Looking Ahead — No Change Yet but Shift Possible Since our last communication regarding the possibility of making a transition to different learning models, the number of positive COVID-19 case counts have been rising across the state and country. Further, Hennepin County and our local city numbers have been on the rise in recent weeks as well. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides school districts with updated information about COVID-19 case counts by county every Thursday. On October 29, the Hennepin County number was 28.88 cases per 10,000 residents.
As a reminder, the learning model parameters are defined in the state's Safe Learning Plan for 2020-21 and are as follows:
In addition to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and MDH, we work closely with a Regional Support Team coordinated by our educational cooperative service unit (Metro ECSU). This team includes a team coordinator, an epidemiologist and other MDH staff. The parameters noted above were established by MDH to help school districts determine their learning models for starting the school year. Following the selection of an initial learning model to start the school year, schools and MDH monitor the county, community and school-level impact of COVID-19 on a regular basis and make adjustments to the learning model if/when necessary.
Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, county and our local cities, it is important for us to be prepared for a possible transition to more distance learning for our secondary schools. At this time, no decisions have been made to switch to full distance learning at the middle or high school levels.
If county case counts go beyond 30, distance learning could go into effect for secondary students. While we hope to remain in our hybrid learning models at the secondary level as long as we can, we wanted to provide families with some notice that a change to a more restrictive learning model is a possibility at some point in the coming weeks given this upward movement and these ever-changing circumstances.
Below are a few additional thoughts.
We are not alone in this complex decision-making and comprehensive set of circumstances being considered. Some school districts in Hennepin and other Minnesota counties with 30 or more cases per 10,000 residents have already made the decision to change to a more restrictive distance learning model at their secondary schools and/or are in the process of making/refining their plans for a possible transition to a more restrictive learning model.
In addition to the impact of COVID-19 cases, more staff and students will likely become ill during the coming winter months with colds and other illnesses that have similar symptoms to COVID-19. Due to the uncertainty of diagnosing these illnesses, it is likely that more staff and students may need to stay home and/or quarantine until they can be assured it is safe for them to return. As a result, the following variables are also being considered regarding the most appropriate learning models in addition to the COVID-19 county case data:
Thank you again for your patience and partnership during this very challenging and unpredictable school year. We want to continue to be thoughtful, methodical and measured in our approach to considering any possible changes to our learning models. At the same time, we need to be ready and responsive to the current and anticipated conditions to ensure we can provide a learning model that best meets our students' academic needs and health and safety needs for students and staff.
Again, no decisions have been made to switch to full distance learning at the middle or high school levels at this time. We hope this notice gives families and staff the time needed to begin thinking about and preparing for the changes that may lie ahead for all of us. Be assured that we will share more information as soon as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Chace B. Anderson Superintendent |