General COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions - 2022-23 school year
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Will I be required to wear a mask at school?
Face coverings/masks are optional, not required, for students and staff in the school setting.
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What websites can I use to monitor the COVID-19 cases and mask requirements?
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How will I know if the district has reenacted the mask wearing requirement at my child's school?
Anoka-Hennepin will notify parents/guardians by email and text message, by school.
Health and safety - Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the school district quarantine guidelines?
Anoka-Hennepin School District follows recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
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My child tested positive for COVID-19. What should we do?
Your child should stay home when ill. Contact your child’s school to report their absence. Students and staff may return to school if there is no fever for 24 hours and they are feeling well enough to attend. CDC recommends that with a positive COVID test, stay home for 5 days and that you wear a face cover for a total of 10 days.
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A family member in our household tested positive for COVID-19. What should we do?
Persons who are exposed to COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine according to CDC guidelines. There is no need to change normal routine.
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My child was exposed to someone outside of our household with COVID-19. What should we do?
Persons who are exposed to COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine according to CDC guidelines. There is no need to change normal routines.
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Are COVID-19 testing kits available for my child?
Schools have a supply of COVID-19 tests available that can be requested through the health service office at school while supplies last.
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Are COVID-19 testing kits available for school district staff members?
Rapid antigen tests are distributed through the health services office at each school as supplies are available. Tests will be limited to one per staff member per week until the supply is gone. Staff do not have to demonstrate symptoms to get a test. Tests are intended for rapid testing should symptoms appear. Employees are also encouraged to order up to 4 free at-home tests through the federal government at covidtests.gov. The PCR (saliva) lab tests are still the most reliable.
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What symptoms should I look for to determine if my child may have COVID-19?
Please closely monitor your child for symptoms, and keep them home if they’re sick or symptomatic. Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 include fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, chills, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
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My child has a pending COVID-19 test, can they return to school?
Students that have a pending COVID-19 test (not done as a screening routinely for participation in activity) should remain at home until they have received their test results. If their test is negative, they can return to school 24 hours after their symptom/s have improved.
Safe learning plan - Frequently Asked Questions
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Learning formats
- All students will attend school in-person learning five days a week with the exception of those who have enrolled in the Anoka-Hennepin Virtual Academy. Learn more at ahschools.us/virtualacademy.
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Face coverings/masks
- Face coverings/masks are optional, not required, for students and staff in the school setting.
- Face coverings/masks are optional, not required, on student transportation.
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Health and safety protocols
- The district will maintain the enhanced air quality standards and use of the Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization system, offer hand sanitizer stations, encourage hand washing, and continue enhanced cleaning methods as strategies to protect students and staff.
- The enhanced air quality standards include the exchange of fresh air seven to eight times per hour, the use of MERV-11 filters and replacement of filter systems at the start of each trimester.
- HEPA filtering protects students and staff in school health offices.
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Vaccinations and testing
- COVID-19 vaccinations and testing for COVID-19 are not required by the school district.
- Anoka-Hennepin will continue to work with county and state public health partners regarding voluntary vaccination and testing programs.
- Order four free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests per family at www.covidtests.gov.
- Locate and make an appointment at a no-cost community testing location online at mn.gov/covid19/get-tested. Walk-in service may also be available.
- Use the vaccines.gov website to find locations and set appointments.
- Walk-in or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.
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Reporting positive cases, quarantine and isolation
In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other illness, our schools rely on the personal responsibility of families and staff to adhere to the following guidelines and expectations:
- Report positive COVID-19 cases to the health office at school or work site and follow the traditional absence reporting process.
- Anoka-Hennepin requires students to stay home if they have a fever, are vomiting or have diarrhea until 24 hours after symptoms have been resolved. Consider contacting a health provider for evaluation and care. Learn more by viewing the Is My Child Well Enough document.
- It is recommended by the CDC, but not required by Anoka-Hennepin, for a positive COVID test that the student isolates at home for 5 days and wears a face cover for a total of 10 days.
- Quarantine is not required for persons with close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
- Students who are absent will follow traditional methods to make-up coursework unless instructed otherwise by their teacher. Virtual or online learning should not be expected. Parents/guardians are encouraged to work directly with their child’s teacher to make arrangements. All students must complete required coursework Anoka-Hennepin Schools will maintain increased support for student mental health and social emotional learning for the 2022-23 school year.
- Review information from the Anoka-Hennepin Student Services Department for detailed information and contact information for supports and programs.
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Communication and notification
- Communication regarding COVID-19 cases will happen individually with parents/guardians regarding matters related to their student.
- The district will maintain the ahschools.us/covid-19 website.
- Anoka-Hennepin maintains a robust system of parent/guardian communication using email, text, phone calls, along with district and school e-newsletters to communicate regarding health and safety matters.
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Mental Health and Social Emotional Student Support
- Anoka-Hennepin Schools will maintain increased support for student mental health and social emotional learning for the 2022-23 school year.
- Review information from the Anoka-Hennepin Student Services Department for detailed information and contact information for supports and programs.
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Other frequently asked questions
- The federal government subsidy for student meals will be discontinued for the 2022-23 school year after two years of no-cost meals. The payment system and the free and reduced cost system for meals will be restored, similar to prior to the pandemic.
- Volunteers, visitors and field trips will be coordinated without restrictions.