South Washington County Schools Elementary Grades Must Now Shift To Distance Learning From November 30

Woodbury MN

18 November, 2020

5:36 AM

Description

Press release from South Washington County Schools: November 17, 2020 Due to a surge in staff absences in key areas like transportation, nutrition services and teaching, all elementary schools must shift to distance learning beginning Nov. 30. Last week, when we announced that elementary schools would shift to distance learning on Dec. 7, we expected that we would be able to cover staff absences due to quarantines and illness. Unfortunately this weekend, the community spread overwhelmed our ability to safely staff the hybrid learning model. We anticipate staff absences to increase in the coming days. Note: Pine Hill Elementary families, please follow the guidance your principal sent you on Monday, Nov. 16. What This Means for Elementary Students (K-5) and Families: Elementary students (PreK-5) in the hybrid learning model will shift to distance learning beginning on Monday, Nov. 30. Elementary students (K-5) in the Virtual Learning Academy will remain in their class with their current teacher. Elementary teachers and staff will be provided with planning days: Hybrid learning teachers will have planning days on Nov. 20, Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 4. Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) teachers will have planning days on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4. Elementary students (K-5) in the current hybrid model will not have school on Nov. 20, Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 4. Elementary students (K-5) in the Virtual Learning Academy will not have school on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4. Devices and Materials Student group A students will bring home their mobile devices and other materials on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Student group B students will bring home their mobile devices and other materials Thursday, Nov. 19. Schools may also schedule an additional day for families to pick up other learning materials in the coming days Families Who Registered to Change Learning Models at Trimester Two Families who previously registered to switch learning models for trimester two (Nov. 30) will continue to be moved to their model of choice. Families who registered for the district learning model will switch to distance learning on Nov. 30. Families who registered for the Virtual Learning Academy will switch to the academy on Nov. 30 and will be with that teacher for the entirety of trimester two. Class Instruction Elementary teachers will provide distance learning with real-time instruction and support opportunities. Elementary students who require center-based special education services and who have previously been identified to receive additional in-person days in the hybrid model, will receive in-person instruction opportunities beginning Dec. 14. Between Nov. 30-Dec. 11, students will temporarily shift to distance learning. Elementary English learners, students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care and students who are struggling academically will be evaluated to determine if their specific needs are unable to be met through distance learning. Meals for all elementary students will be provided through curbside pick-up at designated sites. More information will be shared at a later date. What This Means for Early Childhood Programs Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) students will receive in-person instruction opportunities beginning Dec. 14. Between Nov. 30-Dec. 11, students will shift to distance learning. ECSE staff will have planning days on Nov. 20, 23-25 and Dec. 4 to accommodate any changes in staffing, student placement and transportation. On-site Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and on-site preschool classes at all locations will shift to distance learning on Nov. 30. Virtual Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and virtual preschool classes will continue as scheduled on Nov. 20. On-site and virtual Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and preschool will not be in session on Nov. 23-25 in order to plan for the transition to distance learning. Beginning immediately, early childhood screening will be conducted remotely. School Meals Families may pick up school meals through a curbside meal pick location up by following the distance learning meal schedule for the week of Nov. 30. Families can select one of two meal schedule options, twice-a-week pick-up or once-a-week pick-up. Families cannot participate in both schedules and there is no sign-up required. Schedules are subject to change. Child Care Current families registered for Essential Care will continue to receive scheduled care Nov. 20, 23-24 and Nov. 30-Dec. 4. Essential care is intended for extreme circumstances in which no parent or guardian is at home because all the parents or legal guardians in the child's household are Tier I critical workers. Any schedule changes beginning Dec. 7 will be communicated to families directly. Kids Club will offer fee-based full day child care beginning Dec. 7 for families who do not qualify for essential care. Space is limited and registration is available at ce.sowashco.org. To Be Finalized at a Later Date: Elementary school schedules will be finalized before Nov. 30. More information will soon be shared by South Washington County Schools and your child's school. Our number one goal remains to provide in-person learning opportunities for all students as safely as possible. Once staffing and COVID-19 infection rates become more stable, we will plan for the return of students and staff to the hybrid learning model. We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and Governor Walz to determine if additional adjustments are required. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate these challenges together. This press release was produced by South Washington County Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.