Learning Model Update

In District News / November 19, 2020

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

ISD 31 Families:

ELEMENTARY and PRE-K LEARNING MODEL UPDATE

Since we started school in September, our school staff and students have done a wonderful job of following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). As a result, we have been able to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our schools.

During the course of the school year, we have been utilizing multiple data points to evaluate our learning models and whether or not to continue in the current learning model or change to an alternative learning model. We have been tracking these data points regularly and sharing them at school board meetings. We have reviewed the data with the NW Minnesota COVID Regional Response Team, Beltrami County Public Health and Sanford Health on numerous occasions and have been told that what we are doing in our schools is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Since the number of Pre-K and elementary-age students in the county who are contracting COVID-19 is extremely low and our elementary schools remain safe places to learn and work, the District has continued to use a learning model that allows elementary students to attend school in person. However, in anticipation of warnings that colder weather and the holiday season could result in an increased number of COVID-19 cases, the district began making preparations for a possible switch to the Distance Learning model for all elementary students.

However, COVID-19 case numbers have begun trending downward and transmission has not been occurring within our elementary schools. As a result, ISD 31 has made the determination that we will remain in the In-Person (face-to-face) model and will NOT be moving into Distance Learning for Pre-K and elementary schools at this time.

All Pre-K and elementary schools will remain open and Pre-K and elementary students will attend classes in-person on December 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd. The scheduled winter break begins on December 24, 2020, and students will return to their schools after the holiday break on Monday, January 4^th, 2021 for continued In-Person learning.

Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do to partner with Bemidji Area Schools to provide the best and safest education possible for our students and staff during this very challenging time.