Dear Northfield Public Schools Families:
Thank you for your continued support during the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Your cooperation is valued in our collective effort to educate our children. Thank you in advance for reading this update.
Distance Learning Supports for Parents
Thanks for your work as our most valued partner in distance learning. This effort requires a stronger partnership than ever before. We are committed to providing you with resources to support your learners. This week, I want to call your attention to the new SchoolHouse podcast from our partners at Studer Education. The podcast is intended to be “…for parents who want their children to be successful in school and life.” I also want to remind you about the resources for caregivers from the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative I referenced in a previous update.
Parent Support Webinar No. 3
The District will host its third parent support webinar this Sunday, December 6, from 6:30 pm-7:00 pm. This week, we welcome Rice County Public Health Clinic & Community Supervisor Sara Coulter, and local physician Dr. Jane Runzheimer to discuss the current public health situation in our community and steps you can take to keep your family safe. There will be closed captioning and live Spanish interpretation available for the webinar.
We hope to see you on Sunday!
Minnesota Department of Health Pilot COVID-19 Testing Program Continues
We had a successful first session with our MDH COVID-19 pilot testing program. Our turnout was fantastic! We used all 480 saliva-based test kits within four hours. We have increased the order, funded by MDH, to 600 for next week. The process will be the same, with testing open from 1 pm-7 pm on Wednesday, December 9, at Northfield Middle School. We are targeting students, staff, and their families who are without symptoms (asymptomatic.) Public health experts say that helping find asymptomatic people and helping them isolate so they don’t infect others is vital in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
Stage 1 Return Plan for At-Risk Students
After consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and a thorough review of state guidelines, the Northfield School District is implementing the following Stage 1 Plan in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order 20-94.
» View the Stage 1 return plan for at-risk students here
Decision Tree Update
The Minnesota Department of Health has recently updated its COVID-19 decision tree for people in schools, youth, and child care programs. This decision tree governs the appropriate isolation and quarantine steps when “…a child, student, or staff person is experiencing the following symptoms consistent with COVID-19.”
Thanks!
Thank you for your continued partnership. We place a high value on the trust you show in us to educate your children. Have a great weekend!
Most Sincerely,
Matt
—
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools