On August 8, 2020 the Minnesota Department of Education in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health released five goals to be implemented into school district reopening plans. These five goals included prioritizing the safety of students and staff, making in-person learning a priority, engaging in the science of COVID, supporting planning and flexibility, and disease prevalence at a local level. When Becker Public Schools started this process, we planned for an infinite number of variables and opportunities to follow the Minnesota Department of Education. Within our opening plan, we focused on four commitments similar to the previously mentioned five goals. These commitments are:

• Health and Safety –  Safe learning and working environments for our students, employees and community;
• Choices –  High quality educational options for our community;
• Social Emotional Well-Being – Wellness and engagement of our students, employees and community. Reinforcement and sustainability of positive relationships and connections among members of the learning community;
• Student Success –  Every student to deliver on our mission statement.

The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is of great importance and this must be balanced with the ability to provide a place for our children to go while parents are working during the day. It aligns with the ability to provide food for all of our children through the school lunch program. We must also consider the vast number of situations each family is in and provide opportunities for socialization.

Becker Public Schools has provided choices throughout our entire school year.  Families always have the option for different learning models. We have had students who have chosen distance learning for a variety of reasons. We have also been proud of being able to deliver in-person instruction up to this point in the school year for everyone who is willing and able. Distance learning is a family choice and will continue to be an option for those who wish to meet their child’s needs through this learning model. We do ask if you are interested in distance learning at this time that you notify your child’s school no later than Friday, November 20th at 3:00 pm. This will help in the transition and planning related to this option.

The social and emotional well-being of our students and staff is a considerable factor in our decision-making process as well. We have received numerous communications from families and students asking for us to get things back to normal and it is mostly tied to the need to socialize and be around other people. Becker Public Schools has partnered with Greater MN Family Services, Lutheran Social Services, and Sherburne County to provide mental health services to our students and staff. We will continue to provide this under all of our learning models.  

Student success has always been a large part of what we do here at Becker Public Schools. Our community has come to expect excellent student outcomes and this year is no different even in the middle of a pandemic.  

As we have progressed through the start of the school year and have completed nearly a third of the student year we have problem solved multiple times every single day. Our School District should be extremely proud of our students, staff, and community who have answered every situation with positivity, flexibility, and proactivity.  

As we look at making some changes and transitioning to distance learning for Becker Middle School and Becker High School, we do so with these four commitments in mind.  Becker Primary and Becker Intermediate Schools have developed plans to align with these four commitments as well.

Our numbers are rising considerably and this must be considered by families as they decide what is best for them. When weighing all of the options and our ability to meet the needs of our families and students, we have decided to offer in-person schooling for students in PreK-5. We will be taking increased safety precautions and utilize valuable resources available in Becker Middle School and Becker High School to help meet these needs. The pooling of our resources will allow us to staff food service, transportation, support staff, and teaching staff.  

Individual schools will be providing additional communication as details are ironed out.  Please see the important dates below that have already been identified.  

• November 20th – Deadline to contact Becker Primary School and Becker Intermediate School to change to Distance Learning for your child(ren)
• November 23rd – Last Day of In-person learning for group A (No School Elementary)
• November 24th – Last Day of In-person learning for group B (No School Elementary)
• November 30th/December 1st – Trimester 1 Distance Learning for all MS/HS students, Fifth Grade Students begin class at the Middle School and High School
• December 2nd/3rd – NO SCHOOL for MS/HS students for Staff Transition Day
• December 4th – NO SCHOOL FOR PREK-12
• December 7th – 1st day of Trimester 2 with all MS/HS students in Distance Learning
• December 11th and 18th – Modified Distance Learning Day 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. MS/HS has a typical Distance Learning Schedule.