Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye Elementary School students walk out the door Monday after the first day of fall classes. Seventh- and eighth-graders attended orientation. High school students begin school Tuesday, Aug. 23.

SLEEPY EYE — First- through eighth-grade students began school Monday at Sleepy Eye Public Schools.

“Summer was nice, but we’re excited to have the kids back for another school year,” said superintendent John Cselovszki. “The custodians did a wonderful job getting the school ready. Teachers did a wonderful job getting ready to go, attending workshops last week.”

Cselovszki said seventh- and eighth-grade students are attending orientation Monday and Tuesday. High school students begin school Tuesday. Kindergarten students begin school Wednesday.

Breakfast is served from 7:30-7:55 a.m. School starts at 8 a.m.. Elementary classes end at 3 p.m. High school classes end at 3:01 p.m.

The school will continue with a full-time, in-person learning model similar to what was offered in years prior to the pandemic.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye Elementary School students walk out the door Monday after the first day of fall classes. Seventh- and eighth-graders attended orientation. High school students begin school Tuesday, Aug. 23.

The district’s website offered a number of new changes: The school does not offer virtual learning options, including Google Meet, for sick students. Students may complete coursework by obtaining and completing assignments posted on the Google Classroom or Schoology platforms.

Students and staff are discouraged from drinking directly from school water fountains. They are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to fill.

Cselovszki said elementary students were provided water bottles Monday.

In addition, Cselovszki urged parents to help generate state aid for the school by completing the Application for Educational Benefits. Students in households that meet the free or reduced-price meal income guidelines will generate compensatory revenue for the district.

Schools must use compensatory revenue to pay for the needs of students who are behind in learning, remedial instruction, instructional materials such as digital learning and technology, bilingual programs and additional teachers and teacher aides.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye Elementary School students walk out the door Monday after the first day of fall classes. Seventh- and eighth-graders attended orientation. High school students begin school Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Funding is critical to keep the school operating. The district is relying on families filling out the applications which can be found on the website’s home page at sleepyeyeschools.com.

Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s opens for students Monday, Aug. 29.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.)