FIRST GRADE ANNUAL BIKE RALLY
The 6th Annual First Grade Bike Rally will be held on Friday, May 18th. Once again we are very excited to use the day to teach our students about the importance of bike safety. The day will be filled with many great opportunities for our students. There will be guest speakers, an obstacle course and bicycle safety inspections. All first graders will receive a free bike helmet, and have the opportunity to purchase a t-shirt. New bikes will also be given away in a drawing.
As a reminder, parents will need to drop their child's bike off in the teacher parking lot before school on May 18th. Please mark your child's bike with their name. Students will be using their bikes throughout the day. We will conclude the day with a bike ride from 1:30-2:30 on the trail along Hwy 12. Parents of first graders are invited to join us for the bike ride. All bikes need to be picked up by 2:45. Dassel Elementary will not store bikes that are not picked up. With your help, this will be a FANTASTIC day for your first grader!!
Annual Track & Sports Day
May 25
Our annual Track & Sports Day is fast approaching. On Friday, May 25th, students in grades 1-4 will showcase the skills they have learned in physical education throughout the year.
Indoor events include jump rope, bean bag toss, ball catches, softball pitch to target, “javelin” throw, basketball shooting, bowling, standing long jump, ladder golf, and shuttle run.
Outdoor events include the 50 yard dash, hurdles, distance throw, soccer goal kick, kick for distance, foxtail throw, football target throw, pole climb, Frisbee throw, and yard toss.
The day begins at 9:45 with grades 1 and 2 at the outdoor events and grades 3 and 4 at the indoor events. Activity resumes at 1:00 with grades 1 and 2 inside and grades 3 and 4 outside.
We hope you can join us for one or both sessions. Perhaps you’d like to take this opportunity to join your son or daughter for lunch. There is a special hot dog cookout planned to make the day even more special. Adult meal tickets are $3.15. Please purchase your lunch ticket in the office.
Many volunteers are needed in order to make the day run smoothly. Contact Mary Neu or use the volunteer form below if you would be willing to help in the morning, afternoon, or both sessions.
In case of inclement weather, Track & Sports Day will be rescheduled for Tuesday, May 29th.
DC SAINTS READING CHALLENGE
 "Take me out to the ballgame…" Baseball season is in full swing and it has provided Dassel Elementary with a great opportunity to read and enjoy America’s favorite pastime.
The DC Saints are presenting a 4-week spring reading program that will start on Monday, April 30th and will go through Monday, May 28th. This incentive based program challenges students to read a set number of minutes per week. At the end of the 4 weeks, students who reached their reading goal and turn in their calendars for all 4 weeks will earn a free FAMILY PASS and treat coupon for the June 1st DC Saints home game against Green Isle at 7:30! This game will be designated as the "DC Saints Reading Challenge" night. Students who reach their weekly goal and turn in their calendar each Monday will qualify for a weekly drawing for a DC Saints prize. Game tickets and treat vouchers will come home the week of May 28th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child's teacher. Hopefully we will see you at the ball park!
Dassel Elementary Libray Open This Summer
Remember to Read this Summer
The benefits of students reading over the summer are many. Here are just a few:
- It encourages reading as a lifelong habit.
- It helps children keep their skills up (reading gets better when you practice it!).
- Numerous studies have shown that reading over the summer prevents "summer reading loss."
- It is fun!
The public library in Dassel is sponsoring a summer reading program (see below).
Also, the school media center will be open every other Tuesday morning this summer. Students of Dassel Elementary School can check out books. They can also use the computers to take Reading Counts tests. Here is the schedule:
Tuesday, June 19, from 8:00 – 11:00
Tuesday, July 3, from 8:00 – 11:00
Tuesday, July 17, from 8:00 – 11:00
Tuesday, July 31, from 8:00 – 11:00
Tuesday, August 14, from 8:00 – 11:00
Happy Summer and Happy Reading!
DREAM BIG
AT THE DASSEL PUBLIC LIBRARY
-by Beth Cronk, Dassel Head Librarian
 Calling all dreamers! Readers of all ages will explore the night this summer as Dassel Public Library presents this year'’s summer reading program, "“Dream Big—READ!" This year the program will be open to young people ages 3 through 17, with a teen program called "Own the Night".
We’ll have an open house kickoff after the last day of school, Monday, June 4th, from 3-6 p.m. in the Dassel city hall community room. Drop in to sign up, get a book bag and a reading log, and make a fun craft. If you can’t make it that day, you can sign up any time during the summer to get started. Thanks to some generous local businesses, you’ll be able to choose from some cool new prizes to reward you for reading. We want you to read all summer and keep up your reading skills for school in the fall, so keep coming back to get a prize and pick up a new reading log whenever you complete one. The program will run through August.
Families with young children are invited to attend story times every Friday morning at 10 a.m. Some special craft events will also be coming up. For more information, call the Dassel Library at (320)275-3756.
DASSEL PUBLIC LIBRARY HOURS
Monday – Thursday: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 p.m.
Charger Kids Club
Summer 2012
Charger Kids Club is a school aged childcare program for children in grades K-6th (grade completed in 11-12). Charger Kids Club offers a fun, safe and exciting place for your child to spend their summer. Summer programming includes a variety of scheduled activities and FUN field trips. Click here for more details.
New Milk Cartons This Spring
We want to you inform you of an exciting program we will be participating in from April through June. We will partner with our milk supplier, Agropur (formerly Schroeder Dairy) to provide milk in a new style of carton. The carton may look different but the milk inside will be the same.
Only the package is different:
The milk will still have the same great nutritional benefits and same taste. The new milk box does not require refrigeration until it is opened. The milk will still be served chilled to students.
Milk in the new "shelf fresh" package is the same wholesome milk kids know and love. The milk is pasteurized at an ultra-high temperature (UHT) and then is put in a sterile carton from Tetra Pak that protects the milk from air and light. This keeps the milk safe for many months longer when compared to standard paper or plastic containers. The milk does NOT contain additives, growth hormones or preservatives.
This Tetra Pak packaging has been in use through out the world for over 50 years and is most commonly found in Europe and Latin America. Stores in the United States also have many products in this type of package: juice boxes, soy milk, soup broth, coconut water and milk as well.
Benefits for schools from "shelf fresh" milk:
- Cost savings compared to refrigerated milk due to the longer shelf life. We simply refrigerate each day’s milk supply and no longer worry about spoilage.
- Cost savings by receiving milk once a week or every two weeks instead of two or three times a week.
- Fewer deliveries mean fewer trucks on the road. This will reduce our carbon footprint by eliminating deliveries with refrigerated trucks - a strong environmental action we know you and your kids will support.
This new carton is recyclable too. Visit www.recyclecartons.com to see where carton recycling may be available in your community.
Frequently asked questions:
What is different about the cartons?
The cartons are the same as a "juice box." Each carton will come with a straw for easy drinking and pull-tab for pouring over cereal.
What is "shelf fresh" milk?
Shelf fresh milk is premium Grade A fluid milk. It requires no refrigeration until the package is opened. Just check the date code printed on the package.
How can milk not require refrigeration?
The ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization and Tetra Pak cartons eliminate bacteria while keeping out light, air and food borne illness. This enables storing without refrigeration.
Does it taste the same?
You bet. It has the same great milk taste, without additives, growth hormones or preservatives – just chill and serve.
DASSEL ELEMENTARY NOMINATED
BY MINNESOTA
FOR THE 2012 NATIONAL
BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS AWARD
 Dassel Elementary School is one of eight schools nominated by Minnesota for the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools award. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award highlights and gives recognition to both public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are producing outstanding results for all students regardless of race or socioeconomic status. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U. S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices.
Dassel Elementary was nominated for the award based on the following criteria: 1) Exemplary High Performing: a school, whose students, regardless of backgrounds, is high performing. This means your school is ranked among the state's highest performing schools as measured by your performance on state assessments.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of achievement. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a high standard that should represent a goal for all schools that strive for excellence. For the past 29 years, this prestigious program has honored more than 6000 of America’s most successful schools. For public schools, the U. S. Secretary of Education invites Chief State School Officers to nominate schools from their state that meet the National Blue Ribbon School recognition criteria.
The next step in the process involves Dassel Elementary completing an application and submitting it to the US Department of Education by March 2, 2012. The National Blue Ribbon winners will be announced sometime in September and will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC.
Excerpts from the application:
Dassel Elementary is worthy of Blue-Ribbon status because of the heart and soul that is poured into the academic, emotional, and social development of our children through the combined efforts of administration, staff, students, parents, and volunteers. Our mission statement, "Building a Better Tomorrow", guides us every day. As the caring bus drivers drop off students and the walkers enter the door, staff is on hand to welcome them. The 'question of the day’' is posted on the morning message outside the principal's office. Breakfast is served and the kitchen is busy preparing the noon lunch. The walls are decorated with the students' art and the floor shines. This is the place where everyone wants to be.
Dassel Elementary is a school that continues to strive for excellence by implementing goals for all students and staff. These goals include the Character Pillars: respect, responsibility, resiliency, integrity, compassion, and understanding diversity. Students at school are encouraged to create a positive self-image, become life-long learners, use higher level thinking, and display good citizenship. Together, these factors give significance to our motto "Home of Kids Who CARE" (Caring and Respect Everyday).
By meeting the needs of students at their developmental level, Dassel Elementary has created a safe place for students to learn, grow and thrive. Students are encouraged to move forward in their education by utilizing the strengths they’ve gained or learned outside of school, thus, creating a community of learning that surrounds them not only within the building; but at home, on the playground, and the other important places of children.
The traditions and milestones run deep at Dassel Elementary and contribute to the community's recognition as being one of the top two places in Minnesota to raise a child. The school has deep roots in the community where many students are third generation. Dassel Elementary fosters a sense of belonging with a Back-to-School Open House; first day kick-off; and daily student lead announcements. Family and country are honored with a daily patriotic song and school-wide reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance; a Veteran’s Day program; an annual Grandparent's Day (31 years and counting); and Donuts for Dads and Muffins for Moms. Monthly STEP UP days encourage stepping up to prevent bullying and filling people's buckets. Other traditions include: character building productions (CLIMB Theater, Critters & Company); a Smithsonian Music Exhibit; Fire Prevention programming; holiday bingo and sing-along events; Christmas Stores; food shelf donations; Bingo for Books family night; I Love to Read Month; Jump Rope for Heart; Arts and Academics Awards (AAA); music concerts; field trips; School Patrol; a first grade Bike Rally/Helmet Giveaway; Track and Sports Day; Kindergarten Round-Up; grade level celebrations; an all-school picnic; and Awards Program.
Community involvement at Dassel Elementary can be seen through the roles of people on our staff and volunteer list, including; retired citizens, school board members, current custodial staff, and many others that make our school part of their routine. There is a tradition of excellence and a pride taken in being involved here; it shows every day in the number of people visiting our building to work with children. Whether the child is a struggling reader or a gifted math student, there is someone that has found time to make him/her feel important.
The National Blue Ribbon School Award winners
will be announced sometime in September.
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