FAQs

School hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Students can begin to enter the school at 7:15 a.m. Breakfast is free of charge for anyone who would like to eat. Students riding buses will enter through Door 1. We expect that students walking or being dropped off will also enter through Door 1. Please make every attempt to drop students off by 7:15 a.m. so that they are in their classrooms and ready to learn by 7:30 a.m. Students arriving after 7:40 a.m. should enter through Door 1 and proceed to the main office, where they will receive a late pass.

Staff assist students who ride the bus with boarding the bus at the end of the day. Students being picked up will be at Door 15 (in back of the school) at 2:10 p.m. All students should be picked up no later than 2:20 p.m.
 

Each child should have basic supplies such as pencils, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, notebooks and folders. We have additional supplies available for students if needed. Supply lists by grade level for the 2024-25 school year are available here.
 

You will receive notification (email and/or robo call) regarding the location and times for the bus stop in mid-late August. Please call the school office at 612-668-25000 if you have not received notification by August 31. 

Plan to arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early (or more for the first few weeks) as buses adjust to the schedule. Please keep in mind that transportation may need to make updates to the schedule throughout the year. Many families exchange phone numbers with other families at the bus stop in case of an emergency. Staff will assist students with getting off the bus in the morning and on the bus at the end of the day. 

Bus schedule changes happen periodically throughout the school year. Transportation will send notifications the day prior to changes in your student's bus schedule.

Transportation provides an app called Here Comes the Bus to help families navigate when the bus is coming (this system tracks buses, not students). Be advised that this is not a perfect system and does not work if there is a substitute bus or substitute driver. To sign up, you will need the student ID number and the school code of 87018. 

Students arriving at school enter through Door 1 beginning at 7:15 a.m. so they are in their classrooms and ready to learn by 7:30 a.m. If you arrive after 7:30 a.m., please send your student to the Main Office to be checked in and receive a late pass. Please DO NOT park or stop in front of the school in the Bus Lane which is reserved for buses. Please limit your speed in the parking lot to 10mph. Drop off and pick up are busy times. Students may begin to be picked up at 2:10 p.m. at Door 15 in back of the school. Students who have not been picked up by 2:25 p.m. will wait in the office.

Whenever there is any change to after school plans, please the Office at 612-668-2500 before 1:00 p.m. (earlier is better whenever possible!). We understand that last minute changes happen, but we ask that you do what you can to avoid this happening on a regular basis as the office and classrooms are especially busy at the end of the day. If you do need to make a last minute change, please call the main office before 1 p.m.
 

Please call the Main Office at 612-668-2500 before 1 p.m. Classes sometimes go to the school forest, have extra recess, are in reading buddies, or are learning outside. If we know that your child is leaving early, we can make arrangements.
 

Bryn Mawr Main Office: 612-668-2500, or email BrynMawr@mpls.k12.mn.us

If your child is not coming to school, please call the Main Office with the student’s first and last name, classroom teacher, reason for the absence (including any symptoms the child is having), the person making the call, and a number where you can be reached if there are any questions. Students should not return to the building until they are without symptoms (fever, vomit, diarrhea) for 24 hours with no medication.

This reference sheet includes guidelines for most illnesses. You can find more information on the MPS health website. Students may not come to school if they have a fever, have been vomiting or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours. We know it is hard for families when their child is sick, but the best way for them to get better and to stop the spread is to keep children home when they are ill. If you have questions about whether your child should come to school, please contact our health office.

• Illness
• Doctor/Dentist Appointments
• School Bus Problems
• Religious Holidays/Cultural Observances
• Funeral
• Family Emergency
• Family Activities (please fill out the Family Activity/Vacation Form at least 10 days before the scheduled absence)

Click here for the district attendance policy and related resources, including Check & Connect.
 

School breakfasts are FREE for all students. Students may eat breakfast in the cafeteria when they arrive. Bryn Mawr's breakfast menus can be found here.
 

School lunches are FREE for all students. Students are welcome to bring a lunch prepared from home (no nuts, please!) or to eat a school lunch. Bryn Mawr school lunches are pre-packed and include a choice of hot entree, sides of fresh fruits and vegetables, and skim or 1% milk. Bryn Mawr's lunch menus can be found here.

MPS does not serve any products with nuts or pork. More information can be found on the MPS Culinary and Wellness page.

The cafeteria has policies in place for students with allergies. Bryn Mawr has numerous students with life-threatening anaphylactic conditions and many other students with sensitivity to particular foods. Accordingly, we respectfully ask that if you are sending a lunch to school, you refrain from including items with nuts (including peanut butter).

Several years ago, the School District adopted a Wellness Policy, and treats are no longer allowed in the classrooms. No food items will be used in school as incentives, rewards, etc.

Bryn Mawr students have the opportunity to taste a fresh fruit or vegetable in their classroom through the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The goal of this program is to expose students to a variety of produce and increase excitement for trying healthy foods. 

Students have recess for 30 minutes each day. Students go outside every day unless there is heavy rain or if the temperature is below zero or the windchill is ten below. Please make sure to send winter gear (jackets, hats, gloves, snow pants and boots) each day. You are welcome to provide a set of boots and/or snow pants to leave at school in your student’s locker or cubby.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LABEL ALL ITEMS – we all shop at the same stores and snow gear all looks alike! 

There is a limited supply of winter and outdoor gear available for students who need it or have forgotten something at home. If you are in need of winter or outdoor gear, please contact Family Liaison, Regina Jackson .
 

The district sets aside two days per year for teachers and parents to sit down and engage in conversation regarding individual students. In 2024-25, these dates are Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Fall) and Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 (Spring).

Bryn Mawr conferences take place all-day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Please access the Teacher Conferences page to schedule a time to meet. Conferences can be in person, by phone, or online. Please confirm with your child's classroom teacher if you require an interpreter. If you need transportation to attend an in-person conference, please call the main office at 612-668-2500.
 

Look for the blue Bryn Mawr School folder in your child’s backpack. This folder will travel back and forth to school and holds homework, teacher notes, field trip notices, and other school information. Be sure you know when the teacher wants it back and when it should come back to you. Each teacher may have a slightly different schedule for folders, but always look for it on the first school day of the week, as that is when most school-wide communications come home.

Teachers also use TalkingPoints. TalkingPoints is a free messaging and translation app used by both teachers and families. Families can use standard text messages or the TalkingPoints app to respond to messages from teachers.

Updates from school and the district are sent through SchoolMessenger. Please make sure to update the office any time your contact information changes.
 

Please contact the Main Office at 612-668-2500 or email BrynMawr@mpls.k12.mn.us to verify the contact information in your file.

District calendar and school calendars can be found on the Calendar Page.

It’s a great idea to enter dates into your personal calendar for when students do not have school so they do not take you by surprise. MPS is diverse and has added days off throughout the year to better reflect the culture and celebrations of our families. Please make sure you know what days school will not be in session. If you use a Google Calendar, you can subscribe to Bryn Mawr's Events Calendar.

Many of our teachers appreciate having parents and other volunteers help out in the classroom, on field trips and with special projects. In additions, the media center, office and other areas of the school rely on volunteer support from families and the community. All volunteers who have contact with students must have a copy of the Minneapolis Public Schools Volunteer Application signed and on file each new school year. Depending on the nature of the work performed, some volunteers need to have a background check completed. These measures are district policies to protect both students and volunteers. The PTA also has many opportunities for parents to help with fundraising and special events.
Reading Partners will begin at Bryn Mawr this school year! We will need many volunteers for this program. If you are interested in volunteering your time twice a week to help students read, please contact us!

Site Council is a representative forum of licensed staff, parents, community members and school administrators that gives all stakeholders in the Bryn Mawr community a voice in the school’s decision-making process. Unlike PTA, Site Council does not host activities to raise funds. Its primary focus is on school policies, budget, and issues that the school may face in relation to the District. More information is available on the Site Council page.
 

PTA is a nonprofit volunteer group made up of parents and staff. The main goal of PTA is to create community-building events, and  fundraisers. PTA is currently undergoing a transition as they consider how to engage with all families, how to support families and staff, what money is being raised for and how to be equitable within our larger community. Bryn Mawr PTA is part of the National PTA organization. PTA is always looking for new members and would love to have an opportunity to talk with you! More information is available on the PTA page or at BrynMawrPTA.org.

The Application for Educational Benefits (formerly known as Free and Reduced-Price Lunch) lets families know if they qualify for certain benefits and is one of the ways funding is determined for schools. Families of all income levels should complete the application regardless of perceived eligibility.

Applying matters! This information helps to:

• Determine benefits for students and families (e.g., no-cost school meals, free bus cards, discounted internet);
• Generate about $100 million in district funding each year;
• Qualify schools and community sites to serve no-cost food to youth 18 and under after school and in the summer months.
• The Application for Educational Benefits can be completed through LINQ Connect.

Visit the LINQ Connect Family Portal;

1. Click on Free & Reduced Meal Application and select MPS (login not required);
2. Follow the instructions to complete your online application.

Early Childhood Screening is a free process that supports children being ready for kindergarten and is required for entrance in Minnesota's public schools. The program helps find possible health or developmental concerns that may impact a child's learning and is recommended at age 3. More information and screening appointments are available on the Early Childhood Screening page.

The Family Resource Center provides school-based resources and social services for families and students at Minneapolis Public Schools. Support is available in multiple languages. Families can walk in or call to make an appointment. You may also reach out to Family Liaison Regina Jackson with questions or to request a referral. More information is available on the Family Resource Center page.
 

Registration brochures for the Weekend Meal Program are available in the main office. This program provides students with four to five pounds of good food to take home at the end of each week. Families may choose from five food bag options tailored to various cultural dietary preferences or situational needs.  If you have questions about the program or how to register, please contact School Social Worker Martha Bather (PreK - 1st grade) or Nick Cross (grades 2-5).

If you are experiencing housing instability, there are supports available to promote school stability and academic success for students. If you are living in temporary or unstable housing, please please contact School Social Worker Martha Bather (PreK - 1st grade) or Nick Cross (grades 2-5).

Federal law establishes educational rights for children and youth experiencing homelessness, which can be defined as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” including youth who are residing in shelters; motels, hotels, or weekly rate housing; doubled up with friends or relatives; on the street; in an abandoned building or other.

Eligible students are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act and have the right to:

• Stay in the same school.
• Automatically qualify for free school meals.
• Immediately enroll in school without education records, immunization records, or proof of residency.
• Participate fully in school activities.
• Get school transportation, even across district lines.
• Receive other educational services.

Learn more on the MPS website. You may also contact the District Liaison/Manager, Charlotte Kinzley, or the Executive Director of Student Support Services, Dr. Meghan Hickey.

If you are at risk of losing your home, there are extra protections and financial assistance available. Hennepin County is offering emergency rent and mortgage assistance for low-income households who have lost income due to COVID-19. If you’ve fallen behind on rent or utilities or are worried about making payments on time, apply now for Hennepin County rent assistance.
 

If it’s more of a district question, check out the MPS website. If you can’t find the answer there or on our website, please reach out to our Family Liaison, Regina Jackson.