Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Response Plan
Please note that information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is evolving. Refer to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest updates. We are monitoring information from these agencies on a continuing basis.
Updated on 3/30/20
Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools have an important role to play in slowing the spread of this and other diseases and to help ensure students and staff have safe and healthy learning and working environments.
In addition to continuing to promote hand washing, staying home when sick and routine cleaning, the district is taking the following precautions at this time:
- All school buildings are closed and activities are canceled as of Monday, March 16, so we may begin to implement mitigation strategies to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This closure will extend through March 27, per Governor Tim Walz’s announcement on Sunday, March 15. (Executive Order 20-02). On Wednesday, March 25, Governor Tim Walz issued another executive order that Minnesota Public Schools implement distance learning. Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools will begin distance learning for all E-12 students on Monday, March 30, 2020, through Monday, May 4, 2020.
- All school-sponsored gatherings and activities, including dances, plays, sporting events and concerts, are canceled or postponed effective immediately until further notice.
- All planned field trips, and district-sponsored out-of-state and international travel, have been canceled until further notice.
- Custodial staff are increasing disinfectant procedures, prioritizing high-touch areas such as door handles, hand railings, desks and bathrooms.
- District administration and human resources are monitoring illness trends.
- Teachers are currently working on distance learning plans, should they become necessary. Visit the Sauk Rapids-Rice Distance Learning page HERE to learn more.
- Parents and secondary students will be allowed to collect student belongings and necessary classroom materials on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20. In an attempt to limit the number of individuals in the buildings and maintain social distancing, a rotating schedule has been established. If you are unable to come to school to collect your belongings and materials, please let your buildings know and the school district will work with families to make other arrangements. Please do not come in if you are experiencing any health related symptoms.
- If your student has medication or health office supplies at school, please contact your school’s health office staff to arrange to pick up or send home as needed.
- Our district is evaluating nutrition, mental health and special education support during the school closure.
Please note that the district cannot test for the flu or COVID-19 at school sites.
District Office Hours, Effective April 2–30, 2020
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
If you need to reach the district office after designated office hours, please call and leave a detailed voicemail with your contact information. We will respond to your voicemail in a timely manner.
Superintendent’s Office: (320) 258-1809
Human Resources: (320) 258-1808
Teaching and Learning: (320) 258-1822
Buildings and Grounds: (320) 258-1990
Business Office: (320) 258-1806
Accounts Payable and Payroll: (320) 258-1818
Building/Program Contact Information:
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (320) 253-4700
Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School (320) 654-9073
Pleasantview Elementary (320) 253-0506
Mississippi Heights Elementary (320) 252-0122
Rice Elementary (320) 393-2177
Sauk Rapids-Rice Early Childhood and Family Education (320) 255-8910
Sauk Rapids-Rice Adult Basic Education (320) 258-1111
LATEST DISTRICT COMMUNICATION:
March 15, 2020
Saint Cloud, Sartell, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools will close effective Monday, March 16, 2020 for all students. Today Governor Walz issued Executive Order 20-02 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and announced that all Minnesota public schools will close no later than Wednesday, March 18 and remain closed through March 27.
Based on Governor Walz’s directive, no instruction will occur during this time as staff plan for the implementation of distance learning.
Starting today, District leaders are meeting with community partners and social service organizations to coordinate continuity of critical services such as food distribution and school-aged childcare for emergency workers. These plans will be shared with our families and community as soon as they become available.
Families, students, and staff, please remain alert for additional information coming from each of our school districts.
PAST DISTRICT COMMUNICATION:
- Message from the Superintendent, March 5, 2020
- Joint Message from ISD 742, 748 and 47, March 12, 2020
- See Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Plan document
Resources
- For families: List of free lunch options for students and Internet access providers
- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (651) 201-3920
Assistance available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Benton and Stearns County COVID-19 Hotline: (320) 656-6625 or 1-877-782-5683
Assistance available from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday - CentraCare Health’s COVID-19 FAQs for Kids & Teens HERE
Family Needs Assessment
Please complete the CONFIDENTIAL Family Needs Assessment form HERE. The information assessed covers:
- Meals
- Device Needs (ie iPads, Laptop)
- Internet Access Needs
By filling out this form, you will help district staff know how to provide services and for whom.
If you are unable to fill out this form electronically please call the District Office for assistance.
Meal Pick Up at Pleasantview Elementary and Rice Elementary
Student meals will be available starting Wednesday, March 18, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for outside pick up at Pleasantview Elementary outside of Door 2 (by the bus chute) and at Rice Elementary outside of Door 3. Breakfast and lunch pick up will continue Monday through Friday at these locations.
- Meals will be located on the table underneath a tent in these parking lots
- Please observe social distancing and refrain from approaching the table if another parent/guardian is picking up their meals
- Students cannot eat on school grounds or in school buildings
Access to Personal Belongings
Parents and students had access to get personal supplies (i.e. empty out desks and lockers, gather medications, etc.) beginning on Thursday, March 19, 2020. If parents/guardians were not able to collect materials on March 19 or 20, the school will reach out and make arrangements with families.
- School officials ask that families limit the time they spend in school when picking up supplies due to social distancing guidelines and to prevent the spread of the virus (i.e. no longer than 10 minutes in school buildings). School officials also recommend limiting the number of people who pick up supplies (i.e. one parent/caregiver).
- This will allow ISD 47 staff to clean the facilities in accordance with guidance from the Department of Health. Principals will send specific details and additional guidance regarding scheduled pick-up times. Contact your school if you cannot make it or have additional questions.
- Families with elementary-aged children who need to request a device for distance learning can check one out on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at their child’s school. An at-home device may be used in place of a school-issued device. Please email or call your child’s school if you are still in need of a device.
Childcare for Emergency Workers in Tier 1 and Essential Workers in Tier 2 Executive Order
In cooperation with ISD 47, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota is providing childcare to accommodate school-aged children of emergency and medical workers. The service is being provided at Mississippi Heights Elementary School and Rice Elementary in accordance with the directive from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
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The service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Mississippi Heights Elementary and 6:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in Rice. Both are free of charge to families of emergency workers in Tier 1 and essential workers in Tier 2 Executive Order. See a full list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers HERE.
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This service is reserved for school-aged children up to 12 years of age (no infants and toddlers).
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Emergency services child care is not KidStop or Kids Club and is not open to those who are not families of emergency care workers in Tier 1 and essential workers in Tier 2 Executive Order.
If you intend to use this service at the Boys and Girls Club, please register below.
Boys and Girls Club Childcare Registration
If you intend to use this service at Rice Elementary, please register below.
Rice Elementary Childcare Registration
Neighborhood Meal Distribution
The district, in coordination with food service and the transportation department, will offer neighborhood meal distribution to resident students at designated stops. If you are in need of the neighborhood meal distribution option, please fill out the Neighborhood Meal Distribution form below. Allow two days for processing.
This service is only available to resident students. If your student is open enrolled into Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, you are welcome to pick up meals for your students at one of our pick-up locations at Pleasantview Elementary or Rice Elementary from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Neighborhood Meal Distribution Form
The transportation department will contact you regarding stop information.
If you are unable to fill out this form electronically, please call the District Office for assistance.
