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The Department of Teaching and Learning is looking for parents to represent their child’s school and school community. There are 2 seats available for the cities of Afton, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Grey Cloud Island, and Woodbury.  This committee will meet from 4:00-5:30 on the following dates:

• Nov. 22, 2021
• Jan. 24, 2022
• March 21, 2022
• May 16, 2022

The Nov. 2 election will be critical in providing the stability needed to address other pressing issues. If the ballot questions are approved, we will continue planning for our next challenges - growth in our communities, overcrowded schools and uneven enrollment increases. 

Help us learn more about how your family uses electronic devices at home by participating in the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Digital Equity Survey. It’s important that we gather accurate information so each student and family has the equipment, help and support they need.

SoWashCo Schools students will be able to pick up free Vault COVID-19 saliva test kits from their school’s health office starting on Monday, Sept. 20. Tests will be completed at home over Zoom with a Vault test supervisor and can be dropped off at school health offices on designated collection days. 

Through the 2021 Advanced Child Tax Credit, eligible families can receive advance payments of up to $300 a month for each child under the age of six and up to $250 per month for each child older than age six. Families can benefit from the credit even if they don’t have earned income or do not owe any income taxes. Payments will be sent monthly from the IRS through Dec. 15, 2021. 

SoWashCo Schools is experiencing some unavailable menu items or last-minute replacements due to the nationwide food shortage. We are working to replace items with similar options, however, menus are subject to change. 

During its regularly scheduled business meeting on Thursday, Aug. 26, the School Board approved several policies including updates to the racial equity and inclusion policy and the adoption of a face covering resolution and policy.

Completing the Educational Benefits Form, also known as free and reduced meals application, provides a variety of discounted or free benefits for SoWashCo Schools families. It also helps provide essential funding to support all students in the district. 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved SoWashCo Schools to provide free breakfast and lunch for enrolled students for the 2021-22 school year. Paperwork is not required to receive free meals, but SoWashCo Schools will continue to push for all families to complete the Educational Benefits form.

The recent increase in cases in Washington County requires us to make adjustments to the health and safety plans that were shared on July 6. 

If the state funding formula was tied to inflation, school districts would have a much more stable financial base for daily operations. With the budget agreement, the basic formula would increase our district’s total revenue by 1.2% in 2021-22, bringing in approximately $3.3 million in new revenue.

Mark your calendar for the 2021 MCA testing dates. Testing will take place in April.

Our Hillside PTO is hosting an online Book Fair with Scholastic Books. There are many books to choose from!

Get ready for the new school year with the 2021-2022 school supply lists!