Safe Learning Plan - Perpich : Perpich

Safe Learning Plan

Perpich arts high school covid safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan 2023-2024

Strategy: Promoting Vaccination

As an 11th & 12th grade school, all of our students are eligible for vaccinations. We provide information to our families on vaccinations. We will continue to promote the importance of having all students vaccinated.

Strategy: Staying Home When Sick

Students who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Our school nurse will monitor these symptoms with dorm students. If, in the school nurse’s medical judgement, a student has symptoms that renders the student unable to participate in routine activities or needs more care than can be provided by our staff, they will be sent home. If the symptoms suggest COVID-19, the student will be asked to wear a mask until they leave for home and will be given a home testing kit to check for COVID-19.

Strategy: Quarantining

Quarantining is no longer recommended for students who are exposed to COVID-19 in schools such as ours. Exposed students can remain in school, regardless of vaccination status.

Strategy: Masking

With some exceptions, masking will be optional at Perpich. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask will be supported in their decision to do so. Anyone returning to school from having COVID-19 will have to wear a mask for the balance of the 10 days since the first onset of their symptoms. If anyone finds themselves in that situation, we will inform them of the specifics of these protocols.

While not required, the CDC recommends that people who have known or suspected exposure to COVID-19 should wear a mask around others for 10 days from their last exposure, regardless of vaccination status or history of prior infection.

We may ask everyone to wear a mask if Hennepin County moves into a high level of community spread, as defined by the CDC. (Hennepin County’s current status is “low.”) If community levels rise, per the CDC, masks will be required for anyone that enters the nurse’s office.

Strategy: Ventilation

We are bringing in as much outside air as possible through our HVAC system. When appropriate, maintenance will also be opening certain windows throughout the buildings so we can increase the amount of air that is being replaced. We have adjusted the HVAC units to exhaust the inside air to the outside and bring in fresh outside air into the building at a frequency recommended to reduce COVID transmission. We have installed enhanced filters into our system. We have provided portable air filter systems for larger, high use spaces.

Strategy: Handwashing and respiratory etiquette

Posted signage will reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or the safe use of hand sanitizer (Note: None of our hand sanitizer products contain methanol or 1-propanol.)

Strategy: Cleaning and disinfection

All classrooms and common areas will be cleaned and disinfected daily, with particular attention paid to high touch surfaces. Each classroom will have a cleaning kit with two spray disinfectant bottles, a box of gloves, and paper towels. These kits may be used to clean areas students use after each class.

Resources

How to access best practices around health from MN Dept of Health

MN Dept of Education COVID-19 Update Page

Key Contact Information

Rebecca Bullen, Principal rebecca.bullen@pcae.k12.mn.us
George Terry, Jr. Asst. Principal george.terry@pcae.k12.mn.us
Deb Stone, RN, School Nurse deb.stone@pcae.k12.mn.us
Carol Syvertsen, Counselor carol.syvertsen@pcae.k12.mn.us
Dr. Charles Rick, Executive Director charles.rick@pcae.k12.mn.us
Main Switchboard (staffed 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) 763-279-4200
Attendance Line 763-279-4199

"[Perpich] has given her direction, skills, and shown her how to express herself through her art. She has grown enormously, and is forever inspired and changed."

Perpich Arts High School Parent

"We had just moved to Minnesota in August, the month before the start of her junior year. She was able to begin the best two years of schooling in her life. We love the school, the staff, and all the school represents in the arts and the community."

Perpich Arts High School Parent

“Our greatest concern was not being able to supervise him during these vulnerable years. We live 250 miles from the school and we couldn’t imagine how we would maintain the quality of communication we felt necessary. What resolved our concerns was how attentive the staff was to the residents. They initiated contact with us as needed and asked all the ‘right’ questions. We feel we’ve continued to have close intimate connection with our son despite the distance. And the dorm staff fosters it.”

Perpich Arts High School Dorm Parent

"For 17 years I’d carried the bulk of my children’s education myself. Sending the two oldest away to Perpich was a huge step of faith and I have not been disappointed. The teachers, in particular, have been fabulous!"

Perpich Arts High School Parent

“Our greatest concern about sending our daughter to live at the dorm was her safety. After attending an information session and orientation day, we felt much more secure. The dorm is set up with a set of very reasonable yet strict rules; our daughter wanted to attend the Arts High School badly enough that she was willing to follow those rules. She has learned to balance her life on her own, to live with other people and their differences, and she’s felt a little freedom.”

Perpich Arts High School Dorm Parent

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