COVID-19 Q & A

A:  Federal funding has been provided, for more staff, to keep class sizes down and promote physical distancing.

A:  Testing is available for staff through a partnership with Gatherwell.  Gatherwell has three locations; for more information about Gatherwell, please visit their website.  Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of times SFAS staff can test for COVID-19.  For other questions on staff testing, please contact Brandon Nelson in Human Resources or Chris Lindquist (COVID-19 testing coordinator).

A:  Optional testing will be available through St. Francis Area Schools for students. We have received a supply of “over-the-counter,” take-home-style tests that will be made available for our students. These tests are an OPTIONAL resource and offer a private opportunity for families to rapid test inside of their own homes. Students who are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 may request a take-home test from the school nurse with parental consent.  All testing is self-administered and should be performed at home.

A:  Masking is optional unless a student is returning from being out with COVID after a 5 day isolation verses a 10 day isolation. Days 6-10, a student is required to wear a mask. The 5 day isolation period is optional and a student may stay out for 10 days if they wish not to wear a mask.

A:  Limited supply of disposable masks will be available. Students and families should plan on supplying their own masks for personal use if they choose.

A:  St. Francis Area Schools continues to be a leader in providing high-quality ventilation in our buildings. Daily cleaning and sanitizing protocols are in place, along with hand sanitizing stations throughout the building.

A:  Quarantining will not be required for close contact.

A:  Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should first follow a medical provider's orders. Otherwise, it is recommended that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate at home until:

• They feel better (symptoms have improved), and;
• It has been 5 days since they first felt sick (or since they tested if no symptoms were present),* and;
• They have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using a medicine that lowers fevers.

*If a student goes back to school after 5 days since a positive test, they must wear a mask for 5 days following their return. If a student chooses to not wear a mask they can return 10 days after a positive test.

A:  Please contact the health office at your students’ school to report a positive test.

Minnesota Rule 4605.7070 requires any person in charge of any institution, school, childcare facility, or camp to report cases of COVID-19 to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). 

A:  Yes, staff should report a positive COVID-19 test result to Human Resources Director Brandon Nelson.

A:  St. Francis Area Schools requests that families follow CDC and MDH recommendations.

A:  District staff will carefully monitor positive COVID-19 cases in our schools. The safety of students and staff is the district's top priority.  Previous years have prepared us well to adapt if necessary.

A:   Suppose a student is in a self-contained environment such as a school bus, an elementary or Transition 15 classroom, or on a sports team, in a club, or school activity. In that case, families can expect a written notification via email if the student has come into contact with a positive COVID-19 case.  

For students at St. Francis Middle School or St. Francis High School, who are mobile throughout the building during the day, families can be kept informed of positive cases by referring to the COVID-19 Dashboard on the district website.  Parents are encouraged to check the website for updates.

A:  Space is limited for online programs to accommodate requests after the first two weeks of the trimester. An intake meeting is required prior to any transition from in-person learning to the district's online program.

A:  Class placement for the next trimester would be based on class sizes at that time and would not be based on class assignments in August.

A:  Currently, we are only allowing essential staff in our elementary buildings and Early Childhood buildings. We are allowing non-essential staff/adults to enter St. Francis Middle School and St. Francis High School.

A:  The district will continue to monitor the need for isolation rooms.