August Updates
August 4, 2020
How Does the State's Safe Learning Plan Impact MAPS?
Safety of Students and Staff is our #1 Priority:
What is In-Person Learning? This is defined as every student coming to school every day. We are not as bound to the occupancy requirements as we are in hybrid model (see below). The health and safety measures laid out in the Safe Learning Plan will be in place, and there will be very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day.
-Students and staff will wear masks and follow social distance guidelines at school
-Students will be assigned an arrival time and entry door based on their transportation plan (bus rider, walker, driven by family member)
-Students will go directly to their homeroom class upon arrival (no recess before school)
-Students will remain in their Pod (homeroom group) for the entirety of the school day
-Lunches will be delivered to classrooms
-Students will take breaks outside with their Pod only
-Student dismissal will be staggered based on their transportation plan
What is Hybrid Learning? We are working through capacity issues to determine the maximum number of students who can safely attend in person under a hybrid model that states we can operate at 50% capacity. A reminder that 50% capacity does not mean 50% of students. Instead, it means 50% of the space can be filled, per the fire marshal, while maintaining social distancing requirements.
Elementary Schools - Under the hybrid model, we are developing a plan to bring students to school 5 days a week while meeting the required 6 feet of social distancing throughout the day. This model will also result in very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day (as listed above). In this model, there’s potential for the student day to end earlier than 2:30, possibly as early as 1:30.
Middle Schools - Under the hybrid model we would be able to bring in 50% of our students. Students will be assigned to one of two groups based on the last name listed for their household in Infinite Campus. Group 1 will attend school Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday. Group 2 will attend Thursday, Friday, and every other Wednesday. This schedule may look different for some populations.
High Schools - Under the hybrid model we would be able to bring in 33% of our students. Students will be assigned to one of three groups based on the last name listed for their household in Infinite Campus. This schedule may look different for some populations.
What does Distance Learning Look Like if it's Required Schoolwide? We learned a great deal from the distance learning experience last spring. We have a better understanding of our challenges, and we will capitalize on our successes. Regardless of the scenario, distance learning will be an increasingly important part of our students' educational experience in the coming school year. One clear message shared by students, teachers, and families was the need for a common online platform used at each level. We also commit to increased collaboration between teachers and peers, a high level of engagement, and increased rigor in our online environment.
What Does Distance Learning Look Like if a Family Chooses it as an Option? Consistent with the MN Department of Education Safe Learning, Mankato Area Public Schools has a deep desire to keep our students and families connected in our school community. Therefore, every family has the option to choose distance learning if that is their preference beginning this fall. If your family chooses distance learning, your child may or may not have a teacher from your home school and may or may not be grouped with students from your home school.
Making A Choice: Be watching for a message through the Parent Portal, including the Census Verification form, that will include an opportunity to indicate which option you are going to choose for each of your children this fall. Please complete the census form and questionnaire as soon as your family is ready to make the decision. The accuracy of our plan is contingent on the results of your survey responses, and this information will be significant as we plan for the fall.
We Care: We care for the educational, emotional, and physical health of all students and take each component seriously. We are committed to providing a quality experience regardless of the challenges we face and look forward to providing more information to you next week.
The MAPS COVID 19 Preparedness Plan , shared last week in the email from Superintendent Peterson, outlines health and safety expectations ALL schools MUST follow.
- All students and staff must wear a mask - masks will be provided
- All students and staff must wash hands often
- All students and staff are expected to adhere to social distancing expectations
- All students and staff should monitor their health daily - those with symptoms should stay home
- All students and staff should follow cleaning and disinfecting protocols
What is In-Person Learning? This is defined as every student coming to school every day. We are not as bound to the occupancy requirements as we are in hybrid model (see below). The health and safety measures laid out in the Safe Learning Plan will be in place, and there will be very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day.
-Students and staff will wear masks and follow social distance guidelines at school
-Students will be assigned an arrival time and entry door based on their transportation plan (bus rider, walker, driven by family member)
-Students will go directly to their homeroom class upon arrival (no recess before school)
-Students will remain in their Pod (homeroom group) for the entirety of the school day
-Lunches will be delivered to classrooms
-Students will take breaks outside with their Pod only
-Student dismissal will be staggered based on their transportation plan
What is Hybrid Learning? We are working through capacity issues to determine the maximum number of students who can safely attend in person under a hybrid model that states we can operate at 50% capacity. A reminder that 50% capacity does not mean 50% of students. Instead, it means 50% of the space can be filled, per the fire marshal, while maintaining social distancing requirements.
Elementary Schools - Under the hybrid model, we are developing a plan to bring students to school 5 days a week while meeting the required 6 feet of social distancing throughout the day. This model will also result in very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day (as listed above). In this model, there’s potential for the student day to end earlier than 2:30, possibly as early as 1:30.
Middle Schools - Under the hybrid model we would be able to bring in 50% of our students. Students will be assigned to one of two groups based on the last name listed for their household in Infinite Campus. Group 1 will attend school Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday. Group 2 will attend Thursday, Friday, and every other Wednesday. This schedule may look different for some populations.
High Schools - Under the hybrid model we would be able to bring in 33% of our students. Students will be assigned to one of three groups based on the last name listed for their household in Infinite Campus. This schedule may look different for some populations.
What does Distance Learning Look Like if it's Required Schoolwide? We learned a great deal from the distance learning experience last spring. We have a better understanding of our challenges, and we will capitalize on our successes. Regardless of the scenario, distance learning will be an increasingly important part of our students' educational experience in the coming school year. One clear message shared by students, teachers, and families was the need for a common online platform used at each level. We also commit to increased collaboration between teachers and peers, a high level of engagement, and increased rigor in our online environment.
What Does Distance Learning Look Like if a Family Chooses it as an Option? Consistent with the MN Department of Education Safe Learning, Mankato Area Public Schools has a deep desire to keep our students and families connected in our school community. Therefore, every family has the option to choose distance learning if that is their preference beginning this fall. If your family chooses distance learning, your child may or may not have a teacher from your home school and may or may not be grouped with students from your home school.
Making A Choice: Be watching for a message through the Parent Portal, including the Census Verification form, that will include an opportunity to indicate which option you are going to choose for each of your children this fall. Please complete the census form and questionnaire as soon as your family is ready to make the decision. The accuracy of our plan is contingent on the results of your survey responses, and this information will be significant as we plan for the fall.
We Care: We care for the educational, emotional, and physical health of all students and take each component seriously. We are committed to providing a quality experience regardless of the challenges we face and look forward to providing more information to you next week.