Parents push for re-opening schools Parents push for re-opening schools By Kelsey Barchenger | February 3, 2021 at 1:16 PM CST - Updated February 3 at 1:16 PM MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - A new social media group created by local parents is pushing for the full re-opening of schools within the Mankato School District. The Facebook group, called Re-open District 77, seeks to serve as a platform for parents and students within the district. Its creator says it’s a place to share stories about the mental health and academic concerns for 6 through 12th-grade students dealing with remote learning for a full academic year, helping to make sure all voices are heard by district leadership. Elementary students within the district went back to in-person learning in mid-January. Secondary students were originally set to return to class in the hybrid model on February 4, but that got pushed back to the 18th.