South Washington County SchoolsIndependent School District #833

We are quickly approaching the one-year mark since COVID-19 first shut down our schools. Our students were set to return from spring break when it was abruptly extended before we discovered that the rest of the school year was about to look completely different. I know many of you, or perhaps mostly our students, are looking forward to spring break. As a reminder, there is no school next week, March 8 through March 12. I hope you will find time to relax or spend some quality time with loved ones. Traditionally, spring break is a time when many families choose to travel out-of-state or even out of the country. We strongly encourage everyone to follow health and safety precautions and avoid any unnecessary travel.

To accommodate students shifting learning models, there is a new meal pick-up calendar for March and April. The new calendar will start the week of March 19. SoWashCo families in Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) will be able to pick up free meals (breakfast and lunch) for their child from 8:30-10 a.m. on Fridays at East Ridge and Park High Schools. Student barcodes will be required for pick-up.

It’s important to double-check your child’s school bus information starting on March 11 as it may have changed for the third trimester. If you have any questions about bus routes, please contact the transportation department.

Families with a child eligible to begin kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year are encouraged to complete the online enrollment form as soon as possible.

South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) will be hosting ADHD Clearing the Fog. Treatment Options for Your Child, a free virtual parent education event from 6:30-7:45 p.m. on March 17 as a part of the parent education series on ADHD provided by a PrarieCare Child and Family Fund grant.

Student voice is a valuable part of our classrooms, schools and community. SoWashCo is seeking input from all secondary students (6-12) in our fourth Share Your Stories listening session. The virtual listening session, scheduled for 2-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, will be facilitated by Superintendent Julie Nielsen, Assistant Principal Ashley Ruka and Literacy Coordinator Leah Bulous, and will focus on cultural identity.

Based on new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), we are happy to share that students in grades 6-12 currently in the hybrid learning model, will return to in-person learning beginning Thursday, March 18. Students who are in the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) for trimester three will remain in VLA.

As we approach a full year of the pandemic, there is a range of emotions that students, staff and families are feeling. I want to acknowledge that families have made many sacrifices to balance work and finances along with supporting their child’s education at home. Finding a balance in life also applies to our teachers, nutrition services workers, bus drivers, custodians and the entire staff who have been keeping our school district running.