Safe Learning Plan - Fall 2022

In August 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its guidance for schools regarding COVID-19 and mitigating the effects of the disease. The Minnesota Department of Health adopted the guidance and shared it with Minnesota schools. Based on the new guidance, District 191 will make the following changes to its Safe Learning Plan and practices around COVID-19 for the start of the 2022-23 school year. 

Quarantine

A person who is in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, including household members, is no longer required to quarantine (stay home), regardless of vaccination status. 

However, in a household where someone tests positive, other members of that household should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days when at work, school or out in public regardless of their vaccination status or history of previous COVID infection. 

Cohorts

The CDC no longer recommends keeping students in cohorts (e.g. avoid mixing classes during recess) unless an outbreak of COVID-19 is detected at the school.  

Continued mitigation efforts

The following mitigation strategies will remain in place as the school year starts.

Isolation  

A person who tests positive will be required to isolate (stay home) for at least five days. 

If they did not have symptoms, they can return on Day 6. If they did have symptoms, they can return on Day 6 if their symptoms have resolved or greatly improved and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. 

After completing isolation, a person who tested positive should wear a well-fitting mask when at work, school or out in public for the next 5 days (Days 6-10).

Day 0 is the day you were tested (not necessarily the day you received your positive test result) or the first day of symptoms.

If an asymptomatic person develops symptoms after testing positive or exposure, the 5-day isolation period starts over. Day 0 is the day symptoms start.

Masks

Masks continue to be encouraged, especially when in large groups, but are not required. 

Ventilation

Schools will continue to run ventilation systems for longer hours in order to circulate more fresh air throughout the building. 

Buses will continue to have open windows and hatches in order to promote ventilation. 

At-home test kits

Rapid at-home test kits will be available for students and families at open house events and in school offices as supplies last. 

Response to increased cases

The District will continue to monitor cases in our schools and in the community and respond to changing health conditions. This may include additional mitigations in individual classrooms or programs, or across an entire school or districtwide.

Vaccine clinics

District 191 schools will continue to host vaccine clinics as they are available through Dakota County Public Health or other organizations.  

Notifications & other changes

The District will continue to provide notifications to families when a positive case is identified in their student’s classroom at the elementary and early learning levels. The weekly notifications about case counts at the middle and high schools will be discontinued.