Sejong Academy in Minnesota transitions to online learning due to safety issues

Online Learning in Minnesota Due to Safety Concerns

This week, several taxpayer-funded charter schools in Minnesota transitioned to online classes, citing safety issues. Community organizations are advising undocumented immigrants to remain at home, as reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities have caused widespread anxiety within the local Myanmar community.

Sejong Academy, a public charter school in St. Paul, announced its switch to online learning for the remainder of the week. A notice on their website expressed concerns for the “safety and well-being” of the school community.

“Sejong Academy will proceed with online learning for the remainder of this week,” their website stated, without specifying what those safety concerns are. The school will hold remote classes on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a scheduled Friday break for staff development.

Meanwhile, Urban Village, a local community organization, publicly addressed immigration enforcement activities via a video on Instagram. They encouraged undocumented immigrants to stay inside, suggesting that those without green cards or proof of citizenship should not open their doors to strangers. The video highlighted that schools are offering online learning options for families worried about sending their children to school.

In a separate post, Urban Village mentioned that members of the Myanmar community in Minnesota had been detained by ICE and transferred to a detention center out of state. They claimed that some detainees faced pressure to relinquish their legal rights, raising concerns about potential violations of policy and law.

Urban Village is advising individuals who are not citizens or green card holders to limit their movements, avoid driving, and minimize contact due to an apparent increase in enforcement efforts. This advice has reportedly led to many parents missing work, skipping medical appointments, and children missing school and other activities.

Interestingly, Sejong Academy did not directly reference immigration or ICE in its announcement regarding online learning, leaving some uncertainty as to whether they coordinated their decision with Urban Village or altered their operations based on the group’s guidance. The school has received over $7 million in government grants, underscoring its publicly funded status.