Planning & Decision Making

On a regular basis, District 279 administrators consult with state, county and local leaders to ensure our plans use the most up-to-date information available. Some of these conversations include:

Consultations with the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Health, Hennepin County Public Health and the Minnesota School Boards Association
Calls between Supt. McIntyre and other area superintendents
Daily communication between our 25 COVID-19 site coordinators

Data, guidelines and input considered and ultimately used in decisions include:

Minnesota Department of Health state data
County-level COVID-19 data
Expertise of district leadership with experience from last school year
Feedback from students, parents/caregivers and community members
Guidance from the ISD 279 - Osseo Area Schools School Board

COVID-19 Dashboard

MDE COVID-19 Updates

2021-2022 COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

Osseo Area Schools is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all our students, staff, community, and visitors. To ensure we have a safe and healthy learning space, Osseo Area Schools has developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All staff are responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our schools and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers and management.

Prompt identification and isolation of sick persons

Staff, families, and students will be informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, in accordance with MDH guidelines. Prior to arrival at our buildings, we request all parents/caregivers and staff perform a daily health screening.

The Building COVID Coordinator will be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns and will help coordinate with the district COVID team for positive COVID-19 cases, symptomatic and close contact cases. School staff and families should know who the Building COVID Coordinator is and how to contact them.

If students or staff develop symptoms during the day, and they need to wait in the building for transportation, they will use the identified isolation room at the site until such time as transportation can be arranged.

The district requires all staff and students with potential COVID symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19, to isolate until they meet the district criteria to return to in-person learning or work. Families should report to the Building COVID Coordinator if their student has potential COVID symptoms or tests positive for COVID and staff should do the same.

People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home until all three of these things are true:

Their symptoms have improved; and
It has been 5 days since symptoms first began or they tested positive; and,
They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using fever reducing medications.

Anyone that tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to wear a mask until 10 full days after their symptoms began or 10 full days from their COVID test date if they were asymptomatic, regardless of the masking model for their school. Any person that is unable to wear a mask is unable to return until they have completed a full 10 days of quarantine.

Any significant spread of COVID-19 within a classroom may require a classroom quarantine to slow the spread of the virus, regardless of symptoms (or lack of symptoms) displayed by students.

Creating and maintaining safe spaces

One of the mitigation strategies for COVID-19 is social distancing; we will strive to create social distancing where possible by implementing the following:

Wherever possible, activities will be held outdoors.
Staff should maintain 6 feet of distancing between each other and should distance 6 feet from students whenever possible
- Create classrooms to ensure staff have a space to work that is 6 feet from students
Sites need to space students as far apart as possible, recommended at least 3 feet apart and ideally 6 feet apart
- Desks and furniture will be arranged to maximize space between students and it is recommended to have all students facing the same direction.
Classes are encouraged to create and use seating charts

Meals

Worker hygiene and source controls

Basic infection prevention measures are being implemented at our sites at all times. Staff and students are encouraged to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially at the beginning and end of the program, prior to any mealtimes and after using the restroom.

Masks are recommended in all district schools but are required in health offices and isolation rooms.

Staff and students are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands.

School sites and ventilation protocol

School site cleaning and disinfection protocol

Due to COVID-19, all staff need to assist in cleaning their classrooms and offices to ensure a safe learning environment for our students. Only district-provided cleaning chemicals and disinfectants should be used. Do not bring in your own household chemicals with the exception of Lysol/Clorox wipes. District staff will receive Ecolab Smart Power Sink & Surface Cleaner and paper towels from building custodians as needed to clean frequently touched surfaces and objects in classrooms and offices, such as:

Classroom desks, tables, chairs, countertops, sink faucet handles, etc.
Light switches and electronic devices including monitors, computers, keyboards, mice, etc. (spray product onto towel, not on surface).
Athletic equipment, shared toys, etc.

Staff should refer to the district COVID-19 General Cleaning Guide for further information.

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