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October 2, 2020
Updates in this email:
Today, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began publicly reporting on confirmed COVID-19 cases that are related to Minnesota schools. Going forward, MDH will include school-related data on their weekly data reports that are updated on their website every Thursday morning at 11 a.m. The school-related data reflects confirmed COVID-19 cases in all Minnesota prekindergarten through grade 12 school buildings including public, nonpublic and tribal schools. This only includes confirmed COVID-19 cases where the individual was present in a school building while they were infectious. For example, if a student who is receiving their education via distance learning tested positive for COVID-19 but never entered the school building while they were infectious, their case would not be reflected in this data.
Minnesotans are now able to see the aggregate number of school building-related cases throughout the state broken down by the number of cases associated with adults who are employed by a school and students. MDH is also providing the total number of schools impacted with a range of cases: one case, two through four cases, and five or more. School buildings with five or more confirmed COVID-19 cases are identified on MDH’s website (at the bottom of the page under "Facilities with Cases & Exposures"). School buildings’ names will come off the identified list if they have no new confirmed cases after 28 days, which is two incubation cycles.
All of this is in an effort to be transparent with the public about the prevalence of COVID-19 in our school buildings across the state and give Minnesotans an accurate picture of how the virus is impacting our school communities.
A few important reminders about the distance learning option for families who opt out of in-person or hybrid learning:
- Families are permitted to move their child to the school district or charter school’s required distance learning option at any point during the school year, under Executive Order 20-82, paragraph 4:
- “Pursuant to MDE and MDH guidance, all districts and charter schools must offer a distance learning model that meets the educational needs of all students of families who choose not to receive in-person instruction.”
- School districts and charter schools may set reasonable limitations on when families may return from self-selected distance learning to the schools’ hybrid or in-person options, however, families must be allowed to opt in to the distance learning option at any time.
In response to the unprecedented obstacles schools, teachers, students, and their families are facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education has offered a waiver to state education agencies to allow 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) to provide programming during school hours.
Currently, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act restricts activities provided by a program funded under the 21st CCLC program to activities provided only during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session. If approved, this waiver would allow 21st CCLC grant recipients in Minnesota to operate with greater flexibilities to better meet the needs of students and families during the 2020-21 school year by giving MDE temporary authority to permit its 21st CCLC programs to provide supplemental services when school is in session, but students are not receiving in-person instruction. All other requirements for a 21st CCLC program would continue to apply.
Before we submit our application, we are asking for public comment. Please see the public comment survey and share this with those in your community who may be interested in providing input.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Together we can create communities that are kinder, more inclusive and accepting for all. Find information bullying prevention resources on our School Climate Center webpage.
Additionally, as students are spending more time online, PACER has resources for students, educators and families to prevent and resolve cyberbullying.
Be sure to share these important resources with your school communities.
Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed October as Minnesota Farm to School Month. During the month, Minnesotans are encouraged to celebrate connections between students and local food, share our state’s farm to school stories and express gratitude for school nutrition professionals and farmers providing essential services to feed our kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As students across the state participate in a variety of in-person, distance learning and hybrid school settings, school nutrition professionals continue to provide students with fresh, nutritious food while supporting Minnesota farmers, which lifts the local economy. Read the full press release and learn more about Farm to School Month.
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