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PARENTS, VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
Procedures For Questions And Concerns
We always want to know what questions and concerns you have. Classroom teachers are often the appropriate first point of contact for many topics related to classroom learning and then your school’s principal. You are encouraged to contact the teacher or school.
If your child shares something about school that sounds unreasonable or concerns you, please contact a teacher or principal right away. This type of direct communication helps prevent misunderstandings and provides our teachers and principals with the opportunity to take appropriate actions as needed and/or provide clarification.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome after communicating with the classroom and/or school, it may be appropriate to escalate your concerns to the district leadership team or superintendent.
Please be advised that school board members, while always interested in your experience with our schools and charged with the governance of our school district, are not positioned to manage operational issues. You can expect faster action and resolution to questions and concerns by working directly with school leadership.
We use email, voicemail and text messages to communicate with families. Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date so you don’t miss anything important. Visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Parents to find links that connect you to the school experience including: learning management systems, Campus Parent Portal, technology resources, weekly school newsletters, lunch menus and more.
Have a question or not sure where to find what you are looking for? Email communications@district16.org or call the District Services Center at 763-600-5000. Learn more about how to Stay Connected at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/news/stay-connected.
CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL
This is where you will find your student’s class schedules, attendance, report cards, and transcripts, and where you can access and pay fees for things like meals. This is also where you update your contact information.
Newsletters And School Communication
Each Wednesday during the school year, expect a newsletter from your school that includes important information and updates. Newsletter are archived on the website. To find and view newsletters online, visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/newsletters.
Classroom Communication Through Schoology And Seesaw
Seesaw and Schoology are technology tools that support learning at Spring Lake Park Schools. Seesaw is used in grades K-2 to share updates, learning progress and student work samples with families. Schoology is used in grades 3-12. This is where students find class information, submit homework assignments, review grades, participate in interactive discussions, receive announcements and feedback, take tests and interact with teachers and peers. Parents can access these tools to help support student learning.
OUR WEBSITE – SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG
Our website is your online hub for Spring Lake Park Schools. Find information about the SLP experience and individual schools. Access breakfast and lunch menus. Catch up on news and announcements. Browse and customize calendars at the district, school and program level. Find contact information in the staff directory. Connect to school websites for archived newsletters, school information and more.
SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS MOBILE APP
Our mobile app brings tools and information together including school news, directory information, notifications, menus, calendars, logins and more. Download the app at your smart device app store by searching Spring Lake Park Schools.
Customize the app by schools you want to see or select the My Family Login icon and enter your district username and password (the same used for Schoology and Parent Portal) to personalize your experience and see classes, attendance and bus information.
Social Media
Don’t miss a moment of Panther pride. Follow and engage with moments that make us #SLPPantherProud on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and YouTube. Find links and details at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/SocialMedia .
Slp Experience
SLP Experience is a print and electronic publication that is shared with the local school community. It offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels with feature stories, social media highlights, opportunities for the community, student spotlights, by the numbers facts and more. Print copies are mailed home quarterly with fall, winter, spring and summer issues. To view the latest online, visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/experience.
WHAT WE OFFER – BREAKFAST, LUNCH, ALA CARTE ITEMS
Good nutrition is essential for learning. It is also critical for proper development and growth. Eating breakfast and lunch makes it easier for students to concentrate on learning, think clearly and be on their best behavior. The cafeteria is an extension of the classroom and students are expected to behave as they do in the classroom.
Spring Lake Park Schools provides both breakfast and lunch service to students following all USDA guidelines. More comprehensive information about food and nutrition can be found at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Nutrition.
Menus
Menus can be found online at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Menus or through our district mobile app. Nutrislice is our online menu program for grades K-12. Parents and students can see what’s for breakfast and lunch as well as ingredients, including the top eight food allergens that may be in a product.
Meal Accounts And Management
While school meals are free to all students, students may still choose to purchase extra food items. Each student continues to have an online meal account that can be managed through Campus Parent Portal. A Campus app for students and for parents is also available for downloaded.
Students’ use their meal account to purchase extra food items. The cost of a purchase is deducted from the account. Students scan the bar code on the back of their student ID badge to make a purchase. The bar code can also be found in the campus student app in their online meal account.
Students must have fund in their meal account to purchase extra food items at school. All families have access to their student’s meal account through Campus Parent Portal and may provide funds using:
• A debit or credit card through the Campus Parent Portal
• A personal check or cash payment which can be made at each school or the District Services Center
If a student leaves the district and there is a positive balance in their meal account, a parent or guardian can complete a refund/transfer form. If the balance goes unclaimed, it will be transferred into the district’s angel account. The angel account funds are used to help families who may be experiencing a hardship.
Applications For Educational Benefits
The Nutrition Services team continues to manage the district’s process for families to apply for free and reduced-price Educational Benefits. While school meals are free for all students, many families are eligible for additional benefits.
Educational Benefits include free and reduced-price fees for athletics and activities, child care, public transportation, internet access and more. Schools also receive critical funding through this process that supports programs and staff in our schools.
Families are encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits each year. Find more information at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Benefits .
FOOD ALLERGIES (INCLUDING PEANUT AND TREE NUT ALLERGIES)
District staff works to protect children with food allergies from potential reactions. Education, communication and cooperation are the keys to preventing allergic reactions in schools.
The process starts with the school nurse who communicates to the kitchen manager about students with food allergies. The kitchen manager notes the allergy on the student’s school meal account, which is linked to the point of sale to notify the cashier. If a food allergy is prompted by the computer, together, the cashier and student will review the meal.
Many students in our schools have severe allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, and/or products which contain nuts. Strict avoidance is the best way to prevent a severe allergic reaction. Accidental ingestion or even touching a tiny trace of a nut may cause a reaction for some students.
In an effort to ensure all students are safe throughout the school day, we have taken steps to create a safe environment:
• All classrooms are peanut/nut aware throughout Spring Lake Park Schools.
• Students with allergies sit at a separate table with adult supervision (at the elementary level) of food products.
• Nut aware tables are clearly labeled in lunch rooms for students with allergies.
We ask parents and guardians to partner with us to ensure the safety of all students:
• Please do not send any classroom snacks containing nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, or other nut products for daily snacks.
• If your child packs a lunch containing tree nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, or other nut products, please make sure they know it must stay in a sealed container until eaten.
• Please be aware of products that may be produced in a plant that contains peanuts/nuts.
Special Diet Accommodations
Dietary accommodations are governed by state and federal regulations. Lactose reduced or soy milk is available to students with a written request from a parent or guardian. A Milk Substitute Request form can be found on the Nutrition Services website and submitted to the school.
All other modifications require a completed Special Diet Statement which can be found on the Nutrition Services website. Completed forms should be submitted to the school nurse.
Homemade Food And Snacks
Homemade food cannot be handed out to children at school. Schools may serve students only food obtained from sources approved and inspected by federal, state or local regulatory authorities.
Birthdays And Treats
We believe that birthdays are special days, especially for our elementary students. We ask parents to not bring food or other treats to celebrate a birthday. In lieu of treats, students may choose to bring a non-food item to share with the class, or as an alternative, a book or a rainy day game may be donated to the class.
To celebrate birthdays, classroom teachers may provide a variety of age-appropriate events for students on their birthday. These special events may include cards from the teacher and/or classmates, wearing a special birthday crown or hat, having special classroom privileges, and singing a “Happy Birthday” song.
Immunizations
All students in Spring Lake Park Schools must comply with Minnesota Immunization Laws. All immunizations need to be up to date prior to the start of the school year. The Health Services office at your child’s school needs proof of the month, day and year your student’s immunizations were given. If the school does not receive documentation of the required immunizations, your student could be excluded from school.
State law does allow a process for parents or guardians to file a legal exemption to immunizations for medical reasons or conscientiously held beliefs. The exemption must be notarized and turned into the Health Office at the school.
Early Childhood Screening
In Minnesota, all children are required to complete early childhood screening before they enter kindergarten. Ideally, the screening should be completed before a child turns four years old and must be completed before the child attends public kindergarten. Screening is a free, quick and simple check of a child’s development.
Screening can help identify, at an early stage, possible health or learning concerns, so that children can get help even before starting kindergarten. Screening is conducted by qualified professionals and includes:
• Vision and hearing check
• Height and weight measurement
• Development assessment
• Immunizations and health history review
The best age to have your child screened is at age three and a half. All results are based on your child’s exact age on the day of screening. Appointments typically take 45-60 minutes. Results of each portion are discussed with the parent or guardian. Screening does not determine kindergarten readiness. Sign up online for early childhood screening or call 763-600-5900 with questions.
Health Care At School
A health care specialist is available each day at each of our schools during school hours. If a student feels ill during the day, they may come to the health office and be seen by the health care specialist. The school’s health care specialist will communicate with parents or guardians if a child must be picked up from school or if a child is injured at school.
If a child is seriously injured at school, the parent or alternate person listed on the emergency card will be contacted. If the parent or alternate person is not available, the student will be transported to a local hospital.
Illness And When To Stay Home
Parents and guardians frequently have questions about when they should keep their child home from school if they are not feeling well. Here are some guidelines for when your child should stay home:
• If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal.
• If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
• If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with a family physician before sending the student to school.
• If a student is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home and get tested.
• If a student has a chronic health disease that causes symptoms of fever, vomiting, diarrhea and/or rash, please check with the school health care specialist to discuss parameters for keeping your student home.
If a student is ill and staying home, please call the attendance line each day of the illness to report the absence. If you have any questions about these guidelines or your child’s illness, please call your school health office or family physician.
Medications At School
Prescription medications given at school must be accompanied by a physician’s order. Medication should be brought to school by the student’s parent or guardian in the original container, whether prescription or over the counter. A signed permission form from the parent stating the reason for the medication, dosage, time and effective dates to be given must accompany any medication.
All medication will be kept in the health office and distributed by the health care specialist at the school, including over-the-counter medicine such as cough drops.
Over-the-counter pain relievers are not available from the health care specialists at any school. Students in grades 7-12 may be allowed to self-carry and self-administer Tylenol or ibuprofen only if a signed form to self-carry has been received by the health office and a student agreement has been signed and reviewed with the student and health care specialist. The medication must be in its original packaging. If a student is abusing this privilege in any way, the school may revoke their ability to self-carry over-the-counter pain relievers.
Medication administration forms are available online or from the health office. Any requests for students to self-carry medications (asthma inhalers or epi pens) must be accompanied by a doctor’s note, as well as a signed student agreement.
Student Supplemental Accident Insurance
Despite all of our efforts to create a safe environment and the many precautions we take, accidents can happen while students are at school. If a child has an accident while attending school during the day or while participating in after school activities, the family’s health insurance carrier would cover any related expenses. The school district does not provide insurance coverage for students.
Families may purchase Student Supplemental Accident Insurance through America’s Life Insurance Corp. for the school year. This program is completely voluntary. Each family should examine their health insurance coverage as well as co-pays and deductible limits to determine if this supplemental coverage would be a benefit to them.
If you have questions about this service, more information is available by searching Student Supplemental Accident Insurance on our website or calling the Business Office at 763-600-5033.
CRISIS RESOURCES – MENTAL HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND BASIC NEEDS
We offer support for students’ mental health, well-being and basic human needs. A full continuum of supports is available to students and families during school hours through counselors, social workers and other designated school staff.
Beyond the school day, crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week:
• Anoka County Mobile Crisis Response: 763-755-3801
• Crisis Text Line: Text MN to 741741
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• www.SpringLakeParkSchools.org/well-being
Latex Allergies And Balloons
We strive to minimize the use of latex-containing products in our schools due to the number of individuals who experience allergic reactions to latex. Latex is processed into a wide variety of products, including latex balloons. Most balloons are not allowed in school, however, Mylar balloons, which can be recognized by their silver material, are allowed. If you are uncertain of the material in a particular balloon, do not bring it to school. Please notify the school health office if your child is allergic to latex.
Health And Safety Notifications
Spring Lake Park Schools facilities and grounds team works hard to maintain a safe and healthy environment aligned to state and federal guidelines.
• Pesticide use notification: The school district may apply pesticide(s) on school property and will provide a notice to families before application. Additional information regarding what pesticides are used, the schedule of pesticide applications, and the long-term health effects of the class of pesticide on children can be requested by contacting the District Facilities Supervisor at 763-600-5053.
• Asbestos notification: We monitor asbestos in district buildings and complete annual surveillance of all asbestos-containing materials in district buildings to ensure materials remain in good condition. Asbestos management plans are available for review at each school building and at the District Services Center.
• Testing for lead in water: Following Minnesota law, Spring Lake Park Schools test for lead in water used for drinking and food preparation every five years. Test results help guide maintenance, repair or replacement of any fixtures.
• Testing for radon: Spring Lake Park Schools tests for radon in our school buildings at least once every five years and we report results to the Minnesota Department of Health and to the school board.
NUISANCE AND HAZARDOUS ITEMS (INCLUDING CELL PHONES)
For health and safety, and to maintain an appropriate environment for learning, the possession or use of items judged by school staff to be hazardous or a nuisance in the learning environment are not allowed on school property and at school-sponsored events. Examples may include, but are not limited to, electronic devices, toys, trading cards, or other items deemed to be disruptive.
If you have questions about whether an item should be brought to school, contact school administration.
Schools are not responsible for lost, traded, stolen or damaged items that should not be in school according to this guideline. Items that pose a nuisance may be confiscated and returned at a later time. There may be additional discipline as determined by school administration.
With the prevalence of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in our schools, families should be aware that schools are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items – no matter how expensive. Students who choose to bring these to school do so at their own risk. Any item causing a disruption may be taken away at the teacher’s (or other staff member’s) discretion to be returned at a later time.
Pets In Classrooms
Pets in classrooms are not required to meet learning outcomes. While pets in classrooms may at times enhance or enrich the learning experience, pets may also introduce physical or psychological health risks to students and/or staff. School administrators who allow pets in classrooms must follow Pets in Classrooms guidance to ensure the health and well-being of all students and staff. This include animals that are and are not allowed per MN rule (9502.0435 Subpart 12).
