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Minnesota schools closed by state order through March 27 - updated March 16

March 16, 2020 update 

Anoka-Hennepin is committed to timely and accurate information regarding district planning in response to the state order to close schools through March 27. This is a quickly developing situation and your attention to this matter is essential. Please review all items carefully and thank you for your cooperation and understanding.


Schools closed March 16-27, 2020: All students attending Anoka-Hennepin schools are excused from school through Friday, March 27. Staff will report as usual starting on Monday, March 23, to finalize plans for distance learning and district operations, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30. Information regarding staff duties will be shared as the district learns more about family technology capabilities from home, and district emergency care needs of health and emergency workers in our community.

 

Distance learning help: Parents and guardians are asked to complete a brief survey regarding technology resources and internet access availability for students in grades 6-12. This information will be used to assess the district needs to provide technology for students. Students in grades kindergarten-5 will not require digital devices to complete learning plans at this time. Complete the middle and high school distance learning form

 

Technology distribution for distance learning: Details regarding the distribution of district Chromebooks will be shared once the distance learning survey information has been collected in its entirety. 

 

Emergency child care: The state order directs the district to provide child care services to families of school-age children for health care workers and emergency personnel. Emergency child care will be offered for children in kindergarten up to age 12 who qualify at no cost starting Monday, March 23 and continuing through Friday, March 27. Please complete this form as soon as possible, and no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 to assist the district in assessing need and providing staff and space to provide this service. Complete the form.

 

Community education programs, including Adventures Plus school-age care: All community education programs serving adults and youth, including facility rentals, will be closed through Friday, March 27, following the executive order from the state of Minnesota. Review community education program updates at ahschools.us/COVID-19_CommEd.

 

Adventures Plus school-age care will still be provided for families who enrolled in the program to receive non-school day care Tuesday, March 17. Care will not be available for families from Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27.

 

Activities, events and facility rentals: All school district activities, events and community rentals are canceled. 

 

Medications and personal items: Students, parents and/or guardians can come to school to pick up medications and personal items from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

 

Student meals: A plan to provide meals under the state order will be communicated as soon as it is finalized. Service will begin as soon as possible as soon as possible but no later than Monday, March 30. 

 

Student support services, mental health and counseling support: A plan is being developed to support students at home. This includes such items as chemical health, emotional and behavioral health, mental health, wellness and counseling services. An update will be shared later this week. 

 

How can you help? Please continue to practice healthy habits to limit the spread of disease:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough into the inside of the elbow. Dispose of tissues immediately. Wash hands afterwards.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces.
  • Practice social distancing guidelines, and stay home when you are sick. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.

 

 

Minnesota schools closed by state order through March 27 - shared March 15, 2020

Anoka-Hennepin Schools, and all schools from across Minnesota, are temporarily closed by state order through March 27. The decision was shared on Sunday, March 15. 


Anoka-Hennepin will provide additional information regarding what this temporary closure means to staff, families and community members by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Consider the following:  

  • Students and staff in Anoka-Hennepin are currently on spring break. This order essentially extends the Anoka-Hennepin spring break for one week to allow for planning.
  • Anoka-Hennepin will create and share a plan for continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan will include additional information on distance learning and responsibilities of school employees.
  • This order will be put into effect in Anoka-Hennepin Schools immediately. 

Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions via email to health@ahschools.us.  


More information: ahschools.us/covid-19, which includes an FAQ page.

 

 

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is on spring break, classes resume March 23 - shared March 14, 2020

Anoka-Hennepin Schools is on spring break, with classes resuming on Monday, March 23. 


Community members have been contacting the district with questions about school closures or school event cancelations. Please understand that schools would close for health-related concerns based on the recommendation of the Minnesota Department of Health. Note that information about COVID-19 cases must be confirmed by MDH before the school can act on them.  


The district is constantly monitoring new information and will be providing additional messaging as soon as possible by no later than Friday, March 20. The district will be continuously monitoring this situation up until the planned return of students and staff on March 23 and is committed to informing staff, students and the community immediately if and when any decision to cancel or postpone school or school events is made. 


Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920  or submit questions by email at health@ahschools.us.  


More information: ahschools.us/covid-19.

 

Coronavirus information update from Superintendent Law on March 12, 2020


Anoka-Hennepin Schools is committed to timely, ongoing communication regarding decisions that impact school in response to the quickly developing nature of Coronavirus, or COVID-19.


Community members have been contacting the district with questions about school closures. Please understand that schools would close for health-related concerns based on the recommendation of the Minnesota Department of Health. If any recommendations occur, they are likely to be local in nature and not state- or country-wide. In fact, it could be school or community specific direction provided.


Anoka-Hennepin is closely monitoring this situation and is following expert guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health and county public health. This situation is developing and decisions may be made quickly. Anoka-Hennepin is committed to informing staff, students and the community immediately if and when any decision to cancel or postpone school or school events is made. Please consult ahschools.us/covid19 as a resource.


Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH information line at 651-201-3920 or submit questions by email at health@ahschools.us.


Thanks for your ongoing support as we pull together to support our schools and communities.


David Law, superintendent
Anoka-Hennepin Schools

 

 

Coronavirus information update on March 11, 2020

As the concern regarding the spread of the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, increases worldwide and in our communities, Anoka-Hennepin Schools is prepared to reduce the spread of illness and protect the safety of students, staff and visitors in our buildings. 


This is work that will require all of us pulling together to ensure the best results for our community. Anoka-Hennepin Schools will follow the expert guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control, Minnesota Department of Health and county public health. MDH continues to stress common-sense illness prevention strategies such as staying home when sick, covering your cough and sneezes, and frequent hand washing. Additional information is shared on our COVID-19: Coronavirus resource webpage at ahschools.us/COVID-19.

 

Anoka-Hennepin is taking action. Our district has activated a 25-member pandemic response team to coordinate operations and prevention systems, an effort led by the district’s health coordinator Cindy Hiltz. This team has reviewed district practices with the goal of limiting introduction and spread of COVID-19, novel (New) Coronavirus during the school day. The prevention system includes:

  • Use of hospital grade disinfectant in common areas such as bathrooms, drinking fountains and railings. an industrial grade product that effectively kills viruses left on surfaces. 
  • Preparing food service operations to limit student touch of utensils and food products with bare hands. Additional information will be shared should these strategies be placed in operation.
  • Reviewing student trips to international and domestic locations to comply with CDC guidelines regarding travel advisories. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

In the event that COVID-19 becomes an issue that impacts the school day, schools will use the communications systems in place to widely share information with staff and families.


The district will continue to monitor the situation and keep parents/guardians, staff and visitors informed with updated information. Learn more about COVID-19 and its status in Minnesota on the Minnesota Department of Health website or by calling the MDH hotline at 651-201-3920. Parents/guardians are also encouraged to contact the school nurse at your child's school as a resource or submit questions by email at health@ahschools.us


Thank you for your attention to this message and your ongoing support of our students and schools. 


David Law, superintendent

Anoka-Hennepin Schools

 

Coronavirus information on Feb. 27, 2020

The district has been receiving requests for information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and understand staff, parents, and students may have questions and concerns regarding the disease. Anoka-Hennepin Schools has a coordinated management planning effort to guide action steps in situations such as a COVID-19 outbreak or other community health events.

 

The district health services coordinator is monitoring this situation and will provide guidance on potential next steps, if needed.


District officials are in contact with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and district and school protocol will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

At this point, the recommendation is as with other respiratory infectious viruses such as influenza.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Handwashing instructions from the MDH
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
  • No facemask use is recommended for well people in the U.S. currently.
  • No preparation steps for parents/guardians or staff are being advised regarding school closures at this time.
  • Stop the spread of germs information from the CDC.

In the event that COVID-19 becomes an issue that impacts the school day, schools will use the communications systems in place to widely share information with the public and staff.


The district will coordinate with state and county resources on an infectious disease mitigation plan if it is deemed necessary. This plan uses both public health and school nurses as part of the response plan.


Anoka-Hennepin Schools is prepared to take action to protect the safety of students and staff.