Owatonna Public Schools

Here are a few updates and reminders as we move into the new 2019-2020 school year:

Owatonna Public Schools is committed to creating strong student and family relationships and fostering a positive first experience. Students in grades K-5 will start the school year on Thursday, September 5 to allow time for before school interviews to take place.

Before school interviews allow teachers to meet individually for 30-40 minutes with students and parents before the start of the school year. All kindergarten students will sign up for an individual 30-minute interview conference time on either Thursday, August 29 or Tuesday, September 3. All students, grades 1-5, will sign up for an individual 40-minute interview conference time either on Thursday, August 29, Tuesday, September 3 or Wednesday, September 4.

Students will meet one on one with their teacher for approximately 40 minutes to learn more about them and assess their reading level. Parents will complete paperwork during this time. Following the teacher meeting, students will stop at stations to complete FASTBridge reading assessment and school pictures. Students in grades 1-4 will also complete their vision and hearing screening. The teachers are looking forward to getting to know your child better at the beginning of the year.

A letter was sent to your home earlier this month with your child’s teacher name and a link to sign up online for an interview time. If you have questions signing up for a time, please contact your elementary building office.

Homecoming is scheduled for Friday, October 4. All Owatonna Public School building sites will have a 2-hour early release to attend the Homecoming Parade starting at 1:30 p.m. The Varsity Football Game will be played at 7:00 p.m. vs. Mankato West.

Look for more information regarding Homecoming Week from your child's school closer to the date.

Yesterday, Owatonna Public Schools welcomed nearly 50 new staff to the district. Please help us welcome our new staff to the district and community.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Nutrition Services strives to offer students a variety of healthy, tasty and high-quality foods to fuel their growing minds and bodies. Students are encouraged to actively participate in our meal program by eating breakfast and/or lunch and providing feedback about the meals. Each school meal offers milk, fruits, vegetables, protein and grains, making each meal a great value and convenience for busy families.

2019-20 MEAL PRICES Breakfast Lunch

Kindergarten $0.00 $2.50

Elementary $1.30 $2.50

Middle School $1.35 $2.55

High School & ALC $1.45 $2.65

Milk Carton - students receive one carton with each breakfast and lunch meal. Students wishing to purchase a carton with their cold lunch from home or a second milk with their meal must have money in their account. The cost is $.45 per carton.

MEAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Students must take three or more full servings from the five different food groups offered.
2. One of the servings must be a fruit or vegetable.

APPLY FOR FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Visit www.owatonna.k12.mn.us - District Services - Nutrition Services and click the “Free & Reduced-Price Meals Online Application” button. Paper copies are available at the District Office. Applications can be submitted any time throughout the school year.

MANAGING YOUR STUDENT’S MEAL ACCOUNT

Nutrition Services utilizes MyPaymentsPlus (www.mypaymentsplus.com) as the student management software. MyPaymentsPlus gives the ability to view purchase history and meal account balances, set up automatic low balance email reminders, make payments, auto-replenish accounts and more. Additional payment options include the automated phone system at 800-420-3478, mobile app at “MyPaymentsPlus”, 24 hour secure drop box on the east driveway of the District Office, 515 West Bridge Street.

UNPAID MEAL ACCOUNT CHARGES AND DEBT COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Negative balances should be paid off, and prepayments made to your student’s account prior to the first day of school. For more information visit www.owatonna.k12.mn.us - District Services - Nutrition Services - “Meal Charge/Debt Collection Procedure.”

SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

Forms for Special Dietary Needs and Lactose Reduced Milk can be found on our webpage. Please call 507-444-8629 with any questions.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Do you have a passion for good nutrition and working with kids? For substitute or full and part-time positions apply online at the district website.

For more information visit the Nutrition Services website.

To enable the school to give your child proper health care, the school nurse’s office welcomes any health communications or questions related to the health of your child. A licensed practical nurse is in the office from 7:45-2:45 each school day.

SHOULD YOUR CHILD STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL?

Here are some guidelines to help you make that decision:

• If a child has a fever of 100 or more, the child should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever-reducing medicine).

• If a child has vomited or had diarrhea, the child should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.

• If a child has any rash and you do not know the cause, check with your family physician before sending the child to school.

MEDICATION

Due: Before the medication will be administered

If your child will require medication while at school, a medication form must be completed by the parent/guardian and the child's physician and returned to your school's health office nurse before the medication will be administered. These forms are available on the school district's website FOUND HERE.

CHRONIC CONDITION MANAGEMENT PLANS

Due: Beginning of each school year

Owatonna Public Schools Health Services asks that any student with an identified chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, heart conditions or severe allergies provide updated information to their child's school health office at the beginning of each school year. Parents are asked to complete management plans which identify steps to be taken if an emergency occurs. Please alert the school health office to any new condition or changes in existing conditions.

SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS: IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR SCHOOL?

To go to school in Minnesota, students must show they’ve received immunizations against a number of diseases or file a legal exemption with the school. Documentation of immunization or exemption must be submitted to the school before school begins.

Required Immunizations:

Kindergarten - Age 6: 5 doses of DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, and 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)

Age 7 - 6th Grade: At least 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus, 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)

7th - 12th Grade: At least 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus (including 1 Tdap), 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine) and 1 Meningococcal

For more information visit the Health Services website.

Should an emergency situation arise in our community and/or one of our schools while school is in session, we want you to be aware the schools have made preparations to respond effectively and appropriately to such situations. The Owatonna Public School District has a detailed emergency plan that has been formulated to provide direction to staff and students during such an incident.

In the event of an emergency, we ask for your cooperation in the following procedures:

1. Please do not telephone the school. Telephone lines must be kept available for emergency communications.

2. Please do not come to your child’s school unless requested to pick up your child.

3. In the event of an emergency that requires us to evacuate and relocate, students may be picked up at a designated reunification location by an adult who has been identified on the contact information through the Infinite Campus parent portal. Parents should review the contact information on Infinite Campus parent portal to ensure it is up to date at the beginning of every school year.

4. You can expect the school district to communicate to families using the Infinite Campus notification system:

• A phone call will be sent to guardians (a voice message will be left if unanswered)

• An email will be sent to guardians

• A portal inbox message will be sent to guardians

FOR WEATHER RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the event that Owatonna Public Schools decides to close or have an early/late start due to inclement weather, here are the multiple ways families can stay informed:

Infinite Campus

• A phone call will be sent to guardians (a voice message will be left if unanswered)

• An email will be sent to guardians

• A portal inbox message will be sent to guardians

Media

An announcement for Owatonna Public Schools will appear on these media outlets:

• KSTP- 5

• KMSP FOX 9

• WCCO

• KEYC TV

• KTTC

• KAAL

Radio Stations

• KOWZ

• KRFO/KAT KOUNTRY 105

• KDHL

Website

An announcement will appear on the Owatonna Public Schools main website page

Social Media

An announcement will appear on the district hosted social media pages which includes Facebook and Twitter.

Email: sbaumbach@isd761.org
Website: www.owatonna.k12.mn.us
Location: 515 West Bridge Street, Owatonna, MN, USA
Phone: 507-444-8600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/owatonnapublicschools/
Twitter: @ISD761_Owatonna