WHS Transition Planning Update – February 9, 2021

Dear Wayzata High School Students,

The purpose of this communication is to provide you with updated information about our current planning process to bring high school students back to full in-person learning.

While I had hoped to be able to share a specific start date, at this time we are still working through an approval process with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). We have proposed a transition plan to our MDE Regional Support Team that would allow us to return to full in-person learning for grades 9-12 and Wayzata Transition as early as March 8. However, this is contingent on what is happening with the COVID-19 virus and any changes in state guidance we may receive. We will be meeting again with our MDE Regional Support Team on February 22 and will provide an update to families at that time.

Although we do not yet have approval from the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health, as you might imagine with over 3,700 students and 400 staff at Wayzata High School, changing our learning model requires significant advanced planning. The following information will be helpful for a successful transition.

February 26 and March 1 Staff Planning Days (Tentative)

Tentatively, there will be no school for students in grades 9-12, including Wayzata Transition students, on February 26 and March 1 to provide staff time to prepare for students' full return to school. These two planning days are required by the Minnesota Department of Education and will be confirmed the week of February 22.

In-Person Learning Model Safety Protocols

In order to return to a full in-person learning model, high school students must:

Complete at-home health checks and make the responsible decision to stay home when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Wear a mask throughout the entire school day.
Maintain MDH/MDE social distancing requirements in effect for in-person learning.
Practice frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer at one of many designated locations throughout the school.

Additional safety information for in-person learning will be shared with families prior to the transition.

Families Have a Choice

As part of our planning process, we need to collect information from families who would like to select a fully distance learning option, taking effect once the transition to in-person learning occurs. This option is provided for students who are medically vulnerable or otherwise unable or uncomfortable attending in-person for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

Wayzata High School's Distance Choice learning model will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Also, students will not be guaranteed enrollment in courses that are only composed of distance students. Distance Choice students may need to remotely attend an in-person class (i.e. attending U.S. History on Zoom while other students are receiving the same instruction in the classroom with the teacher). These combined classes will utilize live, synchronous instruction for some or all of the block.

Your parent(s)/guardian(s) have been sent a separate letter with an attached Google Form to determine your selection into distance learning or to attend in-person when we are able to make the transition. Selection into distance learning is a commitment and will take effect when WHS transitions to full in-person learning. Student schedules may need to be adjusted Term 4 to accommodate the distance learning model choice. In alignment with the guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education, requests to move between learning models outside of this request process may be denied for reasons other than a documented health issue.

We greatly appreciate your patience as we have been working hard to provide the best possible learning experience, while keeping the health and well-being of our students and staff at the forefront of all we do. We will provide more information the week of February 22.

Sincerely,

Scott Gengler

Principal