EC&FE Update: Jan. 14, 2021
From Osseo Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)
This is a program wide message for parents/guardians of students currently registered in Preschool, Preschool with Parent Connection, Saturday Preschool, PreK, and ECFE parent and child classes:
Dear parents/guardians:
Some of you may or may not have children enrolled in K-12 schools in the district, but you've told us that you want to receive district-level communications sent to families from Superintendent McIntyre.
The following communication was sent (1/12/2021) from Superintendent McIntyre to families of enrolled kindergarten through grade 12 students in the district. As an EC&FE program, in addition to our program updates, ongoing, we will strive to keep you updated with district-level communications for enrolled families from Superintendent McIntyre.
Updates: Important reminders for all families: Jan. 12
Jan 12 2021
Dear parents and caregivers:
I’m writing with important reminders about:
- The learning model shift for early childhood through grade 5 (except for DLA)
- The continuation of the distance learning model for secondary students
- How to access free meals
Early childhood through Grade 5: Phased-in transition to in-person learning
Jan. 13-15: Early childhood through Grade 5
- No school for early childhood through grade 5 (except for DLA, which continues as usual). Staff will use this time to prepare for students’ physical return to buildings.
Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (No school)
Jan. 19: Early childhood through Grade 2
- Early childhood students will participate in in-person classes according to their assigned schedule.
- Students in kindergarten through grade 2 (including students in our free every day, half-day prekindergarten program) will return to school buildings full-time (5 days/week).
- Bus transportation will resume; Kidstop before and after-school care will resume.
- Students in grades 3-5 will continue to learn in distance learning until Feb. 1.
Feb. 1: Grades 3-5
- Students in grades 3-5 will return to school buildings full-time (5 days/week).
- Bus transportation will resume; Kidstop before and after-school care will resume.
Secondary students: Remain in distance learning until further notice (Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, No school)
At this time, the state has not changed its parameters for learning model decisions affecting secondary students.
The Minnesota Department of Health has determined older students continue to have higher risk than younger students, so districts must still follow previously outlined state requirements for determining learning models and decisions to shift among them. Those considerations include virus activity in the community (which includes review of the biweekly county-level case data, city-level case data, the number of confirmed cases, quarantines, and close contacts in our school community and school buildings within our district), and other data such as individuals with influenza-like illness.
District administrators will continue to engage in required consultations with the MN Dept. of Education, MN Dept. of Health and Hennepin County Public Health to determine when it is safe for secondary students to return to buildings. Please know that as soon as this is determined, we will inform families.
How to access free meals
With federal government support, free meals continue to be available to all students.
- Curbside service continues at all schools through Jan. 15.
- On Jan. 15, all locations will offer a four-day meal bag for Jan 15-18.
- Beginning Jan. 19, curbside service will be available at secondary schools only. Parents of students in grades 3-5 (who remain in distance learning until Feb. 1) can go to any secondary school to pick up meals until their students return for in-person learning.
- Beginning February 1, all secondary schools will continue curbside pick-up for all secondary students.
- During in-person learning, students will have free meals at school. They will also receive meal packs each Friday that include weekend breakfasts and lunches. If you wish to opt out of those weekend meal packs, please complete this form.
What about next year?
Some of you might be wondering about pandemic plans for the 21-22 school year. Please know that all Minnesota public schools will follow guidance from the MN Dept. of Education and state and county public health agencies regarding any potential continuing pandemic-related operations. We certainly hope to be able to operate as usual next school year!
A final note
As always, thank you for your support during these increasingly challenging times. I had hoped 2021 would be the start of a return to normal, but last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol dashed those dreams. Please talk to your children about what happened. If you need some tips, consider these resources from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Respectfully,
Cory McIntyre
Superintendent
EC&FE Program
Here are a few updates as we move to an in person learning model beginning January 19 for ECFE parent and child classes, Preschool, Saturday Preschool, PreK, Preschool with Parent Connection:
Programming that will continue online following class schedules:
- Online Parent and Infant ECFE classes
- Online Parenting ECFE classes
- Online Distance Learning only Preschool for 3-5s classes
Early Childhood Screening appointments can currently be scheduled as phone appointments. We are evaluating when in person screening appointments can resume.
EC&FE will follow safety and health protocols for in-person learning as they were in the hybrid learning model and as directed by Osseo Area Schools, MDH, MDE and CDC. Parents/guardians are encouraged to be familiar with our Parent and Guardian Handbook: EC&FE COVID-19 Response and Guidelines document available on our website osseoec.org. This document is updated periodically. District wide COVID-19 communications can be found at 279 COVID-19 Hub
Preschool and PreK 3-5s programs
To help ensure safe and healthy schools, all parents/caregivers should perform a daily health screening for their child prior to attending school. Please use the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) at home screening tool. If your child is experiencing symptoms of illness please stay home. At drop off, staff will ask parent/caregivers if daily health screening was completed. Completing this screening at home will lessen the time it takes to drop-off your child.
Absence Line: 763-391-8642
If you or your child will be absent from school for any reason call our absence line.
Drop off and pick up procedures
At Arbor View and Willow Lane drop off and pick up will remain curbside but we’ll be managing more vehicles than in the fall. Parking lot safety of children, families and staff is a priority. Please remain nearby your vehicle and wait for staff to come to you. The first few days may take longer. Please plan accordingly and thank you, in advance, for your patience.
Watch for and follow building and parking lot signage and allow extra time as we work to safely transition children from vehicles to and from the building. At elementary sites, follow site specific procedures as directed by your child's teacher.
Visitor guidelines
Access to buildings is still restricted. Please call the main office number if you'd like to meet with a staff member.
Staff
All EC&FE staff will be required to wear masks and a face shield when in contact with students. Daily health screenings will also be required of staff.
ECFE parent and child classes
Your teachers will communicate arrival and dismissal procedures once your class placement has been verified.
To help ensure safe and healthy schools, all parents/caregivers should perform a daily health screening for their family prior to attending school. Please use the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) at home screening tool. If your family is experiencing symptoms of illness please stay home. At arrival, staff will ask parent/caregivers if daily health screenings were completed.
Absence Line: 763-391-8642
If you or your child will be absent from school for any reason call our absence line.
Visitor guidelines
Access to buildings is still restricted. Please call the main office number if you'd like to meet with a staff member.
Face Coverings
Parents/guardians attending class with their child are required to wear a face covering while in the building. Adults are all required to maintain six feet of distance between one another.
Staff
All EC&FE staff will be required to wear masks and a face shield when in contact with students. Daily health screenings will also be required.
EC&FE Program Office
Our program office staff are available Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm at Arbor View and Willow Lane to support families by answering questions and assisting with program registration.
Arbor View Early Childhood Center
Phone: 763-391-8777
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
Phone 763-585-7330
Language Line En Español, Lus Hmoob, Bằng Tiếng Việt
1-855-938-0586
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Continuous Year Round Registration
ECFE Parent and Child classes
- Registration is OPEN for our next session of ECFE parent and child classes offered both in person and online. New classes will start at the end of January and are planned through May. An electronic ECFE brochure is available and registration can be found at osseo.ce.eleyo.com. The lottery will be held January 15, 2021. Classes will remain open for continuous registration until filled.
Preschool and PreK classes
- We continue to accept registrations for our current Preschool, Preschool with Parent Connection or PreK classes for the remaining 2020-2021 school year.
- This month watch for additional communication from our program about our Preschool & PreK programming for the 2021-2022 school year. A brochure will be mailed to households on the district census.
Calendar Reminders
January 13 to 15:
No School Days- Planning days for district staff.
Exception: Classes will be held online for Distance Learning only Preschool 3 to 5s classes
January 18:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No classes held.
January 19 to 22:
- ECFE Interim Break- No ECFE parent and child classes or Preschool with Parent Connection classes held.
- Preschool and PreK resume in person learning days at school as scheduled.
Week of January 25:
- New winter/spring session of ECFE parent and child classes begin.
- Preschool with Parent Connection classes resume in person learning days at school as scheduled.
With Gratitude
On behalf of all of the EC&FE staff we are looking forward to welcoming children and families back to our classrooms next week!
I recognize that families may still have questions or concerns about returning to in person learning. If you have questions, we are here for support and encourage you to contact our program office. As a program, we will continue to communicate changes to learning models and health and safety guidelines that impact our program as directed by Osseo Area Schools.
Thank you for your continued partnership with us this school year. We will continue our commitment to offer high-quality early learning opportunities and parenting support for families to promote growth and learning!
Sally Nault-Maurer
Early Childhood & Family Education Program Coordinator
763-391-8777 main office line | 763-391-8765 direct line
Connect With Us:
Connect with Osseo EC&FE
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Website: osseoec.org
Location: 9401 Fernbrook Lane North, Maple Grove, MN, USA
Phone: 763-391-8777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OsseoEC
Twitter: @OsseoEarly