Elementary Handbook

2.1 Immunization Requirements and Information

Minnesota law requires every student enrolled in school to be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella.

Immunization Law

Minnesota Statutes, Section 121A.15, requires all students enrolling in an elementary or secondary school to show evidence of immunization or a legal exemption for medical reasons or conscientiously held beliefs. Immunization Information: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ http://www.immunize.org/

Exemptions

Exemptions to this law may be made by:

• A statement from a physician indicating that the immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons
• A laboratory confirmation of the presence of adequate immunity, or
• A notarized statement signed by the minor child's parent/guardian or by the emancipated person because of conscientious belief.

"Are Your Kids Ready for School" Minnesota School Immunization Law age/grade specific requirements http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/arekidseng.pdf

Immunization Form: This form (or one with similar information) is required of every student in school. It provides dates of all immunizations received. It also provides exemption information. Print this form out to take to your next doctor's visit.

Please keep your child home until they are fever free for 24 hours without medication. In addition, if your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, please wait 24 hours after their last episode before returning to school.

2.2 Medication Policy

For the safety of students, it is recommended that medication be given at home whenever possible. For example, medication prescribed three times a day can be given before school, after school and at bedtime. If medication must be given during school hours, we want you to be aware of the following school medication policy:

1. Prescription Needed. School personnel can only give medication with the written order of a health care provider that is licensed to prescribe and the written consent of a parent/guardian.
2. Medication must be brought to school in a container labeled by the pharmacy, and delivered by the parent/guardian.

The following information must be on the label:

• Child's full name
• Name and dosage of medication
• Time and directions for administration
• Physician's name
• Current date

3. If there is medication remaining after treatment or at the end of the school year, please make arrangements for it to be picked up by a parent/guardian.
4. Ask the pharmacist to put the medication in two containers, one for school and one for home.
5. Mixed dosages in a single container will not be accepted for use at school (for example, 5 mg and 10 mg tablets in the same bottle).
6. All medication administered at school will be kept in a locked cabinet(except when a student has permission to carry their medicine with them. See #7.
7. Students can carry medicine with them (for example, an asthma rescue inhaler) if they have written consent from parent/guardian and health care provider (including the request for the student to self-carry) and the school nurse has met with the student and checked that they can safely and successfully carry their own medicine.
8. A new medication consent form is required:
   • When the dosage or time of administration is changed
   • At the beginning of each school year
   • If discontinued medication is restarted
9. Parent/guardian must notify the school in writing when the medication is discontinued.
10. Over the Counter -No Tylenol or over-the-counter medication can be given to children unless the above procedures are followed. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original container with dosing recommendations visible.
11. It is the joint responsibility of the parent/guardian, student, and school personnel to see that the medication is given at the right time.

2.3 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Standards Placement

State standards are available at: http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Academic_Excellence/Academic_Standards/index.html

Mesabi East link: www.isd2711.org

Assessment Information

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires the state to prepare annual reports for parents and the public on the academic achievement of all public school districts and schools in the state. Notification must be disseminated to parents that this information is available for their review. School report cards are available on the Minnesota Department of Education website at https://education.mn.gov/mde/index.html

The Mesabi East School District uses a variety of assessments to measure the academic progress of our students. The assessments are used to guide instruction and identify students that may need academic interventions and support programs. Mesabi East Elementary provides administration statewide assessments, including the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are how the state measures that curriculum and daily instruction in our schools are being aligned to the academic standards, ensuring all students are being provided an equitable education. For more information on statewide testing consult the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website or use the link provided below.

Parent Guardian Guide and Refusal for Student Participation: http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/idcplg?

Highly Qualified

As a parent of a student in the Mesabi East School District, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the teachers who instruct your child. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives you the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers.

1. Whether the State of Minnesota has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades or subjects he or she teaches.
2. Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency permit or other provisional status by which state licensing criteria have been waived.
3. The teacher’s college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees.
4. Whether any instructional aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

2.4 Mesabi East Wellness Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set forth methods that promote wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and assure that school meals and other food and beverages sold and otherwise made available on the school campus during the school day are consistent with applicable minimum local, state, and federal standards.

The Mesabi East Schools Wellness Policy has been adopted by the Mesabi East School Board and a complete copy is available for viewing on the district website..

The school district will encourage all students to make age appropriate, healthy selections of foods, and beverages, including those sold individually outside the reimbursable school meal programs, such as through a la carte/snack lines, vending machines, fundraising events, concession stands and student stores.

The school district encourages parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and refrain from including beverages and foods without nutritional value.

2.5 School Lunch - Breakfast - Milk

Students are encouraged to use our hot lunch program. Free and reduced hot lunch and breakfast are available. Forms may be picked up in the Main Office.

Breakfast and Lunch prices this year: $0.00 (no cost) Milk only charge ($0.32)

Your children may qualify for free meals. Additionally, through State funds, students who qualify for reduced-price school meals will also receive school meals at no charge. NOTE: Free meals do not include second meals or ala carte items. In order to qualify for free meals, you must complete an “Application for Education Benefits” form following the instructions (one form per household listing). Note: You do not need to complete the application, IF you have received a “NOTIFICATION LETTER/CERTIFICATION FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS” from our district.

2.6 Cafeteria

The cafeteria is a place provided for students to eat their lunches and socialize. Normally there are not assigned seats; however, assigned seating will be necessary if a disruption does occur. It is the student’s responsibility to clean his or her lunch area before they leave. Code of conduct applies in the cafeteria.

2.7 Inclement Weather

When weather conditions exist that would make it hazardous for students to get to school safely, students and parents will be notified through the Instant Alert System. Parents are responsible for keeping their contact phone number(s) up to date in their PowerSchool accounts. Parents may also listen to the local radio or television stations for school closings.