In response to a significant reduction in staff available to work in person due to COVID-19, Minneapolis Public Schools will temporarily move to online learning Friday, Jan. 14 through Thursday, Jan. 27. There is no school on Monday, Jan. 17 due to MLK Day and also no school on Friday, Jan. 28 for teacher record-keeping. In-person learning in schools will resume on Monday, Jan. 31.
- MPS families are encouraged to keep students home for online learning during this time if they are able. As often as possible, teachers will actively engage online with students during scheduled student contact time.
- For families who cannot keep students at home, schools will be open for online learning. Bus transportation will continue and meals will be available. Online learning at schools will take place under the supervision of available school staff, though not necessarily in regular classrooms, so students should bring supplies such as headphones if possible.
- Families do not need to formally notify their school whether they will learn online at home or school. However, so that MPS can plan for staffing coverage, we are asking families to fill out the following survey by Sunday, Jan. 16, indicating whether you intend to send your child(ren) to school for in-person online learning.
Why online learning now?
The shift to online learning is due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on MPS staffing. The current surge in COVID-19 challenges the ability to operate schools and provide transportation at full capacity, but MPS remains committed to providing consistent learning for students. Online learning provides that opportunity.
What is online learning?
A variety of terms are used to describe different scenarios when students are not able to come to school to learn in person.
- Online learning is when ALL students learn virtually. Online learning is currently a crisis response to MPS’s significant staff reduction due to COVID-19.
- Distance learning refers to the model that was previously in place in 2020-21 under the Governor’s emergency executive order, which has since ended. In the interim, the legislature did not amend the law to allow for distance learning as we knew it last school year.
- E-learning is when ALL students are learning virtually due to inclement weather. MPS has been allotted a total of five e-learning days for the school year.
Additional information for online learning
- Students should remember to take their devices home tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 13.
- Daily school schedules remain the same during online learning.
- Transportation will continue for families choosing to send their children to school for supervised online learning, although there may be delays.
- Meals will continue to be offered at each school. Families who choose to do online learning from home can pick up bagged meals (breakfast and lunch) each day from their school. You can also visit the City of Minneapolis website for more meal options.
- Before-school, After-school and Enrichment Activities:
- Minneapolis Kids will not be available during online learning and parents should plan around the fact that MPS will not be transporting kids from their Minneapolis Kids sites to school.
- In-person after-school programs are canceled. Families will be notified if programming moves to a virtual format.
- Varsity athletic practices and competitions will continue. Junior varsity, B-squad and middle school athletics will not operate during online learning.
- Students will have access to mental health support at all schools and school-based clinics at the secondary level.
- Early Childhood Family Education classes will be virtual.
- Attendance will be taken online by teachers.
- COVID-19 Testing
- Families can pick up at home rapid tests for their students from their schools.
- Mandatory athlete testing continues if a varsity team is practicing or competing.
- Tech Support: Students who need assistance with their devices can call 612-668-0088.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school. We thank you for your continued support, patience and partnership.