WAPS Safe Learning Plan

Winona Area Public Schools is proud to announce the WAPS Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 school year. This is our version of the state's Safe Learning Plan, which was unveiled by Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday, July 30, 2020, to help school districts plan for a rather unusual school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WAPS Safe Learning Plan closely follows guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health, and includes input from staff, students and district families.

The plan prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff, recognizes the importance of in-person learning opportunities — especially for our younger learners — and emphasizes stability of instruction delivery no matter the learning model in use.

School districts and charter schools in Minnesota will use one of three models: in-person, distance learning, or a hybrid model. WAPS will work closely with experts from MDE, MDH, the Southeast Service Cooperative and local public health officials to decide if and when we need to shift between models depending on the progression of the virus in the Winona community.

Families will be allowed to choose distance learning for their student(s) at any time for any reason throughout the school year.

In December 2020, we made substantial changes to our WAPS Safe Learning plan, following updates to the Minnesota Department of Education Safe Learning Plan, as well as Executive Order 20-103. The changes were outlined in our Return To Campus Timeline and shared with our staff, families and the Winona community.

We will continue to update the WAPS Safe Learning Plan based on guidance from the state, advice from local public health officials and feedback from our staff and families.

Learning models currently in use
Early Childhood	In-Person/Hybrid
Elementary Schools (Grades K-1)	In-Person
Elementary Schools (Grades 2-4)	In-Person
Winona Middle School (Grade 5)	In-Person
Winona Middle School (Grades 6-8)	Hybrid
Winona Senior High School (Grades 9-12)	Hybrid
Winona Area Learning Center (Grades 9-12)	Hybrid
Click on the orange hyperlink to read more about the specific building-level plan. Plans will be updated as the school year progresses, so check back often. The learning models may need to change in less than 24 hours. In case of a learning model change, students, families and staff will be notified through our emergency messenger in addition to posts on social media, updates on our website, and press releases sent to local media. Updated 1/28/2021.

Other important updates and notes

WSHS TO SELF-IMPOSE DISTANCE LEARNING: Winona Senior High School implement a self-imposed distance learning period after spring break to minimize the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. The distance learning period will last from March 15-24.

Letter from Dr. Freiheit on the distance learning period (Feb. 2)

UPDATED HYBRID CALENDAR FOR SECOND SEMESTER: As Winona Area Public Schools continues to follow its Return to Campus Timeline, a hybrid calendar for the second semester was sent to families on Jan. 20, 2021.

A RETURN TO CAMPUS TIMELINE: Following updates to the Minnesota Department of Education Safe Learning Plan, as well as Executive Order 20-103, the district announced it will return all grade levels to either in-person or hybrid learning in the month of January.