Distance Learning Plan FAQ
COVID – 19 FAQ for SHPA Families
When and how will the Distance Learning Plan be distributed?
The Distance Learning Plan will involve the delivery or pickup of textbooks, workbooks, and learning packets (along with lunches and technology to eligible families) on Monday, April 6th. The delivery or pickup will be done according to a two-hour delay schedule. Buses will depart school at 9:15 a.m. and deliver to stops at times approximately two hours later than a regular schedule. Parents picking up Distance Learning Plan resources may do so from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. by again using established pickup routes and door locations. The focus for this first day of distance learning will be to make sure students and families receive the resources they need to continue their learning from home. Similar to the first day of school, students and parents should simply plan for the distribution of instructional materials and a review of expectations.
Week 1 – Monday, April 6th
Bus delivery on a two-hour delay schedule, parent pickup from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Workbooks/Textbooks, 6-day Learning Packets, 6 lunches, Technology
Week 2 – Monday, April 13th
Bus delivery at regular afternoon pickup times, parent pickup from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
5 lunches, 5-day Learning Packet Delivery and Pickup
Week 3- Monday, April 20th
Bus delivery at regular afternoon pickup times, parent pickup from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
5 lunches, 5-day Learning Packet Delivery and Pickup
Week 4 – Monday, April 27th
Bus delivery at regular afternoon pickup times, parent pickup from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
5 lunches, 5-day Learning Packet Delivery and Pickup
Week 5 – Monday, May 4th
Bus delivery at regular afternoon pickup times, parent pickup from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
5 lunches, 5-day Learning Packet Delivery and Pickup
What can we expect from the Distance Learning Plan and is it required?
The Distance Learning Plan that will be delivered on Monday, April 6th, will provide 5 weeks of learning and is required for all students (see student attendance procedures below). Students and parents should expect approximately 15 – 20 minutes of daily learning in each subject area. Distance learning will be a combination of paper and electronic learning materials. Teachers will continue making daily morning videos that welcome students and outline the learning objectives for that day. Teachers will then be available each weekday via email or chat each day from 9:00 a.m. – Noon to answer questions and provide additional guidance. We are committed to supporting students who have IEPs or receive EL services during this time. We will also make adjustments in our planning and delivery as necessary and continue to plan for the possibility of prolonged distance learning.
What if we do not know how to use Google Classroom?
Included in the Distance Learning Plan resources will be an instructional packet on how to use Google Classrooms that accompany these video tutorials by Bloomington Campus and Richfield Campus Elementary and Middle School Teachers. We ask parents to assist us in making sure students use technology responsibly for learning purposes and adhere to our existing technology acceptable use and data privacy policies as we engage in online learning.
How will student attendance be taken?
As with other aspects of our Distance Learning Plan, we are trying to follow established practices and procedures as much as possible to maintain consistency and continuity in learning. To that end, students will be expected to login or submit an assignment each day in order for their teachers to take attendance. Daily attendance reports for the previous day will be sent to office personnel to record and office personnel will follow up as necessary regarding attendance in order to track absenteeism and ensure students are receiving the resources they need to continue their learning.
What about school payments?
At this time, student lunch payments will be credited forward as we await further guidance on the length of the school closure. Fees for Trimester III spring sports and clubs will be fully refunded and refunds for yearlong clubs will be prorated. Bus transportation payments will not be refunded as this service is expected to continue in some capacity during the school closure period. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we process these various items.
Is childcare available?
Childcare will be provided at no cost at each campus during regular school hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) for the enrolled, school-aged children of Tier I emergency workers and Tier II essential workers as safe capacity permits. Please contact Leslie Rimstad at lrimstad@shpamn.org, 612-314-7603; if you need childcare as well as free bus transportation. Be prepared to provide or show documentation or identification (Employee Work Badge or Letter from Employer) of your employment when you drop off your child(ren).
Are school lunches available?
Bag lunches will be delivered by bus or picked up at school based on the afternoon schedule outlined above for eligible families who qualify for free or reduced lunch or are otherwise experiencing financial hardship and in need. Bus delivery or drive up will be at regular bus stops and dismissal times and follow established routes unless otherwise noted. For more information, please contact Monica Gihl (Bloomington Campus) at mgihl@shpamn.org or Dayna Trenary (Richfield Campus) at dtrenary@shpamn.org.
Are student technology devices available?
Student technology devices will be delivered by bus or available for pick up at school for eligible families who qualify for free or reduced lunch or are otherwise experiencing financial hardship as well as those in need and without a device. For more information, please contact Monica Gihl (Bloomington Campus) at mgihl@shpamn.org, and Dayna Trenary (Richfield Campus) at dtrenary@shpamn.org.
How do I pick up my child(ren)’s medication?
Student medications may be picked up at school directly by parents. For more information, please contact Mauren Peters (Bloomington Campus) at mpeters@shpamn.org, 952-426-6004 or Jen Erickson (Richfield Campus) at jerickson@shpamn.org, 612-314-7600 Option #5.
What if I am not receiving school communications?
If you have not received our previous school communications, please contact Tou Thao at tthao@shpamn.org, 612-314-7604, to add or update your email address or phone number to our MailChimp distribution list as well as our Emergency messenger list (we will be sending this request via other communication channels as well). These school communication updates are also being posted to our website and to our school’s Facebook page.
What if I do not have internet access at home?
If you do not have internet access at home, please contact Tou Thao at tthao@shpamn.org,
612-314-7604.
What if my questions are not answered here?
For any additional questions, please email info@shpamn.org and we will respond as soon as possible based upon other priorities and the urgency of each inquiry.
What can I expect regarding school updates and other communications?
Please visit the CDC and MDH websites for the most accurate information on COVID – 19. We continue to follow guidance from the Governor and Education Commissioner. We will continue to include regular updates regarding COVID – 19 and our school’s response in all-school emails that will be posted on our website and to our school’s Facebook page.
What do I do if I have to speak with a member of the office staff?
Office staff (receptionists, transportation coordinators, enrollment, and food service) will keep the same daily hours whether they are on site or working remotely. You may contact the office staff in the same manner you normally would–via phone or email–and they will get back in touch with you same or next day.
Contact information for all staff, including office personnel, can be found in the SchoolDirectory on our School Website.
Does my student need to log in and answer the attendance question if they are doing the paper homework?
At this time, we are following state guidelines around attendance. Our main goal in collecting attendance data is to provide families with the support they need to access distance learning and materials. We are asking you to have your scholar answer their daily attendance questions online even if they are choosing to do their learning through the paper packet. One of the requirements from the state is to take a daily attendance and we believe that this online method is the easiest and most efficient for our families.
If you missed the attendance question for the day you may go back and answer the previous day’s question. Another option, or if you have questions or issues, is to contact the front office of your campus.
Bloomington Campus: (952) 426-6000
Richfield Campus: (612) 314-7600
Does my student need to complete both the electronic and paper version of the assignments?
This is a good question and families may have different preferences. Students are only asked to complete one version of each assignment. Students may choose to do the majority of their assignments online through Google Classrooms, by completing all work through the paper packet, or a mix of both. We are encouraging families to collect their paper packets weekly regardless of how students will be completing their assignments. These packets provide a framework for student work and routines. If you are confused by any assignments or expectations, please connect with your teachers.
What are some changes for the Month of May?
– May 1st and May 4th: Per the Governor’s Executive order, Friday and Monday, May 1st and 4th, will be planning days for staff to work on extending their distance learning and instruction. So, learning will be optional for students on these days and attendance will be taken, but staff will not be available. We want to assure you we will continue working as hard as we can to deliver meaningful, Classical, and equitable distance learning for all of our students and families through the end of the school year. Essential worker’s child care will still be provided both May 1st and May 4th. Distance learning distributions will be distributed as normal on Monday May 4th, 2020.
– May 15th: This is a professional development day, so there will be no distance learning on this day. Essential worker’s child care will not be available this day.
– Elementary School Specialist Day: Effective Monday, May 11th, and every Monday until the end of the school year, Elementary Students will have their Specialist classes only, which includes Physical Education, Art, Media, and Music. This is the ONLY day that students will now have the Specialist classes. These will no longer be offered two times per week but only one, every Monday. Every Monday, students will not be given any further classes, but can catch up on them. They will not have any Reading, Math, Social Studies, Writing, Spelling, or Grammar. Instead, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Writing, Spelling, or Grammar will be offered every Tuesday through Friday.
– Middle School Flex Day: Effective Monday, May 11th, and every Monday until the end of the school year, Middle School Students will have a “Flex Day.” This day will be used to get caught up on any assignments. Your advisory teacher will also check in with you this day. Students will not be given any new instruction or assignments on this day.