Getting Ready for Fall Classes

We're taking a closer look at the contingency plans MN schools are supposed to be whipping up

News./// the school year has officially wrapped up for minnesota schools... but what lies ahead for the fall?

Kimt news 3's annalise johnson is looking into it.

She joins us live.

Annalise?

As of now ?

"* there is not yeta final decision as to whether students will return to their school buildings ?

"* like herea sunset terrace elementary school in rochester ?

"* or if they'll continue to learn online.

In a memo released yesterday ?

"* the minnesota department of education urged schools to have contingency plans for three different options.

Returning to school and following cdc and department of health guidelines ?

"* implementing a distance learning model ?

"* ora hybrid of the two.

The department intends to release more guidelines later this week.

The department says the situation is fluid and decisions may change ?

"* which is why it wants schools to be prepared for all three scenarios.

I spoke on the phone this afternoon with state senator carla nelson ?

"* who is chair of the minnesota senate education committee.

Xxx there's a very good chance that we will see an uptick in the coronavirus in the fall and we don't know that it will be a surge but the point is we don't know and there will hopefully be continued developments in therapies, treatments, testing and of course vaccines but that's not here yet so our schools need to be very nimble before the pandemic ?

"* minnesota schools were allowed up to 5 e?

"*learning days when classes are cancelled due to weather.

It counts as hours of instruction.

Senator nelson thinks the cap should be removed from that ?

"* and e?

"*learning days should also e used during public health emergencies ?

"* say if a school needed to shut down for two weeks.

She thinks schools may also need to be given flexibility to start before labor day.

Live in rochester annalise johnson kimt news 3.

Thank you annalise.

The policies on e?

"*learning and snow days differ in iowa.

According to the iowa department of education ?

"* school districts are not allowed to provide instruction on days school is closed due to weather.

Changing this rule would require legislative action.///