Saint Paul Public Schools' Back To School Update For Secondary Students

Press release from Saint Paul Public Schools:

March 25, 2021

Dear SPPS Secondary Family:

"We are excited to welcome many of our 6-12th grade students back to school beginning Wednesday, April 14. Students enrolled in virtual learning will also begin on this day.

There is no instruction on the following days in April:

• Friday, April 2 (all grades for teacher professional development)
• Monday-Friday, April 5-9 (all grades for spring break)
• Monday-Tuesday, April 12-13 (grades 6-12 for transition days)

SPPS is following all of the requirements and recommendations laid out in the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan. The latest information is posted on our website at spps.org/reopen on a regular basis; please check back often and look for additional updates from your students’ school.

Meal Service

Secondary students will eat breakfast at school. Some schools will serve hot lunch to eat in the cafeteria or in a classroom, while others will serve a bagged lunch to go. Students will have assigned seats during meals to assist with contact tracing. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. Virtual students can pre-register to pick up free meal boxes at their schools.

Transportation

Buses will be limited to 50% capacity. Families will receive a postcard in the mail with their bus route information starting March 29. Students will have assigned seats on buses to ensure spacing and assist with contact tracing. Face coverings are required for all K-12 students and staff, both on the bus and at school.

Virtual Learning

Students who enrolled in virtual learning will remain in virtual learning for the rest of the school year. Requests to enroll in virtual learning after the March 11 deadline are being reviewed and families will be notified as soon as possible. Contact the Student Placement Center at 651-632-3760 or spc@spps.org for information regarding your request.

iPads and Learning Format

Schoology will continue to be used for sharing and collecting schoolwork, in addition to direct instruction and learning support. Students will be expected to bring their iPads home each day, charge them overnight and bring them back to school the next day. Review the Student and Family checklist for iPads at spps.org/distancelearning.

Health Screening

Families should conduct a health screening every morning before sending their student to school or the bus stop. School staff will also monitor for symptoms throughout the school day. If your child is exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, do not send them to school. Report the absence to your child’s school and submit a report to the COVID-19 Reporting System the same day for next steps.

Social Distancing

In line with the Minnesota Safe Learning Plan, students must maintain 6 feet of physical distance whenever possible; when 6 feet is not possible, a minimum of 3 feet between students must be maintained.

Sick Students

Students who become sick during the school day will be isolated (under supervision) until they can be picked up. It is important that sick students are picked up as soon as possible to limit the risk to other students and staff. Please make sure your contact information is up to date in Campus. Household members will also need to stay home if one or member of the household has COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test.

Contact Tracing

SPPS follows Minnesota Department of Health guidelines every time a student, staff member or visitor submits a report to the COVID-19 Reporting System. In general, only close contacts will be notified in accordance with the communications protocol. If multiple cases are reported within a classroom or building, the whole class or school may be quarantined. Quarantined students and staff will shift to distance learning until they are cleared to return.

COVID-19 Testing

It is strongly recommended that students and families who are learning in person or participating in sports or extracurricular activities get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks through the end of the school year. Families can find free testing sites or order free saliva tests to take at home.

Travel Guidance

Spring break is April 5-9. Unnecessary travel is highly discouraged. If you must travel, do what you can to protect yourself and your family.

Athletics

We are excited to welcome spectators to high school athletics events this spring. Social distancing, face coverings and capacity limits will be strictly enforced. SPPS is unfortunately not able to offer middle school athletics this spring."

This press release was produced by Saint Paul Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.