833 Young Scholars

Dear Young Scholar Families,

The changes to our everyday lives have been coming fast and furiously. I wanted to reach out today through our newsletter to say I am here, and I am thinking of you all.

I am working in Seesaw to create activities and resources for your Young Scholar as they continue their education, for now, at home. More to come on that soon.

For this month's newsletter, I've included key information for families currently posted on the South Washington County Schools website along with fun Young Scholar activities to hopefully break up these long days at home. No need to print anything. With a little creativity, work can be done on another sheet of paper.

Finally, you'll find a little something to share with your Young Scholar from me. At the end of the newsletter is a short video I made reading, Rosie Revere, Engineer, a Young Scholar favorite read aloud. It's the best way I have right now of letting everyone know how much I miss them and am counting the days until we are all back together at school. Until then, to all the Young Scholars out there - keep learning, keep wondering, and keep dreaming. You are all amazing.

And to parents, please reach out if there is anything I can do to help you during these difficult times. Take care and give your Young Scholar a hug from Mrs. Redmond. :)

South Washington County Schools will be providing grab and go meals to anyone under the age of 18 or those enrolled in our Next Step program. To register for meals, please complete the questionnaire.

The registration includes:

• Food deliveries to families twice a week (If available. Families will be contacted with more information)
• Grab and go food options at Crestview Elementary

If you sign up for grab and go food options by noon, you may pick up your meals at the next scheduled mealtime. Food is available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on Wednesday, March 18 at Crestview Elementary School located at 7830 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Meal Schedule:

• Monday meals will include two breakfasts and two lunches
• Wednesday meals will include three breakfasts and three lunches
  

Grab and Go Meal Pickup Instructions:
Locate the carpool lane on the east side of the building (closest to park) and go to door number two. Families are required to have their school-aged children with them when picking up the meals. Please stay in your vehicle, and a nutrition services staff member will bring you the appropriate number of meals. If you do not have a vehicle, please stay outside the building until a staff member can assist you.

Additional Information and Support:

• The latest information in English is available at sowashco.org/covid19
• For more information in Hmoob, please contact Mee Yang at myang022@sowashco.org
• For more information in Español please contact Tania Sprague at tsprague@sowashco.org
• For more information in Soomaali, please contact Hassan Yusuf at hyusuf@sowashco.org

South Washington County Schools is preparing for the possibility of Distance Learning if a longer-term school cancellation is necessary. Our goal is for each middle and high school student to have access to a device and internet during Distance Learning. Families who do not have access to a device and/or internet are encouraged to access the following resources.

Comcast is offering two months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to anticipated emergency measures associated with the COVID-19.

Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

CenturyLink offers Lifeline, a low-cost internet service, to individuals who qualify.

South Washington County Schools is providing this information as a courtesy to families, not as an endorsement of the services provided. Additional internet resources will be shared as we become aware of them.

Hi Young Scholars! I miss you so much! Here's a little read-aloud to help us stay connected while we're at home.

Maybe you remember Rosie Revere from our Young Scholar lessons, or you're just meeting her for the first time today.

Either way, she has a lot to tell us about not giving up even when things get hard - like now. Hang in there, everyone. I am thinking of you, and I believe in you. We'll get through this together!

Click here to access online copies of all past 833 Young Scholar Parent Newsletters.

Hi All!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am thrilled to work as the 833 Young Scholars advocate and lead teacher.

I'm a mom of two teenagers, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper. Plus, on top of all of that, I have the happy job of implementing and growing the Young Scholars program here in 833!

I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.

Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833. I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!

Colleen Redmond

651-425-6212

credmond@sowashco.org