BHM Family Messages from the Superintendent
This message was emailed to all BHM staff and families regarding a non-student day on Friday, March 18, 2022.
This message regarding wearing masks on school buses was sent to BHM staff and families on February 28, 2022.
This message regarding COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines Update was email to BHM staff and families on January 14, 2022.
This message was emailed to all staff and families regarding a non-student day on January 3, 2022
The following message was emailed to all staff and families regarding availability of COVID vaccinations for children ages 5-11.
August 25, 2021, The following message was emailed to all staff and families regarding protocols for returning to school for Fall 2021.
BHM families received an update from Supt. Scott Thielman regarding returning to school for 2021-22.
BHM families received the following Superintendent's Update talking about NO SCHOOL days and the new quarantine time frame.
BHM families received the following BHM Update from Superintendent Scott Thielman. He talks about staff vaccinations, two additional No School days and staying home when sick.
The following link is the weekly COVID-19 Update from Superintendent Scott Thielman that was sent out to all BHM families.
The following link is the weekly COVID-19 Update from Superintendent Scott Thielman that was sent out to all BHM families.
The following link is the weekly COVID-19 Update from Superintendent Scott Thielman that was sent out to all BHM families.
The following link is the weekly COVID-19 Update from Superintendent Scott Thielman that was sent out to all BHM families.
Superintendent Scott Thielman sent the following message out to BHM families regarding the upcoming learning model changes for secondary students.
The following message was sent to BHM families from Superintendent Scott Thielman.
The following is a link to the message Superintendent Scott Thielman sent out to BHM families.
The following link is the message that Superintendent Scott Thielman shared with BHM families today regarding new guidance for COVID-19 in the New Year.
Below is a link to the update that Superintendent Scott Thielman shared with families this afternoon. More information will be shared with staff and families next week.
December 4, 2020
Dear BHM Families--
I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday and found the time to unwind and regroup before launching into a new learning model this week. I truly hope the transition into Hybrid Learning at the elementary level and Distance Learning at the secondary level has gone well for your family. Our schools are certainly quiet and we all miss the energy the students bring when they are together.
We want to remind you that even though our secondary students are Distance Learning at home, if your child(ren) contracts COVID-19, we still want you to report it to your child’s school. You may think this is an odd request since it would not affect our students or staff. However, we are hopeful that we can return to the previous learning models at the end of the semester (January 28, 2021) and to gauge that, it would be helpful to track the status of our students’ health to determine if we will be able to bring students back to In-Person Learning. If you have a positive case to report and it’s during regular school hours, you may contact your child’s school. If it’s not during school hours, you may use our BHM COVID-19 After Hours Report Form.
I will continue to communicate with you as information from the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education changes and impacts school operations. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to navigate the effects of this pandemic. BHM Schools continues to be the place where students dream, believe and achieve!
Stay Safe and Healthy,
Scott Thielman, Superintendent
BHM Schools
The following message was sent out to all BHM families from Superintendent Scott Thielman reminding families about the school model changes for Monday, November 30 and providing updates regarding the new executive order from Governor Walz.
Superintendent Scott Thielman sent out the following message today to BHM elementary families.
The following message was sent out from Superintendent Scott Thielman letting families know about the district's shift in learning models for students–Elementary is moving to Hybrid Learning and Secondary is moving to Distance Learning beginning Monday, November 30.
The following message was sent out to families today from Superintendent Scott Thielman.
The following message was sent out to families today from Superintendent Scott Thielman.
The following message was sent out to families today from Superintendent Scott Thielman.
Friday, September 25, 2020
Dear BHM Families--
It’s hard to believe that September is almost behind us. Before you know it, October will be upon us and many of you will be participating in your first virtual parent/teacher conference for the year. October will also welcome the start of high school football and volleyball in a reverse decision by the Minnesota State High School League to play this fall rather than in the spring. It certainly has been a different “fall feeling” without certain activities and annual fall festivals, but it’s still a GREAT feeling to have students back in the classrooms!
Case Rates Drop--Learning Models Hold Steady
For those of you who are keeping track of the COVID-19 case rates in the county, you will have noticed that they are down once again from 19.74 last week to 12.96 this week. That is a significant drop. Being careful in our personal lives by wearing masks and physical distancing whenever possible is working! Please continue to keep these safety measures in mind to help keep our students and staff safe and in school.
Case numbers in Wright County have allowed us to maintain our current learning models which are In-Person at the elementary and Hybrid at the secondary levels. As stated last week, we continue to monitor schools closely and if there is an outbreak in a specific classroom, grade level, or school or if COVID-19 affects our ability to sufficiently staff our building, a possible shift in the learning model could happen quickly for an individual school.
Future Communications
Due to current county case rates, I will only communicate with you in the future if our situation moves in a direction that requires a change in learning models. In the meantime, individual schools will continue to communicate with families on a case-by-case basis should situations arise if individuals, classrooms or the school would have to temporarily shift into a Distance Learning model due to some sort of an exposure or outbreak. We will continue to take our direction and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Department of Education, our Regional Support Team and Wright County Public Health as to who would need to be contacted in an exposure situation and what measures would need to be taken.
Updated Decision Tree
New clarification has come out from MDH for the COVID-19 Decision Tree and whether or not students or staff are healthy to attend school. We have created our own Decision Tree for families to help guide them through that decision making process.
Updated BHM COVID-19 Decision Tree
I will continue to stay optimistic about keeping our students in school and forging ahead through this unique school year. With your continued support, we will get through this, and we will continue to be the place where students can dream, believe and achieve !
Thank you and be well!
Scott Thielman, Superintendent
BHM Schools
September 17, 2020
Dear BHM Families--
We have almost completed our first full week of school, and overall, everything has gone very well. Students have been doing great with learning and adapting to the new rules, making sure to wear their face coverings and settling into their school work. Our Distance Learners are logging in, joining classes and making connections from home. This is all so different, but everyone seems to be adjusting well. We appreciate the support and flexibility from all of you to make school happen!
Wright County Case Rates Decrease Slightly, BHM Learning Models Hold Steady
Every week, case rate numbers are released by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The 14-day case rate for Wright County went from 20.11 cases per 10,000 people last week to 19.74 today. This means that we can continue to be In-Person at the elementary level and Hybrid at the secondary level. We also know that the numbers will continue to fluctuate and we can’t stress enough that families need to have a plan in place should elementary schools need to shift to Hybrid.
Determining a Shift
In August, the Learning Model Parameters Chart was released as a part of the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan. The parameters chart used 14-day county case rates to help districts determine which model would be used to begin the school year. Now that the school year has started, MDH has indicated that multiple pieces of data will be used to determine the most appropriate and safest learning model for students and staff. In addition to the county case rates, we will look at whether there is community-wide spread or if there is an outbreak from an event, and what is happening in our classrooms and schools.
As I mentioned, county case rates will continue to fluctuate, and by using multiple pieces of data, it will help prevent any back-and-forth change in learning models for students unless we would be directed to make an immediate change by the Regional Support Team. We continue to monitor schools closely and if there is an outbreak in a specific classroom, grade level, or school or if COVID-19 affects our ability to sufficiently staff our building, a possible shift in the learning model could happen quickly for an individual school. We also continue to work closely with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), MDH, the COVID-19 Regional Support Team and Wright County Public Health (WCPH) for guidance in determining what is best for BHM Schools.
Moving Forward
We want to keep our students and staff in schools and learning as long as it is safely possible. The decision to shift learning models is not made lightly when we know the significant impact it has on our students, staff and families. We know change can still happen quickly and I can’t say it enough, have a plan. Be ready for a change in a learning model should we have to shift into Hybrid for elementary or even if we have to switch to Distance Learning. Be prepared. This is not easy for anyone and we will do our best to keep you up-to-date. Just know that we will continue to provide an excellent learning environment, no matter the learning model, where our students can dream, believe and achieve.
Stay healthy and well.
Scott Thielman, Superintendent
BHM Schools
Greetings BHM Staff and Families--
As you may know, the new 14-day Wright County COVID-19 case rate numbers came out this morning and the number is up to 20.11. While we know that puts us in the parameters of 20-29–All schools in Hybrid Learning, this does not mean that we will automatically move into that model. The decision to move into another learning model will be based on the guidance we receive from the Minnesota Department of Health, our Regional Support Team and Wright County Public Health. Once we have received guidance from those entities, we will notify staff and parents if there is a need to change the learning model for our schools. We will continue with In-Person Learning for all elementary schools and Hybrid Learning for the middle and high school until we receive further guidance.
Thank you.
Scott Thielman, Superintendent
BHM Schools
This Welcome Back Message from Superintendent Scott Thielman was shared with BHM families on September 9, 2020.
Greetings BHM Families--
As you know, over the course of the last couple of months, we have been diligently working to develop three possible learning models for returning to school this fall (1. In-person learning for all students. 2. Hybrid model with strict social distancing and capacity limits. 3. Distance learning only.)
Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared the state’s Safe Learning Plan and announced that districts will work closely with their county’s public health experts to determine the direction for schools this fall. Districts have been asked to use the Learning Model Parameters listed in the chart below. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) data, along with the approval from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), will determine the learning model BHM Schools can use in the fall.
Learning Model Parameters
|
Number of Cases per 10,000 Over 14 Days, by County of Residence |
Learning Model |
|
0-9 |
In-person learning for all students |
|
10-19 |
In-person learning for elementary students; hybrid learning for secondary students |
|
20-29 |
Hybrid learning for all students |
|
30-49 |
Hybrid learning for elementary students; distance learning for secondary students |
|
50+ |
Distance learning for all students |
If BHM Schools were to begin tomorrow, based on the COVID-19 activity in our area, and the information from Wright County Public Health (WCPH), BHM Schools would be in the 10-19 case range, where elementary schools would be open to in-person learning and secondary schools (middle and high schools) would follow a hybrid model of learning.
As per the MDH guidelines, the Hybrid Model will utilize strict physical distancing with strict capacity limits. In this planning scenario, schools must limit the overall number of people in school facilities to 50% maximum occupancy with at least six feet between people at all times.
SAMPLE Hybrid Schedule
Students will be scheduled in either Group A or Group B.
Group A – Mondays and Wednesdays - In School
Group A – Tuesdays and Thursdays - At Home Independent Learning
Group B – Tuesdays and Thursdays - In School
Group B – Mondays and Wednesdays - At Home Independent Learning
Alternate Fridays Group A/Group B - In School/At Home Independent Learning
Circumstances will change as this pandemic continues to evolve, and plans are in place to shift between the three learning models, as necessary, at any given time. We will continue to work closely with MDH, MDE and WCPH to monitor our district’s situation to help keep our students and staff safe.
Distance Learning Option
Families who do not feel it is safe for their child(ren) to return to school can choose distance learning. We are using the feedback from the student and parent surveys to improve the distance learning experience from this past spring. Next week, principals will be sending out more information and a Fall 2020 Planning Survey, to ALL BHM families, to determine technology, transportation, meals and other needs for fall.
Safety Measures
No matter what learning model we encounter, we are hopeful for a return to the classroom and we are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. The state will provide every student and staff member with a cloth mask. Schools will also be supplied with 3 disposable masks per student should a student forget to wear a mask to school. Educators and some school staff will receive face shields, and all staff will receive an at-home COVID-19 test from the state to use as necessary.
Our custodial staff will perform their regular cleaning duties along with the additional cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Entrances will be equipped with hand sanitizing stations. You should also know, in the last seven to ten years, we have updated the air handling units in our buildings which has put us in the best possible position to address the air quality for COVID-19 concerns.
Moving Forward
There are many complexities and requirements from the state that will need to be followed as we make decisions on how BHM Schools will deliver the best education possible in the safest environment in this new plan. We understand that these decisions impact every student and every family in multiple ways. The best interests of all students, staff and families are at the center of our planning. Throughout the month of August, you can expect communication from the district and your school principal. Below is an approximate timeline of key communications to our BHM families:
- Fall 2020 Planning Survey--by August 6
- Message from School Principals--by August 6
- Decision/Communication on Learning Model for BHM Schools--by Aug 21
BHM Schools has some of the best families in the state, and we appreciate the support and patience that you have shown us while we deal with this very complicated situation. News and facts about the virus continue to change on a daily basis. We realize that this is a hardship for everyone. We are here for our families and will provide support in any way that we can. In addition to using our parent notification system, information will be added to our website and posted to our Facebook page to keep families and the community informed.
Continue to stay healthy, stay safe and you will hear more from us soon!
Scott Thielman
Superintendent of BHM Schools
BHM Schools Update Message to Families
June 26, 2020
Dear BHM Families--
Summer in Minnesota is always a welcomed season, and I hope you have been finding time to get out and enjoy all it has to offer while at the same time staying safe. I just wanted to take a few minutes to update you on what has been happening around the district over the summer and how we are planning for the fall.
Summer Programs, Activities, KidKare and ECFE
To help our students bridge the gap over the summer, we continue to offer Targeted Services and the Extended School Year (ESY) program through distance learning. Targeted Services is a teacher referral program and is intended to give students extra help in reading and math. ESY provides special education students with extra academic, communication and social/behavioral support over the summer months.
The district has developed a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for the Use of BHM Facilities. This guide was developed based on the recommendations from MDH and MDE and has been shared with groups who want to use our facilities. We have been slowly opening up our facilities for use with some of our outside youth organizations and will continue to add others as restrictions are lifted.
Community Education sports camps began on Monday, June 15 for middle and high school students. Students are participating in basketball, tennis, strength and conditioning, and soccer. Youth tennis camps began on Monday, June 22 and more will be added in the days ahead. Social distance procedures are in place and coaches are making sure shared equipment is sanitized before each use.
KidKare is available at every elementary school (with the exception of Discovery Elementary--they are serviced at Parkside Elementary) and is open for your childcare needs as more parents/guardians head back to work.
Summer Sun Block (youth enrichment classes) was not able to be offered this year, but Community Education is offering individual youth enrichment classes beginning Monday, July 6. Class-sizes will be smaller to allow for social distancing and they will also follow the appropriate sanitizing procedures.
Driver’s Education is a very popular program and began on Tuesday, May 26 with behind the wheel training. Both students and instructors are wearing masks while driving. The classroom portion of the training will start up again on Monday, July 6, utilizing distance learning, with daytime and evening classes available.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) started Summer Sun Pre-K and some parent/child classes on Monday, June 22. All classes are full with 10 participants in each class (including the teachers). They are using a hybrid approach in their classes with some in-person and virtual class meetings.
For more information, please check the BHM Website, the BHM Community Education Website or follow them on Facebook for updates as more classes and camps become available over the summer.
BHM Distance Learning Parent/Student Survey and Fall Planning
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the district-wide survey regarding distance learning. It provided us with valuable feedback about your experience with distance learning and things we can work on if we have to implement distance learning again in the fall. We had over 1,000 secondary students and over 1,800 parents/guardians respond to the survey. Overall, the responses were positive from the communication from the district and teachers, to the assignments that were given, to the technology and internet access that was available. We know it wasn’t perfect and we will do our best to make improvements if we have to do this again. We have sorted through the written comments and have identified the various themes. We know that many of you hope we don’t ever have to do distance learning again. It was a struggle for many and we understand that. You can see the results of the survey below:
To prepare for the 2020-21 school year, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has directed us to develop plans for each of the three scenarios listed below:
- In-person learning for all students. Open schools using the most current Center for Disease Control (CDC) and MDH guidelines. Distance learning options will be made available for those who cannot or do not feel comfortable returning in-person.
- Hybrid model with strict social distancing and capacity limits. This would include a mix of distance learning on some days and students returning to the classroom on other days. The district would follow the most current CDC and MDH guidelines including only 50% maximum occupancy in schools and at least 6 feet between people at all times.
- Distance learning only. Schools would remain closed and students would continue with distance learning (making improvements to the experience based on the spring survey).
We have assembled a task force of principals, department directors, paraprofessionals and teacher representatives to work through the details for each scenario. They will continue to work throughout the summer and plans will be shared with BHM families once MDE and MDH have given us more direction which is expected to be announced sometime during the week of July 27.
MDE Fall Planning Survey
In less than a day, MDE had over 100,000 responses to their Fall Planning Survey. As of Thursday, June 25, they’ve received over 219,000 responses. Over the course of the next few weeks, they will be making decisions that will affect what happens with school this fall. It’s important if you haven’t already taken the time to fill out the short survey, that you take a few minutes and provide them with the same kind of feedback you gave us. This survey is just one tool they will use to make decisions for the fall, but I believe it’s an important one. The survey is open through Tuesday, June 30. You can find the survey at: MDE Fall Planning Survey
Moving Forward
We know that many of you have more questions than answers and so do we. We continue to work diligently on our plans for fall and we will use the feedback that you have given us to help guide us in that process. We are doing our best to navigate through this and we will continue to keep you informed as updates become available over the next couple of months.
Have a wonderful summer!
Scott Thielman
BHM Schools Superintendent
The following message was emailed to all of our staff, parents and high school students on Friday, May 1, 2020.
Dear BHM Families--
As you are aware, today and Monday are non-instructional days as designated by Governor Walz and will be used by our teachers for professional development and planning for the remainder of the school year. We want to provide you with some information about what that looks like for BHM Schools.
Last Day of School
The last day of school is Thursday, June 4 and the final day of full class instruction will be on Friday, May 29. Teachers will use the dates of June 1-4 to follow-up with small groups of students or individual students for remedial work, catch-up work, or turning in final assignments. Friday, June 5, will be a teacher workday and the close of the school year. FREE meals will continue to be available for curbside pick-up and neighborhood delivery through Thursday, June 4.
Student Belongings
Buffalo Community Middle School, Buffalo High School, Phoenix Learning Center and PRIDE will develop and communicate plans for picking up students’ personal belongings from lockers and gym lockers, along with musical instruments, etc. This will happen over the next couple of weeks. Most elementary students have their belongings, but schools will work with individual families on a case-by-case basis if items need to be retrieved.
End of Year Celebrations and
Turning in Technology/Assignments/School Materials
We know everyone needs some closure to the school year. As we get closer to the end of the year, school administration will determine what is the safest way we can interact with each other. Individual schools will communicate their plans on how they will celebrate the end of the school year along with how technology devices/assignments/textbooks/school materials will be turned in during the week of June 1-4.
Graduation Ceremonies
Thank you to everyone who has been sharing their ideas for ways we can recognize the Class of 2020. Each year, BHM Schools has four graduation celebrations: Buffalo High School, Phoenix Learning Center, PRIDE Transitions and Adult Basic Education (GED). We are waiting for more guidance from the Governor, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), to determine if we will be able to have any type of in-person ceremony. School administration is working with students and staff to determine how we can best celebrate and best recognize the Class of 2020. This is a major accomplishment and milestone for our students and be assured, we will find a way to celebrate their years of hard work and dedication to their education.
Summer Programs
Summer programming is currently being planned with hopes that we will be able to offer learning, recreational and extension activities for our students. BHM Schools usually offer KidKare, targeted services and Summer Sun Block programs in June, July and August. As stated earlier, we are awaiting guidance and direction from MDH and MDE. We will continue to offer the FREE summer meal program in June, July and August to children ages 18 and under and individuals 19 and over with state-defined mental or physical disabilities who participate in school programs. We will communicate more information about what will be offered this summer in the weeks ahead.
BHM Schools is the Place to Dream, Believe and Achieve
We could have never dreamed that BHM Schools would be participating in distance learning for the last two months of the school year. But, we believe our teachers, support staff, administration and families have done an outstanding job during this unprecedented time. We know that our students will achieve great success beyond this health pandemic because of the support systems put in place by our teachers and you, their families. We thank all of you for hanging in there with us and working through this crisis together. Thank YOU for making BHM Schools the place to dream, believe and achieve!
Scott Thielman
BHM Schools Superintendent
The following message was emailed to all of our staff, parents and high school students on Friday, April 24, 2020.
Dear BHM Families--
I hope that you are doing well and staying safe during this time. Our schools are terribly quiet and we miss the daily interactions with students and staff.
I’m sure many of you have already heard that Governor Walz announced yesterday that schools will not be back in session for the remainder of the school year and that distance learning will continue. We know this may be a disappointment to many of you, but we also know that we want our students and staff to enter back into our schools when it’s considered safe by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We continue to receive our guidance from the governor and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). As directed, we will have a short break from distance learning on May 1 and 4 while teachers prepare for the remainder of the school year. There will be no instruction on those days. Distance learning will resume on May 5 and will continue through Thursday, June 4.
We truly appreciate the terrific job our teachers and support staff are doing to make the distance learning experience as meaningful as possible. We will continue to ensure that our students master the required state standards and our high school students receive their credits for graduation. During this time, we will need the continued assistance of our parents to monitor their child’s progress. We know that elementary parents are more likely to be hands-on with their child’s work and are able to track their progress daily. Secondary parents are more likely to use the parent portal (application that provides a child’s grades, attendance, schedule, transcripts, etc.) to review and monitor their child’s progress. If you do not have a parent portal account set up, please contact your child’s school to create an account.
We know that many of you have questions such as how to get the remainder of your student’s belongings, how will we celebrate graduation, will there be summer programming and more. Principals will answer those questions and send out future communications as we work through this process.
FREE Meals
FREE meals will continue to be provided to children ages 18 and under and individuals 19 and over with state-defined mental or physical disabilities who participate in school programs. Delivery and curbside pick-up will continue to be available. Children will receive a bag lunch for that day and a breakfast for the following day. This program is solely for the pick up of meals and meals are not to be consumed on-site. We encourage families to continue to be proactive in reducing the risk of COVID-19 by not congregating at the school site once meals have been distributed. Children do not need to be present to receive the meals from delivery or curbside pick-up.
Curbside pick-up will be at the front entrance, unless otherwise noted, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the following locations:
- Buffalo Community Middle School
- Hanover Elementary
- Montrose Elementary School of Innovation
- Parkside Elementary (northwest corner of the school--look for signs)
- Northwinds Elementary
If you have questions, please contact Nutrition Services Assistant Allison Barkley at abarkley@bhmschools.org.
KidKare Childcare
KidKare childcare is open for full-day care 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. for all registered families.
FREE childcare for children ages 3-12 will continue to be available for children of emergency and critical workers to the State’s response to COVID-19 during this time. The definition of who those emergency and critical workers are defined under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-19, Care for Children of Families of Emergency Workers.
Please call KidKare Coordinator Lori Trogstad at 763-682-8787 for more information or to register.
BHM Mental Health Resources
Nothing about the past few weeks has been normal and to help families get through this challenging time, we have a BHM Mental Health Resource Guide along with information from Central Minnesota Mental Health Services.
This is a difficult time and we appreciate all of the Facebook posts and emails that so many of you have shared with us. The support from you and the community has been overwhelming. I am proud of all the work that our BHM teachers, staff and administration have done to make all of this happen. While we wish we could be back together to finish out the school year, we know the importance of staying home and staying safe and continuing distance learning from home. Keep up the great work BHM! We have #BHMBisonPride!
Scott Thielman
BHM Schools Superintendent
The following message was emailed to all of our staff, parents and high school students on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Hello BHM parents, students and staff--
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their unparalleled patience, understanding and support! I have been in education for 31 years and like everyone else, I have never had to handle a situation such as this. This is a future history lesson in the making and I can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve shown us through this time.
I also want to thank the incredible staff here at BHM Schools for stepping up to ensure:
- that our schools are clean and sanitized daily for those who have to come in,
- that the children of our emergency and essential workers are being cared for by our staff in a safe, nurturing environment,
- that our students continue to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day (since March 16, we have served approximately 28,000 meals to our BHM children), and
- that our students will continue to receive an education through distance learning. (The district conducted several surveys to determine the needs of our students. BHM Schools is not a one-to-one device district and therefore does not have enough computers for every student. Our technology staff has been able to dismantle computer labs and issue computers to families in need of a device during the distance learning period. To date, we have handed out over 800 devices for students to use at home.)
This is a challenging situation for all of us and I know we can get through this together.
On Monday, April 6, we will begin our distance learning plan. (BHM Distance Learning Plan) Each school principal and teacher has reached out to their students with instructions. I want to thank all of our teachers and support staff for their preparation to ensure they are ready to deliver instruction to our students next week. I have heard there are some parents who are a bit worried about how to balance working from home and helping their children with school assignments. We are not expecting parents to become licensed teachers and we know that you won’t have 6-7 hours to devote to their education like they would get if they were in school.
Teachers have had to refocus on the essential state standards and graduation standards to ensure students will be able to meet state requirements. We do ask that you help your child to do their best to cover the materials that the teacher has prepared and ask that you help your child establish good study habits to help keep them on track. Our teachers will be available for help and guidance. For the younger learners, kindergarten through grade 5, do your best to help where you can and know that your middle and high school students will be more independent learners.
We know that we are going to have to be flexible during this time and our teachers are going to work with each family to accommodate a variety of situations. Be prepared for technical glitches and other bumps along the way and please ask for help when you need it. This isn’t going to be perfect and we would much rather have your children in our classrooms, but, for now, this is our new normal.
We remain hopeful that a vaccine will be discovered and the “stay at home” and “social distancing” efforts will help slow the spread of COVID-19 so that we can all come back together on Tuesday, May 5th to finish out the school year. I hope that you have managed to salvage some of your Spring Break by reconnecting with your families at home. It may not have been as much fun as relaxing on a beach or skiing down the slopes, but hopefully, we will all gain a new appreciation for the little things in life like going to grandma and grandpas for a visit or going to a movie or even playing in the park with friends.
Thank you for hanging in there with us. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude to our parents, students, staff and our communities. Know that we will continue to be in touch with you as more updates become available.
Thank you!
Scott Thielman
Superintendent of Schools
Governor Tim Walz announced today at his press conference that schools will provide distance learning from March 30 through April 30, 2020. At this time, staff are scheduled to report back to work on Friday, May 1 and Monday, May 4 to prepare for the return of students to school on Tuesday, May 5. This is subject to change between now and then. He also shared that residents are to “stay at home” and limit movement for the next two weeks beginning Friday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. through April 10. Here is the plan for BHM Schools in the days and weeks ahead.
Distance Learning, Materials and Technology Pick-Up
BHM Schools will continue with Spring Break March 27 through April 3. We will begin distance learning on Monday, April 6. To prepare for this, principals will communicate with families by tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 26, about picking up materials and technology (if you indicated a need on the technology survey conducted last week) from buildings on Friday, March 27.
We will post our district’s distance learning plan on our website by Monday, March 30. Your child’s principal and teacher(s) will be sending emails in the days ahead with more specific information on what distance learning and expectations will look like. Please know that expectations for distance learning will not mimic a regular school day in school. Teachers will be working closely with each of their student’s families and their individual needs.
Meal Distribution
Beginning Friday, March 27, and continuing over Spring Break, through Friday, April 3, FREE meals will be available for ALL children ages 18 and under and individuals 19 and over with state-defined mental or physical disabilities who participate in school programs, via curbside pick-up at the front entrances, unless otherwise noted, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the following locations:
Hanover Elementary--274 Labeaux Ave NE, Hanover
Montrose Elementary School of Innovation--100 2nd St. S, Montrose
Parkside Elementary--northwest corner of the building; look for signs--207 3rd Ave NE, Buffalo
We will provide more direction and information on meal distribution plans for after Spring Break once we have more information to share.
KidKare
KidKare childcare will continue to be available at no cost for our emergency workers that has been outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order 20-02, School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers: Priority Categories of Workers. KidKare is open for full-day care from 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. for children ages 3-12. Please call Lori Trogstad at 763-682-8787 for more information or to register.
Final Thoughts
We are providing you with the most current and up-to-date information as we get it. Remember that principals and teachers will be communicating with you more specifics regarding distance learning in the days ahead. We know there are many different situations with all of our families and we know flexibility is key as we move forward. As someone so eloquently posted on Facebook, “We are trying to fly a plane that hasn’t been built yet.” We can’t thank you enough for your understanding and patience, and we hope you are staying healthy and safe.
Governor Walz held a press conference today, but didn’t share any new information for schools. With that said, we will continue to plan for distance learning through next week. Remember, no instruction will be delivered at this time, however some teachers may be sending messages and possible resources to students to make connections and ease some anxieties. Spring break will be as scheduled March 27-April 3.
Thank you to everyone who completed the surveys for food and technology distribution. Lunch and breakfast deliveries will begin next week along our bus routes through next Thursday, March 26. If you signed up for this service, you will receive communication on when and where those deliveries will be. The food survey has closed, but if you have not signed-up and would like to receive meals, please contact Nutrition Services Director Kim Hinrichs at 763-682-8772. Plans for technology distribution (the technology survey is still open), along with other student materials, are still in progress and will be communicated once Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) make an announcement on distance learning plans.
Remember, KidKare is open for full-day care 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m., March 18 through April 3, for all registered families. KidKare is also available to students ages 3-12 who are children of emergency workers critical to the State’s response to COVID-19 during this time. The definition of who those emergency and critical workers are has been extended and is defined under the Governor’s Executive Order 20-02, Care for Children of Families of Emergency Workers. Please call Lori Trogstad at 763-682-8787 for more information or to register.
Thank you for your questions and your comments. We are still working to develop answers to a variety of questions, and we continue to appreciate your cooperation as we work through this unprecedented situation. We will continue to keep you updated as new information becomes available. Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your children and stay safe!
Coronoavirus (COVID-19) Update--March 15, 2020
During Governor Walz’s press conference this morning, he stated that schools will be closed in the state of Minnesota from March 18-27. BHM Schools has made the decision to not have school, beginning tomorrow, March 16 through March 27. Spring Break will go on as scheduled March 27-April 3. The decision to close schools will allow districts to plan for extended school closures and provide time for districts to plan for distance learning.
While our schools are closed (March 16 through April 3), all district-related activities and events are canceled. There are no ECFE/ECSE classes or preschool classes. All Community Education classes and activities are also canceled during this time. More guidance will be provided in the days and weeks ahead.
KidKare sites will remain open during this time (March 16 through April 3) for all registered families for full-day daycare. Child care will be made available to students ages 12 and under who are children of emergency workers critical to the State’s response to COVID-19. Those emergency and critical workers can include:
- Health care providers and systems, including hospitals and clinics
- Post-acute and long-term care facilities, including nursing and assisted living facilities
- Other health systems and organizations such as:
- Home Care workers
- Personal Care Assistants
- Ambulance/emergency
- Direct Care and Treatment
- First responders
- Firefighters
- Personnel providing correctional services
- Essential court personnel
- Minnesota State Veterans Homes staff
- State and local public health agency employees
- MNsure Navigators
- County financial/eligibility workers
- County case managers
- Or any county staff in emergency management or health and human services
Contact Community Education at 763-682-8770 if you are one of these emergency/critical workers that would need childcare during this closure.
We cannot stress enough about how important it is for EVERYONE to help prevent the spread of any illness by following the guidelines below:
- Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve (or tissue). Make sure your mouth and nose are covered.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Practice social distancing.
Resources
If you have questions about infectious diseases, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-3920. Phone lines are open seven days a week from 7 a.m.-7- p.m.
We know your children could be asking questions. Here are some guidelines you can use when talking with your children from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Talk with your children about COVID-19
To learn more about COVID-19 and how to cope with this developing situation, visit:
BHM Schools Illness and Injury Guidelines
MDH Recommendations for Schools and Child Care
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
This is a fast-changing situation and new guidance is given out daily. We know that you have many questions and more information will be shared in the days ahead as decisions are made. Once again, we appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we navigate this ever-changing situation.
We will continue to keep familes updated on any changes through our parent messaging system, our website and Facebook page.
