Hybrid Learning

In hybrid learning, students learn at home and in school.Students will rotate attendance so no more than 50% of the school population is in the building on any given school day. Depending on the daily schedule, some students will learn in person and others will engage in distance learning .

computer with person on screen and building behind it icon

Frequently Asked Questions

Hybrid Learning Plans

Please note, Hybrid Learning plans are fluid and subject to change.

Elementary

General Information

In a hybrid model, in-person learning will take place up to 2 days per week, depending on building capacity.
Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Students would be socially distanced in the classroom, to maintain space between themselves and other students.
Students would follow an AA | BB schedule.
The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.

Students will be expected to:

Fully participate in the in-person/scheduled academic classes.
Complete all work in a timely manner.
Follow the technology expectations and student expectation guidelines.
Follow the CHAMPS process for class time.
Have a dedicated area to complete schoolwork and tasks at home.

Attendance

On in-person school days, attendance will be taken by the teacher; on distance learning days, students must check in through the morning meeting or submitting daily work.
If your student is ill, families should call their school's attendance line.
Attendance is important; unexcused absences will follow the Hennepin County "Be At School" truancy program.
An unexcused day is noted if a student does not attend in-person class on their scheduled day(s), participate in distance learning day(s) or a call is not made to the attendance line.

Monday & Tuesday

Group A Group B

Wednesday

Group A and B

Thursday & Friday

Group B Group A

Middle School

General Information

In a hybrid model, in-person learning will take place up to 2 days per week, depending on building capacity.
Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Students would be socially distanced in the classroom, to maintain space between themselves and other students.
Students would follow an AA | BB schedule.
The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
Teachers will teach in-person students and distance learning students at the same time (concurrent instruction).
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.

Students will be expected to:

Fully participate in the in-person/scheduled academic classes.
Complete all work in a timely manner.
Follow the technology expectations and student expectation guidelines.
Follow the CHAMPS process for class time.
Have a dedicated area to complete schoolwork and tasks at home.

Attendance

On in-person school days, attendance will be taken by the teacher; on distance learning days, students must check in every day.
If your student is ill, families should call their school's attendance line.
Attendance is important; unexcused absences will follow the Hennepin County "Be At School" truancy program.
An unexcused day is noted if a student does not attend in-person class on their scheduled day(s), participate in distance learning day(s) or a call is not made to the attendance line.
Students who are missing classes will be identified and brought forward to the MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) team and interventions will be developed. After seven missed classes, a staff person will be assigned to the student for daily check-ins. If after 15 missed classes, the student will be referred to their grade-level counselor and/or social workers.

Monday & Tuesday

Group A Group B

Wednesday

Group A and B

Thursday & Friday

Group B Group A

High School

General Information

Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Students would be socially distanced in the classroom, to maintain space between themselves and other students.
Students would follow an AA | BB schedule.
The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.
Students would follow a “block” schedule/alternating day schedule, similar to full distance learning.

Students will be expected to:

Fully participate in the in-person/scheduled academic classes.
Complete all work in a timely manner.
Follow the technology expectations and student expectation guidelines.
Follow the CHAMPS process for class time.
Have a dedicated area to complete schoolwork and tasks at home.

Attendance

On in-person school days, attendance will be taken by the teacher; on distance learning days, students must check in every day.
If your student is ill, families should call their school's attendance line.
Attendance is important; unexcused absences will follow the Hennepin County "Be At School" truancy program.
An unexcused day is noted if a student does not attend in-person class on their scheduled day(s), participate in distance learning day(s) or a call is not made to the attendance line.
Students who are missing classes will be identified and brought forward to the MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) team and interventions will be developed. After seven missed classes, a staff person will be assigned to the student for daily check-ins. If after 15 missed classes, the student will be referred to their grade-level counselor and/or social workers.

Monday & Tuesday

Group A Group B

Wednesday

Group A and B

Thursday & Friday

Group B Group A

Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Center-Based Classroom

Definition: students who receive the majority of their special education services in an early childhood special education classroom.
In a hybrid model, in-person learning will take place up to 2 days per week, depending on building capacity.
Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Students would follow an AA | BB schedule.
The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
Your student's schedule may include: welcome activity; circle time; small group activity; supported independent practice; read aloud; specialized instruction and closing.
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.

Inclusion

Definition: students who receive their special education services within an early childhood classroom.
In a hybrid model, students will engage in learning in-person and in distance learning.
Students will receive their special education services based on their IEP during distance learning.
In-person IEP services embedded into classroom routine.
1:1 Live instruction to address IEP goals and objectives via Google Meet.
Modified activities as needed to support engagement, IEP goals and classroom participation during in person learning and distance learning.

Inclusion Schedule (subject to change)

Two day preschool at New Hope Learning Center: 1 day per week in person; 1 day per week distance learning.
Three day preschool at New Hope Learning Center: 1 day per week in person; 2 days per week distance learning.
Four day preschool at New Hope Learning Center: 1 day per week in person; 3 days per week distance learning.
Five day preschool at Zachary Lane: 1-2 days per week in person; 3-4 days per week distance learning.
Five day preschool at New Hope Hearing Center/elementary schools: 1-2 days per week in person; 3-4 days per week distance learning.

B-3 Early Intervention

Definition: students who receive their special education services in their home or natural environment.
Students and families will receive coaching sessions and services based on their Individualized Family Service Plan either virtually or one to one in outdoor settings following Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Guidelines. Students and families may be invited to New Hope Learning Center to complete face to face components of an evaluation as needed.

Center-Based Special Education K-12

Center-based definition: Students who receive Special Education services for more than 60% of their school day in a small classroom environment. (STARS, WAVE, RISE and LEAP programs).
In a hybrid model, students will engage in learning in-person and in distance learning.
Building capacity would be up to 30-50%.
PreK-8th grade would follow an AA | BB schedule.
- The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Wednesdays will be utilized as a cleaning day to ensure the safety of students and staff.
High school in-person learning will take place up to 1-4 days per week, depending on building capacity.
Your student's schedule may include: welcome activity; circle time; small group activity; supported independent practice; read aloud; specialized instruction and closing.
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.
Learning may include: am and pm classroom meetings/social-emotional sessions; two learning blocks involving mini-lessons, pre-recorded or live-guided practice; independent activities posted in SeeSaw or Schoology; individual and/or small group instruction with specialized live sessions for IEP services based on individualized continuous distance learning plan; movement breaks; specials, allied and elective courses.

Elementary School

Case managers will reach out to families to discuss their student's IEP for distance learning the first few weeks of school.
Special Education staff will provide services through synchronous (live), asynchronous and telehealth models.
Mental health providers will be available to support caregivers with creating structures and routines for students at home to ensure success.
Special education evaluations will be conducted through Student Support Centers following appropriate safety protocols.

Middle and High School

Students with IEPs will have their schedules modified to fit the block model.
IEPs will be updated to reflect the change in minutes and delivery of instruction and support
Staff will be trained on providing IEP accommodations during distance learning.

Early Childhood: ECFE

General Information

This information is for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
Learning will be aligned to the state standards.

Please note, we are revising our ECFE parent and child course offerings to meet different family needs, while prioritizing the health and safety of our youngest learners, their families, and our staff. A revised brochure is forthcoming. Classes labeled Hybrid will move to having some components be online with opportunities for families to learn onsite in small groups, when approved to do so, based on guidance and safety measures. Due to the limitations of on-site visitors, sibling care will not be available.

Early Childhood: Preschool

General Information (5-Day Preschool)

In a hybrid model, in-person learning will take place up to 2 days per week, depending on building capacity.
Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Students would follow an AA | BB schedule.
The AA Group will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays, and participate in distance learning on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BB Group will participate in distance learning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays.
Specific AA | BB schedules will be shared before a move to hybrid learning.
Due to the limits on on-site visitors, Educational Assistants will greet students and return them to their families outside.

General Information (2-4 Day Preschool)

Programs that have busing will receive information prior to transitioning to Hybrid.
In a hybrid model, in-person learning will take place up at least one day per week, depending on class size and building capacity.
Building capacity would be up to 50%.
Due to the limits on on-site visitors, Educational Assistants will greet students and return them to their families outside.

Safety Measures

Children between ages 2-5 are asked to bring a mask and will be encouraged and supported in learning how to use them as developmentally appropriate.
We do not expect young children to follow social distancing practices at all times. However, we will teach and encourage children to “give one another space” and socially distance to the extent possible.
Good health hygiene will be practiced and taught. Children will wash hands frequently during the day--prior to entering the classroom, before and after transitions to different parts of the building such as the playground or motor room, etc.
Groups will be cohorted into pods of no more than 9 to minimize contact between pods, utilizing different entrances, scheduled room use and facilities for handwashing and sanitizing procedures.
Classroom materials will be minimized and individualized with protocols for handling of materials and high-touch surfaces. All staff will be trained on COVID awareness and the proper use of cleaning materials.
Outdoor spaces will be utilized as much as possible.
Classroom materials will be minimized and individualized with protocols for handling of materials and high-touch surfaces. All staff will be trained on COVID awareness and the proper use of cleaning materials.
Outdoor spaces will be utilized as much as possible.

Monday & Tuesday

Group A Group B

Wednesday

Group A and B

Thursday & Friday

Group B Group A

Adult Academic Program

General Information

Daytime in-person classroom instruction will be provided to lower level EL and GED/Academic Skills students between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon. Distance Learning (DL) instruction will be provided to upper level EL, some select Academic Skills students and stroke/brain injury classes for 2.5 hours during the 9:30 a.m. to noon time frame. Classes will be offered concurrently in order to make Family Literacy programming available. Students will also have access to teachers for individual assistance for 1.5 hours each class day (during posted office hours by appointment for in-person or by availability in a virtual environment).
Evening in-person classroom instruction is provided to lower level EL and GED/Academic Skills students for a minimum of 3 hours within the pre-COVID class time of 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Evening higher level EL classes will offer Distance Learning for a minimum of 2.5 hours within the same time frame; those students will also have access to teachers for individual assistance for 1.5 hours each class day (by appointment for in-person or by availability in a virtual environment).
GED and CASAS testing will be offered at least one morning each week, by appointment, with safe COVID practices following associated requirements.

AAP Support Center

Adult students may make individual appointments during designated hours for in-person support. The support can be in the following areas of need:

Academic support for those students struggling in the digital environment
Technology assistance for students struggling with technology and/or software at home
School Counselor and Resource Room support will continue to be available
Curbside pickup of hard copy academic materials
As an equity effort, AAP makes 20 computer stations at CLC available each day of instruction for students with technology/internet connection issues to use. This is similar to the GED testers that come in each day of scheduled tests. These stations maintain safe social distance and are disinfected daily after each use. Anticipated student attendance is likely very small; if not, strict limits are implemented.

Additional Information

Safety Measures

Stay home if you:

Have any symptoms of illness/COVID-19. Symptoms of COVID-19 currently include: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea. This is not an all-inclusive list and it is important to stay home if you have any signs of illness.
Have tested positive for COVID-19.
Are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
Recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Staff Protocol

All staff in buildings are required to:

Wear a face covering when not in a space by themselves.
Social distance six feet away from others while in the building.
Set a schedule with the principal for when they will be in the building and sign in and out every day.
Staff should not bring children or visitors into the building with them.
Staff are to stay home when displaying ANY signs of illness, per the current Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 exclusion guidelines.

Students/Families Protocol

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not currently recommend universal COVID-19 testing or symptom screening be conducted by schools to allow entry into programming.

Students and families should perform a self-screening for COVID-19 prior to leaving their home and coming to school. Parents/guardians sending students to school are confirming that their student is not experiencing COVID symptoms, has not been exposed to someone positive for COVID or is not awaiting a COVID test result or alternative diagnosis (ex. Sore throat that may be caused by Strep Throat).

The at-home screening includes: symptom check (sore throat, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, new onset of severe headache); temperature check; close contact/potential exposure.

Face Coverings

Face coverings will be mandatory for all staff, students, and visitors. Face coverings should be worn in combination with other infection control measures, including social distancing. The CDC has stated face coverings are most effective when they are worn by all individuals in public settings when around others outside of their home. This important mitigation strategy has ensured that students and staff will be provided the following from The State of Minnesota:

Every K-12 student will receive one cloth face covering.
Every school staff member will receive one cloth face covering.
Every school will receive three disposable face masks per student.
Every school will receive face shields for all licensed teachers and 50% of non-licensed staff.

Robbinsdale Area Schools has secured 100,000 masks to provide to staff and students that will need a face covering.

Face Shields

Face shields have been purchased for Speech and Language Clinicians, teachers who have DHH students in their classroom, Education Assistants working with our DHH students, and Health staff.

Disposable Gowns

Disposable gowns are being provided for use by Health Services and Special Education staff working directly with high risk populations. Gowns are being provided for use by Special Education staff, Health Service Staff and other staff working directly with high risk populations.

Playground Protocol

Students must wash hands before going to recess and immediately after coming in from recess.
Playground structures can be used. Playground structures are not sanitized as they are public.
Students should maintain 6 feet apart while outdoors.
Students may remove their masks outdoors unless they cannot maintain 6 feet of social distancing.
Playground equipment (e.g. balls, jump ropes, etc.) are not shared. All equipment is cleaned and sanitized after individual use.
Robbinsdale Area Schools will continue to follow MDH Playground Guidance.

Movement / Tracking of Movement in Buildings

Staff and students wash hands upon arrival to the school.
Staff and children wear masks indoors unless exempt.
Once in the building, students place belongings in their locker and then wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, then dried with a paper towel.
Social Distancing is used the entire day (6 feet or more apart)
Students are assigned a classroom.
Classroom Pods will take turns using the bathrooms and washing hands.
Drinking fountains can be used, students also have the option to bring water bottles from home.
Students and staff wash hands before and after all meals, before and after going outside, using any new space, and after using the restroom.
Traffic patterns will be on the floors to help navigate appropriate social distancing.
If possible, one way traffic patterns will be implemented.
Tables and chairs are sprayed and wiped down with sanitizer before and after meals.
At the end of the day, staff spray approved cleaner on all hard surfaces, let sit for 10 minutes and then wipe off. Staff then spray sanitizer on these surfaces and let it dry.
Contact tracing documentation binders (pod binders) will be available in all rooms. Staff document who is in what space for 15 minutes or more.

Transportation

Safety

Driver wears face covering.
All students required to wear masks.
Cannot exceed 50% capacity.
Siblings will be asked to share seats to ensure more social distancing between families.
Social distance as much as possible.
Capacity
Up to 50% capacity
Limit the bus to 31 passengers on 71-passenger bus; 3-4 passengers on special education buses.

Transportation Opt-Out

Families who prefer to not have their student(s) take the school bus to or from school (if the district is in hybrid or in-person learning) had the choice to opt-out of transportation services for the 2020-2021 school year.
Opting out is completely voluntary.
Families who have opted out of transportation services always have the option to resume services by contacting our Transportation Department at 763-504-8091.

School Meals

Athletics and Activities

Robbinsdale Area Schools follows guidance provided by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

MSHSL has released a COVID-19 NOTICE that is to be distributed to each family that has a student registering for any activities. Armstrong and Cooper are distributing this notice to families as part of the registration process.

MSHSL has created a page on their website that catalogs all MSHSL documents providing guidance and information for sponsored activities and athletics: Sports Guidance and Information COVID-Related Resources 2020-2021.

Transportation

Transportation

Transportation guidelines set forth by Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education will be followed by Armstrong and Cooper athletic departments in partnership with First Student.

General guidelines include:

Maximum of 31 students on a bus
Students must have a mask/face covering in place while on the bus.
Students must sit in every other seat.
Siblings will be able to sit together in the same seat.

Activity Bus

Traditionally a student athlete will take an activity bus home from after school practice. Armstrong and Cooper High Schools will be adding an activity bus route to pick up students and bring them to school for afternoon practice. Students will then ride an activity bus home after practice, Monday-Friday.

Activity routes will be run Monday through Friday, based on attendance, beginning on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Activity routes to pick-up students will resemble routes used to transport students home after practice. Students will be dropped off and picked up at designated bus stops.
A student will need to pre-register to ride the activity bus to get to practice.
The student will supply name, current address, student id# and parents' names via Google Form.
Students will need to show their school identification to the bus driver when loading the bus.
The bus driver may ask the student to remove mask/face covering to determine identity.
If current student id’s have not been distributed, the corresponding athletic office will provide students with a temporary bus pass.
Once registered for activity bus pick-up, the student will be required to ride the bus unless they have notified their coach or athletic office.
School drop off and pick-up locations:
- Armstrong - Will use the circle in front of school to drop off and pick-up students
- Cooper - Will drop off and pick up students in the back of school by the gyms. Between door 18 and door 19.

Current teams will have players register for activity bus access from August 25-August 31. This will help First Student to evaluate routes and location stop needs.

Football and Volleyball fall practice seasons begin on September 14, 2020. Bus ridership should increase during that time. Bus needs will be part of the registration process for these students. The complete information may not be available until September 6, 2020.

Spring sports holding fall season practice will not begin until October 5, 2020. Registrations for this will occur in early September.

Game Transportation

Armstrong and Cooper High Schools will provide transportation for their teams to a scheduled game.

Students will ride with the team to a game.
If a student chooses to ride home with a parent, the parent/guardian will need to provide written permission the day prior of the game to the head coach.

General guidelines for game transportation will be the same:

Students will be socially distanced on the bus.
Students must sit in every other seat.
Students must have a face covering in place while on the bus.
Siblings will be able to sit together in the same seat.

School-Age Care

Executive order 20-82 indicates when Robbinsdale Area School operates a hybrid or distance learning model “must provide school-aged care for Eligible Children at no cost during the time those children are not receiving instruction in the school building during regular school hours.” This school-age care must be provided for school-age children age 12 and under who are children of critical workers in Tier I of the state critical worker list. Children of Tier I workers only will be cared for at no cost during the typical school hours. For more information about providing school-age care, including the list of Tier I workers, see the “School-age Care Programs in Schools” section of MDE’s 2020-21 School Year Planning Guidance.

To register for child care, please visit https://rdale.ce.eleyo.com/. Child care will be provided for elementary and middle school students.

School Age Care Daily Schedule

Early morning and late afternoon care will include fun, enriching activities. Care during school day hours will include staff facilitating the district learning schedule for students. The staff are not licensed teachers but will manage the classroom, help with questions, help students log on to meet with their teachers virtually and plan natural breaks such as recess and meal times. Child care will follow MDH health guidelines for school age care programs. Each site supervisor for school age care will communicate a detailed daily plan which includes what to bring, drop off/pick up procedures, daily schedule and other important information once your registration has been accepted and before your first day of attendance.

Volunteers

In the 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools: Health Considerations for Navigating COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health requires that, “Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations should be restricted.” Therefore, we will continue to suspend the use of in-person volunteers in the distance learning and hybrid scenarios.

A new “virtual” volunteer program is being created allowing our existing volunteer pool to work directly with students while addressing data privacy and supervision issues. Contact Mindy Potvin in our Volunteers in Partnership office at volunteers@rdale.org.