Grades 6-12 Scheduled To Return To The In-Person Learning Model On March 18 In South Washington County School

Woodbury MN

26 February, 2021

5:42 AM

Description

Press release from South Washington County Schools: January 25, 2021 "Based on new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), we are happy to share that students in grades 6-12 currently in the hybrid learning model, will return to in-person learning beginning Thursday, March 18. Students who are in the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) for trimester three will remain in VLA. Students will attend school four days a week (typically Monday through Thursday). Students will then learn at home on a flexible instruction day (typically on Fridays except March 19). The shortened school day and school week allows teachers to divide their time between in-person instruction and the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) – a state requirement for students who cannot attend school in-person. In-person Weekly Schedule View the weekly schedule for middle and high school students for in-person learning and flexible instruction days at sowashco.org/inperson. Middle school students will attend school 8 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. four days a week. High school students will attend school 8:25 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. four days a week. View the latest calendar updates for the in-person learning model at sowascho.org/calendar. What this Means for Middle and High School Students and Families Middle and high school students in grades 6-12 will return to the in-person learning model on Thursday, March 18. Students who are in the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) for trimester three will remain in VLA. Families should have a plan in case their child's classroom or school must transition back to distance learning due to potential COVID-19 exposures. When possible, a substitute teacher will be hired to cover teacher absences. New and Required Safety Procedures It is recommended that families and students get a COVID-19 test every two weeks by finding a testing site through the Minnesota Department of Health. Students must keep three feet of physical distance from each other throughout the school day. Student seating will be documented in the cafeteria daily. Some students may be assigned to a classroom for meals. Schools will create as much space as possible between students and student groups/classes. The 14-day quarantine period will remain in place. If staff or students had close contact with an infected person, the Minnesota Department of Health may direct us to keep them out of school for a minimum of 14 days. Face masks are required at all times including during indoor physical activity. When possible, many of our staff may be wearing face masks and face shields together. Student support programs such as special education, English learners and counseling may continue to pull students from their primary classrooms in order to provide essential support services with social distancing as much as possible. Clear barriers may be supplied for specific educational settings to divide students from teachers whenever possible. Any sick student who is sent to school, or is determined to be sick during the school day, will immediately be sent home. Families should call their child's school attendance line to report an absence. New Calendar and Schedule Updates For the latest calendar updates for all grade levels, visit sowashco.org/calendar. March 1: Grades 9-10 return to the hybrid learning model as previously announced March 15: No School (Grades PreK-12) as previously scheduled: Teacher workshop day March 16-17: No School (Grades 6-12): State-required staff planning day (No school for Virtual Learning Academy students in grades 6-12) March 18: Students in grades 6-12 return to in-person learning at school four days a week Students will learn at home on flexible instruction days that are typically on Fridays except March 19 Thank You We will continue to monitor our county COVID-19 case rates and the latest guidance from public health officials to determine any changes to our learning models. We will take a targeted approach to keep students in school. This means if a classroom is exposed to someone who is infected with COVID-19, the class would shift to distance learning for the 14-day quarantine period and the school would remain in session as usual. We ask that families be prepared for the possibility that their child's class could move to distance learning at any time. Thank you for your patience and support." Sincerely, Julie Nielsen Superintendent This press release was produced by South Washington County Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.