Fall 2020 Reopening Update

August 14, 2020

Results of Family Survey

Thank you to those of you who have completed our family survey about returning to school this fall! We have had nearly 3,500 responses, which gives us crucial information for our planning efforts. We want to share some of the results with you.

Just over 40% of families responding indicated that they intend to enroll in full-time distance learning, even if we are able to open in a blended scenario. This is double what we anticipated.
In the blended learning scenario (two days of in-person learning and three days of distance learning), 32% of you preferred to have your students at school the full-length of the class day on the in-person learning days, while 26% supported an early dismissal so teachers can support the students in distance learning. 42% had no preference or the question did not apply because they indicated a preference for full-time distance learning.
In the blended learning scenario, 48% responded that they prefer Friday to be the day that all students are engaged in asynchronous distance learning, 26% preferred Wednesday, and 26% had no preference. Asynchronous distance learning is when students work at their own pace to meet deadlines, and interactions with the teacher are through recorded video and text. This day would be reserved for teachers’ collaborative team time, professional development and distance learning preparation.
Regarding transportation, 65% responded that they intend to transport their student using their own vehicle, while 35% intend to take the school bus. This is about what we anticipated and if we open in the blended scenario, it will help to ensure that we are able to maintain reduced loads for health and safety.

Please know that the survey is not closed, and you may continue to add your responses. The link to the survey is below:

Complete the Family Distance Learning Survey - August 2020.

Important factors as we approach the start of school

We continue to monitor a number of factors as we make decisions on what school will look like this fall. Since the state announced the public health guidance for determining which educational scenario to implement (in-person learning, blended learning or distance learning), the number of COVID-19 cases in Ramsey County per 10,000 residents has increased from 16 to 22. This is concerning, as officials believe this number will continue to rise as we move into the fall and winter months.

We have been monitoring news coverage of other school systems around the country that are reopening. Cherokee County School District in Georgia was one of the first school districts in the country to reopen, and more than 1,100 students, teachers and staff members are under quarantine after 59 positive COVID-19 cases were reported. More than a dozen schools in their district are now closed under a two-week quarantine period. According to a CNN report, more than 2,000 students, teachers and school staff members across five states have been quarantined after at least 230 positive coronavirus cases were reported.

The Roseville Area Schools Board of Education meets next Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. They will hear a recommendation from the superintendent on our plan for starting school, and approve a plan that we will then communicate to families, students and staff.

Learn how to watch and participate in our school board meetings.

Updated website for information on reopening

We continue to regularly update our webpage for information on school reopening. View the site at isd623.org/reopening.

Most recently, we have added details about what full-time distance learning will look like for families who choose it, and how it differs from the crisis-response distance learning from last spring. Our improved Distance Learning 2.0 is an option for any student in Roseville Area Schools, whether or not we are able to open schools in a blended or in-person scenario.

We also have a dedicated email address so we can triage your questions and get back to you: reopening@isd623.org.

Thank you for your patience!

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1251 County Road B2 W
Roseville, MN | 55113 United States

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