Mankato Area Public Schools plan for young students to return to class Mankato Area Public Schools plan for young students to return to class By Kelsey Barchenger | December 17, 2020 at 10:45 AM CST - Updated December 17 at 1:01 PM MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Getting elementary students back in the classroom. That’s one of the priorities Governor Tim Walz reiterated in his announcement on COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday, one that has many school districts, like Mankato Area Public Schools wasting no time to begin working on a plan. “We’re pretty excited about it. We’ve been hearing from our community and our students about wanting to be in the classrooms and our staff as well and really excited to see the emphasis on our youngest learners,” says Stacy Wells, Director of Communications, Mankato Area Public Schools.