Frequently Asked Questions
We continue to work to compile the questions from our BHM families. We will add them to this page as we get them answered to help keep you informed. Please continue to check back for updates to this page in the days and weeks ahead.
Distance Learning
One semester--through January 28, 2021.
- Distance Learning - students are enrolled in BHM Schools and will receive instruction, online/virtually from a BHM teacher within a student’s home.
- Online Learning - students are not enrolled in the BHM School District. Online learning is a term used for education classes provided by private education companies.
- Homeschool - students are not enrolled in the BHM School District. Parents are responsible for the education of their children, in compliance with the subject areas listed in Minnesota Statute 120A.22. They must keep all records, manage costs, and assure the quality and scope of their child’s education. You can find more information regarding homeschooling here.
There will be a combination of video lessons, live online instruction and meetings and independent work. We are providing training for staff in maximizing the effectiveness of virtual instruction, and including more individual/small group face-to-face interaction with their teacher to check in on learning and progress made on assignments. Google Classroom will be the primary platform with a consistent launching page and streamlined information. Students will likely be expected to “check-in” online, at some point, each day for attendance. The time commitment for students in Distance Learning is guided by the Minnesota Department of Education.
We know that nothing can substitute for In-Person learning as we have grown to know it. That said, our teachers are dedicated to partnering with families to provide the best learning opportunities possible under each scenario.
Yes, parents have the option, based on their circumstances, to choose Distance Learning for the remainder of the semester. However, families who have chosen Distance Learning cannot choose to go back to In-Person or Hybrid Instruction during the first semester.
We can’t guarantee that your child’s Distance Learning teacher will be available outside the regular school day. Your teacher will work with you to create a plan for your child.
The schools will work with each family to provide devices for their child(ren) based on their need.
All families have a choice to decide what works best for their situation. We feel that we have used the feedback from our families from last spring in developing our Distance Learning 2.0 plan and that our teachers will be prepared to effectively support your child in this model. Please know that If you choose online learning for one year, the funding we lose when you select an online school, and unenroll your child from BHM Schools, can impact class sizes and other programs for our schools and district in the future.
Yes. We will review the COVID data and situation at the end of the first semester to determine the learning model for the second semester. Distance Learning will continue to be an option per the guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health.
Transitioning Between Learning Models
If the district needs to transition to a different learning model, we will follow guidance given to us from the Minnesota Department of Health and Wright County Public Health. We will communicate the changes as quickly as possible to families. Families are asked to have plans in place for all three scenarios.
Special Education
Regardless of where learning is happening, students will continue to receive special education services. If necessary, individual plans will be developed to address the unique needs of individual students within each learning model.
Students with an IEP will continue to receive services through a variety of service models. Individual student teams will identify the appropriate method for delivery of services.
Speech language pathologists will continue to deliver services through a variety of means. If there is a need to make a change to a student’s services, individual determinations will be made to determine the most appropriate delivery model.
If a student qualifies for special education transportation, this will still be provided. See more in theTransportation section below.
Individual cases will be looked at to determine if an in person learning component is needed with consideration and input as an IEP team.
We will address the student's inability to wear a mask in the IEP team meeting and discuss other things that will be in place to help protect the specific student. Students receiving special education services will be able to attend school in person if other students are attending in person. Read more in the Masks/Face Coverings secion below.
Masks/Face Coverings
We will be following the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order 20-81 from Governor Tim Walz. Students K-12 and BHM staff members will all be required to wear face coverings (mask, shield, gaiter, buff, etc.) while the students are in class. Children who are in our Early Childhood and Pre-K KidKare programs (5 years old and younger) are not required to wear a face covering. School-age KidKare students will be required to wear face coverings. We will continue to follow the state's guidance. Families who do not wish to have their child wear any type of face covering should choose Distance Learning.
Students will not be required to wear face coverings during breakfast, lunch, recess and physical education class.
At the elementary level, students may have extra recess time outside to accommodate a mask break. We are unsure at this time of how this will work during the winter months.
Face shields may be used as an alternative to face coverings in the following situations:
- For students who are unable to tolerate a face covering due to a developmental, behavioral or medical condition.
- For teachers of all grades when a face covering would impede the educational process.
- For staff providing direct support student services when a face covering would interfere with the services provided.
- For students in grades K-8 when wearing a face covering is otherwise problematic for the student.
BHM Schools has adopted a COVID-19 Face Covering Policy and has a form for families to submit if their child is exempt from wearing a face mask and, therefore, is allowed to wear a face sheild. You can find links to the policy and form below.
Individual cases will need to be reviewed but we will be following Executive Order 20-81 regarding face coverings, which states that the following individuals are exempt from face-covering requirements:
- Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who have a medical condition that compromises their ability to breathe, and individuals who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. These individuals should consider using alternatives to face coverings, including clear face shields, and staying at home as much as possible.
We will address the student's inability to wear a mask in the IEP team meeting and discuss other things that will be in place to help protect the specific student. Students receiving special education services will be able to attend school in person if other students are attending in person.
Physical/Social Distancing
If elementary schools are In-Person Learning, students will be allowed to play together, as normal as possible, within their cohort (class)
If a school is In-Person, there will not be a 6-foot physical distance guideline in place. It isn’t possible with the size of the classrooms and the number of students. If a school is in a Hybrid model, schools will only have 50% of students and seats will be spaced 6 feet apart in classrooms.
If a school is In-Person, students will not be spaced out unless there is enough room to accommodate it. Students will be assigned seats and will fill the bus from back to front, and they will exit the bus from front to back. If a school is Hybrid, there will only be 50% of the students going to school on a given day and that should free up space on the bus. Families will be encouraged to drive their child(ren) to school if at all possible.
Health
No. We will be relying on families to monitor temperatures and if their child is exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms. If staff notice that a student may have symptoms, the student will be sent to the health office for evaluation and a parent/guardian would likely be asked to come and pick up their child.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Our custodial staff will perform their regular cleaning duties along with the additional cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day.
Yes. Classrooms will be cleaned between classes at the middle and high school along with shared spaces at all schools. The cleaning will happen at either the start or end of each class period. The cafeterias will be cleaned throughout meal times (breakfast and lunch). Custodial staff will be active throughout the day doing additional cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
In the last seven to ten years, we have updated the air handling units in ALL of our buildings which has put us in the best possible position to address the air quality for COVID-19 concerns.
Students will be able and encouraged to wash their hands throughout the day. Hand sanitizing stations will also be available at school entrances.
Yes. Students will be allowed to bring in their own sanitizer and sanitizing stations will also be available in the buildings.
No. Students will be encouraged to bring a water bottle from home and take it home each night for cleaning. Students will be able to fill their water bottles during the day if needed.
Nutrition Services
Yes. Elementary students will have a choice of a hot or cold entree daily, while secondary students will have several options. There will be no self-service items. Trays/bags will be handed to the students. Fruit/vegetables/condiments and silverware will be wrapped/cupped individually.
Curbside pick-up will be utilized for Distance Learning students at this time.
At the elementary level, students will be seated in their cohorts/classrooms. Secondary students will be socially distanced in the cafeteria and tables will be marked so students will know where they can sit.
Transportation
The mailing has been slightly delayed this year due to the health pandemic. We believe the schedules should arrive sometime during the week of August 17, 2020. We also adjusted the Alternative Destination Form deadline to Friday, August 21. As always, please confirm changes and the final estimated school bus pick up time on the Parent Portal which will have transportation information available the last week of August.
If a school is In-Person, students will be spaced out as much as possible. Students will be assigned seats, family members will sit together and students will fill the bus from back to front, and they will exit the bus from front to back. If a school is Hybrid, there will only be 50% of the students going to school on a given day and that should free up space on the bus. Families will be encouraged to drive their child(ren) to school if at all possible.
Yes. Each bus/van driver will actively be cleaning the vehicle between runs with the same disinfectant used in the schools and classrooms.
Bus service will be available for students who qualify for special education transportation services. The same procedures followed for general education transportation such as cleaning, physical distancing and loading and unloading the bus, will be followed for special education transportation.
Childcare/KidKare
Under the In-Person model at the elementary schools, KidKare is available for a fee. Under the Hybrid and all-school Distance Learning models, childcare would be FREE during the regular school hours for Tier I families per Executive Order 20-82 (this includes: healthcare and public health; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; food and agriculture; Judicial Branch (essential services); National Guard (activated under a Governor Executive Order); educators and school staff providing In-Person instruction or caring for children or critical workers; childcare and school-age care providers.)
At this time, KidKare will be available at all elementary locations (Discovery is at Parkside) under the In-Person model. Children will be grouped by grade level cohorts.
Buffalo Community Middle School–Hybrid Model
Google Classroom will be our common platform for all classes. For In-Person, Distance Learning and Hybrid Instruction, all teachers will use a variety of teaching strategies in their interactions with students. The strategies will be much more interactive than our emergency Distance Learning last spring.
- Classroom instruction for students in school an at home, at the same time & interaction with classes.
- Videos supporting instruction, key course concepts, intervention support and enrichment.
- Large group activities.
- Small group and/or individual check-ins.
- Opportunities for peer to peer interactions and collaboration.
Groups A and B will be determined by the child’s last name. If there are multiple last names in one household, accommodations will be made to be sure those students are in the same group for the same learning day.
Continuous cleaning will take place regardless of the schedule used. The decision to go every other day was based on the value of regular student/teacher interaction, rather than students possibly being out of the classroom for 3-5 days in a row.
We will be using our normal grading scale along with a few other options for kids in specific situations.
The maximum class size with our current room sizes is around 17 students.
Passing time will be shorter, and to start the year, we will not be using lockers to minimize congregation.
The Minnesota State High School League moved volleyball and football to the spring. Other fall activities were allowed to continue with some safety modifications. We will be offering a modified version of all fall activities following tighter safety guidelines. Football and volleyball will not be competing against other schools this fall but we have put together programs in house for both sports. Volleyball will have a competitive season in the spring competing against other schools from February 22 - April 9. Decisions on other intramural activities will be based on making sure we can provide a safe environment for students and staff.
Buffalo High School–Hybrid Model
Students in A Group (last names A-K) will be In-Person Mondays and Wednesdays, and in Independent Learning on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Students in B Group (last names L-Z) will be In-Person on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in Independent Learning on Mondays and Wednesdays. All students are Independent Learning on Fridays with the chance for teachers to offer additional support or intervention, virtually or possibly in-person. Families will be kept together for scheduling, even if last names are different.
We are planning for a two-day welcome for 9th graders, keeping in mind we will be in a Hybrid schedule. Here is how that schedule will look for the first two weeks (during the second week, if a Group is In-Person Hybrid Learning, the other Group is At-Home Learning):
| BHS Week 1 and 2 At-a-Glance – 2020-21 School Year | |
| Tuesday, September 8 | No School--Teacher Work Day |
| Wednesday, September 9 | No School--Teacher Work Day |
| Thursday, September 10 |
9th Grade Day 1 for Student's Last Name L-Z |
| Friday, September 11 |
9th Grade Day 1 for Student's Last Name A-K |
| Monday, September 14 |
All Students in A Group (Students A-K) (Group B At-Home Learning) |
| Tuesday, September 15 |
All Students in B Group (Students L-Z) (Group A At-Home Learning) |
| Wednesday, September 16 |
All Students in A Group (Students A-K) (Group B At-Home Learning) |
| Thursday, September 17 |
All Students in B Group (Students L-Z) (Group A At-Home Learning) |
| Friday, September 18 | All Students At-Home Learning |
We will have Advisory one day per week for students. This will be on their first in-person day if hybrid. Mondays and Tuesdays are Advisory schedules; Wednesdays and Thursdays are the full day four-block only schedule.
Yes. Phoenix Learning Center will be moving to the B block area of BHS for fall 2020. Some construction will be happening near the end of August in those areas.
No, not at the start of the year. At this time, it's recommended that students avoid gathering in groups. This will be revisited as the year progresses. Students will be expected to carry their own belongings. Locker doors will be secured until we decide it is safe for students to use them.
- We are currently working out more of the details for lunch time, but all students will have six feet of distance during eating, as they will have to unmask.
- School arrival and dismissal procedures will be shared with families; physical distancing will be monitored along with directing students to proceed to where they need to be and to avoid congregating. There will be very limited access to the building before or after school.
- Passing times will be shortened and staggered and lockers will not be used in an effort to remove a point of group congregation. Students will be consistently directed, as much as possible, to keep moving to their next class. This will be an ongoing effort for which we will continue to have conversations with our students explaining the importance of following these procedures to keep them and our staff safe.
- We will give classrooms a scheduled break during their instruction time. This will allow us to control the times and to limit the number of kids in bathrooms and hallways. Students will use the bathrooms near their classroom.
Please check Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) website for fall sport specific guidelines. It is complicated and comprehensive and gives kids options for either fall or moving seasons. The MSHSL Board will continue to give guidance by season. Lake Conference Website
