Below you will find the timeline for St. Francis Area Schools' return to in-person learning. We know that many factors can change this plan. We are hopeful that local and county data will continue to support returning to school if that is the right choice for your family.

Elementary families who had previously chosen distance learning for their students will remain in distance learning classrooms. If they had already notified their schools of their wish to change to in-person, that change would begin on January 19.

Secondary families will soon receive a survey to identify their choice to remain in distance learning or return to in-person learning on the specified date for their student's grade level return.

December 16: Governor Walz releases new Safe Learning Plan updates

December 18: Anoka County Superintendents meet

December 21: Commissioner Richer Update with Superintendents

December 21: Return to In-Person Planning Meeting

December 22: Local COVID-19 Committee Review the Plan

December 22: Programs Supervisors and Principals Review Plan

January 4: Update plan to include Middle School and High School

January 6: Cabinet Final Review

January 11: Board Meeting Review of Plan

January 12: Superintendent Giese presents plan to Regional COVID-19 Team

Timeline of Return

January 13, 14, 15

Grades K-2 No school, planning days for transition

Grades 3-12 Distance Learning

January 18

No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 19

Pre-K-Grade 2 In-person

Grades 3-12 Distance Learning

January 27, 28, 29

Pre-K-Grade 2 In-person

Grades 3-12 No school, planning days for transition – Students that are part of
an AP class may have the option to come to class during the transition days

February 1

Pre-K-Grade 9 In-person

Grades 10-12 Distance Learning

February 15

No School Presidents Day

February 16

Pre-K-Grade 12 All students in session

Kindergarten through Grade 5 full distance learning students attend school virtually on these dates, with no transition days
Special Education programs should follow the plan given by Program Supervisor
Dates are subject to change if COVID-19 numbers rise or the state gives new guidelines
Saints Online will continue current programming

Technology

Elementary students will be directed to return loaned technology devices back to school. The device will stay “assigned” to that student and may be sent home again if needed for distance learning. Students grades 6-12 will keep their technology and it will travel back and forth with them.

Other safety measures and key components from the updated Safe Learning Plan

No more than three grade bands can be introduced into a building in a two-week time period when implementing an in-person learning model.
Wearing both face masks and shields is strongly encouraged for school staff at all times. Masks are required by staff unless approved by Human Resources.
A transparent barrier may be placed between an adult and a student while in a small group and individual instruction setting if needed.
Face coverings must be worn when engaging in indoor physical activity (e.g., indoor recess, indoor Physical Education class, or exercising in a gym). Physical Education classes may continue to be held indoors with a mask.
Testing for all in-person staff will be available every two weeks, starting February 1. Testing will be available at the District Office, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
See the Safe Learning Plan from the state of Minnesota