On March 25th, Governor Tim Walz issued an Executive Order that all Minnesota public schools will begin Distance Learning starting on Monday, March 30th through Tuesday, May 4th. This means that starting on Monday, March 30th students will NOT report to the school sites but rather begin education remotely at home as part the ZED Distance Learning Plan. As per Minnesota Department of Education, students will be able to return to school buildings (face-to-face instruction) on Tuesday, May 5th.
Why are ZED Schools Closing Now?
ZED is following direction from the Governor’s office, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control/Prevention (CDC) to temporarily close schools. ZED will be suspending student programming from March 16th-March 27th 2020 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Per Governor Walz’s emergency executive order, there is no student instruction during this time period to allow schools to prepare for potential distance learning. **Starting on March 30th, students will begin distance learning and get their education remotely from home. Distance Learning will end on Monday, May 4th with students returning to school sites starting on Tuesday, May 5th. You should have received contact already from your ZED School/Program about distance learning. If,not, please email the supervisor (see below) or call the main office at 507-775-2037 to leave a message
What is distant learning and how will that look like at ZED? Distance learning is learning that will take place outside of the school and at home. It is different from e-learning as it doesn’t always involve technology and it could involve academic activities that are done at home. ZED’s current distant learning plan is located on the main website and also here Distance Learning Link
Will my students continue to receive support services such as occupational therapy, speech services, physical therapy,etc.) as part of my distant learning plan should it be implemented? Yes however ZED is currently working on that plan and will be communicated once finalized on how those services would be delivered in a distance learning format
How will ZED students take advantage of meals during the distance learning timeframe? ZED contracts with Byron Public Schools for its meals and all ZED students are eligible to use Byron’s plan. Since ZED students come from 7 member district communities, another option is for the students to take advantage of the meal plan in their resident area school district near their home. All 7 member district meal distribution plans for breakfast/lunch during the the March 30th-May4th timeframe are located at the link below:
ZED Family Food Options During School Closure
How will ZED students/families be notified of updates and changes? We will utilize our normal channels of communication which includes the Remind messenger system (text, phone, email), ZED website, ZED social media,etc. Additionally our ZED staff are reaching to every family and feel free to contact your child’s school.
***During the two-week “Stay At Home” order from March 27th-April 10th, you can contact the main ZED office to leave messages for ALL ZED sites at 507-775-2037 or can email any of the ZED School supervisors
ZED ALC astites@zumbroed.org
ZED South Campus dellingworth@zumbroed.org
Transition 2 Success pames@zumbroed.org
ZED Main office pgordon@zumbroed.org
Birth-3 cjohnson@zumbroed.org
Additional Resources
Minnesota Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Minnesota Department of Education
Talking to Kids About The Coronavirus
Guidance To All Minnesotans Strategies to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota
