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How SPPS Uses Your Contact Information
In addition to being notified of emergencies, you will receive information from the district, your school and your student's teachers via email, robocall and/or text message. Additionally, SPPS works with various service providers who will send you information directly via email. These providers include Peachjar, Smore, Schoology, Securly Home, Seesaw and Xello. You can opt out of receiving these notifications at any time. Learn more about these tools at spps.org/families.

Attendance
Attendance is an important part of student success. Missing less than nine days of school each year helps students to stay engaged, experience success in their schoolwork and keep on track to graduate on time.​ We recognize there are many reasons a student may be absent from school. If your student is ill, check SPPS’s illness guidelines at spps.org/studentwellness. Please notify your school at your earliest convenience if your child will be absent. Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance. 

Nutrition Services
In-person students will receive free breakfast and lunch under the Minnesota Free School Meal program.  

• All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. Students must take a complete meal.
• Second meals, incomplete meals and single item purchases, such as milk only, must be purchased.
  • Student Second Breakfast: $3
  • Student Second Lunch: $5.25
  • Milk Only: $0.50

For a complete list of prices, visit spps.org/ns.  

Visit schoolcafe.com/spps to manage your student’s meal account, view menus, ingredients and nutritional information, and complete the Application for Educational Benefits.

Child Care Before and After School
Discovery Club is a fun and nurturing child care program for students in grades PreK-5 that supports learning and development before and/or after school, on non-school days and during the summer. Space is limited. For a list of fees, locations, and to register or join the waitlist, visit spps.org/discoveryclub or call 651-632-3793.

Extracurricular Activities
Many schools offer enrichment activities before and after school, including athletics, art and music, clubs, Extended Day for Learning (EDL) classes and more. Visit spps.org/commed for information about free and fee-based opportunities through SPPS Community Education.

School Bus Transportation
Students will receive a postcard in the mail with bus information at the end of August. The postcard lists details about where and when to meet the bus. Please arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up your child. Track the status of your child’s bus on your school’s website or the Bus Status app.

Metro Transit
Eligible students (grades 9-12 only) at the following schools will receive a free Student Pass from Metro Transit to get to and from school: Creative Arts Secondary School, Gateway to College, Gordon Parks High School and Johnson Senior High School. Student Passes will be distributed the first week of school. Students can download a temporary pass to their phone, school iPad or print one to use until they get their Student Pass at spps.org/metrotransit.

Internet Access at Home
Reliable at-home internet is important for doing homework and in the event of e-learning days or weather-related closures. SPPS is committed to providing internet services for students and families in need. Internet support includes discounted WiFi through Comcast Internet Essentials and the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program. Find more information on the home internet access webpage.

Non-Instructional/E-Learning Days
SPPS may call a non-instructional day or e-learning day due to inclement weather. For the first two days of inclement weather that SPPS decides to cancel school, students should not report to school and there will be NO e-learning. After two non-instructional days due to weather, the decision to use an e-learning day or a non-instructional day is at the discretion of the Superintendent. SPPS will send a robocall, text message and email if a non-instructional or e-learning day is called. Visit spps.org/weather for more details.
 

Student Rights & Responsibilities
SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Families are strongly encouraged to review the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

School Safety
Safety is a top priority at our schools. Every school has an Emergency Operations Plan that is created specifically for each school and regularly reviewed. Families receive communication home when an incident directly impacts their students, such as a lockdown. Exterior doors are always locked and all visitors must sign in.

Families, students and staff can use the MySPPS app to “Send a Tip” and confidentially report unsafe behaviors to SPPS Security and Emergency Management (SEM). Every tip is taken seriously and acted on right away. Learn more at spps.org/safety.