Half of the students will be attending school two days per week, half will be attending two other days. The three days students are not in-person will be e-learning days with specialized instruction and MAST on Wednesdays. Specific details will be sent to students by the High School Principal. Social distancing of six feet, classrooms will be maintained at 50% and face coverings will be required in the High School. High school students on e-learning only will follow the daily schedule and log in to their google meet sessions along with the hybrid students who are not in school on their designated days. The social distancing on buses for high school students will continue to be required.

It is intended that the high school will move to in-person instruction on March 15, if allowed by the Governor at that time. Final approval for that part of the plan is expected in late February or early March. 

 

Student schedules will be available in Skyward before the end of the first semester. Hybrid students should make sure to review their classroom room assignments before arriving at school on 1/29 and 1/29.

Download Schedule Overview (pdf)

Download the Monthly Schedule (pdf)

Academic Anchors 

At Minnetonka High School, we strive to help every student reach academic success through various programs and resources. Many students benefit from extra help in a class and often learn best by working with a peer. MHS’s Academic Anchors (peer tutors) is an opportunity for students to receive free tutoring, complete assignments, improve study habits, and work collaboratively with peers in a structured and supportive environment. Academic Anchors are students in grades 10-12 who have been chosen through an application and recommendation process. Students will have this opportunity virtually through Google Meets and during Skipper Wednesdays. Please click the hyperlink for more information to Request a Tutor - Academic Anchors  (also posted on the Student Tutoring Schoology Group page).  An Academic Anchor will then contact the student directly by email or phone to set up a time to meet. Students may request a one-time or ongoing tutor.

Writing Center

Another great support is the MHS Writing Center. The Writing Center is open for hybrid learning! Staffed by two English teachers and 40 trained student writing coaches, the Writing Center is open to all MHS students. We work 1:1 with students on any writing project, at any stage of development, coaching by asking questions, suggesting strategies, and helping writers clarify ideas. All writers benefit from sharing work in progress with knowledgeable, attentive readers. 

Online synchronous and asynchronous appointments are available Monday through Friday and in-person appointments are available on Wednesdays. Sign-up for an appointment through our Onboard app. To make an appointment, check out the quickstart or detailed instructions. For more information check out the Writing Center schoology group, or contact Shannon Puechner ​ (shannon.puechner@minnetonkaschools.org) or Krista Hitchcock (krista.hitchcock@minnetonkaschools.org) with questions.

How to Contact Your Counselor

During school closure, student counselors can be reached through email, Google Meet, or Google Voice. Their information is listed below:

Last Name	Counselor	Email Address	Google Hangout Meet Name	Google Voice Number
A-Brb (9-11) A-Bur (12)	Brad Burnham	Brad.Burnham @minnetonkaschools.org	bradburnham	(651) 583-6028
Brc-DE (9-11) Bus-Em (12)	Jennifer Stout	Jennifer.Stout @minnetonkaschools.org	jenniferstout	651-583-5973
Df-Gn (9-11) En-Han (12)	Theresa Exenberger	Theresa.Exenberger @minnetonkaschools.org	theresaexenberger	(651) 583-6019
Go-H (9-11) Hao-Ka (12)	Conor Maher	Conor.Maher @minnetonkaschools.org	conormaher	(651) 583-5935
I-Lar (9-11) Kb-Mag (12)	Stephanie McClendon	Stephanie.McClendon @minnetonkaschools.org	stephaniemcclendon	651-583-6035
Las-Moh (9-11) Mah-Ol (12)	Cassie Klein	cassandra.klein @minnetonkaschools.org	cassieklein	952-401-5822
Moi-Pom (9-11)	Monica Jones	monica.jones @minnetonkaschools.org	monicajones	952-401-5828
Pon-Schu (9-11) Om-Sam (12)	Amanda Wavrin	Amanda.Wavrin @minnetonkaschools.org	amandawavrin	(651) 583-6041
Schv-Tun (9-11) San-Tam (12)	Kendra Olson	Kendra.Olson @minnetonkaschools.org	kendraolson	(651) 583-6015
Tuo-Z (9-11) Tan-Z (12)	Dave Bierly	David.Bierly @minnetonkaschools.org	davidbierly	(651) 583-6032

 

Other Counselors and Support

Role	Counselor	Google Hangout Meet Name	Google Voice Number
College Counselor	Phil Trout	philtrout	(651) 583-5972
AP/IB Advisor	Laura Herbst	lauraherbst	(651) 583-6026
504 Coordinator	Shelly Hughes	shellyhughes	(651) 583-6007
Social Worker	Aubrie Roley	aubrieroley
Social Worker	Kathleen Leisman	kathleenleisman	651-583-6039

 

MHS Counseling Website

Tech support is available for students during the school day from 7:30-4.  Students can email mhs.media@minnetonkaschools.org, call 952-401-5860, or Schoology Message The Port and expect a prompt reply to their issue.  After hours messages will be returned promptly at the beginning of the next day.

Tech Support Documentation is also available via the Port App on all student iPads.  This app links students to help documents, instructions on how to fix common issues, and login reminders for highly used apps.

iPad Repair

Due to the nature of our current environment, we are suggesting the following process for a speedy turnaround.  

1. Fill out this form
2. Take the iPad directly to Smart Fix after you fill out the form.  This is a free service and offers a one-day turnaround.  Information about Smart Fix can be found here

Due to the fast turnaround, we do not give a loaner iPad for you to use while you wait for your device to be repaired from Smart Fix.  

Alternately  you can drop it off at MHS at the front desk and we can give you a replacement.  The turnaround time for dropping at MHS is approximately five days. Please email mhs.media@minnetonkaschools.org to let the Port know that you are coming.

WiFi Access 

If access to wifi is an issue, please contact your student’s counselor to pursue options.

As we move forward, families should plan to report absences via Skyward Family Access. Detailed instructions are available at this link. Throughout the school closure and while we are delivering instruction through e-learning, absences will continue to be monitored by the Office of Student Affairs.

The Minnetonka Public Schools' Student Well-Being website maintains a list of well-being and mental health connections in the local community including hotline numbers that may be useful to you and your family. Click here to view Community Resources.

For county crisis lines, crisis text lines and sources for those requiring immediate assistance, you can visit the NAMI Minnesota website.

Additional Resources for Managing Stress

• Virusanxiety.com
• How to Protect Your Mental Health During a Quarantine
• Managing Stress and Anxiety - CDC
• Apps suggested by Common Sense Media to support mental health  
• Stop, Think, Breath App available in self-service on the iPad
• General Destressing as a Family
• Calm app online activities  
• Yoga and guided meditation videos on YouTube
• Log-in to Naviance on SSO to explore careers/post-high school opportunities
• Practice Digital Health & Wellness, like setting limits on screen time
• The Digital Health & Wellness website also has informative and helpful video addressing over consuming content on your phone, meditating, cleaning your space, indulging in your favorite hobbies, etc.

Is English not your family's native language? Find resources on how to translate the website, emails, pdfs and more into languages other than English.

View Translation Resources

Another great support is the MHS Writing Center. The Writing Center is open for hybrid learning! Staffed by two English teachers and 40 trained student writing coaches, the Writing Center is open to all MHS students. Students get feedback on writing of all kinds, in all subject areas, and at any stage in the writing process, from brainstorming to final revisions. All writers benefit from sharing work in progress with knowledgeable, attentive readers. We work 1:1 with students on any writing project, at any stage of development, coaching by asking questions, suggesting strategies, and helping writers clarify ideas.

Walk-in Schedule and Appointments

Online synchronous and asynchronous appointments are available Monday through Friday and in-person appointments are available on Wednesdays. Sign-up for an appointment through our OnBoard app.

To make an appointment, check out the quickstart or detailed instructions.

AP exams are currently scheduled for May 3-14 and will cover the full course scope and content. If our school buildings are closed in May 2021 due to safety concerns, the AP Program will provide a contingency option for AP Exam testing. We expect to know more about this in early 2021. See the MHS AP site for additional updates

May 2021 IB exams are currently scheduled for April 29-May 20, IB has made some adjustments to assessed criteria in response to decreased instructional time.  If our school buildings are closed in May 2021 due to safety concerns, the IB Organization will provide a contingency option for IB Exam testing. We expect to know more about this in early 2021.  See the MHS IB site for additional updates

Students will attend classes four days a week following the six-period day (either in -person or virtually) starting Tuesday, April 6. (This week will not have a Wednesday MAST schedule.)

• March 1 & 2 - Cohort a
• March 3 & 4 - Cohort b
• March 3 - Deadline for learning model decision
  • In-person or e-learning - make your selection in skyward
• March 4 & 5 Conferences
  • Thursday, march 4 (4-8 pm) & Friday, March 5 (9-12 pm)
  • No school on Friday, March 5
• March 8 - Cohort a
• March 9 - Cohort b
• March 10 - Virtual support day, no in-person class
• March 11 & 12 - Teacher planning/transition days - check schoology
• March 15 - Full in-person for cohort a & b    
  •  Start date for q3 hybrid learners moving to e-learning
• March 29-April 2 - No school, spring break
• April 5 - No school, grading & planning day
• April 6 - Gr 9-11 begin quarter 4 - no school for seniors
  • Start date for q3 e-learners moving to in-person
• April 7 - Gr 9-12 classes resume, in-person or e-learning
  • Note: learning model depends on learning model decision
• April 26 - Late start day    

As per our current guidelines, if you choose to move to e-learning, you may do so at any time. To accommodate scheduling, e-learning may mean your student is streaming into their current classes.  There is no schedule or teacher change.

 If you choose to move your student from e-learning to in-person, you may do this at the quarter break. 

No. Your learning model options beginning on March 15 will be either full in-person learning or full e-learning. The hybrid model will no longer be an option, as logistically we cannot offer both hybrid and full in-person at the same time.  Students are either fully in-person or online.  We are not able to have students select certain hours/classes to be in-person.

We will continue to have a six period day at MHS.

To accommodate additional student support and intervention and the state mandated teacher prep time, Wednesdays will remain a MAST, Academic Interventions and general support for all. 

We will retain the following safety measures (with adjustments noted):
Face coverings will be required per the District’s face covering policy. We will take student temperatures before school.

Students will sit no less than 3 feet apart in the cafeteria with assigned seats. Students will maintain 3 feet distance in classrooms.  Teachers will maintain 6 feet distance from students as much as possible. When these distances cannot be maintained, clear plexiglass dividers may be used.

Physical Education and Music/Choir classes will maintain 6 feet distancing and students will be expected to wear masks.

Please note the following safety measures that will be in place as recommended by the Minnesota Departments of Health. Students must be pre-screened for illness (fever, other symptoms, exposure to someone who tested positive) before coming to school each day. Though we will be reducing the social distancing space between students to a required three feet, this does not change our contact tracing or definition of close contact. Close contact is still defined as within six feet for 15 minutes or more.

School staff and other adults in the building will maintain six feet of physical distance from students and one another (whenever possible). Face coverings will be worn at all times by staff and students while together indoors, even during physical education classes. 

Please continue to keep the health office staff informed of illness in your student, including if the student or any family member tests positive for COVID or if your student needs to quarantine due to being a close contact to someone who tested positive.

On the bus, there will be 6 feet of distance between the driver and students. Students will be spaced apart throughout the bus as much as possible and will have assigned seats. Additionally, eating and drinking will not be allowed on the bus. Masks will be required.  

When staff in the classroom or in individual spaces cannot maintain six feet of distancing from students (small group or individual instruction), clear plexiglass barriers may be used between students and adults, whenever possible; however, their use does not impact exposure/quarantine but hopefully reduces transmission.

Will attendance be taken for a e-learning day?
Yes. Teachers will enter student attendance into Skyward. Students will be marked present by signing-in to Schoology at scheduled class times, and actively engaging in teacher or course centered learning activities.

Can students be required to be online at a particular time?
Yes. There is a daily schedule that has 6 classes per day. During this time, there will be teacher/class interaction through Google Meets.

How long do students have to be in each class?
Students are expected to be in class for the duration of each period. Teachers will communicate lesson expectations to e-learners daily.

Can students check in to classes after 3:00 p.m.?
Yes, but the student will be marked absent for that school day. If a student is ill and unable to complete coursework, that student should have their parents submit an absence request via Skyward.

What flexibility do students have in their daily schedule?
Students are required to check into their first class via Schoology before 8:30 a.m. each day. Students will follow the daily A/B schedule and log in to each class on Schoology during the scheduled time.

What is the deadline for work completed on a e-learning day?

The deadline for work completion will be determined and explicitly communicated by the teacher. Teachers will provide students ample time to complete assignments which may be more time than would normally be provided in class.

How will the in-class workload transfer to the e-learning environment?

Not every assignment you do in class will be transferred to the e-learning environment. Students will complete work to demonstrate their knowledge of the course essential learning targets.

• Assignments from teachers will be posted before each learning session.  
• Minnetonka High School teachers use many digital resources to allow students to engage in and interact with course content:
  • Schoology assignments, discussions, quizzes
  • Digital Textbooks
  • Flipgrid
  • Explain Everything
  • Peardeck
  • EdPuzzle
• Assignments may look different in an e-learning environment, but students should expect to engage with content and complete assignments daily. 

How will students be tested?
Teachers for each course are preparing ways in which to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning. Tests should keep pace with instruction and teachers will communicate assessment criteria to students. 

What about outstanding tests or previous late and missing work? 
Teachers will communicate make up procedures for tests and missing work. Teachers understand that the make-up process will look different and will require flexibility for all. The critical point is we will work with you. 

How will students be graded?
Teachers will continue to use formative and summative work to assess student learning and assign grades. Student work will be reflective of essential learning and students are expected to continue to complete assignments. 

How can students contact teachers?
Students can contact teachers via Schoology Message or email.

When will teachers connect with MHS students about e-learning expectations?
Teachers will use the first day of remote learning as a time to set clear expectations with students via Schoology. Direction will be provided regarding expectations in this e- learning environment, pertaining but not limited to:

• Accessing resources
• Task requirements
• Deadlines
• How to ask questions
• Teacher prep time

When can students expect a response from teachers via email or Schoology?
Students can expect to connect with teachers during their scheduled class time. Students can also email or Schoology message teachers at any time from 8:00-3:00.

How can students contact their Counselor, or Social Worker?
Counselors and Social Workers are available from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Students should initially contact them via email. Follow-up meetings will be determined together that could include Google hangout as a method for face to face interaction.

How can students contact their Special Education case manager?
Special education teachers will be available between 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m., and email continues to be the best way to connect with them.

What would an appointment with a student’s counselor look like?
Students and parents/guardians should request an appointment via email. From that email, the staff member in collaboration with the student(s) and parents/guardians will determine the best method for this appointment.