Reopening Information for Staff

Upcoming School Year Information

UPDATES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE:

UPDATES FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

Elementary School Staff Distance Learning Guide

UPDATES FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL:

Middle School Staff Distance Learning Guide

Introduction
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Support Services
Other

In planning for the coming school year, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has requested school districts to plan for three different scenarios going into the 2020-2021 school year. Those three scenarios include:

Scenario 1: In-person learning for all students. Creating as much space as possible between students and teachers that is feasible during the day but is not held to strictly enforcing the 6 feet of social distancing.
Scenario 2: Return students to school buildings implementing a hybrid model. Following strict social distancing and capacity limits to 50% maximum occupancy. Social distance of at least six feet between people must always occur.
Scenario 3: Distance Learning Only

The Cass Lake-Bena 2020 School Plan is based on the MDH 2020-2021 Planning Guide for
Schools, MDE’s Guidance for Minnesota Public Schools: 2020-2021 School Year Planning and
current public health recommendations at the time this document was developed, which include:

Maintain a distance of six feet between individuals
Wear face masks or coverings
Screen for COVID-19 symptoms
Practice good hygiene protocols, including hand washing, cleaning, and disinfecting
Limit group gatherings
Plan for short-term school closures, should there be a suspect or confirmed COVID-19
case

The Cass Lake-Bena schools will follow Gov. Waltz’s July 22, 2020 Mandate that Masks are to be
worn in School.

The Cass Lake-Bena School Plan is a working plan to be updated as changes occur.

Updated August 7, 2020

Scenario 1: In-person learning for all students.

Creating as much space as possible between students and teachers that is feasible during the day but is not held to strictly enforcing the 6 feet of social distancing.

All students will return to school following the district calendar.
Students attend school, following additional safety precautions, including face coverings as mandated by state officials.
Students would attend school with normal hours and classroom settings.
Families would continue to have the option of distance learning for the academic school year.

Scenario 2: Return students to school buildings implementing a hybrid model.

Following strict social distancing and capacity limits to 50% maximum occupancy. Social distance of at least six feet between people must always occur.

All schools will follow the district calendar for scheduled school days and start and stop times.
Mondays are Distance Learning days.
Elementary, Middle and High School students will be split into two groups, A and B. Group A will be in their buildings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Group B will be in their buildings on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students report to their regular classrooms.
Middle School students report to their homerooms.
High School Students academic schedules will be scheduled according to their block schedule of A day/B day curriculum. Students will report to their homerooms daily.
Instruction will be both in-person and at home through a combination of in person, live recordings, pre-recorded instruction and paper packets.
Technology – Students in grades 4 – 12 shall receive a Chromebook. Students in grades 2-3 shall receive a Chromebook at a parent’s request. Students PreK- Grade 1 shall receive packets of instruction.
Special education students will have their IEP’s reviewed and their schedules will be tailored to the individual person.

Scenario 3: Distance Learning Only

All students are to remain out of school and will be provided education through the district Distance learning plan.

All schools will follow the district calendar for scheduled school days.
Students will receive a Distance Learning Matrix with learning activities weekly.
Teachers will be reaching out to students to review completed activities and to assist students as needed.
Technology – Students in grades 4 – 12 shall receive a Chromebook. Students in grades 2-3 shall receive a Chromebook at a parent’s request. Students PreK- Grade 1 shall receive packets of instruction.
Indian Education- programming support will be available through the district’s Indian Education program coordinator.
Academic and Career Counselling- including scholarship and post-secondary applications, is available by contacting High School Guidance Counselor
Activities/Sports - there are no Minnesota High School League activities, including practices. We encourage students to do individual activities to preserve fitness and performance levels.
No group activities will be held, and coaches are not able to provide workouts, or evaluate individual student performance level
Attendance: Students will be considered in attendance once contact has been made between the student and teacher, unless indicated otherwise by their parents. Parents may call the school between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon to report an absence. This absence will follow the same protocols as for an absence when students physically attend school.
Student learning activities shall be completed based on instructions from the teacher.
Grading: Grading for Distance Learning activities will be on a Pass/No pass basis. Students may be allowed additional time for completion of an activity on a case-by-case basis. Students who need additional time because of limited Internet access or other family responsibilities should contact their teacher for an extension.
Special Education Services Special Education Teachers will be contacting and sending a Prior Written Notice to notify parents of the Contingency Plan for Distance Learning which will go into effect on the date the district implements distance learning until the district resumes onsite instruction. A Contingency Plan for Distance Learning will be attached to the Prior Written Notice and will describe the following: Parent’s Preferred Mode of Communication, Service, Frequency of Service, and Mode of Delivery. Distance Learning Plans will be individualized per each student’s Individual Education Plan. Distance Learning may occur through a variety of means which may include but is not limited to, paper packets or worksheets, textbooks, telephone instruction, online resources, instruction via the school’s learning management system, instruction via Skype, Facetime or Zoom.
Homeless Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools is committed to ensuring that each and every one of our homeless students are being monitored and provided with an equal Updated: August 7, 2020 6 opportunity for continued learning and achieving success within our district, all within the guidelines of the McKinney- Vento Act.
Meal Plan Free meals are available for children every weekday from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The service will be a combination of a “drive-through” option located at the Cass Lake Elementary school and also meal distribution at 18 sites throughout the district

Support Services

Families can expect that throughout the school year the educational scenario is dependent on the health situation of our counties and Indian Health Service data. It is our hope that through these transitions, students and families can maintain a high level of support. Clear communication and thoughtful and organized planning from the school and families will make these transitions smoother. Support services will continue to be available for all students to include:

Homeless: Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools is committed to ensuring that each and every one of our homeless students are being monitored and provided with an equal opportunity for continued learning and achieving success within our district, all within the guidelines of the McKinney- Vento Act.
District Home/School Liaison: We also have designated Home/School Leads in each of our four (4) buildings who have the ability to support and back up the liaison in times of need.
Mental Health: If children are struggling to manage emotions during this time, contact can be made with social work staff; call the school for more information. The Cass Lake-Bena school district contracts with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe for our mental health needs. Our school counselors, administration, and LL mental health workers are available on-site in all three scenarios. District staff have developed distance learning protocol which includes, daily phone well-being checks, home visits when appropriate, and a referral network with a list of resources.
Social Emotional Learning: Under the guidance of building administration, social workers, home/school liaisons, and teacher-leaders, each building's SEL/PBIS leadership team has created a system of student support. Social workers and counselors will also be making phone calls and maintaining relationships with identified students and families to ensure that they are continually supported.

More Information

Please see the School Safety Plan for more information
Distance Learning Opt-In Form

Informational Links

Reopening PLan 2020-2021

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

MN Gov. Walz COVID Response

COVID-19 Hotline:
Questions about COVID-19?
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
School and Child Care Questions:
651-297-1304
1-800-657-3504
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Stop the Spread of Germs

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Stay home when you are sick except to get medical care
Wash your hands often with soap and water for a least 20 seconds