Staff and students must stay home if:

• They have tested positive for or are showing COVID-19 symptoms, until they meet criteria for return (MDH Decision Tree)
• They have recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, until they meet criteria for return (MDH Decision Tree)

All students and staff who will be learning/working in person will conduct a daily required self-screen at home (series of questions).

COVID-19 Daily Self-Screening Checklist

The health check consists of checking for temperature or cough before attending school, as well as asking routine questions as suggested by the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC.

Masks and Face Coverings

Per the Governor's Executive Order 20-81, all K-12 students, staff, and other people present in school buildings and district offices or riding on school transportation vehicles are required to wear a cloth face mask or face covering, unless they have a disability, medical or mental health condition, following public health guidance. A physician's note will be required for face mask exemptions. Early learning students will be encouraged, but not required, to wear face coverings. 

Refer to Policy 5808: COVID-19 Face Coverings

Types of allowable face coverings include: cloth face mask, paper or disposable mask, scarf, bandanna, religious face covering.

• Every K-12 student will receive one cloth face mask
• Every school staff member will receive one cloth face mask
• Schools and buses will have extra masks for students who forget them
• Being mindful of social distancing, face coverings or face shields may be removed when eating or drinking, engaging in physical activity and in other situations, as outlined by MDH.

 Face Shields

• A face shield (a clear plastic barrier that covers the face) is primarily used for eye protection for the person wearing it. It also allows visibility of facial expressions and lip movements for speech perception. Schools will have a supply of face shields for students and staff who request one. A face shield may always be used in addition to a face mask or face covering. A face shield may be used as an alternative to a face covering in the following situations, as outlined by MDH:
• Among students in grades K-8 when wearing a face covering is problematic for the student (requires a physician's note or determined by the school on an individualized, case-by-case basis).
• By teachers (all grades), when wearing a face covering may impede the educational process. All teachers will be provided a face shield.
• For staff, students, or visitors who cannot tolerate a face covering due to a developmental, medical, or behavioral health condition (requires a physician's note).  
• For staff providing direct support student services, when a face covering impedes the service being provided.

Students and staff will be educated on and reminded of proper prevention techniques, including:

• Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throwing used tissues in the trash and washing hands immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Any time students and staff are in school buildings, they are expected to abide by all social distancing requirements, as outlined by MDH.

• In the hybrid learning model, all students and staff are expected to maintain a 6-foot social distance between each other. In the in-person learning model, students and staff will maintain as much space as is feasible during the day.
• Students will be cohorted in smaller groups whenever possible to limit mixing.
• Students are expected to go directly to their classrooms upon arriving at school and avoid congregating in hallways throughout the day.
• Students and staff should pay attention to all social distancing signs, floor markings and reminders.

• The Westonka Public Schools COVID-19 Health Coordinator is District Nurse Kelly Mattson, BSN, RN, LSN.

• Each school will designate a school-level COVID-19 coordinator and create a building-specific plan

• All staff will be trained on COVID-19 awareness and the proper use of cleaning materials

• Nonessential visitors, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations will be restricted.

• Schools will discontinue activities that bring together large groups of people or activities that do not allow for social distancing, including assemblies, in-person field trips, etc.

• In order to plan for bus capacity, ALL families must indicate whether or not their student(s) will be using bus transportation for the 2020-21 school year in Skyward Family Access no later than Aug. 17.
  • Skyward Registration Instructions:
    • Screencast Tutorial
    • PDF Tutorial
• Westonka Bus Service will ensure 6 feet of distancing between the driver and all riders.
• We will create as much space between riders as possible. In the hybrid model, we will ensure 50% maximum occupancy on transportation vehicles.
• Buses will load from back to front
• Siblings will be asked to sit together whenever possible
  
• Parents are strongly encouraged to drive their child(ren) to and from school if they have the ability to do so. Fewer riders will help limit potential exposures to COVID-19 and allow more room for those who are in need of transportation.

• Staff will monitor arrival and dismissal to curtail congregating and ensure students go straight from vehicle to their classroom.

• Schools will have new signage, floor/seating markings, spaced out or removed furniture in common areas, and clear barriers in reception areas to promote social distancing.
• In the hybrid model, schools will ensure 6 feet social distancing in school buildings

• Classroom seating arrangements will be created according to state guidelines.
• In the hybrid learning model, classrooms will be arranged to maintain 6 feet social distancing at all times (see example below). Alternative indoor spaces (e.g., MWHS Little Theater) and outdoor areas will be used if social distancing is not possible in a particular classroom.

• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at school entry points and high-traffic locations (e.g., lunch lines)
• Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom
• Teachers will encourage students to frequently wash their hands during the school day
• Signs will be placed around the school to remind students to practice healthy habits that prevent the spread of germs

In-Person Model

• Schools will follow the MDH Restaurant Guidance
• Students will eat in cafeteria, classrooms and other spaces. Outdoor eating areas will be utilized when appropriate.
• Primary school students will remain in classroom cohorts during lunch.
• Meals will be available to students participating in distance learning via curbside pick-up. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

Hybrid Model

• Schools will ensure sufficient social distancing during lunch with at least 6 feet between people at all times.
• Students will eat in cafeteria, classrooms and other spaces. Outdoor eating areas will be utilized when appropriate.
• Primary school students will remain in classroom cohorts during lunch.
• Meals will be available to students for distance learning days. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

Distance Model

• Meals will be available to students via curbside pick-up and bus stop delivery. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

• At the middle school and high school, passing times may be staggered and traffic patterns revised in order to reduce the number of students in hallways at the same time.

• Grades 5-12 students will not use school lockers in the hybrid model. Locker use may be staggered at other grade levels or in the in-person model.

• Students will be discouraged from sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect, and classroom practices will be modified to minimize sharing.
• Some furniture, equipment and commonly shared items will be removed from use

• Schools will encourage students to bring their own water bottles as opposed to using drinking fountains. Bottle refill stations will be available.

• Facilities staff, along with technicians and engineers, have reviewed and will continue to inspect school ventilation systems to ensure they operate properly and will increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible

• Outdoor areas such as playgrounds will be open. Students will be encouraged to spread out. Student cohorts will be used to limit mixing. Additional cleaning will take place on hard surfaces.

• Alternate indoor spaces and outdoor areas will be used to the extent possible in order to enhance physical distancing. Outdoor classrooms, fields, courts and open areas will be used as additional learning spaces when appropriate.

• A portion of federal dollars is available for additional health and safety-related purchases related to COVID-19.
• Educators will provide input on purchases that will be most helpful in their schools and classrooms.