Dec. 16, 2020 Governor Walz Update

Dec. 16, 2020 Governor Walz Update

Dear Hopkins Families: 

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced an important update to the Minnesota Department of Education’s School Safety Plan. The updated guidelines loosen the restrictions that have been in place since August for our youngest learners and would allow public school districts to begin in-person learning for early childhood, preschool, and elementary students starting January 18.

This change is based on data that young children are less susceptible to the virus and have lower transmission rates than older children and adults. For that reason, the updated guidelines do not affect our junior high and high school programming, which are encouraged to operate in distance learning until the number of positive cases per 10,000 is significantly lower. The current number in Hennepin county is 100. 

We are excited to have more flexibility to bring back our youngest students, and we also know that COVID-19 and the challenges it presents are not yet behind us. Hopkins principals and leadership teams will need a few days to analyze the new guidelines and plan for our next phase of safe, in-person learning models for E-12 students. Our intent is to start in-person learning in January. 

We will communicate a more detailed announcement no later than January 4. In this communication, we will share our phase-in dates and ask you if your learning preference has changed. Hopkins will continue to provide a distance learning option at all grade levels. 

Thank you as always for your patience and partnership with us. We will be in touch with more information soon!

Dr. M-R