Parent Resources

Minnesota K-12 Schools:

On July 30, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-82 to implement Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year. This plan uses a localized, data-driven approach that allows school districts and charter schools to operate in a learning model that is responsive the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in their community. The plan prioritizes safe learning for all Minnesota students, including requiring school districts and charter schools to give families the option to choose distance learning for their student no matter which learning model their school is implementing.

• Visit the Minnesota Department of Education COVID-19 resource and information page for updates on student instruction, food and nutrition services, special education, and COVID-19 guidance. 
• Call the Minnesota Department of Education coronavirus hotline between 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM with questions about schools and child care at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
• As more schools close due to coronavirus, Congress has provided emergency funding for Child Nutrition Programs to ensure students can still receive their free or reduced-price school meals during this time.
• For more information about meals and remote learning policies in your family's school district, use the direct links below: 
  • Anoka-Hennepin Schools
  • Bloomington Public Schools
  • Buffalo Hanover Montrose Schools
  • Delano Public Schools
  • Eastern Carver County Schools
  • Eden Prairie Schools
  • Edina Public Schools
  • Independent School District 728 (Elk River Area Schools)
  • Hopkins Public Schools
  • Intermediate District 287
  • Minnetonka Public Schools
  • Orono Schools
  • Osseo Area Schools
  • Richfield Public Schools 
  • Robbinsdale Area Schools
  • Rockford Area Schools
  • Waconia Public Schools
  • Watertown Mayer Public Schools
  • Wayzata Public Schools
  • Westonka Pulic Schools

Remote Learning Resources for Families:

• CDC recommendations for talking to children about coronavirus
• Smithsonian Distance Learning Lab
• Smithsonian Digital Open Access 
• Live virtual tours of the USS Constitution 
• Virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park
• National Park Service Watching Wildlife Webcams
• National Park Service historical virtual StoryMaps
• NASA STEM Activities
• PBS resources for parents
• Hennepin County Library remote resources
• Carver County Library remote resources
• eLibrary Minnesota
• Minnesota DNR Live EagleCam

Secondary Education and Student Loan Relief

If you or your child has student loan debt, Congress secured several options outlined below for borrowers that help provide relief through September 30, 2020. During this period, borrowers will be able to: 

• Pause payments for federal student loan borrowers who have Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL). Borrowers will not be required to make any payments toward outstanding interest or principal balance
• Suspend interest accrual for such loans so that these balances don’t accrue
• Avoid forced collections such as garnishment of wages, tax refunds, and Social Security benefits
• Halt negative credit reporting
• Ensure a borrower continues to receive credit toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Driven Repayment forgiveness, and loan rehabilitation
• For additional guidance on how to apply and learn about next steps as this critical relief becomes available, refer to the U.S. Department of Education website