Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Sunday, July 3
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Sports
    • Outdoors
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Schools»EP secondary students return to in-person learning March 22
    Schools

    EP secondary students return to in-person learning March 22

    By Jim BayerFebruary 24, 2021Updated:February 25, 20213 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie 7th to 12th graders are headed back to in-person learning March 22, according to a notice posted Feb. 23 on the district’s web site.

    Superintendent Josh Swanson kept the promise he made at the Feb. 22 school board meeting to make an announcement within a couple of days. He did it within 24 hours.

    The return coincides with the beginning of the school year’s fourth academic term. Students will be in school each day Monday through Thursday. Friday will be a virtual learning day.

    In order to prepare classrooms and schools for the transition, there is no school for secondary students on March 18. That includes students in grades 7-12 in EP Online.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    Preparation had already begun

    The district began looking at the latest transition after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced last week that secondary students in the state can begin returning safely to in-person learning.

    Eden Prairie secondary students had already returned to the district hybrid model earlier this month after having been in online learning since last November.

    Swanson said the district has made it a point to look for natural breaks when implementing transitions since COVID-19 forced dramatic changes to learning models since March 2020.

    He reminded the board and online meeting viewers that there are a lot of moving pieces to deal with. One of them is gearing up school cafeterias, he said.

    “We need to make sure we have food on hand,” he said. “It takes several weeks to get food physically here.” Some staffing issues also need to be resolved, he said.

    EP teacher vaccination numbers not known

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced earlier this month that teacher vaccinations were not required for a safe return to in-person learning.

    Last week, Walz reported that the COVID-19 transmission rate among educators who have returned to the classroom is less than 1%, which, in part, prompted his recent announcement.

    Eden Prairie teachers began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in mid January but the district is not tracking how many have received them, according to Brett Johnson, senior director of communications and community relations

    The district received 537 doses the last two weeks of January when they were allocated to districts specifically. Since then, educators have been signing up and scheduling vaccinations directly with providers.

    More than 45,000 out of 250,000 Minnesota teachers, school staff and childcare workers had been vaccinated through mid February, according to Walz.

    EP Online is option; safety procedures continue

    In announcing the latest transition, the district acknowledged that some families have become comfortable with the current hybrid learning model and may not be comfortable returning to full-time, in-person learning. Those families have the option of enrolling in EP Online, the statement said.

    Safety procedures that have been in effect all year will continue.

    • Students are required to wear a face covering at all times.
    • Social distance standards will follow the state’s updated Safe Learning Plan.
    • Lunch procedures are being reviewed and updated to align with new state guidance.
    • Schedules will allow for hand washing and regular access to hand sanitizer.
    • Staff are required to wear both a face covering and face shield.
    Subscribe to EPLN for FREE!
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleCOVID Update Feb. 23 – Eden Prairie Schools, Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Chanhassen, Chaska
    Next Article Feb. 25 eastbound Prairie Center Drive closure

    More to READ

    4 Mins Read

    EPIC grapples with transportation problems

    July 2, 2022
    3 Mins Read

    School Board hosts candidate info session

    June 27, 2022
    3 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie college graduates and academic honors

    June 21, 2022
    View 1 Comment

    1 Comment

    1. Pingback: Announcement coming on secondary students’ return to in-person learning - Eden Prairie Local News

    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    EPIC grapples with transportation problems

    July 2, 2022

    Hennepin sheriff candidates speak at forum

    July 2, 2022

    Eden Prairie legislative incumbents and opponents disagree about Supreme Court decision – but how far apart are they?

    July 2, 2022

    EP water tank topped off with ‘Tank of the Year Award’

    July 1, 2022

    Financial gifts to be matched at PROP in July

    July 1, 2022
    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

    LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome.

    Send letters, which have not been published elsewhere, to editor@eplocalnews.org.

    Letters may be up to 250 words and can also include pictures. Indicate clearly that you would like to share your letter with EPLN readers.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2022
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.