Frequent media coverage of this newly discovered virus can feel overwhelming. Here are some resources that provide accurate information and some tips for talking with kids when they have questions in times of uncertainty. Check back often for regular updates as we add more resources. 

Helpful links

• 10 things to know about our preparation for reopening
• Mounds View’s reopening plan (updated Sept. 10)
• Mask mandate: the Governor’s Executive Order
• Reopening survey results
• Minnesota’s school year planning guidance for 2020-21
• Department of Health planning guide

Free meals for all students

Meals for blended learning students

Free breakfast and lunch will be available to all students on the days that they are at school. Students will also be offered a bag with one breakfast and one lunch to take home for the next day (their at-home learning day). Students will not need to pay or enter a PIN number to receive these meals. 

Free meals will also be available for students attending Tier 1 childcare.

Meals for distance learning students

Free meals will be available for all distance learning students every Friday, starting September 25, for curbside pickup from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the following sites. If school is not in session on a certain Friday, meal pick-up will occur the previous day at the same time listed above. 

• Chippewa Middle School (5000 Hodgson Road, North Oaks)
• Irondale High School (2425 Long Lake Rd, New Brighton)

Each bag will contain five breakfasts and five lunches. Meals will be FREE to all students. Families and students will not need to provide a name or PIN number to pick up the meals.

The Minnesota Department of Education has announced an extension of the USDA’s “Free Meals for Kids” program until December 31, 2020, or until funds run out. This program provides free meals for all students regardless of eligibility.

What’s the process schools will use for supporting and possibly isolating people with coronavirus-like symptoms in schools? The Minnesota Department of Health has published a Decision Tree that all schools in the District will follow for guiding people with symptoms or for people who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. In general, MDH’s guidance is that if you are ill -- even a little bit ill -- you should stay away from school.

• Decision tree (English)
• Decision tree (Spanish)
• Decision tree (Hmong)
• Decision tree (Somali)

Throughout the month of July, the District surveyed parents, staff and secondary students for feedback regarding the reopening of schools in the fall. The District shared some of these results July 24 in a reopening planning document that will continue to be updated with new information. 

Find the following results on this page:  

• Parent feedback
• Staff feedback 
• Secondary student feedback 
• Feedback for all result groups for each school 

Ralph Reeder Food Shelf

The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf is ready to help. If you are in need of free food for your family please call the food shelf appointment line at 651-621-6280. The food shelf has implemented a fast and user-friendly drive thru service model in our parking lot that provides participants with pre-packed "to-go" bags of food. This temporary service model takes into consideration the need for social distancing as well as the ability to provide food to many families in a short period of time. Families will receive canned and boxed items, hygiene, frozen meat, fresh milk, produce, dairy, deli and bakery items. 

What can you do to help?
We are already seeing a spike in need and donations from the community are important. At this time, we are asking people to make an online donation at www.ralphreederfoodshelf.org or mail in a donation to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf - 2544 Mounds View Blvd. Mounds View, MN  55112. For every dollar you donate, we can purchase up to $8.00 worth of food. Plus, Minnesota Foodshare is matching a portion of all donations received at food shelves through April 30. While we love volunteers, we are not currently accepting any new volunteers at this time. Should we have any service interruptions or changes to our hours it will be posted on our Facebook page as well as on or our website at www.ralphreederfoodshelf.org.  

Internet access for students 

For students and staff who do not have access to reliable internet, there are options available. 

• Comcast/Xfinity has several options for families to utilize. Learn more at https://www.internetessentials.com/.
  
  
• Visit https://www.everyoneon.org/ and select the “Find Offers” button. Enter your zip code and indicate any of the options that apply to your family. Generally at least one low-cost option will be available.
  
  
• We are working to make sure every student has internet access. If you have issues with internet access, contact your school directly. 

Community resources

Click here to see community resources regarding financial assistance, food access and more. This document will be updated regularly, so check back often.