General Reminders for Staff
Calendar Reminders
On March 15, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a statewide closure of all K-12 schools from March 18-27, under Executive Order 20-02, to allow teachers and staff to prepare distance learning plans for future long-term school closings in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. St. Louis Park Public Schools closed one day early on March 17 to provide staff with additional time for professional development in distance learning strategies and tools.
During the past week, teachers and staff developed plans and began using digital tools to make connections with students and families. Next week, connections will continue and teachers will share activities with students to keep them engaged in learning until Spring Break begins on March 27.
We recognize that some parents/guardians may want more learning to occur during this time and some parents/guardians may want less; we are hopeful that all will support us in building connections between school and home that will foster a strong learning environment for distance learning in the future.
REMINDER…March 27-April 3 there is NO SCHOOL during Spring Break! Classes will resume on April 6 - either in distance learning or in our regular school setting. As soon as we receive guidance from Governor Walz, we will be sure to communicate our plans with all stakeholders.
Access to Schools & Centers
During the school closure (March 17-April 3), schools and centers will be accessible to staff with badges, daily from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Current Mail Procedures
Postal mail will be delivered to schools and centers while we are closed as follows:
- Mail will be held daily at the Post Office for all schools and sites.
- The District Office will collect the mail on Tuesday and Thursday each week.
- Someone from each site will pickup the mail from the District Office on Wednesday and Friday and distribute the mail to their school and site.
Classrooms & Common Spaces Disinfected
While students, teachers, and staff are away from school, St. Louis Park Public Schools facilities staff is hard at work disinfecting classrooms and common spaces within schools and centers. This is a time-intensive task. In order to successfully disinfect all spaces districtwide before everyone returns from spring break, staff will only clean each classroom and common space ONE TIME. Please know that if your room has been disinfected and you enter to retrieve an item, it will not be disinfected again before school resumes. Facilities staff appreciates your cooperation.
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Social Isolation & Anxiety/Stress Reducers
The following list of resources was put together by St. Louis Park Public Schools social workers.
Books for Kids:
What to do When You Worry Too Much, Worries Are Not Forever, Peanut and the Big Feelings, The Invisible String, All Birds Have Anxiety, Mindfulness for Kids Who Worry, Sitting Still Like a Frog
Books for Adults:
Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children, The Chemistry of Calm, The Whole Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline: The Whole Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Why Smart Kids Worry, Thriving with Social Anxiety
Mindfulness/Meditation Apps:
Calm, Spotify, Insight Timer, Breathe, My First Yoga, Headspace, Smiling Mind
Websites:
GoZen!, MindYeti, Child Mind Institute, kidsrelaxation.com, leftbrainbuddha.com, Fireflies Musical Yoga for Kids, Yoga for Kids, Study Break Yoga, Welcome Home Yoga
YouTube:
Peace Out, Cosmic Kids, Just Breathe by Julie Bayer Salzman and Josh Salzman
Free iPad Apps:
Pocket Pond, Makanim, iZen Sand Tray, Fluidity, Flow, Art of Glow, Magic Candle, Shape Shifter 2
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Wellbeats Virtual Fitness Information
A reminder to employees who are covered under the District's PreferredOne health insurance, to consider using Wellbeats. Wellbeats Virtual Fitness is an on-demand fitness provider that delivers fitness classes, workout plans and fitness assessment to users anytime, anywhere.
With Wellbeats, you can access 400+ classes on your personal device, including: yoga, running/walking, HIIT, recovery and more. There's something for every age, interest and fitness level. All workout plans feature a day-by-day calendar of recommended classes to accomplish common fitness goals.
Click here
for a one-page flyer that gives three easy steps of how to access Wellbeats.
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Home Office Tips
As many teachers and staff transition to working from home, there are steps you can take to ensure a comfortable and healthy home work environment.
Click here
for a resource from Mayo Clinic staff.
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VITAL WorkLife Employee Assistance Program
VITAL WorkLife counselors can help you and your family members understand your fears, normalize concerns and identify coping mechanisms during these uncertain times. Telephonic in-the-moment support, which is available anytime, day or night, connects you with a licensed behavioral health consultant who can help you level set and talk through your anxieties, fears and concerns. Call 1-800-383-1908 to get connected with an Educator Peer Coach.
T
o access the many services that are part of our VITAL WorkLife EAP program for employees, you can go to the website or new mobile app.
Login: slp283vital
Password: member
How do I access the new app?
Download the VITAL WorkLife App (search for
VITAL WorkLife
in your favorite app store), and log in using our organization’s credentials to access the resources:
Username
:
slp283vital
Password: member
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Internet Resources
Please see below for an array of options regarding free or reduced-price internet as well as potential wifi hotspots on your phone.
Comcast:
Spectrum/Charter Link:
To enroll call 1-844-488-8395
Xfinity:
WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.
Once at a hotspot, select xfinitywifi network name & launch browser
Wireless Provider Resources:
AT&T statement
• Following FCC agreement
• Open hot-spots
• Unlimited data for existing customers
• $10/month plans for low income families
Verizon statement
• Following FCC agreement
• No special offers at this time
Sprint statement
• Following FCC agreement
• Unlimited data for existing customers
• All handsets will be authorized to enable hot-spots, no extra charge – starts 3/17/20
T-Mobile statement
• Following FCC agreement
• Unlimited data for existing customers
• All handsets will be authorized to enable hot-spots, no extra charge – coming soon
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Thank You!!
We would not be able to offer meal distribution or childcare for healthcare and emergency workers without our dedicated staff who continue to come to work for our kids. Thank you to everyone who is playing a role in making sure our kids are safe and healthy.
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