COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

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 4/24/20

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 the end of the 2019-20 school year, 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 the end of the 2019-20 school year.
All school-sponsored gatherings and activities, including dances, plays, sporting events and concerts, are canceled for the 2019-20 school year and until further notice.
All planned field trips, and district-sponsored out-of-state and international travel, are 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 implementing distance learning plans. Visit the Sauk Rapids-Rice Distance Learning page to learn more.
Parents and secondary students were allowed to collect student belongings and necessary classroom materials on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20.
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 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 Until Further Notice

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

DISTRICT COMMUNICATION:

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Message shared on behalf of Benton County HERE.

PAST DISTRICT COMMUNICATION:

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

Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Food Program

Please note the following changes to the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools meal service:

The last day of MEAL DROP-OFF BY BUS and MEAL PICK-UP at Pleasantview Elementary School will be on Thursday, May 28.

The Summer Food Program will be offering MEAL PICK UP on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., starting Tuesday, June 2, through Tuesday, June 30, at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School and Rice Elementary School. Children may pick up two meals on Tuesdays and three meals on Thursdays.

Directions:

Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 1st Street South, Sauk Rapids. Map and directions here. Meals will be available via drive-through outside of Door 4.

Rice Elementary School, 200 NE Third Avenue, Rice. Maps and directions here. Meals will be available via drive-through outside of Door 1.

This is a FREE service, open to ALL CHILDREN ages 18 and younger, regardless of income.

Thank you for your information and help with district summer food program planning. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the district office by calling (320) 253-4703.

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).

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.
This service is reserved for school-aged children up to 12 years of age (no infants and toddlers).
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