News & Views
An e-newsletter from Mounds View Public Schools
June 18, 2020
Difficult, but important conversations
Our national conversation about systemic racism and structural inequalities is long overdue. It is touching all areas of our society, from criminal justice to education. In the days following George Floyd’s murder, Black students and alumni from Irondale and Mounds View High Schools are using their voices to tell their stories and to challenge our schools to do better.
We hear you. We believe Black lives matter. And we agree that we must do better.
To that end, we will outline a series of measurable, meaningful and community-informed action steps for the administration to take in addressing racial inequities in our schools. These will be reported in the coming weeks.
We stand with our Black students and families.
With urgency and in solidarity,
--The School Board of Mounds View Public Schools
Above and beyond
The summer edition of the District's news magazine will soon arrive in residents' mailboxes. In the latest copy of School Talk, learn 10 ways that illustrate how our students, staff, parents and community members went above and beyond what was required during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also inside:
- Sharing grief following the George Floyd murder
- Planning to reopen schools for the fall
- Construction continues this summer
- Celebrating the Class of 2020
- Student news and honors from around the District
Flip through the electronic copy or download a PDF copy here.
Reopening schools
Considering the extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, the District's primary goal for the 2020-21 school year will be safely reopening schools. Planning will focus on three possible scenarios:
- A full return of students in all schools for in-person learning.
- A partial return of students in some schools with a hybrid approach of distance learning and in-person learning.
- No immediate return of any students and a continuation of distance learning.
Over the summer, the District expects to receive specific guidance on how schools must operate this fall from public health officials and the Minnesota Department of Education. Because districts will operate as state officials require, families can expect that Mounds View’s approach to school will be closely aligned to other public school districts and the requirements of the state.
Families can expect to receive email updates at key times throughout the summer as more guidance is available from the state and as decisions are finalized. In the absence of communication, please understand that planning is continuing and no decisions have been made.
Questions can be sent to info@moundsviewschools.org and families can visit moundsviewschools.org/coronavirus for updates throughout the summer.
Watch for upcoming District survey
As promised last month, the District plans to solicit community feedback through a survey about spring distance learning and planning for fall 2020. In the coming days, parents and staff will be invited to take an online survey that will be extremely valuable to Mounds View Public Schools. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has created a survey. It’s important to note that while useful for the state, the MDE survey does not allow families to indicate a specific school district or the grade levels of their children -- information that is particularly helpful for Mounds View Public Schools. Stay tuned for your invitation to take the District’s survey.
Elementary students to receive a new StarLab
It’s Mission: Accomplished for the supporters of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation’s first capital campaign - Mission: StarLab. With the help of donors consisting of parents, alumni and StarLab fans, the elementary school children of Mounds View Public Schools will experience a new StarLab going forward.
“One of my favorite quotes that I have hanging in my classroom is ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars!’ says Jean Modjeski, Science Specialist at Bel Air Elementary and StarLab Committee member.
“Thank you to everyone who helped us land the funds which will bring a universe of learning to our students!”
A great big thank you to the leadership of Bel Air PTA, Island Lake PTA, Pinewood PTA, Sunnyside PTA, Turtle Lake PTA and Valentine Hills PTO; and Voya Foundation for their commitment to the StarLab campaign. Their early support of the project helped provide important momentum to the campaign.
Virtual student art gallery
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