SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye Public School Superintendent John Cselovszki and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Principal Peter Roufs shared with The Journal how they are dealing with distance learning and the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Cselovszki said he and Sleepy Eye High School Principal Shane Laffen continue to hold students accountable for their attendance expectations under the school district’s distance learning plan. Issues can involve other school staff too.

“Our counselors and social workers reach out to families that don’t meet our attendance expectations,” Cselovszki said. “We hold attendance diversion meetings. If necessary, we contact social services about education neglect issues.”

Cselovszki said all public school district families are now connected to the Internet after the school district supplied “hot spots” (places where people can obtain Internet access) to families that initially had no connectivity.

“Our staff is doing a wonderful job connecting with students daily, keeping a regular schedule so it becomes routine for students,” Cselovszki said.

He said a tentative late June prom date has been set but the school district is waiting for further guidance on the end of the school year from the Minnesota Department of Education.

“We are discussing graduation but have not made a decision to postpone it for a later date or conduct a virtual (accessed by a computer) graduation ceremony,” Cselovszki said.

A flexible learning year school that began classes on Aug. 19, 2019, Sleepy Eye Public School’s last school day is May 15, 2020. Cselovszki said Gov. Walz’ current plan is for students to return to classrooms on May 5.

Roufs said overall, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s distance learning is going well.

“There are certainly challenges to it on all sides, but we are doing our best to be aware of the challenges and deal with them to the best of our ability,” Roufs said. “We have reached out to our parents and students about communicating with us what they are experiencing and what they need.”

Roufs said he is “really proud” of how students have taken distance learning on during uncertain times.

“We are trying to monitor students that may need extra assistance,” Roufs said. “I know teachers are going out of their way to help those students that have indicated they are struggling. Communication is key for this to be successful. We rely for everybody to do their role.”

Roufs said weekly faculty meetings are held to discuss updates and how things are going.

“There are no graduation decisions. We’re waiting on the decision from the governor if we can return (to school this school year) and to what capacity,” Roufs said.

“We are brainstorming now on how we can recognize our seniors if we are unable to return,” he added. “We emphasize that God allows this and from that, we can make good from it. Many students, parents, staff and community members have gone the extra mile during this time. We continue to rely on the Lord for his guidance and strength.”

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.