With the warmer weather, our lost and found has accumulated numerous items very quickly. We are reminding students to check the lost and found frequently if they are missing items.

As a reminder, students should leave toys at home, as they often go missing if brought to school and can also be a distraction. We continue to remind students of this expectation and appreciate your support as well.

We can’t wait to celebrate our March Students of the Month, as our character trait focus is Kindness. These students look out for others, include those who may be left out, use kind and respectful words, help without being asked, and make good choices even when no one is watching. They genuinely make the world a better place through their actions each day. We are excited to recognize many of our kind Baxter students very soon.

In April, our character trait focus will be on being a Team Player. These students are those who work well with others, share responsibility, support classmates, include others, help solve problems together, listen to different ideas, and encourage their peers. They show cooperation during group work, take turns, communicate respectfully, and do their part to help the group reach common goals. We look forward to celebrating students who show teamwork throughout the month of April!

Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) on the following dates:

Consistent attendance prior to the MCAs is critically important, as staff are working hard to prepare our students to do their very best. It is also incredibly important that students are well rested, have a good breakfast, and attend school on these particular days in order to feel confident and do their very best. Your support in helping students arrive ready to learn is greatly appreciated.

We have been very fortunate that our Baxter Walmart has selected Baxter Elementary as a school to support with generous donations throughout the year. Each month, we have been able to request school supplies to help stock and support our classrooms. These generous contributions have made a very positive difference for our students and teachers this year, helping ensure classrooms have the materials they need to learn and thrive.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Costco Reading Buddies for the time and energy they have dedicated to volunteering throughout this school year. These volunteers give countless hours to support our students in the area of literacy, helping to build confidence, strengthen skills, and foster a love of reading.

They have consistently gone above and beyond, supporting students at Baxter both during the school day and at our evening literacy event earlier this year. Their commitment and care have made a truly positive impact on our learners, and we are deeply grateful for their continued support and partnership.

Here is a monthly reminder about our volunteer policies and procedures. This will help ensure that anyone interested in volunteering completes the required paperwork in advance. All visitors to Baxter Elementary will be asked to present a government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport card) upon entering the building. This is part of our Raptor security system, which quickly scans IDs and checks them against a national database to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

The term “visitor” includes parents/guardians and community members who come for school events, classroom parties, dropping off materials, or other large-group activities. Classroom visits and field trip support will always be coordinated directly through your student’s classroom teacher.

We love our volunteers! To participate as a classroom volunteer, working in the classroom, field trip chaperone, book fair helper, or in any other volunteer role, the district requires two important steps each year.

Step 1: Complete the Volunteer Application

Step 2: Read the Volunteer Guidelines and complete the Verification Form.

Please note: Applications take 5–7 business days to process. Be sure to plan ahead if you’d like to help with an upcoming event or field trip. 

Thank you for supporting our students at Baxter!

Here are a few upcoming important dates to mark on your calendar: