Dear Raider Community,

This is an important update from your Lake Park Audubon Schools.

Many parents have asked for further clarification on the District’s decision to modify the existing learning model of five days of in-school instruction per week for students. This decision was not made lightly.

We are in a challenging time and many of you may be feeling stress or anxiety. This week once again, we are seeing a significant increase in the 14-day COVID-19 rate. Many factors are taken into consideration in collaboration with the County and Minnesota Health Department, the State Regional Support Team, and the District Incident Command Team when considering a change to a learning model. We have worked steadily with this team to identify the best learning model for our students at Lake Park Audubon Schools.

HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING MODEL (Before Nov. 1st)

Prior to November 1st, the model was “in person and distance” learning. However, not all students were “in-person” allowing us to operate unchanged longer than expected. Of the 351 students currently enrolled at the high school, 57 students are year long-distance learners, and another 26 were “distance” because of quarantine due to “close contacts” from community spread outside the school. These close contacts must be out of school for 10-14 days and this number continues to grow daily.

Even with our staff’s and student’s dedication to practicing social distancing, masking, and cleaning,

on October 30th, the number of close contacts in the high school rose from 26 to almost 80. This increase was very concerning and played a large part in our decision.

Flexibility is needed during these uncertain times. The goal of the LPA School District is to keep our students in school daily for as long as possible. Though we know this is best, we also know it is necessary to have a framework in place that continues to provide safety for students, families, and staff while providing consistency in instruction and meeting family expectations.

With that in mind, full Distance Learning for all learners at the high school will be the model for two weeks beginning November 2nd through November 13th.

When our high school students return to in-person learning on November 16th, a new plan will be in place allowing more time to deep clean our facilities and allow our instructors more time to connect with students and make any necessary adjustments to lessons.

Every Wednesday beginning November 18th through the end of December, students will not be in the High School for “in-person” learning. These days have been designated as “Flex Distance Learning Days” and students will not be physically at the school, but are required to be online for the morning using a shortened schedule for their classes. Updated schedules reflecting this change, will be distributed to families soon. There will still be after-school activities as are scheduled by coaches, but students may be responsible for getting themselves to the school. An activity bus may be in place. More information to come.

November 18th

November 25th

December 2nd

December 9th

December 16th

December 23rd

On December 16th, a meeting will be held to re-evaluate the learning model for modifications.

WHY MODIFY?

Educators have been working with students both in-person and remotely daily. Continuing to teach in multiple formats is not sustainable. Teachers need time to connect and support all learners. Our at-home learners need more support than has been available due to lack of time. Giving lessons to students online while teaching students in person in classrooms has been challenging and is taking a toll on teachers – including our teachers in Lake Park Audubon. According to the State survey of teachers, “This may drive out hundreds of teachers by May”. We do not want to lose our wonderful teachers!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEARNING MODEL:

The Elementary School will remain all in-person instruction 5 days a week. They will not be changing models or expectations for families at this time. However, there is a one day per month calendar change:

No School on these following dates (the current calendar dates are still in effect):

November 18th

December 9th

Thank you for your grace, patience, understanding, and dedication to the students and to one another during this most challenging time.

Respectfully,

Dr. Paula Henry

Superintendent

Lake Park Audubon School District

Dear Raider Community,

LPA High School Students will be all “Distance Learning” for two weeks beginning Monday November 2nd, to resume in person learning Monday November 16^th. This is for high school only. This does not impact the elementary school. Elementary students will continue to be in school 5 days per week.

Positive cases of COVID19 have been identified in our high school. The number of “close contact” cases are significant. Much of the disease has been transfered through community spread. All students and families at risk will be contacted and will need to quarantine. If you are not contacted, then you are not considered a close contact and do not need to quarantine.

If your child starts feeling ill, isolate them at home and away from other household members as much as possible right away. The main symptoms to watch for are fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, feeling tired, loss of taste or smell and diarrhea and vomiting.

For more information on what to do if you or your child becomes sick visit the MDH website If You Are Sick: COVID-19: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/sick.html

You may call the Minnesota Department of Health as needed with concerns or questions at 612-268-4569.

Resources that you may find valuable are:

· MDH Coronavirus: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

· MDH If You Are Sick: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/sick.html

· CDC Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Dear Raider Community,

This is another important update from your Lake Park Audubon Schools. Changes and modifications are necessary to our current learning model.

CURRENT LEARNING MODEL

Many parents have asked for further clarification on the District’s decision to modify the existing schedule of 5 days of in school instruction for students. Currently our model is “in person and distance” learning. All students are not “in-person” now. The high school has 351 students enrolled at this time; 57 students are year long distance learners, another 26 are “distance” because of quarantine due to “close contacts”. The number of students who are considered to be “close contacts” continues to change daily. Close contacts must be out of school for 10-14 days. Staff continue to serve all students whether in school, distance, or quarantined. The total number of students in and out of school changes daily.

WHY MODIFY?

Educators have been working with students both in person and remotely daily. This seemed like a good idea back in August, but it is not working in late October, and according to the State survey of teachers, “This may drive out hundreds of teachers by May”. Schedules with students learning both in-person and from home at the same time is taking a toll on Minnesota teachers, to include our own teachers in Lake Park Audubon. Continuing to teach in multiple formats is not sustainable. Teachers need time to connect and support all learners. Our at home learners need more support than has been available due to lack of time. Giving lessons to students online while teaching students in person in classrooms has been challenging.

LPA LONGTERM GOAL

The goal of the LPA School District is to keep our students in school daily for as long as possible. We know this is best. Administration believes four days a week at the high school level may be the next best case scenario for the time being. We know it is necessary have in place a framework that continues to provide safety for students, families, and staff as well as provide consistency in instruction, as well as student and family expectations. Flexibility is needed during these uncertain times. Though there are challenges ahead, LPA is dedicated to providing consistency in education and family support.

Once again, a new plan will be in place beginning November 18^th 2020. School will not be in session for “In Person” learning on the Wednesday dates listed below. Please study these calendar date changes for all “Distance Learning” only. This plan will be in place through December. Lake Park Audubon administration will re-evaluate the learning model for modifications at that time.

COMMUNITY FLEXIBILITY FOR SAFETY NEEDED

LPA will continue to reevaluate daily and switch learning models if COVID cases do begin to impact our schools. If cases begin to pop up in school, we will respond immediately, and communicate more change in models quickly with you. Again, families will be notified of changes immediately.

Elementary:

No School on these following dates (the current calendar dates are still in effect):

November 18th

December 9^th

The elementary will not be changing models or expectations for families. This is a one day per month calendar change.

High School:

Every Wednesday beginning November 18^th school will not hold “In Person” learning. Distance Learning on these additional Wednesday dates (the current calendar dates are still in effect)

These days have been designated as “Distance Learning Days” and students will not be physically at the school, but are required to be online for the morning using a shortened schedule for their classes. There will still be after school activities as are scheduled by coaches, but students may be responsible for getting themselves to the school. An activity bus may be in place. More information to come.

November 18^th

November 25^th

December 2^nd

December 9^th

December 16^th

December 23^rd

The high school will be sending an updated schedule to families for Distance Learning Wednesdays soon.

Dear Raider Community,

This is an important update from your Lake Park Audubon Schools. Changes and modifications are necessary to our current learning model.

It is necessary to provide a framework that continues to provide safety for students, families, and staff as well as provide consistency in instruction, as well as student and family expectations. Flexibility is needed during these uncertain times. Though there are challenges ahead, LPA is dedicated to providing consistency in education and family support.

A new plan will be in place beginning in November. School will not be in session for “In Person” learning on the Wednesday dates listed below. Please study these calendar date changes for all “Distance Learning” only. This plan will be in place through December. Lake Park Audubon administration will re-evaluate the learning model for modifications at that time.

More detailed information will follow soon.

Elementary:

No School on these following dates (the current calendar dates are still in effect):

November 18th

December 9th

High School:

Every Wednesday beginning November 18th school will not hold “In Person” learning. Distance Learning on these additional Wednesday dates (the current calendar dates are still in effect)

These days have been designated as “Distance Learning Days” and students will not be physically at the school, but are required to be online for the morning using a shortened schedule for their classes. There will still be after school activities as are scheduled by coaches, but students may be responsible for getting themselves to the school. An activity bus may be in place. More information to come.

November 18th

November 25th

December 2nd

December 9th

December 16th

December 23rd