COVID Resources
Updated 4/23/21
Message to Families
Hello SES Families,
We are very excited to have students back in the building and will continue to be diligent in providing a safe environment for our SES community. Please review the following community expectations:
- Everyone plays a part in creating a healthy school environment. Please show care for our community.
- Face covering policy and physical distancing protocols will be strictly enforced.
- Disposable masks are available for students that forget a mask from home. Masks are available in the Health Office or Main Office.
- Masks are to be worn inside for all school related activities.
- Wash hands properly and often.
- Monitor your health each day with the self -screening questions below.
Thank you,
Jenni Greseth, SES School Nurse
jenni.greseth@district196.org or (952) 431-8796
Masks no longer required outdoors
Self-Screening Questions
- I am not exhibiting any of the following symptoms associated with COVID-19 (see below)
- I have not been in close contact with anyone within the last 14 days who has been quarantined or isolated due to COVID-19.
- I have not been advised by any medical provider or health authority that I may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- I have not traveled out of the country in the past 30 days, or been in close contact with anyone who has traveled out of the country in the past 30 days.
- I understand that in the case that I am notified that I have been exposed to COVID-19 or start to exhibit any of the symptoms above, I will immediately notify Nurse Jenni (952-431-8796) or the SES main office (952-431-8750).
Symptoms of COVID-19
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
The virus affects people in different ways – anyone can experience mild to severe illness. Symptoms develop between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Not everyone experiences every symptom, and some people have no symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to get tested if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or if you develop any symptoms of the illness.
You must stay home (quarantine) if you have been exposed. If you test positive, with or without symptoms, then you will need to stay home and completely away from other members of your household (isolate).
Testing
We are seeing a sharp increase in school-related COVID-19 cases because of a new variant that has the potential to infect many students during an outbreak. Getting tested regularly is the best way to know you are healthy.
- If you don't have symptoms and have not been close to someone with COVID-19, you do not need to stay home while you wait for your test results.
- If you are testing because you have symptoms you will need to stay home and follow the Decision Tree.
- If you need help finding a testing location you can find more information on the MN Department of Health Website.
Contact Tracing
We will continue to do contact tracing for close contacts of lab confirmed positive Covid cases. A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more. To assist with contact tracing QR codes have been placed on the tables in the Forum for students to record their seating location during lunch and study hall. This creates a digital seating chart that will be used to help identify close contacts and reduce the need for widespread quarantines.
Quarantine Guidance
Who does not need to quarantine:
If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have close contact with someone with COVID-19, you do NOT need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:
- Your illness was confirmed with a lab positive test in the past 90 days.
- You have fully recovered.
- You do not currently have any symptoms.
If someone is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (two doses in a two dose series or one dose in a one-dose series) and have close contact with someone with COVID-19, you do NOT need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:
- The COVID-19 exposure was at least 14 days after their vaccination series was fully completed
- You do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.
*This will be updated as the district continues to evaluate current quarantine recommendations.
Staff and Student 10 day Quarantine [updated 4/29/2021]
After careful consideration of Minnesota Department of Health’s quarantine guidance and analysis of district data, we will shift to a 10 day quarantine for staff and students for the following situations:
The person has NOT had symptoms of COVID-19
The person does NOT live with someone who has COVID-19
The person had a defined exposure, meaning a known exposure with a beginning and an end. Examples could be someone who was exposed:
At school or a sporting activity.
During a shift at work or while on break.
At a social gathering or event, like a party or funeral.
The person does not provide direct support to students (direct support may warrant a 14 day quarantine – please work with Shelly Monson to determine quarantine length)
When returning after quarantine, the person must maintain as much distance from others as possible, wear a mask, wash hands, and watch for symptoms.
NOTE: Fully vaccinated staff and students do not need to quarantine if identified as a close contact. Staff and students with proof of a positive COVID-19 test within the last 90 days do not need to quarantine if identified as a close contact.
Day to Day Health & Safety
Mornings
- Outside doors to our vestibule will open at 7 am. Students must be masked while waiting in this space.
- Doors to the school will open at 7:30.
- Students have the option to eat breakfast in the Forum.
- Students may go to classroom areas starting at 7:45.
School Day
- Cleaning supplies are available to staff and students to clean spaces during the day. The building is cleaned nightly by our awesome custodial staff.
- Eating in classroom spaces is not allowed.
- Drinking fountains are open again.
- Seating charts will be used in all classes to help with contract tracing and avoid widespread quarantines.
Lunch
- School lunches are free through the end of the year.
- Students who choose to eat outside must maintain a 6 foot distance and wear their mask when not eating.
- When eating outside please bring your trash into the Forum to sort.
- Students will use their school iPad or personal device to scan the QR code at the lunch table to create a digital seating chart.
End of Day
- Students should plan to leave the building at the end of the day unless they have an appointment with a teacher or a school club activity. Please check in with the office if you have questions. 952-431-8750
Parents
- If you are dropping off items for your student during the school day please call the main office and a staff member will meet you at the door. 952-431-8750
- Meetings with staff will continue to take place via zoom for the time being. Thank you for understanding.
We are excited to have the students back in the building. Our goal is to have students in the building for learning, social interaction and to experience milestone events like Intensive Theme, Prom and Graduation. Please keep your student home if they aren’t feeling well and notify Nurse Jenni jenni.greseth@district196.org with Covid test results. Thank you all for working to keep our SES community healthy!
School of Environmental Studies
Email: michelle.oberg@district196.org
Website: http://ses.district196.org
Location: 12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
Phone: 952-431-8750
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolofEnvironmentalStudies
Twitter: @SES_MN