As schools move to distance learning, districts decide whether to continue with extracurriculars

As in-person learning quickly moves to distance learning in many school districts, there is a growing controversy over sports and after-school activities that continue to meet in-person.

In Bloomington, the school district announced it would transition to distance learning after Thanksgiving. And in doing so, the district pushed pause on all winter sports and activities.

"The challenge we’ve run into is our neighboring districts and other districts in the metro, and in some respects, districts that are in our conference have chosen a different path," said Rick Kaufman, the COVID-19 coordinator and emergency management director for Bloomington Public Schools.

Follow KSTP’s complete COVID-19 coverage

Eastern Carver County Schools is doing the exact opposite. The district has moved to a distance learning model. However, it will continue with extracurricular activities.

Some parents feel continuing with extracurricular activities sends the wrong message.

"I feel like as long as kids can’t be in school, then they shouldn’t be participating in these afterschool activities," one parent told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. "To me, continuing those and not allowing our kids to be in school sends a message that those activities are more important than our kid’s education. And that just doesn’t sit well with me."