COVID-19 GUIDELINES

  • On August 11, 2022, the Center for Disease Control updated its guidance related to managing and reporting COVID-19 in schools. This update was in response to levels of COVID-19 nationwide that represent increased levels of natural immunity and vaccination. Prior to these recommendations, shifts from individual case reporting to aggregated case reporting had occurred at the state and county levels. 

    Due to these shifts, ISD #318 will shift from school or district management of COVID-19 to family management of COVID-19. We will continue to report COVID-19 cases per the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Health and will communicate with families when outbreaks reach thresholds consistent with Influenza-like-illness (ILI) standards. Management of COVID-19 will consist of the following:

    • Families will be expected to keep sick children home and report illnesses to schools.
    • People who are home with COVID or COVID-like symptoms should stay home (isolate) for 5 days. See this decision-making guide from MDH. People should stay home until symptoms have improved.
    • There are no COVID-specific leave days for 2022-23.
    • Quarantines are no longer recommended by the Center for Disease Control. The CDC recommends that people exposed to COVID-19 wear a mask for 10 days and test on day 5.
    • The school district still has a generous supply of COVID-19 tests and recommends that ill students are tested.  
    • Cleaning and personal hygiene standards are still in effect. 
    • Students and staff can wear a mask at any time, but masks are not required.

    As we have done the last two years, we will prioritize safety and in-person learning and we will adjust our approach as needed based on community conditions.