Saint Paul Public Schools Family Update For September 24

Press release from Saint Paul Public Schools:

September 24, 2020

Thank you for your support, understanding and trust as we wrap up the third week of Distance Learning in Saint Paul Public Schools. SPPS has continued to work on plans to safely transition into hybrid learning for some students this fall. As a reminder, two sets of dates were established to make this decision and allow time for transition:

• Friday, Sept. 25: Determine whether to start a hybrid schedule on Oct. 19
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Determine whether to start a hybrid schedule on Nov. 16

We are on track to meet these deadlines and expect to make a decision this Friday, Sept. 25. At this time, Stage 1 is the only group that could be returning to buildings on Oct. 19.

If we do not meet our readiness targets for Stage 1 on Friday, we will revisit the data weekly, and may determine a new start date for Stage 1 students prior to Nov. 16.

In addition, SPPS will determine on Wednesday, Oct. 14, whether any of the other three stages can return on Nov. 16. More information about the four stages is below.

Criteria that will be considered for each stage include the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 case rate by county, updated every Thursday, and a list of 23 other readiness targets that are specific to SPPS.

Details about the decision will be communicated as soon as possible. Information will be posted and updated regularly at spps.org/reopen2020; please check back often for the latest information.

Four Stages of Hybrid Learning

Saint Paul Public Schools’ ultimate goal is to welcome students and school staff back to our buildings when it is safe and possible to do so. As fall planning progressed this summer, it became clear that bringing staff and students back in stages would be the best and most logistically feasible way to accommodate the diverse needs of our large school community.

SPPS has developed four stages of hybrid learning, grouping students by special education programs and grade bands. Stage 1 includes our Special Education Fed. IV programs and special sites, which are:

• The Downtown School (JDC)
• Care & Treatment
• Hospital
• Bridge View
• Focus Beyond (Pathway 1 & 2)
• River East
• Journeys

These programs have important therapies and supports, including one-on-one academic support and therapeutic services including physical and occupational therapy, that are best delivered in person. Stage 1 families and staff were surveyed about their readiness to return to buildings. Families that are not comfortable with their students returning to school will have a distance learning option if the decision is made to move to hybrid learning.

For more information on the specific guidance for special education programs, see pages 44-52 of the MDE Planning Guidance for Public Schools.

The other three stages are:

• Stage 2: Grades PreK-2, Montessori E1, ECSE, K-12 Autism & DCD Programs, Focus Beyond
• Stage 3: Grades 3-5
• Stage 4: Grades 6-12

If it is decided to transition to hybrid learning for one or more of the above stages, those students will be in Distance Learning three days a week and on-site two days a week on the below schedule. Families in these stages will receive surveys about their readiness to return to hybrid learning.

• Group 1 will be on-site Monday and Tuesday / distance learning Wednesday and Thursday
• Group 2 will be on-site Wednesday and Thursday / distance learning Monday and Tuesday
• Both groups will be in distance learning on Friday

SPPS Readiness Targets

In addition to the COVID-19 case rate in Ramsey County, 24 other readiness targets will be considered in order for any stage to move into hybrid learning. These targets include building readiness, adequate supply of PPE, finalized health protocols, viable transportation and meal service plans, and available instructional staff.

• Link: Full list of readiness targets

COVID-19 Health Protocols

SPPS is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our students, staff and their families. The COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines incorporate COVID-19 related health recommendations from the CDC’s Childcare, Schools, and Youth Programs guidance as well as the MDH guidelines for Schools and Childcare: COVID-19 and COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Youth and Student Programs.

Schools and programs must be able to follow all of the health protocols laid out by MDE, MDH and SPPS to begin hybrid learning. These guidelines include signage and floor markings, handwashing and sanitizing routines, face covering policies, social distancing requirements, passive health screening and many other protocols. Building leaders have collaborated on these guidelines and are prepared to implement them at our schools.

SPPS Virtual Learning School

When any stage transitions to hybrid learning, families will have the option to remain in Distance Learning by registering for the SPPS Virtual Learning School. More information about the SPPS Virtual Learning School is available at spps.org/virtuallearning.

Academic Support Centers

Regardless of the decision on Sept. 25, SPPS is planning to offer in-person academic, technical and social/emotional learning support for Pre-K-12 grade students. Please look for more information about the referral process, hours and locations and health protocols in the coming days.

Thank you for your support, understanding and trust as we wrap up the third week of Distance Learning in Saint Paul Public Schools. SPPS has continued to work on plans to safely transition into hybrid learning for some students this fall. As a reminder, two sets of dates were established to make this decision and allow time for transition:

• Friday, Sept. 25: Determine whether to start a hybrid schedule on Oct. 19
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: Determine whether to start a hybrid schedule on Nov. 16

We are on track to meet these deadlines and expect to make a decision this Friday, Sept. 25. At this time, Stage 1 is the only group that could be returning to buildings on Oct. 19.

If we do not meet our readiness targets for Stage 1 on Friday, we will revisit the data weekly, and may determine a new start date for Stage 1 students prior to Nov. 16.

In addition, SPPS will determine on Wednesday, Oct. 14, whether any of the other three stages can return on Nov. 16. More information about the four stages is below.

Criteria that will be considered for each stage include the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 case rate by county, updated every Thursday, and a list of 23 other readiness targets that are specific to SPPS.

Details about the decision will be communicated as soon as possible. Information will be posted and updated regularly at spps.org/reopen2020; please check back often for the latest information.

Four Stages of Hybrid Learning

Saint Paul Public Schools’ ultimate goal is to welcome students and school staff back to our buildings when it is safe and possible to do so. As fall planning progressed this summer, it became clear that bringing staff and students back in stages would be the best and most logistically feasible way to accommodate the diverse needs of our large school community.

SPPS has developed four stages of hybrid learning, grouping students by special education programs and grade bands. Stage 1 includes our Special Education Fed. IV programs and special sites, which are:

• The Downtown School (JDC)
• Care & Treatment
• Hospital
• Bridge View
• Focus Beyond (Pathway 1 & 2)
• River East
• Journeys

These programs have important therapies and supports, including one-on-one academic support and therapeutic services including physical and occupational therapy, that are best delivered in person. Stage 1 families and staff were surveyed about their readiness to return to buildings. Families that are not comfortable with their students returning to school will have a distance learning option if the decision is made to move to hybrid learning.

For more information on the specific guidance for special education programs, see pages 44-52 of the MDE Planning Guidance for Public Schools.

The other three stages are:

• Stage 2: Grades PreK-2, Montessori E1, ECSE, K-12 Autism & DCD Programs, Focus Beyond
• Stage 3: Grades 3-5
• Stage 4: Grades 6-12

If it is decided to transition to hybrid learning for one or more of the above stages, those students will be in Distance Learning three days a week and on-site two days a week on the below schedule. Families in these stages will receive surveys about their readiness to return to hybrid learning.

• Group 1 will be on-site Monday and Tuesday / distance learning Wednesday and Thursday
• Group 2 will be on-site Wednesday and Thursday / distance learning Monday and Tuesday
• Both groups will be in distance learning on Friday

SPPS Readiness Targets

In addition to the COVID-19 case rate in Ramsey County, 24 other readiness targets will be considered in order for any stage to move into hybrid learning. These targets include building readiness, adequate supply of PPE, finalized health protocols, viable transportation and meal service plans, and available instructional staff.

• Link: Full list of readiness targets

COVID-19 Health Protocols

SPPS is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our students, staff and their families. The COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines incorporate COVID-19 related health recommendations from the CDC’s Childcare, Schools, and Youth Programs guidance as well as the MDH guidelines for Schools and Childcare: COVID-19 and COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Youth and Student Programs.

Schools and programs must be able to follow all of the health protocols laid out by MDE, MDH and SPPS to begin hybrid learning. These guidelines include signage and floor markings, handwashing and sanitizing routines, face covering policies, social distancing requirements, passive health screening and many other protocols. Building leaders have collaborated on these guidelines and are prepared to implement them at our schools.

SPPS Virtual Learning School

When any stage transitions to hybrid learning, families will have the option to remain in Distance Learning by registering for the SPPS Virtual Learning School. More information about the SPPS Virtual Learning School is available at spps.org/virtuallearning.

Academic Support Centers

Regardless of the decision on Sept. 25, SPPS is planning to offer in-person academic, technical and social/emotional learning support for Pre-K-12 grade students. Please look for more information about the referral process, hours and locations and health protocols in the coming days.

This press release was produced by Saint Paul Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.