On July 30, Governor Walz announced his Safe Learning Plan.  This plan allows schools in Minnesota to make local decisions, based on local data, about schools reopening this Fall.  Using data shared by the Minnesota Department of Health on county COVID numbers, MDE and public health staff will help districts determine which learning model to begin the school year with.  We will then monitor the community and school level impact COVID has on a regular basis and make adjustments to our learning model as needed. 

On January 13, 2021 the District Announced the following:

Reopening of school is critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many children and families are experiencing additional economic hardships, social isolation, and other stressors.  Schools are a critical component of communities and have a tremendous impact on the health, well-being, growth, and development of students and families.   

In December, Governor Walz announced that elementary schools may choose to operate In-person or Hybrid learning models as long as they are able to implement additional safety strategies to keep students, families, educators, and staff safe starting in the middle of January.  As a district, we are excited to share our plans for bringing students back in the building starting on January 13. 

Below is the Return to School plan for Onamia Schools based off of the Governors guidance on Prioritizing In-Person Learning for Young Learners.  Please remember that the Distance Learning will remain an option for the entire school year for any students and families that select the Distance Learning option.  When creating our plan, we have worked with our county and regional departments, as well as Mille Lacs County Public Health, to determine safety protocols and steps for returning students. 

To help us finalize class assignments and schedules, please make sure you indicate if your child will be switching learning models by completing our survey.  If your child is in the elementary school, please complete the survey by Thursday, January 14.  If your child is in the high school, please complete the survey by Thursday, January 21. The link to the survey is https://forms.gle/ZpLpDRfEK8pD1GRz9

All students will be full in-person, five days per week once they start back.  The MInnesota Department of Education only allows schools to phase back to In-Person or Hybrid learning with three grade bands at a time every two week period of time in each respective building, which is why it is a phased process to return students back into the building.
 
Onamia Elementary Grade Levels Return to School Plan
January 13 -- Pre-K returns to in-person learning
January 19 -- Grades K-1 returns to in-person learning
February 1 -- Grades 2-4 returns to in-person learning
February 16th -- Grades 5-6 returns to in-person learning

No School/Distance Learning for Elementary (grades PreK-6) for Staff Development and Transitional Planning on 
January 18
January 25 (already a scheduled non-school day)
February 12

Onamia Secondary Grade Levels Return to School Plan
January 28 -- Grades 7-8-9 return to in-person learning
February 16 -- Grades 10-11-12 return to in-person learning
 
No School/Distance Learning for High School (grades 7-12) for Staff Development and Staff Transitional Planning on 
January 25 (already a scheduled non-school day)
January 26 
January 27
 
When returning to school, ALL students should remember to bring:
Charged chromebook and charger
Water bottle 
Mask
 
 
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
First Semester Textbooks and Novels to be Returned by the end of the day on January 26th
Students that have first semester learning materials should please return these materials on January 22nd or January 26th.  Buses will be coming out to pick up first semester learning materials when delivering on those days as well.  Items that need to be returned include any textbooks, novels, or teacher supplies as these materials are needed for second semester students.  Thank you much for your help in returning these materials.
 



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                                                                                                                                                                                                Updated 2/5/2021