As discussed last week, it looks like the numbers overall are starting to level off. That is the good news, the bad news is they have leveled off at a very high level. The number this week is 201.31. This is a significant decline in the 14-day rate and it is important to remain cautiously optimistic about this number. First of all, this week's number is still 20X the safe rate to bring all students back into the building. The most important statistic is it does not appear the Thanksgiving bump will occur. I know it was a difficult choice but it appears many people did make the right and safe decisions on not getting together over the Thanksgiving break. This may have helped immensely to keep the spike from happening.
Our numbers within our buildings this week continue to stay at a very low level. You can see these numbers in the chart below. When I stated to be cautiously optimistic it is with the understanding these numbers can go up very quickly as we have seen in the past. Please continue to make the safe decisions as we move closer to the holiday break. The sooner the numbers go down with all of us working together the sooner we can get all of our students back in school.
For now, we will remain in the hybrid model in the elementary and distance learning in the middle and high school until the holiday break. I want everyone to know that we are putting plans together to possibly bring back the middle school and high school students in the hybrid model by January 11. It will take some planning and working with the Regional Support Team to make this happen. Most importantly the numbers have to continue to keep going down. Currently, we are at 201.31, our middle and high school went to distance learning when the number was 81.5.
I am going to throw out another reminder on our free app. This is such an important tool to stay informed. This is our best way to communicate with you if there is any type of school closing due to the weather or other emergency situations. Go to your app store - whether it is an Apple or Android phone - and search for Melrose Area Public Schools, Minnesota. Make sure to use Minnesota since we know there is another Melrose school district in another state. Once you download the app make sure to adjust your notifications on your settings to receive push notifications.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact me or any of the building principals.
Greg Winter, Superintendent: gwinter@isd740.org
Chad Doetkott, High School Principal cdoetkott@isd740.org
Robert Anderson, Middle School Principal randerson@isd740.org
Terryl Pearson, Elementary School Principal tpearson@isd740.org