PK-5 Students Return to In-Person Learning

Dear Richfield Families,

Thank you for everything you continue to do to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Because of the efforts of Richfield residents, the local case rate continues to decline and the current case rate is 27.2 in Richfield and 20.6 in Hennepin County and the prediction is that the rate will drop below 20 next week. According to state guidelines, when the case rate falls between 10-20 per 10,000 residents, elementary students can return to in-person learning.

Here are the changes we will be implementing the week of March 1. Look for specific details to be sent from your child’s school and/or teacher in the next week.

• Elementary students (K-5) will be able to attend school in-person five days per week. This means we will be offering two programs, one program five days per week on site and the other full distance. 
  • If your child is currently in the four-day hybrid program, we will assume you would like them to transition into the five-day program. There is nothing you need to do.
  • If your child is currently in the hybrid program and you would like them to switch to the distance learning program, or if they are in distance learning now and you would like to move them into the in-person program, please check with your child’s school on availability.
• Preschool students will also see changes starting the week of March 1.
  • Centennial, Sheridan Hills, STEM and RDLS preschool students in the hybrid program can start attending school five half-days per week.
    • Some RDLS students may need to change from p.m. to a.m. classes and the affected families will be contacted directly by staff.
    • Some STEM students will have a different teacher assigned and the affected families will be contacted directly by staff.
• Preschool for 4s students currently attending the hybrid program at Central will continue with the current schedule of three half-days per week while working toward increasing to five half-days per week soon.
• Preschool for 3s students currently attending the hybrid program at Central will continue with their current schedule of two half-days per week

Student Meals

• Meal pickup for families in distance learning will continue to take place at Richfield High School on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• All students can take home a meal bundle. K-5 students will be offered a 2-day meal bundle on Fridays, 6-12 students will be offered a 6-day meal bundle on the day they attend school in-person.

Tier 1 Essential Worker Child Care

• The Tier 1 essential worker child care program will end on Wednesday, February 24.

Please note that all safety protocols from this fall remain in place to the greatest extent possible. Face coverings are required on school buses and in buildings at all times, social distancing will be enforced, etc. In addition, before sending your child to school, we ask that you take your child’s temperature and confirm that they do not have any of the more common symptoms of COVID-19. You can learn more on our COVID-19 web page.

We are grateful to the students, families and staff who continue to take all the recommended safety precautions during this pandemic. It is because of your efforts that we are able to have our elementary students back in the classroom. Thank you for all you have done to help keep yourself and each other safe.