Monday, October 12, 2020

Modifying School in Minnetonka During a Pandemic

It's a big understatement to say that the Coronavirus pandemic has changed education. Ever since March it seems like the world of education has been turned upside down. Systems, routines and the structures we had set up pre-Covid all had to be adjusted, if not completely redone. In some cases whole new ways of doing things have been created. The past six months have been crazy busy, and it seems like each day brings new challenges to work through.

This summer, teachers, administrators, parents and students worked hard on committees and planning groups to develop seven scenarios for this fall. Each committee of about 20 or more people created plans that would bring some of our students safely back to school on various schedules as well as create an e-learning school for those who need to stay at home.  Each team worked to figure out many things, including the following:

  • how rigorous, engaging, meaningful instruction would take place with video streaming and daily teacher-student interaction,
  • how high quality immersion will be implemented as part of the option,
  • what specific cleaning precautions will be part of the option,
  • what level of social distancing measures will be part of the option,
  • how student exceptions will be addressed under the option,
  • how teacher and para exceptions will be addressed under the option,
  • how Special Education will be delivered as part of the option,
  • how 504 plans will be managed and implemented as part of the option,
  • how ELL services will be delivered as part of the option, 
  • how mental health needs will be addressed,
  • how before/after school care would work, 
  • how pre-school would be delivered,
  • how other Community Education programs would be structured and
  • many other details that were unique to each option.

In early August the seven plans were presented to our School Board which selected the following model for education in Minnetonka:

  • 100% e-Learning option for any student who wants that

  • Students and staff in grades K-3 will be in their home schools every day 

  • Students in grades 4-5 will be relocated to the high school building and will be assigned rooms throughout the school. Students in those grades from all elementary schools will be at the high school for four days per week. One day per week, Wednesday, will be virtual. 

  • Students in grades 6-8 will remain in their respective middle schools, with half of the students coming in two designated days each week and alternating with the other half of the student body for two opposite days. One day per week, Wednesday, will be virtual for all, with opportunities for individual students to access assistance and support.

  • Students in grades 9-12 will be virtual for four days per week. One day per week, Wednesday, students may come to Minnetonka High School for MAST and for some in-building classes with elements that cannot be easily done at home (such as labs, MOMENTUM, Minnetonka Research, VANTAGE and more). 

Since this decision, our staff has worked very hard to put this plan into place. As I have been out in classrooms as well as seeing what teachers are doing with students online, I am so impressed. Back in May I wrote that the pandemic was a catalyst for technology integration in education, and that still is definitely the case. In the coming months I will highlight some of the amazing ways our teachers and students are using technology to enhance teaching and learning during this crazy time. 

More on Minnetonka's Hybrid and e-Learning Plans for 2020-21

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