ENG 2025-26 Family Update No.1
July 16, 2025
Dear Northfield Public Schools Families:
We have arrived at the midpoint of summer, and I hope your family has enjoyed it so far. Summer days in Minnesota are to be cherished.
At July’s regular meeting, the school board heard several reports, including one focused on school safety. The report included descriptions of the state-required safety drills and the manner in which the district conducts them.
More importantly, the report highlighted the training that staff receive and the things we do to prevent violence. We prioritize ensuring that every student has at least one trusting relationship with a school staff member. We recognize that these trusting relationships are crucial in many ways, including preventing violence. You can read the annual safety drill update here.
This year, the district will implement the standard safety response protocol developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. According to the foundation, their standard response protocol provides numerous benefits:
“For students, this provides continuity of expectations and actions throughout their educational career. For teachers, this becomes a simpler process to train and drill. For communities, it leverages the growing adoption of the protocols from residents of all ages. For first responders, the common vocabulary and protocols establish a greater predictability that persists through the duration of an incident.”
Administrators will attend standard response protocol and reunification training in early August. All staff will attend an introductory training in late August. Students will learn the protocols as we conduct drills during the school year.
Student and staff safety are top priorities. It is foundational in achieving our vision of preparing every student for lifelong success by developing critical thinkers who are curious and ready to engage in our society.
Parents and caregivers are critical partners. We have a collective responsibility to create a safe and supportive community for our children and the people who serve them.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any feedback or questions you may have about our school district.
Sincerely,
Matt
--
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent
mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507-663-0629
Transportation Fee
State statute requires districts to transport students who live two miles or more from their school. Effective for the 2025-26 school year, Northfield Public Schools will begin charging a fee for transportation between our current transportable boundary up to two miles from school. This recommendation was approved as part of the priority-based budget reductions on April 28, 2025. Here are the details:
The fee will be $250 per year per student, with a family cap of $500.
Fee area:
Elementary students: 0.75 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Secondary students: 1.0 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Families who will be required to pay a fee for busing for the 2025-26 school year should have received a notification attached to their pre-filled bus form.
Families who filled out a blank form should contact the district office at (507) 663-0600 to determine whether they will be required to pay a fee.
The fee will be waived for students who qualify for free or reduced meal benefits.
If you have questions about the fee, contact Director of Finance Val Mertesdorf at (507) 663-0600.
Families who are required to pay a fee will be able to pay online starting August 1, 2025.
Northfield Public Schools and Benjamin Bus are committed to providing safe transportation to and from school while ensuring a sustainable financial model into the future.
The district partners with KYMN radio to produce the “Doing Good Things for Kids” podcast. During the year, Superintendent Hillmann will interview members of our school community who demonstrate high performance.
In this month's "Doing Good Things for Kids" podcast, Superintendent Hillmann talks with Bubba Sullivan, who has taught in the Northfield School District for more than 30 years, and along the way, had a hall of fame career as the Northfield Raiders' head football coach.
Each year, the Operation Backpack Committee partners with the Community Action Center to ensure that students in need have the essential supplies to start the school year strong. Here are the details:
This year’s registration opened July 10, and distribution will take place on Wednesday, August 13.
You can make a difference by donating toward the bulk purchase of backpacks and school supplies for more than 600 Northfield School District students
Visit the Community Action Center website to learn more, register, or make a donation.
The Minnesota Department of Education is working to develop statewide K-12 health standards and is seeking feedback on draft two of the Statewide Health Academic Standards. The public comment period is open until July 18, 2025.
Click here to access the survey.
The goal of health education is to provide students with learning opportunities that enhance their health, resilience, and overall wellbeing, empowering them to become health-literate individuals and active community contributors. All feedback will be reviewed by the Health Standards Committee and used to help develop Draft 3, which will be released later in 2025.
More information about the process and the statewide health standards can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education’s website. For questions, please contact MDE at mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us.
Free breakfast and lunch will be provided this summer for anyone 18 years old and younger.
Where: Greenvale Park Elementary
When: Monday-Thursday, June 16-August 14 (No meals served June 19)
Breakfast: 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Meals must be eaten on site.
- Parent/guardian supervision is required for all pre-k through grade 5 students.
