Minneapolis Schools Opt for Virtual Learning Following Fatal Shooting

On Thursday, the president of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers announced that Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) will permit students to shift to virtual learning until February 12. This decision follows the tragic shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during an arrest in the city.

Union president Marcia Howard noted that families can choose to keep their children at home over the next five weeks, emphasizing that this option stems from the advocacy of both educators and parents. “MPS will be offering the option for students to learn from home until February 12th. This is what many families need right now,” Howard stated. “MFE members brought this to MPS, and MPS listened. Minneapolis, let’s be stronger together.”

The announcement coincided with MPS’s decision to cancel in-person classes for Thursday and Friday due to safety concerns. “Out of an abundance of caution, classes will not be held in Minneapolis Public Schools on Thursdays and Fridays. Please visit the MPS website for further details,” Howard added.

MPS had suspended in-person classes for the remainder of the week in response to heightened public safety concerns related to the recent ICE shooting. All district programs, including extracurriculars, athletics, community education, and adult education courses, have been canceled during this period. School officials are collaborating with city leaders and emergency responders to devise a response plan, but they will not be transitioning to online instruction during the suspension.

As protests against ICE actions grow in Minneapolis following the shooting, demonstrators have gathered near the scene of the incident. Some protests have turned confrontational, including clashes that led to the use of tear gas by law enforcement to disperse crowds.