.
.Meal options for Distance Learners.
Orders for meals the week of November 30-December 4 are due by 9 am, Friday, November 27, 2020.
Click Here for Complete Details & Order Form
Apply for Educational Benefits by December 8
Tiger of the Week: Landon Butler
Meal Packaging & Distribution
Our Child Nutrition staff are doing an amazing job packaging and distributing meals to families.
FREE weekly meal kits can be ordered on Thursdays and picked up on Tuesdays.
Take advantage of this opportunity!
Contact our Food Service Specialist Kristin Nelson with questions. Call 320-234-2603 or email kristin.nelson@isd423.org.
Tiger of the Week: Adri Rhoda
Celebrate!
American Education Week is being celebrated this year November 16-20, 2020. In 1921, Members of the American Legion, the US Office of Education, and the National Education Association created a plan to improve literacy/physical fitness and recognize the importance of education. These goals are as relevant today as they were in 1921 and have been celebrated the week before Thanksgiving since then.
With the entire world being adversely affected by COVID-19, the challenges for students, families, and educators have never been greater. In a matter of a few days in March 2020, Hutchinson Public Schools were required to transition from traditional in-person education to distance learning, providing daycare, and delivering breakfasts/lunches throughout the district. The Hutchinson Board of Education truly salutes all involved in meeting the challenges of this emergency. The teachers, staff, and administration in Hutchinson have done an amazing job of keeping education moving forward for our students.
With that said, one thing we have learned is that there is no substitute for in-person learning. Technology has enabled us to provide distance and hybrid learning, but there are limitations. There is no substitute for the relationships that can only happen in-person – between students and their teachers and peers. The social and emotional development of students depends on relationships. In addition, there are many curricula that don’t work as effectively in a distance-learning mode such as chemistry/ physics/biology labs, welding, construction, technical education, art, band, and choir.
Through all of the adversities and challenges of 2020 our educators in Hutchinson have gone above and beyond their regular duties to learn new technology and other skills to ensure that quality education continues. On behalf of the Hutchinson Board of Education, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students, families, teachers, staff, and administration that make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and learn. Thank you!
Keith Kamrath
On behalf of the Hutchinson Board of Education
Tiffany Barnard
Byron Bettenhausen
JoEllen Kimball
Brian Pollmann
Chris Wilke
Activities: November 16-21, 2020
Click Here to View This Week’s Activity Schedule
For more information about the HHS Activities Department – Click Here
Click Here for Spectator Guidelines
Tiger Pride!
Learning Model Decision Factors
By Daron VanderHeiden, Superintendent
The two things people are probably most tired of hearing about is COVID-19 and political ads. I really wanted to stay away from these topics, however, I need to address the COVID-19 issue as it pertains to how the District determines which learning model (in-person, hybrid, or distance learning) is appropriate.
The District determines the appropriate learning model based on a set of factors and guidelines the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have established statewide for all k-12 public schools. There is some local control; however, school districts must strictly adhere to the established parameters. I would describe the decision making process as part science and part art due to the local subjective nuances. The following factors are considered when determining our learning model.
County 14-day Case Rates: This is an important data factor; however, it is not the only factor in making a learning model decision. The numbers posted each week represent the number of confirmed cases per 10,000 residents in the county over a 14-day period. The numbers are two weeks old when posted (they are not from the two-week period in real-time at the time they are published). The delay in posting numbers is due to MDH vetting and analyzing the numbers to ensure confirmed cases are attached to the correct county in which the individual resides. The county 14-day case rate can also be very misleading, as numbers may be driven by a specific outbreak in another part of the county that has little or no impact on our school community.
District COVID-19 Case Rates: The District tracks and analyzes the number of confirmed cases within our own school community including staff and students. This number can be more important than the county case rate. During the first two months of school, the District was very fortunate to see very few confirmed cases. However, we have seen an increase in the past week or so, similar to what is happening in our region.
Implementation of COVID-19 Safety Plan: The implementation of our safety plan is another critical factor in determining our learning model. The Hutchinson Public School staff is doing a remarkable job implementing our safety plan, including mask wearing, social distancing, and hygiene practices. Our nursing staff is doing an excellent job following protocols with the cases we have had and have not allowed those cases to spread to the larger student bodies within our buildings. Students and parents are being supportive and good partners in helping us implement our safety plan.
Regional COVID-19 Support Team: Hutchinson Public Schools works directly with a Regional COVID-19 support team with individuals from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health. The District consults and relies on the expertise of these individuals before transitioning to a different learning model.
Please know, the District’s first and most important priority is the health and safety of our students and staff. This priority is always at the forefront of all of our decisions. As we learn more about the virus and how it impacts our school community, we make adjustments to our protocols and practices.
I look forward to the day all of our kids are back in school, this pandemic is behind us, and we can focus all of our efforts on student achievement and success.
Learning Model & School Calendar Changes Effective 11/13/20
The Covid-19 virus is currently spreading quickly through our community (with a County-wide projected case rate of up to 100 by the end of November). Due to the extreme change in case rates, Hutchinson Public Schools will make the following learning model and school calendar changes effective on Friday, November 13, 2020.
Elementary Schools (PreK – Grade 5)
- Friday, November 13: No school for students (Hybrid Learning planning time for teachers)
- Monday, November 16 – 20: Follow Hybrid Learning Schedule
- Friday, November 20: End of Trimester 1
- November 23 – 25: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for teachers)
- November 26 – 27: Thanksgiving Break, no school for students or staff
- Monday, November 30: Begin Distance Learning
Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)
- Friday, November 13: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for Tri 1)
- Monday, November 16 – 20: Begin Distance Learning
- Friday, November 20: End of Trimester 1
- November 23 – 25: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for Tri 2)
- November 26 – 27: Thanksgiving Break, no school for students or staff
- Monday, November 30: Continue Distance Learning
At this time, we plan to be in Distance Learning (beginning November 16 for grades 6-12 and beginning November 30 for PreK-grade 5) through December. However, county, community, and school district case rates will continue to be closely monitored. We will work with our Covid-19 regional support team to determine when we can have students safely return to school.
Please continue your efforts in supporting social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing. Before leaving home, screen yourself and your children. If symptoms are present, please stay home.
Stay safe and take care.
School Board Meeting: November 13, 2020
The ISD 423 Board of Education will conduct a special meeting on Friday, November 13, 2020 beginning at 3:00 pm via teleconference to canvass the election results.