PHASE III: Return to Distance Learning

In order to address the safety and wellness for our students, staff, and families, the District will transition to a Distance Learning only model beginning Wednesday, November 18.  

• Students PreK - Grade 12 will participate in Distance Learning Monday - Friday.

• The District will continue to provide mental health support to students virtually.

• The District will continue to provide a student / family technology support virtually by calling 1-800-789-0051

• Your school will communicate additional information necessary such as special area calendars, schedules, distance learning student expectations, and so on.

Determining our base model has been a complex process, considering expert medical and public health advice, guidance from the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health, and input from our students, families, and staff. Too often, under pandemic circumstances, the solution to one challenge raises a different issue. We believe we have reached a model that balances safety and wellness for all involved, while considering what we can operationally achieve to meet the learning needs of students. 

We understand that these changes are indeed significant and that there will be many questions surrounding them. Our students and staff safety is our top priority. We believe a slow, gradual, careful return to school will allow us to stay open and bring even more students back in person over time.

Implementation of the Grading for Learning principles will take place in distance learning, hybrid and face-to-face models.

Grades will be focused on the Prioritized Learnings of the course in order to help focus and provide feedback on what’s most important in each course.   

The Four Big Ideas:

1. Homework, quizzes, and other daily tasks are formative practice and should not negatively impact a summative academic grade.

2. Reassessment is allowed on all summative assessments.

3. Nonacademic factors are not counted in the summative academic grade.

4. Only evidence of student proficiency toward learning targets or summative assessments is used to reach a summative academic grade.

Elementary Grading

Secondary Grading

Students will earn one of the following for each prioritized grading standard: Not Yet, Approaching, Secure or NG Note: “NG” is used only for students who enroll close to the end of the reporting period and the teacher does not have sufficient evidence yet for a grade. “Secure” is not expected until end of the year because the learnings are end of year targets.

Students will earn one of the following letter grades :  A, B, Pass or No Credit (NC) Grades of A and B will be figured into GPA, weighted, GPA, and class rank. A grade of P or NC counts as neutral (no impact) in GPA.   If a student receives a B, and prefers to take a Pass, they may do so by contacting their counselor. Parent/Guardian approval via phone or email is required. If a No Credit (NC) mark is in consideration for a student, the teacher, counselor, and administrator will need to discuss this option and documentation will be reviewed before making this determination. There will not be a cumulative final exam schedule during the 2020-2021 school year.

Yes, there will be specials. The District is processing responses from parents choosing all distance learning, as well as creating schedules for students learning in the hybrid model. Specials are part of the scheduling process but we are not able to provide specifics on frequency and delivery of specials until we have had adequate time to process data from parents.  

Field trips at all grade levels will be virtual until further notice. 

As one of Minnesota’s largest school districts, Rochester Public Schools has some unique planning challenges our smaller neighboring districts do not. Often, a large district experiences efficiencies because of being large. However, in COVID-19 planning, changes that come with a price tag multiply quickly in larger districts. For example, adding one or two new bus routes in a small district would not be too expensive, but once you multiply that by 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, plus other specialized buildings, RPS could easily see the expenditure approaching millions of dollars. A similar experience happens when we try to meet technology needs. Providing 50-100 devices in a small district is one level of intervention; in RPS, we distributed 8,000 devices in the spring and will likely need more than that this fall. The experience of large and small districts is different in a wide variety of ways, and COVID-19 planning shines a light on many of those.

We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our students under the Distance Learning model. Staff will engage in professional development in order to effectively use online learning tools and meet standard expectations for instruction, communication, and feedback.

• The District will use a common online learning platform, Google Suite for Education

• Schools will work with families to best address individual technology needs (More information below in Next Steps For Families)

• Classes will take place as if students were in the classroom, with recorded lessons also available; students may not need to remain online for the duration of every class

• Students will receive weekly schedules either on Friday or Monday from their school(s)

• Students will have daily interaction with licensed teachers

• Teachers will apply the same rigor and standards as if students were in person

• Students with needs in English Learning, Special Education, reading and math, etc., will continue to receive instructional support 

• Students will receive instruction focused on Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Secondary students will earn grades of A, B, Pass, No Credit. Elementary students will continue to receive standards-based feedback 

• Families will receive weekly communication from their school(s)

Responding to the requests of staff for additional professional development and making connections with families, we have reserved Monday and Tuesday, August 31 and September 1, for additional planning time for all levels.

Yes, all individuals, staff and students, two years of age and older are required to wear a mask at school, including playgrounds and on RPS transportation. 

School supply lists now include masks. The Minnesota Department of Education will provide a cloth face covering for each student and staff member. Individuals may wear face coverings of their own, instead, as long as they do not create a distraction to the learning environment.  

Updated 09/30/20 - School Board Policy 808: Face Coverings was approved on Tuesday, September 29. Families must complete the exclusion form and provide appropriate documentation for face covering exclusion. 

The Minnesota Department of Education will provided a cloth face covering for each student and staff member. Individuals may wear face coverings of their own, instead, as long as they do not create a distraction to the learning environment. 

Updated 09/30/20 - School Board Policy 808: Face Coverings was approved on Tuesday, September 29. Families must complete the exclusion form and provide appropriate documentation for face covering exclusion. 

The Minnesota Department of Education is supplying a cloth face mask for each student and staff member along with a supply of disposable masks as well.

All students, staff, and visitors that come to District buildings are required to complete the Minnesota Department of Health screening process at home before coming to school. 

There will be heightened emphasis on facility sanitation, including the regular cleaning of touch points, horizontal surface areas and the use of electrostatic sprayers to maintain a clean and healthy school environment. This includes school buses and other vehicles operated on behalf of RPS.

We are following ASHRAE COVID-19 guidelines for our building ventilation systems which includes increased air exchange rates throughout the day, building flushing two hours prior to occupancy and more frequent filter changes.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be in all classrooms and in all common areas in our buildings as well.

A few of our preventative measures include:

• Sneeze guards placed in offices and other spaces where face to face contact takes place such as speech rooms.
• Removing excess furniture from classrooms to create more learning space.
• Maintaining social distancing in music rooms by students facing the same direction and not share instruments.
• Social distancing signage including directional signs, six foot distancing markers, and hand washing guides  posted in all district buildings.

Buildings will restrict non-essential visitors and volunteers. Parents will be asked to make appointments for in-person meetings or participate in meetings online. Visitors and volunteers are an integral part of our daily school experience and look forward to welcoming visitors and volunteers back when it is safe to do so.  

Breakfast and lunch will be available on in-person learning days at elementary schools in the hybrid learning model. In addition, meals will be available for pick-up at designated locations around the district on distance learning days for students at all levels. Normal school meal fees will apply. Families may apply for free or reduced price school meals using this form. 

The United States Department of Agriculture announced on August 31^st, 2020 that schools will be able to continue to serve free meals to all children 18 years old and younger. Meals served at the Drive-through/Walk-up and schools sites are free.

Beginning Friday, November 20, RPS Student Nutrition Services will be offering 5-day Meal Kits for children 1-18 years old regardless of meal price eligibility.  Note: The last day for daily, drive-through lunch pick-up at school buildings will be Thursday, November 19.

Meal kits will consist of heat-and-serve and ready-to-eat entrees, plus fruit, vegetables and milk.  Instructions for storage and preparation are included.  No pre-registration or paperwork is required.

Meal kits will be available for drive-through pick-up on Friday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 24, 10 AM -12 PM, at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds, Graham Park Building #35 (1403 3rd Avenue SE). 

• Please enter the Fairgrounds at the 14th Street and Broadway intersection. 

• Proceed to Fairgrounds Avenue.

• Enter Building #35 from the north end. 

• If able, please open/unlock the trunk or leave a seat open where the meal kit can be placed.

The District’s drive-through hot lunch locations will be out of service for the winter months. More information regarding the December meal kit pick up dates will be available following the Thanksgiving Break.

SACC Child Care for Critical Workers (CCfCW) contracts, will be available for care at John Adams Middle School (1525 31^st St NW), for enrolled students on their distance learning school days. 

CCfCW contracts will be offered to Tier One critical workers who cannot work from home and have no other option for child care during school hours. Contracts and space are limited. At the first care session, parents will be asked for confirmation of their Tier One status using a workplace badge or other means of identification.

Tier One critical workers include essential workers in healthcare and public health, educators and school staff caring for children of any critical worker, law enforcement, public safety and first responders, food and agriculture, judicial branch essential services, National Guard, and child care providers caring for children of any critical worker. 

CCfCW contracts include your choice of the following sessions:

• AM Session (6:30-9 AM) at $12.00/session
• Mid-Day Session (9 AM to 2:30 PM) no fee per session
• PM Session (2:30-6:00 PM) at $12.00/session

If you do not currently have a SACC contract for the 2020-2021 school year and you are signing up for fee-based AM or PM sessions on distance learning school days, a $74.00 non-refundable registration fee will be charged when the contract is approved.

SACC CCfCW contracts allow parents to choose which days and which sessions they will need care. Parents will be able to log into their account and make changes to their child’s contract schedule, as long as those changes are made at least seven days in advance.

• When selecting a contract we understand families are unaware of their child’s school schedule. Please select 1 day to hold the contract. Once you find out your child’s school schedule you will need to log into your account and adjust your schedule. If you are having difficulties please call the SACC office at (507) 328-4040.

Children participating in care through a CCfCW contract will be assigned to small groups according to their home elementary school, and will avoid mixing groups as much as possible. SACC will continue the other extensive prevention measures employed successfully for the past several months, including face coverings required for all staff and students, close attention to hand hygiene practices, screening for illness, and additional cleaning measures.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for a fee through Student Nutrition Services, and an afternoon snack will be provided by SACC free of charge. 

SACC CCfCW participants will have the opportunity to work on distance learning assignments while at care as long as they bring their device and/or assignments with them. CCfCW staff are able to help the children access their Distance Learning accounts and sessions, but cannot provide direct academic instruction. 

SACC CCfCW and 2020-2021 school year contracts will be billed every other Monday, due that Wednesday. Please consider Auto Pay for a 10% discount. Note: Families participating in both 2020-2021 school year and CCfCW contracts will have one billing with both contracts combined.

We understand this school year looks different, but with the changes implemented we will be able to offer a fun and safe environment for the children in our care.

SACC CCfCW is currently full. Please contact the SACC Office at (507) 328-4040 with to be placed on the waiting list.

The district will be providing training resources for families as well as providing professional development for staff members so they are better equip to assist students with any technical difficulties.

Updated 10/19/20 - In order to better serve our families during Distance Learning, we are launching a Technology Helpdesk for families and students, called Remote Distance Learning Technical Support.

 The Remote Distance Learning Technical Support Team for families and students will solve for issues like:

• Support for standard software like Microsoft Office, Adobe, G Suite 
• Support for some hardware like printers, Internet and Wi-Fi Connectivity 

Families and students will be able to receive support Monday - Friday from 7 AM - 7 PM, now through December 2020 by calling 1-(800)-789-0051.

For both Elementary and Secondary levels, students will be utilizing Google Suite for Education as a learning platform. Google Classroom will serve as a central hub for all evidence of learning and learning processes. Google Classroom can be enhanced by instructional technology tools such as SeeSaw, ClassKick, etc. 

Families will be asked to complete a “needs assessment” to discover their device and connectivity needs. 

Schools will prioritize device distribution (iPads, Chromebooks) based on family needs. Our first priority is to ensure each household has at least one device for distance learning, followed by additional devices for households with more than one student. 

• Students with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) will receive services as outlined in their plan.

• Face-to-face instruction will be prioritized for students with intense needs.

• Direct Services and related services will be provided virtually and/or in person as per the IEP 

• Special  Education staff will collaborate with general education staff to modify instruction and plan for accommodations

Counselors, social workers and other mental health providers will provide in-person and virtual support to address students’ mental and emotional wellness.

• PreK and Elementary Levels- in-person support in small groups and individually

• Middle and High School Levels- virtual support via Google Meets, Google Chat, emails or by scheduling  in-person sessions  at the building. 

• Classroom instruction in Social Emotional Learning will be provided by classroom teacher and school counselor either in person or virtually. 

* Forums and topic sessions on mental health and emotional wellness will be provided for families in person and/or virtually.

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Mental Health Hotlines

Bamber Valley: (507) 328-4951	Gage: (507) 328-4952	Phoenix/RAIL/MS Right Fit: (507) 328-4973
Bishop: (507) 328-4961	Gibbs: (507) 328-4962	Pinewood: (507) 328-4956
Century: (507) 328-4958	Gage: (507) 328-4952	RALC: (507) 328-49753
Churchill | Hoover: (507) 328-4960	John Adams: (507) 328-4964	Riverside: (507) 328-4968
Early Childhood: (507) 328-4974	Jefferson: (507) 328-4967	Sunset Terrace: (507) 328-4953
Elton Hills: (507) 328-4955	Kellogg: (507) 328-4966	Washington: (507) 328-4970
Folwell: (507) 328-4951	Lincoln: (507) 328-3554	Willow Creek: (507) 328-4965
Franklin | MAF : (507) 328-4951	Longfellow: (507) 328-4969	Staff: (507) 328-4976
Friedell: (507) 328-4951	Mayo: (507) 328-5502

MDH states that if Districts move to Distance Learning due to county data/case rates and COVID-19 spread, all athletics and extracurricular activities will move to virtual only. As of Wednesday, November 18, all athletics, activities, Community Education programs, and rentals will cease. 

This includes all Community Education programs for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities, with the exception of the State-mandated Child Care for Critical Workers discussed later. Watch for more information from Community Education regarding any program for which you were registered. Rentals of District facilities by community organizations are suspended until further notice.