Brooklyn Center Schools to Start Year with Distance Learning for Most Students
The Brooklyn Center School District has decided to go with a limited hybrid learning model that has most students starting the year with full-time online learning. The school board approved the district’s Ready to Learn plan at the Aug. 10 meeting.
Brooklyn Center school Superintendent Carly Baker
Brooklyn Center schools will start fall classes Tuesday, Sept. 8. The small suburban district includes Brooklyn Center Middle and High School, and the newly named Brooklyn Center Elementary STEAM school (formerly Earle Brown Elementary). According to Brooklyn Center school Superintendent Carly Baker, this type of learning scenario will go through at least Friday, Oct. 9.
With the limited hybrid learning model, students of preschool age through high school will have full-time distance learning to start the year. The only students to have the option of on-campus learning are in the district’s special education program.
“Being a decision maker right now has been incredibly difficult because it often feels like there is no right answer,” said Baker in a statement to families.
District Decisions Use County COVID-19 Case Rate Guidance
School districts across the state are, in part, basing their decisions on 14-day county COVID-19 cases rates. For Hennepin County, the 14-day case rate has inched up to 23.76 cases per 10,000 people. Under the Minnesota Department of Health guidance, that case rate would fall under a hybrid model recommendation for all students. Districts can also choose a more cautious option.
The Brooklyn Center plan requires staff to report to district buildings for work in a socially distanced manner. Besides students in special education, the campus will only be open to students to meet with teachers individually or in small groups to receive instructional support.
Baker says a decision will be made on Friday, Sept. 25, about what model to implement for Monday, Oct. 12. Families can also opt for full-time online learning if the school district eventually brings more students back to campus..
“This is the first step in bringing people back together but in the most responsible way possible,” said Baker. “Should cases decrease in our community, we will be able to look at a less restrictive model of learning, either expanded campus hybrid or in-person learning.”
