ISD 728 will continue to offer Grab n’ Go Style meals for all families to drive through and/or pick-up curbside on the dates indicated on this calendar. Meals are being provided at no cost to families, for each child age 18 and under. The Grab n’ Go style meal will provide lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day. 

DETAILS

• Pick up will continue to be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Pick up breakfast and/or lunch.
• 1 breakfast and 1 lunch is available for each child. 
• Meals will be placed on carts for families to take while in their car.  
• Meals cannot be consumed on-site.
• Meals are pre-packaged to facilitate efficient pick-up with minimal exposure.
• Meals are designed for pick-up only through curbside delivery at this time.
• The following items are not available: infant formula, baby food, or other personal care items such as diapers, toiletries, etc.

DATES
Service will continue on the dates listed on this calendar, or visit www.isd728.org/Grab-n-Go-Calendar.

PICK UP LOCATIONS
Pick up will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the following sites:

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
  
  
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Door 1 (flagpole entrance) 
  
  
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

Click here to view a map of the locations.

Students can go to any of the above-mentioned locations regardless of the school they currently attend to pick up meals.

If your child requires specific dietary needs or you have additional questions, please contact Michelle Jones, Food Service Manager, via email michelle.jones@isd728.org or by phone at (763) 241-3409.

• Parents and students will have access to get personal supplies (i.e. empty out desks and lockers, gather medications, etc.) on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
  • This will allow ISD 728 staff to clean the facilities in accordance with guidance from the Department of Health. Principals will send specific details and additional guidance regarding scheduled pick-up times. Contact your school if you cannot make it or have additional questions.
• Families with elementary-aged children who need to request a device for distance learning can check one out on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at their child’s school. If you have a device at home your child can use, you may use it instead of checking out a school-issued device.
• School officials ask that families limit the time they spend in school when picking up supplies due to social distancing guidelines and to prevent the spread of the virus (i.e. 10 minutes or less). School officials also recommend limiting the number of people they bring with them when picking up supplies (i.e. one parent/guardian).

What are Distance Learning Days
The goal of Distance Learning is to continue students’ conceptual understanding and skill development. Students participating in Distance Learning will receive course expectations, class announcements and learning objectives in a digital format. Students will participate in a variety of activities, but not all will be digital in nature. The communication below will provide more specific guidance related to Distance Learning days. Thank you for your support as we implement this new process. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!  If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Instructional Delivery
Beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020 by 9:00 a.m., staff will communicate course/class expectations using the following:

• Early Childhood - 2nd Grade 
  • E-2 students will utilize Seesaw as the primary delivery method for class content. Refer to the Seesaw Parent Support page for further information. Accommodations will be made for students with IEP or 504 plans.

• Grades 3-12
• 3-12 students will utilize Schoology as the primary delivery method for class content. Refer to the Schoology Parent Support page for further information. Accommodations will be made for students with IEP or 504 plans.

Attendance 
Attendance is based on work completion per week (a week constitutes Sunday through Saturday). Staff will record attendance the Monday after the previous week. Students must complete at least one required assignment per week to be considered present. Assignments may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Discussion Post: Students contributing to or responding to an online discussion prompt.
• Assignment: Students submit an assignment in Seesaw / Schoology or other digital means.
• Test/Quiz: Students submit a digital test or quiz.

Special Education
Please know that your child will continue to receive special education services, accommodations, and modifications as outlined on their current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). How these services will be provided may look different. For example, starting March 30, 2020, services will be delivered through an alternative method that may include technology, phone calls, and/or printed resources. 

Your child’s case manager will be in contact with you by the end of the day March 27, 2020 and will discuss your child’s Individualized Distance Learning Service Plan. This will be an addendum to your child’s IEP. Please let your child’s case manager know if you need access to a device or internet. We will work closely with you and try to accommodate your child’s needs.

Hosting Live Video Conferencing Sessions
Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during Distance Learning Days. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers will provide a recorded version of the video conference.

• In some instances, teachers may host a synchronous (live) class experience via Google Meet. In order to avoid conflicts with other classes, staff will use the times below when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.

• When possible, staff may record these sessions and publish for students to watch at a later time.
• Refer to these tutorials that describe how to join a video conference using Google Meet or Schoology.
  
  

Teacher Office Hours

• E-5 Teachers will post daily expectations in Seesaw or Schoology by 9:00 a.m.

• 6-12 Teachers will post daily expectations in Schoology by 9:00 a.m.

• The expectation is for all staff to be available by email or phone (via voicemail) from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours via phone (Google Meet) or email. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Contacting your child's teacher on a Distance Learning Day
Teachers, principals, and other licensed professionals will be available by email or phone (via voicemail) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are two (2) ways you can contact your child’s teachers:

1. Send staff an email to their school email address. Staff contact information can be found in the ISD 728 Staff Directory.
2. Call your child’s teacher and leave a message on their school voicemail. All voicemails are forwarded to staff members email. If you request a call back from your child's teacher, please leave your phone  number and a specific time for a return call.

Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours via phone (Google Meet) or email. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Google Meet Phone Calling
Teachers will utilize Google Meet Internet Calling if there is a need to call parents on a Distance Learning Day.  As a recipient of a Google Internet Call, the incoming number will have a number and Caller ID from out state.

Student Access to My ISD 728 Rapid Portal 
You can access My ISD 728 Rapid Portal at my.isd728.org to access familiar classroom resources, including apps for distance learning. To help prepare for Distance Learning beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, please help your child practice logging into the above website. These apps are available from most internet connected devices available in your home, or optionally from a school issued Chromebook you connect to your home internet.

Students may not be familiar with their login information or how to navigate to the Rapid Portal and will need your helping hand, especially for Grades K-2. The next few days will be an opportune time to get your student(s) familiar with this process.

See Rapid Portal Student Login Directions

Parent Technical Support & Access to Devices
Needs help using class materials or websites?
Please contact your teacher for help by sending an email or leaving a voicemail. It may take a day to hear back.

Need a chromebook or replacement device?
Parents from any school can go to buildings offering Grab n' Go Meals. Pick up will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call (763) 241-3490 ahead of time to help us be ready.

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
  
  
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Door 1 (flagpole entrance) 
  
  
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

ChromeDepot Online
Having trouble connecting to wifi? Unable to sign in to my.isd728.org? Other issues? Grade K-5 Parents and Grade 6-12 students or parents can call (763) 241-3490 or visit www.isd728.org/LetsChat for assistance. Support is available 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. M-F.

Internet Filtering at Home
To help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material, as well as to keep a “scholarly” focus when learning online, ISD 728 uses online services provided by GoGuardian. This web-based protection operates both when in school and at also at home for school managed accounts (i.e. when a student is logged into Chrome or a Chromebook with their school email address). Visit here for more information about what is filtered.

While filtering takes place both at school and at home, parents play an important role in supervising their child's internet access and usage. Parents are encouraged to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage, and reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety. Please review our technology responsible use guidelines and  visit www.isd728.org/Digital-Health-Wellness to learn more about available parent resources.

We also highly encourage reporting any potential cyberbullying or other sensitive issues by visiting www.isd728.org/Bullying and using the provided Reporting Forms.

Before March 30th, parents will receive information about accessing the new GoGuardian Parent App to see which websites, apps, and extensions a student uses, and to see how often teachers have issued intervention commands, like locking screens or closing tabs. 

Teachers are limited to using GoGuardian Teacher with students in their classes during instructional hours, helping them assess students’ progress towards class assignments and facilitating communication between teachers and students during class time.

School administrators and assigned IT staff receive real time Smart Alerts if a student views explicit content. They can also access to GoGuardian Admin to review flagged or blocked activity and reports.

Visit the ISD 728 Covid-19 Resource Website for Additional Information: www.isd728.org/COVID-19

We know that your schedules are wide and varied. We are here to support you and your child during these evolving times, so please reach out to us as we are in this together. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Jana Hennen-Burr
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Getting Started

A great resource for learning about this year's AP Exams is Trevor Packer's presentation (click here).

Exam Registration

• Only students who are currently registered for AP exams will be allowed to participate in the AP tests this spring. No additional registrations are allowed. 
• Students who are registered for an AP exam who are unable to take the exam should contact their AP teacher.

Exam Dates

• Exams will be given from May 11–22.
• Students who are unable to take their test on the designated day must work with their building’s AP Coordinator to schedule a makeup test, which will be offered from June 1–5.
• Students can take exams at home or in schools, if they reopen.
• Each subject's exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
• View the full testing schedule (click here).

Exam Format
Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question will be timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.

• Students will be able to take exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They'll be able to type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phones.
• For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, plus an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
• Certain courses—Art and Design: 2D; Art and Design: 3D; Art and Design:Drawing; and Computer Science Principles—will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET. Teachers and students may receive separate course-specific communications.
• Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions 3 and 4 on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. The College Board will provide additional details in the coming weeks to help students prepare. 

Tips for testing on specific devices will be available in late April.

Exam Scores and College Credit
As usual, students' work will be scored by a network of college faculty and AP teachers, and will be reported on a 1–5 scale. The College Board anticipates releasing scores as close to the usual July timeframe as possible.

The College Board is confident that the vast majority of higher ed institutions will award college credit as they have in the past. They have spoken with hundreds of institutions across the country that support their solution for this year's AP Exams.

Exam Security
Like many college-level exams, this year's AP Exams will be open book/open note. The exam format and questions are being designed specifically for an at-home administration, so points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online. However, students taking the exams may not consult with any other individuals during the testing period. The College Board will take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of each exam administration, as they do every year.

We're confident that the vast majority of AP students will follow the rules for taking the exams. For the small number of students who may try to gain an unfair advantage, the College Board has a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating. While some of these practices are confidential to maximize their effectiveness, students and education professionals can learn more about our security measures (click here). 

At a minimum, test takers should understand that those attempting to gain an unfair advantage will either be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be canceled, and their high school will be notified as will colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent any College Board scores (including SAT® scores). And they may be prohibited from taking a future Advanced Placement® Exam as well as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests™, or CLEP® assessments. 

Remote Instruction and Practice
On March 25, the College Board began offering free live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. The courses have been viewed more than 3.2 million times since they became available. On-demand lessons (click here) are now available for Art and Design, AP Capstone™, and Computer Science Principles. 

In addition to sharing information about these classes with students, teachers who are providing remote instruction can use AP Classroom for most subjects. The College Board has unlocked secure free-response questions in AP Classroom so teachers can digitally assign relevant practice questions students can take at home. Additional tips for helping your students practice are available (click here). 

Additional Information
The College Board has added frequently asked questions to their website so you can find answers to important topics, including information for students with accommodations, details about exam fees and cancellations, credit and placement, calculator policies, and more. (click here) Additional updates will be shared through email, online educator communities, and social media.

Questions
If you have questions about the new AP tests, please contact your child’s AP teacher or you can contact the AP Coordinator for your child’s school.

Elk River High School
Rachel Telfer
rachel.telfer@isd728.org

Rogers High School
Shane Noecker 
shane.noecker@isd728.org

Zimmerman High School
Tom Kish
thomas.kish@isd728.org

MCA/MTAS tests for the 2019-2020 school year have been canceled.

The district-provided ACT test that was scheduled for March 23, 2020 has been canceled. Juniors will be provided with an opportunity to take the ACT, free of charge, on October 6, 2020. The October 6, 2020 administration will happen during the school day.

There are two national ACT test dates this summer, June 13, 2020 and July 18, 2020.  These opportunities are not part of the district assessment program so standard ACT fees will apply. Please see the ACT website for more information about these testing opportunities.  Please be aware that the registration deadline for the June 13, 2020 administration is May 8, 2020.

• Conferences: 
• Elementary: Conferences have been canceled. 
• Secondary: Conferences have been canceled. 
• Community Education Early Childhood Family Education programs, Early Childhood Screening, Youth Enrichment, Arts and Recreation, Driver’s Education, Adult Enrichment & Fitness classes scheduled through May are canceled. Participants will be provided credit for future programs. 
• School Readiness and ABE participants will receive communication about Distance Learning options that will start on March 30, 2020.
• Please take time to review your contact information on Infinite Campus Parent Portal to ensure it is accurate.
• Continued communication from the District will be done through the parent notification system and will be posted on the District’s website www.isd728.org/COVID-19. We will also post information and links via our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 
• The Minnesota State High School League provides guidance related to athletics/activities.  Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, there will be no practices, scrimmages, games, etc. through at least March 27, 2020 (MSHSL). 
• The ACT exam scheduled for March 23, 2020 is canceled. We are working with ACT to move the date for those that are registered for the test.

Could you address the meal pickup and requirements? Possible false information is circulating that you will lose funding for lunches if we don’t pick them up.

What if my student is on an IEP or other special education program?
Families with students on an IEP or other special education program will be contacted by a representative from the District no later than March 30, 2020 to make arrangements.

How will the District handle cases in which families “opt out” of technology?
ISD 728 will be working with these families to determine an appropriate plan of action.

Where can I get wifi if I do not have it?
ISD 728 will be working with area partners and will provide information as soon as it is available.

Will the district be providing transportation for childcare?
Transportation will only be provided for children attending sessions during regular school hours. Transportation will be provided to the nearest available school site. Only one pick up and drop off location will be allowed.

My student(s) was signed up to take the ACT? What happens now?
The ACT exam scheduled for March 23, 2020 is canceled. We are working with ACT to move the date for those that are registered for the test.

Will my high school hold their junior/senior prom?
We will continue to inform you, through our channels, about prom. As of now, gatherings of more than 250 are not recommended. We are following that guidance until instructed otherwise by MDH.

What does this closure mean for graduation?
Quite simply, we’re not sure yet. We will, with the guidance of MDE and MDH, reassess the situation at that time.

What does the closure mean for athletics?
The Minnesota State High School League provides guidance related to athletics/activities.  Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, there will be no practices, scrimmages, games, etc. through at least March 27, 2020 (MSHSL).

COVID-19 Resources

• Talking with your children about COVID-19
• Tips to keep children healthy while school's out
• Community Resources
• MDH Recommendations for Schools and Child Care
• MDH Latest COVID-19 Updates  
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
• Webinars:
  • April 2, 2020 Free Webinar (one hour): What Every Elementary/Middle Student Needs to Know about the Coronavirus registration link.  Please note that these times are Eastern Time Zone.
  • Webinar for Individuals with Chronic Lung Conditions registration link.   COVID-19 and Chronic Lung Disease: What You Need to Know Every Monday at 1 p.m. CT, our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Albert Rizzo, will provide information on COVID-19 and recommendations for people with chronic lung disease and their caregivers. Register for the webinars in advance, watch recorded updates from previous weeks and access our FAQs 24/7  

Please Note: ISD 728 does not endorse any of these websites below, our goal is to provide users with resources that may be helpful to them and their families

Food Shelves

• Food Shelf and Pantry Options
• CROSS Food Shelf - Rogers
• CAER Food Shelf - Elk River
• Food shelf will be available by appointments only, effective March 18, 2020 through at least March 27, 2020. Please call 763-441-1020 to schedule. Additional food for families with school age youth will be available during this time with an appointment.
• St. Paul's Food Shelf - Hanover
• Catholic Charities: call 320-229-4584 for delivered frozen meals
• Clearwater/Clear Lake Emergency Food Shelf: 320-558-2954
• Becker Food Shelf: 763-261-4612
• Big Lake food Shelf: call 763-263-2432
• Princeton Pantry Food Shelf: call 763-631-3578
• Salvation Army St. Cloud: call 320-252-4552
• MN Food Helpline: 1-888-711-1151, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Multilingual assistance. They assess your situation and provide solutions to help meet your family’s food needs.

Other Food Opportunities

• List of Restaurants Offering Free Lunches - KSTP

Mental Health

• Minnesota Mental Health Emergency Resources
• Youth Suicide Warning Signs
• SAVE- Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
• Teen Line Online
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you are in crisis, you may want to contact a crisis line to speak to a mental health professional immediately. Please see below for crisis resources:

• Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741
• Four County Crisis Response Team: 1-800-635-8008
• The Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ youth): 1-866-488-7386
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

If this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you are concerned about the safety of another individual, please call 9-1-1 immediately to arrange for help and support.

County/State/Support Options

• Community Resources
• MNSure: Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care
• DHS ApplyMN: Cash Assistance, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Child Care, Emergency Assistance
• MDE Covid-19 and Unemployment Benefits

How to Talk with Children about the Pandemic

• Coronavirus Questions for Kids
• Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus - NPR
• Talking to Children about Covid-19 - Parent Resource from NASP
• Talking To Kids About the CoronaVirus - ChildMind
• Talking to Teens and Tweens about the CoronaVirus - NYTimes 
• Manage CoronaVirus Anxiety: Expert Videos for Kids and Grown-Ups - GoZen
• How to Talk to your Kids about Coronavirus - PBS Kids
• Coronavirus: Multilingual Resources for Schools 

Cell & Internet Information

• Free WiFi/Internet Options
• Comcast
• Charter
• AT&T
• Sprint
• Verizon
• T- Mobile

Mindfulness Resources & Activities

• Mindfulness for Distance Learning
• Yoga with Adrienne
• Calm App

Food Shelves

• CROSS Food Shelf - Rogers
• CAER Food Shelf - Elk River
• Food shelf will be available by appointments only, effective March 18, 2020 through at least March 27, 2020. Please call 763-441-1020 to schedule. Additional food for families with school age youth will be available during this time with an appointment.
• St. Paul's Food Shelf - Hanover

Other Food Opportunities

• List of Restaurants Offering Free Lunches - KSTP
• Free Kid Meals in Twin Cities Metro Area - Compiled by Washburn Center

Parent Resources (includes tools, apps, games, self-care)

• 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused (via CommonSense Media)
• Best Documentaries (via CommonSense Media)
• Best Family Movies (via CommonSense Media)
• Best Music Apps and Games for Kids (via CommonSense Media)
• BrainPop on Coronavirus
• Dance Games (via CommonSense Media)
• Device-Free Dinner Guidelines (via CommonSense Media)
• Free Educational Apps, Games, and Websites (via CommonSense Media)
• Free SEL Activities and Practices (via Greater Good in Education)
• How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus (via Open Circle)
• How To Talk To Your Kids About Coronavirus (via PBS)
• Designing Learning From Home Experiences with UDL (via Novak Education)
• Meditation Apps for Kids
• My Kid’s School is Closed, So Now What? (via Confident Parents, Confident Kids)
• Sibling Watch-Together TV (via CommonSense Media)
• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (via NASP)
• Teaching Kids Media Smarts During Breaking News (via CommonSense Media)
• Virus Anxiety Resources

Please Note: ISD 728 does not endorse any of these websites, our goal is to provide users with resources that may be helpful to them and their families

ISD 728 Families,

Last week, Governor Tim Walz announced the extension of Distance Learning until the end of the 2019-2020 School Year. With this news, the District is now in the process of making determinations regarding the refunding of certain fees to families. 

Some refunds have already been processed – such as canceled field trips that were originally scheduled during the initial distance learning period, which began on March 16, 2020. With the most recent news, we will be working through the process of identifying refunds for items such as Activity Fees that were collected for the Spring sports/activity season and Food Service Refunds for families of graduating seniors. Other building specific fees will be examined over the next several weeks and will be processed according to building guidelines and procedures. 

For Minnesota High School League (MSHSL) Activities for the Spring season specifically, the District intends to refund the entire fee collected from participants in the next several weeks. If payment was made by debit/credit card, the refund will be processed directly back to the card used for payment. If the payment was made by cash or check, a check will be processed and will be mailed to the address on file. 

For Seniors who are graduating, the Food Service Department will be generating a list of food service refunds. As in past years, there is still the option to request that the balance in the Senior’s account be transferred to a younger sibling. The balance may also be donated to the District to help other families in need. If either of these options are of interest to you, please contact LeAnne Murphy, in our Food Service Department, by email at LeAnne.Murphy@isd728.org and specify the designation of your Senior’s remaining funds. Please include the following:

Senior’s Name:
Sibling’s Name you would like funds transferred to: (if applicable)
Or that you would like to donate the funds. (if applicable)

If you prefer a refund, please allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing. The refund will be mailed to each household. 

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we are processing a large amount of refunds during this time. 

Respectively,
The ISD 728 Finance Team

Thursday, April 23, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota State High School League announced the cancellation of all of Minnesota high school activities through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

The state’s announcement is intended to give parents, coaches and student athletes as much certainty as possible so they could plan and make decisions for the future. While this is not the outcome any of us hope for, we are thankful for the information and continued partnerships with our state leaders and high school league.  

Health and safety remain our number one priority, and we are working closely with public health officials to make the best decisions for our children, families, and school community. Information regarding activity fees and refunds will be forthcoming. 

For our senior athletes, we echo the Governor’s comments, knowing this is a time when many are excited for the pinnacle of their athletic careers, only to see it taken away by the pandemic. We appreciate their dedication, and the way they have represented ISD 728 throughout their journey. 

Please continue to access the District’s Website at www.isd728.org for the most up-to-date information about summer activities and the 2020-2021 school year. Questions related to site specific activities can be directed to your student athlete’s Activities Director or Coach. Contact information is available on the District’s Website.

Thank you for being part of ISD 728. I am proud to serve as your Superintendent, and I am confident we will be stronger for having this opportunity together.

Resources

Minnesota State High School League: 

• legacy.mshsl.org/mshsl/index.asp

• Press Release

 NCAA Eligibility (Competition, scholarships, etc.):

• www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future

Sincerely,

Dr. Daniel Bittman

ISD 728 Superintendent

Today, Thursday, April 23, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced the extension of Minnesota school closures through the end of the school year, Friday, June 5, 2020.

The state’s announcement is intended to give parents and educators as much certainty as possible so they could plan and make decisions for the remainder of this academic year. While this is not the outcome any of us wanted, we are thankful for the information and continued partnerships with various state, national, and community partners. ISD 728 plans to continue to provide such things as food service, childcare, and meaningful learning opportunities through distance learning for the remainder of the school year. It will also continue to complete maintenance and construction projects as communicated and promised to our community. This time is especially valuable as the District will be able to complete projects without disrupting student learning.

For our students in Grade 12 (Seniors), we echo the Governor’s comments, knowing this is a time when many are excited for the pinnacle of their high school careers, only to see it taken away by the pandemic. We appreciate their dedication, and the way they have represented ISD 728 during their academic career. Based on today’s announcement, this year’s proms will not occur. Decisions related to 2020 graduation will be made in the next few weeks, and they will be made based on guidance and data from the State Department of Health. Regardless of whether our graduates are celebrated in person or virtually, ISD 728 plans to honor our Class of 2020 for their success and accomplishments.

Please note, there will be no school or online instruction for students on Friday, May 1, 2020 or Monday, May 4, 2020 as teachers will be participating in professional development. These two days of professional development were ordered by the Governor and are meant to provide staff an opportunity for all Minnesota teachers to collaborate and to refine their Distance Learning practices.

Health and safety remain our number one priority, and we are working closely with public health officials to make the best decisions for our children, families, and school community. We will also continue to work tirelessly to ensure, to the best of our ability, staff are not harmed financially, and that they are able to continue to work, providing support for those we serve. Furthermore, we will work with our community partners, local businesses, and nonprofits to create efficiencies, foster relationships, and to meet the needs of those in crisis.

Please continue to access the District’s Website at www.isd728.org for the most up-to-date information about meals, childcare, special education considerations, learning resources for families and educators, spring activities and more.

Thank you for being part of ISD 728. I am proud to serve as your Superintendent, and I am confident we will be stronger for having this opportunity together.

Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Bittman
ISD 728 Superintendent

ISD 728 will continue to offer Grab n’ Go Style meals for all families to drive through and/or pick-up curbside on the dates indicated on this calendar. Meals are being provided at no cost to families, for each child age 18 and under. 

Full details, including service dates, are listed on the District website and are subject to change.

Visit www.isd728.org/COVID-19.

DETAILS

• Pick up will continue to be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Pick up breakfast and/or lunch.
• 1 breakfast and 1 lunch is available for each child. 
• Meals will be placed on carts for families to take while in their car.  
• Meals cannot be consumed on-site.
• Meals are pre-packaged to facilitate efficient pick-up with minimal exposure.
• Meals are designed for pick-up only through curbside delivery at this time.
• The following items are not available: infant formula, baby food, or other personal care items such as diapers, toiletries, etc.

PICK UP LOCATIONS

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
  
  
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Door 6
  
  
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

Students can go to any of the above-mentioned locations regardless of the school they currently attend to pick up meals.

If your child requires specific dietary needs or you have additional questions, please contact Michelle Jones, Food Service Manager, via email michelle.jones@isd728.org or by phone at (763) 241-3409.

Shelter in Place 
Governor Walz has ordered that all Minnesotans shelter-in-place beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020 through April 10, 2020.  

This means he expects Minnesotans to stay in their homes, only leaving for food, medicine, outdoor exercise, and to fulfill other essential services.  

In addition, he has ordered distance learning to occur through at least April 30, 2020. The Governor has also ordered that all school staff report to work May 1, 2020 and May 4, 2020 to prepare for the return of students on May 5, 2020. 

If and when different guidance is provided by the Governor, we will communicate it to our families through our parent notification system and website.

The Governor has been clear that he considers educational services to be essential to keeping our communities strong. As a former teacher, he understands the important role that we play and continues to expect that schools will provide things such as distance learning, childcare services, building maintenance, and food service, while maintaining district operations related to such things as finance, human resources, technology etc.

We recognize the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”) is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, and it is essential that the spread of the virus be slowed to protect the ability of public and private health care providers to handle the influx of new patients and safeguard public health and safety.  

Because of the risk of the rapid spread of the virus, the need to protect all members of the District and Community is essential. As a result and in order to prevent over-inundating of our healthcare systems, ISD 728 will be requiring all employees to stay at home except for those completing essential work related to childcare, food service, and District Operations beginning March 30, 2020 and until further notice. 

Please continue to use the District website at www.isd728.org for the most up to date information. Feel free to contact me. I will continue to be available and present.

Thank you for being part of ISD 728, we will walk this journey together and will be stronger than ever when it passes.

Watch the Video
Watch ISD 728 Superintendent Dan Bittman give an update on the Minnesota Shelter in Place order.

ISD 728 Parents:

What are Distance Learning Days
The goal of Distance Learning is to continue students’ conceptual understanding and skill development. Students participating in Distance Learning will receive course expectations, class announcements and learning objectives in a digital format. Students will participate in a variety of activities, but not all will be digital in nature. The communication below will provide more specific guidance related to Distance Learning days. Thank you for your support as we implement this new process. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Instructional Delivery
Beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020 by 9:00 a.m., staff will communicate course/class expectations using the following:

• Early Childhood - 2nd Grade
  • E-2 students will utilize Seesaw as the primary delivery method for class content. Refer to the Seesaw Parent Support page for further information. Accommodations will be made for students with IEP or 504 plans.

• Grades 3-12

• 3-12 students will utilize Schoology as the primary delivery method for class content. Refer to the Schoology Parent Support page for further information. Accommodations will be made for students with IEP or 504 plans.

Attendance
Attendance is based on work completion per week (a week constitutes Sunday through Saturday). Staff will record attendance the Monday after the previous week. Students must complete at least one required assignment per week to be considered present. Assignments may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Discussion Post: Students contributing to or responding to an online discussion prompt.
• Assignment: Students submit an assignment in Seesaw / Schoology or other digital means.
• Test/Quiz: Students submit a digital test or quiz.

Special Education
Please know that your child will continue to receive special education services, accommodations, and modifications as outlined on their current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). How these services will be provided may look different. For example, starting March 30, 2020, services will be delivered through an alternative method that may include technology, phone calls, and/or printed resources.

Your child’s case manager will be in contact with you by the end of the day March 27, 2020 and will discuss your child’s Individualized Distance Learning Service Plan. This will be an addendum to your child’s IEP. Please let your child’s case manager know if you need access to a device or internet. We will work closely with you and try to accommodate your child’s needs.

Hosting Live Video Conferencing Sessions
Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during Distance Learning Days. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers will provide a recorded version of the video conference.

• In some instances, teachers may host a synchronous (live) class experience via Google Meet. In order to avoid conflicts with other classes, staff will use the times below when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.
• When possible, staff may record these sessions and publish for students to watch at a later time.
  
• Refer to these tutorials that describe how to join a video conference using Google Meet or Schoology.
  
  

Teacher Office Hours

• E-5 Teachers will post daily expectations in Seesaw or Schoology by 9:00 a.m.

• 6-12 Teachers will post daily expectations in Schoology by 9:00 a.m.

• The expectation is for all staff to be available by email or phone (via voicemail) from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours via phone (Google Meet) or email. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Contacting your Child's Teacher on a Distance Learning Day
Teachers, principals, and other licensed professionals will be available by email or phone (via voicemail) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are two (2) ways you can contact your child’s teachers:

1. Send staff an email to their school email address. Staff contact information can be found in the ISD 728 Staff Directory.
2. Call your child’s teacher and leave a message on their school voicemail. All voicemails are forwarded to staff members email. If you request a call back from your child's teacher, please leave your phone number and a specific time for a return call.

Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours via phone (Google Meet) or email. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Google Meet Phone Calling
Teachers will utilize Google Meet Internet Calling if there is a need to call parents on a Distance Learning Day. As a recipient of a Google Internet Call, the incoming number will have a number and Caller ID from out state.

Student Access to My ISD 728 Rapid Portal
You can access My ISD 728 Rapid Portal at my.isd728.org to access familiar classroom resources, including apps for distance learning. To help prepare for Distance Learning beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, please help your child practice logging into the above website. These apps are available from most internet connected devices available in your home, or optionally from a school issued Chromebook you connect to your home internet.

Students may not be familiar with their login information or how to navigate to the Rapid Portal and will need your helping hand, especially for Grades K-2. The next few days will be an opportune time to get your student(s) familiar with this process.

See Rapid Portal Student Login Directions

Parent Technical Support & Access to Devices
Need help using class materials or websites?
Please contact your teacher for help by sending an email or leaving a voicemail. It may take a day to hear back.

Need a Chromebook or replacement device?
Parents from any school can go to buildings offering Grab n' Go Meals. Pick up will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call (763) 241-3490 ahead of time to help us be ready.

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Door 6 (new location!)
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

ChromeDepot Online
Having trouble connecting to wifi? Unable to sign in to my.isd728.org? Other issues? Grade K-5 Parents and Grade 6-12 students or parents can call (763) 241-3490 or visit www.isd728.org/LetsChat for assistance. Support is available 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Internet Filtering at Home
To help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material, as well as to keep a “scholarly” focus when learning online, ISD 728 uses online services provided by GoGuardian. This web-based protection operates both when in school and at also at home for school managed accounts (i.e. when a student is logged into Chrome or a Chromebook with their school email address). Visit here for more information about what is filtered.

While filtering takes place both at school and at home, parents play an important role in supervising their child's internet access and usage. Parents are encouraged to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage, and reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety. Please review our technology responsible use guidelines and visit www.isd728.org/Digital-Health-Wellness to learn more about available parent resources.

We also highly encourage reporting any potential cyberbullying or other sensitive issues by visiting www.isd728.org/Bullying and using the provided Reporting Forms.

Before March 30, 2020, parents will receive information about accessing the new GoGuardian Parent App to see which websites, apps, and extensions a student uses, and to see how often teachers have issued intervention commands, like locking screens or closing tabs.

Teachers are limited to using GoGuardian Teacher with students in their classes during instructional hours, helping them assess students’ progress towards class assignments and facilitating communication between teachers and students during class time.

School administrators and assigned IT staff receive real time Smart Alerts if a student views explicit content. They can also access to GoGuardian Adminto review flagged or blocked activity and reports.

Visit the ISD 728 Covid-19 Resource Website for Additional Information: www.isd728.org/COVID-19.

We know that your schedules are wide and varied. We are here to support you and your child during these evolving times, so please reach out to us as we are in this together.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jana Hennen-Burr
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Dear ISD 728 Parents and Guardians:

As you know, March 25-27, 2020 was originally designated as Parent/Teacher Conferences for all ISD 728 Elementary Schools and Prairie View Middle School. Due to COVID-19, please see the following information regarding conferences and report cards.

Conferences

• ISD 728 will not hold conferences that were scheduled for March 25 - March 27, 2020. 

• If you have specific questions regarding your child’s grades, please email your child’s teacher.
  

Grading & Report Cards

• Grades will be reflected based upon data gathered and recorded prior to March 16, 2020. This is the last date students were in session.

• Report cards will be posted to the Parent Portal on March 30, 2020 and parents will receive notification after they have been posted.
  

Due Process Paperwork & Meetings

• Due Process Meetings: Any scheduled Due Process meetings (IEP, evaluations, etc.) that were to occur during our school closure or due to conferences will be rescheduled after March 30, 2020.
  

• Due Process Paperwork: Progress reports will be completed by the end of the day on March 27, 2020 and will be sent to families via email. 
  
  

Sincerely,

Dr. Jana Hennen-Burr
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

The District has been provided new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health that social distancing needs to be maintained in all situations related to the delivery of food at our schools.  

Effective TODAY Monday, March 23, 2020: 

• Food service staff will no longer be able to hand bags to you in your car.  
• Food will be placed on carts at the curb for families to take while in their car.  
• The flow of traffic at both Lincoln Elementary and Prairie View Elementary and Middle School sites will change based on the new practice and guidelines. 
  

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we keep the safety of others as our top priority.

Details

• Pick up will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Pick up breakfast and/or lunch.
• 1 breakfast and 1 lunch is available for each child. 
• Meals cannot be consumed on-site.
• Meals are pre-packaged to facilitate efficient pick-up with minimal exposure.
• Meals are designed for pick-up only through curbside delivery, at this time.
• The following items are not available: infant formula, baby food, or other personal care items such as diapers, toiletries, etc.

Pick Up Locations

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
  
  
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

Dates

• Monday, March 23
• Tuesday, March 24
• Wednesday, March 25
• Thursday, March 26

Again, pick up service hours are 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at each site on the dates listed above. ISD 728 students can go to any of the above-mentioned locations regardless of the school they currently attend to pick up meals.

If your child requires specific dietary needs or you have additional questions, please contact Michelle Jones, Food Service Manager, via email michelle.jones@isd728.org or by phone at (763) 241-3409.

Please check our website often, www.isd728.org/COVID-19, for more information and regular updates.

Today, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, ISD 728 will begin offering the opportunity for all families to drive through and pick up FREE meals for their children 18 and under.

The Grab n’ Go style meal will provide lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day. 

Pick up will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the following sites:

• Lincoln Elementary School
  600 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
  Door 2
  
  
• Zimmerman Elementary School
  25959 4th Street West, Zimmerman, MN 55398
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Prairie View Elementary/Middle School
  12220 80th Street NE, Otsego, MN 55330
  Main Entrance
  
  
• Rogers High School
  21000 141st Avenue, Rogers, MN 55374
  Main Entrance

Please stay in your car and meals will be brought to you. 

Service will continue on the dates listed below:

• Wednesday, March 18
• Thursday, March 19
• Friday, March 20
• Monday, March 23
• Tuesday, March 24
• Wednesday, March 25
• Thursday, March 26

Again, pick up service hours are 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at each site on the dates listed above. ISD 728 students can go to any of the above-mentioned locations regardless of the school they currently attend to pick up meals.

If your child requires specific dietary needs or you have additional questions, please contact Michelle Jones, Food Service Manager, via email michelle.jones@isd728.org or by phone at (763) 241-3409.

Please check our website often, www.isd728.org/COVID-19, for more information and regular updates.

Student Account Information 

Your student has access to distance learning resources through their personal school account. Elementary family guardians received their student's username and password in via email.

Students will start at website My ISD 728 Rapid Portal at my.isd728.org to access familiar classroom resources, including apps for distance learning to be detailed later next week. To help prepare for Distance Learning starting March 30, 2020, please help your student practice logging into the above website.

These apps are available from most internet connected devices available in your home, or optionally from a school issued Chromebook you connect to your home internet. School Chromebooks are available March 17, 2020 (today) during the scheduled personal belongings pickup times detailed in a prior email from your school.

Students may not be familiar with their login information or how to navigate to the Rapid Portal and will need your helping hand, especially for Grades K-2. The next few days will be an opportune time to get your student(s) familiar with this process.  

Internet access Options 

Due to the recent Covid 19 virus outbreak, internet providers are offering free or low cost internet access to customers who may not have wifi available for their students.  More information is available www.isd728.org/HomeWifi.

Chromebook Help

If you are new to caring for a school issued chromebook, review the Quick Start for care & cleaning guidelines as well basic troubleshooting: www.isd728.org/QuickChromebook.

For help with navigating and using the device, review the Chromebook User Guide www.isd728.org/UsingChromebook.

Support, repair, & replacement options will be available prior to March 30, 2020, when Distance Learning will begin for students. 

Sunday, March 15, 2020, Governor Walz and Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Ricker informed Minnesotans about school closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In accordance with those recommendations, ISD 728 will be closing schools starting Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice. While we recognize this is an inconvenience, the Department of Health has provided special direction related to social distancing, which cannot be implemented during the traditional instructional day (i.e. lunch, recess, passing in hallways, etc.).

Between March 16 and March 27, 2020, ISD 728 school officials and staff will create and finalize plans for distance learning for students, which will begin Monday, March 30, 2020. Written differently, students will be out of school and not receive instruction until March 30, 2020. On March 30, 2020, distance learning will begin and continue until further notice, which will be provided by the Department of Education and Department of Health.

Distance Learning

Distance learning guidelines, which will operate similar to E-Learning Days implemented in the instance of a weather cancellation, will be communicated to families and students in the following days. Those in middle school and high school grades will utilize their current 1:1 technology (i.e. Chromebooks). The District will be working to equip families of elementary students with technology and activity boards. This plan will allow for daily interaction and academic progress.

Access to School & Personal Belongings

• Parents and students will have access to get personal supplies (i.e. empty out desks and lockers, gather medications, etc.) on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This will allow ISD 728 staff to clean the facilities in accordance with guidance from the Department of Health. Principals will send specific details and additional guidance regarding scheduled pick-up times.
• Families with elementary-aged children who need to request a device for distance learning can check one out on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at their child’s school. If you have a device at home your child can use, you may use it instead of checking out a school-issued device.
• School officials ask that families limit the time they spend in school when picking up supplies due to social distancing guidelines and to prevent the spread of the virus (i.e. 10 minutes or less). School officials also recommend limiting the number of people they bring with them when picking up supplies (i.e. one parent/guardian).

EdVenture Club Childcare

EdVenture Club programming will be canceled Monday, March 16, 2020 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020. All registrations starting Monday March 16, 2020 for before and after school care will be canceled and refunds will be processed.

Starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020, childcare will be provided per the Governor's recommendation to Emergency personnel critical to the State's response to COVID-19:

• Childcare will be provided for healthcare, emergency medical services, long-term and post-acute care providers; law enforcement personnel; personnel providing correctional services; public health employees; firefighters and other first responders; essential court personnel.
• Emergency personnel requesting childcare during this time will be required to provide an employer ID or another form of employee identification.

Specific site locations for childcare will be determined and communicated Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Registration will be for Monday through Friday enrollment from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. for $125 per student per week. A maximum of 30 children, ages 6 to 12, will be allowed to enroll at a site to be determined. A maximum of 10 children, ages 3 to 5, will be allowed to enroll at an Early Childhood site to be determined. Enrollment limits are put in place to ensure the implementation of social distancing and best practice health strategies. A registration lottery will be available Monday, March 16, 2020 on www.728communityed.com and an enrollment acceptance will be communicated to applicants Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by the end of the workday.

• For community childcare availability starting the week of March 30, 2020, ISD 728 will be communicating information to all families Monday, March 23, 2020.

Food Service

In the coming days, parents will be provided additional information regarding school meal availability once details regarding the program have been finalized. School officials are working with the Department of Education and are waiting for guidance.

Other Important Information

• Conferences:
• Elementary: Conference information will be forthcoming
• Secondary: Conference information will be forthcoming
• Community Education Early Childhood Family Education programs, Early Childhood Screening, Youth Enrichment, Arts and Recreation, Driver’s Education, Adult Enrichment & Fitness classes scheduled through May are canceled. Participants will be provided credit for future programs.
• School Readiness and ABE participants will receive communication about Distance Learning options that will start on March 30, 2020.
• Please take time to review your contact information on Infinite Campus Parent Portal to ensure it is accurate.
• Continued communication from the District will be done through the parent notification system and will be posted on the District’s website www.isd728.org/COVID-19. We will also post information and links via our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• The Minnesota State High School League provides guidance related to athletics/activities. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, there will be no practices, scrimmages, games, etc. through at least March 27, 2020 (MSHSL).
• The ACT exam scheduled for March 23, 2020 is canceled. We are working with ACT to move the date for those that are registered for the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to other frequently asked questions and more communication from ISD 728 leadership will be posted on the District website regularly at www.isd728.org/COVID-19.

As additional information is made available through the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education, we will make it available through our stated communication channels.

The Coronavirus, COVID-19, situation throughout Minnesota, the United States, and World continues to impact all of us and is continuously evolving. ISD 728 will continue to follow the expert guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). At this time, the two departments - using guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), continue to recommend that schools remain open. In addition, both organizations continue to stress common-sense illness prevention techniques such as staying home when sick, covering your cough, social distancing and using good handwashing techniques. 

As of March 13, 2020 and per the Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Education, there are no confirmed cases within ISD 728 of students or staff contracting or having had direct exposure to COVID-19. Furthermore, the Department of Health stated there are no confirmed cases within Minnesota involving any school-aged child at this time.

ISD 728 leaders are committed to keeping students, staff and families informed about any new guidance received and information that becomes available. Based on guidance received March 13, 2020 from MDH, CDC, and MDE, ISD 728 will be implementing some preventative and additional measures to limit possible exposure and for the safety of our students, staff and community as described below. 

Effective immediately and until April 10, 2020 unless further recommendations are made by the Department of Health or more information becomes available, ISD 728 will:

Cleaning

• Use hospital-grade disinfectant in common areas (i.e. bathrooms, drinking fountains, etc.).
• Continue practices related to increased sanitation and wellness strategies.

Food Service

• Change food service operations to limit student touch of utensils and food products with bare hands.  
• Adjust meal service by providing a modified menu and suspending the use of pin pads by students.

Access to Facilities

• Only allow ISD 728 personnel and contracted partners to enter schools. Visitors and volunteers will not be admitted to schools at this time with the following exception:
• Dropoff and pickup procedures for students remain the same, including those involved with Early Childhood and/or EdVenture Club.
• Cancel large school related events such as concerts, plays, and assemblies. 
• Cancel all facility community-use events.
• Cancel student out of state travel.
• Cancel school field trips.
• Adhere to State guidance relating to athletic contests governed by the Minnesota State High School League: Spring Guidance, Website.
• Provide alternative formats for parent-teacher conferences scheduled for March 25-27, 2020. Please watch for communication from principals with building specific guidance.
• Cancel student recognition events at School Board meetings. 

Attendance

• Follow current attendance procedures. Please contact your child’s school if you have specific questions related to attendance.
• If your child has an underlying condition as identified by the CDC and is believed to be at a greater risk, please consult with your healthcare provider. School nurses, 504 teams, and IEP teams will support individualized student plans. 

MDH, CDC and Notification

In the event an individual associated with ISD 728 was or becomes infected, both the MDH and CDC would contact District administration. MDH would also determine if a health threat existed, who and when to test, and issue directives to the individual and ISD 728 to address the threat. In that situation, ISD 728 officials would modify plans according to the guidance received and communicate information at that time. Currently, the CDC is monitoring, examining and addressing risks of the Coronavirus from those individuals who are entering the United States or who otherwise present a health risk.

The CDC recommends that schools explore the feasibility of social distancing to slow and/or stop the spread of COVID-19. We are exploring and implementing this strategy to the best of our ability.   

Closures / Communication

In the event that the situation changes and we are advised by MDH and MDE to close schools due to COVID-19, ISD 728 will communicate using its inclement weather protocol. Families are encouraged to ensure their contact information is accurate in Infinite Campus to ensure timely communication.

In the event schools are closed, more information about educational services and support will be provided. 

Educational Services

• ACT and MCA testing will continue as planned.
• ISD 728 currently has an E-learning Plan that has been approved by the School Board and State. However, per statute, school districts can only use E-Learning for situations related to inclement weather. As a result, the District will continue to develop alternative plans and work with State Officials to explore options such as but not limited to distance learning and staggered schedules.    

Other District Programs
Community Education Early Childhood programs, Youth Enrichment and Recreation, Adult Enrichment & Fitness, Adult Basic Education, and EdVenture Club will follow the District’s plan. In the event of a shutdown, programs will be rescheduled and/or families will be provided credit for future programs. Community Education will communicate any program-specific changes with participants.

School safety remains our top concern, and we will continue to communicate information as the situation unfolds.

Resources

Listed below are some links that you may find helpful regarding COVID-19.

• Talking with your children about COVID-19
• MDH Recommendations for Schools and Child Care
• MDH Latest COVID-19 Updates  
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

We recognize that during this evolving situation, staff, students and families will experience a significant disruption to the daily routine and experiences in our schools. We appreciate your support as we work through this unprecedented experience in our communities together. 

ISD 728 Families:

In the spirit of our School District mission, we want to continue to provide you with information about our procedures and processes related to COVID-19 or “Coronavirus” with a 2nd weekly update. 

An expanding outbreak of COVID-19 is being experienced in many regions around the world. This is an evolving situation that will undoubtedly have implications for many Minnesota communities in the coming days and weeks, including our own. As a result, ISD 728 Administration is highly involved in planning to prepare for the potential impact of COVID-19.

ISD 728 continues to work closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) as we prepare for what, if any, impact the virus might have on our schools. These two state agencies, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), take the lead on decisions regarding school closures or other impact on schools that could result from outbreaks of contagious conditions, while monitoring local and national health concerns.

We continue to follow the same policy and guidance as we would with other flu and virus outbreaks. We are encouraging those who are ill to stay home, everyone to cover their cough, and all to use good handwashing techniques. In addition, we are asking parents to report symptoms when calling the attendance line to report that your child will be out sick from school. This is an important component to allow us to monitor exposure to contagious illnesses. Here is the protocol for 'Is my child well enough to go to school?' due to illness.

The CDC: Talking with Children about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 has additional information for those who are interested in learning more. 

As always, our top priority is to keep all staff and students safe.

Dr. Daniel Bittman
ISD 728 Superintendent

ISD 728 Families,

In our mission to educate, inspire and empower all learners, the safety of our students, staff and families is among our top priorities. It is in the spirit of our mission that we want to provide you with information about our procedures and processes related to COVID-19 or “Coronavirus” you have no doubt heard about recently. 

ISD 728 is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) as we prepare for what, if any, impact the virus might have on our schools. These two state agencies, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), take the lead on decisions regarding school closures or other impact on schools that could result from outbreaks of contagious conditions, while monitoring local and national health concerns.

At this time, ISD 728 is in a prevention stage of managing for a potential outbreak. That means we are using standards and practices already in place for any illness outbreak, such as influenza(flu) or stomach virus. Key members of the District leadership team have met and will continue to meet to prepare for any events that require a district-wide response. Also, each school is using protocols to prevent the spread of any germs such as hand washing, cleaning, and encouraging those who are sick to stay home. 

What can you do at this time?
The MDH encourages everyone to follow the same practices used during cold and flu season: 

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds. The tune “Happy Birthday” should be sung twice.
• Cover your cough or sneeze. 
• Stay home when you are sick. Work with school personnel if you are experiencing a prolonged illness. 
• Keep children home from after school clubs or activities when they are sick. 

The CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health have more information for those who are interested in learning more.

We will continue to communicate information as it becomes available and as we learn more. Thank you for being a part of ISD 728. 

Dan Bittman,
ISD 728 Superintendent

Notification: COVID-19 Updates Webpage

March 19, 2020

Document updated: School Closure Guidance for Minnesota Public School Districts and Charter Schools

Updates within the document are highlighted in these areas:

• School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers
• Added section on PSEO and Concurrent Enrollment

Document updated: Q-and-A on School Closure

• Added two additional questions

New documents added: COVID-19 School Update Presentation - MDE and MDH and COVID-19 School Update Notes

• Presentation and notes from MDE/MDH update call on COVID-19

New sub-page added: We've added an Academic Standards page, which includes resources in specific content areas.

Sub-page updated: More documents have been added to the Special Education Resources page.

Notification: COVID-19 Updates Webpage March 17, 2020 New document added: 03-17-20: School Closure Guidance for Minnesota Public School Districts and Charter Schools Updates within the document are highlighted in these areas: Care for Children of Families of Emergency Workers Nutrition Tribal Considerations Libraries Document updated: Q-and-A on School Closure Changed formatting to group questions by theme (Distance Learning, Meals, etc.). Added additional questions and updated answers. Changes are highlighted within document. New document added: 03-17-20 School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers: Priority Categories of Workers  Further clarified emergency workers eligible for school-age care for their children.

The District encourages students, staff members and volunteers to begin the following measures to avoid contracting the COVID-19 and avoiding the spread of it if they unknowingly have it:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Covering their coughs by coughing into their arm—not hands.
• Staying home when sick. Work with school personnel if you are experiencing prolonged illness. 
• Keep children home from after school clubs or activities when they are sick.
• Avoiding touching their face with unwashed hands.
• Hand-shakes and touching of each other should be discouraged.
• Touching uncleaned objects (like door handles and faucet handles) with clean hands should become an issue of awareness.

Additional steps the District will take to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19:

• Although ISD 728 already does regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces throughout each school on a regular basis, the level of cleaning and disinfecting will be accelerated in common spaces and classrooms of every school.
• Classroom use of disinfecting cleaning wipes are encouraged so students and staff can keep their hands and work surfaces clean.
• Parents are asked to encourage their children to use wipes and hand sanitizers when available.
• There is currently a national shortage of appropriate masks, but efforts will be made to access what is available for student and employee use during the school day.

Monitoring the health condition of students, employees and family members:

• As always, ISD 728 is asking parents to work with them to help prevent any spread of contagious illnesses including COVID-19. ISD 728 requests the immediate notification of any family member who exhibits symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, that could impact students or staff members.  
• However,Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has primary responsibility for the overall monitoring of Minnesota residents who may be exposed to COVID-19, and they would inform ISD 728 of steps they expect the District to implement.

Identification of Coronavirus presence in a student, employee or family member:

• MDH will have primary responsibility for managing the existence of COVID-19 in any student, employee or family member; and the District will cooperate fully.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will contact ISD 728 if a particular school or schools should be closed due to confirmed cases of COVID-19. The decision to close would involve the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and MDH, and the District would be responsible for implementing the closure.  In each of those situations, the Department of Health would decide the need for quarantining people on a case-by-case basis. 

In case a decision to close a school or all schools in ISD 728 has been made by MDH or the District itself, instruction for all students and staff will be provided.