Please review this video from Superintendent Chip Rankin for distance learning updates.

http://somup.com/cYetoG12M0

UPDATED MAS COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN

Laker Family,

In response to Governor Walz “shelter in place” ISD 2149 will begin Distance Learning Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 30, 2020. The final approved plan will be provided to families on Friday, March 27 with detailed instructions. The current plan has all teachers reporting Friday, May 1 and Monday, May 4 to prepare for return of students on May 5, 2020. Obviously, the return of students will be conditions based and at the continued direction of Governor Walz.

REMINDERS

• MAS schools will be closed for SPRING Break Wednesday, March 25-27.
• Following Spring Break; all MAS offices will remain open to answer your questions or provide support during “Distance Learning”
• All MAS staff will be available to provide support to all students during Distance Learning

CONTINUED: SERVICES PROVIDED

• School-Age Care for Emergency Personnel. March 30, 2020. Minnewaska Area Schools will only be open to supporting students of Healthcare, Emergency Personnel, and Educator Families during the COVID-19 shut down. This form is to gather information to determine what students will be participating in and how transportation will work. Childcare will operate between 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. each day with our school personnel staffing it. This survey is designed for us to staff through 3/25 and then we will be reaching out to families to sign up for childcare in a different manner. At this point, we will use this to get us through March 30-April 30.
  • Please fill out this survey: MAS COVID-19 School Age Care if you would like to receive School Age Care during the March 30-April 30 during Distance Learning.
  • Contact Audrey Frey at 320.634.4567 ext 2202 or email afrey@isd2149.org if you have questions
  • Transportation to and from your home will be provided through Palmer Busing. Please contact Palmer directly to set up transportation at (320) 634-3272
  • Who qualifies as Emergency Personnel? MDE Emergency Personnel with Children
• Food Service provides meals to all MAS students during School Closure: Meals will be available for all students who attend or reside in ISD 2149. Meals will be available at Glenwood Elementary the Starbuck School between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
  • • Curbside pickup & roster checked for those who pick up
    • Breakfast and Lunch picked up at the same time
    • Safe Food Handling directions will be posted on the Food and Nutrition Services Webpage
    • Directions on how to prepare and most items will be shelf-stable
    • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • No one has to order, they just show up for curbside pickup
  • All meals are “FREE” to all students
  • Parent has to have all children present
  • Delivered meals will consist of 2 breakfast and 2 lunches per child age 18 and under.
  • If you are unable to stop by one of the curbside pick-up locations (MAES in Glenwood or WIN in Starbuck) starting March 30, we will be offering free meal delivery. Please fill out this survey for meals to be delivered to your students' bus stop. If your student does not ride the bus, you can still sign up for meals to be delivered at a location at or near your home. You will be contacted once the anticipated drop off time is determined.
  • Please fill out this survey ONLY if this is a service you will need for your child. If you have already signed up for delivery you do not need to complete the survey again. Please click on this link to sign up for meal delivery: MAS Meal Delivery
  • Contact Paulette Noel at pnoel@alexschools.org

Sincerely,
Chip Rankin
Superintendent
crankin@isd2149.org w 320.239.4820 x1470

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Dear Minnewaska Students, Families and Staff,

Thank you for your continued partnership as we navigate the coronavirus situation.  As each of you is aware, Governor Tim Walz announced that all Minnesota schools will be closed March 18 through March 27.

Minnewaska Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, March 17 and will continue to be closed through Friday, March 27. This includes community use of facilities and evening events and classes.  The Minnesota Department of Education has directed all public schools and charters to cease all academic services during the closure. It is highly likely that Distance Learning will commence starting Monday, March 30 until further notice. 

Distance Learning Plans

Our staff has been busy planning flexible distance learning experiences for students. As previously mentioned, the start date for distance learning will likely be Monday, March 30.  Distance learning will vary by level (early childhood, elementary, intermediate and high school) and more details will be shared in the coming days. Please continue to check for regular updates in the Coronavirus COVID-19 Response Plan on our website. Specific information was shared on Tuesday, March 17, with many of your students when they can be picked up personal items and supplies, such as their district-issued Chromebooks, books and other materials.

Meals for Students in Need

Meals will be available Wednesday, March 18 and Monday, March 23 food will be available at Glenwood Elementary and WIN Academy in Starbuck from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We will distribute bags of food that will contain several meals’ worth of shelf-stable foods, along with fresh produce and milk. The district is currently working on delivering meals starting next week. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

If you are unable to stop by one of the curbside pick-up sites on March 23 we will be offering the option of free meal delivery. You may sign up for meals to be delivered to your students’ bus stop. If your student does not ride the bus, you can still sign up for meals to be delivered at a location either at or very near to your home. The time of drop off is to be determined- you will be contacted with the information.

Delivered meals will consist of 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches per child age 18 and under.

Please click on this link to sign up for meal delivery: MAS Meal Delivery

Childcare for Emergency Personnel

The Governor’s plan directs school districts to provide childcare for emergency workers (including providers of healthcare, emergency medical services, long-term and post-acute care; law enforcement personnel; personnel providing correctional services; public health employees; firefighters and other first responders; and court personnel). We are also working on this plan and will share more details for those who are affected.

Childcare for Healthcare, Emergency Personnel and Educators
Wednesday March 18th-24th
Minnewaska Elementary School
7:30am – 3:30pm
Breakfast, lunch & snack provided
If transportation is needed, please let us know so you can be added to the bus schedule
Bring outdoor gear to play outside 

Click on this link to register: MAS Childcare for Emergency Personnel

Sincerely,

Chip Rankin
Superintendent

Dear Laker Families,

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced that all Minnesota public schools will close to students starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020, with the plan to resume instruction Monday, March 30, 2020.

Minnewaska Area Schools COVID-19 Closure Plan

All parents & guardians are allowed to excuse their students from attending any school days in regard to COVID-19 from March 16, 2020, until the MDH and the CDC no longer considers it a high risk.

Monday, March 16: Staff Development for all District Employees (NO STUDENTS)

1. E/FLEX Learning Plans will be developed
2. Support staff will work on “deep cleaning” all areas of our school
3. NO PRACTICE allowed for any activities to include the weight room
4. ISD 2149 Food Service will develop food service options for all families that require meals

Tuesday, March 17: Regular School Day for students and staff with preventive measures

1. Students will bring home devices and materials to get through March 18–24
   (3/25–3/27 is SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL as planned).
2. All student materials to include locker contents will be taken home.
3. Coaches of Spring Activities will be allowed to hold an organizational update meeting Tuesday, March 17th, but no formal practices will be held.

Wednesday, March 18 thru March 27

1. All MAS schools will be minimally staffed and only authorized employees will be allowed in the buildings.
2. NO PRACTICE or REHEARSALS ALLOWED PER THE MSHSL

Minnewaska Area Schools is committed to a proactive approach to ensuring student and staff safety with disrupting the learning environment as little as possible due to recent developments. We wanted to take an opportunity to provide you with the latest information regarding COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus that scientists are learning more about every day. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19; the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Preventing the spread of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. Those practices include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.

As a district, we are monitoring absenteeism for any irregularities, cleaning and disinfecting all school spaces daily, conducting specialized electro-static disinfecting at each building on a rotational basis, encouraging those that are sick to stay home, and staying abreast of all new information related to COVID-19.

In the event of any cases here, Minnewaska Area Schools will coordinate with agencies like emergency management, government, and the department of health at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure we are taking appropriate steps as necessary.

For additional information, please review these fact sheets from the CDC:

• What you need to know about COVID-19
• Stop the spread of germs
• Frequently Asked Questions

Through the continuation of good general hygiene practices and by staying home when sick, we are helping to protect against COVID-19 in our area.

We thank you for your support in keeping our schools safe and healthy places for children to learn, staff to work, and parents and community members to visit!