January 8, 2021
Central Public Schools Families,
I am writing to update you on our transition plans for all grades P-12. On 12.22.20, I wrote to you and indicated students in grades P-5 would return in person on January 18 and students in grades 6-12 would remain in distance learning. Earlier this week the CPS administrative team met with our Regional Support Team and I am happy to announce some changes:
On January 18, all grades will resume the same learning model they were in prior to our shift to distance learning.
Grades P-5 will resume in-person learning on January 18
Grades 6-12 will resume hybrid learning on January 18
We adjusted our school calendar in December so please again note that Jan. 15, Feb. 5, and Feb. 26 are non-student days
Governor Walz announced a significant change in the state guidance for operating elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The updated MN Safe Learning plan prioritizes returning our youngest students to the classroom. Since I last wrote you, there have been some revisions to this plan. I would characterize them as less restrictive and we will follow the 12.24.20 guidelines.
What are the steps to take if your child is ill?
Our county and district data is showing a continued downward trend. To help keep this trend going I would like to remind everyone of our procedures:
If your child is experiencing any of the “major symptoms” or two of the “minor symptoms” on the MDH Decision Making Tree, keep your child home and contact your school health office to talk it through with Lorri or Meagan.
If anyone is experiencing symptoms and is in the process of getting a COVID test, keep everyone home until you receive the results. (Note this does not include routine tests for people who work in healthcare, nursing homes, or if your job requires periodic testing regardless of symptoms)
When in doubt, contact the health office and we can help you.
What is the latest on youth sports and activities?
The MN State High School League (MSHSL) has resumed practices as of 1.4.21 and competition will resume on 1.14.21. This includes all activities and we will follow the guidelines required by the MSHSL because our kids need to be in FFA, robotics, basketball, wrestling, speech and anything else that is their spark.
There will be some spectator limitations and our participants will be wearing masks, but we will have them back in their element. We are currently working with the conference for continuity purposes and will send updates in a timely manner.
If you have any questions regarding youth activities please contact Julie Kuenzel in the community education office or Ron Erpenbach, the activities director, for questions about 6-12 grade activities.
Have a plan, have a back-up
The parents at Central Public Schools have been beyond flexible. I can not express enough how much that means to the staff and I. Because of the quarantining requirements, I anticipate at some point an entire class at the elementary level or a group of students at the secondary is going to have to quarantine for two weeks. I have zero wiggle room on this. Please don’t get caught off guard if this happens to your family. Continue to make arrangements and plans.
I am happy to report that our elementary chromebooks arrived over winter break. The technology department is configuring them now and all elementary students will receive a new device when they return the week of January 18!
Thank you for your ongoing support Central. I know this is hard on us all. Please stay healthy and safe, and know that our district is doing everything we can to be ready to transition back to in-person learning for all in 2021.
In Partnership,
Tim Schochenmaier Superintendent