Superintendent Notes
By Randy Bruer
Social Media and Home Internet
Social Media is a huge problem among young people today using cell phones. We know that students send some illegal texts, and pictures among themselves and this can be considered a crime. We have seen the news media asking PARENTS to speak with your children about the use of their cell phones in and out of school, along with apps to view and stay away from, and how the phone should be used. Please take the time to speak with your child because we know this is happening among our student population. It can also be considered a form of bullying which is a common and potentially damaging form of violence among students.
Another potential scam will take shape as students spend more time online at home. They could be talked into a money scam using their technology equipment at home. Please watch and speak to your children about this issue.
Review these questions each time you send your child to school.
Does your child have one or more of these symptoms? – Fever greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees F, difficulty breathing, new onset and/or worsening cough, or new loss of taste or smell.
Does your child have at least two or more of these symptoms? – Sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion, or runny nose. If you see any of these symptoms call the school and keep your child home. It is not worth risking a virus in school as we will be forced to shut down. We will be taking temp checks before entering the bus and also entering the school.
Important Notice; Free & Reduced application forms
I know you read and hear this announcement time and time again but I cannot stress enough how important these forms are to the school district to access funding for our school. Our school loses money in compensatory funding and will lose this year again because our eligibility percent has dropped. If you are the parent of a child and know you may meet the eligibility requirements of the program, please fill them out and return them to the school or see the Superintendent even if you are not attending school in person for are homeschooling. The forms are confidential and it does not mean you need to take advantage of what the form has to offer, but we still ask you to fill it out. It does affect our compensatory funding for our school, free or reduced meal money for kids, 0% interest on QZAB loans, reduced phone and internet bills for our school, Title 1 funding, Federal funding, computer, technology, and equipment grants, and learning materials. At the beginning of the year or anytime during this year, we ask parents or custodial parents to fill out the free and reduced request forms. If you do not have internet for children, please call us as we have a special pricing program available through Garden Valley Telephone.
Century 21 After-School Program
Win-E-Mac has been awarded another year of grant dollars for an after school program. Our school along with 3 other districts will be funded for a program of 5 days a week plus summer, for kids attending our school district. If your child would like to be in an extended program after school until 5:15, call the school @ 218-563-2900 for more details. We will also offer an early morning drop-off if needed for parents beginning at 7:30 am.
Patriot Pride Boosters
This group of parents and community members want to help with all aspects of the school and is open to anyone who is willing to help achieve this goal. There is no fee to join and for more information contact patriotpridebooster@gmail.com.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The district will not have extra-curricular activities and sports taking place after school this fall as they have been postponed to Spring. We are working to see how we can introduce the Junior High Athletics this fall if things can be aligned. Catch the Patriot Spirit and keep us in mind.