Fall 2020 Updates

Lakeville Area Schools Safe Learning Plan

We will begin the 2020-21 School Year in a Hybrid Learning Model

Lakeville Area Families,

I am looking forward to welcoming back your students on September 14! At Lakeville Area Schools we are committed to providing a high quality, equitable education in safe and predictable environments, while taking precautions for the health of students, staff, families and community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of the Lakeville Area Schools Safe Learning Plan has been guided by the following principles:

Prioritizing health, safety and well-being of our students and staff
Provide a high-quality education
Ensure students receive developmentally appropriate services based on varying needs
Address equity and access for all
Focus on the social-emotional needs of our students and staff

We will begin the 2020-21 school year in a hybrid model, which is a combination of in-person and distance learning. A distance learning option, provided through LinK12 Lakeville, will be available for any family seeking full-time online learning. Please know that your school district is prepared to shift between all three learning scenarios depending on the severity of COVID-19 cases in the area. We will provide timely communication to families and staff if and when a classroom, school or district-wide shift between scenarios needs to be made.

This document provides details primarily for the hybrid scenario, but also includes details for how Lakeville Area Schools would transition to in-person or distance learning as necessary and will be updated as needed throughout the school year. If you have questions regarding the plan for the 2020-21 school year, please fill out this questions form. This will help us respond to you as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Submit a Question

Safe Learning Plan Details

For FamiliesFor Teachers and Staff

As this situation evolves and policies change, we will continue to update you with the latest guidance in accordance with our state and federal agencies. Thank you for helping us keep the health and safety of our community at the forefront of our operations. We must all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Learning Models

Lakeville Area Schools has prepared for three learning models for the 2020-21 school year: Full-time distance learning; full time in-person; and a hybrid model that includes some in-person learning and distance learning, with an opt-in, full-time distance learning option called LinK12 Lakeville (this is available during the hybrid and in-person models). Local health data will determine which model Lakeville Area Schools is in, and the District is prepared to shift to different models as needed. The District will communicate any changes to the learning model in a timely manner.

Hybrid Learning Model

Lakeville Area Schools has prepared a comprehensive Safe Learning Plan for the Hybrid Model. You can read the entire plan by clicking this link or the picture to the right. This document covers a number of major topics, including how students will learning at the Elementary, Middle and High School level, PreK programs, child care, meals, transportation and student devices. Click the icons below for a summary of some of these topics.

INDIVIDUALIZED STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

We know each of our students has different needs. Lakeville Area Schools is dedicated to providing social, emotional, and behavioral support to all students in accordance with their individual needs.

We recognize students are experiencing a variety of feelings and thoughts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant adjustments they have had to make and will continue to make this school year. Throughout the school year, school staff will monitor student progress for signs of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral struggles. If we detect emerging concerns, we are committed to promptly work with students and families to identify effective strategies and supports that promote engagement and foster student success and wellbeing.

If significant student needs emerge throughout the year we are prepared to provide and/or recommend individualized support.

Special Education

Special education students will receive services based on their Individualized Education Programs (IEP/ IFSP for Early Childhood students). In some rare instances, students receiving special education services may be in need of additional in-person or online services based on IEP needs. The following data will be reviewed to determine if additional support is needed in order for the student to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE):

IEP goals and objectives
Related Service needs
Federal Setting
Positive Behavior Support plans
Progress on IEP goals and objectives during Distance Learning in the 2019-20 school year.

Changes in Special Education services will be developed through discussion by the IEP team once school staff return to work.

The district will follow state guidance regarding staff personal protective equipment (PPE) for all students who need personal and/or medical care.

English Learners

Lakeville Area Schools will meet MDE and federal requirements for English Learners. We recognize that students may have a variety of needs and we are committed to supporting these learners. Services will be provided based on a student’s level of language development and academic progress. Student assessment will be provided face-to-face in accordance with MDH/MDE guidelines.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals from discrimination based on their disability. To be eligible for protection, students must have a documented disability that impacts a major life function. School building 504 coordinators will review plans to determine if changes or updates need to be made for them to participate successfully in a Hybrid Learning Model or Distance Learning Model. If a student’s disability prevents them from complying with any safety measures required by the district, the district may request documentation of the need for an exemption from the student’s physician. The district will provide all required materials or supports to ensure students with 504 plans have equal access to the school environment.

For new 504 plans, the district may meet requirements under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act for evaluation and communication without a face-to-face meeting.

We recognize that under Section 504 student may:

Have a disability that precludes them from wearing a face covering or other personal protective equipment
Require additional supports or materials to learn in a Distance Learning Model or Hybrid Learning Model
Be exempt from certain elements of a Distanced Learning model or Hybrid Learning model
Not have met requirements for a Section 504 plan in the past but require accommodations to access learning in a distanced/hybrid model

Homeless/Unaccompanied Youth

School building homeless liaisons and the district McKinney-Vento coordinator will work collaboratively to provide an individualized plan of support for students and families experiencing homelessness. There are several key protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act that will impact student learning in a Hybrid Learning Model or Distance Learning Model.

We recognize that students experiencing homelessness or who are unaccompanied may need additional technology and resources to access learning, require additional time and support to complete online work or need to receive communication intended for parents/guardians.

Students who are homeless or unaccompanied may not be prevented from enrolling in and beginning school if they are in a quarantine period due to moving from another state/country.

Children who are homeless are entitled to educational benefits including transportation and free breakfast and lunch and have the right to remain in their school of origin. If your family is experiencing homelessness, including living with another family or in a temporary living facility due to loss of housing or financial hardship, please call 952-232-2072 or email megan.reikowski@isd194.org.

COVID-19 Operational Manual for Staff

Currently our buildings are generally closed to the public with the exception of district approved programs and facility use and employees who have been approved by their supervisors to report to work. As we await further guidance from Governor Tim Walz, the COVID-19 Planning Committee has created an operational manual that all employees must follow when they are in our buildings to ensure the safest work environment possible. Please review this manual to understand staff responsibilities, which includes a daily self-screening, wearing a mask in accordance with the Governor’s executive order 20-81, and practicing social distancing.

COVID-19 Operational Manual for All Staff

Health and Safety Guidance

The District has prepared a Health and Safety guide for all staff. This document provides guidance for implementing State requirements and District-wide health and safety standards to support the Hybrid Learning model.

For specific state health and safety requirements and recommendations, please refer to the State’s Planning Guide for Schools: Health Considerations for Navigating COVID-19 and the MDE Guidance for Public Schools.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance for School Buildings

Health and Safety Presentation

You can view the following presentation about the district’s health and safety measures. You can view the slideshow embedded on this page. Your building administrator should have also provided you log-in information to view a video recording on LETV of this presentation delivered by Renae Ouillette, Ellen Parker, Danae Bachtle and Damien Nelson.

Health and Safety Presentation Slideshow

Building Signage

The district will continue to post COVID-19-related signage for buildings and facilities here for your own printing needs if extras are needed in buildings. You will need to sign into your Google-authenticated employee email account in order to access this signage.

Face Covering Signage

Face Covering Required Signage – English
- Face Covering Required Signage – Spanish

Social Distancing Signage

Schooch Over, Lakeville – English
- Schooch Over, Lakeville – Spanish
- Schooch Over, Lakeville – Somali

Social Distance – English
- Social Distance – Spanish
- Social Distance – Somali

Health and Safety Handout

Health and Safety Infographic – English
- Health and Safety Infographic – Spanish
- Health and Safety Infographic – English-Spanish Front-Back Combo

Learning Models Handout

Learning Models Infographic – English
- Learning Models Infographic – Spanish
- Learning Models Infographic – English-Spanish Front-Back Combo

Field Signage

Field Health Guidelines Signage – English-Spanish Combined

Other Learning Models

Starting the 2020-21 school year in a hybrid model is just the first step toward bringing all of our students safely back into our buildings full time. As we move forward we will continue to comply with the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan, which may mean that we need to turn the dial back, or have the opportunity to move the dial forward, and transition to one of the other learning models outlined below.

The Minnesota Department of Health has laid out guidelines for what learning models will be allowed based on COVID-19 cases in our local community which includes both Dakota and Scott counties. However, case data is only one of the many factors we need to consider when transitioning from one learning model to another. We will continue to rely on guidance from state officials to provide high quality education in the most predictable, safest learning environment possible for all students, staff and families.

Please be aware that transitions to a more restrictive model may be localized to a school or classroom.

Distance Learning (Full-Time)In-Person (Full-Time)

Distance Learning (Full-Time)

Depending on COVID-19 cases in the area or outbreaks in our school community, a classroom, school or entire district may need to dial back and transition to Distance Learning full time.

NOTE: If the district were to shift to full time distance learning, students who opted into distance learning through LinK12 Lakeville would remain in their current programming structure through the semester. This is so those students can continue to receive a consistent education instead of adjusting to sudden changes.

In this model:

Students would learn at home and have daily contact with their teacher through live instruction, email contact and/or through recorded video lessons
All K-12 students would bring home their school-issued iPads to aid in learning
The district will work directly with families who need internet access at home to find solutions
Students would continue to receive learning through the same online platforms they experience on the distance learning days under the hybrid model
Students would continue to participate in a balance of digital and non-digital learning activities
Students would have a consistent schedule with clearly communicated expectations from their teachers
The district would provide meal kits to students through pick-up locations either daily or weekly
The district would continue to provide child care to students of Tier 1 essential workers
Students needing extra support through targeted assistance, IEP or 504 plans would continue to have support available to them through real-time interactions

In-Person Learning (Full-Time)

Full time in-person learning is the district’s goal to reach. A full return of students back into our school buildings is what students, staff, families, our local community and the entire state of Minnesota should strive for. There are many factors that would contribute to allowing learning to move back into school buildings full time including case data in Dakota and Scott Counties and the operational capacity of school buildings.

In this model:

All students would be in school every day under their normal building hours.
Health and safety measures outlined by MDH and MDE would still be followed, including all students and staff wearing face coverings.
Social distancing would still need to be followed where possible, but 6 feet of distance would not strictly be enforced during instructional time.
Some learning opportunities would be limited or altered. However, staff would work to provide robust learning experiences for all students.

NOTE: If the district were to shift to full in-person learning in the middle of a semester, LinK12 Lakeville students who had opted into full-time distance learning would remain in their current programming structure through the semester. This is so those students can continue to receive a consistent education instead of adjusting to sudden changes.