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Reopening Schools

School leaders across Minnesota have been called to plan for an unprecedented return to school in the fall in the midst of an unpredictable pandemic. Preparation, flexibility and responsiveness will remain paramount. MREA has prepared guides to support schools in their planning and implementation.

View the state plan for the 2020-21 school year.

Minnesota Guidance

The Minnesota Department of Education has asked school leaders to prepare for three learning models in the next school year.

  • In-person learning for all students
  • Hybrid model with strict social distancing and capacity limits
  • Distance learning only

MDE released specific guidance on scenario on June 18 and, with the Minnesota Department of Health, provided a framework for localized, data-driven decision-making on July 30. View full Safe Learning Plan.

Latest News & Resources

CDC Guidelines

These set the stage and parameters for all other guidance.

Planning for Hybrid

MREA developed guides for schools on implementing the new hybrid learning model with these key steps:

  1.  Assess
  2. Pre-Plan
  3. Build New Master Schedules
    (with interactive worksheet)
  4. Implement and Operationalize
  5. Communicate

View presentation from webinars MREA held in late June.

“This is the most difficult thought process of my administrative career. There are no perfect options; personally, I am scared to death of returning to school because there is a complete lack of the ability to control the situation. This is not simple. That said, my job is to help push dialogue forward and to lead.”

–  Superintendent’s take on reopening

“It’s going to be a new classroom world in the fall.”

– Larry Ferlazzo, a veteran high school teacher. See how he thinks it will look.