Reopening update
An e-newsletter from Mounds View Public Schools
August 14, 2020
Reopening with blended learning
Based on the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan and guidance for all Minnesota schools, Mounds View Public Schools will open the 2020-21 school year offering families a choice between a blended (hybrid) learning approach or full-time distance learning. You can learn more about each learning model in the reopening planning document, updated as of August 14.
Safe, healthy and clean schools
Will classrooms be deep cleaned by custodians daily? (Yes!)
Will classrooms receive fresh outside air? (Yes!)
Will hand sanitizing dispensers be available? (Yes, everywhere!)
Take a look inside a typical classroom and school to see the health and safety precautions that will greet students and staff when they return to school this fall.
What does a blended learning classroom look like?
What does a blended learning school look like?
Learning model tracker
Minnesota school districts are asked to determine their learning model based on local health data and the number of positive cases in their county over a period of two weeks. The state will provide updated numbers every week. School districts are permitted to take a more restrictive approach at any time, but cannot take a less restrictive approach. Distance learning is always an option families can choose.
Our latest number: 22.25
Our current learning model: Blended (hybrid) learning for all students
Track results this fall at www.moundsviewschools.org/learningmodeltracker.
Cohort assignments next week
Next week, the District will begin to notify families via email of their students’ cohort placements for fall. Blended learning students placed in Group 1 (M/W) will attend school in person on Mondays and Wednesdays and participate in independent learning from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Blended learning students placed in Group 2 (T/Th) will attend school in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays and participate in independent learning from home on Mondays and Wednesdays. Elementary school students will attend school on Friday every other week. Every Friday will be a day of learning for secondary school students. This “Learning Plus Day” offers students additional in-person or online enrichment or support based on their individual needs. Teachers will be in school and offer opportunities for students to visit school as desired or needed.
FAQs updated regularly
Families and staff have many questions and concerns about what learning models and safety precautions will look like this fall. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is being regularly updated with questions and answers compiled using the most common questions received through email and the comment form on the reopening website, where additional resources are also available.
Back-to-school events
Typical back-to-school events, open houses and meet-your-teacher opportunities will be rescheduled and moved online for all schools. Schools will contact families to announce new dates and times.
School supply lists and help
School supply lists are posted at www.moundsviewschools.org/backtoschool. Need help with school supplies? The Good Neighbor Back to School Project takes place in August at the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. Last year, this annual program provided school supplies to 900 low-income students throughout Mounds View Public Schools. Families needing assistance can register online here or call 651-621-6280. Want to help? School supply donations are needed. Make a donation at www.ralphreederfoodshelf.org or visit the upcoming events page to view an up-to-date list of our most needed items, drop-off locations and hours.
Childcare for Tier 1 workers
Mounds View Public Schools will provide school-age childcare (grades K-5) for students of parents considered Tier 1 essential employees/critical workers by the State of Minnesota. You can find the list of eligible workers here. If you are a parent of a student grades K-5, work in one of the jobs listed above and need childcare during school hours, you can fill out this form.
Before and after school care will also be available through YCare for students grades K-5 for a fee. More information on before and after school care will be posted on the District website when available.
Summer meals
Free summer meals will be available for curbside pickup through August 26. Pick up meals on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Highview Middle School (2300 7th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112). Learn more here.
Free and reduced-price meals
Families can apply for free and reduced-price meals for the 2020-2021 school year by completing an application for educational benefits here. In order for Nutrition Services to process your application as quickly as possible, please fill out and submit the form online. If you do not have access to a computer, you can pick up a paper application at any of the schools.
Transportation
Families can expect bus passes to arrive by mail during the week of August 31. Letters will go out to families of special education students the same week.
New registrations and change requests will be accepted but will not be processed between August 28 and September 23. This allows time for drivers to practice their routes and create seat assignments based on physical distancing. Changes will resume on September 23.
Families who want busing and reside in a fee area will need to pay for busing (if not done so already). Payment can be made by check, payable to “Mounds View Public Schools” and delivered to your child’s school or online using PayPal. Families that qualify for Educational Benefits will qualify for free busing and can apply here.
Blended School Board work
The School Board is taking a blended approach to work in the coming months. Work sessions will be in person and Board meetings will be conducted virtually as a result of physical distancing requirements along with space and audio/visual challenges related to in-person video-recorded meetings. The next meeting is August 18 at 7 p.m. Watch meetings live via online web-streaming or watch archived meetings here. If you would like to make a public comment, please fill out this form to have your comment read during the meeting. Please submit all comments before 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting.