Lower School Information & Policies

Academics

Two third grade students show their research and writing.

Support

The Lower School has a strong infrastructure of people who support students and teachers.

The Dean of Students shepherds student life and culture in the Lower School. The Dean of Students focuses on supporting positive behavior in our community through restorative practices, conflict-resolution, crisis intervention, and discipline. The Dean of Students is a member of the Lower School Student Support Team.

The Counselor promotes the social and emotional growth of our students. The Counselor may provide support to individual students, facilitate small groups, collaborate with outside support professionals, and may deliver classroom lessons. The Counselor is a member of the Lower School Student Support Team.

The Learning Specialists (Reading and Math) collaborate with classroom teachers to provide targeted instruction to individual students or small groups. The Learning Specialists are members of the Lower School Student Support Team.

Teaching Assistants support classroom teachers by providing support to individual students or groups of students for remediation, reinforcement, or enrichment. Teaching Assistants work at the direction of classroom teachers and should be treated as an authority figure by students. Teaching Assistants are not expected to communicate directly with parents.

Testing and Assessment Practices

We seek to understand our learners from multiple perspectives, including the use of formative assessments, summative assessments, and standardized tests. There are many purposes of these assessments, including:

To understand individual learners and measure growth over time
To inform instructional practices for individual students
To communicate information about student growth and performance with families
To continuously assess curriculum and resources used in classrooms

Specialists

The Lower School is blessed to have Specialist classes taught by specially trained, content-specific teachers. These classes are a critical part of our programming and promote student growth in rich ways. Specialist classes are delivered on a rotation; parents will receive their child’s Specialist schedule and rotation at the beginning of the school year.

Physical Education

If a student is not able to participate in PE class, a note from home or a doctor must be presented. Only a written note from a doctor can excuse a student from PE class on a continuing basis. Students are required to wear athletic shoes when participating in physical education activities.

Library and Instructional Materials

Textbooks and instructional materials are purchased by the school and loaned to students. If a book is lost, damaged, excessively soiled or worn beyond normal use, the student’s parents will be charged accordingly.

Library materials for students in Grades K-5 may be checked out for three weeks. In the event that a book is not returned, the student must pay for the material.

Homework

Homework is designed to accomplish the following goals:

Extend academic learning through practice and extension.
Foster a positive school-home partnership for academic growth.
Develop a “homework habit” and mindset in students.

Teachers will share details about grade-specific homework plans at Back-to-School Night.

Field Trips

Students are required to participate in trips planned by the teacher. Although the enrollment contract includes authorization for school-sponsored activities, Lower School teachers will notify parents via Parent Square about field trips. Please sign and submit permission slips promptly prior to each field trip. The classroom teachers will organize parent chaperones if volunteers are needed.

The Minnehaha Academy Campuses are in communities rich in resources within a short walking distance. At appropriate times the classroom teacher may want to take students on a walking field trip to places close by for various activities. Parents complete an annual permission form for walking field trips; as such teachers will notify parents about walking field trips but will not ask for a specific permission form.

Concerts and Special Events

Fine Arts concerts, activities, and grade-level events are an extension of our curriculum. As such, all students are required to participate in the scheduled musical concerts, and other grade-level performances or events. Every effort is made to inform families well in advance of these events so parents can plan accordingly.

Classroom Assignments

Many factors go into assigning students to classrooms. Parents are given the opportunity each spring to share academic, social and emotional needs of their child to aid in class placement. The school makes final placement decisions and reserves the right to change class assignments during the school year if deemed necessary.

Attendance

Students may arrive at 8:00 a.m.

A waiting area is provided free of charge for students arriving between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 arriving during this timeframe must go to the cafeteria where they will be supervised before being dismissed at 8:30 a.m. to go to their classrooms.

Note: No screen use is allowed during this time (phones, iPads, game devices).

Buses serving Minnehaha students leave by 3:20 p.m. Lower School students must be picked up by 3:30 p.m.; if they are not picked up they will be brought to the Extended Day program where they will be supervised and engaged in age-appropriate activities. There is a charge for students who are not registered for after school care.

Tardies

Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classroom at 8:35 a.m. Students arriving at school after 8:35 a.m. must check-in at the main office to receive a pass to class.

Note: Weather conditions are taken into consideration when taking attendance; on days when weather or driving conditions are difficult, late attendance is taken.

It is expected that students are on time and ready to begin class by 8:35 a.m. each morning. A student who is consistently late misses valuable instructional time. If a student is chronically tardy, a conference with the family may be scheduled to discuss solutions and plans for any necessary make-up work.

Early Departures

Students must be signed out in the office by a parent or parent-authorized adult; at that time the student will be dismissed from his or her class and picked up in the main office. Parents should notify the student’s teacher and the receptionist prior to the beginning of the school day to indicate the time you are arriving and the reason for an early dismissal.

End of Day Messages

Parents may leave a message for their student regarding plans after school (e.g., to wait for a ride rather than take the bus home), by contacting the receptionist at (612) 721-3359 before 2:30 p.m. Please note that teachers are often unable to check emails or voicemails prior to the end of the school day; time-sensitive messages should be directed to the main office.

Extended Day: Fun-N-Friends

Fun-N-Friends is a fee-based program for students that provides supervision and age-appropriate activities. Families must pre-register and pay in advance for this service; if a student attends without pre-registering, a drop in fee will be charged. Visit www.minnehahaacademy.net/extendedday for the registration.

After school care is available for Preschool-5th grade from 3:10-6:00 p.m.
Care is also available on certain days when school is not in session. These Release Days typically provide care from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Student Life

Lunch and Snacks

Lower School classrooms are nut-free. Teachers provide a designated snack time in the classroom; these snacks must be nut-free. Snacks should be healthy, providing good fuel for students throughout the day. Candy is not allowed as a snack item.

We want Lower School students to eat food that will fuel their energy and learning for the remainder of the day, so the lunchroom staff asks all students to take at least one fruit or vegetable if they are purchasing a lunch from school. Parents can request an exemption to this rule if there is a medical condition or reason not to enforce this rule.

Redhawk Rallies

Redhawk Rallies are a time of community-building and celebration throughout the school year.

Recess

Weather permitting, all students participate in outdoor recess every day. Students are required to participate in recess unless they have a written release from home or a medical provider. On days when outside recess is not possible due to weather conditions students will have an indoor recess in their instructional space.

Students must be appropriately dressed for weather conditions and outdoor recess. Once snow has covered the ground, students must have a jacket, snow pants, gloves, hat, and boots to participate in outdoor recess. If students are inadequately dressed, they will be sent to the office for recess and a reminder will be sent home.

We monitor the weather closely. If the temperature and/or wind chill drops below -10 degrees we will have indoor recess for students.

Please label every item of clothing or equipment your child brings to school with your child’s first and last name. Unclaimed items will be kept in the school’s Lost and Found located near the school cafeteria. Periodically throughout the year, unclaimed items are donated.

Playground Expectations

In order to ensure that the playground experience is fun and safe for students, specific rules pertaining to recess are clearly communicated to students at the beginning of the school year in addition to being posted near the playground.

Birthdays

Each class celebrates their birthday students in a special way. Parents are welcome to send their child with a non-edible birthday item or gift to share with the class if they’d like, but that certainly is not required. If you plan to send something in please let the teacher know in advance so we can be sure to allow time for this.

Invitations to Parties

Invitations to private birthday parties and other types of parties should be mailed (rather than distributed at school) to prevent situations where children may feel excluded. Parents can also send private messages on Parent Square.

Transportation

The morning and afternoon traffic in and around the Lower & Middle School parking lot is very busy. The safety procedures are in place to ensure student safety. As such, the guidelines below are very important. Any changes to these plans will be communicated to families by the Principal.

Morning Drop-off Procedures

The Principal will send detailed information about Lower School arrival procedures prior to the start of the school year.
Per state licensing requirements, Preschool families need to park and bring their children to the main doors to sign them in.

Afternoon Pick-up Procedures

The Principal will send detailed information about Lower School dismissal procedures prior to the start of the school year.
Parents using the vehicle pick-up line must use the namecard provided by the school to ensure that students are released only to parents or another individual authorized by the parent(s).
Changes in after school plans must be communicated to the front office at 612.721.3359 by 2:30 p.m.
Per state licensing requirements, Preschool families need to park and pick their children up at the west door to sign them out.

Behavior Expectations and Discipline

It is important for students to clearly understand the expectations for behavior. It is also important to be clear about the consequences when students do not meet these expectations. There are developmental variations between kindergarten children and fifth graders. As such, we value a discipline model that is structured, yet flexible and developmentally appropriate. We believe children learn by accepting responsibility for their actions and choices, which then results in powerful opportunities for growth. When student behavior or actions need to be addressed we identify appropriate consequences, guide conflict-resolution conversations, help students give and receive grace and forgiveness using restorative practices, and establish plans for future decision-making. Behavioral issues are handled on an individual basis, in accordance with the following principles:

All Lower School faculty and staff are authorized to intervene and address behavioral concerns.
Most behavior issues are addressed immediately and within the space where the issue occurred.
Minor behavior corrections are not always communicated to parents.
A written Discipline Referral may be issued.
All disciplinary actions are held in confidence between the student, parent(s), and school representatives.

Recurring Behavior Issues

The Dean of Students and/or Counselor will work with the student to identify the behavioral concerns, seek to understand the cause or contributing factors for the behavior, and develop strategies to help the student be successful.
The Dean or Counselor will communicate with parents.
Discipline Referrals may be issued for repeated minor concerns and may include consequences and/or restitution.
The Dean or Counselor may determine that a conference is warranted; if so the conference will include parent(s), classroom teacher, administrators, and the student (as appropriate). The purpose of a conference is to develop a student support plan as well as a timeline for expected outcomes.

Behavior Issues of Major Concern

Behavior issues of major concern will involve immediate action and consequences in order to maintain a safe learning environment for all.
The process will involve the Dean and/or Principal.
Discipline Referrals will be issued. Consequences may include time away from the classroom, early dismissal, in-school or out-of-school suspension, or expulsion from the school.
Parents will be notified and a meeting will take place as quickly as possible.
In the case of an early dismissal or suspension, the student may not return to school until there has been a parent meeting with the student, teacher, family, and administration and a student support plan is developed.
Communication with involved families will happen in a timely manner.

Issues of Major Concern include:

Aggressive physical behavior towards self or others.
Aggressive verbal behavior towards self or others.
Swearing or other inappropriate school language.
Destruction of school or student property.
Dishonest behavior (e.g., theft, lying, cheating, or plagiarism).
Bullying behavior.
Inappropriate use of technology, including social media.
Any form of racial or religious harassment.
Inappropriate touch, talk or act of sexual harassment.
Possession, distribution or use of illegal chemicals or weapons.

Discipline Referrals

When a student behaves in a manner that warrants discipline, a written Discipline Referral may be issued. A Discipline Referral is a communication tool between school and home. Discipline Referrals do not become part of a student’s permanent school file.

Possible consequences include loss of a privilege or participation in a special event, age-appropriate service to the school before or after the school day, partial or full-day suspension, multiple-day suspension, and implementation of a student behavior plan. A parent meeting will be called if a child receives three Discipline Referrals within a semester to develop a support plan. Serious behaviors and/or chronic behaviors that are not corrected by the discipline system may result in termination of enrollment.

All behavior expectations remain in place during school functions, even outside the instructional day (e.g., a concert) and/or off-site (e.g., on a field trip), as well as on school transportation.

Technology

Technology can offer powerful opportunities for students in the areas of research, organization, collaboration, productivity, communication, design, problem-solving, and creation. Use of technology in the Lower School is intended for these positive purposes. Like any complex tool, however, technology can be misused or abused. In order to preserve a productive learning environment free from technology-related distractions, Lower School students must put all technology away before coming into the building. Student use of technology while at school must be solely at the direction of school staff. A student who uses the iPad without permission or in a manner deemed detrimental to our educational environment is subject to disciplinary action.

Personal Technology & Cell Phones

Wearable Technology and Cell Phones: Cell phones and any wearable technology with two-way communication capability must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker or backpack as soon as students arrive at school. Phones are to remain in a student’s backpack throughout the day and may not be used during the school day. Students may not check voice or text messages during the school day. Parents who need to contact their children during school hours should call the front office and a message will be relayed to the student. Lower School students not following these expectations will receive a Discipline Referral.
Gaming Devices: Students are not allowed to use gaming devices at school. These devices should be left at home.