***en Español***

Dear Northfield Public Schools Families:

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. This summer, I will be sharing several updates with you but not quite as frequently as last year. Today’s message focuses on a modest change in the 2021-22 school year calendar to accommodate family conferences, information about enrolling in Portage for 2021-22, ensuring you have information about vaccinations, and a reminder about the change in district protocols for summer school and programs.

2021-22 calendar/family conferences [new]

There has been a change to the 2021-22 calendar. Following excellent feedback from families and staff about our beginning-of-the-year family conferences last fall, we are continuing the practice moving forward. Building strong home/school partnerships begins with developing relationships. Family conferences to begin the school year is a key element of building those relationships that lead to quality partnerships.

Family conferences are scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8, 2021. The first official day of classes will now be Sept. 9. The last day of school has also been moved to June 9, 2022. There are no other changes to the calendar.

» Link to the revised 2021-22 school calendar

Portage enrollment available [reminder]

Portage is a free, state-approved online learning program serving Minnesota students in Kindergarten-12th grade and administered by Northfield Public Schools. If you are interested in enrolling in Portage for the 2021-22 school year, visit the Portage web site.

The district is hosting webinars about the Portage program (including changes made compared to the 2020-21 school year version) on July 8 at 4:30 pm and on July 21 at 12:30 pm. The links and additional information will be posted on the Portage web site.

Vaccination opportunities [reminder]

While vaccination is a personal choice, we want to ensure families have the resources they need to secure an appointment if desired because vaccination is our best tool to protect the health of our community from COVID-19. The district is maintaining a page of vaccination opportunities to help in this effort.

» See the vaccination opportunities page

Summer 2021 COVID-19 protocols [reminder]

The district recently published summer 2021 COVID-19 protocols, based on the guidance from the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health. You can review the document here.

Thank You

As always, thank you for your continued feedback, support, and cooperation. We value your partnership.

Sincerely,

Matt


Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent