MAS COVID-19 Update

Minnewaska Students, Staff, and Families,

We have recently seen an increase in the number of COVID-positive cases in our school community. Currently, we have roughly 1.8% positive cases in our student population and 2.2% positive cases in our staff. While these rates are small, we do monitor the situation very closely as it is our District’s Goal to keep in-person learning.

We understand that this may create unease in our community. We are asking all members of our community to minimize the spread of illness by recommending and strongly encouraging the following actions:

• Protect yourself and others by wearing a face covering

• If you are sick, stay home from school and other activities until symptom-free for 24 hours

• Get vaccinated, visit MDH Vaccine Connector to find where you can get yours

Testing can keep COVID-19 spread under control and can keep students in their classrooms. There are many ways to get tested for COVID-19 and the following options are available at no cost to Minnesotans:

• Minnewaska Area Schools will be using Vault Testing at this time please visit this link for instruction. Parents, ask your child’s School Health Office for a test to take home and return to the school the next day for shipping.

• There are COVID-19 community testing sites across Minnesota offering free tests to all. People can go to local pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. You can search for testing sites near you at Find Testing Locations.

• Families can also use the COVID-19 test at home program to have a test mailed to them.

It is up to all of us to protect ourselves and others by following recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19. The more steps you take to slow the spread of COVID-19, the safer you will be. No single step on its own is perfect at preventing COVID-19 spread, so try to layer prevention measures when and where you can.

Sincerely,

Megan Boutain
MAS Licensed School Nurse

Chip Rankin
Superintendent