On Aug. 10, the Westonka School Board approved Westonka Public Schools' Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year. Based on current health data, Shirley Hills Primary School plans to begin the year in the In-Person Learning Model. Students will attend school in person 5 days a week, Monday-Friday.

Schools will create as much space between students and teachers as is feasible during the day, but are not held strictly to enforcing 6 feet of social distancing. Westonka schools will follow all requirements outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Students will have high-quality, research-based and engaging teacher-led instruction every day. The first few weeks will have a strong focus on building relationships, identifying learning gaps, and helping students feel engaged and connected to their school.

Shirley Hills Primary School staff will give extra attention to helping young students adjust to being back in school, interacting with friends and strengthening academic skills.

A Distance Only Option is available to enrolled students who may be medically vulnerable or who are otherwise unwilling to return to in-person learning, as well as students who cannot be physically present in the classroom due to illness or exposure to COVID-19. Depending on registration numbers, students at the primary school level may be placed in a distance learning cohort with instruction delivered by a distance learning teacher from Shirley Hills or Hilltop. Grade-level distance learning will align with in-person learning in terms of curriculum and pacing.

The Shirley Hills COVID-19 Safe Learning Plan web pages provide an overview of the school's plans for all three educational models outlined by the state—hybrid learning, distance learning and in-person learning. Check back often, as these pages will continue to be updated in the coming days and weeks.