We’ve had a great first full week back in school! The Middle/High School has been creative with their spaces to allow classes like choir to keep singing in a safe manner, and the Elementary School investigated where their food comes from, as the fourth graders ventured to the school garden and even got to harvest some of the produce! All our students have spent more time learning outside, with PE and music classes, among others, frequently taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather. Thanks to all of our parents who have partnered with us in symptom screening to make sure we have a healthy return to school.
Behind the scenes, we’ve worked on some financial pieces in the district. We have been allocating special COVID-19 related federal funds to ensure a safe learning experience for our students, and working with the state to roll out the USDA’s extension of the Summer Foods Program to provide free meals for all our students through December 31st, or funds run out – whichever happens first.
On the topic of free lunch, we still need many of our families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits – or the Free & Reduced Lunch form. This piece of paper, if your family qualifies, will ensure your child receives free meals after the summer foods program extension is over. Additionally, it is important that we get these forms filled out ASAP to ensure our district continues to qualify for over 1.6 million dollars in state and federal funding that directly supports student learning through programs like Title I.
This afternoon, our Cardinal Cross Country Teams are competing against Perham & West Central Area at The Vintage Golf Course here in Staples. This is quite possibly going to be one of the best cross country meets in the state this season – you’re not going to want to miss it! We’d love to see you there, Cardinal gear on, cheering for our cross country teams as they continue their bids to remain undefeated this year!
Thanks to all our students, staff and families for making our return to school in 2020 a great one! I am looking forward to the many great things that will happen this year because of the creativity, determination and commitment of our Cardinal community!
With Gratitude,
Shane Tappe
Superintendent