Ending the Year with Distance Learning: A Family Guide
This family guide provides information related to end of year events and topics. We will miss not seeing our students and families together again this school year. We hope this information helps as you plan.
Collection of Personal Belongings
Many students have items remaining in their desks and lockers. Our staff will bag students’ belongings and have them ready for pick up on the designated days and times listed below. For families choosing to pick up their child’s items from the school, please place a sign in your vehicle window that clearly identifies your child’s first and last name and grade and drive up to the main door. A staff member will bring your child’s items to you. For the health and safety of both you and our staff, please remain in your vehicle.
Items that have not been collected will be delivered to families in May. We will make every effort to deliver items in a timely manner.
High School students who need to collect items from their gym or activities lockers will need to retrieve the items themselves. Please enter door 2 at Tech and door 11 at Apollo. A staff member will be available to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed. Be sure to bring a bag to hold your items, if needed.
Elementary
May 7 from 12 pm-8 pm
May 8 from 8 am-4 pm
Secondary
May 11 from 12 pm-8 pm
May 12 from 8 am-4 pm
Class of 2020, please plan to pick up your cap, gown, and chords on either May 11 from 12-8 or May 12 from 8-4. Please place a sign in your vehicle window that clearly identifies the student’s first and last name and drive up to the main door at Apollo or Tech. A staff member will bring items to you. For the health and safety of both you and our staff, please remain in your vehicle.
End of Year Events
Open Houses
Typically, incoming Kindergarten, 5th, and 8th graders attend a spring Open House to learn about the school they’ll attend in the fall. This year we will create videos for students and families to view. The videos will give families information on what to expect at their new grade level and provide an overview of the school facilities.
Graduation
We are committed to honoring the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. District and building administration are partnering with students and families to develop plans to recognize our graduates. Graduation will be discussed with the Board of Education on May 6.
Senior Awards
Apollo High School and Tech High School senior awards will still be given although the ceremony will not be able to take place this year. Students from the Class of 2020 who receive a scholarship or award through our local scholarship programs will be recognized through the district website and social media in late May. Information regarding the specific awards and how to claim scholarship funds will be sent to recipients and their families following the scholarships and awards announcements.
Fees
ACT
Due to the governor’s directive to close schools through March 27, school districts were unable to give the ACT exam on March 24. If you had registered your student for this exam and would like a refund, please send that request to Marjean.Galles@isd742.org for Apollo students and Tori.Kirkman@isd742.org for Tech students by May 15th. If we have not received a request by that date, your payment will be rolled into your child’s lunch account.
Accuplacer
Students who registered for the Accuplacer will have the $6.00 fee transferred to their meal accounts.
Activities
Spring activity fees will be automatically refunded to families. We will either mail a refund check to you or your uncashed check. Our Activities Office staff are confirming addresses and will begin mailing checks this week. If you have not received your refund by May 15, please feel free to contact your Activities Director or secretary.
Lunch accounts
Funds remaining in your child’s lunch account will be rolled over the next year. If you would like to request a refund, please email Mary.Streit@isd742.org.
Our current seniors, the Class of 2020, have three options to address remaining funds in lunch accounts. Option 1 is to transfer funds to a sibling’s lunch account. Option 2 is to request a refund by emailing Mary.Streit@isd742.org. Option 3 is to donate the remaining balance to the Angel Fund. The Angel Fund is a district account that provides relief for families with outstanding meal balances or other fees.
Grading
The Minnesota Department of Education is expected to release guidance on grading the week of April 27. We are reviewing options for grading during Distance Learning and will take this information into account. Grading will be discussed with the Board of Education on May 6.
Mental Health Supports
We understand this is a challenging time for many of our students and families. We are here for you. Please reach out to your child’s counselor or building principal if you want to discuss options for mental health support. We also encourage you to review the resources included below.
COVID-19: How to Help Kids Deal With School Closings and Cancelled Plans
World Health Organization -Parenting in the time of Covid-19 (available in multiple languages
Mental Health & Wellness Tips During Covid-19
Prevention Youth Suicide Facts & Tips
Connect with a Crisis Counselor
Local Crisis Response Team
Report Cards
Report cards for trimester 3 will be distributed electronically using Skyward for students in grades K-12. Families can expect to view report cards by June 12.
Summer learning
Summer learning plans are being developed based on the rapidly changing information about COVID-19 and the health and well-being of our community. We will partner with you to develop these plans as more information becomes available.
Textbooks, Reading Materials and Technology Device Return
Textbooks & Reading Materials
All texts, including course books, library materials, and PAKRAT books, will be dropped off at the school or picked up by district support staff. Students in grades K-11 will return items the week of June 1. Seniors will return their items beginning May 21 and extending into the following week. All items for the Class of 2020 should be returned prior to receipt of diplomas.
1:1 Technology Devices
Decisions about collection of 1:1 technology devices will be made when summer learning plans are finalized.
Seniors will return their items beginning May 21 and extending into the following week. All items for the Class of 2020 must be returned prior to receipt of diplomas.
Yearbooks
Students who purchased yearbooks may pick them up during the same timeframe as textbook/device return. Students in grades K-11 may pick up their yearbooks when they return items the week of June 1. Seniors will receive their yearbooks beginning May 21 and extending into the following week.
