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April 7, 2022
Updates in this email:
School COVID-19 Testing Grants – Ventilation and Air Filtration Allowable
Ventilation is an important COVID-19 mitigation strategy for schools. Along with other preventive actions, improving ventilation can reduce the likelihood of spreading illness by reducing the number of virus particles in the air. To assist schools in improving ventilation, Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Reopening Schools Grant funds can now be used to purchase small, portable fan or air filtration systems.
Purchases cannot permanently change school infrastructure and each item purchased must cost less than $5,000. Questions about funds, allowable expenses and school testing programs can be emailed to COVIDtesting.MDE@state.mn.us.
For larger purchases or permanent changes to existing or new building facilities to improve air quality, school districts may be able to use ESSER or Long-Term Facilities Maintenance funds. Email mde.federalCOVIDfunds@state.mn.us for assistance.
Additional Resources:
COVID-19 Tests Available for Staff and Students
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to encourage schools to implement layered safety measures to keep students and staff healthy and safe from COVID-19. One of these measures includes COVID-19 testing.
The State of Minnesota has BD Veritor At-Home tests in stock and ready to ship now. Schools can order a two-week supply of these tests for students and staff. Translated instructions are available in Spanish, Hmong and Somali.
BinaxNOW Professional and Cue tests are also in stock and ready to ship in two-week supplies. A trained staff member at a school building must administer these tests. As a result, schools must have a CLIA Certificate of Waiver to order BinaxNOW Professional or Cue tests.
BinaxNOW OTC is also in stock. This test can be provided to students for use at home. Schools can order up to 150% of their student enrollment.
MDH: COVID-19 Testing in K-12 Schools and Child Care has the latest information about testing in school settings. If you have any questions about creating or maintaining a COVID-19 testing program in your school please contact COVIDtesting.mde@state.mn.us.
Updated Reporting Guidance for BinaxNOW Professional and Cue
As of April 4, 2022, school districts and schools that are conducting BinaxNOW Professional or Cue COVID-19 tests are not required to report negative test results. This is a result of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updating their COVID-19 test result reporting requirements, which the Minnesota Department of Health has adopted.
Organizations that conduct BinaxNOW Professional or Cue tests must continue to report positive tests through RePortal within 24 hours of receiving the result using the following spreadsheets:
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 outside of school (at-home, clinic, pharmacy, community testing site or other), schools will still need to report the case using REDCap. Schools do not need to submit negative test results from tests administered and processed outside of school.
For a detailed description of reporting requirements and changes taking effect April 4, 2022, refer to the following:
Data and Assessment Literacy is a fundamental component of creating strong schools. Through COMPASS, MDE will be providing opportunities for continued learning and professional development for district and school leaders around using data and assessments to improve student outcomes. MDE has created a balanced and comprehensive assessment systems overview document to get schools started with the work to evaluate and improve their current assessment systems. District leaders can gain initial support in developing balanced and comprehensive assessment systems through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS) courses and cohorts. Hands-on support for developing these systems will be available in the new COMPASS Pathways: Data and Assessment Literacy that will be announced in the coming weeks.
District and school leaders who are interested in joining the next round of COMPASS Pathways: MnMTSS, which include a six-session course or a course and cohort group to develop and implement a local MnMTSS. The interest form will close at midnight on Friday, April 15.
Learn more about COMPASS.
The ESSER III district and charter allocations for learning recovery to address the impact of lost instructional time applications will remain open until April 15. These funds (finance code 169) must address learning recovery in response to the impact of lost instructional time by implementing supplemental interventions focused on supporting historically underserved students. Priority will be given to those receiving special education services, those who have missed the most in-person instruction during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, and those who did not consistently participate in remote instruction when offered during school building closures.
Important notes when completing the application:
- Check all four items in the first section of Part B.
- Complete the next section of Part B that asks you to “Enter strategies here” and include how the strategies meet the needs of historically underserved students.
The ESSER III 5% Allocations and the ESSER III FIN 169 Program Details are posted on the Federal Relief Funds webpage.
Please use the following link to accept the finance code 169 allocations for your district or charter and apply for the use of funds: SERVS Financial (mn.gov)
Send questions about the ESSER III 5% awards to mde.federalCOVIDfunds@state.mn.us.
Upcoming Circle and Restorative Practices Opportunities
Consider supporting non-licensed staff to experience circle and connection to other colleagues around the state through the Restorative Practices Affinity Circles for Connection and Support for Educational Non-licensed Professionals, June 23-24, in person.
The Affinity Circles are two days for educators to explore, reflect and learn from each other the lessons of the last two years. Invite your colleagues to select the circle that affirms them as a person and as an educator.
- June 16 and 17, online: Indigenous Voices Circle, Education Leader Circle or LGBTQ2AI+ Affinity.
- June 23-24, in person: Black, Latinx, and Asian Affinity Circle, Licensed Student Support Staff Affinity Circle, North East Educators Affinity Circle, Northwest/North Central Educators Affinity Circle, People of Color and Allies, Teachers Affinity Circle, or White Affinity for Anti-Racism Circle.
The Affinity Circles are open to anyone, regardless of experience with Circle or restorative practices training. Affinity Circles registration fees are $100 for the 2 days.
You can also register for the Restorative Practices June Trainings on June 13-16 and June 21-24. The trainings include restorative skills sessions, circle, using circle in the classroom, repairing harm and implementation. Training registration fees range from $135-$300.
For more information, go to Implementing Restorative Practices, or contact Nancy Riestenberg, Minnesota Department of Education, 651-582-8433.
Scholarships for the Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium: June 14-16
A one-time-only donation will fund 20 scholarships to the 2022 Virtual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium. A maximum of two individuals per school may be awarded free registration to the symposium. Applicants must be a licensed Minnesota public school teacher, gifted education coordinator, school counselor/psychologist/social worker or specialist currently working in a Minnesota public school. Awardees must:
- Agree to attend the entire symposium, June 14-16 (Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – Thursday 4 p.m.).
- Agree to report on their experience at a fall building level staff meeting.
Scholarships will be allocated on a first come first serve basis until all funds have been dedicated. Applicants must send a statement of their interest including the name of their school and district. Applications will only be accepted by email with the subject line Hormel Scholarship sent to: wendy.behrens@state.mn.us. This offer is available until May 1st or when all funds have been allocated.
Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota Conference, April 28-30
State Library Services will be presenting at the upcoming Information and Technology Educators of MN (ITEM) conference being held in Rochester from April 28-30. ITEM is Minnesota’s professional organization for school librarians, school media specialists, technology coordinators, tech integrationists and specialists. ITEM members have had to overcome many challenges and changes over the last few years, yet manage to connect students to a vast array of information resources using innovative methods and technologies. It is the hope of State Library Services that school leaders support attendance by their school librarians and digital media specialists at this event. Learn more about the conference.
Reminder: Principal/School Leader Support Newsletter
In order to better serve Minnesota's principals and charter school leaders, the Principal Leadership Support (PLS) team is planning to introduce a quarterly email newsletter. The goal of the newsletter is to provide support to leaders in the form of announcements, professional learning opportunities, and other information specific to school leaders/principals.
Please forward this opportunity to the principals/school leaders in your district or charter, who are encouraged to sign up to receive the newsletter, coming mid-April. For any questions regarding the upcoming newsletter, please contact Elizabeth Vaught, or by phone at 651-582-8250.
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