Minneapolis Public Schools to move to online learning

Minneapolis Public Schools is planning to move to online learning until the end of the month.

MPS said Wednesday that students will move to online learning starting Friday, Jan. 14, with in-person learning scheduled to return on Jan. 31. The move is due to COVID-19 impacting MPS staffing levels, the district says.

Officials were expected to discuss the decision and announce further details later Wednesday.

The news comes as several other schools and districts shift to remote learning. Click here to see a list of schools that have moved to distance learning so far.

MPS said teachers will engage online with students "as often as possible."

Schools will be open for families who can’t keep students at home, the district said. Bus transportation and meals will also continue, and online learning for students at school will continue under staff supervision, although students may need to bring headphones. Mental health support for students will also still be available.

The district added that families don’t need to tell the school whether their students will be participating in online learning at home or at school but encouraged them to fill out an online survey by Jan. 16, if possible.

For varsity student-athletes, practice, competitions, and mandatory athletic COVID-19 testing will continue as normal, but junior varsity, B-squad and middle school athletics will not be held.

All in-person after-school programs are canceled.

Families will still be able to pick up rapid COVID-19 tests at schools for their children.