News and Views
An e-newsletter from Mounds View Public Schools
September 3, 2021
First day of school
Wednesday, September 8
Kindergarten centers
Elementary schools
Students in grades 6 and 9
Thursday, September 9
Middle school grades 7 and 8
High school grades 10-12
COVID-19 testing opportunities
The Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control recommend that unvaccinated students participate in regular screening for COVID-19 and that all individuals get tested when they’re experiencing symptoms. We are pleased to be able to offer access to a variety of options for screening testing for our families:
COVID-19 test at home: Order a free test through the state’s at-home COVID-19 testing program. Tests are delivered quickly right to your home.
COVID-19 community testing: Walk in or schedule an appointment at one of the free, no-barrier testing sites.
Find testing locations: Find many local and free opportunities here, including options for drive-up testing.
The District also has a supply of tests that can be made available to students. For more information about this option, please contact the COVID Coordinator at your child’s school.
COVID-19 vaccines
Are you looking for a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or your child? Free vaccines are currently available throughout the community:
Find a location near you through the Vaccine Connector for walk-ins or to schedule an appointment.
Find locations using the Vaccine Finder.
Check out the upcoming YMCA vaccine clinics, including one in Shoreview on September 13.
Stay home when sick
Please remember to monitor your students daily for symptoms using the daily health screening tool, keep them home if they’re ill and call the school’s attendance line at their school if your child has symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19. Thank you for your continued partnership!
Registration for fall activities is now open
Registration for fall activities is open now! Community education is excited to offer adult enrichment as well as new youth programming for arts, languages, sports and more.
Register now at moundsviewschools.org/registercommunityed.
Transportation reminders
Families of bus riders should keep the following in mind as we start the school year:
The vendors providing bus services for the District have enough bus drivers to serve students this fall. However, many drivers are new and will be learning the routes. Please allow for some delays the first few weeks of school, until drivers are familiar with their routes.
If you’re experiencing significant delays the first few weeks (20 minutes or more), please call 651-621-6027.
Please have your student at the bus stop at least five minutes before their expected pick-up time. This will help keep all buses as close to on-time as possible.
A federal mandate requires that all bus riders wear masks.
Update your email address
Parents/guardians: The email address that you include on your student's health and emergency form is automatically subscribed to school and District newsletters at the start of the school year. Manage your contact information in ParentVUE or contact your student's school directly to update e-news subscriptions. To subscribe to School Board agendas/meeting summaries or other school e-newsletters, please visit the e-news subscription portal where you'll be prompted to register your email address and select the additional news services you'd like to receive.
FAQs for fall in-person learning
What mitigation measures will be in place for schools?
When would a student have to quarantine?
Will there be a distance learning option?
Here are answers to these frequently asked questions and more. Updates will be posted here as necessary this fall.
Educational benefits application
In 2021-22, school meals are free for all students thanks to federal funding. No application is necessary to receive free meals. But there are other reasons you should fill out the Application for Educational Benefits. Complete the form and you could get reduced rates on fees for school activities, home internet, academic tests, transportation and college applications. In some cases, these services could be free.
PIN needed for meals
This school year, breakfast and lunch will be free for all students. Though meal accounts will not be charged, students will be asked to enter their PIN to receive meals this year. Your student’s PIN was sent in a reminder email last week and can also be found in ParentVUE.
Students will continue to have the opportunity to purchase additional items, which will draw from funds in their meal accounts. To add funds to your child’s account online, click here. Questions? Contact nutritionservices@moundsviewschools.org or call 651-621-6025.
New website features and updates
Keep an eye out for some exciting changes coming to the District and school websites. The pages and content are not changing, but there will be some visual updates, as well as a new accessibility feature on all of our pages. The feature includes screen reading and text spacing and sizing options to ensure the website is accessible for all. Use the “eye” icon on the left side of the homepage to learn more.
Chromebooks for students
In support of our teaching and learning practices, Mounds View Public Schools will provide Chromebook devices to all students this year. For students in kindergarten through fifth grade, devices will stay at school and be secured and charged in a classroom-based cart. Each student will have a device assigned to them in their homeroom class for their own use. Middle and high school students will be issued a device, charging block and protective sleeve. Students will check out the device one time during their tenure at a school level (grades 6-8; grades 9-12). Once issued a Chromebook, students will keep the device until they leave the District or are given a new one.
Construction completion celebration
Join us for construction completion open houses on Thursday, September 23, from 5-8 p.m. Open houses will take place simultaneously with tours at each site.