Frequently Asked Questions

• Per Minnesota’s updated Safe Learning Plan, elementary schools across the state can shift to an in-person or hybrid learning model beginning Jan. 18, 2021.
   
• We are tentatively planning to transition our PreK through 2nd grade students to in-person learning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and grades 3-5 beginning Feb. 1. If we shift to full in-person learning (not hybrid),students would be in school five days per week. In hybrid learning, students would be in school two days per week.
   
• These are tentative dates as we must continue to work through our Incident Command Team to determine a learning model transition plan.

• We will continue to follow Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan when selecting what learning model to implement for secondary students.
   
• Our plan to shift secondary students to an in-person learning model on Jan. 26 will be dependent on the infectiousness and transmission risk among different ages. The regional team of health experts must support the plan.

• The deadline to register for (or opt out of) our 281 Distance Learning School is 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020.
   
• We must know how many students will be enrolled in our distance learning option so we can ensure appropriate staffing. Therefore, this is the only registration or opt-out period for second semester.
   
• A change that some may not be aware of:
  • The Minnesota Department of Education issued additional *guidance to school districts based on the Governor’s Executive Order 20-82:
  • Due to staff and space capacity issues that result from ‘any time’ registration or opt-out in a district’s distance learning option --
    • A school district or charter school may limit movement to distance learning for families requesting to move from in-person or hybrid for reasons other than a health issue.
    • A school district may limit movement from distance learning to in-person or hybrid instruction.
    • Students or families choosing to move to distance learning due to a health issue must be allowed at any time.

Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) 2020-21 Planning Guidance for MN Public Schools

• An outside company reviewed and inspected building automation systems.
   
• Based on their recommendations, our ventilation and filtration systems have been optimized. We installed different filters, are running air handlers longer and increasing outside air flow.
   
• Ongoing monitoring systems are being utilized to ensure there is proper air quality in all buildings.
   
• HVAC units are left running two hours before and after occupancy to filter and bring in outside air to reduce any existing airborne contaminants.
   
• Sampling is done by the staff on a regular basis.
   
• We began circulating outside air into our buildings last spring to further enhance air quality. This may cause air to be colder than usual when students are in the buildings - dressing in layers is encouraged.

• Breakfast and lunches are free this school year through the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
   
• Elementary students will eat lunch in the cafeteria if the space allows for 6 feet of distance between students. If physical distancing between students cannot be accommodated in the cafeteria and cohorts cannot be clearly separated within the cafeteria, students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
   
• If students do not bring lunch from home, students will walk through the cafeteria line, get their meal and return to the classroom.
   
• Where secondary students eat (either in the cafeteria or classroom) will vary depending on the recommendation from the Incident Command team along with building capacity and square footage of the lunch room.

• High-touch areas are cleaned throughout the school day. Commonly touched surface areas include door handles, outside of lockers, student desks and chairs, tables, physical education exercise equipment, stairway handrails, special education mats and supplies, and any other surfaces that may have the ability to transfer a communicable disease.
   
• Disinfecting happens each evening after students and staff go home. This reduces risk to those who may be sensitive to chemicals or have respiratory issues.

• Families will need to conduct a COVID-19 self-screening of their student before school. Staff also perform a self-screening at home.
   
• Each building has a COVID coordinator. These individuals, along with the District COVID coordinator, work in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
   
• If a positive COVID-19 case is confirmed for a student or staff member, our coordinator(s) in partnership MDH determine any potential next steps such as notification of close contacts, quarantine, isolation, classroom or school closures.
   
• These decisions vary on a case-by-case basis due to factors such as number of individuals exposed, setting/location, duration of exposure, etc.

• Each school has a COVID-19 isolation room in addition to the main health office.
   
• If a student is ill they will be assessed for symptoms of COVID-19 and have their temperature taken.
   
• If the student is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and it is determined that they must go home, the student will wait in the isolation room with a designated staff member.

• Hand sanitizer, cleaning spray and supplies are available in each classroom.
   
• In full in-person learning (not hybrid), students do not need to maintain six feet of social distance and desks do not need to be six feet apart.
   
• After putting their items away, students will wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water.
   
• Students should bring their own school supplies from home whenever possible.
   
• Some specialist lessons, like music, may be held in the main classroom. Others, like physical education or art, may be held in those rooms.

• Students will wear face coverings in school.
   
• Students will be given opportunities for ‘mask breaks’ throughout the school day, where they can remove their face covering in a designated area of the classroom for a short break.
   
• According to the new guidance issued on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, elementary students will also wear face coverings during indoor recess and indoor physical education class.
   
• Teachers will wear a face covering and have access to a face shield.

• Students will continue to have recess.
   
• Students can remove their face covering for outdoor recess based on current guidance.

• Students will wear face coverings on the bus.
   
• There will be assigned seats on the bus.
   
• Students will enter the bus and board from the back to the front.
   
• Students do not need to socially distance on the bus during full in-person learning.
   
• During hybrid learning, buses are at no more than 50% full and students are socially distanced.