Legislative Update
The 2020 legislative session ends on Monday. As we sprint to the finish, we will likely meet in session every day until Monday. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the full legislative schedule here.
Stay at Home Ends, Restrictions Remain
The governor announced this week that he has renewed his peacetime emergency powers yet again. He will lift the Stay at Home order beginning Monday, May 18, but he also leaves in place some restrictions, and requires many businesses to remain closed.
Beginning May 18, the governor says retail stores, malls, and other main street businesses can reopen if they have a safety plan, but restaurants, bars, salons, and gyms are still required to be closed. The governor has also said that he will allow people to gather in groups of 10 or less. From what I have seen in our community, many people agree that our rights do not come from government.
While I’m glad the governor is finally listening to the outcry from Minnesotans across the state, I am very disappointed that these restrictions continue the closures of churches, salons, gyms, and other similar entities. Many of these churches and businesses already have plans in place to keep their attenders, customers, and employees safe. I believe that if a business or church has the ability to open safely, they should be allowed to. If the governor keeps them closed much longer, they may not be able to come back at all.
Summer School Hybrid Model
This summer, schools will have the option to offer a hybrid model of distance learning and in-school learning, or to continue distance learning.
Schools will have the flexibility for some in-person instruction if schools are in compliance with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines on masking, social distancing, personal hygiene, screening, and cleaning, and adhere to MDH's guidance for summer programs.
If you would like to read more about the governor's latest orders, you can see the text of each of them here.
Graduation Ceremonies
I have heard from many parents concerned about the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) recent guidance banning graduation ceremonies. MDE has confirmed that they will not penalize schools financially for holding in-person graduation ceremonies. If you are planning your own ceremony, I would encourage you to be safe and creative in how you celebrate.
Our graduating seniors should be recognized for this monumental achievement. To our graduates, congratulations!
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