COVID-19 Information Center

On December 16, Governor Walz issued new guidance around the Minnesota Department of Education’s Safe Learning Plan. This guidance encompasses allowing elementary students to report to an in-person ‘rolling start’ learning model, with restrictions, in January. The ‘rolling start’ learning model allows for three grade levels at a time to begin in-person learning in a two week time period with two planning days to plan for this transition to full in-person learning. The following learning models will be implemented on the following dates for students in K-5:

**Elementary distance learning will continue for the students that are in that model.

• Elementary Grades K-2: In-Person (every day) Learning Model will begin on Monday, January 11.
• January 4-6 Students continue in Distance Learning Model
• January 7-8 No School/Staff Planning Days for all students/staff grades K-2 transitioning to In-Person Learning.
• January 11-15 All K-2 students will report in-person, regardless of Group A/B.
• January 18 No School, Martin Luther King Observance/Staff Development Day.
• January 19 School WILL NOW BE in session for all K-5 students regardless of learning model.
• The last early release for this group of students will be Wednesday, January 20.
• Elementary Grades 3-5: In-Person (every day) Learning Model will begin on Monday, January 25.
• January 4-20 Students continue in Distance Learning Model.
• January 18 No School, Martin Luther King Observance/Staff Development Day.
• January 19 School WILL NOW BE in session for all K-5 students regardless of learning model.
• January 21-22 No School/Staff Planning Days for all students/staff grades 3-5 transitioning to In-Person Learning.
• January 25-29 All 3-5 students will report in-person, regardless of Group A/B.
• The last early release for this group of students will be Wednesday, January 20

Secondary schools will follow the original guidelines set forth by Governor Walz this past summer which includes consulting with our Regional Support Team when making a determination to switch to a different learning model and reviewing case count data. Our goal is that the following learning models will be implemented on the following dates for students in grades 6-12. Additional communication will be sent out by the District on January 8 after additional data is collected.

• Middle and High School: Hybrid Learning will begin on Wednesday, January 20.
• January 4-15 Students continue in Distance Learning Model.
• January 18-19 No School/Staff Planning Days.
• January 20 A Group students will report in-person; B Group students report online.
• January 21-22 B Group students will report in-person; A Group students report online.
• January 25 Hybrid learning continues as previously scheduled.
• Compass Learning: Will return to the Hybrid Learning Model on January 4.

As per the Governor's Executive Order, Preschool and ECFE parents have the choice of continuing to meet in person or moving to distance learning programming.

December, 16, 2020: Updated Health and Safety Guidelines from Governor Walz

• All students, staff and other people present in school buildings and district offices or riding on school transportation vehicles are required to wear a face covering. Additionally, staff present in school buildings are required to wear a face shield as well as their face covering whenever possible during the school day.
• Elementary students will now be required to wear masks during indoor physical education classes.
• Elementary specialist classes, except Phy Ed., will operate in the students’ homeroom or outside.
• Elementary students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
• As much space should be created between people as possible during the day, recognizing that it is not always feasible to have 6 feet of social distancing during primary instructional time in the classroom.
• School staff and other adults in the building must maintain 6 feet of physical distance from students and one another whenever possible.

Families can refer to the Return to School Guide for Parents for specific information regarding our health and safety protocols, academic learning models and technology support. This is a fluid document that will be updated on a regular basis.

COVID-19 Response Plan

This information is intended to provide updates on New Prague Area Schools' response plan to the outbreak of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. The situation is evolving and information and recommendations are changing daily as new information becomes available.

Please refer to the Minnesota Department of Health School and Childcare Guidance for school and childcare specific information, and see the Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms in Schools, Youth, and Child Care Programs (in Spanish below) for additional guidance.

Please refer to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest updates regarding COVID-19.

COVID-19 School Communications and Information Centers

High School Middle School
Eagle View Falcon Ridge Raven Stream
Early Childhood and Preschool

Other Resources

Elementary Distance Learning Transition: Guide for Families
Middle School Distance Learning Transition Guide for Families
High School Distance Learning Transition Guide for Families
 Covid-19 Health Screening Tool for Students and Staff
 MDH Decision Tree in Spanish
 Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
 Talking to Children About COVID-19
Mental Health and COVID -19 Information and Resources