Brainerd Public Schools

Learn something new, connect with others in the community, stimulate your creativity or improve your health. Adult Enrichment offers a variety of fee-based classes and activities designed for adults of every age.

Community Education will offer child care to preschool students that are 3-5 years old who need childcare during this distance learning period. Childcare will be available for all currently enrolled 3-5 yr old preschoolers as long as capacity allows, with priority given to enrolled families working for an employer defined by the state of Minnesota as Tier 1, on page 23 of the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan. We will continue to follow the health and safety measures for preschool and childcare settings during this time. Early Childhood Distance Learning child care will start Wednesday, November 18. Care will be offered Monday-Thursday (excluding previously scheduled non-school days), with a half day or full day option. Please see childcare options below. Options will be provided between 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Baxter Elementary School, Nisswa Elementary School, BLC, and WESB. There is a fee for this option. There is a two day minimum per week. These can either be half or full days. Students will be provided breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon or they can bring meals from home. Schedules will be required to be submitted by Wednesday at 4pm for the upcoming 2 weeks until we return to in person learning. Payment for those two weeks is due up front and will be processed the Thursday/Friday prior to the start of that scheduled week. Distance Learning assistance will be provided during childcare. Friday care is available on a limited basis at the Nisswa & WESB sites. Families with an accepted contract will have the ability to add on Friday care through their accounts page. At this time children ages 3-5 are not required to wear face masks but are encouraged to when in public if they can do so reliably and feel comfortable doing so. Pick your site (limited capacity) Mornings(7:30am-11:30 am) Afternoons(11:30am-3:30pm) All Day(7:30am-3:30pm) -Baxter Elementary, Brainerd Learning Center (BLC), Nisswa Elementary, Washington Educational Services Building (WESB) $15 per day Free breakfast $15 per day Free lunch $30 per day Free breakfast and lunch

**Please note: Virtual screening will be available by request.** (Please call 218-454-6925 after making your appointment.) **The following guidelines will be maintained during your child’s early childhood screening in order to follow COVID-19 health and safety standards for the 2020-2021 school year: -When you arrive for your appointment at the Brainerd Learning Center, instead of coming into the building, please check-in for your screening appointment by calling or buzzing at the door to let us know you have arrived. We will notify you once we are ready for you to come into the building to start your appointment. -Adults are required to wear a mask at all times upon entering the building. For early childhood screening children are required to wear a face coving unless they are not able to tolerate it. The screener will be wearing a mask and/or face shield during the entirety of the screening. (Adults who do not have a mask will either be given one at the door or will be asked to wait in their vehicle while your child is screened.) -We are asking for only one adult to accompany the child, preferably the child’s legal guardian. Please leave siblings and other adults at home. -A short health survey of the child and accompanying adult will be taken upon entering the building. This may include a temperature check. -All screening tools will be rotated and sanitized between uses. Surfaces will also be sanitized prior to the next appointment. -All required paperwork should be completed and returned electronically if at all possible. If paper copies need to be handled, they will be placed on a clipboard for the parent to complete during the appointment. -All portions of the screening will be completed by one staff member. A licensed nurse will review the Health History, Growth chart and Hearing and Vision paperwork after the screening and consult with parents by phone if follow-up is needed. -Appointments will be scheduled with time to allow one staff member to complete all portions of the screening and allow time for sanitizing and rotating screening tools between appointments. The Brainerd Public School system regularly offers early childhood screening clinics during the school year for all children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. The state of Minnesota recommends this at age 3 and requires this for kindergarten entrance. Early Childhood Screening is a quick and simple check of how your child is learning and growing. The screening includes a developmental assessment, social emotional questionnaire, vision and hearing tests, height and weight measurement and an immunization and health history review. The purpose of the FREE screening is to identify children who may need additional time and experiences to be ready for school. The sooner we get started, the more likely your child will begin school with the necessary skills to succeed. Here’s what screening does for you: Helps you find out how your child is doing and answers parenting questions Connects you to community services Registers your child for kindergarten Appointments are available throughout the school year. Three reasons to screen at age 3: 1.Screening can assist your child to be ready for school. 2.Any health or developmental concerns can be found earlier and help can be provided sooner. 3.Because screening is free, it's easy and it's good for your child =================================================================== REQUIRED FORMS for screening **You also need to provide copies of your child's Birth Certificate and current Immunization Record Forms can be emailed to: jennifer.lindholm@isd181.org

In order to qualify for care, this child must have at least one parent working for an employer defined by the state of Minnesota as Tier 1:  Healthcare and public health  Law enforcement, public safety and first responders  Food and agriculture  Judicial Branch (essential services)  National Guard (activated under a Governor Executive Order)  Educators in pre-K through grade 12 settings  School staff caring for children of critical workers  Child care and school-age care providers. This service is being offered at no cost. Children will be provided breakfast and lunch each day, or they can bring cold lunch from home. Families who chose to enroll in distance learning for the academic term or year are not eligible for Emergency Care. Emergency Care is only available for students in grades 6-8 on their distance learning days.

Early-Age Care/Pre-K Program- serving children 4 & 5 years of age at our Washington Educational Services Building and Nisswa Elementary. Learning experiences include but are not limited to: large and fine motor skill development, social skills and team building with an emphasis on introducing the kindergarten classroom structure and curriculum in the following areas: *Language Arts *Art *Math *Music *Science *Outdoor Play *Health and Wellness *Technology Skills $35 per day/per child: 3 days a week minimum commitment (3 days payment is still required for holiday & family vacation weeks during the school year) Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack provided.

PreK Plus Childcare-serving children 3-5 years of age at Washington Educational Services Building, Nisswa Elementary, and the Warrior Early Learning Center who are attending an Early Childhood class. Childcare options will include: wrap around care, extended day care, and non school day care.

Fun 'N' Friends is a child care program for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Sites include Nisswa Elementary for Nisswa area students, Baxter Elementary for Baxter students, and the Washington Educational Services Building (map) for Garfield, Harrison, Lowell, Riverside and Forestview students.

Brainerd Public Schools’ Preschool Programs: Preparing Your Child for a Bright Future! Brainerd Public Schools take pride in investing in our youngest learners and in preparing children and families for success in school. We have a variety of preschool options serving 2 ½- 5 year olds. Our preschool program prepares children to enter school by focusing learning around classroom routines and procedures, social and emotional development and academic development. Why Parents Choose District Preschool Programs A Four Star Parent Aware Rated Program! Our preschool programs have earned a four-star rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware- the highest rating possible! The Parent Aware rating system helps parents find preschools and childcare programs focused on high quality early learning and kindergarten readiness. Our Curriculum: Preschool in Brainerd Public Schools aligns its curriculum with Minnesota Early Learning Standards and with our district’s kindergarten standards. Licensed teachers develop hands-on learning activities that promote creativity and confidence. Our program provides children with experiences that build relationships, enhance problem solving and communication skills, and sets the foundation for successful, lifelong learning in the areas of: ● Social and emotional development ● Positive approaches to learning ● Physical and movement development ● Literacy ● Math ● Arts ● Science

Youth develop life-long interests, skills and knowledge through sports, performing and visual arts, academics, special interest clubs, outdoor educational experiences and many more programs. Youth develop and enhance their own creative and physical capacities while sharing individual talents, skills, knowledge and character with others.