Benilde-St. Margaret’s moves to online instruction

Local school closes due to COVID-19

Benilde-St.+Margarets%2C+a+Catholic+school+less+than+two+miles+from+Park%2C+announced+March+13+its+students+will+be+having+online+school+until+April+3.+The+number+of+confirmed+COVID-19+cases+has+risen+to+14+in+Minnesota.

Maggie Klaers

Benilde-St. Margaret’s, a Catholic school less than two miles from Park, announced March 13 its students will be having online school until April 3. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 14 in Minnesota.

Marta Hill

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rises to 14 in Minnesota March 13, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, a private Catholic school located less than two miles from Park, announced it will be moving to online instruction through April 3.  

President Adam Ehrmantraut, senior high Principal Susan Skinner and junior high Principal Rikki Mortl said in a letter to parents and guardians that although the state is not recommending cancelation of schools, Benilde-St. Margaret’s is able to go completely online.

“BSM is in the unique position of being able to deliver curriculum via Extended Online School in a highly effective manner,” according to the letter.

The building will be open March 16 and 17 to allow students to pick up materials they may need for school. Staff will be in professional development March 16 and 17.

The letter also said that school counselors will be available to support students during the period of online school. Teachers will be screencasting to students regularly to help continue the education. 

In light of the recommendation to practice social distancing, Benilde-St. Margaret’s asks that students and staff not gather in large groups while the students are doing online school.