Area students return to 'class' from home

Monday marked the first day of distance learning for area school district students who are sheltering at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
     Students last attended classes in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts on March 16. All Minnesota schools were closed by March 18, and since then teachers and staff have been working on the most effective methods to instruct students from home.
     Last week those plans were announced, and implementation began Monday morning.
     “Although our method of delivery will change, our mindset toward student growth will not,” wrote Luverne Superintendent Craig Oftedahl. “We will plan to find ways for students to continue learning and growing.” 
     Oftedahl emphasized continued patience, flexibility and empathy as the distance learning plans are in place through May 4, per Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order.
     Oftedahl also outlined what element is necessary to make plans successful.
     “Communication during our time of distance learning will be important,” he wrote. “Our staff is still working regular hours in the district or remotely.”
     Teachers are available by phone or email to answer questions or to help families who need assistance with technology or resources.
     Attendance will be taken daily from Monday through May 4 with students responding remotely each day.
Luverne Public Schools
     Luverne schools are using a blended learning model that includes both online real-time technology and individual work time.
     Each grade level is using one of four standardized learning management systems:
     •Prekindergarten (Discovery Time) is utilizing a Facebook group and email.
     •Kindergarten: paper packets and the SeeSaw application.
     •Grades 1-5: SeeSaw.
     •Grades 6-12, Google Classroom.
     At the elementary level, attendance will be taken through the SeeSaw application.
     Each morning before 9 a.m., classroom teachers in grades kindergarten through fifth grade will send a morning message to all students. The message will require a response by 3:30 p.m. to indicate a student was “present” in school. Students who fail to respond before 3:30 p.m. will be considered absent.
     Middle and high school students follow the same attendance procedure with advisory teachers posting a daily form in their advisory Google Classrooms. Students are to complete the daily form before 3:30 p.m. or be considered absent.
     The Luverne plan requires students to have self-discipline and motivation.
     The upper grades are expected to be present two to four hours a day (or 10-20 hours per week) completing assigned lessons, activities and experiences.
     However, the time per day may change based on grade level.
     Teachers are available to answer questions from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during school days.
     Student support services such as counselors, social workers, health services and special education are available under the distance learning plan.
     Speech and English language services will also be available.
     Child care continues to be available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the elementary school gym. There are currently 47 children signed up for child care. For more information contact the elementary office at 507-283-4491.
     Student meals are still being delivered to five locations in Luverne. A sign-up link is available on the district’s website.
     As of last week, the district was distributing 500 brown bag lunches and breakfasts each day.
Hills-Beaver Creek
     Teachers at H-BC are also using a blended learning model with the combination of online instruction and packet work. 
     The elementary school (pre-K through fifth grade) is using Google Classroom as a management system along with the videoconferencing application Zoom.
     The secondary school (grades 6-12) are also Google Classroom and Zoom along with Schoology and Google Meet. 
     Under H-BC’s distance learning plan, students are expected to spend 30 minutes up to 2.5 hours a day on reading/writing and math assignments and unlimited amounts of time with science, social studies, art, physical education, music and/or library studies each day. 
     H-BC Superintendent Todd Holthaus reflected on the first-time distance learning plan.
     “As we all know, parents are their child’s first teacher,” he wrote. “We would like to thank parents for working cooperatively and collaboratively with our staff. This gives new meaning to ‘It takes a Village to raise a child.’”
     The plan also outlined the goal for distance learning to have a comparable experience as a typical school day to “interact, to engage, to grow, and ultimately, to learn.”
     H-BC continues to operate child care for emergency personnel at the elementary school from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Contact the elementary at 507-673-2541 for more information.
     Currently 80 brown bag meals are being distributed in the H-BC school district. Thirteen kindergarten through fifth-grade students are in the child care program.
     Both districts plan for students to return to school buildings on May 5, depending on the coronavirus situation.