Dear parents,
One year has ended and we are planning for the next. Our students and staff did a great job learning and teaching despite the numerous challenges this last year. Great job and thank you to everyone that supported our students and the work we do. It is looking like we will be able to return to a “normal” school year this fall.
This plan has been updated to reflect that move. We will continue with some of the district mitigation efforts, but for the most part, things will look more traditional. I am so thankful that the class of 2021 got to see the release of restrictions at graduation!
I hope all of our families enjoy the summer and we look forward to having everyone back next fall!
Kind Regards,
Becky Cselovszki
Superintendent of Redwood Area Schools
Our Partners
Redwood Area is an incredible community where we all come together to find solutions to difficult situations. COVID-19 is just another example of people working together for the benefit of the whole. Our school district is fortunate to have a community that takes pride in the education of our students and has placed the return to school as a priority.
We are thankful for the feedback last fall from our parents and staff on surveys regarding the return to school. This plan has been modified to reflect the return to full time in person learning for the next school year.
The Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Education, along with the Center for Disease Control have provided additional guidance and we will continue to review their recommendations.
Our Expectations:
Parent/Guardian Expectations
Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to sending a student to school. Students with a temperature over 100 degrees F should stay home.
Students need to be excluded from school until fever free without medication (Tylenol or Advil) for 72 hours.
Provide your student with a water bottle (non-glass) as water fountains will not be available for use only our water bottle filling stations will be in use.
Limit your visits to school as much as possible. If you do have to visit the school, conduct a personal health screening prior to coming to the school building and do not come if exhibiting a fever higher than 100 degree F or showing other symptoms.
It is preferred if you call the school to see if the question can be answered through the phone.
Follow all posted guidelines and read all signage whenever entering a school building.
Ensure that your student’s contact information and medical information is updated through the online forms process on Skyward.
Ensure that emergency contacts have been designated and prearranged methods of getting a student home from school should they become ill or exhibit symptoms
Parents/Guardians will not be allowed to join their student(s) for lunch.
Discuss and support hand washing and hand sanitizer use.
Read all communications from the District, Building Principal, and Teachers
Student Expectations
Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to school.
If you have a temperature over 100 degrees F you should stay home.
You need to continue to stay home until you have been fever free without medication (Tylenol or Advil) for 72 hours.
Bring and wear a face mask or face covering.
The state and district require you to wear a mask or face covering on the school bus.-we will continue to monitor guidance for next fall but this is continues for summer 2021
Bring a water bottle (non-glass) to school each day, as the water fountains will not be available for use. Only our water bottle filling stations will be in use.
If you are feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms, you may request or be asked to go to the quarantine area for further evaluation.
You will need to follow posted guidelines and read all signage throughout the building.
Teacher and Paraprofessional Expectations
Health and Safety
Conduct a wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to work.
Staff with a temperature over 100 degree F should stay home.
If students feel ill or are showing symptoms, you must call the nurse’s office and report that you are sending a student to the quarantine office for further evaluation.
Staff are asked to limit the student going to see the nurse for minor concerns. Teachers will get a supply of basic first aid supplies such as bandaids and gloves.
Custodian Expectations
Conduct a wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to work.
Staff with a temperature over 100 degree F should stay home.
Post appropriate health and safety signage around the building.
Make sure all classrooms are provided with all the supplies needed daily, including disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and gloves.
Check and refill hand sanitizer dispensers daily.
Disinfect common areas based on a schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, handrails, toilets, stalls, water fountains, and sinks.
Ensure that designated doors are unlocked and open for arrival and dismissal.
Work with school nurses to determine appropriate cleaning schedules in isolation and nursing areas.
Disinfect all tables and seats in lunch areas between lunch groups and after use.
School Nurses Expectations
Conduct a wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to work.
Staff with a temperature over 100 degree F should stay home.
Ensure that the work space is kept clean and sanitized.
Quarantine students who are showing symptoms to the isolation room away from other students in the nurse’s office.
Ensure the doors to the nurse’s office are open to minimize the use of door handles and to ensure maximum airflow to the area.
Provide classroom teachers with information and basic first aid supplies like bandaids and gloves to minimize traffic in health care areas.
Decrease the amount of time students are in the nurse’s office.
Inform staff that they must call/notify the nurse prior to sending kids to the office.
Consider staggering scheduled daily visits or calling students to the clinic for scheduled visits to limit the number of students in the office at one time.
School Counselor/Social Workers Expectations
Conduct a wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to work.
Staff with a temperature over 100 degree F should stay home.
Communicate a plan for staff when you are absent.
Monitor student success.
Make necessary referrals.
Consult with teachers, staff, and administration to support student success.
Collaborate with families, teachers, staff, administrators for student achievement.
Provide support to families, teachers, staff, and administrators.
Administration Expectations
Conduct a wellness check including temperature prior to reporting to work.
Staff with a temperature over 100 degree F should stay home.
Ensure that classrooms and common areas are being disinfected.
Ensure that supplies are readily available for staff and students as needed.
Ensure that proper signage has been posted.
Provide reminders to staff about proper health and safety precautions.
Minimize visitors to the building.
Provide parents options for meeting virtually.
Identify an isolation room or area.
Our Mitigation Efforts
Communications:
Ongoing Consultation with Public Health
Ongoing Consultation with our school nursing staff
District Leadership Meetings
Site Level Meetings
Buildings:
Hand sanitizers in all classrooms-filled daily
Water fountains shut off only bottle fillers will work
Filters changed twice as often
Restroom doors remain open
Classroom doors remain open at elementary
Windows should be open at elementary if possible
Hepa filters in nurse’s rooms
Signage throughout the building, if needed
Doors propped open in morning
Procedures:
Masks must continue to be worn on buses
Each room will be cleaned at the end of the day by custodial staff
Limited visitors in building, especially beyond the offices-permission from principal
Signs will be posted regarding mask use, hand washing, and signs/symptoms of COVID-19
Staffing:
Hiring an additional LPN-continued this position for the 2021-22 school year.
Transportation
General Procedures
The state continues to require masks for bus riders.
Bus companies will provide face coverings for their employees.
Families are invited to provide their students with a mask. The District will provide face covering for students if necessary.
Health and Safety
Buses will be disinfected following each route with special attention to high touch areas.
Additional ventilation may be provided from partially opening windows as conditions permit.
Instruction
This plan outlines a return to:
In-Person means all students in that building or grade level attend school on a regular schedule in the physical school building.
Back to pre-covid routines.
COVID Contacts
Redwood Area Schools Website: https://www.redwoodareaschools...
Becky Cselovszki, Superintendent-COVID-19 Program Coordinator
Email: bcselovszki@redwoodareaschools.com
Kristen Anderson, RASD School Nurse
Email: kanderson@redwoodareaschools.com
Rick Jorgenson, HS Principal-COVID-19 Building Coordinator
Email: rjorgenson@redwoodareaschools.com
Bob Ellwell, MS Principal-COVID-19 Building Coordinator
Email: relwell@redwoodareaschools.com
Paul Van der Hagen, Elem Principal-COVID-19 Building Coordinator
Email: pvanderhagen@redwoodareaschools.com
Andy Ourada, Activities & Community Education Director