Respiratory Illness Guidelines

The district follows the Hennepin County Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools guidelines when determining if a student is able to attend school. If your child will not be at school due to illness or injury, please report all illnesses or health conditions to the attendance and health office of the school that your child attends. In addition, if your child has a fever, with a cough and/or sore throat, please note that when you report their absence with your school's attendance line.

The following are recommendations taken from the Infectious Disease Manual. The intent of exclusion is to promote a healthy school environment by preventing exposure and spread of illness. When parents are called about a child who has become ill during the school day, it is the expectation that the child will be picked up as soon as possible, preferably within one hour.

Fever
Oral temperature of 100° F or higher. The student should not return to school until fever free (without medication) for 24 hours.

Vomiting
Child has vomited two or more times in the previous 24 hours. Exclude for 24 hours after last episode of vomiting, unless it is determined to be caused by a noncommunicable condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration.  

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined as an increased number of stools compared with a child's normal pattern, along with decreased stool form and/or stools that are watery, bloody, or contain mucus. Exclude until 24 hours after diarrhea stops or follow specific disease exclusion if the pathogen is known; or until a medical exam indicates that it is not due to a communicable disease.   

Rash
Rashes may be caused by many different conditions including illness, allergies or specific skin conditions. The student should not return to school until a medical evaluation indicates the symptoms are not communicable.

Signs/Symptoms of Possible Severe Illness
Uncontrolled coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, unusually tired, persisted crying, unusual color (e.g. jaundice). The student may return after symptoms dissipate and/or medical evaluation determines the student is healthy and/or not communicable.

• Students who are ill should stay home.
• Staff who are ill should stay home.
• Anyone who is ill and awaiting an infectious disease test results should stay home.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of our learning spaces and vehicles will continue and they will be cleaned and disinfected regularly using disinfectant products that are approved and effective against viruses, including COVID-19.
• Students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands often throughout the day with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, they should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Appropriate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors (e.g., soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, disinfectant) will be available and strategically placed in areas where they can be/are frequently used.
• Schools will build routines of hand hygiene into the daily school schedule for all students and staff.

• The District will provide appropriate supplies in our schools and buildings to support healthy hygiene behaviors (such as soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, tissues)  
•  Washing hands can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The District supports hand washing during key times, such as:
  • before, during, and after preparing or eating food
  • after using the bathroom
  • after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing

The district is committed to providing reliable and safe heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and has implemented enhanced protocols in response to the pandemic. Our strategic partners from IEA and Wold Architects and Engineers have provided guidance and assurance that the District’s systems are operating in a manner that will protect students, staff and visitors to our buildings. The district constantly monitors those systems to ensure they are performing to meet the current ASHRAE and CDC guidelines, providing the healthiest environment for everyone.