In-Person Learning

It is the goal of BHM Schools to welcome all students K-12 back into our buildings for the 2020-21 school year. Below is a brief description of what In-Person Learning would look like with the new safety precautions that have been put into place to make it happen.

School hours are the following:
7:45 a.m.–2:25 p.m. – All Elementary Schools
8:50 a.m.–3:25 p.m. – Middle School, High School and Phoenix Learning Center
9:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m. – PRIDE Transitions

Safety Precautions – The following is a list of safety precautions that will be implemented for the 2020-21 school year based on guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education. 

Screening
Parents are asked to perform health checks of their child(ren) prior to sending them to school. If a child has any COVID-19 symptoms, keep him/her home.

Transportation
Students will be assigned seats and family members will sit together in an effort to limit exposure. Face coverings will be required.

Face Coverings
Students in grades K-12 and BHM staff will be required to wear face coverings (mask, shield, buff/gaiter, religious face covering, etc.) during the school day and on the bus following the guidance within the Governor’s Executive Order 20-81. At this time, students will need to wear their face covering while in the classroom, but not during recess or meals. Mask breaks will be provided throughout the day as guided by the executive order. The state is providing each child with a cloth mask and three disposable masks.  

Physical Distancing
Physical distancing will be practiced as much as possible, recognizing that the 6 feet of distancing will not always be feasible. Clear barriers are in office areas, new signage will be on floors and walls as reminders and “extra” items have been removed from classrooms and other areas to create more space. Field trips and assemblies are currently suspended. 

Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains will not be available. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to fill at a bottle filling station or in a classroom sink. 

Visitors
To limit exposures, parents and non-essential visitors will only be allowed to enter the office area. Plans for student pick-up and drop-off outside of our schools will be communicated to families in late August.

Cleaning
Additional cleaning procedures and sanitizing protocols are in place for schools and buses. Shared equipment, technology, toys, supplies, books, desks, tables, chairs and other items will be cleaned between each use. 

Air Flow
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.

Hand Hygiene
Students will be expected to wash hands or use hand sanitizer thoughout the day. Each school is equipped with hand sanitizing stations and students will be allowed to bring their own hand sanitizer.

Meal Service
Students will eat in the cafeteria with their cohort and will be served individually packaged meals with no self-service food items available.

Recess
Elementary students will play outside with their cohort and use their cohort’s dedicated equipment. Since multiple cohorts for each grade level will be outside at one time, students will rotate between designated play areas. Students will not wear face coverings.