By Katie Friedman
Correspondent
At its most recent meeting, Thursday, November 12, Superintendent Mike Rowe updated the Maple Lake School Board on the latest modifications to the safe schools plan.
As Covid 19 case numbers mount in Wright County and in Maple Lake, the school district has begun its own experience with positive cases, the subsequent tracing and resultant quarantines. Informing board members that the district is approaching a crossroads, Rowe laid out preparations for the days and weeks to come.
Mainly to accommodate students’ need for time to grieve collectively for the recent death of a class mate, classes will be held this week as they have since the beginning of this school year.
Teachers will take Friday the 20th to prepare technology and lessons for a remote learning scenario.
It is hoped that by the 23rd and 24th , students in grades 3-12 will have the necessary technology in hand, with an evening rehearsal planned for families of children grades K-8 to prepare for school at home. That Monday and Tuesday will be conducted as A and B group days, with only half of the student body reporting to class in person.
Wednesday the 25th will be set aside teachers to further prepare for remote learning.
Rowe pointed out that the situation over the holiday weekend will be out of district hands, and added that county numbers (72.4 per thousand as of the 12th) are projected to double each week for the next two or three weeks.
With that in mind, the district will pivot to full remote learning for the entire K-12 population November 30-December 11. It is hoped that on December 8 the district will be able to notify parents of a plan to return to the hybrid A/B scenario for grades 6-12 and in-person learning for younger students. Over Christmas break the situation will be monitored and assessed prior to any further decision.
To the degree it remains practical, preschool will remain open, with the understanding that instances of illness could eventually force closure for a quarantine period. Kidville, too, will attempt to continue in person, with children divided eight pods of 10 each.
Speculation is that the Minnesota State High School League will shift the winter sports season into January, but Rowe said that barring any outbreak or quarantine scenarios, fall sports will be allowed to complete their seasons as scheduled.
“We’re not doing this to punish the kids,” he said. “It’s not necessarily kids. It’s a staffing thing. We’ve got eight out in the high school. We’re going to have 10 out in the elementary school. One case just hammers you hard. It’s the close contacts. It’s the quarantines that get you. It’s just adding a lot of undue stress, and I think a reset can get us there. We don’t control how people live their lives, and everyone has a different perspective on Covid, and I respect that. But I have to protect kids and I have to protect staff and families. By doing this, it allows families to do what they need to do with Thanksgiving, and do those kinds of things.”
Reminding board members that this is not necessarily the end game, Rowe promised that adjustments can be made if the situation improves.
The board’s next meeting is Monday, December 14.