Dear Northfield School District families,
Happy Memorial Day weekend! On Monday, we honor those who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called the “last full measure of devotion.” I invite you to reflect upon the sacrifice that our fallen soldiers have made for us as Americans. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4393 and American Legion Post 84 are hosting a virtual Memorial Day celebration this year. You can watch the recorded program on YouTube. This is an excellent community event and I thank the VFW and American Legion for hosting it.
Vaccination opportunities
The public health situation continues to improve. The COVID-19 cases in Rice County decreased for the sixth consecutive week. One of the best tools we have to defeat this coronavirus is vaccination.
» View the district’s vaccination opportunities resource guide.
One vaccination opportunity I want to highlight is at Allina Clinic in Northfield on June 5. You can vaccinate the whole family! The vaccinations are free for people 12 years and older on Saturday, June 5th, between 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The second dose will be administered on June 26th.
Benjamin Bus will be providing transportation shuttles to and from this event. Details will be available by June 3.
Location: Allina Health Northfield Clinic
1400 Jefferson Road Northfield, MN 55057
» Walk-ins welcome – appointments recommended
» Call Allina Health at 612-262-6675 to schedule an appointment (call center hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Key points:
- You do not need to be an Allina Health patient – all are welcome – no identification required
- Free – no insurance needed
- Pfizer vaccine is available for people age 12+. This vaccine requires a second dose on June 26th. Consent is required for 12-17-year-olds. If your child is attending the event without a parent or guardian, please print, complete, and send the completed consent with them
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine is available in limited quantity for people ages 18+. Janssen requires only one dose
- Remote interpreter services available
Allina Health Northfield Clinic providers will be available to answer walk-in vaccine questions before receiving the vaccine or, if undecided, making the decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
FCC emergency broadband benefit
The Federal Communications Commission is providing an emergency broadband benefit for eligible low-income families. This benefit will reduce the cost of your home internet service if you qualify.
» Read more about the emergency broadband benefit
iPad summer use and protection plan
Director of Technology Services Kim Briske recently sent families information about summer use of school district iPads. By default, students will take their iPads home this summer. However, there is a process to opt out of having your child’s iPad come home. The message also contains information about the district’s iPad protection program.
» Read more about the summer iPad plan and the iPad protection plan
Raider Mascot Update
As previously shared, the Board of Education implemented a process to refresh the Raider mascot. At its last meeting, the board decided to officially retire the current Raider mascot and prohibit it from further school district use. Existing athletic team uniforms and other district displays of the retired mascot will be phased out as soon as practicable. The board voted not to approve a refreshed Raider mascot. They directed the administration not to proceed with any further action to develop a new mascot design at this time and to continue to use the standard Northfield “N” as the school logo. For clarity, the Raider nickname will continue to be used.
Thanks!
Once again, thank you for your continued partnership, support, and forgiveness as we get closer to the completion of this unusual school year. We have valued your cooperation. Have a great holiday weekend!
Sincerely,
Matt
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Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools