School closures continue
through May 4
School closures continue through May 4
Earlier today, Governor Walz extended statewide school closures through May 4. This applies to all Mounds View Public Schools and programs. Distance learning for students will begin Monday, March 30, and continue through Monday, May 4, subject to future changes.
Distance learning
Consistent with the Governor’s guidance, District staff are working this week to create plans for distance learning to begin Monday, March 30, and extend through May 4. Teachers are sharing their specific plans and expectations with students and families this week. To view the District’s Distant Learning Plan, visit our distance learning page.
Testing
All student testing has been postponed, including the District-wide ACT test for juniors. We are working with ACT to reschedule this exam for a later date. The College Board is working to provide a way that students can participate in AP exams. As the College Board AP exam administration plan becomes more clear, students registered for AP exams will receive information in emails from aptesting@moundsviewschools.org. Please consult the District assessment webpage for more information.
Item and medication pick-up
Families are retrieving locker items, medications and musical instruments from schools this week. Check here for the daily schedule.
Meals for students
For the remainder of this week: Meals are available for any child under 18 years old who needs breakfast or lunch during the school closure. Meals are being distributed curbside at the main entrance of Pinewood Elementary School, Snail Lake Education Center, Highview Middle School and Edgewood Middle School between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Parents/guardians are asked to accompany their student(s) to pick-up a grab-and-go lunch and breakfast for the following morning.
Starting Monday, March 30: Meals will continue to be available for any child under 18 years old who needs breakfast or lunch during the school closure. Meals in multiple-day quantities will be distributed only on Mondays and Wednesdays curbside at the main entrance of Pinewood Elementary School, Snail Lake Education Center, Highview Middle School and Edgewood Middle School between 10 a.m. and noon daily.
Neighborhood meal delivery: Families who cannot get to a school for meal pick up can go online soon to search for a neighborhood school bus stop that could be more convenient. These neighborhood stops will be 15-minute stops scheduled between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check this page frequently for future updates.
Childcare for emergency and healthcare workers
The District will continue to provide childcare for parents who have children who work and serve in the healthcare and/or emergency fields. Verification of employment, such as a letter from the employer or an employment badge, is required.
Care is provided for children grades K-5. This service is free to families and available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
Sunnyside Elementary School (2070 County H, New Brighton)
Island Lake Elementary School (3555 Victoria St N, Shoreview)
To see the list of healthcare and emergency workers that qualify for this childcare and to register, fill out this form.
Note: Regular Mounds View Public Schools childcare programming, including Y Care, will be closed for students and families who do not meet the definition of an emergency worker in the link above.
No additional school days
At this time, the state is not requiring the addition of school days due to this closure. The last day of school continues to be scheduled for June 4, 2020.
District events and activities
During the statewide school closure and potentially beyond, all co-curricular activities are cancelled and/or postponed indefinitely. This includes sporting events, plays, Community Education activities, student clubs, etc. Read a message about spring activity participation from the Minnesota State High School League here.
The status of events scheduled after May 4 is currently unknown. However, schools will work to consider the feasibility of reinstating certain events and activities for the remainder of the school year in consultation with public health officials.
Receiving alerts
Families should ensure schools have their most up-to-date contact information in ParentVUE. Parents also can now add their child’s cell phone number to ParenVUE so they can receive text messages and robo-calls about school closings, emergencies and other alerts. To subscribe your student to these occasional urgent messages, read the easy instructions here.
Community resources
We know that this time can be overwhelming for many families. Please visit our resources page for information on mental health resources and talking with students about the events of these days. Please know that as we have new information, we will continue to share it with the community and encourage you to visit www.moundsviewschools.org/coronavirus for FAQs, resources and regular updates. If you have an additional question, you can fill out a contact form here.