Transition Plus Newsletter
November 2020 Edition
Want to add someone to our email list? Email colleen.knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
Transition Plus Community,
While distance learning is not how we want to interact with our students, and we hope to get back together, we would like to thank everyone; family members, staff, students, and teachers spend a lot of time and effort making connections possible.
In This Edition:
- Calendar
- Shout outs
- Latest in MPS Covid Info
- Upcoming events
- Family Resources
CALENDAR
November Calendar
Friday, November 6: No School - record keeping day (end of 1st quarter)
Monday, November 9: Phase 3 learning begins
November 16-20: American Indian Family Involvement Week
November 19: Site Council
November 25 - 27: No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
Throughout November: American Indian Heritage learning and celebrating (see below)
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Shout Outs!!!
Food Safety Certificate
The following students have taken and passed their Food Safety test. Their certification is good for 3 years and will help them if they choose to work in the Food Service Industry.
- Mark Daenzer
- Oscar Knecht
- Jacques Beech
- Maleah Patrick
- Christopher Diaz
- Shaneka Murray
- Amal Ahmed
- Sebastien Holmes
- Sabrina Roberson
- Aaliyah Simmons
- Victoria Bravo
- Ulacya Bronson-Tyus
Way To Go!! Awesome work!!
Flu Shot All Star Chris Diaz
Tplus hosted a Flu Shot Clinic on Oct 14
Flu Shot All Star Shaneka M
H&B Elevators Virtual Tour
Transition Plus students participated in Minnesota Manufacturing Month with a virtual tour of H & B Elevator on October 27. Transition Plus work coordinators Ben, Dana and Trish teamed up with the city of Mpls to provide a virtual tour to students. Career Exploration teacher Frederick Varney hosted the event in his Advisory.
Students enjoyed the virtual tour of the H & B Factory (located in Mpls) which was narrated by the company president. H & B builds elevator cabs that are in use all over the world, including Google, Amazon, Allianz Field in St Paul and the Minnesota state capitol to name a few locations.
In addition, about a dozen students got a small taste of what it would be like to work at H & B Elevator by assembling a mini elevator cab kit at home. H & B provided a Youtube video with instructions on how to assemble the kit. H & B hires entry level employees for carpentry work, welding, and forklift drivers.
We are excited to partner with the City of Mpls and local employers to help our students explore career pathways.
Kieran S assembled his elevator kit
Ethan D assembling his elevator kit
Jashan Eison - H&B CEO
Cow Tipping Press
So far the focus of Cow Tipping Press sessions for the past two weeks has been on fiction and poetry. Last week students read examples of fiction, “The Sioux Who Wrestled a Ghost” by Dee Brown , “The Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison, and “The Debutante” by Leonora Carrington, and responded to writing prompts based on those stories. This week, students read works of poetry, “Ode to Tomatoes” by Pablo Neruda and “Good Morning Heartache” by Billie Holiday, and then wrote poems about things they celebrate and strong emotions. Students are swimming in lots of creative writing!
The same opportunity will be offered again from February 12 - March 12.
Cow Tipping Press works with students 1: 1 to get their thoughts, ideas, and voices published. Students do not need to be able to write by hand.
Parents, Teachers, or Students simply need to email Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us or their education case manager to sign.
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The Latest Covid Information
Letter from Jason Backes, Tplus Principal
Dear Transition Plus Community,
We are reaching out to clarify information regarding in-person support for students in need as we gradually transition to limited in-person learning as part of "Phase 3: Hybrid Learning with In-Person and In-School Supports."
MPS is planning on GRADUALLY introducing Phase 3 (in-person student supports) during the second quarter. While the second quarter begins Nov. 9, planning for these supports will take some time. Programming will actually start AFTER Nov. 9, but during second quarter if health indicators allow. Identifying students, transportation and staffing all need to be determined before any students can be welcomed back into schools.
Families with students identified as needing supports (those with special needs, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, and those struggling academically) will be contacted individually; families will have the option to accept or decline supports. No student or school-based staff will be required to do in-person learning; students may continue with distance learning, if families prefer.
For more information, please review all the information sent to you today via email, including the link to the Returning to In-Person Learning website and its helpful FAQ.
I hope this provides clarity. MPS has publicly stated repeatedly that we will only proceed with in-person learning when it is safe to do so -- and families should have plenty of time to plan accordingly.
Have a great day,
Jason Backes
Quarterly Device Inventory Check-in
MPS Letter to Families
On Tuesday, October 27, the Board of Education was updated that MPS will move to “Phase 3: Hybrid Learning with In-Person and In-School Supports” on a school-by-school basis and only for those students who need the most academic and other supports.
Students who may be identified for in-person learning at school may include those with special needs, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, and those struggling academically.
Students who will be recommended to participate in Phase 3 supports will be identified by their teachers and other school staff in the coming weeks. No student will be forced to do in-person learning; students may continue with distance learning, if they prefer.
This transition will start during the second quarter, which begins on November 9. Phase 3 will continue through at least the end of the second quarter on January 28, 2021, if safety indicators allow.
During Phase 3, Community Education will also transition to provide youth and adult enrichment programs indoors while practicing proper social distancing and other health and safety protocols.
Phase 3 allows MPS to serve those most in need in a safe, controlled manner, while reducing the risk of infection across the district. As MPS has said since the beginning of the pandemic, we will only move toward greater in-person learning as it is safe to do so. Decisions will be based on the advice of local and state health experts and the various indicators featured on the MPS COVID Dashboard.
Meanwhile, to learn more about the safety practices schools will have in place as we transition to in-person learning, visit the “Returning to in-person learning” website; this information is also available in a PDF format.
Upcoming events
School Pictures
Lifetouch + Shutterfly have come together to make sure your child receives their 2020 school picture. Through the convenience of the Shutterfly app, you can now capture a quick snap, add your favorite Lifetouch background and order a picture package—all while @home!
Get Started Creating your School Pictures
Don’t miss your chance to add this year's picture to your school picture collection!
Site Council 11/9 @ 4:30
We have officially launched our first Site Council meeting for the 2020-2021 school year. Site council meets the third Thursday of every month at 4:30 pm via Google Meets. Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 19th at 4:30 pm.
Site Council is searching for active participants who can help collaborate with others to generate ideas of how our Transition Plus community operates. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to join.
Please email Shekinah.Dillon@mpls.k12.mn.us if you have any questions. Site Council meeting links will be posted on the Transition Plus website closer to date.
Google Meet joining info https://meet.google.com/kxj-rwph-nhn Or dial: +1 256-600-8312 PIN: 928 080 254# More
AMERICAN INDIAN CELEBRATION MONTH
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILIES!!
Through the month of November, please send Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us videos or photos:
- past or present celebrations
- dances
- family elders
- art
- beloved music
- Stories
- recipes
- the arts
- great educational resources
- books
- anything else that can help a person learn about your culture
Click on these links to start learning:
- https://theways.org/index.html view and hear personal stories
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGh1BXrf_Os 7 grandfather teachings in spoken word
- http://www.pieducators.com/2020-virtual-mde-maka-ska-canoe-nations-gathering (scroll down for educational videos on a wide variety of topics
- https://www.pbs.org/native-america/extras/interactive-map/ play around with the map, click on things, learn
- https://theways.org/story/prayers-in-a-song.html Mpls native artist Tall Paul on his journey to learn Anishinaabemowin and his Anishinaabe culture
- https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-celebrates-american-indian-heritage-month-4 Smithsonian activities and events
How it should be shared:
- use flipgrid to record videos of a student / staff member / family member reading a poem, story, story, or description, singing a song in English or an indigenous language
- write or take a picture of your favorite food/recipe
- link your favorite songs, or beloved song from your culture
- Digitally send photos or documents to their case manager or email Colleen
Tplus will celebrate many cultures represented by our community throughout the year, so please be prepared to share your resources with Colleen.Knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
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UMN Best Buddies Zoom Nov 11 @ 7pm
Join the zoom meeting on November 11 @ 7pm to learn more about Best Buddies
zoom link: https://umn.zoom.us/j/8997943236, and the code is 899-794-3236
Connect with Best Buddies by contacting Corey Hughes at hughe889@umn.edu or262-442-4941
Get-togethers can be socially-distanced in-person or virtually. Best Buddies also hosts events for students involved in the program.
FAMILY RESOURCES
Bell Time Schedule Project - INPUT NEEDED
More information about MPS website
Contact Katee.Brown@mpls.k12.mn.us with your questions, comments, or suggestions.
Fridays @ Tplus
On Friday, students at Tplus are engaged in community-based learning (CBI). Although we are technologists, we focus on the integration of some friends because we understand that students are not enough essential component of life. Students can connect with each other while engaging in conversations or support groups from origami to publishing their voices, as you may have read in the entry of the Cow Tipping Press above.
These social engagements are followed by an exciting cycle Bingo, then a place for each student to shine a spotlight on our site Virtual Dance Party!We encourage all students to participate and interact with their peers in any way that makes sense to them on Fridays.
Finally, Fridays are posted in office hours from 2:00 - 3:30, when teachers devote their time to collaborating, answering any questions students or families may have, by phone. home, or any business that needs to be needed during the week. If students do not have any questions or needs during this time, we encourage them to use our virtual calming room to dust the stress of the week off from all the screen time, shine up their resume, practice skills they enjoy, or get outside for a much needed mental health break.
Any questions about our CBI on Fridays can be directed to colleen.knuth@mpls.k12.mn.us
A Message from MPS
Different students have different needs, and each member of MPS should be available to help meet your student's needs. At the same time, there are still many out-of-school challenges affecting families.
Hennepin County has a great list of resources to support members of our community, from emergency rental and utility assistance to mental health resources and helping victims of domestic violence. We encourage you to check out the list.
Also, check out these resources:
- Completing the Census before Sept. 30
- Understanding where students are academically
- Where to find teacher schedules
- Recent changes to fall athletics
- Free tutoring through Hennepin County Libraries
You can also find information guides in 4 different languages by visiting https://b2s.mpls.k12.mn.us/News?itemId=1053 (also located on our Tplus website)
Expect to receive information about:
- The student is supportive
- MPS 5 facets of safe education
- School Questions Asked
- How you can help your child stay healthy and safe
- Registration information and important dates / phone numbers
Childcare Options
Virtual Calming Room
The site is designed to help support pro-active self-control by providing opportunities for relaxation and calming. Participants may experience visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation, as well as both mindfulness and activities.
Enjoy!
Update Your School Messenger Preferences
- The school must be notified of updates of contact information - the school does not send school updates.
- Be sure to receive text messages by sending a "Y" to 67587.
- Families can manage their communication preferences by creating a SchoolMessenger account
- To learn more visit: mpls.k12.mn.us/school_messenger
All MPS schools use the SchoolMessenger to share important information about weather closures, building safety, school events, transportation and more.
Hennepin County Covid-19 Resources
- https://www.hennepin.us/residents/emergencies/covid-19-community-resources
Families can get a caseworker assigned to meet the needs of ONE call.
New Hennepin County Covid -19 Helpline 612-348-3000
Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm
Hennepin County multicultural services office 612-348-2193
- They provide appropriate cultural access and linguistic translation in different languages.
- https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/multi-cultural-services
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Mission Statement
The mission of Transition Plus is to provide services to students with differing educational abilities & assets. We focus on meeting transition needs in post-secondary education and training, employment, and independent living to promote a successful transition from high school to adult life.
Our Vision
To provide experience and learning that will assist students to have meaningful, satisfying work and home lives as family members, leaders, employees, and citizens.
We offer students:
- Access to learning environments that help students develop their skills and confidence.
- A positive school environment characterized by peace, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
- A structure of support and collaboration with our community, students, and families
- A team of highly qualified professionals with a passion for learning and sharing.
We offer:
- Continuing high school support after 18-21 years of age
- Lots of hands-on options
- Extensive learning & training in the community
- Additional resources available for individual needs
- Support the growth and maturity of each student
Transition Plus Services
Email: transitionplus@mpls.k12.mn.us
Website: transplus.mpls.k12.mn.us
Location: 2015 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Phone: (612)668-4100
Facebook: facebook.com/transitionplus.mps
Twitter: @MPS_Tplus