Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Plan

About the Response Plan

This plan for addressing any Coronavirus incident is intended to serve the best interests of students, employees and families.

Preventing Coronavirus Incidents

Preventing Coronavirus Incidents

The District encourages students, staff members and volunteers to continue the following measures to avoid contracting the Coronavirus and avoiding the spread of it if they unknowingly have it:

Washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minute each time
Covering their coughs by coughing into their arm—not hands
Staying home when sick
Avoiding touching their face with unwashed hands
Hand-shakes and touching of each other should be discouraged
Touching uncleaned objects (like door handles and faucet handles) with clean hands should become an issue of awareness

School Closure

Following an Executive Order issued by Governor Walz, the e-learning period will continue through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. All school buildings will be closed during this time.

The governor will determine what a return to school will look like by July 31, 2020. The Minnesota Department of Education has indicated that the structure of school could be either a continuation of what we have been doing this spring or what they call a hybrid model. The District is

What will the fall session of school look like? We will not know that final answer until the Governor decides in July. He has promised to decide by July 31. The Minnesota Department of Education has indicated that the structure of school could be either a continuation of what we have been doing this spring or what they call a hybrid model. That hybrid model would have one day in school followed by a day in e-learning, or it could be two days in schools followed by a day of e-learning. That cycle would then be repeated throughout the fall. It could be modified based on the students’ ages and ability to function with e-learning. We would need to accommodate students whose parents do not want them exposed to other students at school. While in school, classes would be limited to nine students with a teacher, and there would be social distancing and other measures in place all of the time. Students might need to eat lunch in their classrooms. Extensive cleaning of surfaces would occur throughout the day. Transportation of students would have to look very different in order to achieve the appropriate social distancing. There needs to be more guidance on how we can do various sports and other activities.

We will be creating several options to these concepts in case the Governor allows more flexibility. We will share those options with parents and students as we get into July. We will continue to assure that all students have access to appropriate devices for learning remotely, as that model of learning will be present to some degree for several months. We will notify parents of the plan as soon as we know what limitations we will have in meeting students’ needs.

For Families
For Teachers & Staff

For Families

Providing Education During School Closure

Parents have received e-learning instructions and schedules for their school's principals and teachers. Instruction will primarily be accomplished through the use of online tools and District-issued devices, such as iPads. e-Learning will count toward instructional hours.

This will require the full cooperation of students, teachers and parents to make this instruction meaningful and in compliance with the full expectations of Minnesota statutes.

Pre-school, ECFE and ECSE

Students enrolled in the District’s Pre-school, ECFE and ECSE programs will be provided regular instruction through Seesaw to enable parents to assist their children in the learning expectations of their respective program.

e-Learning in Pre-school, ECFE & ECSE

Although our primary means of connecting with you during the course of the e-learning period will be via technology, you and your child will have the opportunity to participate in services throughout the week in a variety of ways. We know that our littlest learners do best when engaged in real-life, hands-on experiences, otherwise known as PLAY! We are excited to partner with you and provide you with activities, ideas and resources to facilitate learning through play and within your daily routines and activities.

Seesaw will be the learning platform for Minnetonka Preschool.
Your child’s teacher will have content posted in Seesaw by the beginning of your child’s preschool day.
You can expect instruction and activities that support Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards.
Minnetonka Preschool teachers will be available by Seesaw or email during your child’s typical preschool time.
When a preschool student either completes a designated Seesaw activity, or an adult sends a photo/video of the preschool student completing one of the screen-free activities from the Minnetonka Preschool LEARN matrix, the child will be identified as having attended preschool for the day.
If your preschool student is ill and unable to participate in e-learning, please let your child’s teacher know.
If the school year has to be extended later than scheduled into June, refunds will be given for instructional time not provided or students would continue to be instructed in school or online, as the parents choose.

Students with IFSPs & IEPs

We know that this is an already chaotic and unpredictable time of life in many households and do not want to add any further stress. Therefore, we are looking forward to helping you navigate this new normal and providing you and your child with opportunities to address their Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) priorities and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals/objectives.

You and your student will have the opportunity to participate in services throughout the week through a variety of methods. You can expect your case manager or service coordinator/provider to meet with you/your child at the frequency of which is listed on your child’s IFSP or IEP. During this time:

If your child receives home visits, you can expect your service coordinator and/or providers to connect via Google Hangout Meets or phone calls to continue to provide coaching opportunities throughout your daily routines.
If your child attends Minnetonka Preschool, you can expect that your case manager and service providers are working with your child’s preschool teacher to provide activities to supplement general education opportunities to make progress towards goals/objectives. In addition, service providers may also provide additional opportunities, such as videos/resources on Seesaw to address goals/objectives in natural learning environments, as well.
If your child attends speech group sessions, you can expect that the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) will be sending/posting videos and activities on Seesaw. Additionally, the SLP will connect with your family via Google Meets for check ins and coaching support. While this is not how we are used to providing service, if there is anything the Minnetonka School District is known for, it is being innovative and creative. Now is our time to shine. Let us help you navigate these uncharted territories.

Elementary Schools

Instruction for students in grades 4-5 will be delivered primarily through the use of iPads and the District’s Schoology program. Students in Grades K-3 Seesaw and other tools with home computers.

Middle Schools

High School

Students Receiving Special Education

Student Support Services is working closely to review e-learning and the impact on the delivery of special education and related services. Additionally, our special educators are working closely with your child’s general education teachers to support your child’s learning within their general education coursework as well as to schedule direct instruction to meet IEP service minutes.

Please note, if a school closure causes educational services for all students to pause within a school or district, then the school/district is not required to provide services to students eligible for special education services during that same period of time.
However, with this, we want to assure you that we are actively planning our outreach and lesson delivery for our students and plan to maintain, to the best of our ability, your child’s services and supports.
If at any time you have questions about your child’s plans and programming as we go forward, please reach out to your case manager, your building principal, and/or our leadership team.

Our special education leadership team will continue working closely with all staff to best meet your child’s needs. We will continue to monitor guidance from our leaders at the state level, as well as our US Department of Education and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. As a leadership team, we will continue to update parents and staff with any new information.

About e-Learning

Despite the fact that many students with IEP’s use iPads for their learning, there will need to be modifications in order to implement appropriate instructional strategies that comply with IEP’s.

Younger students with IEP’s will be served through the use of home computers or loaned iPads or Chromebooks from the District, and connections will be assured through the home access or access provided by the District.
There are other tools that will be implemented for all students to enable them to receive instruction in the best form possible.
For families who do not have home computers for such access, the District will loan their students Chromebooks and will facilitate internet connections for instructional engagement.
It will be important for parents to assure that their student has the expected learning device with them at the end of each day during this time of uncertainty.

Resources for Parents

We also know that students may experience anxiety during this time. Attached are a few resources for parent support.

The Special Education and Student Support Services Leadership Team

Christine Breen, Executive Director of Special Education and EL
Christine.breen@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5036
MHS, EXC, SH

Kristin Laughlin, Director of Special Education
Kristin.laughlin@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5045
CS, GRV, MWA

Angie Kleinedler, Coordinator of Early Childhood Special Education
Angela.kleinedler@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-6808
Early Childhood Special Education MCEC

Annie Lumbar Bendson, District Health Services Coordinator
Annie.lumbarbendson@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5992
District Health and Nursing Services

Students Receiving 504 Services

Student Support Services is actively plan for e-learning and support for 504 students. Your school's 504 coordinator will be available via email for any questions throughout the COVID-19 school closure. They have asked staff to be mindful of each students 504 plans, noting that many of these program supports are more relevant for in-person, real-time teaching. We will continue to support your family's 504 plans to the best extent possible.

The District will work with you and monitor the impact on the delivery of Section 504 program changes throughout this school closure period. In addition, the 504 coordinators will continue to work with all general education teachers that support your child’s learning.

Please note, in a school closure situation, as we are in, schools/districts are not required to provide services to students eligible for special education and/or section 504 services during that period of time.
However, with this, we want to assure you that the District is actively planning for all students and plans to maintain, to the best of our ability, each child’s 504 program supports.
If at any time you have questions about your child’s plan and programming as we go forward, please reach out to your building 504 coordinator, your child’s teacher(s) or your principal.

The District will continue working closely with all staff to best meet your child’s needs and monitor guidance from our leaders at the state level, the U.S. Department of Education and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

504 Building Coordinators:

Shelly Hughes, MHS
shelly.hughes@minnetonkaschools.org

Erin Brown, MMW
erin.brown@minnetonkaschools.org

Matt Lichty, MME
matt.lichty@minnetonkaschools.org

Patti Berger, DH
patricia.berger@minnetonkaschools.org

Amy Horning, CS
amy.horning@minnetonkaschools.org

Mike Savage, Exc
michael.savage@minnetonkaschools.org

Andrea Hoffman, GRV
andrea.hoffmann@minnetonkaschools.org

Farrah Jennings, MWA
farrah.jennings@minnetonkaschools.org

Susan Berge, SH
susan.berge@minnetonkaschools.org

All Students

In order to access instruction through the use of iPads/Chromebooks and Schoology/Seesaw/iXL, students will need to log in according to specific directions by their teachers.

Grading

Grading and assessments may be modified for the students, but it will be intended that this model of delivery (e-learning) will be equivalent to what students would have in school.
Individual teachers will be responsible for grading the work of their students and recording those grades.

Attendance checking

It will be important to the State of Minnesota that schools keep accurate attendance records. Attendance will be measured by daily checks with parents and by monitoring the entry of students into Schoology for instruction and schoolwork.
The students’ access to Schoology will indicate “attendance” at the instructional setting established by the District.
Other means of checking “attendance” for younger students will be communicated to parents via Seesaw, and they will require parent cooperation.

Instruction when the teacher is unavailable

There will be cases when teachers are unable to teach on a given day, and instruction will need to be provided by another teacher.
The instructional plan will continue to be in place even when the teacher assigned to the students is unavailable.
If there is no replacement teacher available on a given day, parents will be notified of that situation and the options for continuing instruction.

Meeting State Requirements

In the event that the technology used to deliver instruction does not adequately meet the requirements of Minnesota statutes, alternative solutions will be implemented.

In the event that the District’s plan for using iPads/Chromebooks and Schoology/Seesaw/iXL does not sufficiently meet District expectations or Minnesota statutory requirements, the District would need to extend the school year beyond the scheduled last day of school long enough to meet State requirements.
There is a small difference in the number of the District’s scheduled days in session and the statutory requirement for time in session, and that would enable the District to meet some of the time away from school without making up time.
It is not possible to estimate before a closure event how much time would be required to make up days required by law.

Standardized Testing

Following an announcement from Governor Walz, MDE has confirmed the following with regards to standardized assessments.

NWEA Testing: Cancelled
MCA Testing: Cancelled
District Writing Assessments (Cold Write): Cancelled for elementary; middle school has completed these assessments.
STAMP 4Se and 4S makeups: Cancelled
Istation: Continue to use the home component. In addition to K-3 Spanish Immersion classes, Grades 4 and 5 will also begin implementation of this supplemental instructional/assessment product as a pilot for this school year.
HSK/YCT Testing: Cancelled
Fluency Tests: Cancelled
AP Tests: College Board will be making these available online (see below)
IB Tests: Cancelled (see below)
ACT State Test (April 21): Cancelled

Middle School Course Placements

At this time, the dates listed below will be used for summer testing that may impact middle school course placements. If schools are available for use, we will be able to use the following dates as a means for testing students using the NWEA test and pre-algebra final, specifically for science course placements and for the 6th grade Algebra course. In addition, we are considering a teacher input tool to help inform decisions for honors level placements. This process will be finalized and communicated at a later date following spring break.

6/17
7/15
8/5

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP exams will take place May 11-22 online at home or at school (if it reopens in time), see the MHS AP site for additional updates.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

May 2020 IB exams have been cancelled, IB scores (and potentially Diplomas for diploma candidates) will still be awarded to students registered for IB exams, see the MHS IB site for additional updates.

For Teachers & Staff

Working During School Closure

Employees will not be expected to be at work, except for those who are called to work. No other employees should come to their schools or offices.

Working conditions for employees will be altered for some employees, and the respective employees will be informed of plans and any changes that will affect their work and attendance at work.

Tech Resources for Teachers and Staff

Tonka Tech Resources for Staff contains directions to many technology programs. Some are teacher specific, but others like these highlighted below will help many of you working from home.

Google related instructions:
- Switching Between Google Accounts on a home computer (using work GMail instead of your personal email)
- Instructions for using Google Meet (including viewing multiple users during meetings in a Brady Bunch style grid)
- Setting up a Gmail Forward so work Gmail forwards to Outlook email
- Phone Calling Options from home to hide your personal number
How to Get Office 365 at home
SSO tips including:
- Changing your Password
- Remote Access to p:Drive and s:Drive
- Favoriting Applications in SSO

Tonka Tech Resources for Staff

Employee Pay During a Closure

Employee Assistance Program

Please remember during this time of uncertainty and change that employees and their family have free, confidential access to VITAL WorkLife, our employee assistance program.

VITAL WorkLife counselors can help you and your family understand your fears, normalize your concerns and identify coping mechanisms during these uncertain times. Telephonic in-the-moment support, which is available anytime, day or night, connects you and your family members with a licensed behavioral health consultant who can talk through anxieties or concerns, all in the comfort of your own home. Their phone number is 800.383.1908. They also are providing virtual interaction support through Telehealth counseling that is described in the attached flyer.

Employees can access the EAP website directly through My SSO. By clicking on the Employee Assistance Program app, you will automatically be logged into their website.

District Services During School Closure

Teachers

Teachers will prepare starting Monday, March 16, to move to full online learning by testing connections to students and identifying materials that should be ready for the next two weeks.
Teachers of students in Grades 4-12 will should expect to be available throughout their normal work day, including time before or after school, as assigned. In addition to the time for delivering instruction through Schoology, teachers need to expect students reaching out to them for assistance with lessons during the normal workday.
Times for students to contact their teachers with assignment questions will be established by each principal of any schools closed.
Teachers who need to take time off during any of the e-learning days will need to inform their principal, and alternatives for the students will be determined by the District.
Special Education teachers will need to work with their students through assistance from the students’ parents.
In the event that the closures involve less than a full District shutdown, teachers in the closed schools may be reassigned to schools that are open.
It is expected that all teachers will assure their readiness to deliver instruction through the use of Schoology, Seesaw, iXL and other supplementary learning venues during a crisis due to the Coronavirus.
This will require teachers to assure that they have their iPad, Chromebook or home computer available at the end of every school day, in case their school is closed before the start of school the next day.
Any teacher who does not have Internet capability at home should inform their principal immediately, so arrangements can be made to provide such access during an emergency.
The District will schedule times before any emergency arises for teachers to practice the e-learning model with their students, and teachers will be expected to implement those plans.
One other new option for teachers is that childcare will be available at no cost for a teacher when that teacher is asked to be at work in their school during the closure. Teachers will need to inform Community Education in advance that they will need childcare for the following day.

Paraprofessionals

Office Assistants

Food Service, Custodians, Maintenance Workers

Custodians and maintenance staff should plan to be at work Monday, March 16, and will receive further directions for subsequent days.
Some Food Service staff will be needed to prepare meals for children who need them during these times. Delivery may also be needed. The District is currently developing the exact plan for distributing meals.
If any staff member were needed to perform unexpected tasks, they would be recalled to the job site.

Principals, Assistant Principals, Counselors, Social Workers, Media Specialists, TOSA’s and Teacher Instructional Coaches, District-wide Administrators

Principals, assistant principals, counselors, social workers, media specialists, TOSA’s and Teacher Instructional Coaches may be assigned alternate responsibilities.
Community Education administrators, coordinators, program managers and the Marketing Specialist will report to MCEC, unless they have been quarantined. They will be needed for communication and program support.
Counselors and social workers will be able to stay in contact with individual students via phone, text, email and GoogleHangout during a closure.
District-wide administrators will report to the District Service Center, unless they have been quarantined due to contact at schools or events. All will be needed to assist in communications with parents and employees.

Community Education Staff

Teacher Collaboration via Schoology Offsite

At the elementary level, grade-level Schoology courses have been built to facilitate group discussion and curation of resources to use with students.
Teachers can communicate which activities they have added to the District Library in Seesaw.
At the middle school-level, most content areas have pre-existing Schoology groups explicitly designed for teacher collaboration.
At the high school-level, most content teachers are already co-administrators in their content-specific Schoology courses.
Any teachers would have the additional option of having a new Schoology course or group created for the explicit purpose of collaboration.
As groups/shared courses are created, a list of access codes by subject and department will be posted to the Teaching and Learning Schoology Group in which all K-12 are already enrolled.
Teachers can also collaborate via
- Google Hangouts
- Google Docs/Slides
- Email and phone

Tech Department Role

Internet access can be made available into the parking lots of specific schools if needed, with accessibility capable from outside the school.
In the event of a prolonged closure, the Tech Department will coordinate the building of courses for each group of collaborating teachers as the vehicle where grade level and subject area teacher can collaborate, build and share instructional resources.
Non-functional (broken) iPads will be addressed by the parent/guardian scheduling and exchanging the iPad at the Tech Center.
The Tech Department will manage all essential services and critical functions (and can do so remotely).
Essential department capacities are backed up by at least one other department staff member.
This includes the learning applications used in a closure - this includes all the applications found in SSO as well as applications on iPads.
The Tech department would play an active role in the distribution of technology (iPads/Chromebooks) throughout the closure.

Tech Team Role

Families First Coronavirus Relief Act

Minnetonka Public Schools wants to share some information about the stimulus law that was passed by Congress and signed by the President. In addition to the stimulus bill that is sending relief to those most in need, the United States Department of Labor just released a new Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

View information on Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

Student Well-Being

Minnetonka Public Schools has created the following list of well-being resources to help families during this difficult time. Many community organizations have reached out to the District to offer ongoing tele-health and tele-counseling for those who need it. Students looking for additional support are asked to connect with their school counselor and school support staff.

District Resources

Community Resources

Minnetonka Public Schools thanks its community partners for all they offer to students and families. Below are a list of resources. Please contact Michelle Ferris at michelle.ferris@minnetonkaschools.org with any questions.

Minnesota Department of Health
- Supporting Mental Well-Being During COVID-19
SAMHSA Treatment Locator
Minnesota Association of Children's Mental Health
National Association of School Psychologists
EmpowerU is sharing free weekly online tool-kits that provide ready-to-go eLearning content to help teachers, social workers/counselors, parents and students.
- Tips for parents and educators on how to talk to students about COVID-19
- Tool-kit of 4 videos and worksheets that help students, teachers and parents manage the fear and stress around the dramatic and disruptive changes to daily life around COVID-19
- 3-steps to build routine and structure in a learn and work-from-home world (or Why at Global Crisis is the Best Time for Habit Change).
Growing Through Grief - Park-Nicollet Hospital
Relate Counseling:
- Family Counseling Support Tips (pdf)
Rogers Memorial Hospital
- Treating OCD during COVID-19
  - Unique challenges and opportunities
  - Pharmacology and combined treatments
- Compassion in Action blogs
- Helping children adjust
  - Creating a new normal for school-age kids
  - 5 healthy ways to use screen time
- Rogers Connect Care

Athletics, Activities, Fine Arts and Clubs

With Governor Walz's announcement that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year, all spring sports have also been cancelled.

There are still plenty of unknowns, as this situation is fluid and ever-changing. Any options we have will be directed by Governor, the Minnesota State High School League and our local School Board.

Spring Athletes, we will begin to process refunds. If you have questions related to refunds please contact jane.mcgowan@minnetonkaschools.org.

Students are reminded NOT to be on schools campus. The grounds and buildings are closed.

We are having discussions about honoring those senior athletes that will miss their senior spring season. We will get that information out as soon as we learn what is allowed and what is not allowed. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available and as decisions are made.

Communications

The District is committed to regular communications with parents and the community during these events.
A clear and detailed communications plan for the various scenarios related to possible school closings or disruptions has been developed and will be implemented.
The District has a Web page dedicated to Coronavirus information and procedures on the Web site.
The District will provide timely information at that site, as well as any updates via email, text and phone as needed.
Parents who are concerned about the virus itself should contact the Minnesota Department of Health hotline at 651-201-3920.

Community Education Programs

Explorers (Childcare)

During the Governor’s mandated school closure time period, Explorers is only open to families working in Critical Sectors.

Qualifying Critical Sector employees with children ages three through twelve can register for childcare here.
Requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. the night before childcare is required
Explorers is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Elementary students will be supported in their e-learning while at Explorers. There is no cost associated with the E-learning day.
Fee based childcare is available before E-learning and after E-learning for elementary age students. See our registration page for fees.
Fee based preschool aged childcare is available. See our registration page for fees.

School Lunch

Monday, June 8, will be our last meal pick-up for the school year. There are several resources available for families that are in need of meals over the summer. We will continue to update the resources below as they are announced.

Free Meals for Kids

Visit summereatsmn.org to view their interactive map
Download the free app called "Free Meals for Kids" through the app store or google play. The app locates the nearest school or site offering food for children 18 years old and younger. The food is distributed at roughly 700 sites in Minnesota. The app was launched by the non-profit Hunger Impact Partners and the State Department of Education. Note: You do not have to attend the school district distributing these meals over the summer.
Text "Summer Meals" to 97779 or text "Food" to 877877. For Spanish speakers text "verano" to 97779.

ICA Food Shelf

Hunger Solutions

Hunger Solutions supports Minnesota’s food shelves and connect them with resources to serve their clients. Hunger Solutions manages the Market Bucks program that helps SNAP customers double their buying power at farmers markets. And through the Minnesota Food HelpLine Hunger Solutions helps connect hungry Minnesotans with resources like SNAP, food shelves, farmers markets, meal programs, and discount grocery programs. Visit hungersolutions.org for more information and resources.

Food Helplines

National Hunger Hotline

This hotline is a resource for individuals and families seeking information on how to obtain food. The National Hunger Hotline staff connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services. Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE. Available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., central time.

Spring Events

Most district-wide events are canceled through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. This includes spring Community Education classes, programs and events. Alternate plans will be put in place for several large district events, such as the Celebration of Excellence and the Class of 2020 Graduation. Updates regarding those events will be communicated to those impacted in a timely manner. The District is still considering whether summer events and Community Education classes may go on as originally planned.

Transportation

Due to the school building closure for the COVID-19 pandemic, there are 54 days out of the 173-day school calendar that Minnetonka Public Schools is not transporting students. That is approximately 32% of scheduled days.
As a result, the Minnetonka Public Schools Transportation Department will be crediting $32 per child to the accounts of parents who paid $100 per child for bus service in the 2019-2020 school year through Revtrak.
For parents who paid $250 for 3 or more students, the credit will be $80.
Parents who paid last year by check or cash will be refunded by check from the District Service Center.
If you do not see a credit in your Revtrak account by June 30, or received a check, please contact the Transportation Department at transportation@minnetonkaschools.org