Schools scramble for off-campus options

Cloquet schools superintendent Michael Cary woke up at 5 a.m. Sunday, March 15 to numerous messages on his cell phone.

Five hours later, the rest of the state got the message that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was requiring every school district in the state to close by Wednesday, March 18 through March 27.

Ostensibly, the time off is to be used to make plans for "distance learning" for students, in case schools close for a longer period of time following the break in response to the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

"The governor's closure is for planning purposes, not because they believe there is an immediate health risk," Cary told the Pine Knot News. "It's preparation in case it becomes a larger risk that requires long-term shutdown."

Cary said distance learning is not equivalent to online learning, although online is certainly an important part of it. Distance learning could also include handouts to do at home, or any other ways of learning that don't have to happen in the classroom.

"What the governor is calling distance learning doesn't have to be online," Cary said. "It depends on the district - do kids have access to digital devices or the internet? - grade level, classes, and more. For some, like a lot of high school classes, it may look more digital. For others, there may be more paper involved."

First things first, though. The governor's executive order also required that school districts provide food for students as well as child care for medical professionals and emergency responders on days that schools would have been open for learning. In Cloquet, Carlton and Wrenshall, at least, that meant Wednesday through Friday, March 18-20.

On Tuesday, the Cloquet district announced plans for both. Bagged lunches would be available for pickup from the various schools for walkers, and dropped off at bus stops - "grab and go" style - for those who take the bus to school. (For specific drop-off times, find your student's route at https://www.isd94.org/Page/1338.) If schools are required to transition to distance learning after spring break and not meet in person, Cary said the meal delivery to students and childcare for emergency responders and health care professionals would continue, starting March 31.

The timing of the governor's order has also created some challenges for schools that are on spring break during that time period.

Because teachers aren't contracted to work over spring break, the Cloquet school district basically has Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for teachers to come up with a plan to educate children if they have to move to distance learning long-term after the extended break. Carlton and Wrenshall also have spring breaks during the closure period.

Walz stressed that the two weeks is to allow for an orderly transition to distance learning, and noted that schools could use Monday and Tuesday to collect and distribute assignments and other resources. This week was the end of the third quarter for many districts.

At the Carlton school board meeting Monday night, members discussed with superintendent Gwen Carman the intricacies of changing the way education is delivered to students.

"These are not snow days," Carman said, stressing that the school closure could extend to the end of the school year. "It's going to be a process."

"We'll know more when teachers have Wednesday and Thursday to plan," said Carlton board chairwoman LaRae Lehto. Students in the middle school and high schools all have portable computers that they can use at home.

Wrenshall began sign-ups for computers before classes ended Tuesday. Educators will have until March 23 to plan. Spring break runs March 23-27.

Schools in the region already collaborate on teaching models outside district boundaries and working together will be explored, Carlton's Carman said.

When asked if he thinks in-person classes will resume on March 31, Cloquet's Cary said he didn't want to speculate.

"We'll do whatever the governor directs, and it will also depend on how many COVID-19 cases we have in the region," Cary said.

As of Wednesday, there were no cases in Carlton County or northeastern Minnesota, but those numbers could change quickly as more people get tested.

Cary said the district will continue to communicate with families through the school messenger system, which includes robocalls and email, and on the website homepage at http://www.isd94.org.

If schools are required to transition to distance learning after spring break and not meet in person, Cary said the meal delivery to students and child care for emergency responders and health care professionals would continue.

Also, the Minnesota State High School League announced Sunday that schools must halt all activity and athletic practices into April:

• There will be no MSHSL activities and athletics at any member school.

• This includes all participation including, but not limited to, training, practices, scrimmages, and contests.

• The previous MSHSL directive prohibiting scrimmages, contests and competitions with other MSHSL programs for spring activities and athletics will continue until April 6.

At the Carlton school board meeting Monday, members tabled an item that would have set the spring coaching assignments and compensation. Carman said the district will likely have to figure out how to pay coaches based on work they have done to prepare for the spring seasons. Since it is likely there will be no spring season allowed, the full compensation wouldn't be paid.