Lester Prairie Schools

Students, We Miss You!

DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN (click here)

Distance Learning Expectations for Students

I will check my school email and reply to the Attendance Email from Mr. Kramer to submit that I am in attendance that day before 10:00 pm (7th-12th only).

I understand I need to check my teacher’s webpage DAILY on the Lester Prairie website to
obtain my assignments for the day.

I understand that my teachers will post new materials by 9:00 am each day.  I will check all
of my classes to see what I need to do.

I will follow the directions and complete the assignments provided by my teachers.

I will ask my family for support if I need help.

I know my teacher’s office hours (9:00-11:30 & 12:00-3:00) and will contact my teacher(s)
for support or if I have any questions.

I understand that if I do not have Internet access I will need to pick-up and drop off my
assignments for the week on Monday mornings between the hours of 9:00-11:00 am at the
specific location at the school.
K-6 at Door G on the Southwest side of the school
7-12 at Door A on the Northeast side of the school (main entrance)

I understand that distance learning is an expectation.  There is not an option for students to
“opt out” of distance learning.  Daily attendance is required.

Distance Learning Expectations for Parents/Guardians

I understand my 7th-12th grade child(ren) will need to check their school email  daily and
reply to the Attendance Email from Mr. Kramer to be counted as attending school that day.

I understand my K-3 grade child(ren) teacher’s will send a daily email to confirm my
child(ren) attendance.

I understand my 4-6 grade child(ren) will receive and answer a daily question from their
classroom teacher as a way to verify attendance.

I understand I will need to support my child(ren) and possibly help them contact teachers
with any questions about their coursework.  Teachers are available on school days between
9:00-11:30 am and 12:00-3:00 pm via email or phone. Contact information can be found
on the teacher’s webpage.

I understand student participation in distance learning is an expectation.  There is not an
option for students to “opt out” of distance learning. Daily attendance is required.

I understand it is best practice to have daily conversations with my child(ren) regarding
their daily progress on the distance learning assignments.

If I don’t have Internet access for distance learning I understand I will need to pick-up and drop-off work on Monday mornings between 9:00-11:00 am. If that is not possible, I will need to contact the school as soon as possible to figure out an alternative plan.

Distance Learning Starts Monday, March 30th through at least May 4th

Mandated by Governor Walz and the State of Minnesota.

The Lester Prairie Schools Website will be the hub of Distance Learning for LP students.

Every school day students in grades 7th-12th will receive a Daily Attendance email from Mr. Kramer. Students will need to fill out the linked Google Form to verify they are in attendance that day.

Every school day classroom teachers of students in grades Kindergarten – 6th will be reaching out to the students and/or parents via email or webpage forms to verify attendance.

Every school day students will need to go to their teacher’s webpage on the district website to find the lesson instruction and assignments for the day.

Every school day teachers will be available to answer any questions students may have between the hours of 9:00-11:30 am and 12:00-3:00 pm.

Teacher webpages will have at least 2 ways of contacting them: email and phone number.

If you have any questions or need help on the assignments, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact your teacher(s).

We are here for you!!!

School Health Communication:

UPDATE MARCH 22, 2020
Here are two informational videos about the Coronavirus from Dr. Helland.
Thank you, Dr. Helland!
For younger children: click here
For older students and adults: click here

CDC Coronavirus information: click here

UPDATE MARCH 17, 2020

Reminder: Lester Prairie Public Schools are closed starting March 18 until March 27. There will not be instructional services or homework during these days. Students should have all of their textbooks at home. Please keep books in a safe place in the event we will need to implement Distance Learning instruction that would start on March 30. More information on Distance Learning will be communicated at a later date.

Lester Prairie Schools will be continuing food service to school age children in our district. Breakfast and lunch meals will be done in a take out style from Door F by the flagpole on the West side of the school for all school age students that attend Lester Prairie Schools. We will need you to fill out a Food Service Request Form located on the main page of the District website. Pick up times will be between 9:00am and 11:00am.

PLEASE FILL OUT FOOD SERVICE REQUEST FORM: Click here to access the form
If the form is not available on your device you may email the following information to fiecke@lp.k12.mn.us
1. Parent Name
2. Email Address
3. If you will be participating in this food service, who are the school age children in your household who would pick up BREAKFAST meals?
4. If you will be participating in this food service, who are the school age children in your household who would pick up LUNCH meals?

UPDATE MARCH 15, 2020:

Lester Prairie Schools will be closing for PreK-12 students starting Wednesday, March 18 through March 27. School will not be in session for students. Staff will report to school on those days.

Kids Depot will be open Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17. Kids Depot will be closed starting Wednesday, March 18.

In its place, starting Wednesday, March 18, we are opening an Emergency Childcare Service for Healthcare Worker and First Responder families. The hours of service will be 7:30am to 5:30pm and will include 7:45am breakfast, 11:30am lunch, and 3:00pm snack. If you are a Healthcare Worker or First Responder and would like your child to participate in this Emergency Childcare Service, you must provide a secured letter from your employer or current badge. Registration will be sent home with K-5 students. It is also on our website for you to download and available in the School Office.

There are many more details to work out in the coming days and weeks ahead. We will continue to provide further communication on our Lester Prairie Schools Website, Lester Prairie Schools Facebook Page, Lester Prairie Schools Twitter, and Instant Alert.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we head into this unchartered territory.
Stay safe and stay healthy!

CHILDCARE REGISTRATION FORM

UPDATE March 13, 2020:
Dear Lester Prairie Families and Staff,
You are no doubt aware of the significant developments in how agencies are responding to the COVID-19 virus. This is an evolving issue and, therefore, response plans are evolving as well. We continue to follow the guidance of our experts from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and MDE.

At this moment in time, there is no recommendation that we should close our schools. That being said, it is likely we may start to see school closures in the near future. The Minnesota Department of Health and MDE will be the guiding agencies prior to any such decision at Lester Prairie School District. Our teaching staff are being proactive with contingency planning and preparing for how we might deliver instruction in a Distance Learning format. Students in 5-12 will be expected to take all textbooks home and bring back to school daily so we will be able to provide Distance Learning instruction.

In the meantime, it's important that students who are healthy remain in school. We understand that there are extenuating circumstances that can impact student attendance. Every parent needs to make the best decisions for his or her child(ren) in terms of participating in after-school activities.

MDH Protective Recommendations for Public Health continue:

Stay home when sick with cold/flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath
Cover a cough and sneeze
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth

Beginning Friday, March 13th, in accordance with the most recent MDH recommendations, we are postponing or canceling all scheduled school-related large events and assemblies until further notice. This includes the Spring Band Concert and the School Carnival that were scheduled for next week. The Turkey Commercial Dinner on Monday, March 16th will be "Take Out" only.

As long as school is in session, we will continue with spring sports practices and Kids Depot will remain open.

Sincerely,
Melissa Radeke
Superintendent

UPDATE March 9, 2020:
The Minnesota Department of Health issued a news release about the state’s second confirmed case of COVID-19. More information about COVID-19 and the news release is located on the MDH website (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html). At this time, there are no changes in recommendations for childcare, schools, or institutes of higher education. We continue to manage with preventative measures and infection control precautions.

February 28, 2020:
With the COVID-19 (coronavirus) at the center of the news each night, questions and concerns have arisen about its potential impact on schools. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) work collaboratively on decisions regarding the impact on schools that result from outbreaks of contagious conditions. These organizations monitor local and national health concerns and have access to relevant and up-to-date information. This information and guidance is shared with individual school districts.

At this point, we are in the prevention stage of managing for a potential outbreak of coronavirus and have the standards and protocols already in place because it is flu season. Lester Prairie Administration continue to discuss and prepare in the event that a districtwide response is needed. In the meantime, teachers are reviewing hand-washing techniques with students, discouraging sharing of food, encouraging the use of hand sanitzers, and encouraging students to keep hands out of their mouths, eyes, etc. The disinfectant cleaners used in our schools are effective against the family of viruses that includes coronovirus. The same preventative measures that we promote for cold and flu season will protect us from other contagious conditions:

Wash your hands
Cover a cough and sneeze
Stay home when you are sick
Keep kids home from school and activities when they are sick

Please be assured that we will follow MDE and MDH recommendations regarding the coronavirus or any other contagious condition. The World Health Organization has more information and background on the coronavirus at www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus.

We will provide an update if we anticipate an impact on our schools, students, and staff.

~EPS, AASA, MASA