Dear Families and Staff,

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced that all Minnesota public schools will close to students starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 with the plan to resume instruction on Monday, March 30, 2020. Whereas, we are required to close by Wednesday, Milaca Public Schools will remain in session on Monday and Tuesday to allow for families to plan for this unexpected closure. For cleaning and disinfecting purposes, when students leave on Tuesday, they should bring home all items from their lockers and desks. Please know, the school will be flexible in our attendance procedures for these days.   

During the school closure for students, Milaca Public Schools will be joining school districts and charter schools across the state to create plans to equitably distribute distance learning to our students should we need to close schools statewide for a longer period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Education is defining distance learning to mean that a student receives daily interaction with their licensed teacher(s) and appropriate educational materials. Starting March 30, 2020, per the direction from the Minnesota Department of Education, student learning will resume in the classroom or via distance learning.  

During the school closure, our educators will be giving thoughtful planning to our distance learning plan, offering careful consideration for students in a variety of areas, including students receiving special education services, students experiencing homelessness, and students who rely on meals served at school. Once our distance learning plan is finalized we will communicate the plan to families.

All Milaca Public School staff are asked to report to work starting tomorrow, March 16 through the end of the week.  We will be making plans and determining the next steps as the situation unfolds. Of course, ANYONE who is sick, been exposed to someone who is seriously ill, or who has recently traveled to a high risk area should not attend.

While schools are closed, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends:  

• Implement social distancing measures:

  • Do not attend large gatherings.

  • Limit the number of people gathering.

  • Allow 6 feet of personal space.

• Consider regular health checks (e.g., temperature and respiratory symptom screening).

• Continue frequent hand-washing and personal protection.

• Develop a household plan in case someone gets sick.

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptoms appear:

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Call your health care provider’s office before you go in.

• Limit movement in the community.

• Limit visitors.

Further Information

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health department for the latest updates.

Help Us Plan

Please take a few minutes to complete a short survey to help us plan in the event we are directed to implement distance learning. Parents, please check your email for the message and survey link.

As always, our first priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We also want to ensure every child has access to the education they need and deserve.

We will continue to keep you informed as we navigate COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Tim Truebenbach

Milaca Superintendent of Schools