St. Louis Park Public Schools remains committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all stakeholders and visitors to our facilities as we look forward to returning to school for the 2021-22 school year. The School Board unanimously approved the following recommendations that Superintendent Osei presented at the August 10 School Board Meeting.
Learning Model: Five days a week E-12 in-person learning experience with a K-12 online learning option in partnership with Eden Prairie Schools (detailed above).
Masking: The masking practice for students and staff at the start of the 2021-22 school year will be the same as the practice of last year with the exception that mask wearing will not be required outdoors. Masks are also required when traveling by school bus. At this time, staff members are only required to wear a mask, not a mask and a shield as was the practice for some time last year.
Physical Social Distancing: Physical distancing will be implemented to the extent possible. When physical distancing cannot be achieved - school cafeterias and lunchrooms during daily breakfast and lunch times - student contract tracing practices will be implemented.
Quarantine: No quarantine is required for students who are determined to be a close contact when masks are consistently and correctly worn. When quarantine is warranted, the district will require 10 days without testing or 7 days with a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later after exposure).
Promoting Vaccination: According to CDC guidance, COVID vaccination among all eligible students as well as teachers, staff, and household members is the most critical strategy to help schools safely resume full operations. St. Louis Park Public Schools hosted numerous vaccination clinics in partnership with Hennepin County and the City of St. Louis Park that administered more than 3,200 vaccines. The school district continues to partner in community related vaccine activities and promote vaccine confidence among students, parents, and families.
Dashboard Returning: The district will once again be publishing a COVID Dashboard each week that school is in session. The Dashboard will include data regarding positive cases and the number of individuals in quarantine at each building as well as districtwide totals.
New information since the August 10 School Board Meeting:
Testing: After MDH and MDE released guidance on Tuesday, August 17, District leaders began working to develop a plan to be able to test students and staff regularly with both at-home and in-building options. More details will be forthcoming.
St. Louis Park Public Schools will publish the Fall 2021 COVID Return to School Guide on Wednesday, August 25. The publication will include additional information about the above mitigation strategies.
