The coronavirus in Polk County has moved to a higher number of 33.24 (per 10,000 people) from September 27 to October 10 data. You may wonder why Win-E-Mac School is not moving to a different model as previously advertised before the school year began. Win-E-Mac School officials work with Polk County Public Health (PCPH) and other health agencies, and we believe we should remain status quo for now, as the number relates more to family units versus many individuals throughout the county. The latest seven-day cases make up 16% of school-age students. The data is broken down daily by PCPH and is monitored very closely. Superintendents met online on Thursday with the commissioner of MDE, and additional guidance has been issued to the E-12 schools regarding the educational model:
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provided additional guidance to E-12 public schools this week on learning and expectations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adjusting the learning model
School districts may adjust their learning model based on the district’s statistics, rather than simply by county-level data. MDE told school leaders on Thursday that the decision is very much a local decision with multiple data points that help guide the decision. That means schools in the same community can be in different learning models based on each school’s data.
If a school district chooses the distance learning model when the data support a less restrictive model, the district can allow students to participate in activities and athletics.
The decision to change learning models will not be based upon a single, objective number, or data point. Nor is there a “magic” number that will determine when a model change needs to be made. Instead, schools must examine and analyze a number of “data points” in making this important decision. Initially, the 14-day rolling average in each county was an important metric that schools were directed to use to determine the learning models they should use to start the school year. However, these rolling averages should not be the only metric schools use to determine the need for a model change during the year. The following data points should also be utilized to inform such a decision now:
- Geographic data (zip codes and other data) about the spread of COVID-19 in the area.
- Demographic data around age groups with positive cases (how many school-aged children have COVID-19?).
- Whether or not community spread is occurring in our school buildings.
- The number of school district employees who are unable to perform their duties due to contracting COVID-19 or needing to quarantine after close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.
- Whether the school is still a safe place for students to learn and employees to work.
School district leaders have met with the NW Minnesota COVID Regional Response Team to consult about the data points listed above. The Regional Response Team, which is comprised of experts from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), has advised us that, despite increasing numbers in our county, we do NOT need to change our learning models at this time. While numbers are rising throughout the county, COVID-19 is still not spreading as rapidly in our schools. Schools are still a safe place for students and employees.
Remember: “The behavior of the community will determine the model of instruction used in our school.”