|
July 17, 2020
Updates in this email:
Each year, information regarding schools and districts/charters is updated in the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) master database for organizations (MDE Organization Reference Glossary (MDE-ORG)). MDE-ORG validates sites for all major MDE reporting systems, such as the Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS), Staff Automated Reporting (STAR), Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS), Assessments, etc. It is important that a point person is identified as the Site Verification Coordinator for your district. This person has access to request and certify school configuration changes and update other essential contact and address information for all sites within the district.
We ask that you review your organization and school sites, including contacts and addresses, and make changes for the 2020-21 school year. To ensure data collections, payments, and reports are correct, organization and school site information and contacts for the 2020-21 school year must be reviewed and certified by August 31, 2020. Please read the Annual Verification of District and School Site Information for SFY 2020-21 memorandum found on the District and School Site Verification page. This memorandum outlines the timeline and steps to maintaining accurate district and school site directory information which is critical in correctly processing records for your district including students, staff, payments, and federal programs. If you have any questions, please email mde.school-verify@state.mn.us.
SEL strategies centered on relationships are key to helping our students as they return to school this fall, no matter which model of educational delivery we must use for the health and safety of our communities. CASEL partnered with more than 40 organizations, including MDE, to develop a document to guide schools in this work. View the document: Reunite, Renew, and Thrive: Social and Emotional Learning Roadmap for Reopening School.
As school leaders and human resources teams are preparing for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has developed a variety of resources for employers to consult which may be helpful.
As Minnesota school districts and charter schools plan for the upcoming school year, so are Minnesota families. MDE has created a guide to give families a quick overview of the education and health guidance for schools. This document is intended to help families know what information they should expect from their child’s school. The guide is available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish on the Supporting Students and Families COVID-19 Resources page.
Last week, MDE released the results of our Fall Planning Survey for Families, which included over 130,000 responses. This survey is part of a broader public engagement effort as we plan for the 2020-21 school year. In addition to the survey, we have engaged in countless conversations with school leaders, educators, students, families, advocates, a distance learning advisory council and many educational organizations. We also partnered with the University of Minnesota's Wisconsin/Minnesota Comprehensive Center to facilitate a series of focus groups and conduct a systems review of distance learning plans from spring 2020. Learn about all of our public engagement activities on the MDE website.
In Minnesota, we make plans. We plan for bad weather, fires, or any number of unexpected scenarios. Having an emergency plan in place helps families be prepared for whatever comes their way. We encourage parents and guardians to take the time now to revisit their emergency plans. Please share this guide with your school communities to help get families started.
Earlier this month, MDE announced that it will award $9.5 million in grant funds to organizations providing meals to children, families and adults experiencing increased food insecurity as a result of COVID-19. The state received the funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). Minnesota nonprofits (including faith-based organizations), educational institutions (e.g., early care, K-12 school districts, higher education), tribal nations and local governmental units are eligible to apply for the grants.
To learn more, see the full press release and visit the Expanding Meal Access grant page on the MDE website. Please share this information with organizations in your community that may be interested in applying for a grant.
Please contact Jackie Stiehl at jackie.stiehl@state.mn.us for further information.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) can provide families with children up to $325 for groceries. The Minnesota Department of Human Services says as many as 150,000 families may be eligible for these additional food assistance benefits. The application is available in Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. The deadline has been extended to July 31. Please share this message with your community so that families can apply at https://mn.p-ebt.org.
For help applying, families can call 651-431-4050 or 800-657-3698, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
|
