Board Meeting Upate

Posted on April 6th, 2020

Announcement: The April 8th school board meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30 PM via teleconference/virtual meeting. All future school board meetings, will be held via teleconference/virtual meeting per Minnesota Statue 13D.021, until further notice. Due to the health pandemic, attendance is for school board members only. If you would like to submit a comment for the meeting, please fill out this form.  Click Here to access the form.

Posted on March 25th, 2020

Parents and Staff:

Per Governor Walz Press Conference March 25th 2020.

Clarification from your school admin.

Distance learning
will begin as planned on March 30th running through at minimum April 30th
Testing
All MCAs for the year CANCELLED
Lunch Program will continue:
There will be 2 weekly delivery dates
Monday—for M, T
Wednesday—for W, TH, F
SACC
Will continue as currently operating
* Look for a separate email to come later with updates on all April activities.

Thank you:

Gregg Slaathaug

Distance Learning Plan Videos

Posted on March 24th, 2020

Click Here for an explanation of the High School Distance Learning Plan.

Click Here for an explanation of the Elementary School Distance Learning Plan.

Message from Superintendent Slaathaug

Posted on March 15th, 2020

Parents and Staff: 

I come to you this evening under circumstances that no one could ever plan for.  I come to you as an educator, father, husband, and friend.  Please understand the following message will be quite lengthy but there are many variables that need to be communicated.  I cannot assure you that every variable is accounted for at this point, but I can assure you we will continue to work to that goal.  As stated in previous emails & messages we need your support and understanding going forward.  With the latest information and recommendations, we will begin putting into place our contingency plan for this Covid-19 virus.

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced that all Minnesota public schools will close to students starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 with the plan to resume instruction on Monday, March 30, 2020. During the school closure for students, we will be joining school districts and charter schools across the state to create plans to equitably distribute distance learning to our students should we need to close schools statewide for a longer period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our educators will be giving thoughtful planning to our distance learning plan, offering careful consideration for students in a variety of areas, including students receiving special education services, multilingual learners, students experiencing homelessness, and students who rely on meals served at school. Once our distance learning plan is finalized, we will communicate the plan to families via JMC, the school webpage, and manually if needed.

Our number one priority is keeping our students safe and following the directives of the CDC, MDH, MDE, and especially our governor. We will continue to keep you informed as we navigate COVID-19.

School and Education: 

School will be open Monday March 16th.  Grades 6-12 will run an “E” day.  It will also be the conclusion of the 3rd quarter for the entire district.  There will be no school for students Tuesday March 17th, to be treated like a snow day for students. We are asking all students to bring extra bags if needed, as students will be directed to take all school and personal items home at the end of the school day.  This includes PE clothes, band instruments, district technology (especially charger) and all other items in your lockers as we plan to sanitize the entire school from ceiling to floor. It is important to note that starting 10pm Monday evening students will NOT be allowed in the building, with the exception of our SACC program in which I will speak too later in this document. The principals will be working with teachers and staff to create a plan conducive for all students to learn starting Monday March 30th. To summarize students will not have school starting Tuesday March 17th through Friday March 27th.

Activities

Practice for spring sports will occur tomorrow Monday, March 16th as scheduled. Starting Tuesday, March 17th, there will be no practice and all student activities are postponed until we physically return to campus.

Special Education and IEP’s

All IEP’s, 504, and parent meetings are postponed through March 27, 2020. Your case manager will be in contact with you to reschedule and for additional information per your student’s IEP.

Meal Service

The district is committed to providing students with the same meal opportunities they would have as if they were in school. Our food service will be providing students with Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday (except April 10) for the duration of time we are not on site for learning starting Wednesday March 18th until Memorial Day weekend. Parents must fill out the link below to be eligible to receive meals, regardless if you are Free/Reduced lunch or not. This service is available to all students in the district.  Meals will be delivered to your specific residence or a consistent designated drop off area within your community.

http://hayfield.k12.mn.us/meal-delivery/

Child-Care

Update: School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers
One important update we want to share with you this morning is that we have further clarified the list of emergency workers eligible for school-age care for their children. Districts should make every effort to provide childcare for school-age children of workers in the outlined areas, if they are able to do so while adhering to the Minnesota Department of Health’s social distancing guidelines. We will update the closure guidelines and Q-and-A document soon to reflect this, but wanted to get the list to you all as soon as possible.

Beginning Wednesday March 18th, SACC will be open for students previously enrolled in the program and for the following ONLY:
Click Here for the list of eligible workers.

SACC will handle the verification of students, which may include securing a letter from the employer or showing an employment badge.

* If you are a non-essential employee sent home under these guidelines, you are NOT to send your child to SACC

Medications

If your student has a medication, Michelle Nelson, the school nurse will be contacting parents regarding how that medication will come home for your student.

 CORONAVIRUS CONTACTS

Dodge County Public Health: Kaitlyn Smith (Public Health Preparedness Coordinator) 507-635-6150, Kaitlyn.smith@co.dodge.mn.us.

MDH Coronavirus Hotline: 651-201-3920 (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Additional MDH Contact Information: Schools.covid19@state.mn.us, 651-201-5414.

Kasson-Mantorville School Nurse: Tammy Richard, 634-1108, t.richard@komets.k12.mn.us

CORONAVIRUS WEBSITES/RESOURCES

AASA: https://www.aasa.org/coronavirus.aspx

MDH: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

MDH GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools.html

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Simply put at this time we know we are closed through the 27th of March . We are going to do the best job we can stay on top of this very fluid situation.

As the governor said, “this can and probably will change daily if not hourly”.

Thank you:

Gregg Slaathaug

Superintendent Hayfield Community Schools

Posted on March 12th, 2020

CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE PLAN

HAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019

(COVID-19)

This plan for addressing any Coronavirus incident is intended to serve the best interests of students, employees and families in the event of an incidence or threat of the Coronavirus infecting a Hayfield student, employee, volunteer or a family member of any of them.

While it is anticipated that the District would have the full support of the Minnesota Department of Health in dealing with a crisis involving a Coronavirus incident, the District has primary responsibility for the health and safety of its students and employees in school. Therefore, the District will react swiftly and decisively to assure the good health and safety of those individuals if a crisis occurs.

PRIOR TO A CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONAVIRUS INCIDENT IN THE HAYFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

The District reminds students, staff members and volunteers to continue emphasizing the following measures to avoid contracting the Coronavirus and avoiding the spread of it:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minute each time
• Covering your coughs by coughing into their arm or tissue—not hands
• Staying home when sick
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Hand-shakes and touching of each other should be discouraged

Additional steps the District will take to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus

• Although the District already does regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces throughout each school on a regular basis, the level of cleaning and disinfecting has been accelerated in common spaces and classrooms of every school. In addition, we are wiping down busses and shared computers daily.
• The District will also focus specifically on cleaning our HVAC system, including the cleaning and/or replacement of air filters.

MONITORING FOR CORONAVIRUS INCIDENTS

• The Minnesota Department of Health has primary responsibility for the overall monitoring of Minnesota residents who may be exposed to the Coronavirus, and they will inform the District of steps they expect the District to implement.
• The Minnesota Department of Health will assume primary responsibility in the event of anyone in Minnesota becoming infected, and the District will cooperate fully with the Department, and other health agencies, in the steps to be taken.

Travel out of the area or travel out of the country

It is realized that families in the community travel frequently and engage with a wide range of people in their travel. With Spring Break coming up, such travel and connections will increase exponentially.

• The District would not ask anyone to alter travel plans, but we all need to realize that travel during this time will add to the risk for students, staff members and parents traveling and others whom they contact when they return to our communities.
• This activity will increase the possibility of encountering others who either have Coronavirus or have been in contact with someone else who has the virus.

CORONAVIRUS

SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION

HAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

The decision to close would involve the Minnesota Departments of Education and Health, the CDC and County Public Health Officials, and the District would be responsible for implementing the closure. Their guidance will drive our decision-making process. 

In case a decision to close our District has been made by the Department of Health or the District itself, instruction for students will be provided by alternative means.

IN THE EVENT OF A SCHOOL CLOSING
FOR FAMILIES
Providing Education During a District Closure

• If the situation ever occurs that our School District needs to be closed due to the threat of the Coronavirus, the District intends to provide instruction to students.
• This will require the full cooperation of students, teachers and parents to make this instruction meaningful.
• The Flex Learning Plan will be communicated with parents at the appropriate time if needed.

FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF
Working During A School Closure

• Working conditions for employees may need to be altered, and the respective employees will be informed of plans and any changes that will affect their work and attendance at work.
• Teachers will be available throughout their normal work day, including time before or after school, as assigned. In addition to the time for delivering instruction through the Flex Learning Day schedules, teachers need to expect students reaching out to them for assistance with lessons during the normal workday.
• Times for students to contact their teachers with assignment questions will be established by each principal of any schools closed.
• Teachers who need to take time off during any of the e-learning days will need to inform their principal, and alternatives for the students will be determined by the District.
• Special Education teachers will need to work with their students through assistance from the students’ parents.
• It is expected that all teachers will assure their readiness to deliver instruction through the use the Flex Learning Day schedule during a crisis due to the Coronavirus.

FOR OFFICE ASSISTANTS

• Office assistants will be expected to perform duties during days that school is not in session during an emergency closure.

PARAPROFESSIONALS 

• Paraprofessionals may be assigned to assist classroom teachers, custodians, office assistants or the transportation department.  This assignment will be optional and paid.

BUS DRIVERS

• Bus drivers may be assigned to assist the Transportation Department as directed by the Superintendent and Transportation Director. This assignment will be optional and paid.

FOOD SERVICE

• Food service staff should consult with Taher, Inc.

CUSTODIANS

• Custodians will be expected to perform their normal duties during school closures and they will be given special assignments as the need arises.

EMPLOYEE PAY DURING A CLOSURE

• The District will assure that employees will be paid on time during any emergency. Minnesota statutes do prohibit the District from paying employees who do not work. Several contracts with employees provide various leaves that may be used in order to receive regular pay.

DISTRICT SERVICES DURING CLOSURE 

HAYFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

ATHLETIC EVENTS, MUSICAL EVENTS, DRAMATIC EVENTS, AND OTHER MAJOR FUNCTIONS

• Should there be a School District closure, all School District activities and events will be canceled or postponed. Exceptions must be pre-approved by the Superintendent.

COMMUNICATIONS

• The District is committed to regular communications with parents and the community during these events.
• The following contacts are our primary sources of information. Parents who are concerned about the virus itself should contact:

CORONAVIRUS CONTACTS

Dodge County Public Health: Kaitlyn Smith (Public Health Preparedness Coordinator) 507-635-6150, Kaitlyn.smith@co.dodge.mn.us.

MDH Coronavirus Hotline: 651-201-3920 (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Additional MDH Contact Information: Schools.covid19@state.mn.us, 651-201-5414.

Kasson-Mantorville School Nurse: Tammy Richard, 634-1108, t.richard@komets.k12.mn.us

CORONAVIRUS WEBSITES/RESOURCES

AASA: https://www.aasa.org/coronavirus.aspx

MDH: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

MDH GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools.html

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

• Community Education programs will continue to be held as scheduled if the school district is open. If the school district is closed, at that point all community education classes will be canceled

ZED Art Show

Posted on February 25th, 2020

The Hayfield Art Department cordially invites you to join us for our annual “ZED Traveling Art Show”.

The 26th annual Traveling Art Show will be held in the Hayfield High School Flex Room Now through Tuesday, March 3rd.

The show exhibits work from students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. A variety of media is used. Visitors will enjoy artwork from a select group of talented students from the surrounding area, as well as displays from seven talented Hayfield students.

High school entrants include freshmen, Sydney Risius and Luke Domino.

Sydney’s “Tranquility” displays a scratchboard drawing of a butterfly on a flower, while Luke displays his color penciled, “Perspective Letters,” floating on a black background.

Sophomores include Nolan Klocke, who designed an “Outdoor Life” magazine cover depicting a pheasant taking flight; Grace Walker’s colored pencil drawing of a dog known as “Mama Casey,” and Annabelle Bamlet’s pointillism drawing, featuring inspirations from Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Edvard Munch, entitled “The Persistence of Pointillism.”

Hayfield junior entrants are Molly Kusick and Jackson Struck. Molly created a scratchboard sea turtle named “Sir Charles,” while Jackson designed “SpongeBob Mania,” a collection of his recent SpongeBob creations.

On behalf of the artists entered in the traveling art show this year, and the Hayfield Art Department, we hope to see you at the show!

Congratulations

Posted on January 16th, 2020

Congratulations to Hayfields very own Kathy Hegna-Zelinske MSBA President’s award from MSBA training programs. And 20 years of service as a school board member. We thank you for all your service Kathy!

Congratulations!!!

Posted on December 9th, 2019

CONGRATULATIONS to the Drama Department. Great reviews from Spotlight Education. Nathan Grav with an “Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role”. Congratulations to everyone else in the cast. Outstanding results in your first musical performance. You can read the entire review here.

Posted on August 27th, 2019

Awesome article in the Austin Daily Herald.  Click here to view article.

Photo Credit-Hannah Yang Austin Daily Herald

The Transformation

Posted on August 15th, 2019

 We invite you all to compare the look of the school now as compared to it 5 years ago when the website photo was taken.  An amazing transformation.