At this point in time, St. Bart’s plan remains as previously communicated. The situation remains fluid. St. Bart’s will continue to monitor information from the CDC and MDH along with recommendations from the Archdiocese. The Parish Logistics Committee meets weekly; more frequently, if needed. ST. BART’S MITIGATION STRATEGIES MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING MAKING FACIAL COVERINGS/MASKS REQUIRED. We appreciate the emotions this situation has elicited. Varied perspectives exist in our community regarding the virus, risks, and mitigation strategies needed to ensure a safe return to school for St. Bart’s Students. In Christian tradition, we will appreciate and respect others’ perspectives. School mitigation strategies will be consistent. It is essential that families also consistently follow mitigation strategies and appreciate that your actions will be significant in our ability to provide in-person learning.

What can parents and families do to keep everyone safe and in school?

FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

Stay home when sick. Parents must keep students home when sick. Please refer to the MDH decision tree for guidance regarding symptoms:  Recommended COVID-19 Decision Tree for People in Schools, Youth Programs, and Child Care Programs (state.mn.us)

If symptoms develop while in school, staff will alert the health office and parents will be contacted. The student will remain in the health office until appropriate follow-up is determined.

MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN PLACE AT ST. BART’S.

• Facial Coverings: Recommended

• Teachers will contact families to confirm parent expectations for their child or children regarding masks. Teachers will monitor students accordingly for adherence to parent expectations.

• All staff will wear masks when working within 6 feet of students.

• CLUBHOUSE UPDATE: Masks will be mandatory for all Clubhouse students and staff during morning and afternoon sessions while indoors. Clubhouse enrollment does not allow for social distancing while indoors.

• Visitors

  • Visitors and parents will not be allowed inside the school building at this time.

    • Morning drop-off procedures remain the same - parents may drop off from vehicles in morning car line.

    • Preschool parents may walk their child to the school entrance.

    • MASKED preschool parents arriving between 7:00am - 8:00am and between 4:30pm - 5:30pm may enter the building with their child and escort their child to the preschool classroom.

• Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

  • Modeling appropriate hand washing techniques, covering coughs, etc. Frequent hand washing and sanitizing throughout the school day will continue.

• Water bottle fillers will be used. Drinking fountains will be turned off.

• Social Distancing and Learning Groups

  • Students will be in desks spaced 3 feet apart in classrooms.

  • Recess and lunch periods will be staggered by grade levels.

• Cleaning/Disinfecting

  • Midday cleaning of bathrooms and handrails.

  • Classroom sanitizing at the end of the school day.

  • Classroom cleaning as necessary throughout the school day.

• Ventilation

  • HVAC audit during summer 2020 reviewed school ventilation system.

  • Classrooms include fresh air intakes/outtakes and functioning windows.

• Contract Tracing

  • Staff will continue to work with MDH when there is a positive case in the school.

  • Seating charts will be used to identify and notify close contacts

• Quarantine

  • Per MDH guidelines, persons who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home (isolation) until all three of the following are true:

    • They feel better.

    • Their cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better;

    • and, it has been at least 10 days since they first felt sick or tested positive:

    • and, They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fever.

  • If there is a positive case in your household, you are required to quarantine per MDH guidelines.

  • A 14-day quarantine is the safest recommendation for people who have been exposed to COVID-19. If the exposure is in your home, a 14 day quarantine will be required.

  • St. Bart’s will allow a 7 day quarantine with a negative PCR and no symptoms. This test must be taken between day 5 - 7 of exposure. OR may return after 10 days without symptoms.

  • Exceptions for quarantine of close contacts:

    • Fully vaccinated people and those who have had COVID-19 within the past 90-days are not recommended to quarantine in most situations.

    • The close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) where both the infected student and close contact were wearing masks Distance Learning

  • Unlike last year, the option for students who are absent from school to participate in on-line or ‘distance learning’ will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

    • Students absent while on a family vacation are not eligible.

    • Students absent as a result of a short-term illness are not eligible.

    • Quarantined will be eligible for distance learning. The classroom teacher will coordinate the distance learning schedule and content with the family.

Thank you very much for your vigilant attention to these mitigation strategies