Blooming Prairie Extends Distance Learning into January

Just two days into distance learning, Blooming Prairie School District Superintendent Chris Staloch has announced the change will continue until January 7. Students are tentatively scheduled to switch back on January 11. Originally, BP had planned for just one week of distance learning with a return to the classroom on December 7.

In an email Tuesday morning, December 1, Staloch writes, "Due to the significant increase in county COVID case numbers and the significant increase in our community COVID numbers, Blooming Prairie Public Schools will be extending distance learning through Thursday, January 7 for the continued safety of our students, staff and community."

The email reports Steele County's case rate at 151.87 infections per 10,000 residents. Sixty-nine percent of the Blooming Prairie student population lives in Steele County. Freeborn County (127.43 cases/10,000), Mower County (117.92), and Dodge County (113.21) are the other counties where BP students live. The case numbers are as of November 27, 2020 from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Staloch asks families that wish to utilize the food service program to contact the high school. He also reports, "We have partnered with the Blooming Prairie Youth Club to provide childcare for tier I workers. We will continue to work with them to provide this service throughout our distance learning time. We are grateful for the work that they are doing."

Important dates for Blooming Prairie Public School:

• November 30 through December 23, distance learning
• December 24 through January 3, winter break [no school]
• January 4 through January 7, distance learning
• Friday, January 8 transition day, [no distance learning]
• Monday, January 11, return to in-person (Pre-K thru 6) and hybrid (7-12)