Upcoming School Closure Mandated by Governor Tim Walz – Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, March 27th.
Upcoming School Closure Mandated by Governor Tim Walz
Independent School District 518 (ISD 518) will be closed from Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, March 27th. This is in accordance with Governor Tim Walz’s Emergency Executive Order 20-02, given on Sunday, March 15th. During the closure time, ISD 518 will be preparing a plan for Distance Learning.
ISD 518 understands the importance of community mitigation in response to the growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. The school district plays an important part in this process and will continue working to teach social distancing as well as good hygiene and health habits such as frequent and thorough hand washing, using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, covering coughs without using bare hands, and staying home when sick.
Visitors to ISD 518 facilities will be limited on Monday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 17th. Beginning Wednesday, March 18th, staff will report to district locations but there will be no instruction for students through March 27th. During this closure time, ISD 518 would like to ask the public to not enter district facilities unless otherwise invited or by appointment only. Building occupancy hours across the district will be 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Food service will be available during the closure period. More information on the lunch program will be released at a later time.
Registration for new students will be by appointment only. District buildings will be closed to the public and all athletics and activity meetings and practices are cancelled by order of the Minnesota State High School League.
Schools are centers of their communities. It is critical to public health that students, staff, and community members participate in the social distancing measures that are being recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and ISD 518.
ISD 518 Superintendent John Landgaard says, “I want to express my appreciation for all District 518 employees for their support and willingness to help in a number of ways supporting students, families, and the District 518 community. By pulling together and thinking outside of the box, we will continue to provide high quality, equitable education and support others in our district community.”