined with the closing of our Wiz Fit Challenge. Therefore, we will be honoring our October Students of the Month who are selected based on their positive display of Friendship; and then the Harlem Wizards will be engaging our students is some fun as we close up our Wiz Fit Challenge and look forward to this Saturday’s game where the Harlem Wizards take on our Big Lake Elementary staff in a fun game of basketball. If you have not yet purchased your tickets, do so via the link below. The game will take place at 5:30pm at Big Lake High School.
https://harlemwizards.com/schedule-tickets/
This month the Stinger Store has been making its way to all classrooms. Students can use their hornet tickets to purchase fun things from the store. The store only comes five times a year. The next time the store will come through each room is in December.
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Our students at Independence are learning about many amazing things in their English Language Arts classrooms! From Animal Classification in third grade, to the Middle Ages in fourth grade, and Early American Civilizations in fifth grade, we are building background knowledge every single day! Background knowledge is incredibly important for academic success, and as we continue to build that knowledge with our students, their literacy will grow as well. One of the important ways that building background knowledge supports literacy is through vocabulary. The more words students know, the more text they will be able to understand. Throughout the year, you will notice that your student is learning about sophisticated science and historical concepts, and reading challenging literature that will help them increase their vocabulary and be able to read and understand more about the world.
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Introducing the Independence Elementary STEM School Student Council!
The Student Council members have the task of giving a student point of view to decision making in the school. They help to keep the climate of our school feeling upbeat. They work on various projects for the student body and staff. Student Council members also have a few opportunities each year to engage in community activities. Thanks for all you do to help make Indy great!
Pictured: Olivia Heavirland, Fabiola Kannare, Landen Morrissette, Elise Warnke, Hannah Nepsund, Bruce Nubaum, Delilah Vega, Cash Dahlheimer, Henry Bochenski, Amelia Volk, Reid Grove, Oskar Niemela, Vanessa Potter, Sophia Sigafus, Lyla Calgaro
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Next Meeting:
November 13th at 6:00pm
at Independence
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A HUGE Thank you to everyone who is participating in the fundraiser and the Wizards game!!
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NEW Parent Pick-Up Procedures are Coming!
Starting after our Winter Break, on January 2nd, the procedures for afternoon parent pick-up will be changing to provide a more secure pick–up process. If your child is regularly picked up afterschool, when you come to conferences in November, you will be issued a pick-up permit. This permit will include a QR code that will be scanned every day upon picking up your child. At the end of the day, all students who are parent pick-up will report to Ms. Samuelson’s gym. When they are dismissed to leave, they will exit out of Door I (no longer Door J).
If you arrive to pick up your child and do not have a QR code, you will need to park in the parking lot, enter into our main office, and show your ID upon pickup. Your child will then meet you in the office to exit.
We anticipate that upon implementation, there will be unexpected obstacles that will need to be worked out as is usually the case with any new implementation. Therefore, we will greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure we have procedures in place that provide the strongest measures of safety and security for all our students and families.
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Attendance Reminder:
As a reminder, please call the school attendance line whenever your student will be late, sick or absent from school at 763-262-2532. This line is available 24/7. The office will also make sure the teacher is aware of why your child might be out for the day. You can also email the attendance line at ind.attendance@biglakeschools.org. We greatly appreciate it when you contact us.
Change of Transportation Requests:
If you are changing your child’s transportation at the end of the day it is extremely important that you contact the office before 1pm with the change request. As you might guess, the end of the day gets pretty busy for all of us so the earlier you can call with the change the easier it is for us to ensure the teacher and student receive it.
Resources:
While the holiday seasons can be a source of joy, relaxation and fun for many, they can also come with stress and uncertainty. If you are in need this coming holiday season, please reach out to our school social worker, Emily Wroge (e.wroge@biglakeschools.org). We will do our best to connect you with resources in our community to assist.
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Fall Conference Dates:
November 2nd - 3:00-7:00pm
November 3rd - 7:30-3:30pm
November 9th - 3:00-7:00pm
Independence Conference Sign-Up
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5th Grade Musical:
Thursday Nov. 30th
6:00pm for Ms. Schneider, Ms. Priest, Mr. Olson, Ms. Vanderberg & Ms. Olson
7:15pm for Mr. Hoekstra, Ms. Pettit, Ms. Skoog & Ms. Rajkowski
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No School Days:
Friday, November 3rd
Wednesday, November 22nd
Thursday, November 23rd
Friday, November 24th
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Monday, December 4th
Winter Break will start Friday, December 22nd through January 1st
Returning to school January 2nd
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Veteran's Day: You're Invited!
All community members, especially veterans and active service people, are invited to attend our district's Veteran's Day program on Friday November 10th!
This year's program will take place at the High School. More information coming soon, watch for details on our website and Facebook page.
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District Office Relocation
It's official! Starting October 23rd, all District Office staff will be located at the new office space at Independence Elementary STEM (Door J).
701 Minnesota Avenue | Big Lake, MN
Fitness center construction at the high school starts soon!
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