By Teri Knight, News Director
Long distance learning is over for the 19/20 school year. Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann commented on the surveys that they sent to staff, parents and students early on, he said, “on balance” there was a lot of positive things but they also have things they need to “tune up”. In transition to Fall, there are three options presented by the Dept. of Education. Coming back fully in person in the Fall under CDC guidelines, “which I think is probably the least likely”, said Hillmann, adding the other choices would be full long distance learning or a hybrid, wherein students would attend in person AND long distance on a rotating basis. There will be
guidelines sent out by the Dept. of Education next week which schools will have to plan for each of them. Hillmann said they plan to make a decision around July 31st for the 20/21 school year. Indications are they will use two or three of those options at various points of the school year. A consideration is also teachers who may not be able to come back to face-to-face learning due to underlying health issues and how to fill that possible gap. Hillmann feels confident that they can come up with a plan to solve any problems. An example this year was the unique way they created a special graduation ceremony for the 2020 Seniors. The banners of photos of the 2020 seniors hanging from the downtown streetlights has been a huge hit. Hillmann said they will be there through the beginning of August. Hillmann’s full interview is HERE.
NH&C opens pragmatically
Northfield Hospital and Clinics is opening up in phases to tend to the needs of folks that have had to put appointments on hold. CEO Steve Underdahl said they haven’t opened Urgent Care or the Express Clinic yet because, they want to be careful that they don’t create, “a more open environment for lots of respiratory patients to be in kind of a walk-in situation. We’re still trying to think through that”. The complexity of “turning things back on” is more difficult than shutting them off, “so the analogy I’ve used lately is shutting it off is like turning off the light switch, standing them both back up is more like building a light bulb”. They are trying to prioritize patients with three of their four operating rooms now open. There is a link to a video on our Covid 19 page with Drs. Fischer and Helgen answering questions on caring for your health in the era of covid. NH&C is a neutral source of scientific information. While things open up, the basic protocols of protection remain a good idea. Wearing a mask when appropriate, washing your hands and keeping your distance. Underdahl’s full interview is HERE.
Nfld’s only credit union breaks ground
HomeTown Credit Union broke ground on their new 5,500-square-foot Northfield branch this morning. They expect their new location at the corner of Gleason Court and Honeylocust Drive will be opening in early ‘21 with full service that will include two drive-thru lanes, a drive-up ATM, along with offices and a conference room. CEO, Kim Westphal said, “we’re very excited to be building in Northfield, and are really looking forward to embracing the community and building an office to better serve our current and future members”. They will be the only credit union in Northfield. Starting as a not-for-profit financial cooperative in 1974, HomeTown Credit Union today serves Dodge, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties.The Credit Union has more than 19,000 members with 5 locations, and more than $190 million in assets. PRESS RELEASE_HomeTown Credit Union Northfield Branch Groundbreaking_060920 (1)
