Dear River Grove Families and Community,
As you know, COVID-19 rates locally, in Washington County, and statewide have increased significantly in the last few weeks. River Grove teachers, administration, and Board of Directors have been closely watching conditions in our community and at our school. We have consulted with the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, and other advisory groups regarding keeping our students, families, and staff safe. Our COVID response team has been meeting weekly or even more frequently.
Thursday night, the River Grove Board of Directors considered a proposal to move the school’s learning model to all distance learning. There was no action taken and no vote just yet. Because River Grove values community and teacher input, and we recognize the significant impact of the upcoming decisions on our families and staff, school leaders and the Board of Directors are asking for additional involvement from stakeholders before voting on a model change. The Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday November 19, 4:30pm via Zoom.
Zoom webinar attendee link:
When: Nov 19, 2020 04:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: River Grove Board Meeting 11.19.20 – COVID Response Focus
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/93191365797?pwd=WkV2WmMyTXNBcGZ4ZHdkU3lkWDBNZz09
Passcode: NWb9xK
While as of this writing the number of COVID-19 cases at the school remains low, the case count in immediate communities is rising rapidly. Our utmost concern is the operational capability to continue to deliver quality instruction while adhering to safety protocols. Shortages of substitute teaching and support staff due to quarantines and/or COVID-19 cases are a serious problem not only at River Grove, but locally and across Minnesota.
The proposal that the Board will consider is to move to full distance learning starting on December 7, 2020. Recently, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz granted schools five days of preparation time, so teachers would use the week of November 30 to fully prepare curriculum and instruction, and for the front office staff would use this time to move “tier 1 essential” childcare at River Grove for families who qualify and other necessary operational changes. The timeline (which is subject to change and Board approval) is:
- November 16-24: Continue Hybrid In-person Schedule*
- November 25: “C” Day for All Students (At-home Learning)
- November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break
- November 30-December 4: Teacher Prep (Curriculum Pickup this Week)/No School
- December 7 to January 15: At-home Learning for All Students
- January 15, 2021, is the end of semester one
- January 18: No School (Martin Luther King Day)/Grading Day
- January 19: Learning Model TBD
*Please note that conditions may change rapidly, affecting this timeline. Families should be prepared for urgent changes.
There are several ways to provide input:
- Email Drew Goodson, School Administrator: dgoodson@marineareaschool.org
- Email the Board of Directors: See email addresses here: https://marineareaschool.org/macs-board/
- Complete this survey: (see your email)
We sincerely thank you all for your support as we prioritize student and staff safety. We acknowledge that the pandemic is causing difficult decisions that will significantly impact all of our families, staff, and community. River Grove is carefully weighing the many factors involved.
Thank you,
River Grove