Thank you all who stopped by yesterday to grab their schedules/school supplies. Also for all who attended our virtual open house presentations. Below is the information that was shared last night in our Virtual Welcome Back presentations, which we recorded.

Click here to view teacher Introduction videos for all classes. Teachers will be sharing calendar invites with students all day and over the weekend. Please do not worry if those links are not currently available in your child’s google calendar.

Click here for access to the Blended Learning Slideshow Presentation.

Click these links for a recording of the Blended Learning Presentation for 6th grade, 7th grade, or 8th grade.

Click here for access to the Distance Learning Slideshow Presentation.

Click these links for a recording of the Distance Learning Presentation for 6th grade, 7th grade, or 8th grade.

Click here for a video on how to access your 1st period class on Tuesday September 8, 2020 at 7:45 AM.

Click here for access to the Mounds View Public Schools Parent Technology Support Website

In response to the concerns expressed by staff, students, and families, we will open the school year using the distance learning model, instead of the blended (hybrid) learning model as originally planned.

How will this work?

• Families should expect all students will be in distance learning through September 18.
• Families will receive communication no later than September 18 about next steps for returning to school for blended learning.
• Schools will explain what the return to school will look like, and when it will occur, with as much advance warning as possible.
• Families choosing blended learning should continue to plan for their students to eventually attend school in the cohort groups already announced (Group 1: M/W, Group 2: T/Th).

Please note: Local health conditions could prevent a return to school at any time if COVID-19 case counts show 30 cases or more per 10,000 in Ramsey County.

Nutrition Services will have curbside lunch pick-up at Edgewood on Wednesdays from 10:30-12:30, beginning on Wednesday, September 9.

BLENDED LEARNING GENERAL SUPPLIES NEEDED

Lockers will not be used at this time at Edgewood Middle School. Students doing the blended learning should keep the following basic school supplies in their backpacks to use in core classes:

• Backpack
• Comfortable various face masks (mandatory - disposable masks will be available daily to students)
• Notebooks (for each class)
• Folders (for each class)
• Pack of dry erase markers
• Dozen pack of pencils
• Hand-held pencil sharpener
• Water bottle (Drinking fountains are unavailable at this time)

Please note, students won't need to carry all these items in their backpack...only items they would need for that day's classes.

Specific Supplies for 6th Grade Art ONLY:

• 1 Sketchbook
• 1 Pack of colored pencils (12 count... basic Crayola or other brand)
• 2 Pink erasers
• Optional: 1 pack of markers (only if the student would like to use both markers or colored pencils; however, colored pencils are needed)
• Ruler

Specific Supplies for 7th Grade Art ONLY:

• 1 Sketchbook
• 2 Pink erasers

DISTANCE LEARNING GENERAL SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Chromebook/Computer/Laptop
• Earbuds/Earphones
• Printer (to print notes, etc.), optional
• Notebooks
• Pencils/Pens
• Folders/Binder/Tabs for organization, optional

Specific Supplies for Math ONLY:

• Scientific calculator, if available (can use an online calculator)

Specific Supplies for ELA ONLY:

• Post-it notes to mark book pages

Specific Supplies for Social Studies ONLY:

• Colored pencils
• Graph paper

Here is a great website to support students and families this year incase you have any issues with Chromebooks.

LOCKERS

To limit the amount of time students need to be out in the hallways, students will not have access to lockers for the 2020-2021 school year. Please make sure your student has a comfortable backpack with limited supplies, including a water bottle as drinking fountains are unavailable at this time.

FACE COVERINGS

Per the Governor’s mandate, face coverings are required for all students, staff, and other persons present in the building. Be sure to have a variety of comfortable masks for your student to use if doing blended learning at Edgewood. Disposable masks will be provided to students, if needed.

MEDICATION REQUESTS

If you would like your child to take prescription medication at school this year, please complete the Prescription Medication Authorization Form (including both healthcare provider and parent signatures), and return it to school along with your child’s medication in the original pharmacy labeled container (your pharmacy will issue 2 bottles upon request for home and school). If you are hoping to allow over-the-counter medication please fill out and sign the OTC Medication Parent Authorization form and bring it to the Health Office in original packaging.

Note: a “Severe Allergy Medication Authorization” or “Asthma Action Plan Medication Authorization” signed by you and your healthcare provider is preferred for students with asthma or severe allergies.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Maintaining high levels of immunization coverage is critical to preventing additional outbreaks in school and child care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that many families have skipped or delayed visits to the clinic because of recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Healthcare providers are ready to serve children for immunization services and get them caught up on vaccines. Please contact your student’s health care provider to schedule this important care.

Booster immunizations are required for all kindergarten and 7th grade students. You can find out if your child's immunization record is up to date by checking your ParentVUE Account under the Health tab. You can also view the “Is my child ready for School” form. You can request a copy of your child’s immunization record at the state by calling 651-201-3980 or visiting Find My Immunization Record. If you have difficulty locating a provider for immunizations, please visit Where To Get Vaccinated. The Minnesota Vaccines for Children program offers Free or low-cost immunizations for eligible children aged 18 years and younger.

SCHOOL PHYSICALS

Reminder, annual well-child visits are recommended and a great time to get a flu shot. We recommend the School Physical Exam form to be completed for incoming kindergarten students. Additionally, if your student is interested in playing on a high school team (students are eligible for some high school sports beginning in 7th grade), they will need a Sports Qualifying Physical Exam. Well-child visits are a great time to update immunizations, too!

NUTRITION SERVICES 2020-2021 PRICES

Breakfast: $1.65 – Secondary Students

Lunch: $2.95 – Secondary Students

Other

$0.60 – Milk

$2.25 – Adult Breakfast

$4.00 – Adult Lunch

Educational Benefits

Families can complete their Application for Educational Benefits (free/reduced priced meals). A new application must be completed each school year. Paper applications will be available at our Welcome Back Day or apply online here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

The target date to get bus passes in the mail is the week of September 7. Letters will go out to families of special ed students that same week.

The Transportation Dept. will continue to accept new registrations and change requests, but will not be processing any of these between the dates of September 4 - September 30. This a safety issue, allowing time for drivers to practice their routes, and create seat assignments based on physical distance. Changes will resume October 1.

State law requires public school districts to provide free transportation to all students living two miles or more from their school. MVPS meets this requirement. 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 this PayPal link: https://www.moundsviewschools.org/Page/9763. Families that qualify for Educational Benefits will qualify for free busing as well. To apply for benefits, use this link: https://www.moundsviewschools.org/Page/121.

Can my child ride home with a friend or use another bus stop? No. The bus pass indicates the exact stop location. Students can only ride their scheduled bus and must get on and off at their stop only.

Does my child need to keep the bus pass all year?

Yes. Please have your child keep the pass in his/her backpack. This is helpful for substitute drivers.

ATTENDANCE LINE

Please call the 24-hour Attendance Line at 651-621-6601 by 7:25 AM to report our child’s absence or tardy. You will need to call the Attendance Line each day your child is absent.

Homework is available upon parent request after two full consecutive absent days. Homework can be picked up in the front office by parents after 2:45 PM. If you are planning a vacation, please send a note with your child prior to your vacation. Your student will be given a “Travel Plan Form”.

STAY INFORMED

Edgewood e-news - This weekly, electronic newsletter is sent via email to all parents/guardians. The newsletter contains news, reminders, events, activities and is the best way to get a complete picture for the upcoming week at Edgewood.

ParentVUE - This parent portal gives parents secure, electronic access to their student’s records, as well access to online registration. Staff in all MV schools use this system to provide families with more consistent and reliable communication about their child’s progress. For information on how to sign up for a ParentVUE account, call the school office.

Facebook & Twitter - Edgewood uses social media platforms as another way to send news, announcements, reminders and to showcase student learning.

www.facebook.com/EdgewoodMiddleSchool

https://twitter.com/EdgewoodMSchool

Edgewood Parents & Teachers (EPAT) is an organization in which parents and Edgewood (EW) teachers and administration work together to help meet the needs of the EW students and staff. There are quarterly meetings and online communication to conduct the business of the organization. This is not your elementary school PTA; the time commitment is much less, especially when there are more parents involved in key positions and just volunteering to assist at events. Your help is needed for those key positions for the 2020-21 school year. Critical Positions that must be filled include:

• Fall Fundraiser / Ralph Reader Snack Pack Coordinator
• School Event Coordinator
• Staff Appreciation Coordinator
  
  

If you have ever looked at the school and thought I wish I knew more about what was going on or had ideas on ways to improve our EW community, this is a great platform to both learn from and help make a difference. If you would like more information or are willing to volunteer your time to support the EW community, please contact margaret.meyer@moundsviewschools.org or lockwood.kimberly@gmail.com.

The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf's free contactless curbside pick up includes dairy, deli, meat, milk, produce, bakery and shelf stable items. Kid friendly boxes are also available. Delivery is also available for those without transportation, homebound or at risk individuals. No need to exchange any paperwork, keeping you, and our staff and volunteers safe. Appointments available weekdays - call 651-621-6280 to schedule a pick up time. More information can be found here.

If you need help with school supplies, you can find out more information here.

Seventh & eighth grade athletes that wish to participate on a high school team will also register online. Before you begin your online registration, approval must be obtained from the middle school principal or dean, the high school activities director and coach. In addition, signatures from both student & parent/guardian are also required. Please complete this Middle School consent form and deliver to the high school activities office before you begin the online registration.

In addition to the youth programs and enrichment opportunities available through the District's Community Ed Department, a number of activities, camps and youth programs are hosted by area cities, local businesses, community organizations and school PTA groups. Please see offerings available in the district attendance area here.

You can support Edgewood by participating in the below fundraisers year-round:

Box Tops - Please save all of your Box Tops and turn them in at Edgewood. There is a drop box in the front office of the school. This is just another way to earn money for our kids. Please be sure Box Tops are not expired as they will not accept.

AmazonSmile - Operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price. You will see eligible products marked "Eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product detail pages.

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.

Food Taste Testing - Earn some extra $$CASH$$ and sample some really great food. All you have to do is log on and register at www.fpitesters.com.

Thank you for your support!

Para asistencia en traducciones ó ayuda como intérprete, por favor llama 651-724-2854. Yog xa tau kev pab thiab hais ua lus Hmoob thov hu rau 651-724-0396. Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad ah ama turjumaad, fadlan kala 651-724-7482.