Faribault Public Schools Opening Hybrid Bethlehem Academy All In School

The Faribault Public Schools official announcement concerning opening this fall should be no surprise to anyone.  The School Board voted to open in person in the elementary buildings and a mixture of in person and distance learning at the middle and high school levels during a meeting last week.

All Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6 students will return to school every day with strict safety precautions in place.  Students in Grades 7 through 12 will attend school two days a week, engage in distance learning three days each week.

A full-time distance learning option will be available for all students.

The Faribault Public School Board is asking families to log on to Infinite Campus to let them know your plans for the upcoming school year "as soon as possible."

On the Faribault Public School District website they state, "We can't wait to welcome students back into our school buildings."

During the adoption last Monday at a special meeting of the Faribault Board of Education Superintendent Todd Sesker emphasized the vote was announcing the District's intent and the official announcement would be made August 17, 2020.

The resolution passed also gives the Superintendent the authority to "pivot" at anytime his administration deems necessary.  In other words the District Office can change the "learning model" without calling a special meeting of the School Board.

Classes at the elementary level will be limited to 12 to 14 students so social distancing can be implemented.  Pre-K-Grade 5 students will attend their elementary school or the Mckinley building.  Large common areas like media centers and gymnasiums will be converted to classrooms if needed.

Grade 6 students district-wide will attend Faribault Middle School.  An iPad is being provided to every student K-12.

Grades 7-12 students and Alternative Learning Center (ALC) students will attend school two days each week after being split into two groups.

Faribault Middle School and High School Group A will be in person Monday and Tuesday, distance learning the remaining days.  Group B is in school Thursday and Friday with distance learning provided also.

Wednesdays will be distance learning days for all Faribault Middle School (7-8) and FHS students (except center-based), with time for "individual student interventions, enrichment, planning for instruction and deep cleaning of the buildings in addition to the daily cleaning.

Classrooms will be set up to provide social distancing and reduced to approximately 12-18 students at the middle school level, 15-21 at high school depending on the size of class and space available.

School starts September 8 in the Faribault Public Schools.

Faribault Bethlehem Academy plans to have all students back in the classroom.  On the Bethlehem Academy website they are promoting an information session online where parents and students can ask questions about the BA plan to start school on September 1.

First-year superintendent, Mrs. Mindy Reeder and Assistant High School Principal Mr. John Wollersheim have been conducting the Q&A sessions on the BA Facebook page.  The latest session entitled: "Face coverings, orientation, and classroom setup."

The live online Q&A session is Tuesday, August 18 at 6:15 p.m.