After determinations for procedures and guidelines by the state, districts are beginning to roll out plans for the return to school for the 2020-2021 school year. Rushford-Peterson School District has been discussing the options for months and clear, concise state recommendations were expected, but are leaving the outlook, as Superintendent Jon Thompson noted, “Clear as mud.”
School is slated to begin September 8 for R-P. The district was considering in-person learning, distance learning, and/or a hybrid of the two. A system tracking COVID-19 cases is being utilized to determine thresholds for which type of instruction districts will be required to use. Data is being collected over a two week period and released to districts each Thursday. If the number of cases per 10,000 ticks upwards and modifications need to be made, the district will have one week to make the changes.
Because R-P’s district boundaries fall within Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties, the county with the highest positive case count is the marker for the district. The last update, August 13, provided up-to-date rates for July 26 through August 1. Fillmore County had 5.74 cases, while Houston had 3.21, and Winona had 8.85. At this time, this put the district just under the 10 case threshold for in-person learning. According to Thompson, Fillmore County Public Health is expecting cases to drop slightly, before creeping upwards again.
“It’s lagging behind a bit. It dictates what you have to do, but not always what you can do,” stressed Thompson. “Numbers could go either way.” Per the last data, both elementary, middle, and high school could have been in person. With the numbers expected to rise, however, Thompson suggested having elementary in person but the middle and high school students following the hybrid model, which is the guideline for the 10-20 case range. This takes into account both the uncertainty of case number fluctuation and the ease of transitioning students from hybrid back to in person rather than the other way around. It was also noted that any family not comfortable sending their children back to school has the option to distance learn completely.
Social distancing, requirement of masks indoors, and limited contact between students as much as possible, are also part of the plan. Water fountains will be unavailable, but touchless bottle fillers are available. Restroom, cafeteria, and recess area usage will be staggered, hand washing/sanitizing stations will be set up, and hand washing procedures will be implemented within classrooms Students are asked not to arrive before 8 a.m.
Working to limit capacity in facilities to 50% or less, middle and high school students will be separated into two groups; Green and Gold. Students will alternately attend school in person and use distance learning expectations every other day. According to the plan, “Teachers will repeat the in-person lesson for each group with expectations for students to complete while at home on hybrid day. Families that chose full time distance learning, teachers will live stream in-person instruction days.” Should the district be forced to move to all distance learning, students would stay on the all day, every other day hybrid schedule.
Thus far, 13-14% of district families have offered to stay home rather than return to in-person or hybrid schooling. Neither in-person nor hybrid learning models allow for the offering of school-age child care.
The district is also continuing to work on ensuring all students have access to learning online whether through alternative procedures or additional access points. These access points will be available in the school parking near the building and the football/track complex. “In the hybrid model, school staff will support students to download the necessary learning opportunities required of students for their distance learning days,” states the plan.
Board Director Joyce Iverson spoke to a recent Q&A session organized by the Minnesota School Board Association in which boards grant approval of overall policy, but authorize district administration to modify how plans are implemented should things change rapidly between once monthly board meetings. “If there needs to be quick decisions later on, the board should authorize district staff to make those decisions,” said Iverson.
“It wouldn’t be overnight. But, if you can give me the latitude, based on numbers, we can make those changes in about a week’s time,” added Thompson.
Plans for both student dining and transportation are also being worked out. New Food Service Director Kari Blum will be working with administration on meals available for pick-up and in-school dining procedures. “We’re unsure at this time how to determine need,” stated Thompson.
In regards to transporting the students, the number of variables is making it difficult to determine numbers. Busses can run at half capacity per state guidelines. The district will be surveying all families to determine if they even want their students bussed. It was noted the district currently busses a number of students living within a mile of the school. Thompson noted Minnesota code indicates districts don’t need to pick up those within a mile, but that there are some safety concerns for walking, particularly for the younger students. Additional options for helping curb the numbers included requiring families to register for transportation and having middle and high school students walk to school. If numbers aren’t brought into an achievable number, Bernard Bus Service, the district’s provider, may need to do secondary routes, stopping to sanitize busses between first and second routes.
“It will require more time and planning. It’s kind of muddy waters again,” said Mike Bernard. “It’s my recommendation not to pick up [middle and high school], unless we have room and get to a number that works. We can manipulate the routes enough to get all the kids to school who want transportation.”
“There’s so much to sort through,” added Thompson. “We need the survey from parents. It’s one piece to solve the puzzle.” The district will continue to work with Bernard Bus Service to refine numbers.
The school board also approved a COVID-19 Facecovering Policy. The Minnesota School Board asked districts to consider a policy, but it is not required by districts. “It’s written as the law states. What’s intriguing, there are consequences, staff and students, if they break the law,” said Thompson. Administration will work with staff to mitigate the policy if there are issues. “It would give the backing of the board,” added Thompson.
“Technically, it’s not a law. A law has to go through the legislature. This is a mandate,” stressed Board Director Jeff Michel. “Also, statute 609.735 states it is illegal in Minnesota to wear a face covering in a public building. That has not been amended or appealed.”
“It’s my understanding, under emergency powers, they can put this in place. We’ll remove it as soon as the declaration is over. This is how they presented it to school districts, as a law,” responded Thompson.
“It sounds like it’s beyond our jurisdiction as a school,” added Board Director Bonnie Prinsen. The policy passed 5:1 with Michel opposed.
The full details of the plan are available on the school’s website.
The only public comment of the night came in the form of a message, which Michel shared with the board. The concern was how the district would handle either a student or teacher testing positive. “The problem is, it changes,” acknowledged Thompson. “The information from health officials offered two different models on a flow chart for student and staff exposure. We were glad to get it, but in looking at it you realize, they don’t even agree.”
Fillmore County Public Health has been assisting the district. No official determination will be put in place until county review and recommendations are complete. The district hopes to have it in place by next week.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Monday, September 21, at 5:30 p.m., in the Forum Room.
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RP adopts return to school plan - Fillmore County Journal
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