Safe Learning Plan

Vaccinations Available for Ages 12 and up

Vaccinations
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is with one of the safe and effective vaccines, which are starting to earn FDA approval. The Eden Prairie Schools recommends, but does not require, COVID vaccinations for students and staff who are eligible (currently, ages 12 and up). To avoid prolonged quarantines that keep students out of school, families should consider vaccination for everyone in their household who is eligible.

Every Minnesotan age 12 years and older is now eligible to get their shot. The Minnesota Department of Health has asked all schools to continue sharing information about the Vaccine Connector app.

District staff are not initiating vaccination with students or staff.

COVID-19 testing

Free COVID-19 tests are available to anyone in Minnesota and you are encouraged to use them.

Parents/guardians and staff can request a test from their school health office (dependent on availability) to administer at home. District staff are not initiating testing with students or staff.

A rapid, on-site (at school) test can be requested by a parent/guardian or staff member for the purpose of determining if a quarantine can be shortened to 7 days.

Face coverings

Eden Prairie Schools is committed to multiple layers of safety for our students and employees. Our plans and procedures are continually reviewed and updated based the situation in Eden Prairie, and recommendations from public health agencies. Important updates are included in the Parent Post newsletter and urgent communication will be sent via email, phone and text message.

Starting the 2021-22 school year, the following face covering protocols will be in place:

All students in early childhood through grade 6 are required to wear a face covering during the school day and at school-sponsored events.
The current age for COVID-19 vaccination eligibility is 12 years. Every sixth grade student may not be eligible for vaccination. Face coverings are the best mitigation plan.
Face coverings are recommended for students from grade 7 through age 21.
All students are required to wear a face covering while on school district transportation, based on federal guidance for public transportation.
Families with specific questions about their student should contact their school’s COVID-19 Coordinator.
Eden Prairie Schools respects everyone who wears a face covering. Our staff know there are many circumstances where people, including those who are vaccinated, need the precaution of a face covering, or have a personal preference.
Staff are required to wear a face covering if they are not able to maintain six feet of social distance to complete their job duties and work effectively with students -- even if the employee is fully vaccinated.
Face coverings are recommended for fully vaccinated staff who can maintain at least six feet of social distance from students.
Face coverings are recommended for fully vaccinated staff who do not work in a school setting.
Staff who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to wear a face covering.

Face coverings are required for everyone on school district transportation. This applies to everyone (students, adults, and staff), whether they are vaccinated or not.

Keep your student home if they have symptoms of illness

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. The Minnesota Department of Health's Decision Tree may be helpful to decide if your student should stay home from school. People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19:

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

Find more information, including a symptom self-checker, from the Centers for Disease Control.

Quarantine procedures

If your student is required to quarantine due to a close contact with someone with COVID-19, or isolate due to illness, your principal or teacher will inform you how your student may continue to be engaged in learning during that time.

When quarantine is required
If you live with someone who has COVID-19, quarantine during the time that person might be contagious (their isolation period), as well as the time that you could develop COVID-19 (together, these time periods could total 24 days).

If the COVID-19 exposure was NOT in your home, a shorter quarantine could be determined to be appropriate, either 10 days or 7 days (with a negative PCR test). Consult with your Site COVID-19 Coordinator (Associate Principal).

When quarantine may not be required
If someone has completed COVID-19 vaccination (two doses in a two dose series or one dose in a one-dose series) and is exposed, they do not need to quarantine if the following are true:

The COVID-19 exposure was at least 14 days after their vaccination series was fully completed, AND
They do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Quarantine is also not required if the person has had a laboratory-documented case of COVID 19 in the past 90 days AND they do not currently have symptoms.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, if face coverings are worn correctly by students who are in close contact with a student who has a positive case of COVID, the contacts do not need to be quarantined. This is consistent with an exception identified by the Centers for Disease Control.

When a quarantine may be required, each situation is considered based on the specific circumstances and the close contacts involved. Families and staff are informed directly by school or district administrators, and instructed on the length of time to quarantine along with recommendations for COVID-19 testing.

Find out more about quarantine procedures from the Minnesota Department of Health.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Family supports and Resources

Community Ed Covid-19 Information

I Need ... (REquest Form)

Summary of Questions & Community Feedback

Eden Prairie Schools is a careful listener to community input. During the COVID-19 pandemic, district and school staff conducted input and feedback surveys, received questions from staff, parents/guardians and community, and shared information on its website and in newsletters. Answers to community questions are found in the link below, and are reflected in the information shared on this website.

Summary of Questions

Our iLearn@EP (technology) parent/guardian Help Line is 952-975-7094 | helpline@edenpr.or g

Eden Prairie Schools Resources

How do families new to the district get their technology?

Classroom organization

Elementary school students will continue to be organized in groups (aka “pods”).
Classrooms will have -- to the extent possible -- three feet of social distance between students or student pods. Three feet of social distance is recommended, but not required, by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Eden Prairie Schools will continue to contact trace and notify individuals if staff know there was an exposure to COVID-19. Notification to all students/families in a classroom will be communicated only as needed.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided in cafeterias, with cleaning between lunch periods. Based on recent federal action, for the 2021-22 school year meals will be free for any in-person dining only.

Food support

Based on recent federal action, free breakfast and lunch are available to all students learning in person. This is available to all students in our buildings, no financial qualification is required.
If you need more food, contact PROP (952-937-9120) or the Family Resources Program.

If you are in a position to donate to others, we recommend contacting PROP or the food bank of your choice.

Child care

Free / reduced-price lunch benefits

During the state and national response to COVID-19, families who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch may be eligible for certain programs. Families can apply anytime. An online application can be accessed through the Parent Portal. Once logged in, click on More, then Meal Benefits in the left sidebar.

The application is also available to download, print and submit via mail. A letter approving/denying benefits will be mailed to your home address after the application has been processed.

Preparedness Plan

Cleaning procedures

Eden Prairie Schools 2021-22 Covid-19 Cleaning Procedures

Last year, Eden Prairie Schools pioneered the use of electrostatic sprayers in school cleaning routines. These sprayers distribute disinfectant more evenly. The germ-killing particles cling to surfaces in order to exceed contact time for sanitation. Electrostatic sprayers are proven to disinfect many different surfaces, including fabric upholstery. Please read below for the 2021-22 Updated Covid-19 Cleaning Procedures:

Facility Cleaning Methods and Considerations

Cleaning Considerations

Eden Prairie Public Schools has prepared in-depth cleaning practices to prevent the exposure of COVID-19. Key elements include:
•   Staff will utilize Oxivir Five, which is an approved disinfectant on EPA List N.
•   The dwell time of product is 5 minutes.
•   The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) states that no Personal Protective Protection, (PPE) is required during use.
•   The SDS is available to staff on the Facilities and Safety webpage on the Eden Prairie Schools website
•   The containers are pre-labeled with GHS compliant labels.
•   Staff have received training on good cleaning practices and Employee Right-to-Know. Records are in the district office.

When technology items are needing to be cleaned, isopropyl alcohol will be utilized to prevent damage to the equipment.

Routine Cleaning

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend routine cleaning and disinfection occur to assist in prevention of the virus spread. The District accomplishes this through routine cleaning of high touch points as listed below, per CDC guidelines.

Internal custodial staff who complete routine cleaning follow these recommendations:

Wear chemical-resistant gloves.
If the surface is visibly dirty, clean using soap & water.
Disinfect surfaces using disinfectant provided and paper towels and or disposable scrub pads. The product needs to remain wet on the surface for the designated amount of time.
Use a garbage bag for your waste. When full, place garbage in dumpster.
Remove gloves, then wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

School Occupancy Loads

Air filtration systems

Eden Prairie Schools has always met or exceeded industry standards for educational institutions with our air handling systems. High-filtration air filters continue to be used in our air handling systems. Eden Prairie Schools uses filters that meet or exceed industry (ASHRAE) guidance. We have increased intake of fresh air and accelerated filter changes following guidance from Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health. Every school maximizes the fresh air flow into the building and minimizes recycled air so that our classrooms have new, fresh air every eight to 10 minutes.

Visitors & Volunteers Protocols

In general, visitors will be welcomed at Eden Prairie Schools. There will be days and circumstances where schools and sites limit visitors. It is best to talk with your school/site COVID Coordinator before planning an extended visit to school.

The following will be required of visitors and volunteers:

Visitors are required to wear a face covering if they cannot maintain six feet of social distance from students. Face coverings are recommended for visitors who are fully vaccinated, and required for visitors who are not yet fully vaccinated.
Volunteers will be required to complete Eden Prairie Schools’ Sharing Inspiration Program before starting their service. Your school or site will provide more information at the start of the school year.
Each visitor will be required to provide a state-issued identification before entering school for the first time this year. This helps with school safety and contact tracing.

Health Resources & Information

Preventing spread of disease

Eden Prairie Schools will be deep cleaned by custodians while the district is closed and during distance learning.

The practices recommended to prevent spread of COVID-19 are the same ones we use with influenza and the common cold:

Practice social distancing.
Wash hands with warm water and soap. Our students are given time to wash their hands regularly throughout the school day. Hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative and is effective against COVID-19.
Cover your cough: Cough into your sleeve or elbow and not your hands.
Stay home if you or your family have symptoms of illness. Continue to report absences at each school's attendance line.
Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, eyes and mouth.
Do not share water bottles, cups/glasses, food, lip balm, etc.
Clean frequently-used surfaces (door handles, countertops, etc.)
Numerous hand sanitizer stations will remain posted throughout schools.
If your student has flu-like symptoms, or or is ill, it is important the student stays home, and you to contact your school attendance line, nurse or COVID-19 Coordinator.

Minnesota Department of Health

Talking With Children About COVID-19

Defining "close contact"

Eden Prairie Schools follows guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health to assist with contact tracing if a staff member or student has a positive case of COVID-19. Close contact is defined as someone who, within 48 hours before the onset of symptoms, was less than six feet from the individual with COVID-19 for a period of 15 minutes or longer (the 15 minute time frame is cumulative over 24 hours). With mandatory face coverings and social distancing, the risk of exposure to people who are not close contacts is no greater than the risk of contracting the virus in the general community.

With a vaccination, the need to quarantine following a close contact may not be needed, but this exception will depend on the specific situation.

COVID-19 Overview

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a viral respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from a mild cold to severe illness. Eden Prairie Schools is closely monitoring information and recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). You can find comprehensive information at the MDH COVID-19 webpage. If you have additional questions about the virus, please contact the MDH COVID-19 Hotline at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Classroom organization

Elementary school students will continue to be organized in groups (aka “pods”).
Classrooms will have -- to the extent possible -- three feet of social distance between students or student pods. Three feet of social distance is recommended, but not required, by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Eden Prairie Schools will continue to contact trace and notify individuals if staff know there was an exposure to COVID-19. Notification to all students/families in a classroom will be communicated only as needed.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided in cafeterias, with cleaning between lunch periods. Based on recent federal action, for the 2021-22 school year meals will be free for any in-person dining only.