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October 15, 2021
Updates in this email:
Schools are strongly encouraged to share information about COVID-19 testing options for students and staff. MDE has created a COVID-19 School Testing Program Communications Toolkit for school leaders and district/school communications staff. The toolkit has recently been updated to include instructions for families on how to use BinaxNow OTC test kits and Vault Saliva tests. Instructions for Vault tests are available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. A video with instructions on how to use Vault tests is also available.
Schools should review the full toolkit carefully and determine the appropriate messages to share with families in your school communities, depending on the program you are offering. The toolkit is not meant to be shared in its entirety with families.
In addition to the instructions, the toolkit includes:
- A sample email to families about your schools testing program;
- Sample text messages to families;
- Social media messages;
- Posters to advertise your school’s testing program; and,
- Simplified information for families including explanations on the differences between:
- Screening and symptomatic testing;
- PCR, molecular and antigen test types; and,
- Test options available at no cost from the state on testing.
To support schools in creating COVID-19 testing programs for students and staff, the State of Minnesota is providing grant funding for public and tribal schools to hire staff, purchase PPE and support other costs related to COVID-19 testing. Schools must apply for this funding by today, Friday, October 15, 2021. Read the full press release. Eligible districts should accept their award and complete the short application in SERVS.
In addition to the COVID-19 testing grants, all Minnesota schools can order free COVID-19 test kits from the state at any time. Find information about the free COVID-19 testing supplies for schools on the MDH website.
Vaccines are an important tool to prevent serious illness and deaths from COVID-19. Currently, no COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use in children under 12 years of age. Federal health officials expect to know more about when children ages 5-11 will be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine over the next month or so. As the state prepares for the potential approval of a vaccine, we are asking schools to help us share the message about the importance of getting vaccinated. To help us spread the message, we would appreciate if you shared information with your families in the format that works best for your community.
The Youth COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit includes:
- A sample letter to families in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish
- Social Media Samples
- Sample Graphics: Top 4 Reasons to Get Vaccinated
- To be shared on social media, perfect for a slideshow!
- Informative One-Pagers to help parents access facts on the vaccine
- Translated into various languages
- Educational Vaccine Infographics
Statute 120B.12 requires MDE to publish a list of recommended dyslexia screeners on an annual basis. MDE will be reviewing the screeners currently on the recommended list (Acadience Reading, AimsWeb, DIBELS, FAST, STAR) as well as NWEA MAP. If your district is currently using a screener other than those listed above, and it measures all of the following: phonemic awareness, decoding (real or nonsense words), letter-naming fluency and oral reading fluency, please submit the name of the screener and the publisher to MDE for review. The deadline to submit is October 29, 2021. The complete list of selection criteria is included below.
Please note: MDE will also review screeners appropriate for secondary students. Therefore, please submit the names of screening tools that you are currently using with secondary students.
The updated list of recommended screeners is scheduled to be published in January, 2022. If you have questions, please contact Amy Schulting.
Recommended Universal Screening Tool List Criteria and Selection Process:
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Screening Tool Requirement: The screening tool measures indicators of dyslexia in the elementary grades as described in Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) screening guidance. Indicators must include: phonemic awareness, decoding (real or nonsense words), letter-naming fluency and oral reading fluency. Subtests will vary by grade level.
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Use in Minnesota: Demonstrated use in Minnesota as indicated by self-reported submissions in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.12.
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Criteria for Administration: The screening tool can be administered by a wide range of staff following standardized administration procedures. Specific licensure such as reading specialist, speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, etc., is not required.
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Adequate Validity, Reliability and Classification Accuracy: The screening tool must have adequate evidence of classification accuracy. In addition, the tool must demonstrate adequate validity or reliability as reported by the vendor or a national organization providing annual review of assessment instruments (e.g., Center on Response to Intervention).
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Norming Population Defined: The screening tool manual includes an explanation of the population used to norm the screening tool. Districts are encouraged to review this information to determine if the norming population matches their student population.
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Timeline of Review: Revision of the MDE list is completed annually to add any additional screening tools using this process. This review will begin in October of each year. Results will be finalized by January of the following year.
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Process Review: This process will be reviewed annually.
Response Required by December 16, 2021.
Charter schools and cooperatives are not required to complete this report.
School districts are required to annually review the district’s inventory of buildings and the vital information pertaining to each building.
The information reported to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is used in calculating the Operating Capital portion of general education revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, in calculating Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.595, and other miscellaneous uses, such as review and comment.
The 2022 Facilities Age and Square Footage Report also plays an important role in the February state forecast, as the data provided by the district is used to establish appropriations required to fund state aid for operating capital and LTFM. For this reason, districts are requested to submit any changes or corrections to this report no later than December 16, 2021.
You must complete your reporting on the MDE website no later than December 16, 2021. If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Sarah C. Miller by email or at 651-582-8370.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
As a Reminder, the Supportive Schools Law Requires Districts and Schools to Train all School Personnel on How to Prevent, Identify and Respond to Bullying
This is a reminder that every three school years each school district and school must provide training for all school personnel to prevent, identify and respond to prohibited conduct, including bullying and harassment. This is a requirement of the Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act. Districts and schools should provide training to all school district and contracted employees. New employees must receive the training within the first year of their employment. The staff in the School Climate Center stand ready to support districts in the work of creating safe and supportive school environments. To seek technical assistance and resources, contact the Center, 651-582-8364.
Read to the Final Four Literacy Challenge for Third Graders
Read to the Final Four is a literacy challenge to create a lifelong love and interest in reading for students across Minnesota. The NCAA, Women’s Final Four and the Minnesota Local Organizing Committee have teamed up to inspire and incentivize third graders across the state to develop their abilities and entice participation in this nine-week program. Schools and students can win fun prizes and compete for an overall grand prize of $5,000 of books for the school library.
This year, students will be able to read both physical and online books and record their minutes in their own Read to the Final Four Reading Log. The challenge runs from January 10 – March 14, 2022. The top four schools will be awarded an all-expense-paid field trip to the 2022 Women’s Final Four Tourney Town to crown the winning school in a special award ceremony on April 1, 2022 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Registration ends on October 25. Sign up to participate.
Reminder: Register for Next Wednesday's COMPASS Webinar
Minnesota school leaders and administrators are invited to attend the initial webinar on COMPASS, the new statewide system to support student learning recovery as we navigate another school year impacted by COVID-19. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. and will provide an overview the implementation timeline and the offerings that will be available throughout this school year. Registration is required for the webinar. Use this interest form to let us know if you'd like to receive additional information about COMPASS, and register for the webinar on October 20.
School leaders are encouraged to share information about the upcoming trainings with their staff. Any school staff who would like to learn more about COMPASS and its upcoming learning opportunities can sign up using this form.
Reminder: Help Promote the U.S. Youth Senate Program
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administers the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an annual scholarship competition funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and sponsored by the U.S. Senate. Each year, Minnesota selects two high school juniors or seniors to participate in the USSYP. The delegates receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship and will be part of Washington Week Online. The packet must be postmarked or emailed by midnight on Friday, October 29, 2021.
Please help us promote this exciting program by sharing the link below with high school principals, counselors and other educators and staff who can help spread the word. The webpage below includes the student application, the program brochure and additional information.
Visit the U.S. Senate Youth Program webpage.
Reminder: Apply for the Mathematics Standards Review Committee
The application for serving on the 2021-22 Minnesota Academic Standards Mathematics Review Committee is posted on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Mathematics webpage. The deadline for application is October 15, 2021.
Serving on the committee means a commitment of at least 10 full-day committee meetings from November 18, 2021 through August 2022, as well as work between these meetings. Please encourage teaching staff to participate. While it requires seven days out of the classroom, it is fantastic professional development for teachers.
The Minnesota Department of Education seeks to establish a highly qualified, diverse committee with a broad representation of stakeholders including teachers, administrators, school board members, higher education, business/industry, and citizens; content specialists with expertise across all developmental levels; people from diverse educational settings and from urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The applications for the Mathematics Review Committee are due October 15, 2021. Committee members will be announced October 25, 2021 on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Mathematics webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact Doug Paulson.
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