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:

• Students and staff are strongly recommended to get tested for COVID-19 regularly.
• Anyone experiencing illness must 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 must stay home for 5 days beginning with the onset of symptoms or the day they were tested (if asymptomatic) and should wear a mask for 5 days upon returning to school and other district activities. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 can return once symptoms have improved AND they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. 
• 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 wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g. N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public.
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.

Please remember this situation can rapidly change.

The federal government passed three major relief packages in response to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) all included funding for education. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) administered grants from these three relief packages.  You can learn more here and here.

The following face coverings are acceptable:

• Paper or disposable masks
• Cloth face masks
• Scarves
• Neck gaiters
• Bandanas
• Religious face coverings
• Medical grade masks or respirators

 See other types of face protection information here.

The CDC does not recommend using face shields instead of masks because it's unclear how much protection shields provide. However, in rare situations, wearing a face mask may not be possible. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin. For a graphic illustration of proper use of face shields, review the Minnesota Department of Health Considerations for Face Shields.

Please note that wearing a face shield could lead to quarantine if identified as a close contact.

Read more from Mayo Clinic: How well do face masks protect against coronavirus?

• Please contact your student’s school and report this information to the school nurse. 
• Isolate for 5 days from the onset of symptoms or from the test date if asymptomatic 
• Wear a well-fitted mask strictly for 5 days when around others following the isolation period. 
• APS affiliated household members should watch for symptoms, mask for 10 days following the exposure, and it is recommended that close contacts get tested at least 5 full days after your last exposure, even if individuals do not develop symptoms.

See CDC guidance for more information.

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.

Regardless of vaccination status, individuals exposed to COVID-19 should: 

• Wear a well-fitted mask strictly for 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.  

• Watch for symptoms until 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. 

• If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay hom euntil you know the results.

• Test at least 5 full days after your last exposure, even if you do not develop symptoms. 

See CDC guidance for more information. 

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.

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

• 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 or visit the CDC FAQ about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Teens website. 

Minnesota Department of Health Website 

CDC Website 

You can also speak directly with your child’s healthcare provider for more information on COVID-19 vaccination. 

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.

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:

• Those who are eligible should get the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Unvaccinated individuals should test regularly for COVID-19.

• Wear a mask in public spaces.

• Keep at least 6 feet away from people from other households.

• Follow guidance on staying home (quarantine) if you or your student are exposed to someone who has COVID-19. 

• 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.