Returning to Hybrid Learning

Dear RPS Students, Families and Staff,

At last night’s school board meeting, we recommended a return to hybrid learning for students in grades PK-5 effective Monday, January 25. This applies only to those students who were previously enrolled in the hybrid program. Please carefully review the detailed information below if this transition applies to your child.

At this time, all secondary students (grades 6-12) will remain in distance learning. We will continue to review case rates and discuss possible next steps for future transitions for our older students. As a reminder, the guidance states that case rates need to be under 30 per 10,000 for secondary students to return to hybrid instruction and under 10 per 10,000 for in-person instruction. The official current case rate is 38 in Hennepin County. 

Returning to Hybrid Learning (Grades PK-5)

• Starting on January 25, students in preschool 4s through grade 5 who were previously enrolled in the hybrid program will resume in-person instruction four days per week.
• Starting the week of January 25, Students in preschool 3s who were previously enrolled in the hybrid program will resume in-person instruction two days per week.
• On January 21 & 22, students returning to the hybrid program will have no synchronous (live) instruction as teachers prepare for the transition. Students will be provided with asynchronous assignments or packets by Wednesday, January 20. Students remaining in distance learning will still have class as scheduled on these days.
• Transportation: If your child will be returning to the hybrid program and had a school bus assignment, they will have the same bus stop and times.
• Enrollment Changes: If you would like to change the enrollment preference for your child (they were hybrid before but you want them to remain in distance learning or they were in distance learning before and you want them to start the hybrid program), please contact your child’s school to determine availability.
• Safety: Face masks, hand washing and the safety measures that were in place this fall will continue. Although students will no longer be required to maintain the 6’ distance according to state guidelines, we will still do our best to maintain this distance whenever possible.
• Tier 1 Childcare: Starting the week of January 25, Tier 1 childcare will be available only on Wednesdays for families who qualify. Current Tier 1 childcare participants will receive information to submit dates that care is needed. 

Athletics & Activities (Grades 9-12)

• Athletic practices resumed this week. Athletes and RHS families received details from Principal Theien-Collins and AD Ellerson in a separate communication. 
• The MSHSL is now requiring masks to be worn at all times, including competitions, with certain exceptions only for swimming and diving, wrestling, gymnastics and cheerleading. 
• Competitions are scheduled to begin on January 14 for most activities. 

Special Education (All Grades)

• We anticipate providing in-person special education services for our students in our center-based and South Education Center programs. These services will take place four days per week and will be available to elementary and secondary students who receive special education services and spend the majority of their day in special education courses with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) indicating federal setting III and IV. 
• Transportation and meals will be provided. 
• If you are uncomfortable sending your child to school, you may opt out and your child will access services through the distance learning instructional model. 
• More details will be sent to families from the Special Education Department and case managers. 

Next Steps

Look for detailed, school-specific information about the transition to come from your child’s school over the next few weeks. I will continue to report any districtwide updates or changes when they occur. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation during what has been a truly difficult year for so many of our families. Together, we will continue to support one another and, eventually, return to full in-person learning for all. 

Superintendent Steven Unowsky

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District Resources and Information for Families:

• COVID-19 Web Page
• Student Support Services
• Online Learning
• Hybrid & Distance Learning
• Technology

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