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P-EBT Hotline and Help Form for Families

The P-EBT Hotline is available for families Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., to answer questions about P-EBT benefits. Families may call 651-431-4608 or 1-833-454-0153, or submit questions through the P-EBT Help Form, which is available in multiple languages.

CSE will continue to address questions about eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.

P-EBT Help Form: https://edocs.mn.gov/forms/DHS-7330-ENG

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CSE’s Updated Learning Model - Quarter 4

CSE has been working hard to prepare our building to welcome targeted students and staff back to school by following strict guidance from MDE and our public health officials. We will be administering strict on-site testing and monitoring each day to ensure we handle all potential illnesses immediately.

CSE has implemented the following safety precautions per the CDC/MDH recommendations:

• 50% capacity on all buses.

• Temperature Checks prior to entering building

• Face Shields and Masks provided for all staff/students on-site.

• Daily classroom sanitizing of desks, chairs and restrooms.

• Desk shields on all desks.

• 50% capacity in all rooms – no more than 15 students per classroom

The respective principals will be working with families to address any questions or concerns as it relates to this plan. A letter will be sent to communicate this plan to all families. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to your principal if you have questions.

Elementary

Distance Learning

• All Elementary students will continue Distance Learning

Targeted Onsite

• None

Middle School

Distance Learning

• All Middle School Students will continue distance learning except for targeted students.

Targeted Onsite

• 90 targeted Middle School students have been identified.

• Families of these target students will be contacted by Principal with further information.

• Onsite classroom for targeted students to begin on April 19, 2021.

High School

• All High School Students will continue distance learning except for targeted students.

Targeted Onsite

• 18 targeted High School students have been identified.

• Families of these target students will be contacted by Principal with further information.

• Onsite classroom for targeted students to begin on March 1, 2021.

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P-EBT Cards Will Be Sent to Addresses on File With School

If you need to update your mailing address, contact your child’s school BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. Families who have qualified for free or reduced-price meals will receive a Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) debit card in the mail, but the State will use the mailing address that is on file with your school. To ensure that you receive your P-EBT card if you qualify, it is critical that your mailing address is current and correct.

Contact your child’s school to update your mailing address: Community School of Excellence 651-917-0073

P-EBT allows families to purchase food for days students are not in the school building. P-EBT funds will be retroactive to September, depending on when eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, or Educational Benefits, was determined. The first card you receive in March may provide funds from September 2020 through March 2021. In each of the months following March, families will receive funds for one month.

To be eligible for P-EBT, children must meet one of the following qualifications:

• receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

• approved for free or reduced-price meals through the Application for Educational Benefits for the 2020-21 school year.

• enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school.

Again, to receive your card, your mailing address must be current and correct with your child’s school. Please check and update your mailing address with the school BY FEBRUARY 15 or you will risk losing your P-EBT funds.

https://mn.gov/dhs/p-ebt/

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Low Income Energy Assistance Program

As Minnesotans continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 and the quarantine, Minnesota Department of Commerce wants them to know that there is still assistance available to income eligible households (both owners and renters) for home heating bills and furnace repairs. The EAP can help by providing financial assistance:

• To pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection

• To purchase fuel for delivery in emergencies

• To repair or replace homeowners’ malfunctioning furnaces.

The application period is open until May 31st, 2021. You can find more information and links to apply at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website.

• MN Energy Assistance Flyer - English

• MN Energy Assistance Flyer - Hmong

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CSE will remain with Distance Learning into the third quarter

(ends Tuesday, March 20, 2021)

Further information if CSE decides to transition into a Hybrid model for fourth quarter will be announced by end of February 2021.

If you have any questions, please email info@csemn.org

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ACCESS Testing Information

Friday January 8th, 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Minnesota requires all English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12 to be assessed for English language proficiency. Your child has qualified to receive English services as an EL and is eligible to take the ACCESS for ELLs English language proficiency assessment. The ACCESS test shows how a student is moving closer to English proficiency at each level.

The ACCESS test will proceed this year, starting Tuesday February 9th, 2021. Students will have to come to school to take the test. Each elementary grade level will be starting on different days and students will be split to take the ACCESS test either in a morning or afternoon session to follow Covid-19 guidelines. Transportation and a bagged lunch will be provided for each student to take home.

All Covid-19 protocols will be in place to ensure a safe environment for all students and staff. We will be providing each student and staff with a face mask and face shield.

You will be contacted by the school with more information regarding transportation and test sessions your child will be assigned to as testing dates get closer.

Please visit www.csemn.org/parents/assessments for a detailed testing schedule and additional resources.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact me at mail@csemn.org or the school directly at 651-917-0073.

Sincerely,

Mai Ia Lee

District Assessment Coordinator

• Assessment Calendar

• Guide and Refusal for Testing

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Emergency Executive Order 20-103

Extending and Modifying Executive Order 20-99 I, Tim Walz, Governor of the State of Minnesota, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, issue the following Executive Order:

EO 20-103 Final Signed and Filed_tcm1055-458627.pdf (mn.gov)

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