North Metro Flex Academy

November 15, 2021

Dear North Metro Flex Academy Families,

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in partnership with NMFA Contact tracing, has identified multiple cases of COVID-19 in the community at North Metro Flex Academy. Due to the high number of cases and close contacts, we will be temporarily closing 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms at North Metro Flex Academy, and shifting 6th, 7th and 8th grade staff and students to remote learning this week. This is due to the inability to cohort students, unmasked exposures during breakfast and lunch times, and staff/substitute shortages.

In addition, we have had numerous absences in our younger grades today. We are closely monitoring our attendance and reasons for absences. At this point we are comfortable with our grades K-5th attending school this week, since we are masked and trying to follow numerous mitigation strategies throughout the day.

We have decided, however, that NMFA will be closed Monday, November 22 through Sunday, November 28th for all students grades K-8.

Students and staff may return to school on Monday, November 29th. (We already had Wednesday, November 22 – Friday, November 24th off for Staff Development, report card prep and the Thanksgiving Break.)

During this time, NMFA staff and students will be shifted to remote learning. Laptops are being sent home with 6th, 7th and 8th grade students today, if they are needed, for this week and next week. Teachers of Grades 6, 7, 8, lessons will be posted in Google Classroom for students in all their classes. Staff will hold Google meet sessions also during this time. Teachers will provide synchronous (live) teaching and support students for each class period.

Paper packets will be sent home with grades K-5 this Friday, for work they can complete on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.

During this closure and always, you should monitor for symptoms of illness. If symptoms develop, please contact the health office at 651-300-6300. BinaxNOW test kits are available at NMFA for all students who become symptomatic.

Symptoms to watch for can be found on the COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, youth and child care programs…

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/exguide.pdf

Resources for COVID testing can be found by visiting :

https://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/index.jsp

MEALS THIS WEEK>>>>

This food pick up is optional and available to 6th, 7th and 8th grade North Metro Flex Academy students.

For grades 6,7,8 Curbside meals (hot lunch and breakfast items) will be available for pick up…

from 12:00 – 1:00 Tuesday – Friday, this week.

Households that cannot pick up meals during that time should email NMFA at info@nmfaMN.org or call 651-300-6300 to make arrangements for a different pick up date/time.

MEALS NEXT WEEK>>>

Please respond to the “meal survey” below so we can prepare for breakfast and lunch pick-up meals for next week! We need to know how much food to order from our caterer. We are also receiving a Thanksgiving donation from Hill Murray High School for next week.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time. STAY WELL! Please call if you have any questions.

Take Care,

Principal

Mrs. Kranz

651-300-6300