The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is recommending the state’s public PreK-12 schools remain open at this time, based on advice from the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC. MDE is recommending that schools actively plan at this time for the event that distance learning may need to be provided by the district for up to seven weeks.
Staying Open
MDH and MDE provided a series of reasons for schools staying open at this time, including:
- Children age 18 and under have the lowest risk of illness 2 percent and do not appear to spread it.
- Community mitigation by limiting gatherings of adults will slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Children need continuity of education.
- Schools provide youth in the state access to nutrition.
- Closing is not effective. Should schools close, students will still congregate.
- Closing schools has not clearly changed the spread of COVID-19 in other areas of the nation and internationally.
View CDC guidance and School Decision Tree.
Steps to Take
Communicate and Continue to Respond
School districts need to communicate with staff, parents, students and community about changes in events, and inform parents accurately about the absence or presence of COVID-19 in the school and community.
MREA has prepared an emergency response guide for schools. View key steps to take.
Plan for Closure
School districts need to plan for potential closure and distance learning as well as a blend of in-school, small group and distance learning.
MREA has prepared a guide to help jumpstart planning, including key steps and considerations. View how to plan for distance learning.
