SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Child Care Services

Our child care program includes Learning Ventures before- and after-school care, Discovery Days for 3- and 4-year-olds, school release day care, and summer programming. K-6 child care is offered at our elementary schools from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Full and part-time options are available.

Early Childhood

Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) offers classes and activities for families with young children from birth to kindergarten. ECFE helps build strong and healthy families. Classes are offered mornings, afternoons and evenings.

Free health and developmental screening is available for children ages 3-5 to promote the health of children and their readiness for kindergarten. State law requires all children to be screened prior to entering kindergarten.

Spring Lake Park Schools also runs a four-star (top rating) preschool program that helps young children explore the world through creative, hands-on learning in literacy, math, science, arts, movement and social development. Licensed educators help prepare children for kindergarten at programs at each elementary school and the District Services Center.

Alternative Programs For Middle And High School

We offer options for students in middle and high school who do not excel in traditional school settings. Alternative Learning Teams at the middle and high school are one option for students as is Metro Heights Academy for high school students. Students are referred to these program from their counseling team. Families interested in exploring these options should contact their student’s counselor.

Special Education Services

Spring Lake Park Schools provides a range of programs and services for students, birth to 22 years of age, who have been identified as disabled and in need of specialized programming. Students may meet criteria in any of the 13 disability areas.

Eligibility for services is determined through an evaluation process that examines the range of the child’s skills and needs. If the child is found eligible, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan would be developed with family input. If you have any questions about this process or with your student’s progress, please contact the student services specialist at your student’s school (grades K-6) or your student’s counselor for personalized learning (grades 7-12).

SECTION 504

Some students who have a disability may qualify for support under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met.

Examples of physical or mental impairments that may be covered under Section 504 include: epilepsy, allergies, vision impairments, broken limbs, cancer, diabetes, asthma, ADD/ ADHD. Spring Lake Park Schools has a district-wide 504 coordinator and individual coordinators who are responsible for all 504 activities in each building. To find out more about 504 identification requirements, plan development, parental rights and services, contact your school student services specialist (grades K-6) or counselor for personalized learning (grades 7-12).

Transitions And Life Skills Program

Spring Lake Park Schools offers a Life Skills Transitions Program for students who are 18-22 years of age and receive special education services. The program is located at the District Services Center (1415 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park) and through partnerships with the community, offering experiences in all areas of transition. These experiences are based on individual student needs, skill level and Individualized Education Plan goals. If you have any questions about this program, please contact your student’s special education case manager.

Adult Education

Enrichment programs for adults, such as hobby exploration and fitness classes, are offered throughout the year through Community Education. In addition to participating in a class, if you are interested in teaching an adult class, call us at 763-600-5055.

We also offer free adult classes in Basic Skills (math, reading, writing), English as a Second Language, GED (high school equivalency) and private tutoring. Call Metro North Adult Basic Education at 763-433-4200 for more information.

SCHOOL CLOSING, DELAYED STARTS AND EARLY DISMISSALS

Snow, extremely cold weather, or a facilities problem such as a broken water main could cause schools to close for the day, move to a flexible, at-home learning day, start late, or dismiss early. Spring Lake Park Schools makes every possible effort to keep schools open, in most weather conditions, if bus travel is safe. Unless we announce otherwise, assume school is in session.

In the case of snowy or cold conditions, be sure to dress students warmly for the possibility of longer walk times or waits at the bus stop and allow for the occasional delay with pick-up times. During inclement weather, it is always a parent’s decision about whether or not to have their child go to school. A student who remains at home or arrives late will be excused.

An alert about school closings is sent to parents/guardians by telephone, email and text message depending on the contact information provided. To update your contact information and preferences, log in to Campus Parent Portal. You may also contact your child’s school or the Technology Help Desk, 763-600-5555, for assistance.

In addition to sending messages directly to families, alerts are also posted on the district website and on local Twin Cities news radio and television stations.

For more information about how we make decisions about school closures, our notification system and process and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the School Closings and Alerts page on our website.

In A School Emergency

During an emergency, or threat of an emergency, school officials and law enforcement take specific, planned steps to keep students safe. Procedures for a variety of situations are practiced each year and staff are trained on protocols for a variety of scenarios.

During an emergency, the district will prioritize providing accurate, timely information as it is available. Information is shared via voicemail, email and text message following the same processes we use for weather-related closings and delays.

Parents should refrain from coming to campus during an emergency, unless asked to do so. The presence of additional people on or near campus may make it more difficult for police, emergency workers and school staff to do their jobs. Until all students and the school building are safe and secure, schools generally do not release students.

If a school needs to be evacuated, all students are moved to a secure, safe location away from the school under the supervision of teachers and administrative staff. Because of the need to maintain order, school staff may not release students even if parents or guardians have told their children to leave.

Throughout the school year, we practice emergency procedures for:

• Fire evacuation: The state of Minnesota requires all public schools to conduct five drills per school year. Procedures are posted in each classroom.

• Tornado/Severe Weather Shelter: Each year our schools participate in a mandatory tornado drill. When the alarm sounds, students and their teachers practice going to the designated shelter area.

• Lockdown and containment: The state of Minnesota requires all public schools to conduct five lockdown and containment drills per school year. These drills allow students and staff to practice procedures to maintain their safety in the event of a threat inside or outside the building.

Field Trips

Field trips enhance the educational experience. Classroom teachers or school leaders will communicate details of field trips to parents/guardians. To participate in a field trip experience, a signed parental permission slip must be on file before the field trip occurs. Students who do not have a signed permission slip will not be able to participate in the trip.

If a student is not able to attend a field trip, when possible, an alternate educational experience will be provided. If there are field trip expenses and a family is unable to provide the funds, please contact the school office to discuss a possible solution.