COVID-19 Information

Public health agencies will continue to guide the District’s decision-making process as the school year progresses, and with that, a couple of reminders:

• Masks are required on all school buses and vans.
• The District strongly recommends that staff and students wear masks.
• Students and staff are strongly recommended to get tested for COVID-19 regularly.
• Anyone experiencing illness should stay home and are strongly recommended to get tested for COVID-19.
• Families should report all positive cases of COVID-19 to their building school nurse. 
• Students or staff with a positive test for COVID-19 and symptoms should stay home and isolate for at least 10 days from the time the symptoms begin until symptoms have improved AND they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Students or staff with a positive test for COVID-19 without symptoms should stay home for 10 days beginning the day they were tested.
• Public Health Recommendations for close contacts include the following: Except in certain circumstances, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. However, the following people with recent exposure may NOT need to quarantine:
  • People who have been fully vaccinated
  • People who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last three months
  • Masked students in the classroom

Please remember this situation can rapidly change.

Should your student test positive, please contact your student’s school and report this information to the school nurse. Your student will then quarantine for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or from the test date if asymptomatic. It is recommended that the household of any individual that tests positive follow the recommendations made on the Decision Tree. 

Students will be marked absent as we want to ensure they have the time needed to recover from symptoms. Families may request work for their student from the teacher(s) if the student is feeling well enough to do school-work.

Public Health recommendations for close contacts include the following:

Except in certain circumstances, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. However, the following people with recent exposure may NOT need to quarantine:

• People who have been fully vaccinated
• People who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last three months
• Masked students in the classroom.

Please follow the Decision Tree and notifications that are shared.

Yes, should you feel the need to quarantine due to an exposure outside of school, please do so using the recommendations on the Decision Tree.

Should your student’s class be asked to switch to distance learning, instruction will continue in accordance with their education plan. Your student will have a distance learning schedule with times to engage in both synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students will receive technology to support their learning and be expected to complete multiple activities each day.

The goal is to keep students engaged in in-person learning as much as possible this year. The District COVID Team will be monitoring multiple data points to keep all students and employees safe. Should the impact of positive case rates be isolated to one building, it is possible that other buildings would remain in-person while that one building moves to distance learning. 

No. In accordance with our plan, we want to limit exposure for our students during the school day. Our classrooms have very limited space to allow for additional people.

The stage of buildings and the district primarily impact the compulsory district events. Extracurricular activities and athletics will be dependent on the guidance set by the Minnesota State High School League. All scheduled activities are subject to change.

All students ages 12 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at this time. 

• Because recommendations have many factors (vaccination status, prior history with COVID-19, masks, etc.), please read the full notification to determine which recommendation is right for you or your child. 
• When ill or quarantined, please call your or your child’s school once to report dates you or your child will be absent. 
• Notify your or your child’s school/teachers if you would like schoolwork while you or your child are absent. 
• Remember, both the positive case and the close contact must be wearing a mask to exempt a close contact from the recommended quarantine.

The CDC requires all people to wear face coverings while in public transportation hubs and on all public transportation conveyances (airplanes, public buses, etc.), including school buses (both public and private).  See: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China and has now been detected in almost 90 locations internationally, including in the United States and Olmsted County. Based on reports from places where it has circulated, COVID-19 presents a range of illnesses. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions - like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example, are at higher risk. Source: CDC

We employ strategic disinfectant procedures during the influenza season. The same cleaning strategies that we use to limit influenza transmission are effective in combating COVID-19. The District is reviewing our crisis plan and working to update a specific pandemic disease preparation strategy. This plan includes details about how we monitor any potential flu outbreak in a school building and the various action steps we will use to prevent the spread of illness.

In making a determination on school closures due to illness, the District would work with local partners like Mower County Health and Human Services, Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota Department of Education. We are continuously monitoring how the virus is impacting our community. The District maintains a list of school-related activities and events which will be monitored for possible cancelation. School closures and activity cancellations are sent directly to families via Infinite Campus Messenger, and are posted on our official social media channels and our website.

The District is taking steps for contingency planning should closures become necessary. The building principals will be seeking input this week from staff with respect to lesson planning and preparedness. The District is also taking steps to determine if District technology resource-sharing is an option for families who do not have access at home. In addition, our Student Nutrition Services is currently working on possible plans to provide breakfast and lunch for our students due to an extended closure.

No, Kids Korner will not run should schools be closed due to COVID-19. Parents should consider other arrangements if closure becomes necessary.

Right now, the most important actions people in our community can take to prevent illness are simple and effective. The Minnesota Department of Health indicates that following these basic good health practices is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family:

• Consider getting a seasonal flu shot. It's not too late.
• Make sure to cover coughs and sneezes.
• Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Model frequent handwashing in your home and workplace.
• Keep children home from school until fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
• Stay home from work if you are sick.
• If you plan to go to the doctor with flu-like symptoms, please call ahead so the clinic can be prepared for your arrival.

Additionally, you may take this opportunity to review your family's emergency plans. Think about backup plans for child care if school is temporarily closed or if parents, children, or a child care provider is sick. Think about necessary items to have at home, including prescription medication (check your refill dates), and non-prescription medications, such as fever-reducing medications.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has prepared guidance for parents to talk with their children about COVID-19.

• Read the NASP guidance in English.
• Read the NASP guidance in Spanish.

Student and staff health and safety is a top priority. We are monitoring developments closely. Public health agencies will continue to guide the District’s decision-making process as the school year progresses.

• Find a COVID-19 Vaccine: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
• Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available.
• Contact your state or local health department for more information

Public health agencies will continue to guide the District’s decision-making process as the school year progresses.  Please review more information on immunocompromised individuals and more on the CDC website.