In our work, our first priority will always be the safety and well-being of Minnesota’s students. That is why last week, Governor Walz and I, in consultation with Commissioner Malcolm and the Minnesota Department of Health, announced that the Distance Learning Period will extend for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. As previously planned, student instruction will not be held on May 1 and May 4. These days will remain as planning days to prepare for the remainder of the school calendar year in a distance learning environment. School-age care for children of critical workers will still operate on those days, unless these were previously-scheduled non-school days.

We recognize that this news might be difficult to hear for our school communities and for many of our colleagues who have school-age children. Families are struggling with distance learning at home. And many were hoping to return to our typical spring-time celebrations that are typically filled with plays, concerts, graduation, and other ceremonies to recognize the hard work that students have put in all year. While things look different this year, we here at MDE are still as committed as ever to support our students and their families in their child’s education, and helping schools think of creative ways to still honor the hard-earned accomplishments of their students.

While educators across our state are going above and beyond to still reach and teach their students, we know that school closures put burdens on children and families and disproportionately impact communities of color, as well as indigenous, immigrant, low-income families and communities, and students with disabilities and their families. And, it is further exposing the inequities in our education system. We can and must do more to ensure that every child is receiving the education they deserve. Even during these times. Even when it seems impossible.

Throughout the distance learning period, we at MDE have continually assessed the efficacy of the programming and services and issued additional guidance when necessary. Last week, the Governor and I talked more about the work that we are doing to help bridge the digital divide and address the opportunity gap so each and every one of our students can still receive the best education possible. The Governor and I also announced some new focuses and commitments from our team at MDE during this new phase of distance learning.

In this phase, we are focusing on:

• Relationship Building – Educators know better than anyone that relationships matter. MDE has launched a whole series of webinars with MDE experts and external partners to help educators strengthen those relationship-building skills and offering additional support for other challenges that come up during distance learning. Learn more about our MDE webinars.
• Technology and Broadband – While not all distance learning plans are online learning plans, we know that there are disparities with student access to broadband and technology, and thus access to online resources for our students across the state. MDE has been working with public and private partners to create options to get broadband access and devices into the hands of every student who still does not have them. It will take many people working together to get this done, but we hope to announce something on this soon.
• Student Well-Being – There are so many adults in our students’ lives who would normally see them on a regular basis. Now there are less and less adults in our students’ lives who are able to provide that touch-point and keep an eye on their wellness. MDE will be partnering with different interagency groups to make sure that student well-being is still being prioritized.

It’s still going to be hard. But I’m hopeful that these new initiatives that we as a team have re-dedicated ourselves to will make it just a little bit easier in the future.

We want you to know that we did not make this decision to extend the distance learning period lightly. Ultimately, we know we must put the health of our students first.

We are all in this together. And as One Minnesota, we will get through this.

Thank you for your partnership and leadership during this unprecedented time.

Hello everyone, my name is Katona Barnes. I am the affirmative action officer/human resources consultant at MDE. In my short time here, I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you, but I wanted to introduce myself to those of you I have not met yet. It has been great to learn about all the work you do to support Minnesota’s students, schools and families.

At MDE, I focus on human resource duties such as staffing, employee relations, labor relations, and providing leadership support. As affirmative action officer, my duties include partnering with others at MDE on our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, tracking and reporting affirmative action statistics, and building external community partnerships.
I feel very privileged to partner with so many of you at MDE who have worked to create a workplace environment that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion. We all play a part in building a culture where people of diverse backgrounds feel included, valued and supported at work.

Our Diversity Spotlight Series is one way that MDE staff members advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The Diversity Spotlight Series usually consists of in-person events intended to provide MDE staff with a voluntary opportunity to increase your cultural competency and engage in meaningful dialogue. These events were designed to help nurture an inclusive workforce at MDE, and introduce diverse perspectives that we can apply in our day-to-day work.

I and others at the department are exploring different ways we can continue to support MDE’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives during the stay-at-home order. In Staff Lounge each month, I will update you about opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion at MDE.

Today, I want to share this month’s Diversity Spotlight. Our colleagues, Nawal Thabit, Marian Hassan and Mimi Mohamud compiled some great information to help us learn about Ramadan. Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims, in which they fast during daylight hours, congregate for prayers and share meals as a community. This year Ramadan started on April 23, 2020. While many of Ramadan traditions are being modified due to the pandemic and social distancing guidelines, Muslims in Minnesota and throughout the world will continue to observe and take part in Ramadan traditions. Ramadan ends in the evening of May 23. Read Diversity Spotlight: An Overview of Ramadan.

Join the New Statewide Book Club

One Book | One Minnesota is a new statewide book club that invites all Minnesotans to read a common title and come together virtually to enjoy, reflect and discuss. Minnesota novelist Kate DiCamillo's novel "Because of Winn-Dixie" is the first featured book. The program is presented by the Minnesota Center for the Book, in partnership with State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education. Learn more about One Book | One Minnesota.