Robbinsdale Area Schools

Smart Start

Safely Coming Back to School


As always, the health and safety of our students, staff and families are our number one priority. Our decisions are guided by the Minnesota Department of Education in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health.

Every decision we make is guided by our values:

  • Health and safety of students, staff and families

  • Focus on social-emotional needs 

  • Equity, fairness and inclusion

  • Meeting the diverse needs of students and staff

  • Continuity of instruction which is based on State standards

  • Unified District Vision and Equity policy as guiding documents

Because of the evolving nature of COVID-19 and the on-going efforts to create and maintain a safe learning environment for Robbinsdale Area Schools students, updates to this page will be made frequently. The District will share important information with families in the event a shift in learning models occurs. Additional communication would follow from the school regarding school-specific information. We will continue to review county data twice per month (on the 15th and 30th) to continue our review of 14-day data cycles.

Smart Start Considerations

Considerations for our Smart Start include: 

  • Safety
  • Equity
  • Achievement
  • Staff, student, parent/guardian feedback
  • Social/emotional
  • Operations
  • Instruction
  • Technology
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Current Status

Grades PreK-5
In-Person Learning

Middle & High School:
In-Person Learning (Wednesdays asynchronous)

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Smart Start 2020-2021 Learning Models

These models will be implemented based on guidance from local health officials and other considering factors. As the school year progresses, and if there is a shift to a model other than Distance Learning PLUS, families will be able to opt-in to continue in a distance learning model known as 281 Distance Learning School.

HIGH COVID-19 Transmission Rate in the Community
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Distance Learning PLUS

Students Learn at Home, and Engage in Personal Learning with Unified Supports

Students will engage in classes and conduct learning remotely. Learning includes direct teacher instruction and independent student work, with a combination of virtual meetings, interactive class sessions and pre-recorded videos. The components of instruction will include the academic content and social-emotional curriculum.

HIGH ⟷ LOW
Transmission Rate in the Community
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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 PLUS. 

LOW COVID-19 Transmission Rate in the Community
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In-Person Learning

Students Learn In School

Students will learn in a traditional, at-school learning experience with additional safety measures implemented based on guidance from health officials. Per safety guidelines, students are grouped together with the same staff throughout the day; all day for elementary students and as much as possible for older students.

Family Choice Learning Options

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281 Distance Learning School

K-12 Grade Students May Choose to Learn at Home Full-Time

This remote learning option (K-12 students) is for families who do not want their students to attend in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Families must register for this option. Registration for 281 Distance Learning School has closed.

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Robbinsdale Virtual Academy

9th and 10th Grade Students

Robbinsdale Virtual Academy (RVA) is an online school for high school students. RVA offers a fully online curriculum, with courses which were developed to be taught online. Students do not meet in a physical classroom at a specific time, and gives students the flexibility to design their own high school experience. 

Online courses offer the same challenge in a different format. The amount of time and work will be equal to traditional, in-person courses. Courses include:

  • Videos, readings, assignments, quizzes and tests in Schoology
  • Online discussions, interactive class sessions and projects
  • Weekly reflection and goal-setting
  • Daily access to subject licensed teachers for support in assignments
  • More than 20 courses are available for Fall 2020
  • PSEO Options

Students have the option to stay enrolled at their current school as the district moves between learning models throughout the school year.

K-12 Grade Students

Schools are starting the year in the Distance Learning PLUS model, and may move fluidly between in-person classes and distance learning throughout the year (depending on COVID-19 transmission rates among other factors).

If you'd like to your student to follow the district's movement between learning models, no action is needed.

Recent Updates

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This communication regarding face coverings was shared wuith staff and families on May 14.

Help Keep Everyone Healthy

As we look forward to students returning to school tomorrow, we want to remind families and staff that they should remain home if feeling ill.

Additional Information