Hello Laker Families! Welcome to the 26-27 school year. Below please find information that will help you get the year off to a great start. If you're new to Southwest, please know that we typically send out newsletters each Friday. At the start of the year, newsletters may come at different times depending on what you need to know. Here's looking forward to a great year!

Go Lakers!

Dr. Bennett, Southwest Principal

Please complete complete the Educational Benefits Form regardless of family income. Applications completed by our families...

• generate millions of dollars in funding for MPS and our schools, students and families.

• determine benefits for students and families like free or reduced bus cards, scholarships, and fee waivers.

The income thresholds needed to qualify for educational benefits are often higher than similar state-sponsored programs and many households are surprised to find that they DO qualify for benefits. If you wish to decline benefits, please do so on the paper application or by emailing info.cws@mpls.k12.mn.us with your student's name(s).

A notification of eligibility letter will arrive via mail or email within 10 business days of completing your application. 

Thank you! 

Beginning in Fall 2026, middle and high school cafeterias will serve a prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We recognize this is a significant change from our past practices. The decision to offer a single, individually wrapped menu option containing peanuts was made after thoughtful consideration and research on current food allergy management practices. Student safety remains a top priority and we are committed to working with students, caregivers, and school-based staff to support students with food allergies.

To ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to minimize the risk of allergic reactions and to support students with food allergies, CWS will:

• Train cafeteria staff on safe handling and food allergies.

• Update our point-of-sale allergy alert systems for all students with peanut allergies documented in their health records.

• Use clear signs and menu labels for the PB&J options.

Elementary and K-8 schools will not serve peanut or tree nut products in any meals or snacks.

Important resources: Back to school page, Special Diets page, and Culinary & Wellness Services Family Guide 

Questions: angela.richey@mpls.k12.mn.us 

Lifetouch will take school pictures for students in all grades on September 10 from 8:30-2:30 in the auditorium. Make up picture day is October 22. 

Senior Parents,

Please have your senior check with the Southwest Health Office in Room W119 (NOT the School Based Health Clinic) to make sure they have BOTH doses of the meningococcal vaccine on file. This vaccine protects against brain infection (meningitis). Minnesota state law requires 2 doses for seniors. If your senior cannot receive the vaccine due to a medical or non-medical exemption, please sign/notarize the exemption form and bring it to the Southwest Health Office in Room W119. The exemption form deadline is October 15.

 (see page 2 – English | Somali | Spanish | Hmong ). Thanks!