We are all getting ready for an exciting new semester – a little more exciting than most! While none of us knows exactly what will be going on this year – other than that it’s going to be more complex than usual – we have some guidelines.
We are sharing some of the FAQs from the state’s safe learning plan. Keep an eye on this page, as it will likely be updated as we go through the first part of the semester and throughout the school year.
Take a nice deep breath. Get your mask in place. And just be ready to do your best. It’s not going to be a perfect year, but it can still be a good one.
“What is going to happen if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in my student(s) school?
Schools will receive assistance from the Regional Support Teams that will help them determine appropriate next steps such as how to communicate with their school communities, contact tracing, and notifying close contacts. Regional Support Teams are a partnership between MDE, MDH, regional service cooperatives and local public health to support school districts and charter schools in navigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020-21 school year.”
“How do schools determine their safe learning model?
School districts and charter schools must consider their own ability and resources to provide in-person learning, distance learning, or both, while following safety requirements and recommendations. Health officials will provide recommendations for school districts and charter schools based on a number of factors, including the level of community spread of COVID-19 in the area and the differences in potential spread among different age groups and settings.
In determining which learning model to use, decision-makers must prioritize the safety of students and staff while also considering the importance of in-person learning, especially for younger learners. Distance learning is more challenging for younger learners and their families. Additionally, not all students will have equal access to the technology necessary for distance learning.
Regardless of the learning model used, all public schools must offer a distance learning option that is fair for all families. The COVID pandemic has already had a significant and unequal impact on communities of color, indigenous communities, and persons with special health needs, contributing to heightened issues of learning inequity. It is important that everyone in the school community take steps to reduce transmission, particularly to those at higher risk, while balancing the need to maintain a strong education system that effectively supports all staff, students, and communities.”
“How and when can districts and schools change learning models?
School districts, charter schools, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the local public health agency, as applicable, will work together to monitor the number of cases of COVID-19 in an area or facility and the schools’ ability to follow health requirements and best practices to keep students and staff safe. Adjustments will be made to the learning model as needed. The commissioners of MDE and MDH have the authority to stop in-person learning if an outbreak or increase in community spread occurs.
Schools may be allowed to move from distance learning to a model that involves a higher level of in-person learning, after consulting with health officials to assess the level of disease spread and the impact on the school community.
A school that is initially required to use a distance learning model due to high levels of viral transmission in the school or local geographic community may consider using a mixed learning model as a bridge to safely move back toward in-person learning if conditions are appropriate. For example, a school could operate using a hybrid model for two incubation periods (28 days) and carefully monitor for any additional clusters of confirmed cases of COVID-19 before transitioning back to a full in-person learning model.”
“How can schools keep buildings and services safer?
In addition to addressing the health requirements in the preparedness plan, MDH recommends that schools keep students and staff in small groups that stay together as much as possible throughout the day and from day to day. Schools should limit mixing between groups as much as possible, such as during lunch in the cafeteria, bathroom breaks, arrival and dismissal, free periods, recess, etc. Schools should ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible, for example by opening windows and doors.”
Schools must report all confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the MDH or their local public health agency. MDH or the local public health agency conduct a case investigation and identify anyone who potentially has been exposed to the confirmed case. MDH or the local public health agency notifies those who have been exposed and provides them with information about how to protect themselves, their families and their communities.
Schools are asked to assist in the notification process of all close contacts. See What To Do When Notified of a Lab-Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in a School or Child Care Setting (PDF) for more information about the contact tracing process in schools.”
These are just a few of the many FAQs available. Check out the website for all of them!