From Spring Lake Park Schools
2020-2021 Plan Overview and Information Needed
Spring Lake Park Schools Families:
Our team at Spring Lake Parks Schools has taken the last few days to review new guidance, data and decision-making tools provided to us late last week in Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year. We know there are many uncertainties in all aspects of our lives right now. To help all of us in our planning, we will make a decision by August 14 for how we will start the school year in Spring Lake Park Schools in alignment with the state’s plan.
Currently, following the state’s direction to use Anoka County 14-day COVID-19 infection rate data and trend information, we anticipate beginning the school year in a Modified Campus Schedule (Hybrid) model for grades K-12. We will review this data weekly as well as a variety of other health and safety factors and make adjustments to learning models throughout the year as needed. These are dynamic times and our approach to school must be dynamic as well.
In this communication, you will find:
- An overview of our learning models for 2020-2021 and health and safety plans
- Required information we need from you this week – specifically, we need to know your choice to participate, or not, in full-time distance learning (SLP extended flexible learning) as we start the year, and what your fall transportation needs are. This information is critical to the next steps in our planning.
Learning models and health and safety plans
Throughout the summer, we’ve been planning for three models – Open Campus (in-person), Modified Campus Schedules (hybrid) and Extended Flexible Learning (distance learning).
EXTENDED FLEXIBLE LEARNING (distance learning)
School buildings are not able to open due to required health and safety mitigation strategies, or students remain remote by family choice.
Grades K-12
- Option for students at all grade levels; families commit for at least one trimester with return to in-person learning dependent on a variety of factors
- All students may flex to this model should public health conditions require it
- Real-time and on-demand learning formats with a greater emphasis on live instruction, and small group learning
MODIFIED CAMPUS SCHEDULES (hybrid)
School buildings are able to open with modifications that limit the number of people in school spaces, provide for physical distancing, follow recommended health and safety guidelines and use a combination of in-person and online teaching and learning.
Grades K-6
- Minimum of 2 days and up to 5 days a week in-person at school. Increasing the number of in-person days depends on how many families choose distance learning and family transportation needs.
- Smaller classroom groupings and physical spaces at 50% capacity or less
- Students interacting with a limited number of peers and teaching staff throughout the day
Grades 7-12
- Students will be divided into two groups; each group will come to school for in-person learning 2 days a week. Additional in-person days will be personalized to student needs
- 3 days a week of extended flexible learning (distance learning)
- To support flexibility in the time, place, and pace of learning, all courses will be built out online for 24/7 access
OPEN CAMPUS (in-person)
School buildings are able to open following health and safety guidance.
Grades K-12
- 5 days a week in-person at school following health and safety guidelines for in-person learning
Download a 1-page overview of the 2020-2021 Learning Models.
For any in-person learning, we will follow health and safety guidance provided to us by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include expectations for students and staff around face coverings, physical distancing, hand hygiene and cleaning protocols. It also includes school operations guidance such as building traffic and schedules and meal plans. See a 1-page overview of key Health and Safety Measures.
Required information from families
This week, we are asking families to commit to a few critical things for the fall.
Today, you will be receiving a brief, required survey for each student in your household. We are asking for your decisions on:
- Full-time distance learning: If you are choosing full-time distance learning for your student, you will be choosing distance learning through at least the first trimester. At that point, we will assess any requests to return to in-person learning based on building capacity, transportation, staffing and other factors.
- Transportation requirements you have for the fall
These elements are critical to helping us understand how many in-person days we will be able to offer in a modified campus schedule (hybrid) model given space and transportation constraints.
You will receive a survey link for each student in your household later today. Please complete the survey as soon as possible and no later than Saturday, August 8.
We will share more details about our learning models and begin to answer your questions in an update early next week. Please also visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Plan2020 for the latest and evolving information about the 2020-2021 school year.
Thank you for providing critical information we need for planning the best possible experiences this fall. And, thank you for your partnership as we all seek to balance learning, health and safety during this time.
Jeff Ronneberg Ed. D.
Superintendent
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