E-learning Plan

We value every one of our students and are striving to ensure each student continues their learning while school buildings are closed.

Our focus for the E-learning Plan is to outline the conditions for successful learning on inclement weather days.

Learn more about our severe weather protocols

Overview

Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.414 allows school districts to use up to five e-learning days in one school year to be counted as days of instruction and be included in the hours of instruction, under the following conditions:

E-learning days are called due to inclement weather.
Full access to online instruction is provided by students' individual teachers.
A plan is adopted by the school board after meeting and negotiating with the exclusive representative of the teachers.
The plan must include accommodations for students without Internet access at home and for digital device access for families without the technology or an insufficient amount of technology for the number of children in the household. A school's e-learning day plan must provide accessible options for students with disabilities under chapter 125A.
The plan must provide accessible options for students with disabilities.
Parents and students must be notified of the e-learning day plan at the beginning of the school year.
Parents and students must be notified of an e-learning day at least two hours prior to the normal school start time.
Each student's teacher must be accessible both online and by telephone during normal school hours on an e-learning day to assist students and parents.
Full wages and benefits are paid for scheduled work hours of all school employees for the duration of the e-learning period. During the e-learning period, school employees must be allowed to work from home to the extent practicable, be assigned to work in an alternative location, or be retained on an on-call basis for any potential need.

Instructional Hours and Days

In Minnesota, a school board's annual school calendar must include the following:

At least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved by the commissioner.
At least 425 hours of instruction for a kindergarten student, 935 hours of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 through 12, not including summer school.

In the 2026-27 school year calendar, all Minneapolis Public Schools have the following:

168 instructional days
- 3 days above the state minimum for grades 1 through 12
1,036 hours
- 611 hours above the state minimum for kindergarten
- 101 hours above the state minimum for grades 1 through 6
- 16 hours above the state minimum for grades 7 through 12

The intention is to use e-learning days only to ensure that instructional minimums for students are met. Therefore, e-learning days will only be used, at the discretion of the superintendent, in the following circumstances:

After school has been canceled for three days (due to weather or other reason) at pre-K/K through grade 5 schools.
After school has been canceled for two days (due to weather or other reason) at middle and high schools.
For pre-K through grade 8 schools, the pre-K through grade 5 students will have e-learning days after school has been canceled for three days and grade 6 through 8 students will have e-learning days after school has been canceled for two days (even though the grade 6 students have the same instructional hours requirements as grades 1 through 5, grade 6 through 8 students at a pre-K through grade 8 school are on the same calendar and schedule, therefore from an instructional model perspective, grade 6 students shall have e-learning with grade 7 and 8 students).
All grades at Seward Elementary will follow the pre-K through grade 5 protocol (e-learning will be used after school has been canceled for three days).

There may be a circumstance where an individual school or number of schools may have school canceled for a unique situation (i.e., power or water outage) or for heat. In these cases, that school or schools may move into e-learning prior to other schools for inclement weather to ensure that every school remains in compliance with the instructional day and hour requirements.

Communications Protocol

If schools will be closed or move to e-learning due to severe weather notification is sent via the following channels:

Robocalls, texts and emails
The MPS website
Local television news
Social media (Facebook and Instagram)

It is important that schools have the most up-to-date contact information for families in Infinite Campus. If a profile is marked “private” in Infinite Campus, or if no contact is marked as guardian, families will not receive messages from MPS. Families are directed to contact their schools to make updates to Infinite Campus Profiles.

For more information visit our Severe Weather webpage.

Plan Overview

The MPS E-Learning Plan ensures the following:

Accommodations for students without sufficient access to the Internet, hardware or software in their homes
Digital instruction that is accessible for students with disabilities under chapter 125A and meets the needs of each student’s IEP/504 plans
Notification to parents and students of the plan at the beginning of the school year and, upon implementation of an e-learning day, at least two hours’ notice prior to the normal school start time that students are to follow the e-learning day plan
Student and parent access to teachers via telephone and online during normal school hours

E-learning Day Expectations

Site Expectations

The time students spend completing lessons remotely is not going to be the same as the time spent at school. MPS will communicate this general message to all families. Each school will communicate with families about the expectation of student contact hours with their teacher.

The e-learning schedule is different from the in-person school day.
Teachers will be available to families online during the e-learning day. The time of availability and a link to access the teacher will be posted in Seesaw/Google Classroom.
Schools will ensure students have access to a district-issued device in advance of a potential e-learning day.
MPS Online platforms include:
- Grades PK-5 will use SeeSaw or Google Classroom, as decided by the school.
- Grades 6-12 will use Google Classroom.
- Lessons need to be posted on SeeSaw or Google Classroom
- Literacy and Math online tools: Lexia Core5 , Lexia PowerUp, and Dreambox
Contact the technology help desk if you are having trouble with an app and/or device at 612-668-0088.
Site administrators will determine and communicate to families and staff the following:
- The start time of the e-learning day
- Flexible end time of the e-learning day
- The times staff are available to families and students
- E-learning day activities are for enrichment, review, and/or extension of in-person learning.
- The teaching of Digital Citizenship is scheduled during the first six weeks of school (can be taught by Library/Media Specialists, classroom teacher, school social worker, etc.)
E-learning schedules will be displayed on each school website for all staff, students, and families.

Teacher Expectations

All students must have similar learning experiences in terms of subject matter, task difficulty, and interaction with peers and their teacher(s). Tasks must be completed during the regular hours of the e-learning day. Students without access cannot be required to make up the work on another day. Students may use physical texts or books and may handwrite their work, but those resources would have to be available at home. Teachers must contact students by telephone to conference with students and assess and support their learning.
Provide quality e-learning experiences. Quality e-learning experience examples include the following:
- Integrate as seamlessly as possible into the regular instruction that has been occurring.
- Avoid generic, out-of-context tasks. Tasks should be meaningful and important to students.
- Leverage digital tools students are using as part of their regular instruction (e.g., Google Classroom or SeeSaw, Google apps).
- Include formative assessment and feedback.
- Provide opportunities for peer interaction.
- Include active instruction by teachers, monitoring progress and providing feedback, facilitating, coaching, clarifying and adjusting the task, and suggesting next steps.
- Include the option for the class to meet synchronously via video chat.
To be counted as an instructional day for students, teachers will engage in some form of instruction with their students. This can take on many forms (see above), but fundamentally means that there will be some level of interaction, progress monitoring, and/or feedback between teachers and students.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to participate in e-learning activities for all scheduled classes on the day the plan is implemented just as they would for a traditional, on-campus day.
Attendance must be verified for each class.
Students who do not participate in planned activities are considered absent for those class(es) and should be reported as absent just as if they were not present for an on-campus class.

Attendance

Student attendance is a responsibility shared by staff, students, and families in Minneapolis Public School. During e-learning, we will continue to adhere to MPS Policy 5100, requiring schools to record student attendance once a day for elementary schools and each period for secondary schools.

Tracking Student Attendance

Teachers will record student attendance in Infinite Campus by the end of each school day. Teachers will monitor attendance through student participation in e-learning activities such as SeeSaw, Google Classroom, or other building-identified sources such as phone, text, or email. Students participating in asynchronous learning activities may need to have their attendance code updated after sharing their reflection or turning in assignments after the end of the e-learning day.

Reporting a student absent from E-learning

Families may continue to use standard absence reporting systems on e-learning days. All unverified absences will be converted to an excused absence “weather” day (W) by school clerks.

Robo Calls and Attendance Taking

Robo-calls will continue on e-learning days, unless a school requests to have robo-calls turned off.

Grading

E-learning Day Schedules by Level

Pre-kindergarten

We know young learners do best when engaged in real-life, hands-on experiences and play. At MPS, young learners take part in activities that promote creative play, real-life exploration, physical activity, language development, and social interactions that are important for child development.

Preschool students and their caregivers have the opportunity to participate in lessons in a variety of ways. All teacher plans include activities in the following areas: Literacy and Language, Math, Science, Art, Physical Large and Fine Motor Activities, and Social and Emotional Learning. Educators will follow Minnesota Statute 124D.166 related to screen time limits for young children.

If families choose to use technology, students will use their families’ devices or district-issued iPads to engage and interact with students with licensed teachers through developmentally- and culturally-appropriate content. Teachers will post lessons via choice boards at the beginning of the student contact day.

Early Childhood Special Education teachers will provide individualized instruction appropriate for each student as outlined in their Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Ways caregivers can support during e-learning days:

Support students in connecting with teachers to become familiar with the learning tools your students will be using.
Support students’ learning and engagement with activities.
Contact teachers with questions or to get support for students.

Preschool Schedule - without access to internet or technology

Asynchronous SEL and academic learning activities will be provided from the teacher and/or school with families in paper form and /or digital formats.
Teachers must contact students by telephone to conference with students and assess and support their learning.
E-learning Day activities are for enrichment, review, and/or extension of in-person learning and available in print and digital formats.

Elementary Schedule - with access to internet and technology

Elementary Schedule - without access to internet or technology

Asynchronous SEL and academic learning activities will be provided by the teacher and/or school with families in paper form on a quarterly basis in the event of an e-learning day.
Teachers must contact students by telephone to conference with students and assess and support their learning.
E-learning day activities are for enrichment, review, and/or extension of in-person learning and available in print and digital formats

Middle and High School Schedule - with access to internet and technology

Middle and High School Schedule - without access to internet or technology

Student Supports and Resources

Additional Student Supports

Kings and Queens Program

The Office of Black Student Achievement will support Kings and Queens enrolled in the B.L.A.C.K. Course, and B.L.A.C.K. groups as needed, along with their families, in e-learning when school is not in session. For more information, please contact Director Dena Luna at dena.luna@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text at 763-353-4436.

American Indian Students

The American Indian Education Department will support students within all grade levels, along with their families, in navigating E-learning as needed. Scheduled Native groups will continue to happen virtually (information will be provided by email to students and families). For more information and specifics, please contact Director Jennifer Simon at jennifer.simon@mpls.k12.mn.us or the general department email at indianed@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612-668-0610 (office) or call/text at 612-443-7186 (cell).

Latine Students

The Office of Latine Achievement (OLA) will continue its coaching and group sessions virtually, as well as provide support to any Latine students as needed. Please contact Director Marion Tizón at marion.tizon@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text at 612-919-6251.

Students Experiencing Homelessness

School social workers are the main point of contact for families experiencing homelessness. Families/youth should contact their school social worker for information about resources and support. If you are unable to reach your social worker or have further questions, please contact the district liaison, Takara Dudley at takara.dudley@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612-668-5480.

Early Childhood

MPS High Five, PICA Head Start, and private preschools collaborate with MPS ECSE staff to provide e-learning to children/students to the extent possible.

MPS Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) will be cancelled/closed.

English Learners

Special Education and 504 Services

For students with an IEP

E-learning instruction will include specialized instruction, related services, modifications and accommodations as outlined in students’ IFSPs/IEPs. Case Managers and Special Education Assistants (SEA’s) will make attempts to connect with students via web or phone to support the facilitation of instruction as outlined in the Student’s IEP.

For most students, their general education teacher will provide instructional support for Learning and students will engage in the assigned instructions (choice board, Seesaw or Google Classroom activities) with modifications and accommodations provided in collaboration with the special education teacher and paraprofessional/special education assistant (SEA) per their IEP.

For students who receive pull out, highly specialized instruction, eLearning could be provided through the following:

Continued groups as schedules using technology or phone solutions or
Modified choice boards provided in paper or in Seesaw/Google Classroom that reflect the student's instructional day.

Adaptive equipment and assistive technology will be provided if possible. Special education teachers will provide instruction through technology, paper, pencil or work boxes to meet the needs of each individual student.

For children ages birth to three with an IFSP

Your child’s primary service provider will contact you and services will be provided in accordance with the IFSP as closely as possible.

For students with 504 plans

504 case managers will collaborate with teachers and relevant support staff to plan for implementation of 504 accommodations and services during e-learning. 504 case managers and the district's 504 coordinator are available to consult on how best to accommodate your student at home during e-learning.

Mental Health Supports

School social workers, school counselors, school psychologists and school nurses are available to students and families to provide support services as needed during e-learning. Services will vary depending on individual student needs. These support staff are also available to consult with teachers about students’ mental health needs. Families should contact these providers or their school to get connected.

Students who receive school based mental health services

MPS has partnerships with mental health agencies to provide mental health therapeutic support for students and families. If your student receives school based mental health services when school is in session, these services are still available during e-learning. Your health care provider should reach out to you or you can call your provider to arrange for service.

Crisis Service

If someone in your family is experiencing a mental health crisis, support is available.

Hennepin County Family Response and Stabilization Service
Call 612-979-9511 7 days/week 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 (24/7)

Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship

The district has established a digital safety help line. See Student Device Guidelines. All students are receiving instruction on digital citizenship.

All MPS policies related to bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and the use of drugs, alcohol, or smoking apply to students and staff in this online setting.
All MPS devices are connected to a CIPA compliant web filter that blocks inappropriate content at school and outside school.

Additional Program Information

Minneapolis Kids

Youth and Adult Enrichment

Youth after school enrichment will not be in operation on days when Minneapolis Public Schools close due to inclement weather or temporary school closures. Adult enrichment participants will be notified by youth & adult programs administrative staff if their class is impacted. Youth & adult enrichment coordinators will be in contact with participants about details regarding time missed due to these cancellations.