The South Washington County Schools (SoWash-Co) Incident Command Team met on Friday, Nov. 6 to review the latest numbers related to COVID-19 in our schools and community.

After receiving input and reviewing the data, Superintendent Julie Nielsen will continue with the plan to shift grades 6-12 to distance learning on Nov. 16. Due to the increased community spread of COVID-19 and staffing shortages, the team is urging elementary families and staff to prepare for the potential of moving to distance learning. At this time, elementary schools will remain in the hybrid learning model.

The latest numbers from the state’s formula for Washington County shows a 58.54 case rate. This number includes cases from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights which does not affect schools. As a result, Washington County Public Health has recalculated the data by removing prison case rates to show a community rate of 39.03.

The state’s recommendation for case rates between 30 and 50 includes hybrid learning for elementary (K-5) and distance learning for secondary (6-12). Though positive cases in schools remain low, there has been a substantial increase since last week.

In addition to the county COVID-19 infection rates, there are multiple factors reviewed to determine if a learning model should change, including: Staff and student absence/ illness rates including absences for COVID-like symptoms, COVID-related symptoms or quarantines, and all other absences.

Staffing availability and the ability to cover absences with substitute teachers Success in the current learning model Finding solutions to planning challenges before shifting to another learning model The team also shared concerns about activities outside of school that may be contributing to the community spread, the growing need for hospital beds, the trend in county infection rates and staffing shortages at all levels. SoWashCo is committed to keeping its youngest learners in school as long and as safely as possible.

Staff, students and families play an important role in helping our schools stay open for in-person learning opportunities. With cases increasing, it is important to closely follow health and safety protocols including not gathering in large groups.

The Incident Command Team is scheduled to meet again on Friday, Nov. 13.

Distance Learning Model Secondary teachers who currently divide their time between both learning models will now teach one group of students in distance learning with real-time instruction and support opportunities. The distance learning model is one of three models that South Washington County Schools created over the summer following state guidance and feedback from families.

What is Real-time Instruction?

Real-time instruction means students and teachers are online, at the same time, with a set class schedule that is often taught through live video conferencing All students are expected to participate on a daily basis at the time scheduled Students who are unable to participate at the assigned time should contact their school to report the absence Real-time instruction will be a part of each class for 30 minutes or more An additional 30 minutes may be dedicated to small group instruction or for students who are struggling with the lessons What’s New? Students and teachers will shift to a more traditional Monday through Friday schedule Flexible instruction days are being replaced with a regular instruction day Schedules Students in both the hybrid learning model and the Virtual Learning Academy will shift to a different schedule that includes a structured schedule Middle School – Distance Learning Periods 1, 2, and 3 run for the first half of the trimester.

Periods 4, 5 and 6 run for the second half of the trimester.