Starting this school year, when there is a need to close school due to weather, Hopkins Public Schools will shift to an eLearning day for PreK-12 students. This policy was approved by the Hopkins School Board at the Aug. 30 Board Meeting.
Moving to eLearning days makes it possible for students to engage in learning even when the weather makes it unsafe to operate in-person school. In addition, an eLearning format allows the district to plan for weather without having to consider adding additional days to the school year due to unexpected school closures. eLearning days do not apply to VirtualEDU as they will continue normal operations in the event of a weather related closure. During an eLearning day, instructors will be available to assist students virtually via Google Meets, email, and phone calls. Attendance will also be taken.
Communicating In-Person School Closure
Hopkins Schools will communicate a shift to an eLearning day due to weather as soon as possible, and ideally the day before the eLearning day is to take place. If we don’t have enough information to make the call to close our school buildings a day in advance, we will announce that we are considering shifting to eLearning the day before, and we will confirm our decision either way with families through our parent notification system (Blackboard Connect) in the morning. This message will be sent at least two hours prior to the start of normal school starting time. An eLearning day does not apply to a two-hour late start or an early release.
Shifts to eLearning will also be posted on our website (hopkinsschools.org), social media, and television stations such as WCCO TV (channel 4), KSTP TV (channel 5), KMSP TV (channel 9), and KARE (channel 11).
Please take a moment to log into Infinite Campus to make sure your email address and phone numbers are correct to ensure that you will receive communication in the event of a closure or an emergency.
Junior High and High School Students
Should an eLearning day be called, our junior high and high school students will continue learning through the use of school-issued devices and access instruction via the Canvas learning platform and Google Meets.
Elementary Students
Our elementary school students will also access learning through the Canvas platform and Google Meets. For many elementary students, this will be a new experience, and instructors will be practicing in-class, eLearning lessons during students’ normal school day, beginning in the months of October and November.
Specialized Instruction
Students who receive specialized instruction in our transition programs as well as any site-based special education programs will have access to learning materials through Canvas or another appropriate at-home experience. Case managers will work with students to help them prepare and will review any specific learning needs as part of their individual education plan.
Preschool Students
Preschool students and their families will work with their instructors to have materials ready in advance to access during any eLearning days.
Internet Resources
Families who don’t have reliable internet access will be able to check out hot spots from their school. Families can register for those in advance to secure them ahead of time. Our counselors and social workers will follow our existing procedure to gather this information from families to have them available as needed. Families, students, and staff may contact the Hopkins Technology Help Service Desk at 952-988-4111. Calls are answered every school day from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
As we get closer to our colder months, we will be sending additional reminders of our new learning plan to keep you informed and aware of how we will deliver instruction, should any eLearning days occur. The specific details of the eLearning plan can be found at this link.
We thank you in advance for your support and assistance with our eLearning options.