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Schools plan for summer, fall

NEW ULM — The District 88 School Board discussed planning to program for the summer and next fall.

Superintendent Jeff Bertrang said staff is reviewing summer programming and guidance received by the Minnesota Department of Education. The summer school will begin the week after the regular year ends.

The summer school plans can include a hybrid model that uses some face-to-face instruction, in addition to the distant learning model. Some students have struggled with distance learning during the regular school year. The hybrid model can help deliver additional instruction for students who need it.

Kids Connection will begin June 15 with 110 students split between Washington Learning Center and Jefferson.

Meals will continue through the month of June with delivering and open campus pickup. The school is waiting for a USDA waiver to see if the delivery model can continue through July and August.

In June, the administration will review guidance for the next school year. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published guidance for the school, but this was from a national perspective. Bertrang said this guidance may not work for New Ulm in the fall.

“We’re waiting to see how this plays out,” Bertrang said. “We are going to put plans in place to take care of people as we always do.”

Bertrang thanked all the parents and staff for making adjustments this spring. He said it was not easy for anyone, but everyone pulled together and showed it does take a community to raise a child.

The State High School League has set June 15 as the earliest coaches can begin working with students in athletics. The district is waiting for guidance from the state on what will be allowed for summer recreation programs and coaching clinics.

Bertrang said groups might be limited to 10 with a coach and nine athletes. Socially distancing for outside sports is easier, but indoor sports will require new options.

The hope is the state will better define what is allowed by June 15.

The board approved a Middle School classroom door project for $74,876. The doors in the lower level will be replaced. A district-wide concrete repair project was also approved not to exceed $68,000.

The next school board study session will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the district conference room. The next regular school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, in the District Boardroom.

New Ulm High School’s Class of 2020 graduation ceremony program will start at 7 p.m. and can be viewed at the district website. The ceremony was recorded in advance and will be made available for viewing at 7 p.m. The video cannot be reviewed before 7 p.m. but will remain available on the school website in perpetuity for multiple viewings.

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