Additional Information
Last updated: Aug 7
Note: New content in bold
Student Orientation
Each family will schedule a time to meet with the student’s advisor during one of our Orientation Days on Tuesday, August 25th (Noon to 4 PM) and Wednesday, August 26th (8 AM to 4 PM). At orientation students will receive their class schedules, find their classes, learn our procedures for moving through the building, learn about our expectations and culture, take pictures, pick up their masks and iPads, and visit our bookstore to purchase spirit wear or supplies.
Families will receive a separate communication to schedule an orientation.
Backpacks (No Lockers)
Each student will need to have a backpack because we are starting the year without distributing lockers.
Students should have their school supplies separated between odd days and even days at home. Then they should only bring their materials for whichever day we are scheduled for.
iPads
Middle School students will each have an iPad. The iPads must go home in students’ backpacks each day and return in their backpack each morning. Students need to charge their iPads each evening!
Technology
All instructional spaces will have technology to support student learning.
We have identified technology tools that we’ll use throughout the year, whether we are teaching in person or need to temporarily go online, including Schoology, Flipgrid, Padlet, and others. Teachers will begin using our identified technology tools immediately in the school year. We will teach students the tools so that they are comfortable and proficient with these tools.
Supply List
Absences
The attendance line is (612) 721-3359. Parents must call the school by 8:45am to report an absence, late arrival, or early departure. As a reminder, parents should call the attendance line if they will be picking their child up early.
Students will take their iPads home each day so that if they are absent from school for any reason will have access to their instructional experience through our technology tools.
Teachers will not be providing separate instruction for students who are absent. Students will be able to participate in classroom instruction from home through live links; lessons will also be recorded so they can be accessed at another time.
Health Services
Minnehaha Academy will continue to have a registered nurse on-site at all times. A separate space will be used for students with covid-like symptoms.
In order to limit the number of students going to the nurse’s office, instructional spaces will be equipped with supplies to handle basic health needs, including:
- Cleaning small scrapes and applying bandaids
- Providing baggies for lost teeth
The school nurse will respond to emergencies, administer student medications, examine injuries, administer ice, determine if parent approved over-the-counter medicine should be administered (ie: Tylenol, cough drops), and will be available for any other health needs in the building.
Face Coverings
Students will wear face coverings during instruction but will not wear face coverings while doing physical activity during PE class. Students will not wear face coverings for recess or while they are eating lunch.
Students who have tested positive for COVID prior to August 27 and fully recovered will still need to wear masks and follow the social distance rules like other students. Even if students have spent time with peers this summer without masks, they are required in school.
Face Coverings are required on school transportation and in the school building. Types of face coverings can include a paper or disposable mask, a cloth mask, a neck gaiter, a scarf, or a bandanna. Students will be provided with two Minnehaha cloth masks. Minnehaha gaiters will be available for purchase in the front office. In keeping with our school dress code, face coverings must not be distracting or controversial.
Students will be trained in proper mask use, including putting it on, taking it off, and mask hygiene. Families will be asked to launder the face masks routinely, often enough to have a clean, laundered face mask each day at school.