Twin Cities Salvation Army locations will host one-day coat distributions throughout October. Families with kids ages 17 and under can shop for a coat on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

• Brooklyn Park Salvation Army (10011 Noble Parkway, Brooklyn Park), Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Maplewood Salvation Army (2080 Woodlynn Ave., Maplewood), Oct. 24, 12–7 p.m.
• North Minneapolis Salvation Army (2024 Lyndale Ave. N., Minneapolis), Oct. 22, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Northeast Minneapolis Salvation Army (2727 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis), Oct. 24, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• South Minneapolis Salvation Army (1604 E. Lake St., Minneapolis), Oct. 31, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is opening a new Academic Support Center (ASC) at Washington Technology Magnet School on Monday, Oct. 12. The purpose of the ASC is to provide in-person academic and/or social-emotional learning support for Pre-K-12 grade students and their families during distance learning. Additional sites will open at a later date based on demand and availability of staff.

A team of Educational Assistants, Teaching Assistants, SPPS temporary staff, retired teachers, contractors, community partners, and volunteers with a background in education and teaching, will provide the support to all students visiting the ASC. Areas of support include: math, reading, writing, science, social studies, bilingual, immersion, technology help to support Distance Learning 2.0, and social-emotional support. The center will provide academic support, not classroom instruction.

To start, referrals will come from schools based on students’ academic needs. Schools can start referring students on Oct. 1. Families will be able to request a referral starting Oct. 16. Students need a referral to receive support. The ASC is not a "drop in" center.

Students can receive 1-4 hours of support each day, depending on staffing capacity. Nutrition Services will provide healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon. Transportation can be arranged via the registration process. Due to other transportation needs (Essential Kids Care, meal delivery, hybrid sites), transportation may not always be available.

The ASC will follow all state guidelines for school settings as required by the Minnesota Department of Health. This includes face coverings for all students and staff, maintaining social distancing and frequent handwashing. If a student or staff member has symptoms, a positive test or close contact with someone with COVID-19, they must reschedule their appointment and not come to the ASC.

For more information, please visit spps.org/asc.

Click the photo to connect to the Technology Resources Website:

TAKING ATTENDANCE DURING DISTANCE LEARNING

• Follow the instructions in this video to complete daily attendance:

  Video Versions:

  • Hmoob
  • Español
  • Karen
  • Soomaali

Comcast provides basic wireless Internet called Internet Essentials, and it is free through December. The district will provide a Hotspot, but if you are finding that isn't enough data or you are unable to wait for a ticket to be completed, contact Comcast to apply. https://www.internetessentials.com/. If Comcast does not extend the free price after December, you'd have the option to quit when it is no longer free or pay the $9.95/month + tax.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The FFCRA guarantees sick leave for workers and their families affected by COVID-19. These provisions are applicable starting April 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020.

Qualifying reasons for leave related to COVID-19, FAQs and additional details are available at spps.org/Page/39055.

• U.S. Department of Labor Employee Rights
• COVID-19 Leave of Absence Forms

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. Parents who would like to receive this information should write to the Human Resource Department, Attn: ESSA Teacher Qualifications, Saint Paul Public Schools, 360 Colborne Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102-3299. You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s).

• Information about whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching (subjects or content) in which proper certification is held by the teacher.
• Information about whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Translations are available by clicking the link below.