Spectrum Parents/Guardians,

Please see the attached communication for important updates regarding the following:

1. Free/Reduced Lunch Application

2. Fall athletics registration and required mtg.

3. Current employment opportunities at Spectrum

4. Student Transportation Information Form 

5. Student parking passes

6. School supply lists

BACK-TO-SCHOOL FORM ACCESS NOW AVAILABLE 

Spectrum's Open House is right around the corner! Details concerning the event will be sent out soon but in the meantime, Spectrum is encouraging all families to take care of a number of details right now to ensure students are ready for school and receive their assigned Chromebook as quickly as possible once the first day of school is underway. You can find the a list of items to check off before Open House at:  https://www.spectrumhighschool.org/new-families/returning-student-online-enrollment-packet

SPECTRUM SUMMER 2022 MAGAZINE

There is always a buzz happening around Spectrum High School and Spectrum Middle School. To showcase this, Spectrum releases district-wide quarterly magazine publications to highlight various accolades, events, and activities. 

Click here to view the Summer 2022 Magazine!

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER LUNCH ORDERS 

Please see the attached communication for information on ordering school lunches for the months of August/September. Orders are due by Tuesday, August 23rd.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

If you are interested or know someone who would be a good fit, please contact the person listed below or apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/spectrumhighschool/onlineapp/.

ATTENDANCE/HEALTH CLERK

This is a full-time, 10 month position. The following skills and experience are helpful, but not required: school health office experience, health care or medical office experience, and Infinite Campus (student management system) experience. Main duties include helping students with health needs, detailing and accountability related to student attendance, working with the Human Resource Manager to schedule substitutes, and communicating as needed with outside agencies. This position is currently located in the high school office. Contact Patty Jorris, Human Resource Manager.

PARAPROFESSIONAL

Under the direct supervision of the Special Education Coordinator, the paraprofessional assists teachers with students in the classroom to meet academic and other goals and objectives in students' individualized educational plans. Contact Nikki Woken, Special Education Coordinator.

ATHLETIC TRAINER (or EMT)

Responsible for providing medical coverage at athletic events and practices working with coaches, athletes, and medical professionals to evaluate the player condition. Use knowledge of sports-related injuries to diagnose and treat athletes. Make referrals to physicians or other medical staff members, as needed. Assist and monitor injured players as they heal and progress towards recovery.  Design rehabilitation programs and maintain close communication with athletes and their families. Conduct concussion return to play protocol. Maintain accurate records with strict confidentiality.  Maintain medical supply inventory and restocking.
 
Hours are primarily weekday afternoons and evenings with some Saturdays. The position requires certification as an athletic trainer or EMT. Must have experience and understanding of sports injuries, treatment options, first-aid, CPR-AED, and medical equipment. Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, decision making, and communication skills. Will consider job sharing.

Contact Rick Peterson, Activities Director.

LUNCH SERVER

This position is located at the 7th/8th grade building serving meals and carrying out related lunch room tasks, as needed. Hours include approximately 2 hours each school day. Contact Jennifer Russell, Food Services Manager.

CONCESSION COORDINATOR

The Concession Coordinator is responsible for the operation of all concession areas, including staffing, equipment, supplies, and products. This is a part-time position that is primarily late afternoon and evening hours with occasional Saturdays. Must have a clean driving record and be self-motivated with good organization and communication skills. Contact Rick Peterson, Activities Director.

ASSISTANT VOLLEYBALL COACH

Responsible for coaching and helping develop the girls volleyball program at the high school level. Will oversee one of the lower level teams, teach volleyball skills, supervise players, and prepare student-athletes for competition. Preferred applicants should have a strong background in volleyball with demonstrated coaching ability. The position will begin on August 15, 2022. Contact Rick Peterson, Activities Director.

Spectrum families,

Please see the attached communication with important information about the first day of school. 

Please see the attachment for information on (1) employment opportunities, (2) transportation reminders, (3) health and wellness, and (4) upcoming schedule/events.

Please see the attached communication for important updates on the following:

*Parent/Teacher Conferences - Oct. 25 and Nov. 3

*Transportation - MyStop App Update

*Info from School Counselors

*Veterans Day Program Info

*Parking Lot Update

*Readers' Choice Award

*Employment Opportunities

*Annual Meeting Info - Oct. 27

Spectrum Families,

Please see the attached communication with updates on the following:

*Thank yous

*Parking lot, car riders, and traffic flow

*Holiday School Store

*Veterans Day Program and survey

*Employment opportunities

Please see the attachment for important information and updates regarding the following:

*Staffing changes;

*Social media changes; and

*Employment opportunities.

Please see the attached communication about new extracurricular activities coming to Spectrum soon!

Spectrum Families,

Please see the attached communication for important updates regarding the following:

*Modified schedule for Mon., March 13 - Mon., March 20

*Best Charter School in the Star News Readership Area

*Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT

Spectrum families,

Please see the attached communication for important and time sensitive updates.

Thank you,

Dan DeBruyn

Executive Director

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor required all public schools to offer a distance learning option for students during the entire 2020-2021 school year. Spectrum was glad to continue providing quality education to our families and their students through the distance learning format.

Since the peacetime emergency ended in June 2021, the distance learning requirement and option ended. Spectrum, along with many other school districts and charter schools, requested that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provide an opportunity for us to continue offering a distance learning option for our students and families. Last week, MDE announced that it had created a provisional expedited approval process for online and blended learning so that districts and charter schools may continue to meet the needs of all students and families through a distance learning option. Spectrum will be completing the application process by MDE's August 2 nd deadline.

Spectrum administration is working through the details of what such an option will look like this year and how it will differ from the distance learning options provided during the 2020-2021 school year. The final product will likely be an asynchronous option only (no requirement for students to be present in real time while classes are in session) with required submissions each school day. As we finalize our application, we need to understand how many families would avail themselves of an asynchronous distance learning option if it was available to them for the 2021-2022 school year. As a result, we are asking that parents follow the link below and complete one survey per student by Wednesday, July 28. Please note that this will not be a final commitment. That will come after Spectrum receives approval from MDE to proceed. However, the number of parents/guardians expressing interest for their students will have an impact on the design of the program submitted. We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your attention to this matter allowing us to meet the short timeline provided by MDE.

DISTANCE LEARNING INTEREST SURVEY LINK

Due Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Spectrum Community,

As you may know from watching the news, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has begun providing guidance to schools regarding implementation of COVID protocols for fall semester. Based on that guidance, there are two requirements that will remain in place - (1) masks must be worn on public transportation (such as school buses) and (2) COVID cases must be handled, tracked, and reported in a similar manner to last year, including quarantining.

MDE is recommending that schools align with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for teachers, staff, students, and visitors to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. While the school will continue to follow other CDC recommended safety protocols,  masks will continue to be optional in the buildings at this time.

We are hopeful that this information, along with a more clearly defined distance learning program that will be going out late next week, will be helpful to families when making final choices about whether their student(s) will remain on campus for the 2021-2022 school year.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we continue to navigate our course and do our best to meet the needs of our community.

Sincerely,

Dan DeBruyn

Spectrum received confirmation that our provisional application to provide distance learning for the 2021-2022 school year will be approved. As a result, we are proceeding with our plan to provide asynchronous distance learning for 1 st semester. It is important to note that synchronous learning (where students access their classes via Zoom or Google Meet while off campus in real time during the school day) will not be available at this time.

Attached to this communication, you will find some additional information about asynchronous distance learning expectations. Please review the information in order to make an informed decision for your student(s).

You are being asked to make a decision for the entire first semester at this time. We understand that this decision is based on the current optional status for masks and vaccines. If either of these change, Spectrum will provide another opportunity for parents/guardians to change the learning model for their student(s) (even if it is prior to the school year or during the semester).

Please complete the Learning Model Decision Survey here by Monday, August 9.

A number of Spectrum families recently expressed concerns related to the Social Studies Standards being revised by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Standards are required to be taught by all charter and traditional public schools. Spectrum received the following information from MDE and is passing it on for any interested families.

MESSAGE FROM MDE

The  second draft of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards is available for public comment (thru August 16). A questions and answers document is also available, which provides information about the standards review and revision process, and updates in the second draft.

Minnesotans can use the public comment survey to provide feedback on the second draft. The survey allows you to provide comments on individual standards and benchmarks, and/or on the draft as a whole. If you are unable to use the survey, you can also send your comments via email or postal mail.

Spectrum Families,

Please review the attached communication with important updates about the upcoming school year.

Please see the attached document for important Open House Information.

Open House will take place on Thursday, Aug. 26 (5-7 p.m.)

*A-L attend 5-6 p.m.  and M-Z attend 6-7 p.m.

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Spectrum families,

This communication addresses four important items:

(1) Reminder - student schedules are now available on Infinite Campus Parent Portal here.

(2) The "Ready for School" Guidelines/Protocol (attached to this communication) have been updated for the 2021-2022 school year. Please review and follow the instructions if your child is sick or has received a positive COVID test.

(3) The legislature passed a law this summer requiring schools to inform parents about the school policy regarding release time for religious instruction. Spectrum's policy can be found on Spectrum's website here.

(4) Information on Open House was sent last week. We look forward to seeing you at your designated time this Thursday, August 26!

Please see the attached communication regarding Covid-19 and dress code updates for Monday, August 30. 

Spectrum Community,

Please see the attached communication with important updates as we come to the close of our 4th week of school. Updates include information on (1) our Veterans day program (request for recommended speakers), (2) employment opportunities (including a new position), and (3) follow up on delayed start Mondays.

As was done during the 2020-2021 school year, Spectrum is providing the attached updated numbers of students and staff who have tested positive for COVID 19 since August 2021 (based on self reporting). These numbers will be updated at least monthly. This is for informational purposes only.

Spectrum Families,

Please see the attached communication for important updates and information on upcoming events:

*Parent/Teacher Conferences (Nov. 4 and 9)

*Veterans Day Program (Nov. 11)

*E-Learning and Snow Days Reminder

*High School ONLY - Financial Aid Night (Nov. 2)

*Middle School ONLY - Middle School Clubs registration due (Thurs., Oct. 28)

Please see the attached communication for important updates on the following:

(1) Getting the word out; (2) FREE Thanksgiving dinner; and (3) Temporary asynchronous learning (when needed for COVID related reasons).

Please see the attached communication for important updates on the following:

* Holiday school spirit wear store open until November 28;

*a livestream link for the Veterans Day Program tomorrow; and

*an announcement about the Boys Hockey Program Coordinator.

Please see the attached communication about student illness, optional distance learning this week, and required distance learning next week.

Please see the attached communication for important updates regarding the following:

*An upcoming Boy's High School Hockey Meeting;

*Alumni graduation speaker recommendations;

*OSHA regulations update;

*Hockey rink open; and

*Important dates.

Please see the attached communication with important updates on the following:

1. Enrollment lottery applications due January 31

2. Hockey meeting - Feb. 3

3. Spectrum School Board members sought

4. Graduation speaker recommendations

5. OSHA/MNOSHA update

6. Ice rink open to the public!

7. Middle school clubs registration due Jan. 27

Please see the attached communication with important updates on the following items:

1.  Hockey meeting this Thursday, February 3, at 6:00 p.m.

2. Delayed start expectations

3. Graduation speaker recommendations

4. Spectrum ice rink open to the public!

5. High School ONLY - C@SH Night, Thursday, February 10, at 6:00 p.m. 

The attached communication is being provided for the following reasons:

(1) to celebrate Spectrum's high level of student participation and commitment (i.e., graduation rates);

(2) to share information about upcoming road construction in the Elk River area and how it may impact school transportation in the near future; and

(3) to invite you to attend Spectrum Theater's musical production of Willy Wonka this weekend.

Spectrum Families,

Please see the attached communication with updates on the following:

(1) the unique calendar for the next 2 weeks of school so that you can plan accordingly;

(2) guidance contributing to student success on the MCA tests;

(3) a timeline for the 2022-2023 school year calendar approval; and

(4) highlighted job openings at Spectrum so that you or others you may know may consider applying.

Please see the attached communication with important updates on the following:

1. New School Hours

2. Transportation Registration

3. Summer Communications; and

4. Summer Dates