
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