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March 5, 2021
Updates in this email:
Families are depending on your staff to get their food benefits through Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) as soon as possible. In order for students to receive September and October 2020 P-EBT benefits in April 2021, school districts and charter schools must complete the following two tasks by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 5. Failure to complete both tasks by the deadline will delay benefits to students by at least one month. See this announcement for more information.
A recently published study from Save the Children finds that over the last four months of 2020, Minnesota consistently ranked first in the nation for children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Using four months of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, the Save the Children’s COVID Child Protection Ranking identifies where children have been most and least protected during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that Minnesota has continually ranked first in protecting children from hunger, learning loss, and financial stress.
The work our school leaders have done over the course of the pandemic has played a huge role in reaching this accomplishment. Please know that Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan and all of us here at the Minnesota Department of Education deeply appreciate your efforts.
As more schools continue to transition to in-person learning, we have received some questions about the teacher preparation time requirement in Executive Order 20-94. We have added two new questions to the end of the Teacher Preparation Time Guidance document.
Minnesota's Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) has approved all of the state’s federal funds for FY 2022 - FY 2023 which includes all GEER and ESSER funding. We are continuing to work with the state Legislature on approval for the GEER II and ESSER II funds for FY 2021 and will keep you posted.
Without FY 2021 approval, applications for round 2 funds (including the 90% portion allocated based on title 1 allocations) will not be available until after July 1.
This includes the portion that is allocated to the non-publics. As a reminder, the funding for nonpublic entities does not flow through school districts but will be managed at the state level.
In the meantime, please continue utilizing your round 1 funding:
- Draws for 2020 expenditures need to happen by March 15, 2021
- Applications for expenditures from January 1, 2021 or later are due May 1, 2021
MDH announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
Schools and youth organizations can send messages and resources available on COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families to families to encourage testing. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
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Last week, the State of Minnesota announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
We need the help of our school leaders to spread the message to staff and families in your communities. Learn more in last week's message from Deputy Commissioner Heather Mueller.
Note: School staff continue to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines. Those who already completed the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Child Care Survey do not need to complete the Vaccine Connector Form.
Conserving resources
When possible, please combine small test samples (i.e. one or two tests from multiple testing events) and send them all together in the same UPS bag. It is O.K. to have completed tests from multiple schools in one bag—and remember, you do not need to mail completed tests immediately. A bit of a delay in assessing the test does not diminish the efficacy.
Completion report and order form
One Monday, March 8 there will be an additional question on the Collection Report that specifically addresses a need for additional testing materials (ex. biohazard bags or UPS labels). Those additional supplies can be ordered in standardized quantities of 6 biohazard bags, 3 UPS bags, and/or 3 shipping labels. Please use this question to order additional materials. Please do not use the comments section to request additional materials.
Adult Education Supplemental Services Grant Opportunities
Documentation for the Adult Education Supplemental Services Grant Opportunities including the instructions, application, and budget documentation, is now available on Minnesota Department of Education Competitive Grant Opportunities website. Applications are due on April 2, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Eight different categories of Adult Education Supplemental Services grant opportunities are offered, including a new grant opportunity focused on racial equity in adult education. Please see the grant instructions and application forms for the specific, allowable outcomes for these grant programs.
Contact Astrid Liden astrid.liden@state.mn.us for further information.
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