Updated: March 22, 2022 with additional MPS resources under food, drop-in resources, and education.
Original publication date: March 6, 2022
Resource categories are: childcare/drop-off care, drop-in youth spaces, food, drop-in resources for students with unstable housing, education, mental health health, and general union contract negotiation resources.
If you'd like to share other resources, there is an "Add Context" box at the end of this resource list. You can also text resources to 612-204-2887 or email info@southwestvoices.news.
Childcare/drop-off care
Extremely limited openings will be available for PK-5 child supervision at only a few school sites for families who cannot find other child care. All Early Childhood programs and services will be canceled while the strike is active. If a strike is called, your school will have information for families on how to request this school-based child supervision
Compiled childcare options
Bryn Mawr School has compiled child care options across Minneapolis. The spreadsheet will also be updated with food and library resources so keep checking back.
The Emerson Spanish Immersion School has a childcare compilation as well
Leonardo’s Basement will offer all-day workshops, one day at a time, during the strike. There will be a reduced fee for students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch. Look for (no)SNOW DAY WORKSHOPS on its registration page to pop up the day before each strike day.
150 W. 60th St., 612-824-4394
Ages 6-17, price TBA
-
Active Solutions is running pop-up all-day camps Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week. Registration opens at noon the day before each camp.
Camps will be held at 1002 Second St. NE, Hopkins, 952-294-4667
Ages: K-5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m, $64/student each day.
-
Children’s Theater Company will offer day camps that you can register for online.
2400 3rd Ave S.
Ages K-8, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., $75/student each day
-
YMCA of the North (ymcanorth.org) will have child care available to all families across Hennepin County.. Registration is required and can be completed online or in person at the time of child drop off.
Harold Mezile North Community
1711 West Broadway Ave., 612-588-9484, childcare site director: Helemina 612-876-2606
7 a.m. – 5:30 pm.
Ages K-6, 7 a.m.-5:30 pm., $12/day per student
-
Blaisdell YMCA
3335 Blaisdell Avenue S., 612-827-5401, childcare site director: David 612-814-1110
Ages K-6, $45/day per student
For current Rec Plus clients, Rec Plus locations will mirror programming for school release days at McRae, Matthews, Waite, Webber, Hiawatha School, and Lynnhurst. The other sites are closed. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Drop-in youth spaces
3/22: MPS American Indian Education is planning a series of events for March 22 - 25.
The following recreation centers will be open from 12- 9 p.m. K-5 education will be offered from 12- 3 p.m. Pre-registration will be required through the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, which will be made available on their website in the event of strike.
Southwest: Whittier, 437 W 26th St, 612-370-4966; Bryant Square, 3101 Bryant Ave S, 612-370-4907
Upper South: East Phillips, 2307 17th Ave S., 612-370-4888; Longfellow, 435 36th Ave S., 612-370-4957
Lower South: Longfellow Recreation Center, 3435 36th Ave. S., 612-370-4957; Nokomis, 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy, 612-370-4923; Sibley, 1900 E 40th St., 612-370-4954
North: North Commons, 1801 N James Ave., 612-370-4921; Farview, 621 N 29th Ave., 612-370-4922
Northeast: Northeast, 1530 Johnson St NE, 612-370-4920; and Luxton, 112 Williams Ave SE, 612-370-4925
Hub site activities will be tailored and adjusted to meet the needs of those who show up for service. Normal programming for drop-in and registered participants will continue as scheduled during regular recreation center hours, which are 3-9 p.m.
In the case of a strike, rec centers will also post programming updates on their building doors.
-
YouthLink recreation centers are open 3-9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Ages 12-16
-
Downtown Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall
Ages: 12-19, open Monday-Thursday, 12-8 p.m.
-
Hennepin County Libraries
Students and their caregivers are always welcome at the Hennepin County libraries. Each library has different hours, so check the schedule here. You can access computers, printers, quiet spaces, and restrooms. Librarians are also available to help with finding books and other materials.
Ages: all, hours vary
Food
3/22: The Minneapolis Street Eats food truck will be traveling around to schools and libraries during the strike. Check out their menu and schedule here.
A daily meal bag consisting of one breakfast and one lunch will be available each day for pick up at the school where the student is enrolled. Pick-up hours will be communicated by the school, or can be inquired about via email: answers@mpls.k12.mn.us and phone: 612-668-0230.
This map shows all of the recreation centers who offer free snacks and meals. In Southwest, Painter and Whittier Recreation Centers have snacks and dinner 2-6 p.m. Lyndale Farmstead offers a super snack, and Fuller, Lynnhurst, and Armatage offers snacks 2-6 p.m.
The Northpoint Health & Wellness food shelf is open Monday-Thursday, 12-4 p.m.
Here is a collection of food resources in MInneapolis including food pantries and hot meals.
Students with unstable housing
Basic needs drop-in center for food, hygienic needs, laundry. Other services available.
41 North 12th Street, (612) 252-1200
Ages: 16-24, open Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays are by appointment only, so call ahead that day.
-
Visit the Youth Services Network for additional services and locations for students.
Education
In-person
3/22: Students in grades 6-8 can participate in daily programming from 12-3 p.m. at the following middle schools: Justice Page, Northeast, Andersen, Franklin, and Olson.
3/22: Daily programs are also open for high school students at Edison, Henry, North, Roosevelt, FAIR/Wellstone, and Washburn (the district says to call your high school for info).
Homework help from Hennepin County Libraries:
Virtual
Online learning resources compiled by Minneapolis Public Schools
-
BrainPOP has activities for students available during school closures. There are free resources available without logging in. Students may also have an account via their district email and password.
-
Online Hennepin County Libraries resources:
Make sure you have a library card to access the e-services.
Resources for early learners including online stories and games.
-
Other online resources:
PBS Kids videos and activities
At-home learning resources for kids via Mensa for Kids
Be A Learning Hero is a culturally inclusive, free self-directed math and reading skills checks with automated individualized skill practice; literacy building
Phone
Ramsey County has a children’s dial-a-story service at 651-461-6164. Right now you can listen to a librarian read “A Big Mooncake for a Little Star,” “Toad on the Road,” “When Winter Comes,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” “A Home in the Barn,” and “Watercress.”
Hennepin County Libraries has an adult dial-a-story service at 612-543-8851.
Mental health
Note: School-based mental health therapy services will continue during the strike.
Walk-in Counseling offers free in-person and virtual counseling. Teens 15 and up can access counselors without a guardian. Those under 15 years old can talk with a counselor with a guardian.
Basic strike information
According to Hennepin County:
If the union goes on strike, all MPS classes will be canceled, including online classes. All special education services will be canceled, including transportation (except at alternative schools as noted above). There will be no MPS after-school activities. PSEO students can continue with their college-based classes.
Alternative schools will remain open except Longfellow Alternative High School and Minneapolis Academy and Career Center.
Schools will be open for staff who report to work and for families to pick up meals. All buildings will have at least one administrator, such as the principal, who can answer questions.
The school-based clinics run by the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County/NorthPoint in nine MPS high schools will remain open during the strike. School health offices will not be open since the licensed school nurses are on the MFT contract.
Adaptive Athletics will be canceled. All middle school sports are completed until the spring season. High school varsity athletics (basketball, hockey, wrestling) will continue during the strike. Junior varsity and B-squad can practice on a case-by-case basis based on whether there is adequate adult supervision available. Families should hear from or can contact their coaches or athletic directors for more information.
Adult Education will be canceled because teachers are members of MFT. Youth Enrichment classes will not be held. Community Education's Adult Enrichment classes will be held as scheduled.
School time missed because of the strike may need to be made up to meet state and graduation requirements. Special education services and school time will be made up at the same time general education services are made up. A final determination of how MPS will proceed likely will be part of a contract agreement. It is not currently anticipated that graduation will be affected by the strike.
If both MPS and MFT come to contract agreement at any point in this process, the strike will be called off.
General union negotiation resources
Minneapolis Public Schools contract negotiations information
Minneapolis Federation of Teachers 59 contract negotiations information
Additional reporting by Melissa Whitler
