A shift likely ahead
A message from the Superintendent
October 23, 2020
Dear Mounds View Public Schools community,
Every Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Health provides school districts with updated information about the COVID-19 case counts in their respective county. Yesterday, the case counts in Ramsey County were reported at 26.2 cases per 10,000 residents. These case counts have been rising since Labor Day.
We have been advised by our Regional Support Team that once numbers reach the level of 30 cases per 10,000 residents we need to have a plan to transition our secondary schools to distance learning. We are currently working with the Regional Support Team to determine their requirements for a learning model transition. But because case counts continue to rise, we wanted to provide families as much time as possible to prepare for this likely reality. Please keep the following details in mind:
Elementary school students will continue to participate in blended learning.
Middle school and high school students will transition to distance learning.
If case counts go up to 30 next week, distance learning could go into effect as early as the conclusion of our first quarter and begin on Monday, November 9.
Families can expect an official announcement by the end of next week.
We are seeking clarity on the status of high school activities in distance learning, and we will share those details as soon as we have more information.
We are not alone. As you may know, districts in other counties with 30 or more cases per 10,000 are also being asked to transition their secondary schools to distance learning.
I hope this notice gives families and staff the time needed to begin preparing for the changes that are likely ahead for all of us. Be assured that we will share more information as soon as it’s available. And I thank you again for your patience and partnership during this very unpredictable school year.
Sincerely,
Chris Lennox
Superintendent