Semester 1 Learning

August 10th, 2020 Update

Scenario Update - August 7th, 2020

For those of you who were unable to listen to the Board of Directors (BOD) meeting last night, I would like to inform you that they decided that MSA would be conducting classes in a distance learning scenario for our 1st semester. While everyone would like to see our students back on campus this fall, the decision to have them on campus would have compromised our student’s safety, which is MSA’s top priority.

MSA’s distance learning this fall will be much different than last year’s emergency distance learning that was conducted to complete the school year. You can expect to see the following as we begin the school year.

• Your student will be in class daily, following the same schedule that they would have had if they were on campus. Schedules will be sent out soon by Mrs. Pundsack.
• Students will be required to have synchronous time with their teacher each class. The length of the synchronous time will be determined by the teacher on a daily basis.
• MSA will utilize the Google Classroom as its primary learning management system.
• Students will follow a block schedule Monday through Thursday with Fridays being a seven period day where they will attend all of their classes.
• Additional Advisory time has been built into the schedule so that advisors can check in with students on a regular basis so that student emotional and social needs may be addressed and met.
• Regular surveys will be conducted so that feedback may be obtained to enhance our educational programming.
• Activities will be offered as safety guidelines allow. If your student is interested in starting a new activity, please have them discuss the opportunity with Ms. Froberg.
• We will be holding Back to School Material pickup days. Additional information will be forthcoming.
• Parents will receive a ‘Parent Expectations and Guidelines’ document - regarding contact information, distance learning expectations, keeping healthy, and parent support in the upcoming weeks.

This school year will be very fluid and unique. I have no doubt that it will be a fantastic year because MSA has a staff that will develop relationships with your student, challenge your student academically, and prepare them for our ever changing future.

Go Dragons, Go!

John Gawarecki
MSA Director

2020-21 Fall School Opening - Update 7/30/2020

On Thurs., July 30, 2020, Gov. Walz’s office announced Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan that gives public school districts the flexibility to choose a school learning option based on localized health data. 

Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 pm, the MSA School Board of Directors (BOD) will meet remotely to discuss and approve the option, hybrid or distance learning, that is best for MSA.