Locations
Parent Resources
DRESSING APPROPRIATELY
Dressing your child appropriately is critical to the success of our program.
We adhere to the motto: There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices. For details about the clothing we require to dress your child in, please review the Linden Hills Nature School Required Clothing document.
Remember that this is an entirely outdoor school. Make sure that you and your child are both okay with that. Most important, keep YOUR attitude positive about blustery cold snowy/rainy days as some of our most fun days have been in this type of weather!
What To Bring Each Day
All items should be labeled with your child’s name.
GEAR
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A backpack large enough for a change of clothes, lunch box etc.
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Appropriate clothing (See attached Clothing Document)
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A change of clothing including socks (clothing should be appropriate for the weather)
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Bug spray and sunscreen
FOOD
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A healthy snack and a lunch with your child each day.
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A reusable water bottle (send only water in the bottle)
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If your child has food allergies, please let us know.
DROP OFF/PICKUP LOCATIONS
At the beginning of each week, you will receive a schedule for the week. Each day we will meet a our destinations. The locations that we frequently visit are: Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Lake Harriet, Woodlake Nature Center, Richardson Nature Center, Minnehaha Falls, and Cold Water Spring.
We do occasionally visit indoor locations due to dangerous weather (lightning, severe cold, etc.), and will provide notice in advance of any changes to the weekly schedule. Minneapolis Public Schools’ cold weather restrictions will be used to determine severe cold. When the “feels like” temperature is below -5 degrees Fahrenheit we will not be going outside and will meet at an alternative indoor location.
SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE
Our Forest Kindergarten Program starts one week after the start of Minneapolis Public Schools’ school year and ends the last week of May.. We are closed for MEA, the full week of Thanksgiving, two weeks for winter break, and again for spring break. We follow MPLS for all other breaks and holidays.
We also have a summer camp for 3-8 year olds that runs during the months of June, July, and August.
EXTREME WEATHER CLOSURE
Linden Hills Nature School follows the Minneapolis Public Schools lead. You can find out whether MPS has called for a snow day or a late arrival day by checking their website or tuning into local news stations.
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If Minneapolis Public Schools are canceled due to extreme weather, Linden Hills Nature School is also canceled.
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If Minneapolis Public Schools has called for a late arrival day due to unsafe morning driving conditions, Linden Hills Nature School classes will be canceled.
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Linden Hills Nature School will cancel if real feel temperature is 5* or below.
Sick/Absence Policy
SICK CHILD POLICY
We are fine with children coming to school with sniffles, sneezes, coughs or stuffy nose, since we are outdoors and there is less of a chance to pass germs than in an indoor setting.
We do not allow children to attend if they have had a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the previous 24 hours.
ABSENCE POLICY
SICK DAYS: If your child is sick and cannot attend school, please text us at 952-454-3202. Please do not text after 8 p.m. and before 8 a.m.
If you know in advance that you will miss a day (vacation days, etc.) please send an email.
COMMUNICATING WITH TEACHERS
If you need to communicate some future plans about your child such as absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups, vacation times, medical information, or family situation, please do so by emailing us at lindenhillsnatureschool@gmail.com. If you need to convey time-sensitive information, such as an imminent absence, late arrival or change to pick up plans, please text us at 952-454-3202.
CONFERENCES
TOILET PROFICIENCY
Although we can handle occasional accidents...
All children MUST be mostly toilet- proficient in order to attend our school (other than those enrolled as a toddler with special permission). Children must be able to know when they have to go to the bathroom and be able to communicate that need. We regularly prompt the children to check in with themselves about whether they have a need to go potty.
