By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
During its regular August meeting, the NRHEG school board approved the 2021-22 Safe Return to School plan, recommending, but not requiring face-coverings for students and staff.
The plan presented to the board was put together and agreed to during an August 4 meeting of the same committee which helped determine the approach last year.
Board approves plan 6-1
“This is a living document,” Chairman Rick Schultz emphasized. “I think some of the conversation at the committee meeting was valid in the point that we are very hopeful that the year will go as normal as possible. However, we all know that Covid is alive and well in our district, and if mandates come or if we feel uncomfortable about the safety of our students and staff, then there may be a need to adjust these. As I thought about this in preparation for tonight, my thought is that each one of us has a responsibility to do our part in trying to prevent the spread of Covid however we may see that to fit our own decision making. Our objective is as a district, and as a board, an administration, the entire team here, is to keep this as normal of a school year and move forward that way. I hope this is a group effort to make this plan successful and to keep the doors open and students in the classrooms.”
The board approved the decision by a vote of 6-1 with the lone ney vote coming from board member JoAnn Maloney.
“I really have concerns about those who are under 12 and don’t even have the opportunity to be vaccinated,” Board Member Maloney expressed reluctantly, saying she felt she had to say something. “And we can really (focus) on ventilation, and social distancing, and the three feet (rule)... I’m uncomfortable. I really feel that when we recommend masking the result will be few if any masks.”
Board member Loren Schoenrock spoke for what appeared to be the silent majority among board members. “I’m glad to see that the masks are not required. I think that was a challenge to the students, the staff, everybody last year. So with it being recommended, or basically an option, I’ll move for the adoption of the plan.”
Safe Return to School Plan Details
The plan recommends mask wearing for all students and staff inside school buildings, but does not require it. A lone exception to this will be the requirement that all employees and students wear a face-covering while in a school bus or school vehicle. Individuals exempt from face-covering requirements include: Children who are five years of age or younger; person’s with a medical condition, mental health condition, or a disability.
Social distancing of at least three feet will be enforced whenever possible for all students, staff, and visitors, with signs and markings posted throughout the school buildings.
Contact tracing will be conducted anytime the school becomes aware of a positive case or exposure to Covide inside the school buildings. Families will be notified if their child has been exposed to a positive Covid-19 case. In the event of an exposure, families will receive instruction from the district nurse on quarantining. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a 14-day quarantine period. Any person who lives in the same household as the person who tested positive or who tested positive themselves is required to quarantine and will receive specific instructions from the district nurse. Quarantining will not apply to those who have been vaccinated and remain symptom-free. The following four bold points were taken directly from the school’s safe return to school plan:
Instruction during quarantine
If a student is required to quarantine due to a personal or family positive case of Covid-19, classroom materials will be provided through Schoology for grades 6-12 or SeeSaw, or other educational programs as provided for grades K-5. Students should log into the appropriate platform to access classroom materials. Specific questions about learning should be directed to the classroom teacher.
Diagnostic, screening, testing
If you're sick or your child is sick, we ask that you/they do not attend school or school activities. All people entering NRHEG facilities are expected to perform a self-health screening prior to entering the building (screening for elementary children must be completed by an adult).
Continuity of Services
The school district will continue to provide services to address students’ academic needs and students’ and staff social, emotional, mental health, and other needs, which will include student health and food services.
Distance Learning Options
This school year the district is not providing a local Distance Learning option. However, if families are considering a change in learning format, they should contact their building administrator to discuss options.
Changes to the school’s safe return to school plan/policies are expected and will be addressed as needed. The NRHEG Superintendent and School Board Chair will act in accordance with mandates and directives from state and federal agencies and the COVID Planning Team will be involved in discussions and decisions of change to the fullest extent possible.
The entire six page plan can be found on the school’s website at:https://www.nrheg.k12.mn.us