Lester Prairie School District Annual Notices
ISD 0424
Please see postings to the left for annual notices for ISD 424
Lester Prairie School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability in its programs and activities.
The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Section 504 Coordinator
Christine Mattson
131 Hickory Street North
320-395-2521
mattson@lp.k12.mn.us
Title IX Coordinator
Ross Scheevel
131 Hickory Street North
320-395-2521
scheevel@lp.k12.mn.us
General pesticide notice for parents for guardians
The Janet B. Johnson Parents’ Right-to-Know Act of 2000 (Minnesota Statute 121A.30) requires school districts to notify parents of dates that the District may apply pesticides in or around school property. The District recognizes that long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides, or the class of chemicals to which they belong, may not be fully understood.
Lester Prairie Public Schools uses a licensed, professional pest control service firm for the prevention and control of rodents, insects, and other pests in and around the district building. The program consists of:
- Inspection and monitoring to determine if pests are present and whether any treatment is needed
- Recommendations for maintenance and sanitation to eliminate pests without need for pest control materials
- Utilization of non-chemical measures such as traps, caulking and screening
- Application of epa-registered pest control materials when needed.
An estimated schedule of pest control inspections and possible lawn treatments are available for review.
For unscheduled applications, parents may request prior notification of any application of a pest control material.
If you have any questions, please contact Superintendent Dr. Melissa Radeke.
Indoor Air Quality Notice
Lester Prairie Public Schools has implemented an IAQ Management Plan that will help monitor and improve the quality of air in the school building. The objectives of the IAQ Management Plan are: 1) reduce the levels of indoor air pollutants through preventive measures such as routine maintenance activities, periodic building evaluations and inspections, and IAQ-specific policies; 2) provide and maintain adequate air exchanges by repairing and maintaining ventilation equipment, which will promote a comfortable and healthful learning and working environment, and; 3) respond to IAQ-related concerns and problems in a thorough and prompt manner, and to effectively communicate the progress of investigations and their resolutions to all interested parties.
Lead in Water Management Plan
Lester Prairie Public Schools is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for employees and students. We have developed this Lead-in-Water Management Plan to reduce the potential for exposure to lead in drinking water and to comply with Minnesota Statute 121A.335, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This plan will also endeavor to comply with the recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance for Minnesota’s School and Child Care Facilities” recommendations and be inclusive of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s “Ensuring Drinking Water Quality in Schools During and After Extended Closures” fact sheet and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s “3Ts Toolkit for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities” manual.
Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to test for lead in potable water sources (water for consumption) every 5 years. We test all potable fixtures every five years. The previous testing cycles included the 2022 and 2024. The next round of testing is will be completed in FY2026-2027
In the event a test conducted after August 2023 reveals the presence of lead at or above five parts per billion, remediation efforts will be made. Depending upon the exact fixture location and type, remediation efforts could involve removing the fixture from service, adding signage indicating the fixture is not to be used for drinking water, removal of the existing fixture and replacement with filtered fixture, etc.
Anyone interested in discussing the district Lead in Drinking Water program or test results, please contact the Superintendent, Dr. Melissa Radeke, at 320-395-2521 or radeke@lp.k12.mn.us
PPRA notice and opt-out for specific activities
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C, § 1232h, requires Lester Prairie School District to notify you and allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns on or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”):
- Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
- Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
- Sex behavior or attitudes;
- Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
- Critical appraisals of others, with whom respondents have close family relationships;
- Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
- Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
- Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”), and certain physical exams and screenings.
For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, the Lester Prairie School District will provide parents, within a reasonable period of time prior to the administration of the survey and activities, notification of the surveys and activities and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out, as well as an opportunity to review the survey. (note that this notice and opt-out transfers from parents to any student who is 18 yrs old or an emancipated minor under State law).
……………………………………………………………………………………………
If you wish to review any survey instrument or instructional material used in connection with any protected information or marketing survey, submit a request to Lester Prairie Public Schools, 131 Hickory St. N., Lester Prairie, MN. Mrs. Mattson will notify you of the time and place where you may review these materials . You have the right to review and/or opt out of a survey and/or instructional materials before the survey is administered to a student.
Student’s Educational Records
Annual notification of rights:
- Parent has a right to inspect and review the student’s educational records.
- Parent has a right to seek amendment of the student’s education records to ensure that those records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights.
- Parent has a right to consent to disclosures of personally indefinable information contained in the student’s education records, except if covered by federal or state law.
- Parent has a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education regarding alleged failure by the School District to comply with the requirements of Federal Law.
- Parent has a right to criteria for determining a school official and what constitutes a legitimate education interest.
- The School District forwards education records on request to a school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Records may include suspension and expulsion records and, if applicable, a student’s history of violent behavior.
Teacher Qualifications
According to the federal legislation you may request and review information from the school district regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers. The information you may request includes the following:
- Has the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching?
- Has the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived?
- What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration?
You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional. If you child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.
Our staff is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals are highly skilled.
If you have any questions about your child’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional, please contact the school at 320-395-2521.
Early Childhood Developmental Screening for District #424
Minnesota Law has made ECDS a requirement. Lester Prairie School will provide this service for children who are 3.5 years or older and have not been previously screened. Lester Prairie School offers a screening day in the Spring and Fall. Please call the school at 320-395-2521 for up to date information. The screening takes place at Lester Prairie School.
The purpose of this program is to identify children who may have health or developmental issues. Early identification of health and developmental issues is helpful in preventing them from becoming more serious. This is a screening program and is not intended to be a substitute for health care from other providers. The screening will take 1 to 1.5 hours and will consist of the following components: vision, hearing, height, speech, health history, immunization review, family circumstances review, and summary interview. Your participation in this program is required for school enrollment.
This is a special day for your child as it marks the first step in preparation for starting school. Help us to make this a special day for your child by only bringing the child being screened to Early Childhood Screening. Remember, this is a time for screening to identify potential problems, not time for treatment or counseling. Problems identified may be handled by referring the child to other resources.
There will be forms which need to be filled out in advance and brought to the screening. These forms will be sent to you after you have signed up for an appointment. To make an appointment or to have questions answered regarding ECDS, call Helen Lester at (320) 395-2521 ext 1139.
Special education evaluations for home-schooled or private-school students
In response to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), Minnesota School Districts must demonstrate that “all children with disabilities, attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated.” This responsibility extends to children with disabilities are are educated at home or in non-public schools.
Upon request, your local public school will provide information to concerned parent on specific disabilities including information about the educational or behavioral characteristics of each disability. Parents who believe their child may indeed have a disability may request information on how to arrange for an evaluation through the district’s special education staff.
Parents of students who are evaluated and are found to be eligible for special education services will become part of a team which will develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of a Service Plan to meet the individual needs of their children.
If your child is homeschooled and you have questions, or would like to receive information about specific disabilities or an evaluation, contact the principal of the school your child would be attending if he/she was enrolled in your resident district public school and was not being educated in your home.
If your child is being educated in a private school and you have questions or would like to receive information about specific disabilities or an evaluation, contact the principal of the school.
Summary of District 424 Policy Against Harassment & Violence
- Everyone at District 424 has a right to feel respected and safe. Consequently, we want you to know about our policy to prevent religious, racial, or sexual harassment and violence of any kind.
- A harasser may be a student or an adult. Harassment may include the following when related to religion, race, sex or gender:
- Name calling, jokes, or rumors;
- Pulling on clothing;
- Graffiti;
- Notes or cartoons;
- Unwelcome touching of a person or clothing;
- Offensive or graphic posters or book covers, or;
- Any words or actions that make you feel uncomfortable, embarrass you, hurt your feelings or make you feel bad.
- If any words or actions make you feel uncomfortable or fearful, you need to tell a teacher, the principal or the Human Rights Officer, Superintendent Melissa Radeke.
- You may make a written report. It should be given to a teacher, the principal or the Human Rights Officer, Superintendent Melissa Radeke.
- Your right to privacy will be respected as much as possible.
- We, at Lester Prairie Schools, take seriously all reports of religious, racial, or sexual harassment or violence and will take all appropriate action based on your report.
- The School District will also take action if anyone tries to intimidate you or take action to harm you because you have reported.
- This is a summary of the School District policy against religious, racial, and sexual harassment and violence. Complete policies are available in the school’s main office upon request.
RELIGIOUS, RACIAL AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND
VIOLENCE ARE AGAINST THE LAW,
DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST THE LAW.
For further information, contact Superintendent Melissa Radeke, Human Rights Officer,
131 N. Hickory Street, Lester Prairie, MN 55354, (320) 395-2521
VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ANNUAL NOTIFICATION
Lester Prairie School District offers a variety of vocational opportunities through the Business Education, Industrial Technology and Family and Consumer Science Departments. The purpose of this notice is to inform students, parents, employees and the general public that these opportunities are offered regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. Admission in the specific courses is determined by grade level, and in some cases, completion of prerequisite courses. The district has designated the following individuals to coordinate compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
Section 504 Coordinator:
Name: Christine Mattson
Office Address: 131 Hickory Street N.
Office Phone Number: 320-395-2521
Email Address: mattson@lp.k12.mn.us;
Title IX Coordinator:
Name: Ross Scheevel
Office Address: 131 Hickory Street N.
Office Phone Number: 320-395-2521
Email Address: scheevel@lp.k12.mn.us;
A brief summary of program offerings are as follows:
Note to district: This notice must include a “brief summary of program offerings.” The following options may be used order to comply with this requirement:
- A listing of program offerings includes auto mechanics, woods technology, IT, agriculture, etc. are provided on the attached link: http://lp.k12.mn.us/page/2987
