Metric for required masking

February 17, 2022

• School-level data, not District-indicators, will be used to inform any return to school-level masking requirements.

• Masking will be temporarily required at a school if/when the school experiences 5% or more students absent due to positive cases of COVID-19 or symptoms consistent with COVID-19. This is consistent with Minnesota Department of Health recommendations for previously existing influenza-like illness guidelines.

• Data is reviewed each Friday. If/when the data directs a temporary return to a masking requirement, that requirement will be in place for the following week. Changes would occur, as needed, week-by-week, with notifications to schools made at noon on Friday.

February 17, 2022 --- Mounds View Public Schools is among the many school districts, cities and counties across the country that have been updating their COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Although wearing a mask remains a strong recommendation during times of high transmission, health experts believe the most effective protection from serious COVID-19 illness remains vaccination.

As we’ve seen over the past two years, changing conditions prompt changing responses. We are now experiencing falling case counts, lower absenteeism and wide-spread vaccination availability. In response, Mounds View Public Schools will recommend and no longer require that students, staff and visitors wear masks while inside our buildings, effective February 28. This advance notice is provided to allow our preK-12 families and staff time to consider the impact of this change and make any adjustments as necessary. Please note:

• All other current mitigation strategies will remain in place.
• The federal government still requires face coverings for individuals while riding on all forms of public transportation, including school buses.
• Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must wear a mask if they choose to return to school on days six through 10.
• As conditions change, schools may temporarily return to required masking if necessary. View the metric here.
• As always, students and staff are reminded to stay home when they are ill.

As we have throughout the pandemic, our schools continue to follow guidance from the health officials. Please know that we remain committed to following the latest guidance as necessary to continue learning in person in a healthy and safe environment.

January 14, 2022 -- The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently announced it has officially adopted shortened COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods of five days. This shift aligns with the new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it focuses on reducing the spread of the omicron variant in schools with fewer disruptions to in-person learning.

Click the links below to see isolation and quarantine timelines. 

• What to do if you have COVID
• What to do if someone in your household has COVID-19 and you're able to separate
• What to do if someone in your household has COVID-19 and you're unable to separate

• Regardless of vaccination status, stay home for the next five days (regardless of symptoms).
• Contact your school's COVID-19 coordinator or health office. 
• After five days, if you no longer have a fever and your symptoms are improving, you can return to school on day six.
• After five days, if you still have a fever or your symptoms have worsened or aren’t getting better, stay home until your fever is gone and you are feeling better.
• Note: Students and staff who are unable to wear a mask will need to isolate for 10 days rather than return after five days.

If your vaccinations are up-to-date, including a booster if eligible, or you have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 90 days: 

• You can continue going to school wearing a well-fitted mask. 
• Testing on day five is recommended.
• If you develop symptoms or test positive, stay home and follow the guidance for positive cases.

If someone in your household has COVID-19 and your vaccinations are NOT up-to-date, including a booster if eligible, or you have NOT had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 90 days:

• Contact your school's COVID-19 coordinator or health office. 
• Stay home for 5 days after your last exposure (last exposure = the day that you separated from the positive case in your household or the positive case in your household meets the criteria for returning to school in the isolation guidance). If you are unable to separate from the positive case in your household, see graphic below. 
• You can return to school on day six wearing a well-fitted mask. 
• Testing on day 5 is recommended
• If you develop symptoms or test positive, stay home and follow the guidance for positive cases.
• Note: Students and staff who are unable to wear a mask will need to quarantine for 10 days rather than returning after five days.