2020-2021
COVID-19 Update Page
Southwest Middle School
Bookmark this page for updates. When information is known, it will be posted here. This site will be updated frequently as this situation further develops.
See the Video Below for Quick Information about Quarter 4 at Southwest Middle School!!!
More information is available below the video.
Southwest Middle School to Begin Full Day/Full Class Schedule
Friday, March 12: No students in-person or virtual. Teacher work day.
Monday, March 22: All Hybrid Model students will begin in-person learning. Both A and B Groups come to school.
Updated Calendar and Daily Schedules
All start and end times will expand to meet the needs of full classrooms (9:15 a.m.-3:55 p.m.)
Classes will meet Monday-Thursday with a Virtual Learning Day on Friday
Southwest Middle School Hybrid Model Information
The calendar is available to view HERE.
Expectations for Virtual Learning Days, including Fridays, can be found HERE. para Espanol, hacer clic aqui.
Students will attend 6 classes per day:
Grade 6: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education/Digital Citizenship, Music/Art/Tech
Grade 7: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education/Health, Music/Art/Tech
Groups are being created using a common procedure connecting Middle School and High School students. A general rule is available HERE. There will be some exceptions for students with Individual Education Plans. Group designation appears in StudentVue under student information.
Start and end times at Southwest Middle School, Albert Lea High School, and the Alternative Learning Center will be modified to comply with transportation requirements in the hybrid model. Students will be in school and online from 9:15 a.m. to 1:25 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and from 8:45 a.m. - 1:25 p.m. on Fridays.
Attendance questions and daily assignments will occur on all virtual learning days and need to be completed by students before 1:30 p.m. Attendance for in-person classes will take place in the classrooms.
Students will travel from classroom to classroom throughout the day. Lockers will not be in use to begin the year. Backpacks will be allowed in classrooms. Hallways will be marked as One Way and students are required to wear masks.
Backpacks should contain the Chromebook, one or two notebooks/folders, something to write with, and a water bottle. Please keep items to a minimum as students will carry the backpack from room to room. Physical Education students will not be required to change, so students should wear appropriate clothing and shoes to school on those days.
Maximum class sizes are 15 students per class per day. Music classes may be slightly larger and will be held in larger classrooms.
Food Service
Lunch will be served in the cafeteria following Social Distancing requirements. Seating will also be available outside.
Albert Lea Area Schools Hybrid Model Information
The hybrid model will be an A/B model, where students attend school on-site Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. On the off-site days, students will be educated virtually. The calendar is available to view HERE.
Start and end times at Southwest Middle School, Albert Lea High School, and the Alternative Learning Center will be modified to comply with transportation requirements in the hybrid model.
Fridays will be virtual learning to allow for deep cleaning of the buildings. The district will provide free childcare to children ages 5-12 of essential workers on Fridays. Families should notify the Principal of the building that their child attends if they are in need of childcare on Fridays.
Since we anticipate that we will start the year with 50% of our students on-site at a time, we are planning for the largest in-person academic classes to be around 15-17 students. Our performing arts classes will be larger. The Performing Arts Department will be using the American Choral Directors Association guidelines for small group ensembles on a rotating basis. Large group classes may be held outside or other large spaces.
We will follow the same safety protocols as the elementary schools with the temperature scanning and the screening questions. Masks for all students and staff will be required. If a student cannot wear a mask, we will work with the family to develop a solution in the best interests of the child. Masks will not be required for physical education.
Food Service
Lunches will be available for students who are off-site for hybrid and distance learning students. Distribution will be at Southwest and Albert Lea High School. At this point, families will be charged the normal lunch price when they pick up their food. Free and reduced students will qualify for a reduction in price based upon their financial needs. To sign up for free or reduced lunch, please click here. We encourage families to apply.
Special Education
Whatever learning model the family chooses, instruction will continue to be provided based upon the student's Individualized Education Plan.
Building leadership teams are working on specifics of our hybrid learning model.
How will Southwest be Contacting Families with Updates?
All communication from Southwest Middle School to families will be done using email and occasional phone calls. If you need to update your email address or contact information, please call 507-379-5242 or send an email HERE. All group calls from the district will come from (507)379-4800.