ISD 196 Middle, High School Students To Begin Hybrid Learning

EAGAN, MN — Middle and high school students in School District 196 will soon begin a hybrid learning model.

The district announced Feb.2 that it has approved a plan to begin a phased approach to gradually implement hybrid learning for middle and high school students.

As long as rates of COVID-19 continue to decline throughout both the county and district, grades 6-11 will begin hybrid learning February 22 and grade 12 will begin March 8. The 14-day case rate has to be between 20-29 cases for hybrid learning for all students, between 10-19 cases for in-person classes for elementary school students and hybrid for secondary students, and under 10 cases for all in-person classes. These numbers are per 10,000 residents.

This plan will have students return to class Monday and Thursday (cohort A) or Tuesday and Friday (cohort B), with Wednesdays remaining digital-only.

Those enrolled in the district’s digital academy have the option to remain in distance-learning through the end of the year, or request a change to the hybrid model. Schools will share a form for students to change their learning model. High school students in the academy who request a change to the hybrid model will begin on March 15-the first day of the third trimester.

For in-person and hybrid learning, the district will implement a mask policy, frequent cleaning, limiting non-essential school visitors, and monitoring students for signs of illness. For hybrid learning models, there will also be social distancing requirements, as well as regulations to ensure the schools and buses remain at 50% capacity. There is also a plan to implement HEPA air purifiers in each classroom.

Schools will share more information with students and families regarding the schedule and links to request hybrid learning.

View more of the transition plan.