April 23, 2020

Dear MPS Students, Families and Staff,

As you probably know, Governor Tim Walz announced through an executive order today that school buildings will stay closed for the remainder of the school year to further slow the spread of COVID-19.

This likely comes as a relief to those concerned about staying healthy and safe while the virus is still in our community. But this news likely also brings a mixture of other emotions: anxiety, fear, frustration and uncertainty. 

There are many resources available to students, families and staff to help us all navigate this temporary way of living, learning and working. We will continue to serve all of you by:

• Providing free food to ANY child 18 years or younger, whether the child goes to an MPS school or not. 
• Ensuring you are connected to the resources you need to take care of your mental health.
• Continuing to provide free child care for emergency personnel and health workers.
• Updating our COVID-19 Response Plan as new resources become available.

And of course, we must continue to strengthen our Distance Learning so that our students get the education they deserve. We value every one of our students and are striving to ensure each student has a device and internet access. Through all this, we’ve learned more than ever that we need to do much more to reach the students and families who face additional barriers to learning. For our families with students receiving special education services, we appreciate your collaboration with school staff to provide individualized instruction for your student as we continue with Distance Learning.

Please know that we’re working hard so no one gets behind and that many students will have the opportunity to continue their learning in summer school. MPS, like many school districts, is also re-evaluating its grading system for Distance Learning and will soon share more information about this with staff, students and families.

I want to especially acknowledge the Class of 2020. We realize our high school seniors have had to miss out on prom and the special camaraderie that comes with finishing off their last few months of high school with the friends, peers, teachers and staff they’ve grown close to. I want to reassure our seniors and your families that we will celebrate and recognize each one of you for your years of hard work that culminates in your high school diploma. We have been busy determining how we can hold graduation ceremonies virtually and will share those exciting details soon. 

And to all our students, our school buildings might be closed, but learning will continue. We are thinking of you every day and are focused on making sure you grow up to realize your dreams and become all you can be.

And to everyone, let’s remember that while physically we must continue to stay distant, in our hearts and minds we can stay close.

In parting, I want to acknowledge that we know there are many questions around having our school buildings closed for the remainder of the school year and into summer school, including the need to gather personal belongings from classrooms and lockers. Please rest assured that we’ll be answering your questions in the coming days.

Take good care.

Ed Graff
Superintendent

Click here to read the latest update from Principal Woods

DOES YOUR STUDENT NEED A DEVICE?

For students who still need a device or internet access, please CALL US, at Northrop, at our main phone number 612-668.4520.

Please make sure and leave a message with your request along with the following information –

PLEASE SPEAK SLOWLY

● Your student’s first and last name.

● Your student’s current home address.

● The parent/guardian’s best phone number where they can be reached.

● The parent/guardian’s best email address where they can be reached.

Ebooks for students: 

• ABDO  provides free and easy access to ebooks.  Here is the link:  ABDO Instant Access to Learning Materials

Mental health support line: 612-767-4158

A mental health support line is available from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday with support for multiple languages. Call 612-767-4158. The service will link students, families and staff to a therapist and other resources. Other mental health supports can be found on this MPS webpage.

Meal Distribution

Food for Children During Closure - Starting Monday, March 30 MPS will operate nearly 50 food distribution sites offering WEEKLY food pick up. Each day, up to 10 different sites across the city will offer food pick-up from 10 am - 2 pm, Monday-Friday. Each food box contains 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches for a total of 10 meals. Families are welcome to take ONE (1) box per child, per week. Food is FREE and available to any child 18 years or younger. Look for the yellow school bus at all MPS food pickup sites! Make sure your household has adequate refrigeration to store food. Supplemental groceries are available for families in partnership with The Sheridan Story. For more information please click here

Free temporary WiFi services in response to Covid-19

The City of Minneapolis is providing free WiFi in Minneapolis for those who may need temporary internet access during the COVID situation. Visit this webpage for more information.

Day Care Services for Emergency/Health Professionals

If you qualify as an essential emergency or health care professional per Governor Walz’s executive order, MPS is providing free child care to those who have a child enrolled in an MPS school. Services are for children ages 4 to 12 and provided Mondays-Fridays from 7:30 am-4:30 pm at designated locations. Individuals need to provide proof of their employment in the form of a letter from your employer or other worker identification. To sign up, contact: Email: mpls.kids@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612.806.1602.

Volunteering Opportunities and Other Ways to Help

We have information available for the many people from the public who have reached out to MPS to see how they might volunteer to help during this time.

What is it?

The Comprehensive District Design examines and makes recommendations on how MPS educates students, how the school system works to meet the needs of underserved populations and how we ensure resources are available to meet our goals.

When will it happen?

• April 2020 — Board will vote on major parts of the design
• 2021 and 2022 school years — Changes in recommended school pathways or boundaries unless urgently required before this time

How can I be involved?

• Attend community meetings planned for January and February 2020
• Attend, livestream or watch recordings of Board meetings
• Send feedback via the survey
• Talk to your school principal
• Request a CDD info session for your school or organization  

Parents are encouraged to engage in this process and to learn how proposed changes will affect all of our students and families.  Please fill out the District Survey (https://mpls.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXFnXuSz4L9Xx41). 

Listening and Information Sessions:

https://mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/cdd_listening_and_info_sessions_-_english.pdf

https://mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/cdd_listening_and_info_sessions_-_spanish_2.pdf

https://mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/cdd_listening_and_info_sessions_-_somali.pdf

https://mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/cdd_listening_and_info_sessions_-_somali.pdf

All families with potential kindergartners or students new to Northrop for the 2020-21 school year must complete an online request form through the MPS Student Placement site. Online request forms are due by Feb 7, 2020. Placement letters will be mailed to families on March 30, 2020. Information about touring Northrop this fall and winter can be found here.

Link to MPS Student Safety Webpage