Starting School Next Week and Looking Ahead

Good evening Roseville Area Schools families,
This message contains important information on a number of topics, including:
  1. School starts next week!
  2. Details about our Distance Learning Academy, an option for families who want to continue with distance learning, even after we are able to transition to a blended or in-person learning scenario. 
  3. A draft, tentative plan for transitioning from full distance learning to a blended learning scenario. This draft plan could be implemented if health and safety conditions are favorable, such as a decrease or sustained low-levels of positive COVID-19 cases in Ramsey County, and/or no unforeseen negative conditions arising as a result of reopening to a blended model.
  4. Information about the availability of free meals during the school year.
  5. FAQ: How will the district determine what learning scenario to choose?

School starts next week!


All students in grades 1-6, Parkview grades 7-8, RAMS grade 7, and grade 9 start school on Tuesday, September 8. Students in kindergarten, RAMS grade 8 and grades 10-12 start school on Wednesday, September 9. The district will open the school year in the distance-learning scenario for all grades.

Roseville Area Schools Distance Learning Academy


As we’ve shared in the past, all Roseville Area Schools families will be able to choose a full-time distance learning option for the entire 2020-2021 school year, if that is what is best for your family. That is why we’ve created the Roseville Area Schools Distance Learning Academy as our 100% distance learning option for families. 
Between September 14-18, families with students in kindergarten through grade six will be able to register for the Distance Learning Academy which will begin when we transition from distance learning to the blended learning scenario. Distance Learning Academy registration dates for grades 7-12, pre-K and ECSE will be announced in the near future.
Registering for the Distance Learning Academy will be a trimester-long commitment. At the end of the trimester, families may opt-out of the Distance Learning Academy and go back to their neighborhood school’s learning model. Families may also opt-in at the beginning of a trimester, leaving their home school for the Distance Learning Academy. After the initial enrollment period, requests to change enrollment into the Distance Learning Academy or return to the physical classroom will be dependent upon availability and not guaranteed. We cannot guarantee that the classroom teacher your child was assigned to will be available as they make the switch back to in-person or to the Distance Learning Academy. 
Students participating in the Distance Learning Academy will receive instruction and academic activities 100% online, with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students will have live sessions with teachers and online work to complete. Schools will develop staff and student schedules to fit their unique contexts for distance learning. 
Please watch for additional information next week about the Distance Learning Academy and blended learning options, so that you are able to make an informed decision when registration for the Distance Learning Academy opens from September 14-18 for students in kindergarten through grade six.

Preparing for an Eventual Transition from Distance Learning to a Blended Learning Scenario


The school board has indicated that each month they will reassess the current learning scenario for Roseville Area Schools. As you know, we will begin the school year with distance learning for all grades. When we are able to transition safely from distance to blended learning, we plan to do so in stages beginning with the early grades and students with the most significant special education needs. We have prepared a draft, tentative plan for the board to consider at its meeting on September 22.
It is important to understand that the dates outlined below are tentative dates that assume favorable conditions – such as a decrease or sustained low-levels of positive COVID-19 cases in Ramsey County, and an absence of other unforeseen negative circumstances. Of course, should conditions improve significantly and a return to fully in-person learning becomes possible, these stages could be combined or accelerated.
ECSE, pre-K, kindergarten and first grade
  • If the number of positive COVID-19 cases per 10,000 residents in Ramsey County continues to trend downward—and we do not see significant issues with the reopening of other schools in Minnesota—we could begin transitioning students in ECSE, pre-K, kindergarten and first grade into blended learning as soon as October 12.
  • For ECSE, pre-K, kindergarten and first grade, blended learning will involve learning in-person four days a week in a single cohort—Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday—following their regular class schedule and school start times. Wednesday will be an asynchronous learning day from home.
Second grade through sixth grade
  • If conditions continue to support the further loosening of restrictions, students in second and third grade could transition to blended learning on October 26 and students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade could transition on November 9. Students in grades two through six will attend school in-person two days a week in two cohorts (Cohort 1 on Monday-Tuesday, Cohort 2 on Thursday-Friday) following their regular class schedule and school start times. The other three days will be distance learning from home with asynchronous learning activities provided by their teacher. Wednesdays will be an asynchronous learning day for all students with teachers available electronically to answer questions. 
Seventh grade through grade 12
  • Students in seventh and eighth grade (both at Parkview and RAMS) and students in grades 9-12 at RAHS and FAHS could transition to blended learning on the first day of the second trimester, December 7. Students in grades seven through 12 will attend in-person two days a week in two cohorts (Cohort 1 on Monday-Tuesday, Cohort 2 on Thursday-Friday). The other three days will be distance learning from home. In-person and distance learning days will be split into A days (odd-hour classes) and B days (even-hour classes) with lengthened class periods to create an improved class experience and limit the times students are moving between classrooms. Students will receive synchronous learning four days a week. Wednesdays will be an asynchronous learning day for all students. 
Stay up to date
Please watch your email and our reopening webpage for the latest information transitioning between learning scenarios.

A Frequently Asked Question


How will the district determine what learning scenario to choose?
There are a number of factors we will consider when determining if/when it is safe to transition to blended or in-person learning, including:
  • The number of positive COVID-19 cases per 10,000 residents in Ramsey County.
  • Feedback from families, staff and students through our advisory committees, testimony to the board, and through other channels such as emails, surveys and phone calls. 
  • Consultation with local and state public health officials, and our health services staff.
  • Observations of other local and national school re-openings.
  • Our staffing capability to adequately serve students who choose Distance Learning Academy and blended learning models.
For more answers to frequently asked questions, visit the FAQ page on our reopening webpage.

Reminder - School starts with Distance Learning 2.0 in all grades

This document outlines our plans for the start of the school year, including how Distance Learning 2.0 will differ from the crisis-response distance learning students and families experienced in the spring. The school board will revisit this decision monthly, including at its September 22 meeting.
For more information, visit isd623.org/reopening.
Esta semana el comite de la escuela aprobo el plan de comenzar el ano escolar 2020-2021 con el aprendizaje a distancia para todos los grados. Puede encontrar detalles en su correo electronico o en nuestra pagina web sobre como  el aprendizaje a distancia sera significativamente mejorado con respecto a lo que hemos podido proveer en la primavera. 

Nuestro comite escolar volvera a visitar esta decision mensualmente una vez que comiencen las clases, y continuara preparandose para cuando sea seguro transicionar a asisitr a la escuela de modo hibrido, en el cual algunos estudiantes podran asisitir en persona. Para mas informacion sobre los planes del aprendizaje en linea visite isd623.org/reopening.
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