Local schools stay with current learning models

Luverne Public Schools will continue with current learning models until the holiday break.
However, starting Jan. 4 elementary students will transition from hybrid learning to in-person instruction, and middle-high school students will move from distance learning back to a hybrid schedule.
“The county and Southwest Health and Human Services appreciate everyone’s effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 by masking up, socially distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and practicing healthy hygiene and positive behaviors,” wrote Superintendent Craig Oftedahl in a Dec. 1 letter to parents.
“The health care providers at Sanford support students being in school and support the behaviors and protocols that are in place at Luverne Public Schools.”
The district’s incident support team — a group of school and health professionals along with parents — meets weekly to review various data points including incidents within the school district.
Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday break on Nov. 24, reports of positive tests, exposure and quarantine involved 150 students and staff.
As of Dec. 4, COVID-related absences reported in the district dropped to 66.
However, Rock County has seen the number of community positive cases continue in the double digits including one additional death, according to the state Department of Health
“Staffing remains a huge concern for the district and will be a factor should we need to alter our learning model,” Oftedahl indicated.
Luverne School District’s holiday break is from Dec. 19 through Jan. 3.
 
H-BC continues model, is prepared for change
Hills-Beaver Creek School District continues with socially-distanced, in-person instruction.
“If warranted, the district will move to a hybrid model/in-person Mondays through Thursdays and distance learning on Fridays,” Superintendent Todd Holthaus indicated in the district’s newsletter.
“If warranted, specific grade levels of students, one or both buildings, will go into distance learning. Know that there will be time of planning and transition time (one day or two of no school) prior to moving to distance learning.”
H-BC’s holiday break is Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.