At a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 20, the Faribault Public Schools board voted to approve the district follow the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation to require indoor masking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under these new guidelines, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 22, face coverings will be required for all students (5 and older) and staff in schools and district buildings until the Rice County COVID-19 case rate falls to below 50 cases per 100,000 residents. The current Rice County case rate is 261.

The following face coverings are acceptable: paper or disposable masks, cloth face mask, scarf, neck gaiter, bandana, religious face covering, and medical-grade masks and respirators.

Those requesting a religious or medical exemption can contact your building administrator.

The CDC’s masking recommendation is supported by Rice County Public Health and Mayo Clinic. Additionally, nearly 70 local doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants have endorsed indoor masking as a way to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to reviewing information provided by public health experts, the board also monitored situations in other school districts without masking requirements where outbreaks forced large numbers of students to go into quarantine. By following the CDC’s masking recommendation, the board hopes Faribault Public Schools can avoid any disruptions to learning, and keep students and staff safe, healthy, and in the classroom.

On Aug. 12 and 16, the Faribault Public Schools Incident Command Committee met to establish protocols for what health and safety measures the district would implement to address the COVID 19 pandemic to start the school year. Those protocols were approved by the school board on Aug. 23.

This document outlines additional protocols that address when the district would implement mandatory masking at the classroom/grade/building/district levels. It also provides more details on the types of face coverings that are acceptable to use, how positive cases will be handled among staff, and mask requirements for visitors. These protocols were approved by the ICC team on Tuesday, Aug. 31 and will go into effect Friday, Sept. 3.

Our ICC team continues to meet regularly to review data, consult with public health officials, and lead the district’s response to the evolving public health situation.

 

Face coverings for adults

For staff, visitors and volunteers, the CDC transmission matrix will be referred to for determining when masks are recommended or required based on the Rice County seven-day case rate per 100,000 residents.

Transmission Matrix (level per 100,000 residents)

Low spread: 0-9.99, face coverings recommended indoors

Moderate spread: 10-49.99, face coverings recommended indoors

Substantial spread: 50-99.99, face coverings required indoors

High spread (100+), face coverings required indoors

The Rice County case rate as of Aug. 31 was 162.75, which means masks will be required for everyone age 21 or older within our district buildings beginning Friday, Sept. 3.

Changes from recommended to required (or vise versa) will be made after case rates remain at the higher (or lower) level for at least seven consecutive days.

Adults attending indoor athletic events or a class, or entering as a visitor or volunteer will need to abide by the same rules as the adults in the buildings they are entering. Signage and masks will be made available at each event entrance.

 

Elementary Students (early childhood to grade 5)

Individual classrooms at the early childhoods and elementary level will be required to wear face coverings if one or more students test positive for COVID 19. If an individual is found to have COVID 19, students in the classroom and their teacher are considered close contacts and will be required to wear face coverings until 10 days have passed from the last date of a positive COVID 19 test. It is recommended that individuals seek a COVID 19 test three to five days after possible exposure. The Early Childhood Coordinator and elementary school principals can, in collaboration with the superintendent, decide to require masks in their buildings based on the number of classrooms required to mask.

Middle School Students (grades 6-8)

After contact tracing, any middle school student or adult that has been exposed to a person with Covid 19 and is considered a close contact, will be required to wear a mask for 10 days.

Middle school students will be required to wear face coverings if the incidence of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) rises above 5 percent. ILI is defined as fever or abrupt onset with more than one of the following symptoms: chills, headache, sore throat, nausea, cough, other respiratory complaints, COVID 19 positive test and/or a throat culture that identifies the presence of influenza A virus. ILI is measured once every seven days and is based on reports of illness with the above symptoms to the middle school attendance line or middle school nurse.

Changes from recommended to required (or vise versa) will be made after ILI rates remain at the higher (or lower) level for at least seven consecutive days. It is recommended that individuals seek a COVID 19 test three to five days after possible exposure.

High School Students (grades 9-12)

After contact tracing, any high school student or adult that has been exposed to a person with Covid 19 and is considered a close contact, will be required to wear a mask for 10 days.

High school students will be required to wear face coverings if the incidence of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) rises above 5 percent. ILI Influenza like illness is defined as fever or abrupt onset with more than one of the following symptoms: chills, headache, sore throat, nausea, cough, other respiratory complaints, COVID 19 positive test and/or a throat culture that identifies the presence of influenza A virus. ILI is measured once every seven days and is based on reports of illness with the above symptoms to the high school attendance line or high school nurse.

Changes from recommended to required (or vise versa) will be made after ILI rates remain at the higher (or lower) level for at least seven consecutive days. It is recommended that individuals seek a COVID 19 test three to five days after possible exposure.

 

School Buses

Face coverings are REQUIRED to be worn by all staff and students riding in school buses and other vehicles as part of instructional programming (e.g. to and from school, field trips, educational outings), and co-curricular activities (e.g. after-school sports and other activities, high school athletics, etc) per the CDC’s federal order.

The following face coverings are acceptable: paper or disposable mask, cloth face mask, scarf, neck gaiter, bandana, religious face covering, and medical-grade masks and respirators.

 

FPS Staff Information

Staff who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home (isolate) until all three of the following are true: it’s been 10 days from symptom onset or date of test, and their symptoms have improved, and they have had no fever for 24 hours. Faribault Public Schools is required to report all positive COVID-19 cases to the Minnesota Department of Health. Staff and families should self-report to the school if they or their student has tested positive for COVID-19.

If you’ve been knowingly exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual (identified as a close contact), it’s recommended that you seek testing 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask.

 

Dear Faribault Public Schools community,

I want to start by thanking you for your patience and commending you for your perseverance over the last 17 months as we’ve navigated this unprecedented pandemic. We’ve made tremendous progress toward getting COVID-19 under control, which is why we will be able to begin the 2021-22 school year with full-time in-person learning.

Unfortunately, due to the delta variant, cases have surged in Minnesota and Rice County over the last month. Mayo Clinic projects this variant will cause cases to nearly double across the state as we approach the end of August. Upon review of this information and after two meetings with public health officials over the last week, our COVID-19 Incident Command team voted to support these COVID-19 Safety Protocols. In the protocol document, we strongly recommend that all students and staff wear face coverings to start the 2021-22 school year.

Our school board will be asked to approve these safety measures at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 23.

These protocols will allow our students to be back in school every day, working with teachers, socializing with friends and participating in extracurricular activities. For these opportunities to continue, our students, families, and entire community will have to exercise discretion and make responsible choices that don’t negatively impact personal and public health.

The fact that things aren’t all the way “back to normal” is disappointing and frustrating for everyone, but I feel that increased health precautions are necessary as we face a virus that despite mitigation efforts has taken over 615,000 lives in our country, including those of over 7,800 Minnesotans. Implementing these safety measures will decrease the chances of the virus spreading within our schools and allow us to significantly reduce disruptions to our students’ in-person learning.

Our district leadership and Incident Command team will continue to meet regularly to review case data and meet with public health officials. This will allow us to quickly respond to the evolving public health situation and make informed decisions that prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff.

The best way to support health and safety and put the pandemic behind us is vaccination for those 12 and older. There is a lot of misinformation circulating about the COVID-19 vaccines. Here is some reliable information courtesy of the Mayo Clinic. The district will continue to provide information on local vaccination opportunities for our students and staff.

If you are not comfortable sending your child to school, consider enrolling in our new Falcons Online Academy. We have hired teachers who will focus solely on our virtual learners, act as mentors, coaches and facilitators, and connect with students through engaging online curriculum and regular check-ins. We’ve also hired additional social workers at each school to help you navigate the issues the pandemic has brought into your child’s personal and academic life. These services, along with in-person academic support, EL and other services, are also available for our online learners.

You can learn more about Falcons Online Academy on our website or by calling 507-333-6000.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Faribault Public Schools. In the face of the numerous challenges presented by this pandemic, we continue to be guided by our mission statement as we provide a high-quality and equitable education, and empower our students to engage and grow as learners and citizens. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

 

These protocols will be reviewed by the school board on Aug. 23. They are subject to change based on the evolving public health situation. Families will be immediately notified of changes to COVID-19 protocols. Statewide and/or federal protocols may supersede certain district protocols.

Vaccination

Vaccination for those 12 and older is the best tool we have to fight COVID-19. All three of the available vaccines are safe, free and highly effective. The vaccines have gone through the same safety steps and studies as the other vaccines our children routinely get. While a fully vaccinated person may be able to pass the disease to others, the health experts we’ve consulted with tell us a vaccinated person is much less likely to become infected, and if they do, their illness is less likely to be severe.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are strongly recommended for all Faribault Public Schools students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, when inside district buildings. Masks are still required when riding the school bus.

Physical Distancing

Staff will take reasonable steps to provide spacing between students whenever possible.

Self-screening

Students and staff are expected to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily before coming to school. Those experiencing any symptoms should follow the COVID-19 Decision Tree to determine if they should attend school.

Cleaning and Hygiene

Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms and common areas will continue. Healthy hygiene behaviors, such as regular hand washing, are strongly recommended.

Handling suspected or confirmed cases

The district health and safety manager will report cases of COVID-19 to the Minnesota Department of Health. Staff and families should self-report to the school if they or their student have symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or recently had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

Isolation

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves by staying home from school until all three of the following are true: 1. They are asymptomatic, 2. It has been 10 days since they first felt sick or tested positive, and 3. They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using fever-reducing medicine.

Students or staff with a member of their household who tested positive for COVID-19 should follow the COVID-19 Decision Tree to determine if the individual needs to quarantine. Students displaying at least one common symptom or two less common symptoms should also follow the COVID-19 Decision Tree. Families should contact their school nurse if they have any questions.

Families will be notified of close-contact exposure to someone who tests positive for COVID-19. However, quarantine for close contact with someone at school who tested positive for COVID-19 is no longer required. The Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control recommend that all close contacts, vaccinated and unvaccinated, get tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after exposure.

Visitors and volunteers

Visitors and volunteers are welcome. All volunteers are required to provide proof of vaccination.

The following changes were approved by the Faribault Public Schools COVID-19 Incident Command team on June 8 and will go into effect beginning Thursday, June 10:

• Masks will no longer be required in schools and other district buildings, but will be strongly recommended for unvaccinated individuals.

• 10-day isolation will still be required for positive COVID-19 cases.

• Close contacts with a positive case will not be required to quarantine, but will be notified by email.

These changes comply with all policies and guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health. Our Incident Command team will continue to meet to evaluate our district’s health and safety policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We ask that students participating in summer programming continue to stay home if experiencing symptoms and notify their school if they test positive for COVID-19.

Faribault Public Schools

​Faribault Public Schools community,

I want to provide clarity for some of the confusion surrounding the latest mask guidance from the state and what it means for our schools.

While Governor Walz did announce the end of the state mask mandate on May 13, Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan, along with the existing face covering guidance for schools and child care settings, remain in effect. Through the end of the 2020-21 school year (last teacher contact day), masks must continue to be worn by everyone inside school buildings or on a school bus.

The CDC has not yet provided clear guidance for school settings, but has stated that they expect to update guidance for children in school and summer camps soon. Additionally, our youngest Minnesotans remain ineligible for vaccines and eligibility for 12- to 15-year-olds was announced last week.

Graduations and other end-of-year celebrations should continue to follow the Stay Safe - Entertainment Venue guidance.

In order to maintain a healthy learning environment, It’s important that we continue to be diligent in following Minnesota Department of Education guidelines through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Thank you for your help!

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

Faribault Public Schools is partnering with Rice County Public Health to offer a free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination clinic for anyone age 16 and older from 2:30-6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at the Faribault High School north gym (enter at Door 3).

FHS and ALC students must be pre registered and have parent/guardian consent or a parent present to receive their vaccination.

Rice County Public Health will return on Tuesday, June 1 to administer second doses.

This event is optional for all students age 16 and older. If you have questions please call 507-332-6111.

Click on the link below to preregister.

https://www.co.rice.mn.us/528/COVID-19-VACCINE-INFORMATION

Vaccinations for anyone age 16 and older are also available at the following locations.

Allina Clinics: https://www.allinahealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccines

Hyvee Pharmacy: https://www.hy-vee.com/my-pharmacy/covid-vaccine-consent

Northfield Hospital and Clinics: https://www.northfieldhospital.org/covid-19-vaccine

Northfield Urgent Care: https://www.northfieldurgentcare.com/

 

Faribault Public Schools community,

Beginning next Monday, May 3, close contacts who are experiencing no COVID-19 symptoms will be eligible to return to in-person learning and activities after a 10-day quarantine period.

The decision to decrease the quarantine length from 14 days to 10 is based on conversations with our Incident Command team and the advice of our school health staff. With this change, our district is still operating within the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health.

The shorter quarantine period will also apply for students who are already in close-contact quarantine. These students will be contacted by the health office nurse with an adjusted return date.

Students opting for a 10-day quarantine will be responsible for monitoring their symptoms through Day 14. Students who experience any one COVID-19 symptom during Days 11-14 should notify their school health office. The 10-day quarantine is not an option if there is a COVID-19 positive case in your household.

If you have any questions, please contact your building administrator.

Sincerely,

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

Recently families have been purchasing and submitting results from at-home rapid COVID tests from Walmart. Faribault Public Schools cannot accept this type of COVID-19 test because there is no way to confirm identification of the individual who took the test. Additionally, these tests are not molecular tests, meaning they are not as accurate in identifying COVID infections.

As an alternative, families should consider visiting CompCare Urgent Care (in Faribault and Owatonna) if they're interested in a rapid test. If families prefer to complete an "at-home" test, they can order a FREE kit from VAULT labs at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/.

The Faribault Public Schools Incident Command team met virtually Wednesday, March 24.

 

In attendance: Incident Command team members, including teachers, support staff, a school board member, building administrators, the superintendent, and public health officials

 

Lyndsey Reece from Rice County Public Health provided the following updates:

 

• The Rice County case rate per 10,000 people has risen to 26.21 as of March 24.

• The government recently purchased 100 million additional doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine for potential distribution to those ages 12-18 this fall.

• Rice County will soon offer educational opportunities regarding the vaccine.

• FPS staff who are 15 days beyond their completed COVID-19 vaccination and asymptomatic will not have to quarantine due to case exposure.

• Additional MDH guidance regarding activities will come out soon.

 

Next meeting: Wednesday, April 7

• At Governor Walz’s direction, MDE is removing yet another barrier to testing: the UPS drop box. While some kids live down the street from a drop box, it’s quite a haul for others. Students will now be able to send their Vault-at-Home tests back to the lab through their schools.
  How this works:

  • Students or families order tests through the Vault-at-Home program (remember tests are no costs to Minnesota residents).

  • Students complete their test at home.

  • Students seal their sample tube and place it in the biohazard bag. The biohazard bag then gets sealed in the shipping bag that came with the test. The shipping label sticker is attached to the bag.

  • Students bring their sealed shipping bag with the shipping label to school on your designated onsite testing day. Please communicate clearly with all students and families as to the day of your onsite testing programs.

• To help students comply with MDH’s bi-weekly testing guidance and use at-home tests as a screening tool:

  • Students will need to have a Vault-at-Home kit on hand at home to complete and bring to school on staff testing day.

  • Once students receive notice that their sample is being processed at the lab, they can order another Vault-at-Home kit for the next screening day.

Faribault Public Schools community,

On Monday, March 1, our district’s COVID-19 Incident Command team unanimously approved the return of our middle school and high school students to an in-person learning model. Beginning Monday, March 29, our students in Grades 6-12 will return to in-person learning four days a week, with Wednesdays serving as a distance learning day (this return date was approved by 87.3 percent of the Incident Command team). The ALC will move to in-person learning Monday through Thursday starting March 29, with Fridays as a student outreach day. We will make this transition while following the latest guidelines outlined by the Minnesota Safe Learning plan.

A March 29 start date gives the majority of our staff the chance to receive their second vaccination shots before increasing their in-person instructional time. It will also allow us to monitor and respond to any potential spike in case numbers due to spring break travel.

Thursday, March 25, and Friday, March 26, will serve as pivot days for Grades 6-12 staff to prepare for in-person learning. There will be no school for students in Grades 6-12 on those days.

Our elementary school schedule will remain the same, with four days of in-person learning per week and Wednesdays as a distance learning day.

Transition timeline for students in Grades 6-12 to begin in-person learning

March 15-19, Spring Break

Wednesday, March 24, Last day of AA/BB Hybrid (distance learning day)

Thursday, March 25, Pivot day for 6-12 staff (No school for 6-12 students)

Friday, March 26, Pivot day for 6-12 staff (No school for 6-12 students)

Monday, March 29, first day of in-person learning for Grades 6-12

In making the decision to transition secondary students to in-person learning, the district Incident Command team consulted with Rice County Public Health and reviewed internal, local, county and state health data. Among the data presented Monday by our district health and safety manager were a rate of students experiencing COVID-like symptoms of about one-half of one percent, and zero active cases among staff over the last two weeks, the longest case-free stretch we’ve had since the pandemic began.

We will continue to require masks for students and staff, practice at least 3-foot social distancing, institute our enhanced cleaning measures, and operate on adjusted schedules that limit interactions between groups of students. Changes to these protocols would require a county case rate of under 10 per 10,000 residents. Quarantine protocols will remain in place, which means anyone who sits within six feet for 15 minutes or more of a person who tests positive would be considered a close contact and would have to quarantine.

We expect all students and staff to continue to self-screen before coming to school and to stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Your administrator will share more building-specific information with you soon.

Per the Minnesota Safe Learning plan, secondary families will have the opportunity to enroll in full-time distance learning if they would prefer a remote learning option for the remainder of the school year. School leaders are encouraging students to come back to school in-person.

We are very excited to take this next step toward a return to normalcy. Thank you again to the staff, students and families who have continued to face the challenges presented by this pandemic head-on over the last 12 months. Our school community has gotten through this by sticking together and supporting each other, and we will be that much stronger once we’ve put this pandemic behind us.

Please help us maintain a safe and healthy learning environment by remaining vigilant and following health and safety guidelines.

Sincerely,

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

Dear Faribault Public Schools,

Governor Walz recently announced that, within the state’s new Safe Learning Plan guidelines, districts should begin to bring students back into schools for at least some in-person learning by March 8. Our district’s COVID-19 Incident Command team met Monday, Feb. 22, to begin work on our district’s plan to safely transition to in-person learning for our secondary students. The team will meet again this Monday, March 1, to finalize the plans. After that meeting, I will provide you with more details on the transition.

We are excited to be able to move in this direction as a school community. Additionally, we are grateful for the sacrifices made by community members to mitigate the spread of the virus, and to the students, staff and families who have met the many challenges posed by the pandemic to keep education going over the last year.

When we transition, our middle school and high school will shift from AA/BB Hybrid to in-person learning four days a week. Wednesdays will continue to serve as a distance learning day. Per the Minnesota Safe Learning plan, secondary families will have the opportunity to enroll in full-time distance learning if they would prefer a remote learning option for the remainder of the school year. School leaders are encouraging students to come back to school in-person.

Elementary schools will continue operating on the same four-day in-person schedule, with Wednesdays as a distance learning day.

We will continue to require masks for students and staff, practice at least 3-foot social distancing, institute our enhanced cleaning measures, and operate on adjusted schedules that limit interactions between groups of students. Changes to these protocols would require a county case rate of under 10 per 10,000 residents.

All transition plans are subject to change pending any executive orders handed down by Governor Walz.

As the governor said last week, the best learning happens in classrooms when students can work directly with their teachers and their peers. It’s been great to see those bonds strengthening in the elementary schools over the last few weeks as we’ve welcomed students and staff back into the buildings four days a week. We are equally excited to transition our secondary students back to in-person learning. This has been a challenging year, but with health and safety measures in place, case numbers dropping, and more and more of our school staff receiving vaccinations in the coming weeks, there are plenty of reasons for optimism!

Sincerely,

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

Dear families,

The State of Minnesota has announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

This system is a proactive way for all Minnesotans to indicate their interest in receiving a vaccine, so that when they become eligible, they can be alerted and connected to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Below is some information about the Vaccine Connector that you may find helpful.

 

 

Should I complete the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector form?

All Minnesotans who would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should fill out the form to ensure they stay updated on vaccination opportunities in their area when they become available.

 

 

Who can get vaccinated now?

Demand for vaccine far exceeds supply, and Minnesotans are encouraged to remain patient as more vaccine arrives in the weeks and months ahead. Minnesota is continuing to distribute vaccines using a phased approach to immunize for impact by focusing on populations with the highest risk of getting COVID-19, as well as those most at risk of severe illness and complications if they become infected.

In Minnesota, you are eligible now to get vaccinated if you are a:

· Minnesotan age 65 or older

· Health care worker

· Long-term care resident or staff member

· Prekindergarten through Adult Basic and Community Education school staff member, or contracted school staff member

· Child care staff member at a licensed and certified child care center or program

How do I sign up?

· Signing up for the Vaccine Connector is easy, safe and secure.

· All Minnesotans 18 years of age and older should sign up, no matter their current vaccine eligibility status.

· There will be no cost and no restricted time period for signing up.

· Health insurance and personal identification forms are not required for signing up.

· Go to mn.gov/vaccineconnector to sign up.

· Minnesotans unable to sign up online can have family or friends help them sign up online, or call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone.

· Translation is available by phone in all languages. Minnesotans can call the translation hotlines at 833-431-2053 and 651-318-0989 for assistance signing up over the phone.

· All Minnesotans have to do to sign up is provide basic information such as contact information, demographic data, medical history, and employment to determine their eligibility based on state guidelines.

· The State of Minnesota is committed to the equitable distribution of safe and effective vaccines for protection against COVID-19 and the Vaccine Connector form has included questions about gender identity, sexual orientation, race, cultural identification, and disabilities to help us track and measure equity and fairness throughout the vaccine distribution process. These questions do have the option to select “prefer not to answer” or “none of the above,” and selecting these answers will not prevent you from signing up for the Vaccine Connector.

 

 

What happens after I fill out the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector form?

As more vaccine becomes available, the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector will send you updates about your COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota.

In the months ahead as vaccine supply increases, the Vaccine Connector will help Minnesotans know where vaccine is in the state, find out when they are eligible to get it, and connect them to a vaccine opportunity near them — no matter where they live or their personal circumstances. Before and after you are vaccinated, it’s important to continue to take simple steps to slow the spread of illness by wearing a mask, staying 6 feet away from others, washing your hands, and staying home whenever possible

For more information, please visit https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/

The Vaccine Connector is open to all Minnesotans. Please feel free to share this information with your family, friends and others who may be interested.

Thank you,

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

 

Dear Faribault Public Schools community,

 

As we resume the 2020-21 school year in our distance learning model, I want to provide an update on our plan to safely welcome students and staff back into our buildings. On Tuesday, Jan. 5, we held the latest meeting of our district’s COVID-19 Incident Command team. I’m pleased to report that we are still on track to bring students back into our schools on Jan. 19.

 

In accordance with guidance we’ve received from the Minnesota Department of Education, we plan to bring our PreK through Grade 2 students back to school four days per week beginning Jan. 19, with Wednesdays serving as distance learning days. Students in Grades 3-5 will resume in-person learning two weeks later on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and also participate in distance learning on Wednesdays.

 

Our plan calls for students in Grades 6 through 12 to return to our buildings Jan. 19 under the AA/BB hybrid model. Group A students will attend on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Group B students on Thursdays and Fridays.

 

For the Area Learning Center, Group A students will attend on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Group B students on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Friday will be the distance learning day for the ALC.

 

Full-time distance learning remains an option for all students. Our Wednesday seven-day meal pack distribution at Faribault High School will continue after hybrid learning resumes. Free childcare will still be provided for Tier One workers Wednesdays at Roosevelt Elementary (K-12) and McKinley Early Childhood Center (PreK).

 

We will use the next few days to ensure we’re in compliance with all the new safety guidelines being given to us by the Minnesota Department of Health. In addition to wearing masks, all staff will be provided with face shields. We will continue to implement previous changes to our operations that limit interactions between classrooms and sharing of supplies. Students will still be required to wear masks at all times. The primary difference this time is that the MDH has reduced the social distancing requirement for elementary students from six feet to three feet. Quarantine periods of seven days for staff and 14 days for students are required for anyone who travels outside the state.

 

There is light at the end of this long tunnel. We don’t have all the details yet, but in the coming months educators are expected to be among the next wave of people vaccinated, after health care workers and high-risk individuals. Additionally, our district Health and Safety Manager and Rice County Public Health representative reported some positive data at Tuesday’s meeting:

 

• Since the November-December spike, the county 14-day case rate has dropped off from over 200 cases per 10,000 residents to about 75. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s time to let up. It’s imperative that everyone continues to wear masks, social distance and wash hands regularly so we can keep that number trending downward.

• Of the approximately 500 current cases in Rice County, only 9 percent are among those ages 5 to 18.

• According to self-reported data and the data provided to us by the MDH, we only have one active case among our students and staff.

 

We will continue to provide you with updates as information becomes available. All our current plans are subject to change based on the decisions of the Incident Command team, which regularly reviews data and consults with public health officials.

 

I want to once again say how incredibly grateful I am to all of you - our students, families and staff - for your hard work and the dedication you’ve shown over the last 10 months. You have faced the challenges presented by this unprecedented pandemic and come together to keep education in our community going. I’m confident that our school district will come out of this stronger and more united than ever before. We are Faribault.

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

English - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JLRX383

We have developed this survey to gather feedback from you and your children regarding distance learning. The 10-question survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Results will be reviewed, shared and acted on districtwide. The survey will be open through Friday, January 8, 2021.

 

Thank you so much for your support of Faribault Public Schools. We care very much about you and your family!

 

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

 

Spanish - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZW9Z8VL

Esta encuesta, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZW9Z8VL, ha sido desarrollada para tomar opiniones de usted y sus hijos en relación con el aprendizaje a distancia. La encuesta de 10 preguntas debe tomar entre 5-10 minutos para completar. Los resultados de esta encuesta se revisarán, compartirán y se tomará acción en todo el distrito. La encuesta estará abierta hasta el viernes 8 de enero del 2021.

 

Muchas gracias por su apoyo a las Escuelas Públicas de Faribault. ¡Nos preocupamos mucho por usted y su familia!

Todd Sesker

 

Somali - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RXHHLM

Sahankan, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7RXHHLM, waxaa loo sameeyay si loo soo ururiyo fikradihiin idinka iyo carruurtaada ee ku saabsan wax barashada online ka. Su'aalaha waxay ka kooban yihiin 10 su'aalood. Waxay kugu qaadan doontaa 5-10 daqiiqo si loo dhammaystiro. fikradahaan waxaa la aruurin donaa ilaa iyo bisha Janaayo 8, 2021.

 

Aad baad ugu mahadsan tihiin taageerada aad u fidiseen Dugsiyada Dadweynaha ee Faribault. Waxaan idiin rajaynaynaa khayr adiga iyo qoyskaaga!

 

Todd Sesker

Faribault Public Schools Community,

 

I want to start by once again thanking you for your patience, support and dedication to the students of Faribault this year. I hope over winter break you are all able to recharge your batteries, spend less time in front of a screen and more time bonding with your families and those close to you. There is much to celebrate as we put 2020 behind us, including vaccines that are already starting to be distributed. I encourage everyone to celebrate safely by continuing to follow COVID-19 health and safety measures. Our ability to return all students to in-person learning still depends on our collective efforts to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

 

Last week, Governor Walz announced updated guidelines within the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan that our district will follow as we transition our youngest learners back to in-person learning. I want to review some of the key components of the plan so everyone is on the same page as we begin 2021.

 

The Minnesota Safe Learning Plan states that districts can return elementary students to hybrid or in-person learning as early as Monday, Jan. 18 with comprehensive health and safety measures in place. Students can be brought back three grade levels at a time, with at least two weeks between each group. The updated plan strongly recommends providing three feet of social distancing for students and six feet for staff. In addition to all students being required to wear masks, all staff will be required to wear face masks and face shields at all times. Also, lunches and other specialist lessons will be held in the classroom to limit interactions between groups.

 

The plan also allows for winter activities to resume in-person practices on Monday, Jan. 4.

 

Our plan calls for all students to resume school on Jan. 4 in the distance learning model. Our PreK through second graders will return to in-person learning on Jan. 19 and our students in Grades 3 through 5 will return to in-person learning on Feb. 2.

 

Students in Grades 6 through 12 will resume learning in the AA/BB hybrid model on Jan. 19. We are working hard to ensure all health measures are in place district-wide by this date so we can ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff.

 

Families who have been distance learning all year and want to transition to in-person learning, as well as families who want to continue distance learning beyond the transition to in-person learning, should notify your building administrator as soon as possible.

 

Our FPS timeline for reopening was unanimously approved by our COVID-19 Incident Command Center team, which is comprised of district staff, administrators, and public health officials. The team will continue to meet regularly and evaluate a variety of factors to determine changes to our learning models. We will continue to provide you with regular updates.

 

I’m very proud of the way our students and staff have responded to the adversity you have faced this year. I wish you all a safe and healthy winter break and a happy new year!

 

 

 

Todd Sesker

Superintendent, Faribault Public Schools

 

Dear Faribault Public Schools community,

Last week, Governor Walz signed an executive order outlining steps we should take to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the state. In the executive order, he strongly recommended that Minnesotans who travel out of the state complete a 14-day self-quarantine and limit their interactions to members of their immediate household.

Faribault Public Schools will adopt this policy until further notice. You can view the entire executive order here: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/EO%2020-99%20Final%20%28003%29_tcm1055-454294.pdf

Thank you for your commitment to keeping our students and staff safe and healthy.

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd Sesker

Superintendent

Dear Faribault Public Schools families,

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we’ve navigated the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last two months, your willingness to adapt and embrace our new safety protocols allowed students to return to school and begin to build valuable in-person relationships with our staff.

Unfortunately, since you last heard from me on Saturday, public health data has continued to worsen, and we have seen an increase in positive cases and COVID-like symptoms among our students and staff. Because of this, we will shift all students to distance learning beginning next Thursday, Nov. 19. The final day of in-person learning will be Friday, Nov. 13. There will be no school Monday, Nov. 16 or Tuesday, Nov. 17, as we will use those as pivot days for staff to plan for the transition to distance learning. Next Wednesday, Nov. 18, will operate as it did under the previous hybrid model.

At this time, the distance learning period is planned to go through the end of winter break. Based on guidance from Rice County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Education’s direction, all high school and middle school athletics and activities will be suspended beginning Nov. 19.

Our district Incident Command Center team made these decisions after consultation with Rice County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health Regional Support Team. The ICC team, which includes health officials, administrators, teachers, paras, secretaries, and school nurses, considered the following data:

• We currently have 11 confirmed positive cases among Faribault Public Schools students and staff. We have had 40 confirmed cases since the start of the school year.

• There were 334 new cases in Rice County from Nov. 2 through Nov. 8. The latest preliminary Rice County two-week case rate per 10,000 residents is 77.39 and expected to rise in the coming days.

• We’ve faced increased staff shortages in November due to more staff absent because of illness and/or in quarantine, and fewer available substitute teachers.

• The MDH is predicting a continued increase in cases in Rice County and the state in the coming weeks as people spend more time indoors.

Our goal is for students to return to in-person or hybrid learning after winter break. Our ICC team will continue to track several data points, including the county case rate, additional cases reported among our school population, and other local conditions, to determine when it’s safe for in-person learning to resume.

 

Food service

We are committed to ensuring all children in the district receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch. To that end, we have designed two options for meal service to support the needs of our students. As we pivot next week, there will be no daily meal service available on Monday (Nov. 16) or Tuesday (Nov. 17). The following food service options will begin on Wednesday (Nov. 18):

• Daily: Jefferson Elementary will serve hot lunches accompanied by a cold breakfast from Door 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, during distance learning days.

• Weekly: Faribault High School will serve 7-day meal packs from 1-6 p.m. Wednesdays from Door 9 (next to the weight room). The 7-day meal pack contains both a breakfast and lunch meal. Instructions for preparing and storing these meals are provided in the pack.

Please contact the Food Service office at 507-333-6773 with any questions you may have.

 

Child care

The district will offer child care for Tier I essential workers during distance learning beginning next Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Roosevelt Elementary. There will be a fee for any time before or after regular school hours. Care during school hours will be free to eligible Tier I families. To qualify, both parents need to be considered Tier I essential works and be scheduled to work during regular school hours. Additional information will be provided soon about registration for this program. Non-Tier I families that want care will be charged the regular Kids World fee and placed on a waiting list.

 

Special services

The district will prioritize providing in-person instruction and services to students with disabilities whose individualized education program calls for intensive services that cannot be provided in a distance learning model. Our resource rooms will continue with in-person learning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. We will contact eligible families who may receive in-person services during distance learning.

 

McKinley Early Childhood Center

Early Childhood programs and services will move to a hybrid model with PreKindergarten classes shifting to distance learning on Wednesdays, starting on Nov. 18. Prekindergarten classes will continue to meet in person Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, will be pivot days for McKinley staff, so there will be no classes delivered those two days. All other early childhood programs and services will continue.

 

Important Days to Know

Friday, Nov. 13: Last day of current learning models (in-person hybrid K-5, A-B hybrid 6-12)

Monday, Nov. 16: No school; Pivot day for staff to prepare for distance learning

Tuesday, Nov. 17: No school; Pivot day for staff to prepare for distance learning

Wednesday, Nov. 18: School day under previous hybrid schedule

Thursday, Nov. 19: All students begin under new distance learning model

 

Going back to March 2020, this pandemic has disrupted many aspects of our lives, but it’s made an especially large impact on education. We have made, and will continue to make, plenty of adjustments, but the good news is we’re ready. Our staff has had time to prepare for another round of distance learning and students have gained valuable experience with online learning platforms and other tools like video conferencing.

Over the next few days, you will receive additional building-specific information from your school administrator, as well as a document outlining student and parent expectations for distance learning.

In the meantime, we ask that you continue to practice social distancing and wear your mask when you’re in public to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The faster we can contain the virus, the sooner we will be able to safely return to school. Once again, thank you for your support, patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

 

Todd Sesker

Superintendent, Faribault Public Schools

Our first seven-day food pick-up was an overwhelming success as we were able to provide 350 seven-day meal packs for students in the district. We want to thank everyone for your understanding as we strive to meet the needs of the community and support our families. Our seven-day meal pick-up will resume next Wednesday, Nov. 4, with a robust support system in place, in the form of additional staffing and food supplies. Seven-day meal packs will be available from 1-3 p.m. at Faribault High School and 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary. This program is free for all people age 18 and under.

Daily meal pick-ups are still available from 9:30-10 a.m. at FHS and 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary.

If you have questions, contact food service director Brenda Boehm at 507-333-6773.

Seven-day meal packs are available for pick-up Wednesdays at Faribault High School and Jefferson Elementary. Each seven-day meal pack includes items for seven breakfasts, seven lunches and additional ingredients needed to make a healthy meal. All meals are pork-free.

This program is FREE for all kids age 18 and under. Kids don’t need to be present to pick up the meals - just tell us how many people you need to feed and we will load your vehicle.

Pick-up at Faribault High School is from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Door 9. Pick-up at Jefferson Elementary is from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

This is funded by the USDA through an extension of the summer food service program.

If you have questions, contact food services director Brenda Boehm at 507-333-6773.

 

Paquetes de comida para siete días, están disponibles los miércoles

Los paquetes de comida para siete días están disponibles para recogerse los miércoles en la escuela de Faribault High y en la escuela Primaria de Jefferson. Cada paquete de comida para siete días incluye productos para siete desayunos, siete almuerzos e ingredientes adicionales necesarios para preparar una comida saludable. Las comidas no contienen puerco.

Este programa es GRATUITO para todos los niños menores de 18 años. Los niños no necesitan estar presentes para recoger la comida, solo díganos para cuántas personas necesita y las pondremos en su vehículo.

La recogida en la escuela de Faribault High es de 1 a 4 pm los miércoles en la puerta # 9. La recogida en la escuela de la Primaria de Jefferson es de 4: 30-5: 30 pm

Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con la directora de servicios de alimentos Brenda Boehm al 507-333- 6773.

 

Waxaa la idiin diyaariyay cuntooyin aad qaadataan Arbaco kasta

Arbaco kasta waxaa la idiin diyaarin doonaa cuntooyin oo aad ka qaadan kartaan iskuulada Faribault High School iyo Jefferson Elementary. Baakad kasta oo toddobo maalmood ah waxaa ku jira waxyaabo toddobada quraac ah, toddobo qado iyo waxyaabo dheeri ah oo loo baahan yahay in lagu sameeyo cunto caafimaad leh. Cunnooyinka oo dhami waa bilaa hilib doofaar.

Barnaamijkani waa BILAASH dhammaan carruurta da'doodu tahay 18 ama ka yar. Caruurtu uma baahna inay goobjoog ahaadaan si ay u soo qaataan cuntooyinka - kaliya noo sheeg inta qof ee aad u baahan tahay inaad quudiso waxaanan rari doonaa gaarigaaga.

Soo qaadista Faribault High School waa saacadaha 1-4 galabnimo Arbacada albaabka 9. Soo qaadista Dugsiga Hoose ee Jefferson wuxuu ka bilaabmayaa 4: 30-5: 30 pm

Haddii aad su'aalo qabtid, la xiriir agaasimaha adeegyada cuntada Brenda Boehm 507-333- 6773.

Dear Faribault Public Schools families,

 

I want to provide you with an update on our response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases

in Rice County and in our school district. As you can see on our Falcon Dashboard, we now

have confirmed cases in five of our schools.

Our COVID-19 Incident Command Team met on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Upon review of our current

building operations and consultation on the current case data with Rice County Public Health,

we determined that our district will move to a four-day week for our kindergarten through

fifth-grade students. Beginning on Wednesday, October 28, there will be no in-person

learning on Wednesdays.

Wednesdays will become a day for teachers to connect with students online and work on plans

to move to a distance learning model. Our principals have drafted plans for a pivot to an A/B

hybrid schedule (two in-person days per week) or to full-time distance learning, should either

become necessary. Your school will provide you with more details about what Wednesdays will

look like for you and your child.

We believe this change to our elementary schedule prioritizes staff and student safety while also

putting us in the best possible position to successfully pivot to a more restrictive learning model.

In the meantime, we ask that you continue to consult your self-screening checklist on a daily

basis, wear your mask and social distance to help us maintain a case rate that will allow us to

safely engage in in-person learning.

 

Child Care Information

If you are a Tier One employee who has their child(ren) enrolled in FPS, you have the option to

sign up for free child care during school hours (8 a.m.- 3 p.m.) on Wednesdays. Child care,

called Kids World, will be located at Roosevelt Elementary. If you need care before or after

school, our normal Kids World rates apply.

School-age care guidance and frequently asked questions:

https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/district/covid-preparedness

Preschool will continue to be offered on Wednesdays and onsite at Jefferson, McKinley, and

Roosevelt. If you have a preschool child currently attending Kids World, they will continue to

receive child care at their regular preschool site.

 

Wednesday Care for Elementary Students

Before School (6:30am-8am) $5.50 - applicable to all parents

School Day Care (8am-3pm) FREE for students of Tier One Workers, $17.50 for non-FPS students of Tier One Workers

After School until 4:30pm $5.50 - applicable to all parents

After School until 6pm $10.25 - applicable to all parents

 

If you are interested in signing up your child(ren) for Tier One child care, please visit our Eleyo

website and register your child under Wednesday Care for Elementary Students. If you do

not already have an Eleyo account, you will need to create one.

 

Eleyo website: https://faribault.ce.eleyo.com/child-care/1/kids-world

 

The deadline to register is Friday, October 23. Any registrations after October 23, will be

handled on a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions, please contact Kids World

Coordinator Tiffany Reuvers at treuvers@faribault.k12.mn.us or 507-333-6804.

Please note: The school-age care for children of critical workers is intended for extreme

circumstances in which no parent or guardian is at home, due to employment as a critical

worker. If it is a two-parent household and one is not a critical worker, a school is not required to

provide free school-age care to the family, but the school could choose to provide the care, if

they have the capacity to do so while ensuring health and safety requirements can still be met.

 

Distance Learning Support

Our Family Literacy Specialists will provide technology and See Saw support training from 5:30-

6:30 p.m. October 27 and 28 at Jefferson Elementary. Dinner will be offered starting at 4:30

p.m. Please bring your child’s I-pad to the event. Contact Abdi Abdullahi (507-333-6018) or

Melody Suite (507-333-6023) if you are interested.

Thank you for all you are doing to support your child’s education during these challenging

times.

 

Sincerely,

Superintendent Todd Sesker

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced a new grant opportunity called the COVID-19 K-12 Distance Learning Support Grant. This is a one-time grant for $3,000 to help offset certain new expenses related to distance learning.

Eligible applicants must be able to demonstrate meeting all the requirements below.

1. Have a child who is enrolled in the State of Minnesota in:

a. Grades K-8 or;

b. Grades 9-12 with an IEP (Individual Education Plan), Section 504 Plans are not eligible.

2. The child must attend a school that has implemented distance learning or a hybrid program or have newly enrolled (school year 2020-2021) in private school or homeschool option as an alternative to the implementation of distance learning or hybrid program.

3. Provide evidence that your family has been negatively financially impacted as defined by one of the following scenarios:

a. A parent had to reduce or eliminate work in order to accommodate the implementation of distance learning or hybrid program for the child.

b. The child was newly enrolled in a daycare setting or similar business in order to accommodate their parent’s employment and to facilitate the school district’s distance learning or hybrid program for their child.

c. The parent has newly employed a tutor, nanny, non-parental adult family member, or other similar arrangement to coach, mentor, and implement distance learning or hybrid program for their child. An Equal Opportunity Employer This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529

d. Newly enrolled in homeschool or a private school but was previously (2019-2020 school year) enrolled in a public school district.

Note: Incurring “normal school expenses” such as school lunch costs, school supplies, etc. does not constitute a “negative financial impact” for the purposes of this grant. If you have any questions regarding the Distance Learning Support Grant please contact your County Veterans Service Officer or LinkVet at 1-888-Link-Vet.

Grant Overview

Application

Dear Parents, Students, Community, and Staff,

Thank you for all the hard work you are doing to help maintain safe and healthy learning environments in our schools. As case rates have shown, wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently does have a positive impact on the health of our students, staff and community as a whole.

As we shared in last week’s district case update, we have had multiple positive cases in our district. In an effort to provide the community with up-to-date information on the case data within our school district, we have created a dashboard dedicated to tracking positive cases in our schools. To view this dashboard, go to faribault.k12.mn.us and click Falcon Dashboard.

We understand that the health of our nearly 4,000 students and staff is closely tied to the overall health of our community. We will continue to be as transparent as possible in sharing district case information while also maintaining the privacy of our students and staff.

Again, thank you for adhering to our health and safety protocols. The education of our students and the health of our community depend on how we respond to this pandemic. Let’s get through this together.

Sincerely,

Todd Sesker

Superintendent Faribault Public Schools

 

Spanish

7/10/2020

Estimados padres, estudiantes, comunidad y personal:

Gracias por todo el arduo trabajo que están haciendo para ayudar a mantener un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y saludable en nuestras escuelas. Como han demostrado las tasas de casos, el uso de mascarillas, el distanciamiento social y la frecuencia de lavado de manos ha tenido un impacto positivo en la salud de nuestros estudiantes, el personal y la comunidad en general.

La semana pasada les compartimos las actualizaciones de los múltiples casos positivos que hemos tenido en nuestro distrito. En un esfuerzo por brindar a la comunidad información actualizada sobre los datos de casos dentro de nuestro distrito escolar, hemos creado un tablero dedicado a rastrear casos positivos en nuestras escuelas. Para ver este tablero, vaya a faribault.k12.mn.us y haga clic en Falcon Dashboard.

Entendemos que la salud de nuestros casi 4,000 estudiantes y personal está estrechamente relacionada con la salud general de nuestra comunidad. Continuaremos siendo lo más transparentes posible al compartir la información de casos en el distrito y al mismo tiempo mantendremos la privacidad de nuestros estudiantes y personal.

Nuevamente, gracias por adherirse a nuestros protocolos de salud y seguridad. La educación de nuestros estudiantes y la salud de nuestra comunidad dependen de cómo respondamos a esta pandemia. Superemos esto juntos.

Atentamente,

Todd Sesker

Superintendente Escuelas Públicas de Faribault

 

Somali

10/7/2020

Waalidiinta sharafta leh, Ardayda, Bulshada, iyo Shaqaalaha,

Waad ku mahadsan tihiin dhammaan shaqada adag ee aad qabanaysaan si ay gacan uga geysato ilaalinta bey'ada waxbarasho iyo caafimaad ee dugsiyadeenna. Sida heerarka kiisku muujiyeen, af daboolka, kala fogaanshaha bulshada, iyo dhaqashada gacmahaaga had iyo jeer waxay saameyn togan ku leedahay caafimaadka ardayda, shaqaalaha iyo bulshada guud ahaan.

Sidii aan ula wadaagnay cusboonaysiinta kiiska degmada usbuucii la soo dhaafay, waxaan ku soo aragnay kiisas badan oo ka jira degmadeena. Anaga oo dadaal ugu jirna in aan bulshada u siino macluumaadka ugu dambeeya ee ku saabsan xogta kiisaska ka jira degmadeena dugsi, waxaan abuurnay shaashad u heellan sidii loola socon lahaa kiisaska wanaagsan ee ka jira dugsiyadeenna. Si aad u aragto muraayadahan, u gudub faribault.k12.mn.us oo dhagsii Falcon Dashboard.

Waxaan fahamsanahay in caafimaadka ku dhowaad 4,000 ardaydeena iyo shaqaalaheena ay si dhow uguxiran yihiin caafimaadka guud ee bulshada. Waxaan sii wadi doonaa inaan u ahaano sida ugu hufan intii suurtogalka ah wadaagida macluumaadka kiisaska degmada annagoo ilaalinayna asturnaanta ardaydeena iyo shaqaalaheena.

Mar labaad, waad ku mahadsan tahay sidaad ugu hoggaansantay hab-maamuuskeenna caafimaad iyo badbaado. Waxbarashada ardaydeena iyo caafimaadka bulshadeena waxay kuxirantahay sida aan uga jawaabno aafadan. Aan ka gudubno tan.

daacadnimo

Todd Sesker

Kormeeraha Guud ee Dugsiyada Dadweynaha Faribault

​Dear Faribault Public Schools community,

As we finish up the fourth week of the 2020-21 school year, I want to provide you with an update on COVID-19 case data within our schools and in Rice County.

Since school began on Tuesday, Sept. 8, we have identified two positive cases within our district. All students and staff who may have been exposed were contacted by the district health and safety department and placed in quarantine for 14 days, and all building students and staff were notified, as outlined in our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. County and state officials investigated and traced the cases.

The latest Rice County case data shows 11.56 cases per 10,000 residents. That number has stayed between 9 and 20 since late June. For districts in that range, the Minnesota Department of Health continues to recommend in-person elementary learning and hybrid secondary learning. Our families, students, educators, custodial staff, and building administrators deserve a lot of credit for implementing and following health and safety procedures that negated any spike in cases upon the reopening of our schools.

We have no immediate plans to modify our learning models. Even so, our principals and site teams are creating plans for how we would pivot, should there be a significant increase or decrease in local case data. Our COVID-19 Incident Command Team, Rice County Public Health and our regional support team will determine any changes to our learning model.

We know we have to remain vigilant. We must continue to regularly wash our hands, wear our masks, social distance as much as possible, and stay home if anyone in our household has symptoms, so we can avoid any potential outbreaks within our schools.

We will continue to provide you with regular updates of our school district and county COVID-19 case data. You can review our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, self-screening checklist and other information on our website at faribault.k12.mn.us.

Thanks for all you are doing.

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

Spanish

Estimada comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Faribault:

Al finalizar la cuarta semana del año escolar 2020-21, quiero brindarles una actualización sobre los datos de casos de COVID-19 en nuestras escuelas y en el condado de Rice.

Desde que comenzaron las clases el martes 8 de septiembre, hemos identificado dos casos positivos dentro de nuestro distrito. Todos los estudiantes y el personal que pudieron haber estado expuestos fueron contactados por el departamento de salud y seguridad del distrito y puestos en cuarentena durante 14 días, y todos los estudiantes y el personal del plantel fueron notificados, como se describe en nuestro Plan de preparación para COVID-19. Funcionarios estatales y del condado investigaron y rastrearon los casos.

Los últimos datos de casos del condado de Rice muestran 11.56 casos por cada 10,000 residentes. Ese número se ha mantenido entre el 9 y el 20 desde finales de junio. Para los distritos en ese rango, el Departamento de Salud de Minnesota continúa recomendando el aprendizaje en persona y el aprendizaje secundario híbrido. Nuestras familias, estudiantes, educadores, personal de conserjes y administradores de edificios merecen todo el crédito por implementar y seguir los procedimientos de salud y seguridad que anulan cualquier aumento en los casos tras la reapertura de nuestras escuelas.

No tenemos planes inmediatos para modificar nuestros modelos de aprendizaje. Aun así, nuestros directores y equipos de sitio están creando planes sobre cómo pivotaríamos, en caso de que hubiera un aumento o disminución significativa en los datos de casos locales. Nuestro Equipo de Comando de Incidentes COVID-19, Salud Pública del Condado de Rice y nuestro equipo de apoyo regional determinarán cualquier cambio en nuestro modelo de aprendizaje.

Sabemos que tenemos que permanecer alerta. Debemos continuar lavándonos las manos con regularidad, usar nuestra mascarilla, la distancia social tanto como sea posible y quedarnos en casa si alguien en nuestro hogar tiene síntomas, para evitar posibles brotes dentro de nuestras escuelas.

Continuaremos brindándole actualizaciones periódicamente de los datos de casos de COVID-19 de nuestro distrito escolar y del condado. Puede revisar nuestro Plan de preparación para COVID-19, la lista de verificación de autoevaluación y otra información en nuestro sitio web en faribault.k12.mn.us.

Gracias por todo lo que están haciendo.

 

Superintendente Todd Sesker

 

Somali

Bulshada iyo Dadweynaha Dugsiyada ee Faribault,

Waxaa sii dhamaanayo usbuuca afraad ee sanad dugsiyeedka 2020-21, waxaan rabaa inaan ku siiyo warbixin ku saabsan xogta kiisaska COVID-19 ee ka dhex jira dugsiyadeenna iyo Gobolka Rice.

Tan iyo markii dugsigu la bilaabay Talaadada, Sebtember 8, waxaan ogaanay laba kiis oo oo ka jira degmadeena. Dhammaan ardayda iyo shaqaalaha laga yaabo in la qaadsiiyay xanuunka waxaa la soo xiriiray waaxda caafimaadka iyo badbaadada degmada waxaana lagu karantiilay karantiil muddo 14 maalmood ah, dhammaan ardayda dhismaha iyo shaqaalahana waa la ogeysiiyey, sida ku cad qorshaheenna diyaarinta COVID-19. Saraakiisha gobolka ayaa baaray oo dabagal ku sameeyay kiisaska.

Xogtii ugu dambeysay ee Kiiska Degmada Rice waxay muujineysaa 11.56 xaaladood 10,000kii deggane. Tiradaasi waxay taagneyd inta udhaxeysa 9 ilaa 20 tan iyo dhamaadkii bishii Juun. Degmooyinka ku jira intaas, Waaxda Caafimaadka ee Minnesota waxay sii waddaa inay kula talinayso shaqsi ahaan waxbarashada aasaasiga ah iyo waxbarashada dugsiga sare ee isku dhafan. Qoysaskeena, ardaydayada, barayaasha, shaqaalaha haynta, iyo maamulayaasha dhismaha waxay mudan yihiin amaan badan si loo hirgaliyo loona raaco habraacyada caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ee diidaya kororka kiisaska marka dib loo furo iskuulkeena.

Ma lihin qorshe deg deg ah oo aan wax kaga beddeleyno qaababkeena waxbarasho. Xitaa sidaas oo ay tahay, maamuleyaasheenna iyo kooxaha goobtayagu waxay abuurayaan qorshooyin sida aan udub dhexaad ugu noqon lahayn, haddii ay si weyn kor ugu kacdo ama u yaraato xogta kiisaska maxalliga ah. Kooxdayada Taliska Dhacdada ee COVID-19, Caafimaadka Bulshada ee Degmada Rice iyo kooxdayada taageerada gobolka waxay go'aamin doonaan wixii isbeddel ah ee ku yimaada qaabkeenna waxbarasho.

Waan ognahay inay tahay inaan feejignaano. Waa inaan sii wadnaa inaan si joogto ah u dhaqno gacmaheenna, xirano waji-shareerkeena, kala fogaanshaha bulshada intii suurtagal ah, iyo inaan guriga la joogno haddii qof ka tirsan qoyskeenna uu leeyahay astaamo, si aan uga fogaanno wax kasta oo ka imaan kara dugsiyadeenna.

Waxaan sii wadi doonnaa inaan ku sii wargelino wax kastoo soo cusboonaado oo ku saabsan degmo dugsiyeedkeena iyo xogta kiisaska COVID-19. Waxaad dib u eegi kartaa Qorshaha Diyaarsanaanta ee COVID-19, liistada hubinta is-baaritaanka iyo macluumaadka kale websaydhkayaga faribault.k12.mn.us.

Waad ku mahadsantahay waxa aad qabaneyso oo dhan.

 

Kormeeraha guud Todd Sesker

 

Dear elementary school families,

 

With our enhanced health and safety measures in place, we have successfully launched the 2020-21 school year. It took a lot of work, both by you and by the district, to get us to this point. We appreciate everything you’re doing to support your child’s education during this challenging time.

When the school year began, we asked you to choose between in-person learning and distance learning for the first semester. About two-thirds of our families chose to return to in-person learning, while the other one-third chose to engage in distance learning. With the additional space created by the absence of our distance learners, we were able to set up our classrooms in a way that allowed us to maintain six feet of space between each desk. As some families have opted out of distance learning, we have done our best to adapt and welcome students back into our buildings while still maintaining social distancing.

Last Thursday, our district’s COVID-19 Task Force met to address how we will bring more students back to our elementary schools when our spaces no longer allow for social distancing. The task force utilized public health data for Rice County as well as state guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Department of Health in its decision-making process. After a lengthy discussion, the task force approved an amendment to our learning model that would suggest, but not require, social distancing in all classrooms. Students would still social distance in hallways and open spaces, and spread out as much as possible within the classroom.

This change does not go into effect immediately. We will continue to add new students to classes where we still have room to social distance, shift classes to different rooms, maximize our spaces, and add sections and teachers as necessary, in order to maintain social distancing throughout our buildings as long as possible.

If an increase in students requires us to move to a full in-person model, this would be similar to what Northfield Public Schools and other districts engaging in full in-person learning have been doing since the start of the school year. The only difference in this model would be that some classes may have desks 4-5 feet apart instead of six feet apart to accommodate additional students. All other safety protocols like mask wearing, as well as our cleaning procedures, would remain the same. Distance learning would continue to be an option for any family.

If you want your child to return to in-person learning, please fill out this Family Change Form. These requests will be handled on a case by case basis. You may be placed on a waiting list or asked to attend an alternate elementary school in the district, depending on availability.

You can follow up on your request with your building principal. If your child is already attending school in person, your principal will notify you of any change in social distancing protocol in your child’s classroom.

We’ve said from the beginning that this school year will be a challenge. The good news is that the Rice County case numbers are currently steady and we have students who want to come back to school. We will continue to look for ways to do this with the health and safety of our students and staff in mind.

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we work to overcome the obstacles presented by the current pandemic.

 

Sincerely,

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

Spanish

Estimadas familias de la escuela primaria,

Con nuestras medidas destacadas de salud y seguridad implementadas, hemos iniciado con éxito el año escolar 2020-21. Tomó mucho trabajo, tanto por parte de usted como del distrito, llevarnos a este punto. Apreciamos todo lo que están haciendo para apoyar la educación de su hijo durante este tiempo desafiante.

Cuando comenzó el año escolar, les pedimos que eligieran entre el aprendizaje en persona osea de ir a la escuela y el aprendizaje a distancia durante el primer semestre. Aproximadamente dos tercios de nuestras familias optaron por volver al aprendizaje en persona, osea de ir a la escuela, mientras que el otro tercio eligió participar en el aprendizaje a distancia. Con el espacio adicional creado por la ausencia de nuestros estudiantes a distancia, pudimos configurar nuestros salones de una manera que nos permitió mantener seis pies de espacio entre cada butaca. Como algunas familias han optado por no recibir educación a distancia, hemos hecho todo lo posible para adaptarnos y dar la bienvenida a sus estudiantes a nuestros edificios sin dejar de mantener el distanciamiento social.

El jueves pasado, el Grupo de Trabajo de COVID-19 de nuestro distrito se reunió para abordar cómo traer más estudiantes de regreso a nuestras escuelas primarias cuando nuestros espacios ya no permitan el distanciamiento social. El grupo de trabajo utilizó datos de salud pública del condado de Rice, así como la orientación estatal del Departamento de Educación de Minnesota y el Departamento de Salud de Minnesota en su proceso de toma de decisiones. Después de una larga discusión, el grupo de trabajo aprobó una enmienda a nuestro modelo de aprendizaje que sugeriría, pero no requeriría, distanciamiento social en todas los salones. Los estudiantes mantendrían la distancia social en los pasillos y espacios abiertos, y se dispersarían lo más que se pueda dentro de los salones.

Este cambio no entra en vigor de inmediato. Continuaremos agregando nuevos estudiantes a las clases donde todavía tenemos espacio para la distancia social, cambiaremos las clases a diferentes lugares de la escuela, maximizamos nuestros espacios y agregaremos secciones y maestros según sea necesario, para mantener el distanciamiento social en nuestros edificios el mayor tiempo posible.

Si un aumento de estudiantes requiere que cambiemos a un modelo completo en persona, esto sería similar a lo que las Escuelas Públicas de Northfield y otros distritos que participan en el aprendizaje completo en persona han estado haciendo desde el comienzo del año escolar. La única diferencia en este modelo sería que algunas clases pueden tener pupitres a una distancia de 4 a 5 pies en lugar de a seis pies para acomodar a más estudiantes. Todos los demás protocolos de seguridad, como el uso de mascarillas, así como nuestros procedimientos de limpieza, seguirán siendo los mismos. El aprendizaje a distancia seguiría siendo una opción para cualquier familia.

Si desea que su hijo vuelva al aprendizaje en persona, complete este Formulario de cambio de familia. Estas solicitudes se manejarán caso por caso. Es posible que lo coloquen en una lista de espera o se le pida que asista a una escuela primaria alternativa en el distrito, según la disponibilidad.

 

Puede dar seguimiento a su solicitud con el director de su escuela. Si su hijo ya asiste a la escuela en persona, su director le notificará sobre cualquier cambio en el protocolo de distanciamiento social en el salón de clases de su hijo.

Hemos dicho desde el principio que este año escolar será un desafío. La buena noticia es que el número de casos del condado de Rice se mantiene estable y tenemos estudiantes que quieren volver a la escuela. Continuaremos buscando formas de hacer esto teniendo en cuenta la salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal.

Gracias por su paciencia y flexibilidad continuas mientras trabajamos para superar los obstáculos que presenta la pandemia actual.

Atentamente,

 

Superintendente Todd Sesker

 

Somali

Qoysaska qaaliga ah ee dugsiga hoose,

Anaga oo talaabooyinkeena caafimaad ee kor loo qaaday, waxaan ku guuleysanay inaan bilowno sanad dugsiyeedka 2020-21. Waxay qaadatay shaqo badan, idinka iyo degmadaba, inaad na gaadhaan heerkan. Waanu qadarinaynaa wax kasta oo aad qabanayso si aad u taageerto waxbarashada ilmahaaga inta lagu jiro wakhtigan adag.

Markii sanad dugsiyeedku bilaabmay, waxaan kaa codsanay inaad kala doorato waxbarashada qof ahaaneed iyo waxbarashada online samistarka koowaad. Qiyaastii saddex-meelood laba meel qoysaskeennu waxay doorteen inay dib ugu noqdaan barashada shaqsi ahaanta, halka saddex-meelood meel kale ay doorteen inay ku lug yeeshaan barashada online ka. Iyada oo booska dheeriga ah ee ay abuureen maqnaanshaha barteenna bartayaasha, waxaan awoodnay inaan fasalladayaga u dhigno hab noo oggolaaday inaan sii wadno lix fiit oo boos ah inta u dhexeysa miis kasta. Maadaama qoysaska qaar ay doorteen barashada fogaanta, waxaan ku dadaalnay sida ugu fiican ee aan ula qabsan lahayn una soo dhaweyn lahayn ardaydaada dib ugu soo noqoshada dhismayaashayada annagoo weli sii wadna kala fogaanshaha bulshada.

Khamiistii la soo dhaafey, COVID-19 Task Force ee degmadayadu waxay kulmeen sidii wax looga qaban lahaa sidii arday badan loogu soo celin lahaa dugsiyadeenna hoose markii ay boosaskeenu u oggolaan doonin kala fogaynta bulshada. Guddi-hawleedku waxay u isticmaaleen xogta caafimaadka dadweynaha ee Gobolka Rice iyo sidoo kale hagista gobolka ee Waaxda Waxbarashada ee Minnesota iyo Waaxda Caafimaadka ee Minnesota habka go'aan-qaadashada. Dood dheer kadib, guddi howleedku waxay ansixiyeen wax ka beddelka qaabkeenna waxbarasho oo soo jeedin doona, laakiin aan u baahnayn, kala fogaanshaha bulshada ee dhammaan fasallada. Ardaydu wali waxay ku sii kala fogaan doonaan qolka hurdada iyo meelaha furan, waxayna ku fidi doonaan inta suurtogalka ah fasalka dhexdiisa.

Isbeddelkan si dhaqso ah uma dhaqan galayo. Waxaan sii wadi doonnaa inaan ardayda cusub ku darno fasallada aan wali u hayno masaafada bulshada, fasallada loo wareejin doono qolal kala duwan, aan ballaadhinno meelahayaga, oo aan ku dari doonno qaybaha iyo macallimiinta sida ugu macquulsan, si loo ilaaliyo kala fogaanshaha bulshada dhammaan dhismayaashayada illaa iyo inta suurtagal ah.

Haddii kororka ardayda ay u baahan tahay inaan u gudubno qaab shaqsiyeed oo buuxa, tani waxay la mid noqon doontaa waxay Dugsiyada Dadweynaha Northfield iyo degmooyin kale oo ku howlan barashada shaqsi ahaaneed ay sameynayeen tan iyo bilowgii sannad dugsiyeedka. Farqiga kaliya ee qaabkani u leeyahay ayaa ah in fasalada qaar ay yeelan karaan miisaska u dhexeeya 4-5 fuudh halkii ay lix fiit u kala jiri lahaayeen si ay u helaan arday dheeri ah. Dhammaan borotokoollada kale ee nabadgelyada sida xirashada maaskaro, iyo sidoo kale nidaamka nadaafaddayada, waa sidii hore. Barashada Fogaanta waxay sii ahaan doontaa ikhtiyaar qoys kasta.

Haddii aad rabto in ilmahaagu ku soo laabto waxbarashadda qofka, fadlan buuxi tan Foomka Isbeddelka Qoyska. Codsiyadaan waxaa lagu maareeyn doonaa kiis kiis ahaan. Waxaa lagugu dari karaa liiska sugitaanka ama waxaa lagaa codsan doonaa inaad dhigato dugsi hoose oo ka duwan midka degmada, iyadoo kuxiran hadba sida loo heli karo.

Waad kala socon kartaa codsigaaga maamulaha dhismahaaga. Haddii cunugaada horeyba usocdo iskuulka shaqsi ahaan, maamulaha dugsiga ayaa kugu wargalin doona wixii isbedel ah ee borotokoolka fogeynta bulshada ee fasalka cunugaaga.

Waxaan bilowgiiba sheegnay in sanad dugsiyeedkani uu noqon doono mid caqabad ku ah. Akhbaarta wanaagsan ayaa ah in nambarada kiisaska degmada Rice ay haatan yihiin kuwo joogto ah oo aan haysanno arday doonaya inay ku soo noqdaan dugsiga. Waxaan sii wadi doonnaa raadinta qaabab tan loo sameeyo iyada oo maskaxda lagu hayo caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ardaydeena iyo shaqaalaheena.

Waad ku mahadsantahay dulqaadkaaga iyo dabacsanaantaada joogtada ah maadaama aan ka shaqeyneyno sidii looga gudbi lahaa caqabadaha uu keenay cudurka hadda socda

Mahadsanid,

 

Kormeeraha guud Todd Sesker

Daily breakfast and lunch will be available for all students who are engaged in distance learning this school year. The meals will be packaged together and available for pick-up at your student’s school from 9:30-10 a.m. on all days school is in session. Upon arrival, call the main office of your school and let them know how many meals you need. A food service staff member will then deliver the meals to the main entrance or your vehicle.

Lunch fees will be charged according to student eligibility status.

 

Faribault Public Schools families,

Since last week’s correspondence, our school district has continued to put plans in place for the start of the 2020-21 school year. I am pleased to announce that we are ready to begin the school year in a hybrid model. Our district’s hybrid model will bring all Pre-K through Grade 6 students back to school every day with strict safety precautions in place. Students in Grades 7 through 12 will attend school two days per week and engage in distance learning three days per week. A full-time distance learning option will be available for all students.

You can view more information, including our full Preparedness Plan, on our website at Faribault.k12.mn.us. You will receive additional building-specific information from your child’s principal.

I am looking forward to welcoming back our students next month!

Sincerely,

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

Spanish

Este es un mensaje de las Escuelas Públicas de Faribault. Desde la correspondencia de la semana pasada, nuestro distrito escolar ha seguido implementando planes para el inicio del año escolar 2020-21.

Me complace anunciar que estamos listos para comenzar el año escolar en un modelo híbrido. El modelo híbrido de nuestro distrito traerá a todos los estudiantes de Pre-K a 6to grado de regreso a la escuela todos los días con estrictas precauciones de seguridad. Los estudiantes de los grados 7 al 12 asistirán a la escuela dos días a la semana y participarán en el aprendizaje a distancia tres días a la semana. Una opción de aprendizaje a distancia de tiempo completo estará disponible para todos los estudiantes.

Todas las familias han recibido nuestro Plan de Regreso a Clases. Nuestro plan de preparación completo está disponible en nuestro sitio web. Recibirá información adicional específica del edificio del director de su hijo.

Si necesita ayuda para interpretar estos documentos, comuníquese con Sam Ouk, coordinador del programa Equity and Multilingual Program.

¡Esperamos darles la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes el próximo mes!

 

Somali

Qoysaska iskuulada Faribault,

Tan iyo usbuucii la soo dhaafay, iskoolka degmadaadu wuxuu sii waday inuu dejiyo qorshooyinka bilowga sanad dugsiyeedka 2020-21. Waan ku faraxsanahay inaan ku dhawaaqo inaan diyaar u nahay inaan bilowno sanad dugsiyeedka qaab online ah. Qaabka online ka ah ee degmadu waxaa loogu talagalay dhammaan ardayda Pre-K illaa Fasalka 6aad iskuulka inay yimaadaan maalin kasta iyagoo laga shaqeen doona caafimaad kooda. Ardayda dhigata fasalada 7 ilaa 12 waxay tagayaan dugsiga labo maalmood usbuuciiba sedex maalmood guriga ayee wax ku baran doonaan. Waalidkii rabo in caruurtiisa ku bartaan online iyo guriga waa loo sameen karaa.

Qoysaska oo dhan ayaa loo diray Qorshahayaga Dugsi. Qorshaheena Diyaar garowga oo dhameystiran ayaa laga heli karaa websaydhka. Waxaad ka heli doontaa macluumaad dheeri ah oo ku saabsan waxbarashada maamulaha ilmahaaga.

Waxaan rajeyneynaa inaan soo dhaweyno ardaydeena bisha soo socota!

Si daacad ah,

Kormeeraha Guud Todd Sesker

I want to start by thanking you for your patience and understanding as we’ve worked to create a back-to-school plan that prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff and allows us to adapt to constantly changing information.

Our district has outlined plans for three potential scenarios; Full in-person learning for all students, a hybrid of in-person learning and distance learning, and distance learning for all students. A framework for all three models can be found in this document. More details will be released soon in our district Preparedness Plan.

If the school year started today, we would begin in a hybrid model for all students. Our district's hybrid model would bring all students in Pre-K through Grade 6 back to school every day with strict safety measures and protocols in place. Our students in Grades 7 through 12 would return to school two days per week and engage in distance learning three days per week.

On Monday, Aug. 17 we will join other area schools in officially announcing our learning model for the start of the 2020-21 school year.

I believe the hybrid model option provides safety as well as stability for our staff, students and families as we continue to monitor the case data. It also gives our students and staff the chance to begin building meaningful relationships in-person at the start of the school year.

Starting in the hybrid model would also provide us with the flexibility to loosen restrictions or move to distance learning as we respond to local public health information and county case data.

As we move forward, we will continue to rely on local public health data and guidance from the state to provide the safest learning environment possible for all students, staff and families.

We will provide timely communication to staff and families when a classroom, school or district-wide shift between learning models needs to be made.

Parents who do not want their child(ren) to participate in in-person learning can choose to enroll them in full-time distance learning. We ask that you log in to Campus Parent Portal by Saturday, Aug. 15 and let us know if you plan to opt in to distance learning.

There are still many questions to be answered. Additional details regarding student transportation, class assignments, child care, meals and more will be released as they become available.

Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. Our school district is dedicated to overcoming the obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to nurture, inspire, challenge and empower the learners in our community.

 

A decision based on health data

On July 30, Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education announced a Safe Learning Plan that authorized school districts to use a localized, data-driven approach to resuming school this fall. Within the plan, the MDE outlines the steps each district should take to determine its learning model, starting with the tracking of county COVID-19 case rates per 10,000 residents.

Rice County had a rolling 14-day average of 10.19 cases per 10,000 residents as of the publication of the MDE data (below) on July 30. The average has remained under 20 since June 14. For counties between 10-19 cases per 10,000 residents, the MDE indicated the following learning models: in-person learning for elementary students and hybrid learning for secondary students.

As we move forward, Our Regional Support Team, made up of Rice County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health, will inform our decisions by providing us with the most recent case data and consulting with us regarding implementation and evaluations of our safety practices and learning model. Our district, led by health and safety manager Haley Storms, will collaborate with the Regional Support Team to ensure we’re taking every step possible to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. The MDH will lead our response to any positive cases in our school building

 

Let us know your plans

lease connect with us through your Campus Parent Portal between now and Saturday, Aug. 15. Your updated educational choices will help us finalize our staffing plans and building configurations for this fall.

Once you're logged in to Campus Parent Portal, click on the More link, then on Online Registration, and Existing Student to get started.

We ask that you commit to your chosen learning model for the first semester.

If we do not hear from you, a representative from your child's school will contact you via phone.

If you do not have a portal account, email portalhelp@faribault.12.mn.us or contact your school office to sign up.

 

We're committed to health and safety

To start the school year, each building will be equipped with:

• Plexiglass sheets for the reception areas.

• Health screening stations at designated building entrances that will include recommended screening tools per the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. For example: thermometers, hand sanitizer, disposable masks for visitors, and posters with health screening questions.

• Social distancing rules that will be identified in public spaces.

• Posters promoting health and safety practices.

• Cleaning materials for each classroom. For example, microfiber towels with disinfectant.

• Masks that will be distributed to all staff and students

• Protocols in place for isolating and removing those with COVID-19 symptoms

 

A flexible plan

If we start the year in the hybrid model, students in Pre-K through Grade 6 would attend school daily with strict health and safety protocols in place. Students in Grades 7 through 12 would attend school two days per week and engage in distance learning three days per week.

All students have the option to participate exclusively in distance learning. We ask that families commit to their chosen learning model for one semester.

Our learning model is designed to be flexible. We are prepared to pivot between models as based on Rice County casa data and other local health factors

 

Scenario 1: In-Person Model (All Students)

We hope to bring all our students back into their classrooms full-time by the end of this school year. There are many factors that will contribute to that decision. If we do return to full in-person learning, our measures to ensure health and safety will be based on county data and guidance from the MDH and MDE.

 

Scenario 2: Hybrid Model

In our hybrid model, elementary and secondary students would operate on different schedules to best meet their learning needs. The following health and safety measures would be implemented at all buildings:

• Stagger arrival/dismissal, class and lunch times to minimize congestion

• Social distancing to the fullest extent possible

• Avoid large gatherings or congregating before or after school

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily or more often depending on use

• Students, staff and visitors would be required to wear face coverings in district buildings and buses

• Stress frequent hand-washing and good hygiene habits

• Meals delivered to the classroom

• Provide hand sanitizer at entrances, cafeterias and other areas throughout all buildings

• Limit capacity in buildings and buses to no more than 50 percent

• Modified school-day schedule to decrease high-volume student transitions between classes, during lunch and before and after school

 

Pre-K and Elementary Hybrid - All students in school every school day

• All students will attend school daily with strict social distancing and capacity guidelines in place

• Most classes will consist of between 12-15 students. Each class will be taught by licensed staff and classrooms will be set up to allow for social distancing

• PreK-grade 5 students will attend McKinley Early Childhood Center or their elementary school. Large common areas like media centers and gymnasiums may be converted to classroom spaces if needed

• Grade 6 students will attend Faribault Middle Schoool. Large common areas like media centers and gymnasiums may be converted to classroom spaces if needed

• An iPad will be provided to each kindergarten-Grade 6 student, regardless of which scenario is selected, so all students will have a device with access to the internet. The district will provide wireless hotspots, if needed

 

Secondary Hybrid - All students in school two days per week

Middle school (Grades 7-8), high school and ALC students would be split into two groups:

• FMS and FHS Group A: Attend in-person Monday and Tuesday, distance learning at home the other days

• FMS and FHS Group B: Attend in-person Thursday and Friday, distance learning at home the other days

• ALC Group A: Attend in-person Monday and Tuesday, distance learning at home the other days

• ALC Group B: Attend in-person Wednesday and Thursday, distance learning at home the other days

• Wednesdays would be distance learning days for all FMS (7-8) and FHS students (except center-based), with time for individual student interventions, enrichment, planning for instruction and deep cleaning the building, in addition to daily cleaning

• Classrooms would be set up to provide social distancing and reduced to approximately 12-18 students at the middle school, 15-21 students at the high school depending on the size of the class and space available

• Learning in school would utilize best practices for teaching and learning while following health and safety requirements

• Learning at home would utilize best practices for teaching and learning in a virtual environment to support and enhance learning for students

• Students will switch to distance learning if they have an extended illness or if quarantine is necessary

 

Distance Learning

If the number of cases in Rice County rises to a rate of more than 50 per 10,000 people, or if other local health factors warrant, Faribault Public Schools will move into a full-time distance learning model for all students in accordance with the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan. The distance learning provided at the end of last school year was implemented under emergency circumstances in just a few days. This summer, teams of administrators and teachers have been working to improve distance learning by:

• Coordinating consistency for use of the Seesaw and Schoology learning management systems

• Sharing distance learning best practices and identifying “must do/may do” activities

• Providing a better mix of synchronous (same time) and asynchronous (independent application of learning) learning opportunities

• Increasing student capacity for managed independent learning

• Narrowing the curriculum and continuously monitoring scope and sequence across grade levels

• Establishing similar classroom practices for students to follow, whether in school or at home

• Providing additional resources to help parents and guardians support their children in distance learning

 

 

 

Spanish

Modelo de aprendizaje flexible para el año escolar 2020-21

Quiero comenzar agradeciéndole por su paciencia y comprensión mientras trabajamos para crear un plan de regreso a clases que prioriza la salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal y nos permita adaptarnos a los constantes cambios de información.

Nuestro distrito ha delineado planes para cada uno de los tres modelos potenciales; Aprendizaje completo en persona para todos los estudiantes, un híbrido que quiere decir ambos aprendizaje en persona y aprendizaje a distancia, o solo aprendizaje a distancia para todos los estudiantes. En este documento se puede encontrar un entorno para los tres modelos. Pronto se darán a conocer más detalles en nuestro Plan de preparación del distrito.

Si el año escolar comenzara hoy, comenzaríamos con un modelo híbrido de aprendizaje a distancia para todos los estudiantes. Nuestro modelo híbrido trae a todos los estudiantes de Pre-K hasta el grado 6 de regreso a la escuela todos los días con estrictas medidas de seguridad y protocolos establecidos. Nuestros estudiantes de los grados 7 al 12 regresarán a la escuela dos días a la semana y participarán en el aprendizaje a distancia a tiempo completo.

Creo que esta opción brinda seguridad y estabilidad para nuestro personal, estudiantes y familias mientras continuamos monitoreando los datos de casos. También les da a nuestros estudiantes y personal la oportunidad de comenzar a construir relaciones significativas en persona al comienzo del año escolar.

Comenzar en el modelo híbrido también nos brinda la flexibilidad de relajar las restricciones o pasar al aprendizaje a distancia a medida que recibamos la información de salud pública local de los datos de casos del condado.

A medida que avancemos, continuaremos confiando en los datos de salud pública local y la orientación del estado para brindar el entorno de aprendizaje más seguro posible para todos los estudiantes, el personal y las familias.

Proporcionaremos comunicación adecuada al personal y las familias cuando sea necesario realizar un cambio de modelo de aprendizaje en el salón, la escuela o el distrito..

Los padres que no quieren que sus hijos vayan a clases pueden optar por inscribirlos en el aprendizaje a distancia a tiempo completo. Le pedimos que si va a optar por el aprendizaje a distancia entre a la página de Portal de Padres del Campus antes del sábado 15 de agosto y háganos saber si planea optar por el aprendizaje a distancia.

El lunes 17 de agosto nos reuniremos con otras escuelas del área para anunciar oficialmente cuál será nuestro modelo de aprendizaje para el inicio del año escolar 2020-21.

Aún quedan muchas preguntas por responder. Los detalles adicionales sobre el transporte de los estudiantes, las asignaciones de clases, el transporte, el cuidado infantil, el lonche y más se darán a conocer a medida que estén disponibles.

Una vez más, gracias por su paciencia y comprensión durante estos tiempos sin precedentes. Nuestro distrito escolar está dedicado a superar los obstáculos creados por la pandemia de COVID-19 y continuaremos apoyando, inspirando, desafiando y capacitando a los estudiantes de nuestra comunidad.

Atentamente,

Superintendente Todd Sesker

 

 

Háganos saber cuales son sus planes

Por favor, conéctese con nosotros a través de su Portal para padres del campus entre ahora y el sábado 15 de agosto de 2020. Sus opciones educativas actuales nos ayudarán a finalizar nuestros planes de cuanto personal se necesita en cada escuelas para este otoño. Entre en su cuenta del Portal de Padres del Campus para actualizar la información de su hijo, elija cuál será el modelo de aprendizaje de su hijo que recibirá este otoño y proporcione permisos anuales. Haga clic en el More, en la línea de inscripción y para comenzar vaya al Estudiante existente (Existing Student).

Le pedimos que se comprometa con su modelo de aprendizaje elegido para el primer semestre.

Si no tiene una cuenta de portal, envíe un correo electrónico a portalhelp@faribault.12.mn.us o comuníquese con la oficina de su escuela para registrarse.

 

Una decisión basada en los datos

El 30 de julio, el gobernador Walz y el Departamento de Educación de Minnesota anunciaron un Plan de aprendizaje seguro que autorizaba a los distritos escolares a utilizar los datos locales de los casos para reanudar la escuela este otoño. Dentro del plan, el MDE describe los pasos que cada distrito debe tomar para determinar su modelo de aprendizaje, comenzando con el seguimiento de las tasas de casos de COVID-19 del condado por cada 10,000 residentes.

El condado de Rice tuvo un promedio continuo de 14 días de 10.19 casos por cada 10,000 residentes a partir de la publicación de los últimos datos de MDE (a continuación). El promedio se ha mantenido por debajo de 20 desde el 14 de junio. Para los condados entre 10-19 casos por cada 10,000 residentes, el MDE indicó los siguientes modelos de aprendizaje: aprendizaje en persona para estudiantes de primaria y aprendizaje híbrido para estudiantes de secundaria.

A medida que avancemos, nuestro equipo de apoyo regional, compuesto por el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Rice y el Departamento de Salud de Minnesota, informará nuestras decisiones proporcionándonos los datos de casos más recientes y consultando con nosotros sobre la implementación y las evaluaciones de nuestras prácticas de seguridad y modelo de aprendizaje. Nuestro distrito, dirigido por la gerente de salud y seguridad Haley Storms, colaborará con el Equipo de apoyo regional para garantizar que estamos dando todos los pasos posibles para mantener un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro y saludable para nuestros estudiantes y personal. La MDH responderá a cualquier caso positivo que se presente en nuestras escuelas.

 

Lonche y cuidado infantil

Independientemente del modelo de aprendizaje que elija, continuaremos brindando lonche diarias a todos los estudiantes y cuidado infantil para los niños de trabajadores esenciales de Nivel 1. Los trabajadores de Nivel 1 incluye empleados de nuestras escuelas:

atención médica y salud pública, cumplimiento de la ley, seguridad pública, primeros auxilios, alimentos y agricultura, poder judicial, guardia nacional, educadores y personal escolar que brindan instrucción en persona o que cuidan a los hijos de trabajadores críticos, Proveedores de cuidado infantil y cuidado infantil en edad escolar.

 

 

Modelo 1: En persona (todos los estudiantes)

Esperamos que todos nuestros estudiantes vuelvan a sus salones a tiempo completo para fines de este año escolar. Hay muchos factores que contribuirán a esa decisión. Si volvemos al aprendizaje completo en persona, nuestras medidas para garantizar la salud y la seguridad se basarán en los datos del condado y la orientación del MDH y MDE.

 

Modelo 2: Híbrido

Los estudiantes de primaria y secundaria operarían en diferentes horarios para satisfacer mejor sus necesidades de aprendizaje. La duración del día escolar en persona seguirá siendo la misma que el año pasado, sin embargo, las horas de inicio y finalización se basarán en la programación del transporte. En este modelo, todos los estudiantes que reciben servicios de educación especial en el centro estarían en la escuela todos los días, si es posible. Se implementarán las siguientes medidas de salud y seguridad en todos las escuelas:

 

• Organizar las horas de llegada / salida, clases y Lonche para minimizar la congestión

• Distancia social en la mayor medida posible

• Evitar grandes reuniones o congregarse antes o después de la escuela

• Limpiar y desinfectar las superficies que se tocan con frecuencia al menos una vez al día o más a menudo dependiendo del uso

• Los estudiantes, el personal y los visitantes tendrían que usar mascarillas en los edificios del distrito y en los autobuses

• Hacer hincapié en el lavado de manos frecuente y los buenos hábitos de higiene

• Proporcionar desinfectante de manos en las entradas, de las cafeterías y otras áreas en todos los edificios

• Limitar la capacidad en los edificios y autobuses a no más del 50 por ciento.

 

Pre-Kínder y Primaria Híbrida - Todos los estudiantes irían la escuela todos los días.

Las clases consistirían de aproximadamente 12 a 14 estudiantes por personal autorizado y los salones de clases se establecerían para permitir el distanciamiento social.

• Los estudiantes de pre kínder de quinto grado asistirían a McKinley o su escuela primaria y las áreas grandes comunes como las bibliotecas y los gimnasios se pueden usar como salón de clases, si es necesario.

• Los estudiantes de sexto grado de todo el distrito asistirían a la escuela secundaria de Faribault y las áreas grandes y comunes como bibliotecas y gimnasios. se pueden usar como salón de clase, si es necesario.

• Los dispositivos se utilizarían a diario para apoyar el aprendizaje en casa y para prepararse para el aprendizaje a distancia a tiempo completo, si fuera necesario.

• Se proporcionará un iPad a cada estudiante desde el kinder hasta sexto grado, independientemente del modelo seleccionado, de modo que todos los estudiantes tengan un dispositivo con acceso a Internet (se proporcionan puntos de acceso del distrito, si es necesario).

 

Híbrido de secundaria : todos los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria irán a la escuela dos días a la semana.

Los estudiantes de secundaria y prepa de los grados 7 al 12), y los estudiantes de preparatoria y ALC se dividirían en dos grupos:

• FMS y FHS Grupo A: asistir en persona los lunes y martes, aprendizaje a distancia en casa los otros días

• FMS y FHS Grupo B: Asistir en persona el jueves y viernes, aprendizaje a distancia en casa los otros días

• ALC Grupo A: Asistir en persona los lunes y martes, aprendizaje a distancia en casa los otros días

• ALC Grupo B: Asistir a persona miércoles y jueves, aprendizaje a distancia en casa los otros días Los

• El miércoles serían días de aprendizaje a distancia para todos los estudiantes de FMS (7-8) y FHS (excepto el center -base), con tiempo para intervenciones individuales de los estudiantes, enriquecimiento, dar instrucción y limpiar el edificio, además de la limpieza diaria de los salones.

• Los salones se establecerian de modo que hubiera distanciamiento social y se reducirían a aproximadamente a 12-18 estudiantes en la escuela secundaria y 15-21 estudiantes en la escuela de la preparatoria, según el tamaño de la clase y el espacio disponible

• Aprendiendo en la escuela se utilizaría las mejores prácticas para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje mientras se siguen los requisitos de salud y seguridad

• El aprendizaje en casa se utilizaría las mejores prácticas para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje en un entorno virtual para apoyar y mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes

• Los estudiantes cambiarán el modelo del aprendizaje a distancia si se tienen muchos enfermos o si es necesaria la cuarentena

 

Argumento 3: Modelo de aprendizaje a distancia (Para todos los estudiantes)

Si el número de casos en el condado de Rice aumenta a una tasa de más de 50 por cada 10,000 personas, las Escuelas Públicas de Faribault pasarán a un modelo de aprendizaje a distancia de tiempo completo para todos los estudiantes de acuerdo con el Plan de Aprendizaje Seguro de Minnesota. El aprendizaje a distancia proporcionado al final del último año escolar se implementó en circunstancias de emergencia en solo unos días. Este verano, los equipos de administradores y maestros han estado trabajando para mejorar el aprendizaje a distancia al:

 

• Coordinar la coherencia para el uso de los sistemas de gestión del aprendizaje de Seesaw y Schoology

• Compartir las mejores prácticas de aprendizaje a distancia e identificar actividades que "debe hacer / puede hacer"

• Proporcionar una mejor combinación de (al mismo tiempo) y oportunidades de aprendizaje asincrónicas (aplicación independiente del aprendizaje)

• Aumentar la capacidad de los estudiantes para el aprendizaje independiente

• Reducir el plan de estudios y monitorear continuamente el alcance y la secuencia en todos los niveles de grado

• Establecer prácticas similares que se hacen en un salón para que los estudiantes las sigan, ya sea en la escuela o en el hogar

• Proporcionar recursos para ayudar a los padres y tutores a apoyar a sus hijos en el aprendizaje a distancia

 

Somali

Nidaamka waxbarasho ee Sannad Dugsiyeedka 2020-21

 

Waxaan doonayaa inaan ku bilaabo anigoo kaaga mahadcelinaya dulqaadkaaga iyo fahamkaaga maadaama aan ka shaqeynay sidii aan u abuuri lahayn qorshe dugsi-dib-u-furid ah oo mudnaanta siineysa caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ardayda iyo shaqaalaha oo noo oggolaanaya si ay ula qabsadaan macluumaadka si joogto ah u beddelaya.

Degmadeena waxay soo bandhigtay qorshayaal seddex xaalado suurta gal ah; Wax-barashada qof-ahaaneed oo arday kasta inuu yimaado iskuulka. isku-darka waxbarasho qof ahaaneed iyo waxbarasho masaafad ah, iyo waxbarasho oo online masaafo kaliya ah.. Qaab dhismeedka dhammaan seddexda qaabl ayaa laga heli karaa dukumintigan. Faahfaahin dheeri ah ayaa dhawaan laga soo bixin doonaa Qorshaha Diyaar garowga ee degmaadeena.

Hadii sanad dugsiyeedku maanta bilaabmayo, waxaan ku bilaabi karnaa hannaan isku dhafan ardayda oo dhan. Qaab dhismeedkayada isku-dhafka ah wuxuu u keenayaa dhammaan ardayda ku jirta Pre-K ilaa Fasalka 6aad maalin kasta dugsiga iyagoo leh tillaabooyin adag oo ammaan iyo qawaaniin loo dejiyey. Ardaydeena fasalada 7 ilaa 12 waxay ku laaban doonaan dugsiga laba maalmood usbuucii oo ay ku hawlgalaan barashada masaafada oo waqti buuxa ah.

Waxaan rumeysanahay in doorashadani ay sugayso ammaanka macalimiinta iyo sidoo kale xasilloonida shaqaalaheena, ardayda iyo qoysaska iyadoo aan sii wadi doona ka warqabka xaaladaha caafimaad.. Waxay sidoo kale siineysaa ardaydeena iyo shaqaalaheena fursad ay isku bartaan macalimiinta iyo ardayda oo xiriir wanaagsan dhalisa bilowga sanad dugsiyeedka.

Bilaabista qaabka hyprid ka ee isku dhafanka ah waxay sidoo kale na siineysaa dabacsanaan si loo furfuro xannibaadaha ama loo gudbo barashada masaafada ah markaan ka jawaabeyno macluumaadka caafimaadka dadweynaha ee maxalliga ah iyo macluumaadka kiiska degmada.

Markaan horay u soconno waxaan sii wadi doonnaa inaan ku tiirsanaano macluumaadka caafimaadka dadweynaha ee degmada iyo hagida gobolka si aan u siino jawiga waxbarasho ee ugu ammaansan dhammaan ardayda, shaqaalaha iyo qoysaska.

Waxaan siin doonaa wada-xiriir waqti ku habboon shaqaalaha iyo qoysaska marka fasal, iskuul ama degmo-wareeg oo udhaxeysa qaababka waxbarashada loo baahan yahay in la sameeyo.

Waalidiinta aan rabin in canugooda ama (carruurtood) ka qaybqaataan waxbarashada la imaanayo dugsiga waxay dooran karaan inay iska diiwaangeliyaan waxbarashada masaafada buuxda ee onlinke ah. Waxaan kaa codsanaynaa inaad gasho Xarunta Xariirka Waalidka ee kambuyuutar ugu dambeen Sabtida, Agoosto 15 oo aad na soo ogeysiiso haddii aad qorsheyneyso inaad doorato masaafada fog ee online ka ah.

Isniinta, Agoosto 17 waxaan ku biiraynaa iskuulada kale ee deegaanka waxaan si rasmi ah ugu dhawaaqaynaa qaabkeena waxbarasho bilowga sanad dugsiyeedka 2020-21.

Weli waxaa jira su'aalo badan oo laga jawaabayo. Faahfaahin dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan gaadiidka ardayga, meeleynta fasalka, gaadiid, xanaanada cunugga, cuntada iyo inbadan ayaa la siidaayaa markay diyaar noqdaan.

Mar labaad, waad ku mahadsan tahay dulqaadkaaga iyo fahamkaaga xilliyadan aan ku jirno. waxaan diyaar u nahay sidii looga gudbi lahaa caqabadaha ay abuurtay masiibada COVID-19 iyo sidii aan ku sii wadi laheen kobcinta, dhiirigelinta, loolanka iyo xoojinta ardaydeena.

 

Daacadnimo,

Kormeeraha Guud Todd Sesker

 

 

fadlan inoo soo sheeg qorshahaaga

Fadlan nagala soo xiriir ( campus parent) oo online ka inta u dhexeysa hadda ilaa iyo Sabtida, Agoosto 15, 2020. Xulashooyinkaaga waxbarasho ee cusub ayaa naga caawin doona inaan dhammaystirno shaqaalaheenna qorshayaasha iyo qaabaynta dhismayaasha deyrtan. Fadlan gasho koontada Xariirka Waalidka Xerada (Campus Parent Portal) si aad u cusbooneysiiso macluumaadka canuggaaga, dooro sida canuggaaga uu ku heli doono tilmaamaha waxbarasho deyrtan, oo uu bixiyo fasax sannadle ah. Dhagsii isku xirka badan, Diiwaangelinta khadka tooska ah, iyo ardayga jira si aad u bilowdo.

Waxaan kaa codsaneynaa inaad u doorato canugaada qaabka aad jeceshahay inuu waxbarashada uu ku bilaabo simistarka koowaad.

Haddii aadan lahayn cinwaan fadlan , emayl u dir portalhelp@faribault.12.mn.us ama la xiriir xafiiska dugsigaaga si aad isu qorto.

 

Go'aan ku Saleysan Xogta

30kii Luulyo, gudoomiye Walz iyo Waaxda Waxbarshada ee Minnesota waxay ku dhawaaqeen Qorshe Barasho Nabdoon oo u oggolaaday degmooyinka iskuulada inay u isticmaalaan qaab ku dhisan, xog aruurinta si ay dib ugu bilaabaan dugsiga sanadka dayrtan. Qorshaha gudahiisa, MDE waxay sharraxaad ka bixinaysaa tillaabooyinka degmo kasta ay u qaadi laheyd si ay u go'aamiso qaabkeeda waxbarasho, laga bilaabo raad raacka qiimeynta kiiska degmada COVID-19 ee 10,000 ee deggane.

Degmada Rice waxay haysataa isku celcelis 14-maalmood oo celcelis ah 10.19 kiis 10,000kii deggane markii la daabacay macluumaadkii ugu dambeeyay ee MDE (hoos). Celcelis ahaan wuxuu ka hooseeyay 20 illaa Juun 14. Degmooyinka u dhexeeya 10-19 kiis 10,000 ee degganeyaasha, MDE waxay muujisay moodooyinka waxbarasho ee soo socda: barashada shaqsiyanka ah ee ardayda dugsiga hoose iyo barashada isku-dhafka ah ee ardayda dugsiga sare.

waxaa wada shaqayn doona, kooxda gurmadka gargaarka ee Gobolka, oo ka kooban Rice County Public Health iyo Waaxda Caafimaadka ee Minnesota, ayaa ina soo wargelin doonaa markasta iyagoo na siinaya macluumaadka kiiskii ugu dambeeyay iyo nagala tashan doona hirgelinta iyo qiimeynta iyo Qaabka barashada. Degmadeenna, oo uu hoggaaminayo maareeyaha caafimaadka iyo badbaadada Haley Storms, ayaa iskaashi la sameyn doonta Kooxda Gurmadka Gobolka si loo hubiyo inaan qaadno tallaabo kasta oo suurtagal ah si loo ilaaliyo nabadgelyo iyo jawi waxbarasho oo caafimaad leh ardayda iyo shaqaalaheena. Waaxda waxbarashada waxay hogaamin doontaa jawaab celinteena kiisaska togan ee dhismayaasha iskuulka.

 

Cuntada iyo Xannaanada Ilmaha

iyadoon loo eegin qaabka waxbarasho ee aad doorato, waxaan sii wadi doonnaa inaan siinno cunno maalinle ah dhammaan ardayda iyo daryeelka carruurta ee carruurta Tier 1 shaqaalaha muhiimka ah. Shaqaalaha Tier 1 waxaa ka mid ah shaqaalaha ka shaqeeya arimahan:

Daryeelka caafimaadka iyo caafimaadka dadweynaha, xoojinta sharciga, amniga bulshada, jawaabayaasha ugu horeeya, Cuntada iyo beeraha, laanta garsoorka, ilaalada qaranka, barayaasha iyo shaqaalaha iskuulka oo bixiya tilmaam shaqsiyeed ama xanaaneynta caruurta shaqaalaha muhiimka ah, Xannaanada carruurta iyo bixiyeyaasha daryeelka ilmaha da'da dugsiga.

 

 

Muuqaalka 1aad: Qaabka Shaqsiga (Dhamaan Ardayda)

Waxaan rajeyneynaa inaan dhamaan ardayda ku soo celinno fasalkooda si buuxda waqti dhamaadka sanadkaan. Waxaa jira arrimo badan oo gacan ka geysan doona go’aankaas. Haddii aan ku laabanno barashada shaqsi-ahaaneed ee buuxa, tallaabooyinkayaga lagu hubinayo caafimaadka iyo amniga waxay ku saleysan yihiin xogta degmada iyo hagida laga helo MDH iyo MDE.

 

Muuqaalka 2aad: Iskuulka iyo ( hybrid model) isku dhexjirka labada qaab ee waxbarasho

Iskuulada Hoose iyo Sare waxay ku shaqeyn doonaan jadwal kala duwan si ay sifiican u daboolaan baahiyadooda waxbarasho. Waxaan isku dayi doonaa in ardayda yimaadaan iskuulka xilliyada caadiga ah, sikastaba bilowga iyo dhamaadka waqtiga waxay kuxirantahay jadwalka gaadiidka. Qaabkan, dhammaan ardayda heleysa adeegyada waxbarashada gaarka ah ee ku saleysan xarunta waxay ku jiri doonaan dugsiga maalin kasta, haddii ay suurtagal tahay. Tallaabooyinka soosocda ee amniga iyo badbaadada ayaa laga hirgalin doonaa dhammaan dhismayaasha:

 

• Imaatinka / xilliga sii daynta ardayd, fasalka iyo waqtiyada qadada si loo yareeyo ciriiriga

• bulshada u weeciso illaa iyo inta suurta gal ah

• Iska ilaali isu imaatinka weyn ama isu imaatinka dugsiga kahor ama kadib

• nadiifinta nadiifi oo si joogto ah u taabto sagxadaha ugu yaraan maalin kasta ama inta badan waxay kuxirantahay isticmaalka

• Ardayda, shaqaalaha iyo booqdayaasha waxaa looga baahan doonaa inay xirtaan af- daboolka markay ku jiraan dhismayaasha degmada iyo basaska

• markasta inay ardayda gacmaha dhaqaan oo ay nadaafada ku dadaalaan.

• gacmo nadiifiyaha meelaha laga soo galo, kafateeriyada iyo meelaha kale ee dhismayaasha oo dhan

• Xaddid awooda dhismayaasha iyo Basaska aan ka badnayn 50 boqolkiiba

 

Pre-K iyo Iskuulka Hoose - Dhammaan ardayda dhigata iskuulka maalin walba ee iskuulka

fasalada waxay ka koobnaan doonaan qiyaastii 12 ilaa 14 arday oo ay barayaan macalimiin shati u leh iyo fasalada waxaa loo dejin doonaa in lakala fogeeyo ardayda. .

• Ardayda fasalka 5aad ee PreK-5 waxay aadi lahaayeen McKinley ama dugsiga hoose iyo aagagga guud ee waaweyn sida xarumaha maktabada iyo xarumaha jimicsiga jiimka waxaa laga dhigi karaa fasallo ee ardayda wax ku bartaan. Ardayda Fasalada 6aad ee degmada waxay aadi doonaan Faribault Middle School iyo inay isticmaalaan fasallada waa wayn sida maktabada iyo jiimka.

• Aaladda waxaa loo isticmaali doonaa maalin kasta si ay u taageerto barashada guriga iyo u diyaarinta barashada masaafada buuxda, haddii loo baahdo.

• IPad ayaa la siin doonaa ardaywalba fasalka-barbaarinta-fasalka 6, iyadoon loo eegaynin meesha uu waalidka doortay, markaa ardayda oo dhan waxay lahaan doonaan aalad loo isticmaali karo internetka (meelaha laga helo degmada, haddii loo baahdo).

 

Muuqaalka Labaad - Dhammaan ardayda dhigata dugsiga laba maalmood usbuucii

Dugsiga Dhexe (Fasalada 7 -12), dugsiga sare iyo ardayda ALC waxaa loo qeybin doonaa labo kooxood:

• FMS iyo FHS Group A: Ka-qeyb-gala shaqsi ahaan Isniinta iyo Talaadada, barashada masaafada guriga maalmaha kale

• FMS iyo kooxda FHS B: Ka qeybgal shaqsi ahaan khamiista iyo jimcaha, barashada masaafada guriga ah maalmaha kale

• ALC Group A: shaqsi ahaan Isniinta iyo Talaadada, barashada masaafada guriga ee maalmaha kale inay ku bartaan online.

• ALC Group B: Ka qeybgal gudaha- Qofka Arbacada iyo Khamiista, barashada masaafada ee guriga maalmaha kale ee

• Arbacada waxay noqon doonaan maalmaha barashada masaafada ee dhammaan FMS (7-8) iyo ardayda FHS (marka laga reebo xarunta-ku-saleysan), oo leh waqti loogu talagalay wax-ka-qabashada ardayga shaqsiyeed, kobcinta, qorsheynta tilmaamaha iyo qoto-dheer. Nadiifinta dhismaha, marka lagu daro nadiifinta maalinlaha ah

• Fasalada waxaa loo dejin doonaa si ay u bixiyaan fogeynta bulshada waxaana laga dhimeyaa ku dhawaad ​​12-18 ardayda dhigata dugsiga dhexe, 15-21 ardayda dugsiga sare waxay kuxirantahay cabirka fasalka iyo banaan ee

• dugsiga waxay u adeegsan doontaa ficillada ugu wanaagsan ee waxbarista iyo barashada iyadoo la raacayo shuruudaha caafimaadka iyo badbaadada

• Barashada guriga waxay u adeegsaneysaa tabobarrada ugu wanaagsan ee waxbarista iyo barashada jawiga dalxiis ah ee lagu taageerayo laguna xoojinayo barashada ardayda

• Ardayda waxay isu beddeli doonaan barashada masaafada haddii ay dheeraadaan jirro ama haddii karantiil loo baahdo

 

Muuqaalka 3: waxbarashada online ka (Dhammaan Ardayda)

Haddii tirada kiisaska ka dhaca degmada Rice ay gaarayaan in kabadan 50 10,000 qof, Iskuullada Faribault waxay u gudbi doonaan qaab waxbarasho oo masaafo online ah. dhammaan ardayda si waafaqsan Qorshaha Barashada Amaanka ee Minnesota. Barashada masaafada ah ee la bixiyay dhamaadkii sanad dugsiyeedka hore ayaa la hirgaliyay duruufaha degdega ah dhawr maalmood gudahood. Xagaagan, kooxaha maamulayaasha iyo macallimiintu waxay ka shaqeynayeen sidii ay u wanaajin lahaayeen barashada masaafada iyagoo:

 

• Isuduwidda isku haynta adeegsiga nidaamyada maareynta barashada Seesaw iyo Schoology

• Wadaagidda waxqabadka barashada ugu wanaagsan iyo aqoonsashada "waa inay qabataa / sameyn kartaa" nashaadyada

• Bixinta sifiican oo isku mid ah oo isku mid ah (waqti isku mid ah) iyo isku xirnaansho (codsi madaxbanaan ee barashada) Fursadaha barashada

• Kordhinta awooda ardayga ee barashada madaxbanaanida maareynta Soo

• koobida manhajka iyo si joogta ah ula socoshada baaxadda iyo isku xigxiga heerarka fasalada

• Abuuritaanka dhaqamada fasalada la mid ah ee ardayda ay raacaan, ha ahaato dugsiga ama guriga

• Bixinta dheeraad ah ilaha ka caawiya waalidiinta iyo mas'uuliyiinta inay carruurtooda ka taageeraan barashada fog

Dear Faribault Public Schools staff, families and community,

Yesterday Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan, along with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), announced our state’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year. You can view the entire Safe Learning Plan here: https://education.mn.gov/

Like all of you, we have been anxiously awaiting these recommendations. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to build our back to school plans in accordance with the state’s guidance.

Here are some of the key points laid out during yesterday’s presentation:

• School districts and local public health officials will ultimately determine our own learning models (in-person, hybrid or distance learning) based on the current local COVID-19 infection rate and other individual factors.

• Districts will prepare to switch between models throughout the year.

• Districts will provide distance learning as an option for all students.

• Districts will allow staff whose health is at risk or who have members of their households whose health is at risk to work from home to the extent possible.

• All educators will have access to COVID-19 tests as part of a comprehensive testing plan.

• If delivering hybrid and distance learning, districts will provide child care at no cost during the school day for children of Tier 1 emergency workers.

• The Minnesota State High School League will make an announcement about fall activities on Aug. 4.

 

Governor Walz directed districts to use county COVID-19 data as a guide for what learning model to adopt in the fall. The following are the guidelines set based on the number of cases per 10,000 residents over the previous 14 days.

• 0-9, in-person learning for all students

• 10-19, in-person learning for elementary students and hybrid learning for secondary students

• 20-29, hybrid learning for all students

• 30-49, hybrid learning for elementary students and distance learning for secondary students

• 50-plus, distance learning for all students

 

The most recent data for Rice County (from July 5-18) indicates an average of 10.19 cases per 10,000. That number has been as high as 31.63 in the last two months. It is clear that our collective effort to contain the spread locally will determine whether our students can attend school in-person.

We are in frequent contact with Rice County Public Health officials. This connection will continue during the school year as we determine learning models, implement and continually review health procedures and best practices, and monitor case data. Creating as healthy of a learning environment as we possibly can for our students and staff is our number one priority. This will be achieved through:

• Collaboration with Rice County

• Procedure and schedule adjustments

• Additional cleaning and sanitizing efforts

• Compliance with the state mask mandate

• Plans for testing and isolating cases

 

Should distance learning be part of our model, I’m confident the experience we gained this past spring, in addition to the steps our staff is taking to prepare, will result in a meaningful educational experience for students we engage remotely.

In the coming days, our district leadership and our COVID-19 Task Force will work to finalize our plans for all three learning models and formulate a tentative plan for the start of the school year. Our goal is to have that plan ready for school board review on Aug. 10. I understand the challenges that this uncertainty creates for our families and staff. I want you to know that I will communicate with you as quickly as possible when decisions are made.

Once again, thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times. We are Faribault and we will get through this together.

 

Sincerely,

 

Superintendent Todd Sesker

July 30

The Minnesota Department of Education and Gov. Tim Walz will announce its guidance for which of the three scenarios we will start the school year with: in-person, distance learning or a hybrid of in-person and distance learning. The three learning scenarios will be designed to be flexible so we can move between them as needed.

 

August 5

Our COVID-19 Task Force, made up of teachers, district administration and community partners, will review our district preparedness plan, staff and parent survey results, and the state’s guidelines, to finalize back-to-school plans.

 

August 10

Our school board will review back-to-school plans.

 

August 11

Families and community members will receive communication from the district with detailed plans for how we will start the year.

 

August 25-27

Teachers will engage in professional learning to support implementation of high-quality teaching and learning within in-person/hybrid/distance learning models. Topics will include student engagement, equity, building relationships with students and families, social and emotional learning, and technology.

 

August 31-September 4

Staff will engage in planning and collaboration with their grade level, department, and building colleagues in preparation for the start of the 2020-21 school year. Staff will ensure all components of the preparedness plan are in place.

 

September 8-10

Classes resume for all students.

 

This information is tentative and does not address all questions people may have. Many details have yet to be finalized. All decisions will be made with the health and safety of our students, staff and community as our top priority.

 

Spanish

30 de julio

El Departamento de Educación de Minnesota y el Gobernador Tim Walz anunciaron la guía de cuál de los tres argumentos comenzaremos el año escolar: en persona, aprendizaje a distancia o una combinación de aprendizaje en persona y a distancia. Los tres argumentos de aprendizaje están diseñados con flexibilidad, de modo que podemos hacer cualquiera de ellos según sea necesario.

 

5 de agosto

Nuestro grupo de trabajo COVID-19, compuesto por maestros, administración del distrito y socios comunitarios, revisarán el plan que preparó nuestro distrito, basado en los resultados de la encuesta del personal y de los padres, y las pautas del estado, para finalizar los planes de regreso a la escuela.

 

10 de agosto

Nuestra directiva escolar revisará el plan de regreso a clases.

 

11 de agosto

Las familias y los miembros de la comunidad recibirán información del distrito con los planes detallados sobre cómo comenzaremos el año.

 

25-27 de agosto

Los maestros interactuaran profesionalmente para apoyar la implementación de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de alta calidad dentro de los parámetros de ir a clases/ combinación / aprendizaje a distancia. Los temas incluirán la participación estudiantil, equidad, como construir una relación con estudiantes y familias, en el aprendizaje social, emocional y en la tecnología.

 

31 de agosto al 4 de septiembre

El personal trabajará en la planificación y colaboración de su nivel de grado, y el departamento y colegas del edificio trabajan en la preparación para el comienzo del año escolar 2020-21. El personal se asegurará de que todos los componentes del plan de preparación estén en su lugar.

 

8-10 de septiembre

Se reanudan las clases para todos los estudiantes.

 

Esta información es provisional y no aborda todas las preguntas que las personas puedan tener. Muchos detalles aún no se han finalizado. Nuestra principal prioridad, es que todas las decisiones que se tomen seran para mejorar la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, el personal y la comunidad.

 

Somali

Waaxda Waxbarashada Minnesota iyo gabnatooraha. Tim Walz ayaa ku dhawaaqi doona qaabkii loo furi lahaa iskuulada iyagoo u qeebin doona saddexda xaaladood ee aan ku bilaabi doono sanad dugsiyeedka: shaqsi ahaan, waxbarasho masaafo ah ama isku jirta shakhsi ahaaneed iyo waxbarasho masaafadeed. Seddexda xaaladood ee waxbarasho ayaa loo qorsheyn doonaa inay noqdaan kuwo is bedbeddelaya si aan ugu dhex socon karno dhexdooda markii loo baahdo.

 

Agoosto 5

Howlwadeenada COVID-19, oo ka kooban macallimiin, maamulka degmada iyo la-hawlgalayaasha bulshada, ayaa dib u eegi doona qorshaha diyaarsanaantayada degmada, natiijooyinka baarista sahaminta waalidiinta, iyo tilmaamaha gobolka, si loo dhammaystiro qorshayaasha dib-ugu-laabashada dugsiga.

 

Agoosto 10

Guddigeena dugsi ayaa dib u eegi doona qorshaha dib-ugu-noqoshada dugsiga.

 

Agoosto 11

Qoysaska iyo xubnaha bulshada waxay ka heli doonaan isgaarsiinta degmada oo leh qorshayaal faahfaahsan oo ku saabsan sida aan sanadka u biloabeyn doonno.

 

Agoosto 25-27

Macallimiintu waxay ku hawl gali doonaan barashada xirfadeed si ay u taageeraan hirgelinta barida tayo sare leh iyo barashada gudaha shaqsiyadaha / moodooyinka / iskudarka masaafada. Mawduucyada waxaa ka mid noqon doona ka-qeybgalka ardayda, sinnaanta, xiriirka ardayda iyo qoysaska, barashada bulshada iyo shucuurta, iyo teknolojiyada.

 

Agoosto 31-Sebtember 4

Shaqaalaha ayaa ku hawllan qorsheynta iyo wadashaqeynta heerka fasalkooda, waaxdooda, iyo dhisidda asxaabtooda isku diyaarinta bilowga sanad dugsiyeedka 2020 -21. Shaqaaluhu waxay hubin doonaan in dhammaan qaybaha diyaarsanaanta la diyaariyay.

 

Sebtember 8-10

Fasalada dib ayey u bilaabi doonaan ardayda oo dhan.

 

Macluumaadkaani waa mid hawl-galo oo wax looga qabanayo dhammaan su'aalaha dadku qabi karaan. Faahfaahin badan ayaan wali la soo gabagabeyn. Dhamaan go'aanada waxaa lagu gaari doonaa caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ardayda, shaqaalaha iyo bulshada inteena ugu muhiimsan.

Dear Faribault Public Schools Community,

This is Superintendent Todd Sesker providing you with another update as we prepare for the 2020-21 school year. Next week we will receive guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) letting us know whether we will start the year with in-person learning, distance learning or a combination of both.

In the meantime, our COVID-19 Task Force, made up of teachers, administrators, and community partners, is working collaboratively to develop a preparedness plan for back to school 2020. We are working to address the questions and concerns you’ve shared with us to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and our Faribault community.

We have moved the school start dates back to Sept. 8-10 to provide additional time to ensure our preparedness plan is implemented. We will supply iPads for grades K-12 so all students have access to technology should we return to distance learning full-time or part-time this year. Regardless of the MDE’s guidance, distance learning will be an option for any student.

If students do return to our buildings, they will be required to wear facemasks in compliance with statewide Executive Order Governor Walz put in place July 21.

Haley Storms is joining our team as our district health and safety manager. She will ensure we are in compliance with all safety guidelines issued by the MDH and MDE. In addition, she will implement all environmental, health, and safety procedures in the district. This will include plans for isolating staff or students who show symptoms of COVID-19.

The custodial staff has spent the summer thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing each building. To start the school year, each building will be equipped with:

• Plexiglass sheets for the reception areas.

• Health screening stations at designated building entrances that will include recommended screening tools per the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines. For example: thermometers, hand sanitizer, disposable masks for visitors, and posters with health screening questions.

• Social distancing rules that will be identified in public spaces.

• Posters promoting health and safety practices.

• Cleaning materials for each classroom. For example, microfiber towels with disinfectant.

• Reusable masks for all staff members.

We are doing everything we can to prepare for all possibilities. We will continue to keep you informed via Infinite Campus, email and our COVID-19 website as we make adjustments and follow the guidance of our school board, county, and state.

The health and safety of our students, staff, and families are at the forefront of our decision making. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

Spanish

Estimada Comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Faribault:

Yo soy el Superintendente Todd Sesker, que les brinda una nueva actualización mientras nos preparamos para el año escolar 2020-21. La próxima semana recibiremos la guía del Departamento de Educación de Minnesota (MDE) para informarnos si comenzaremos el año con los estudiantes en las escuelas, o aprendizaje a distancia o una combinación de ambos.

Mientras tanto, nuestro equipo de trabajo COVID-19, compuesto por maestros, administradores y socios de la comunidad, está trabajando en colaboración para desarrollar un plan de preparación para el regreso a la escuela 2020. Estamos trabajando para abordar las preguntas y preocupaciones que han compartido con nosotros para garantizar la salud y seguridad de los estudiantes, el personal y nuestra comunidad de Faribault.

Hemos cambiado las fechas de inicio de clases al 8-10 de septiembre para darles tiempo adicional para garantizar que se implemente nuestro plan de preparación. Suministraremos iPads para los grados de K-12 para que todos los estudiantes tengan acceso a la tecnología, en caso de que volvamos a tener educación a distancia a tiempo completo o parcial este año. Independientemente de la guias del MDE, el aprendizaje a distancia será una opción para cualquier estudiante.

Si los estudiantes regresan a nuestros establecimientos, se les pedirá que usen mascarilla, de acuerdo con la Orden Ejecutiva que dio y estableció el gobernador Walz el 21 de julio en todo el estado.

Haley Storms formará parte de nuestro equipo como nuestra directora de salud y seguridad del distrito. Ella se asegurará de que cumplamos con todas las pautas de seguridad emitidas por MDH y MDE. Además, implementará todos los procedimientos ambientales, de salud y seguridad en el distrito. Esto incluirá planes para aislar al personal o los estudiantes que muestran síntomas de COVID-19.

El personal de limpieza ha pasado el verano limpiando y desinfectando minuciosamente cada establecimiento. Para comenzar el año escolar, cada establecimiento estará equipado con:

• láminas de plexiglás para las áreas de recepción.

• Habrá lugares de detección de salud en las entradas designadas del edificio que incluirán las herramientas de evaluación recomendadas según las pautas del Departamento de Salud de Minnesota (MDH). Por ejemplo: termómetros, desinfectante de manos, mascarillas desechables para visitantes y una serie de preguntas sobre exámenes de salud.

• Reglas de distanciamiento social que se identificarán en espacios públicos.

• Carteles que promueven prácticas de salud y seguridad.

• Materiales de limpieza para cada salón. Por ejemplo, toallas de microfibra con desinfectante.

• Mascarillas reusables para todos los miembros del personal.

Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para prepararnos para todas las posibilidades. Continuaremos manteniéndolo informado a través de Infinite Campus, correo electrónico y nuestro sitio web COVID-19 mientras realizamos ajustes y seguimos la guía de nuestra directiva escolar, condado y estado.

La salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias están a la vanguardia de nuestra toma de decisiones. Gracias por su paciencia, comprensión y apoyo durante estos tiempos difíciles.

Sinceramente,

Superintendente Todd Sesker

 

Somali

Waalidiinta sharafta Mudan ee Iskuullada Dadweynaha Faribault,

Kani waa Kormeeraha Guud ee iskuulada Faribault Todd Sesker oo idin wargelinaayo markale sidii aan iskugu diyaarin laheen sannad dugsiyeedka 2020-21. Toddobaadka soo socda waxaan warbixin ka heli doonnaa Waaxda Waxbarashada ee Minnesota (MDE) oo na ogeysiineysa inaan ku bilowno sannadka barashada shaqsiga, barashada masaafada ama labadaba.

Waqtigan xaadirka ah, Howlwadeennada COVID-19, oo ka kooban macallimiin, maamuleyaal, iyo la-hawlgalayaal bulshada, ayaa si wada jir ah uga shaqeynaya si loo diyaariyo qorshe diyaarsanaanta loogu talagalay ku-noqoshada dugsiga 2020. Waxaan ka shaqeyneynaa sidii aan wax uga qaban lahayn su'aalaha iyo welwelka aad la wadaagteen annaga si aan u hubinno caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ardayda, shaqaalaha, iyo bulshadayada Faribault.

Waxaan u wareejinay taariikhaha bilawga dugsiga illaa Sebtember 8 si loo bixiyo waqti dheeri ah si loo hubiyo in qorshaheenna u diyaargarowga la hirgaliyo. Waxaan u soo bandhigi doonaa iPads fasalada K-12 si ardayda oo dhan ay u helaan teknolojiyad haddii aan ku laabanno masaafada waxbarasho waqti-buuxa ama waqti-dhiman sannadkan. Ayadoon loo eegayn waxaada waxbarashada markasta waxay noqon in ardayda la siiyo waxbarasho masaafada dheer.

Haddii ardaydu ku laabtaan dhismayaashayada, waxaa laga rabaa inay xidhaan af daboolka iyaga oo raacaya Amarka Fulinta ee Gobolka oo dhan Walz oo la dhigay July 21.

Haley Storms waxay ku soo biireysaa kooxdeena oo ah maareeyaha caafimaadka iyo amniga degmada. Waxay hubin doontaa inaan u hogaansan nahay dhammaan tilmaamaha amniga ee ay soo saareen MDH iyo MDE. Intaa waxa u dheer, waxay ku fulin doontaa dhammaan nidaamka deegaanka, caafimaadka, iyo nabadgeliyada degmada. Tan waxaa ka mid ah qorshooyinka lagu go'doominayo shaqaalaha ama ardayda muujiya astaamaha COVID-19.

Shaqaalaha waardiyaha ayaa ku qaatay xagaaga sifiican iyo nadiifinta dhisme kasta. Si loo bilaabo sannad dugsiyeedka, dhisme kasta waxaa lagu qalabeysan yahay:

Rugaha baaritaanka caafimaad ee laga soo galayo meelaha laga soo galo ee dhismaha oo ay ku jiri doonaan aaladaha baarista lagu taliyay ee tilmaamaha Waaxda Caafimaadka Minnesota (MDH). Tusaale ahaan: heerkulbeegga, gacmo nadiifiye,

af dabool la adeegsan karo oo loogu talagalay booqdeyaasha, iyo waraaqaha wax lagu dhejiyo ee su'aalaha baaritaanka caafimaad.

Shuruucda weecinta bulshada ee lagu aqoonsan doono goobaha dadweynaha.

Boostada kor u qaadaya dhaqanka iyo badbaadada caafimaadka.

Nadiifinta qalabka fasal kasta. Tusaale ahaan, shukumaannada microfiber leh jeermi-dilaha.

Maaskaro dib loo isticmaali karo dhammaan xubnaha shaqaalaha.

Waxaan sameyneynaa wax kasta oo aan ku diyaarin karno dhammaan suurtagalnimada. Waxaan sii wadaynaa inaan kugu wargalinno iyada oo loo sii marayo Infinite Campus, emaylka iyo websaydhka COVID-19 maaddaama aan wax ka bedello sameyno oo aan raacno hagidda guddiga dugsiga, degmada, iyo gobolka.

Caafimaadka iyo badbaadada ardayda, shaqaalaha, iyo qoysaska ayaa safka hore kaga jira go'aan qaadashadayada. Waad ku mahadsan tahay dulqaadkaaga, fahamkaaga iyo taageeradaada xilliyadan adag.

Si daacad ah,

Kormeeraha Guud Todd Sesker

 

As we await further guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education, our COVID-19 Task Force is making significant progress on health and safety plans for each building throughout the district. Our task force is made up of teachers, administrators, and community partners, who are working collaboratively to develop a preparedness plan for back to school 2020. We are working to address the questions and concerns from staff and families to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and our Faribault community.

Members of the COVID-19 Task Force

Todd Sesker, Superintendent

Carolyn Treadway, School Board Member

Tracy Corcoran, Director of Teaching and Learning

Rob Dehnert, Director of Special Services

Anne Leland, Director of Community Education

Nicole Yochum, Director of Human Resources

Andrew Adams, Director of Finance and Operations

Kain Smith, Director of Buildings and Grounds

Haley Storms, Health and Safety Manager

Matt Steichen, Community Relations Coordinator

Yesica Louis, Jefferson Elementary Principal

Brad Palmer, Lincoln Elementary Principal

Terry Ronayne, Roosevelt Elementary Principal

Mike Meihak, Faribault Middle School Principal

Jamie Bente, Faribault High School Principal

Cassie Ohnstad, Adult Education Coordinator

Vonna Dinse, Area Learning Center Director

Olivia Sage, Early Learning Coordinator

Corey Luettel, Teacher

Cheri Staab, Teacher

Amy Staloch, Teacher

Brian Maas, Teacher

Wendy Susen, Teacher

Emily Shroyer, Teacher

Nick Tackmann, Teacher

Angela Pedace, Teacher

Krista Swanson, Teacher

Garrett Regan, Faribault Transportation

Dear Faribault Public School parents,

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our district has had to reimagine how we can provide a high-quality education for all learners while maintaining safety as a top priority. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced the following three potential plans for reopening school in the fall: In-person learning for all students; Hybrid learning which is a combination of face to face and distance learning to accommodate capacity limits; Distance learning.

The State of Minnesota will continue to provide guidance for the fall. However, we want to be proactive and gather feedback, questions, and concerns that will allow us to create plans that best meet the needs of our students and families. We will be collecting your feedback through July 26, 2020 and will be releasing a more finalized plan that integrates your feedback in the coming weeks.

 

Please fill out the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCX9RLD

 

Somali

Iyadoo ay ugu wacan tahay faafitaanka COVID-19, degmadeenu waxay dib u qaabeyneysaa sida aynu u

bixin karno waxbarasho tayo sare leh lana siinayo dhammaan ardeyda iyadoo aan ilaalinayno

nabadgelyada lagana dhigayo mudnaanta Sare.

Waaxda Waxbarashada ee Minnesota (MDE) ayaa ku dhawaaqday saddex qorsho oo suurtogalka ah ee

dib loogu furayo iskuulada xiliga dayrta:

Dhammaan ardayda oo dib ugu soo laabta iskuulka

Barashada isku-dhafka ah taasoo fool ka fool ah iyo barashada masaafada si loo siiyo waxbarasho tiro

xadidan

Barashada masaafada fog

Gobolka Minnesota wuxuu sii wadi doonaa inuu siiyo talo bixinno xiliga dayrta. Si kastaba ha noqotee,

waxaan rabnaa inaan noqono kuwa firfircoon oo aruurinno ra'yi-bixinno, su'aalo, iyo walaacyada kaasoo

noo saamaxayo inaan abuurno qorsheyaal ugu wanaagsan ee baahida ardayda iyo qoysaska. Waxaan

aruurin doonnaa jawaabtaada ilaa Julaay 26, 2020 waxaan soo saari doonnaa qorshe dhameystiran oo

isku dhafan jawaab celintaada toddobaadyada soo socda. Iskuulada dadweynaha ee Faribault ayaa

kaaga mahadcelinaya waqtiga aad siisay dhammeystirka ra'yi ururintan iyo taageeradaada.

Dear Faribault Public Schools community,

I hope you are all enjoying the start of your much-deserved summer break. I want to provide you with a brief update on our plans for the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Last week, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education announced that schools should plan for three scenarios for next school year. 1) Students return to buildings following health guidelines, 2) A continuation of distance learning, or 3) a combination of in-building and distance learning. Here is a link for the MDH’s current guidelines for those scenarios: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/k12planguide.pdf

The MDE has announced it will direct school districts on which scenario(s) to implement by the last week of July. Our district leadership is working hard to make sure we are well-prepared for all possibilities.

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

Dear Faribault senior students and families,

As you probably know, on May 8 the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Department of Health announced restrictions for how Minnesota schools can carry out graduation ceremonies this year due to COVID-19.

We will not get to have the traditional graduation ceremony you have hoped for and deserve, but we remain committed to celebrating and honoring your achievements. After listening to your feedback, conducting extensive research and considering multiple in-person options, we have decided that a virtual graduation ceremony will be the best way to celebrate the Class of 2020 while also prioritizing the health and safety of our students, families, staff and community in the face of the significant health risks posed by the current pandemic. The virtual ceremony will be pre recorded and sent out on Sunday, June 7.

We are all disappointed by this news. However, we are obligated to follow graduation guidelines outlined by the state and understand the reasons behind them. We respect and appreciate the requests we received to delay graduation until later in the summer, but we feel there is too much uncertainty surrounding what safety guidelines will be in place should we postpone the ceremony. We feel that the ceremony needs to happen on schedule as our students have many different plans for after graduation.

When public health guidelines loosen, we hope to host an event where the Class of 2020 can come together, in person, to celebrate.

Over the next two weeks, seniors will be invited to come to FHS for a Graduation Drive Thru. You will receive your diploma, walk across the outdoor graduation stage, and get your picture taken with cutouts of Mr. Sesker, Mr. Bente, Mr. Peck, and Mr. Sage. These pictures will then be placed in the graduation video when the names are read for these students. We will send out more details on the Graduation Drive Thru and the virtual ceremony next week.

We will always remember the Class of 2020, not only for your accomplishments and talents, but for the selflessness, leadership and resilience you’ve shown in the face of this worldwide health crisis.

 

Distance Learning, A New Tool for our Toolbox

It has been a busy last few weeks, to say the least. Our creative use of distance learning to teach kids has changed the way we not only deliver education, but the way many of us perceive it. Teachers remain at the core of education whether it is through alternative delivery methods, such as distance learning, or they are working at a charter school, public school or any other type of educational institution. A high-quality teacher is still the best measure of success for any educational institution and I am proud to say that Faribault Public Schools has great teachers.

I have been in education for a long time, beginning as a teacher in 1985. Just like today, students in that era were influenced by great teachers. Students have also adapted over the years as their needs have changed and the way they learn has evolved. Students and families certainly face more social and emotional barriers compared to when I first started teaching. I’m proud of the way our students and staff have adapted to face the challenges brought forward by this pandemic.

Next fall, when students go back to school, the learning environment will not look the same or feel the same. What will remain are those great teachers and students. Our educators have been adapting now for 40 years. I know, because I have been through this every step of the way. Teachers in Faribault will adapt and continue to create engaging learning environments for kids, whether virtual or in-person.

Back in the 80s, I was a secondary math and computer science teacher. I was also in charge of technology for our district. I remember when our environment changed as technology really became part of the toolbox for teachers. Teachers adapted and students started to utilize technology to help enhance their learning. Technology did not replace great teachers then and distance learning will not replace great teachers now.

Just like technology became a new gadget for teachers to use in the 80s, teachers now have a new virtual tool in their toolbox, called “distance learning” (probably an appropriate name since students are not physically at school during this pandemic). These tools are a means to communicate with students and positively influence and enhance the way they learn.

Distance learning, like many other tools in the past, will not replace a teacher and how students receive a high-quality education. In my experience, quality learning has always been defined by a great teacher using all of their tools in the toolbox to engage students academically as well as facilitating students to acquire the skills they need to be successful. These skills include creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, citizenship, communication and collaboration with others, and communication and informational technology. Along with high academic expectations, these 21st-century skills are critical attributes for all students that graduate from Faribault Public Schools.

We are all in this together as we create this new normal for our teachers and our students. I hope you are all able to stay safe, stay healthy and stay positive. We are Faribault!

Todd Sesker

Superintendent Faribault Public Schools

 

Dear Faribault Public Schools families,

Today, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order announcing that all schools in the state of Minnesota will remain closed through the end of the academic year.

Our teachers and staff have planned for this possibility and are prepared to continue instructing your child through distance learning from now until the last scheduled day of instruction, June 4.

We will continue to offer child care for Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers, as well as free breakfast and lunch for all students age 18 and under, through the end of the academic year. Food boxes are available for all Faribault residents Thursdays and Fridays at the same locations. Go to Faribault.k12.mn.us for more details.

In response to the executive order, the Minnesota State High School League has cancelled all spring activities.

We are currently developing plans for a virtual graduation ceremony on June 7. We are very proud of our seniors and it’s important to us that we find a way to celebrate them and share their important milestone with the community while still adhering to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.

In the meantime, we are coming up with other ways to recognize our seniors and celebrate their accomplishments. Tomorrow all seniors will receive a Class of 2020 yard sign courtesy of the Faribault Booster Club when they pick up their cap and gown (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at FHS). We are making plans to host our annual Senior Awards and Scholarships Night and Senior Decision Day events virtually.

I want to thank everyone for your patience, understanding and flexibility during this unprecedented time. The health and safety of our students remains our top priority as we continue to navigate this national health crisis. We are Faribault and we will get through this together.

Superintendent Todd Sesker

Beginning on Thursday, April 23, free food boxes will be available each Thursday and Friday to families of the City of Faribault. There are no age restrictions on these food boxes.

This program will be run in partnership with Faribault Public Schools’ student food service program.

On Thursdays, a Hiawathaland bus will distribute food boxes from 10 a.m. to noon at Cannon River Mobile Home Park, McKinley Early Childhood Center and Sunrise Mobile Home Park. Deliveries will be dropped off at Chester Ct. Circle near Roberds Lake between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

On Fridays, the buses will distribute food boxes from 10 a.m. to noon at Four Seasons Apartments and Buckham Library. A bus will stop at Evergreen Estates Mobile Home Park from 10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. and Knollwood Mobile Home Park from 11 a.m.-noon.

The food is provided through a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. Growing up Healthy, Faribault Youth Investment, Faribault Community School, the YMCA, and Hiawathaland Transit are partnering to support this free service.

More information here. English Spanish Somali

 

Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary and McKinley Early Childhood Center families,

We will host curbside distance-learning supply pick-ups for all elementary and early-childhood students at your school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

You will be contacted via Infinite Campus, email and phone call with more details on your school’s pick-up procedures. If you can’t pick up supplies during this time, contact your school to make other arrangements.

This is Todd Sesker, superintendent for Faribault Public Schools, catching up with you as we complete our second week of distance learning for our students and fourth week for our staff.

I hope you are settling into routine as you continue to engage in distance learning, finding some time for physical activity, and keeping in regular contact with our staff members who continue to care deeply about our students.

I also hope that this new-found abundance of time with family proves to be a positive experience for everyone. Maintaining a sense of humor can go a long way toward helping us adjust to this new normal.

A few things to think about next week... Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of our students and staff. It’s important that everyone continues to follow social distancing guidelines and the stay-at-home order issued by the governor. By doing this, you will decrease health risks for yourself and those around you and help flatten the curve.

Additionally, this change in routine can have adverse effects on our mental health. Our counselors and social workers are still available for our students. Go to our website for more information on how to get in touch with a counselor or social worker.

I also want to remind you that the expectation for our teachers is that they will continue to regularly reach out and visit with every student, either by phone or video conference. We want to make sure we are doing our part to make your child’s learning easier and one way we can do that is by continuing to provide support for, and build relationships with, your sons and daughters.

Another thing to be aware of is that next week is Tornado Awareness Week. On Thursday, April 16th at 1:45 p.m. the county will initiate the sirens. Please take this tornado drill seriously and practice what you will do at home in case of a tornado.

Finally, if you have suggestions on how we can improve what we are doing at school, please do not hesitate to call me at 507-333-6016 or email me at tsesker@faribault.k12.mn.us. Enjoy a well-deserved weekend!

Monday, April 13th will not be a distance learning day for Faribault Public Schools students as it is a professional development day for staff.

Students may still log in to SeeSaw or Schoology to work on material, but no new assignments will be sent out. Distance learning will resume on Tuesday, April 14th.

Child care and food service will still be available on Monday.

 

Keeping Busy Activity Bag

Sign-up to receive a weekly activity bag provided by the Faribault Community School and partners.

• Bags are FREE and available for ALL PreK-8th grade students in Faribault.

• Pick-up on Wednesdays at the meal location of your choice.

• Unclaimed bags will be held at the FEC for pick-up on Thurs. or Fri 7:00 am - 12:00 pm.

• Sign-up following the link below (sign-up only once to receive a bag every week).

To prepare the correct number of bags we are asking that families fill out a Google Form.

Click here to fill out a new form for each student.

GiveMN page to support our free day care and food service programs

Thank you to the many community partners and community members who have donated their time and resources to our schools during this unprecedented time. We have created this GiveMN page to make it easier to support our free child care and food service programs.

Just click on the link below to make a donation and help feed the children of Faribault.

GiveMN.org

Once again, thank you for supporting Faribault Public Schools. #WeAreFaribault

This is Todd Sesker, Superintendent for Faribault Public Schools. Thank you everyone for your patience, understanding and flexibility as our district implements our distance learning curriculum.​ Your children’s health and safety are our top priority and we are dedicated to making sure they continue to receive a high quality education as long as our school buildings are closed. Our teachers are ready.

Today, the governor confirmed that distance learning will begin March 30 and students will continue to learn from home through May 4. Our current plan is for teachers to return May 1 and May 4, and to welcome students back to the buildings on May 5.

We will do everything we can to answer your questions and help you navigate this unprecedented situation. We are working to make our phone systems more efficient and make it easier to access a real person when you call your child’s school. Our teachers and administrators will do everything they can to be flexible and accessible while guiding your child through the distance learning process.

We will continue to provide free breakfast and free lunch for students 18 years and younger and we will continue to offer free childcare for Tier one and Tier two workers. Faribault Public Schools serve all kids and all families regardless of what school they go to. Free meals are available from 7 a.m. to noon at the Faribault Education Center and from 10 a.m. to noon at Buckham Library, Evergreen Estates, Cannon River Mobile Park, Four Seasons Apartments, McKinley Early Childhood Center and the new Discovery School location at 924 First Street Northeast.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding food or childcare at 507-333-6000.

We know there is a huge learning curve for schools and families as we implement distance learning. We also know that we need to be flexible with students. Our staff has been working incredibly hard to make sure this will be a smooth transition for our students and families. We will be taking attendance every day, engaging students, and working with parents to make this a positive experience for everyone.

We are here for you. Our teachers are confident and ready. The Faribault Public School distance learning plan is ready to go. We care about every single student that lives in our district, regardless of what school they attend. Be strong and be proud because We are Faribault and we will get through this together.

(Spanish)(Somali)

Robert Dehnert – Director of Special Services
Faribault Public Schools
rdehnert@faribault.k12.mn.us

March 24, 2020

Dear Families,

As the Director of Special Services for Faribault Public Schools, I am writing to you today with mixed emotions. First, I am very aware of the difficulties students and families face as we begin moving towards Distance Learning. I hope that everyone does their best to stay safe and positive through this difficult time. Second, I want to explain how Faribault Public Schools will implement a Distance Learning plan for students receiving Special Education services.

Consistent with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Faribault Public Schools is proposing to modify your child’s IEP services to indicate that the special education teacher and/or paraprofessional will connect with the parent or student daily regarding special education activities provided to the student and also check on how things are going with the general education instruction or work, and/or consultation with parents or caregivers. These connections may include virtual or online learning; paper packets or worksheets; electronic or paper textbooks; telephone instruction; teletherapy for speech and language services, occupational therapy, and/or physical therapy; online resources, instruction via Schoology and/or SeeSaw, and other curriculum-based instructional activities.

Faribault Public Schools is proposing these changes so your child can continue to receive a free appropriate public education on school days that are designated as Distance Learning days by the Governor of Minnesota. The regular services, supports, and accommodations listed on your child’s IEP will resume when face-to-face instruction in schools is reinstated.

In proposing these changes to your child’s IEP, Faribault Public Schools considered your child’s current IEP, most recent evaluation report and input from staff members who work with your child. Faribault Public Schools also considered guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Education, and Minnesota's Governor.

Based on the emergency nature of the COVID 19 pandemic and direction from the federal and state government, Faribault Public Schools considered instructional options that are available through a distance learning model.

Soon, if not already, your child’s case manager will be contacting you to give you specifics about how they will implement a Distance Learning plan with your child. Below is a general outline of Faribault Public Schools’ Distance Learning plan in regards to special education:

Early Childhood Special Education - Teachers are preparing activity bags for students with sample schedules and instructions. Teachers and/or paraprofessionals will connect with parents and children to explain activities.

Elementary Special Education - Teachers are preparing curriculum bags for students with materials for reading, math, writing, and/or social skills lessons (depending on their IEP goals) for students to work on. Teachers and/or paraprofessionals will connect with students daily to go over the lessons, provide instruction, and/or help with the lesson.

Middle and High School Special Education - Teachers will utilize Schoology and other platforms to push out lessons, instruction, and activities to students. Students, teachers, and/or paraprofessionals will connect with students to provide instruction and answer questions.

In regards to special education IEP meetings, teachers will plan to meet with parents virtually to conduct any annual IEP meetings that become due during the next few weeks. In regards to evaluations, a member of the special education evaluation team will contact parents if they need to postpone or alter the evaluation plan.

If you have any questions or input, please contact your students case manager directly when you receive copies of the IEP addendums. If they cannot answer your question, they will forward them to me and we will get you an answer.

Sincerely,

Robert Dehnert

Director of Special Services

 

(Spanish) (Somali)

 

When Distance Learning is in effect, online applications like Seesaw, Schoology and Infinite Campus are the easiest way for our teachers to stay in contact with families and deliver instruction to students. If you don’t have wireless internet in your home, you can go to https://www.highspeedinternet.com/mn to find a list of local providers.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Charter Spectrum is providing 60 days of free wireless internet service for new customers. You must cancel after 60 days to avoid charges. There may also be additional charges for the modem and router installation. You can call this number to apply for free wireless internet service from Charter Spectrum: 1-844-488-8395.

If you are a current customer of Jaguar Communications, they are offering a $25 discount on services for families with children: 1-507-214-1000.

If you have a smartphone, service providers T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T are offering to activate free hotspot service. This allows you to use your phone as an access point and share your wireless internet service with another device. Contact your cellphone provider for more information.

All Faribault Public Schools students in grades 6 through 12 are provided with an iPad. If your student(s) doesn’t have a device, you can check one out by contacting your teacher. Supplies are limited, so we recommend each household check out one device.

If you don’t have internet access, your student will still engage in Distance Learning through pencil and paper assignments and materials supplied by teachers. Plans for distributing materials will be announced as they become available.

 

3/17/20 (Spanish) (Somali)

Faribault Public Schools community,

Thank you for your patience as our school district continues to develop our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with Governor Walz’s mandate on March 15, Faribault Public Schools will spend the next 10 days formulating a Distance Learning plan that will allow student learning to continue from home in the event school continues to be out of session beyond March 27. That decision will ultimately be made by the governor and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Since school could potentially be called off through the remainder of the school year, it is important that our staff has this time to create a Distance Learning curriculum. Our administration is already working hard to make sure we are prepared to give students the best possible curriculum given these circumstances.

Distance Learning could include online and at-home activities assigned by your child’s teacher through SeeSaw, Schoology, or other technology platforms. It can also be in the form of a project or a packet of materials that do not require technology. Regardless, our staff will be prepared to engage students each day and deliver content on March 30 through the end of the school year, if necessary.

Should school be called off beyond March 27, we will have designated times for students and/or parents to pick up their belongings, as well as check out technology and supplies needed for distance learning. If you need to pick up you belongings before March 30, contact your building administrator or secretary.

Our school district is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our students as we continue to navigate this public health crisis. We will continue to provide updates via phone, email, our website, and Facebook as this situation evolves.

Superintendent Todd Sesker

 

3/16/20 (Spanish) (Somali)

COVID-19 student nutrition and daycare update Faribault Public Schools parents and guardians.

While our schools are closed until March 30, it is important that we continue to offer healthy nutrition options for our students. Sack suppers are available for all students age 18 and under from 3-6 p.m. today and tomorrow at Faribault High School, Faribault

Middle School and Jefferson Elementary. Starting Wednesday, March 18, breakfast and lunch will be available for student pick-up from 7-9 a.m. weekdays at Buckham Library, Evergreen Estates, Cannon River Mobile Park and Four Seasons Apartments. We will hand out meals from school buses at these locations.

We will provide childcare for emergency and healthcare workers from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Tuesday, March 17 at Roosevelt Elementary School. An email with a sign up survey has been sent to all points of contact in the community.

School buildings will be open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, for students who need to pick up personal items. Medications can be picked up between 8-10 a.m. on Wednesday. Children with controlled medications (narcotic medications) will need to present an ID and sign a form. All medications will be picked up at the school entrance.

The high school fitness center is closed until further notice.

Our school district will continue to provide updates via email, phone message, our website and Facebook as we navigate this public health crisis.

Faribault Public Schools Community,

In accordance with Governor Walz’s announcement this morning, Faribault schools will be closed tomorrow and remain closed through March 27 to combat the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). We will continue to develop our response based on the recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health, Governor Walz, and the Minnesota Department of Education. Additionally, all school events and student activities are cancelled through March 27. Should Governor Walz extend the closure, we will initiate our flexible learning plans beginning Monday, March 30.

Schools will be open beginning Tuesday, March 17, for teachers who want to come in to prepare their flexible learning plans. Beginning Tuesday, March 17th, the school district will provide free childcare - to emergency personnel and healthcare workers only - from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The school district will communicate details to our health care employers on Monday. We are also developing plans to provide meals for students. We will send out additional information as soon as it is available. District staff is working hard to make sure learning continues and emergency and healthcare workers are free to do their jobs without worrying about daycare.

We are dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our students as we continue to navigate this public health crisis.

For release: March 13, 2020

Dear Faribault Public Schools Community,

In accordance with today’s recommendation by the Minnesota Department of Health, Faribault Public Schools will remain open as the state continues to evaluate how to best combat the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The MDH cited the importance of continuity of education and student access to nutrition among the reasons to keep schools open as we navigate this public health crisis. Additionally, children age 19 or younger are at the lowest risk of any age group (2 percent of cases) of contracting COVID-19, and studies found that states and nations that have closed schools for long periods of time have seen no difference in infection rate.

Based on this data, we encourage all students who are symptom-free, and did not leave the country over spring break, to continue to come to school. We suggest that any students experiencing symptoms or who left the country over spring break self-quarantine for two weeks and return to school on March 30. If you choose to self-quarantine your student, please notify your school immediately so they can create a learning plan for your student.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing. While we understand that this pandemic health situation is causing a rise in concern, MDH continues to emphasize the best things we can all do to prevent the spread of the virus are:

● Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Remind your student and model frequent handwashing in your home and workplace.

● Make sure to cover coughs and sneezes.

● Use your own water bottle.

● Stay home from work and school until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

STAFF

We also suggest that any staff members who are experiencing symptoms or who left the country over spring break self-quarantine until March 30. Staff can contact human resources director Nicole Yochum at nyochum@faribault.k12.mn.us for more information.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS

All school-sponsored evening activities at Faribault Public Schools are canceled or postponed until further notice. This includes all band and choir concerts, plays, and field trips. Athletic teams and after- school clubs can continue to practice until further notice. The Minnesota State High School League has canceled the remainder of winter activities and spring sports can’t compete with other member schools until April 6.

E-LEARNING DAYS

The district is prepared to implement our e-learning plan in case schools need to be closed for a period of time. If a longer-term closure is implemented by the state, we will adjust the plan to meet the changing conditions for our students. Go to our website (faribault.k12.mn.us) for more information on Falcon Learning and Connecting Days.

SCHOOL SANITATION

We employ strategic disinfectant procedures during the influenza season. The same cleaning strategies that we use to limit influenza transmission are effective in combating COVID-19. These include frequent disinfecting of surfaces that we can use to quickly and safely sanitize classrooms on a regular schedule. Sodexo is also taking precautions to reduce the potential for cross-contamination in lunch rooms.

We will also continue to emphasize regular hand-washing throughout the day. Mobile hand sanitizer stations have been ordered for each building.

MONITORING FOR CORONAVIRUS INCIDENTS

The MDH has primary responsibility for the overall monitoring of Minnesota residents who may be exposed to the Coronavirus. We continue to develop our response plan based on the recommendations of the MDH, Governor Walz, and the Minnesota Department of Education.

If you have additional questions about COVID-19, you can call the health department’s coronavirus hotline at 651-201-3920. You will continue to receive updates from the school district as we monitor this rapidly-changing health event. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and healthy educational environment for our students, staff and families.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Todd Sesker