COVID-19 Information

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Richfield Public School District is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, students, parents/guardians, and visitors. To ensure we have a safe and healthy workplace, Richfield Public School District has developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Administrators and workers are all responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers and management. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of all persons in our workplaces.

The COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is administered by Dr. Steve Unowsky, Superintendent, who maintains the overall authority and responsibility for the plan. However, administration and staff are equally responsible for supporting, implementing, complying with and providing recommendations to further improve all aspects of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Richfield Public School District’s administrators and supervisors have our full support in enforcing the provisions of this plan.

Our staff are our most important assets.  Richfield Public School District is serious about safety and health and protecting our staff. Staff involvement is essential in developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. We have involved our staff in this process by: Gathering input from all bargaining units, soliciting input on the processes and modifying plans to improve processes and protocols. The district also posted the plan on the district website that provided opportunity for public comment.

Richfield Public School District’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the COVID-19 Universal Guidance for All Businesses and Entities developed by the state of Minnesota, available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19, Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) statutes, rules and standards, and Minnesota’s relevant and current executive orders as well as Federal ESSER requirements. The following requirements must be addressed, but each entity is encouraged to consider additional recommendations and adopt additional requirements that appropriately address COVID-19 mitigation strategies the business deems necessary. 

• Health screening, isolation, and quarantine  
• Hand hygiene practices 
• Cleaning and disinfecting 
• Indoor facilities, utilities, and ventilation

In addition this plan addresses

• Vaccinations 
• Continuity of services for students and staff

Staff have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess staff, student, and other visitor health status prior to entering any district building and for staff to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms. Richfield Public School District has also developed a plan to advise staff, students, parents/guardians and other visitors to leave the facility if their responses to health screening indicate they have tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been identified as a close contact. 

Student and staff home screening (before leaving home):

Parents/guardians/staff are asked to take their (child’s) temperature before coming to school and confirm that the child/staff does not have fever, new onset shortness of breath or cough or any other of the following symptoms associated with COVID-19 or had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with a person with confirmed COVID-19.

Make a visual inspection of your child/self for signs of illness which could include any of the following:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If these or any other illness symptoms are present, do not send your child to school and staff should not go to work.

Richfield Public School District has implemented measures to ensure that sick or COVID-19 positive staff and/or students isolate until they are no longer infectious, according to applicable MDH guidance. Visit If You Are Sick: COVID-19. If a staff person becomes symptomatic while at work they will be sent home and will be excluded according to MDH and district guidelines. 

If a student is symptomatic at school:

• Student will be isolated.
• Health Service staff will assess the student.
• Student will be masked.
• Student will be excluded according to MDH and District guidelines (see the MDH:  Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs)
• A parent/guardian/emergency contact will be asked to pick a child up from school if unable to continue the day due to illness.  Return to school allowance will be according to the guidelines referenced above.
• Materials that will go to parents/guardians:
  • MDH Decision Tree Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs 
  • Guidance for Close Contacts
  • Free testing locations information
  • What to do if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results
  • What To Do if You Have COVID-19

Richfield Public School District has also implemented a policy consistent with CDC and MDH guidance for identifying and communicating with staff, students, and parents/guardians of students who may have been exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 at their school and/or workplace and requiring them to quarantine for the required amount of time. See Close Contacts and Tracing: COVID-19 and Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19.

If a student or staff member is diagnosed as COVID-19 positive:

• RPS COVID-19 Program Coordinator and the building or program administrator will be informed.
• Site Health Service staff will be alerted 
• Student will be excluded and excused according to MDH, Hennepin County, and District guidelines. 
• Staff exclusion guidance will be directed by RPS Human Resources. 
• Minnesota Department of Health Regional Support Team will be contacted to verify investigation, advise on notifications, and recommend communication
• RPS staff will cooperate with Regional Support Team on close contact identification, notification, and communication
• RPS site/program staff will coordinate notification and communication plans
• Students identified as close contacts by Regional Support Team/MDH will be excused per MDH guidance.
• A notification of close contacts of the student or staff will be sent to those families and staff to alert them of a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19. 

Richfield Public School District has implemented a policy to provide instruction, signage, facilities, and supplies to encourage regular hand washing and sanitizing. This policy is consistent with MDH: Hand Hygiene. 

Hand-washing, sanitizing:

• Hand-washing will be taught and reviewed (Hand-washing video link). This method to be used in classrooms and bathrooms and any other areas where hand cleansing is required prior to or after certain activities (e.g. prior to food preparation, after a clean-up incident).
• Hand sanitizer will be available for use when hand-washing is inaccessible.

Richfield Public School District has implemented a regular schedule and checklist for cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces (workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, doorknobs, etc.), shared items, shared equipment, and high traffic areas. Richfield Public School District will continue to perform other routine environmental cleaning according to established schedules and procedures. Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer specifications, and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the product. This policy is consistent with CDC: Cleaning Your Facility and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N for products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2. 

Cleaning responsibilities

• General Classroom Cleaning (Mealtime and anytime else needed)
  • Trigger spray provided per classroom with mild soap and water
  • Teacher to spray each desk and counter
  • Student or teacher to wipe down desk with provided paper towel
• End of Day Procedures
  • Teacher and students to clean each desk, chair, counter and high touch areas
  • Where possible place chairs upside down on desks or tables
  • Pick up large items from the floor
  • Empty classroom waste baskets in large waste container in hallway
• Custodian will disinfect surfaces, vacuum floors and empty hallway receptacles
• Additional intensive cleaning on non-student days
• Facilities staff schedule and locations adjusted to address cleaning needs

Richfield Public School District has evaluated the operational capacity of indoor ventilation systems and developed a plan to increase and maintain ventilation provided throughout indoor spaces. Steps will be taken to increase the intake percentage of outside air to increase dilution of contaminants, and minimize recirculation, whenever possible, while maintaining indoor air conditions. In the absence of effective mechanical ventilation, steps will be taken to increase natural ventilation as much as possible, including opening windows when possible and safe. This plan is consistent with applicable Stay Safe Industry guidance, and Richfield Public School District has consulted the resources in applicable industry guidance and others, as necessary, in developing this plan. 

Wold Architects and Engineers reviewed the district’s facilities.

• Through recent construction projects our systems have been tested to be assured that they are optimally performing. 
• Ventilation and filtration efficiency has been increased to the extent possible within the capability of the building systems and all air recirculated in the building, including each individual classroom, is filtered. 
• Continually working to improve the performance of the building systems to ensure they meet or exceed industry requirements. A typical classroom exchange rate, based on supply air delivered to the room, averages 6-8 air exchanges per hour.
• Increasing fresh air intake as part of the system settings
• Reviewing impact of open windows/open doors and personal air purifiers

Address additional COVID-19 mitigation practices as needed. Businesses are strongly encouraged to consider the recommendations in Stay Safe industry guidance, as well as other relevant guidance from the CDC, MDH, OSHA, and other relevant federal, state, and local authorities. In addition to all above measures, Richfield Public School District implements the following mitigation practices.

Mask wearing (Summer 2021)

• All people, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear face coverings on district transportation vehicles. 
• Any individual (student, staff or visitor) must wear a mask when in a district building.
• School Board Policy 548: COVID-19 Face Covering describes the accepted face coverings, correct wearing of face coverings, and all additional relevant details.

Vaccinations

• All eligible individuals, staff, students and community members are encouraged to get vaccinated.  Below is a link to use to find vaccination sites. 
  • Minnesota Vaccination Sites
• Below is the location and contact information on a no-cost community site 
  • Bloomington - Mall of America
    Bloomington, MN 55425
    (855) 612-0677

Other

• Door signage with masking requirements and restricting access if symptomatic
• Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will be restricted from entering district buildings. 
• Plexiglass panels at all customer facing desks
• Encourage water bottles
• Some areas provided with additional plexiglass panels for student/teacher use
• No shared school supplies
• Staff self-monitor social distancing and not congregate in lounges, hallways, offices, etc.

During the 2021-2022 school year, families of students K-12  will have the options of in-person and distance learning models.  A blended learning model where students will access learning in a combination of in-person and virtual learning will be offered to students in grades 9-12+ through our Richfield College Experience Program.  Families of students who are at increased risk of severe illness (including those with special healthcare needs) or who live with people at high risk may choose to access any of these learning options offered at the grade level of their child(ren).

Food service

• Breakfast and lunch and end-of-day snack will be provided to all students in the in-person learning model.

Support mental health and wellness

• The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a tremendous amount of stress, fear, and anxiety for many people. It’s important that Minnesotans have access to the mental health care resources they need to stay well during this challenging time. Schools can play an important role in helping students and staff cope, access needed resources, and build resilience.
• For Employees:
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Staff and Their Families
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Staff and Their Families Spanish
  • Minnesota Health Helpline
  • Hennepin Mental Health Crisis Line
• For Families:
  • Daily Activities and Going Out | COVID-19
  • Immunization Information for Families

Training and information is provided for all of the above protocols and procedures to staff in written communication and/or in person training.

Face Coverings

A cloth or paper mask, scarf, bandana, gaiter or religious face covering that covers the mouth and nose. Whichever you choose, please ensure that there are two layers of fabric. If you are wearing a gaiter/bandana with only one layer, please fold it over to create two layers. Gaiters/bandanas are not recommended.

Face Shields

Only a clear face shield that extends below the chin in the front, to the ears on the sides and with no gap between the forehead and the headpiece may be used in certain specific circumstances.

Face Covering Does Not Mean

• Any mask or other item that includes a valve, hole, gaps or openings to facilitate easier breathing, or is made of a mesh material.
• Safety goggles that cover only the eyes or only the eyes and nose.
• A face shield

Face Coverings Are Required For:

• Any individual (student, staff or visitor) in any RPS building, regardless of vaccination status, unless an exception below applies
• Anyone on RPS buses and vans

Face Coverings Are Not Required For:

• Individuals who are outside
• Individuals when they are eating or drinking, as long as social distancing is maintained
• Students when they are participating in indoor activities involving playing musical instruments (if the instrument cannot be played while wearing a face covering), though people participating in these activities must maintain at least three feet of distance to the extent possible
• Students during activities, such as swimming or showering, where the face covering will get wet
•  Staff working alone in their offices, classrooms, vehicles, or job locations that have no person-to-person interaction
• Individuals who cannot tolerate a face covering due to a developmental, medical or behavioral health condition and a medical exemption has been approved
• When communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing or has a disability, medical condition, or mental health condition that makes communication with a face covering difficult, provided that three feet of distance is maintained to the extent possible
• Students who are participating in athletics competitions may temporarily remove their face covering during competitive gameplay. However, students must keep their face covering on when not actively playing (on the bench) and at all other times, including practice and warm-ups.

How to Make Your Mask More Comfortable

• If it bothers your ears, you can get a headband with buttons, a plastic “ear-saver” or hook it around pigtails.
• You can purchase a mask that ties in the back of the head instead of looping over the ears.
• If your mask doesn’t fit tightly enough, try tying a knot in each ear strap. 
• If your glasses fog up when wearing the mask, try folding a small piece of tissue and setting it between your nose and the top of the mask.

Care & Disposal

• Never share or trade your face covering with someone else!
• Make sure you have a safe place to put your face covering when you take it off outside or to eat or drink so that it does not get mixed up with someone else’s.
• The same face covering can be worn throughout the school day unless it becomes dirty or wet, in which case it should be replaced with a new, clean one.
• Masks should be washed each day. You can put in the regular laundry on the warmest appropriate setting for the type of cloth or hand wash it with soap and hot water, then hang it to dry overnight.
• Used disposable masks should be thrown away.

Exemptions

• Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that makes it unreasonable to maintain a face covering.
• Children who are 2-years-old or younger should never wear a face covering.

Exemption Process

Students who cannot tolerate a face covering due to a developmental, medical or behavioral health condition may be exempt from wearing a face covering. An exemption form must be signed by a parent/guardian and a medical authority. A medical authority includes a medical doctor, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner (a person licensed to write prescriptions in Minnesota). The most common accommodation would be to wear a face shield instead. 

Additional Information

• Face Covering Guide for Students (English) (Spanish)
• How to Wear A Mask (Minnesota Department of Health) (English) (Spanish)
• View School Board Policy 548: COVID-19 Face Covering
• Face Covering Waiver Form

At School

At Richfield Public Schools, we are implementing passive health screening. Passive health screening is one option for student health screens on arrival at school that is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This screening allows students and staff to efficiently and safely enter school spaces and engage in learning.  

Visual and verbal screens will occur as students enter the classroom and throughout the day by teachers and staff. Students who appear and/or report being ill will be isolated in a designated school area for further assessment, following guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and Hennepin County Epidemiology.

At Home

Before your child leaves for school, we are asking parents/guardians to take their child’s temperature and confirm that they do not have any of the more common symptoms:  fever of 100.4 F or higher, new onset and/or worsening of a cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, or any other of the following symptoms associated with COVID-19 or had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with a person with confirmed COVID-19. Note that any of these less common COVID-19 symptoms alone or in combination may be a sign of COVID-19 or another illness.

• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Chills  
• Muscle pain
• Excessive fatigue
• New onset of severe headache
• New onset of nasal congestion or runny nose

Make a visual inspection of your child for signs of illness which could include flushed cheeks, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing (without recent physical activity), or fatigue.

If these or any other illness symptoms are present, do not send your child to school.

If a student is identified as having close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19, they will need to quarantine for 10 days if any of these are true:

• They were not wearing a mask when they were in close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19
• They show symptoms of COVID-19

A student would not need to quarantine if they show no symptoms of COVID-19 and any of these is true:

• They are fully vaccinated 
• They were wearing a mask
• They recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days

When a student is identified as having been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, families will receive a phone call and email from their child’s school. Additional information about the quarantine period and other resources are included in that email.

We are following the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for determining close contact. (Source)

"Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date), until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation.

Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting."

These are the assumptions we make when we are determining who was or was not in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. 

In school, we assume that:

• Students are a minimum of 3-feet apart.
• Masks are worn at all times except when eating lunch and outside.
• Breakfast and snack time are each less than 15 minutes.
• Everyone is masked on buses and the bus rides are typically less than 30 minutes.

For athletics, we assume that:

• Athletes are masked when not actively playing in a game or practice. 
• When not playing, athletes are socially distanced. 
• Athletes are in the locker room for fewer than 15 minutes before or after games or practices. 
• If someone on the team tests positive for COVID-19 an exposure letter will be sent to the team and coaches.

At this time, we are not requiring students or staff be vaccinated. We have worked hard to ensure all students and staff in our community have access to vaccine information and can receive the COVID-19 vaccine if they want it. 

When we have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in one of our buildings, our team starts contact tracing. There are then several types of communication that may be sent.

• Close Contacts: When a student is identified to have been in close contact with the individual who tested positive, school staff will contact the family directly via a phone call and an email with information on next steps. This step happens at all schools and all grade levels.
• Classrooms (Elementary): An exposure letter is emailed to other students in the classroom (or on the bus, etc.) with a notification that an individual has tested positive and that, unless their child is symptomatic, there is no need to quarantine. Note: Because students move from classroom to classroom throughout the day, we do not send classroom letters at the secondary level. 
• Athletics: If an individual on a sports team tests positive, an exposure letter may be sent to the full team with a notification that an individual has tested positive and that, unless their child is symptomatic, there is no need to quarantine. The exception would be if no students were determined to have been at risk (for example, during outdoor practice or events).
• Schoolwide Notification: Families will receive a weekly update with the total number of positive cases in each grade level that week (if any). 

Please note that we only report positive cases when the individual who tested positive was in the school while they were potentially infectious. For example, if an individual becomes infected while on vacation and tests positive before returning to school and they quarantine, they were not in contact with others in the school community and we would therefore not report that case.