Good Morning Central Families,
I wanted to provide you with an update on the learning models as we have been back for a few weeks now and to let you know what plans are for the future. This email provides a timeline of when 6-12 grade students will return to class in-person.
What does the data say?
Let’s start with the data. As you can see from the graph below, the prevalence of COVID in the district has decreased significantly since our peak in November. We have continued a steady decline in the number of cases and that is also true in our schools. Since we came back we have had to quarantine about 80 individuals, and we have had 3 cases of COVID-19. I want to thank parents for being aware, taking the mitigation measures seriously, and taking a cautious approach when minor, typical illness appears.
Status of vaccine and testing with staff
We are fortunate to have many of our staff members in the vaccine waitlist or in process of getting the first or second dose. As of today, 54 staff have received the first dose, 23 staff are on the waitlist, and 22 are waiting for Central to receive additional allocations to be added to the waitlist. Though this is a move in a positive direction, Central was caught up in the miscommunication from MDE where we were allotted 42 vaccines, but received none as other schools did not follow the protocol. I am open about these numbers because vaccine should be considered a protective measure for staff and is a variable to consider when determining our learning model. We have also conducted two rounds of on-site saliva testing for staff. This is an every-other-week voluntary program intended to catch asymptomatic adults before they can spread it to others. All the kinks are worked out and this will continue as it is a requirement to offer the testing for elementary in-person learning.
Any changes with activities?
Activities are important to your children and us. As of today I am happy to report that all activities are up and running and have gone fairly smooth. Coaches and supervisors have created preparedness plans to keep “pods” of participants separate so if there is a positive case, we can hopefully minimize the extent of quarantines to just that group.
Do we anticipate changes to the secondary learning model?
See the table below for when your child’s grade level will be moving from “hybrid” to “in-person” learning. We will be making preparations over the next two weeks to get classrooms ready, finalize lunchroom procedures, and put the finishing touches on related plans. Why are we moving in 2 or 3 grades at a time? A “rolling start” is required by MDH. I want to make parents aware that changing learning models does change the “rules” for school. We will do our best to keep students as far apart as possible, but a 6 foot “requirement” does not apply. We will still require masks, as it is a requirement from the state and is an important first line of defense.
Date | Learning Model |
January 18, 2021 | Elementary: in-person everyday 6-12: Hybrid every other day |
March 1, 2021 | Elementary: in-person everyday 6-7-8: Move to in-person everyday 9-10: Hybrid every other day |
March 8, 2021 | Elementary: in-person everyday 6-7-8: Move to in-person everyday 11-12: Move to in-person everyday 9-10: Hybrid every other day |
March 15, 2021 | Elementary: in-person everyday 6-7-8: in-person everyday 11-12: in-person everyday 9-10: Move to in-person everyday |
****If you want to move from “distance to in-person or from in-person to distance learning” you need to contact your MS/HS office at 467-7100 (HS) or 467-7200 (MS) ASAP. Do not wait until the day prior to let us know your plans. Everyone in “hybrid” will be assumed to move to in-person learning.
“E-Learning Days” Plan in place of a “snow day”
Central will not have any more snow days for the remainder of the year. If there is inclement weather, I will be calling an “e-learning day”. Please see the table below for expectations and further information will come from the building level.
“E” Learning Day - is a school day where a school offers full access to online instruction provided by students’ individual teachers due to inclement weather. “E” Learning Days are intended to be temporary and only in case of an emergency situation where it is unsafe for students and staff to come to school. | |
K-5 | 6-12 |
Instruction
Attendance Policy
| Instruction
Attendance Policy
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Thanks for all your flexibility over the past 12 months. The data is moving in a really positive direction and it will take our collective vigilance to ensure the trend continues.
In Partnership, Tim Schochenmaier
Superintendent