March 24, 2020

COVID-19 and Distance Learning Edition In order to have transparent and timely communication, the Division of Schools will share up-to-date information on a daily basis via the Principal's Playbook: Distance Learning Edition. Each daily edition will include information related to COVID-19, distance learning and Leadership Academy, and how they relate specifically to principals and assistant principals. Each edition will be shared by no later than 5 p.m. If departments have urgent or pertinent information to share regarding operations during this unprecedented time, please email jada.wollenzien@spps.org . If your information is not urgent, please submit to the regular weekly Principal's Playbook here .

Division of Operations Updates

Majority of Staff Cannot Be in Buildings

As a reminder, effective Monday, March 23, Saint Paul Public Schools moved to restricted building access. This means that only these employees have access to buildings : Essential Kids Care staff Operations staff (i.e. custodial engineers) Nutrition Services staff Security and Emergency Management staff Some individuals in Business Office and Human Resources Those who do not have access to buildings and are to be telecommuting are: Senior Leadership Team (Supt., Chiefs, Asst. Supts.) Principals Assistant Principals Teachers, Counselors, Social Workers Paraprofessionals Clerks All other educational staff If principals have staff that absolutely need to get into the building to pick something up, and if principals approve their request, please contact Laurie Olson at laura.olson@spps.org. Laurie will give final approval and activate badge access. To be clear, at no time are staff permitted to come into any building to use the gym or exercise room. These safety precautions are to keep people healthy and germ-free and to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.

Meal Service for March 23-27

Full details for this week's meal information can be found  here . The changes made to this week's meal service are: School meal pickup will be at six schools only, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10-11:30 a.m. (or until all food is handed out) The six schools are: Battle Creek Middle School, Cherokee Heights Elementary, Como Park Senior High School, Harding Senior High School, Highland Park Senior High School and Johnson Senior High School Buses will continue to deliver meals on their regular morning routes: Wednesday for 7:30 a.m. schools; Thursday for 8:30 a.m. schools; and Friday for 9:30 a.m. schools Nutrition Services is asking principals to: Not share phone number 651-523-6328 with parents or families. This number is only to be used by administrators if they are having issues or have questions. If families have questions, please direct them to the Student Placement Center. Be aware of the timing of the communication you are sending to families. Sending updates about meals well after your site has stopped passing out boxes creates a lot of calls and complaints to Nutrition Services. Home delivery is not a viable solution if a site runs out of food boxes on their distribution day. Nutrition Services will be passing out a flyer with additional food resources if buses or hub sites run out of food. And remember, please remind staff and families to practice social distancing when picking up meals. Security staff will be present at all sites this week.

COVID-19 Updates Specific to SPPS

The Office of Communications is posting all COVID-19 updates at spps.org/COVID . The below information is specific to building administrators and what they need to know in order to operate effectively.

Employees at Essential Kids Care Sites: Must Get Your Temperature Checked

Everyone, which includes parents and all employees, entering an Essential Kids Care site must enter the building through the main doors and get their temperature checked by the nurse or health aide before their shift/work hours (employees) or entering further into the building (parents). Do not allow any employees (even custodians) to enter through side or back doors. Everyone must enter through the main doors. It is imperative to follow these guidelines to help minimize possible exposure to COVID-19.

All School Playgrounds are Closed

Families are being informed today that all Saint Paul Public Schools playgrounds are closed. Temporary signage is up at all school playgrounds. This precaution is in line with the Minnesota Department of Health's recommendations, and we ask all leaders to help share this message with staff and families as appropriate.

Division of Academics Updates

Pre-Kindergarten Distance Learning: Required Schoology Course for Pre-K Administrators

Please review this document for important information regarding distance learning for Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) students. To support their educators, all Pre-K administrators are required to take the Office of Early Learning's Schoology course: SPPS OEL: Pre-K Distance Learning. The access code is 5X34-QTK2-KQD2P.

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