Menu
Updates for Friday, December 11
Planning to Transition Back to In-School Learning
On November 17, 2020, the Board of St. Croix Prep voted to move to distance learning with the plan of returning to school on January 20, 2021 – the start of quarter 3. To that end, please note the steps being taken to by our team:
Board Committee
At the board meeting on November 17, a board committee was formed for the purpose of evaluating a safe return to school. This committee is meeting on December 17 to continue these discussions which will include, but not be limited to evaluation of county case rate data, testing, facilities consideration and staffing requirements. This evaluation will be based on the Learning Model transition guidelines adopted by the board on November 12, 2020. The guidelines are below:
More Restrictive
In-Person to Hybrid
Hybrid to Distance
Two or more prior weeks of consecutive material increases in case rate numbers with at least one week above the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
OR
Three consecutive weeks above the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
Two or more prior weeks of consecutive material increases in case rate numbers with at least one week above the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
OR
Three consecutive weeks above the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
Less Restrictive
Distance to Hybrid
Hybrid to In-Person
Two or more prior weeks of consecutive material decreases in case rate numbers with at least one week below the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
OR
Three consecutive weeks or more below the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
Two or more prior weeks of consecutive material decreases in case rate numbers with at least one week below the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
OR
Three consecutive weeks below the corresponding MDE/MDH case rate threshold
Regional Support Team Meeting
January 6, 2021
We are planning a meeting with our Regional Support Team on January 6, 2021. The Regional Support Team consists of a coordinator and staff from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). The Regional Support Team assists schools in transitions between learning models. Note: This team advised us in our transition to distance learning in November.
Board Meeting
January 7, 2021
On January 7, the board meeting will include a discussion and recommendation based on the board committee’s work and the meeting with the Regional Support Team.
Parent Survey
We are drafting a Parent Survey which we hope to distribute next week. This survey will gather additional information about families’ distance learning experience and return to school perspectives.
Distance Learning Support
Prep is committed to our families to help you through the upcoming weeks in Distance Learning. Please note the following ways in which this support is available to our students and families:
Family and Student Resources for Distance Learning
This webpage provides quick links to attendance lines, technical support, our health office, and mental health resources. In addition, this also includes registration links for meals, Y-Care, Chromebooks, and essential worker childcare.
District Distance Learning Support Coordinator
Medora Benson
Medora Benson is available to assist our families related to the items listed in the Family and Student Resources page including essential worker childcare and SCPA’s Chromebook loan program.
Class or Schedule Questions
Questions related to this should follow our standard communication protocol, namely contacting the appropriate teacher and/or principal.
Other COVID Related Announcements
Washington Covid-19 County Case Rate Data
The following is the Washington County case rate data for the previous weeks. This information is released every Thursday. Note: Washington County no longer releases an “Adjusted” rate, as the local correctional facilities no longer significantly impact the overall county data.
COVID Testing Event Survey
Prep is tentatively planning two on-site Covid testing events for our school community, both in January. Although we encourage staff, their families, and Prep families to participate in both of these testing events, it is optional.
We are scheduling these testing events for two reasons: first, as a convenience for our Prep community and second, to gather data that will be part of our decision making for returning to in-person learning.
We will not receive specific data and we will not know who tested positive unless the individual tells us. We will get aggregate data and know total number of tests and total number of positives.
Testing is only one piece of the data and information we are using to discuss how to safely bring as many students back as possible to in-person learning as soon as possible.
Free Food Distribution in Oakdale
Saturday, December 12
Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf
10:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Washington County, Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf, and Valley Outreach are partnering to distribute free food to the community on Saturday, December 12. All families are welcome. Click here for more information.
Health Resources
UPDATED COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines from MDH
Recently the CDC updated their guidance on quarantine. Quarantine is for those individuals who do not have symptoms but are a close contact to someone with symptoms or to a positive case. This week MDH updated their quarantine guidance to reflect the CDC changes. The science has not changed; there is no change in the Covid incubation period but they did look at the risk and behavior science in making these changes.
- The safest option is still a 14 day quarantine and this is the required timeframe when the close contact is a household contact or you live in a building with other people where it is hard to stay away from others (long term care, shelters, etc).
- IF the contact is not considered a household contact AND you have no symptoms you can consider doing a 10 day quarantine. You must be diligent about watching for symptoms through day 14 and if you have ANY symptoms, even mild ones like a runny nose, you must stay home, separate yourself from others, and get tested right away.
- IF the contact is not considered a household contact AND you have no symptoms AND you get a Covid test (must be a PCR test) 5 days or later from your last contact with the positive person AND the test is negative you can consider a 7 day quarantine. You must be diligent about watching for symptoms through day 14 and if you have ANY symptoms you must stay home, separate yourself from others, and get tested again right away.
These changes mean some changes for how we handle the quarantine situation at school. We will need more specific and accurate information from staff and families as well as documentation of the negative test result before returning to the building.
Please continue to check our website frequently for updates and contact Candace Westlund with any questions.
New At-Home COVID-19 Saliva Testing Program
The State of Minnesota has launched a new at-home COVID-19 saliva testing program. In partnership with Vault Medical Services, Minnesota offers at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for any person who wants to be tested, with or without symptoms, at no cost. This saliva test is just as accurate as the nasal swab test and is available at no cost for every Minnesotan, whether or not you have insurance.
Learn more about this on Minnesota Department of Health’s website, including information on how to order a test.
FREE Kinsa Thermometer!
St. Croix Prep is partnering with Kinsa’s FLUency Health Program. Sign up to receive your free smart thermometer!
Kay Schwebach is the New Youth Service Bureau Counselor
We are excited to announce Ms. Riedel, the YSB counselor, is available for office hours and individual sessions with students. She will be seeing students virtually between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Athletics and Activities
Upper School Play "Midsummer's Night's Dream"
If any students in grades 9-12 are interested in being involved with the Upper School Play “Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” email Ms Mittag.
Follow Us!
