|
January 7, 2022
Reminder: Report Quarter 2 Seclusion by January 15
Quarter 2 seclusion reporting is now live in Stepwell MN. Please log into Stepwell to report whether and/or how many seclusions occurred at your district during quarter two of the 2021-22 school year, covering October 1 to December 31, 2021. Please complete your quarter two seclusion reporting by January 15, 2022. Remember, all school districts and charter schools must complete quarterly seclusion reporting, even those that do not use seclusions or do not have a seclusion room.
If you do not see a quarter two seclusion task when you log into Stepwell, please email Carolyn Ellstra. Please note that you will only be able to report for quarter two at this time. A task for quarter three seclusion reporting will be released on March 31, 2022, with a due date of April 15, 2022.
Available Resources
If needed, resources are available to assist you in accessing and navigating Stepwell on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Restrictive Procedures webpage. In addition, FAQ: Restrictive Procedures Data Collection in Stepwell MN is available on MDE’s Stepwell MN page (available at the bottom of the webpage). You can also direct questions about seclusion reporting to Carolyn Ellstra.
Updated CDC Guidance
Updated CDC Guidance Applies to K-12 Schools
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released additional information about the new quarantine and isolation guidance first announced on December 27, 2021. The CDC guidance applies to the general population, including K-12 schools. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is reviewing the detailed guidance and will be updating materials to align with CDC recommendations. MDH will have updated guidance documents and materials early next week. In the meantime, you can continue following current MDH guidance on their website or refer to the new CDC guidance. These revised guidelines allow for shortened quarantine and isolation under certain circumstances including strict adherence to masking.
To accompany the guidance, CDC has developed a corresponding rationale and FAQs.
These updated recommendations come as the Omicron variant is now rapidly spreading throughout the United States causing very high case rates. Continued promotion of layered mitigation strategies, such as masking, vaccination and others is key for protecting the health of students, educators and communities.
Test to Stay
On Friday, December 17, 2021, the CDC released updated guidance on Test to Stay. According to the CDC, Test to Stay combines contract tracing and serial testing (testing that is repeated at least twice during a seven-day period post-exposure) to allow asymptomatic school-associated close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and do not test positive for COVID-19 to continue in-person learning.
Schools may consider Test to Stay as an option for keeping asymptomatic school-associated close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and do not test positive for COVID-19 in the classroom as an alternative to traditional quarantine at home. The CDC guidance applies in settings when layered mitigation is in place, including contact tracing, universal masking and physical distancing.
Given the limitations in implementing physical distancing and universal masking, among other layered mitigation, the CDC guidance does not apply to early childhood settings.
COVID-19 Testing Update: Additional BD Veritor At-Home Tests Available
Schools can now place secondary orders for BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 tests. The State of Minnesota is making these rapid, antigen tests are available for use by school staff and students at no cost. Schools can now place up to two orders for one test per student and one test per staff member with an additional 20% available for staff.
The BD Veritor At-Home test must be administered by families outside of the school building. Families need to download the Scanwell Health app on their iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel smartphone. Once they create an account and are signed in, the app will provide step-by-step video instructions in English. Families should ensure they have 20 minutes to complete the test and receive results.
The test does not provide a record of the test result. However, schools should encourage families to notify them if they receive a positive result. Schools should report positive cases using REDCap.
Learn more about BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 tests, including how to order them in the overview document.
Meal Service During Statewide Assessment
Statewide Assessment testing administration for students in grades K-12 starts in January. School nutrition program operators should be discussing meal service options with school administration as soon as possible to develop a plan. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations do not require schools to offer meals when students are not present over the meal period, however we encourage sponsors to do so if logistically feasible. School districts should use discretion as to how close any early-release time is to the meal period on testing days, and to keep in mind students who may rely on school meals for their nutritional needs.
Since Minnesota requires statewide assessments to be administered to students in-person, some school districts may be hosting students who attend on-line schools in addition to students attending traditional schools. Under normal operations, students attending online schools do not have access to the School Nutrition Programs. However, on testing days, all students may access school meals if they are offered. School nutrition program operators may claim these meals for reimbursement under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and record them as visiting student meals.
COMPASS Updates
There are now six COMPASS Pathways available for school leaders and educators in the areas of Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS), Data and Assessment Literacy, and School Climate and Mental Health. COMPASS Pathways will offer a variety of resources, evidence-based practices and facilitated guidance in formats that work best for schools. Types of pathways will vary by the topic but may include on-demand learning, cohort learning groups or a hybrid of on-demand resources and cohort learning groups. Learn more about the available COMPASS Pathways.
Additionally, schools that are interested in COMPASS may also be interested in the following professional development and grant opportunities.
Improve Reading Outcomes: Implementing the Science of Reading Within an MTSS Framework
Schools that are interested in COMPASS programming, may also be interested in professional development offered by edWeb. On January 12 at 3 p.m., educators can learn about implementing the Science of Reading within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. Registration is now open.
Minnesota Multi-tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS) Grants – Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is currently accepting applications for an MnMTSS grant opportunity. This funding is being made available to Minnesota local educational agencies (LEAs) (i.e., school district and charter schools), to build the capacity of LEAs to support implementation of the MnMTSS framework in order to improve academic, behavioral and social emotional outcomes for all students. Additional information on the MnMTSS grants is available on MDE’s Competitive Grant Opportunities webpage. The deadline to apply is February 9, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.
Training Opportunities, Important Dates and Announcements
MDE Hires New Public Engagement Director
MDE is launching a new public engagement division to help better support families, communities and schools.
Lee Her is MDE's new public engagement director. Creating a public engagement division at MDE has been an important priority for many months. Read the announcement.
USDA Distributes $1.5 Billion to Strengthen School Meal Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on December 17, 2021, that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing up to $1.5 billion to states and school districts to help school meal program operators deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. As the administration continues to work towards Building a Better America by investing in our communities, the funding announced will help to provide our nation’s children with the nutritious foods they need to thrive. Minnesota will be receiving $26,394,337 in funds. Read the full press release.
Statutory Deadline for Dissemination of Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Information to Families
By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the district’s course registration date (whichever is earlier), a district must provide up-to-date information about the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program to all students in grades 8-11 (Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 7). This requirement applies to both districts and charter schools.
Information about the PSEO program must be published on the district or school website and in materials that are distributed to parents and students, including enrollment requirements and the opportunity to earn postsecondary credit. In an effort to provide consistent and helpful guidance about PSEO, updated language is available on the department webpage that should be used to satisfy this statutory obligation. Access Suggested PSEO Language for Districts.
In addition, two virtual sessions will be offered for districts and charter schools to explain this statutory requirement: January 12 at 2:30 p.m. or February 9 at 2:30 p.m. For assistance with questions, contact Beth Barsness, 651-582-8336.
Federal Adult Education Grant Competition Materials Posted
Competitive grant application materials for federal adult education funding are now available to any eligible entity wanting to receive this funding to be an adult education provider. Federal Adult Basic Education Grant Opportunity (Formula FIN 438, CFDA 84.002A – State Fiscal Year 2023) application materials can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website grants page. Applicants must either apply directly or as part of a consortium application. Submit all required application documents to mde.compgrants@state.mn.us by March 25, 2022, 3:30 p.m. Central time.
Staff from MDE will be holding an informational webinar on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., for eligible Minnesota applicants interested in applying for a grant. Register for the ABE Federal Grant Application webinar on the ZoomGov website. If you have questions about this grant, email Neill Allard.
Restorative Practices Educational Sessions
The MDE School Climate Center is offering Restorative Practices (RP) Educational Sessions January 15, 22, and 29, 2022, from 9 a.m. to noon, for educators to explore their restorative mindsets. The sessions include Restorative Mindfulness and Self Care; The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Exploring the Values of the Anishinaabe and Nurture Professional Wellness.
In addition, five sessions are available in January and February for people with circle and restorative practices experience: Conflict and Restorative Practitioners, The History of Discipline/Protecting Youth Rights in School, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and RP: Collaborating and Connecting, When Harm Happens in the Name of RP and Understanding Grief and Loss. The registration fee for each session is $95.
Finally, Circle trainings for experienced circle keepers and those beginning their restorative journeys are offered in February. For further information contact Nancy Riestenberg, MDE, 651-582-8433.
Register for the Restorative Practices Educational Sessions and Circle Trainings.
|
