Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment

  • Since March 2020 when all schools in Minnesota were required to move to distance learning due to the severity COVID-19 pandemic, Lakeville Area Schools has taken many significant steps to create the safest possible environment for anyone who enters our building. These steps include the creation of a Face Covering Policy, implementing social distancing to the fullest extent possible, and thorough daily cleaning protocols. We continue to follow the guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Health and consult with public health experts to follow best practices for safety measures, including around isolation and quarantine protocols and COVID-19 testing. We monitor COVID-19 conditions on a daily basis and report positive cases to our state and local public health experts and partner with them to determine the most appropriate learning model for the health and safety of our students and staff, while providing a quality education.

Health Screening Protocols

  • The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. It is important that all families complete the following health self-checks with their student(s) every morning before sending them to school. 

    Do NOT attend school or work if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or are waiting for test results.

    Students who show signs of illness while in school buildings will be referred to the building nurse for an evaluation of symptoms. A student who becomes ill during the school day will be brought to the designated isolation area in the school building until their parent/caregiver can arrange for pick up per MDH guidelines. (Resource: What to do when you are sick)

Face Covering Protocols

  • Lakeville Area Schools logo with mask over it In accordance with MDE and MDH guidelines and the district’s Face Covering Policy, all K-12 students, staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings inside all district buildings and on school district transportation, unless an accommodation is required. Students in early childhood programs may wear a face covering if they can do so independently, but will not be required to do so. Acceptable face coverings include a paper or disposable mask, cloth face covering, scarf, bandana, or religious face covering. 

    If a student cannot tolerate or wear a typical face covering due to a developmental, medical or behavioral health condition, they may wear a clear, plastic face shield instead. Face shields should still cover the entire face, extending from ear to ear and down past the chin. The District will provide face shields to students who need one due to developmental, medical or behavioral health conditions.

    For early childhood education programs, children ages 0-2 should not wear face coverings. Children ages 3-5, may wear a face covering if they can do so independently, but will not be required to do so. Early childhood staff will not be managing the wearing of face coverings for children. Adult students in Early Childhood Family Education classes and adults inside the Crystal Lake Education Center building are required to wear face coverings in accordance with state guidance.

    Individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability-related condition may make a request for reasonable accommodations. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

    Face coverings will be available at building entrances as needed. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be supplied according to MDH guidelines.

    NEW (beginning Jan. 4): All students participating in sports and activities must also wear face coverings at all times, as well as spectators and others visiting district facilities or attending district-sponsored co-curricular events. 
COVID-19 Case Flow Chart

Quarantine and Contact Tracing

  • Lakeville Area Schools conducts contact tracing every time a staff member or student is confirmed to have COVID-19 per the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. Contact tracing identifies individuals who were close contacts exposed to the infected individual. Students and staff who were close contacts must quarantine at home for 14 days and not come into work or school. Contact tracing is one of many necessary mitigation measures in order to provide full-time, in-person learning and/or hybrid learning teaching models. 

    As case rates in our communities, schools and classrooms fluctuate, it remains important that all families have contingency plans in case their student(s) needs to quarantine and remain at home. 

    Below are several Frequently Asked Questions about quarantine and the contact tracing process. For more information about quarantine, please review Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19.

    • Updated as of April 14, 2021

     

    Quarantine and Contact Tracing FAQs
Expand All

  • What is quarantine?

  • Why does my student and/or I need to be quarantined?

  • How long does my student or I need to quarantine?

  • If the District is following the 14-day quarantine guidance, why do some students need to quarantine for longer than that?

  • What is a 10 + 14 day quarantine?

  • When is an individual with COVID-19 considered infectious?

  • Can my child participate in activities while in quarantine?

  • How does the contact tracing process work?

  • There is guidance for shorter quarantine periods. Why is the District not doing shorter quarantines?

  • What if me or my student is fully vaccinated? Do they need to quarantine?

  • What if I have already had COVID-19? Does my student or I still need to quarantine?

  • What can I do to prevent students and staff from needing to quarantine?

Stay Safe and Healthy

  • As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is important everyone in the Lakeville Area continues to take measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Please continue to socially distance and wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when in public, practice good hygiene, and get tested if you have symptoms or are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

    Get TestedGraphic of person with a COVID-19 test

    The Minnesota Department of Health announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year.
     
    While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
     
     

    Graphic of vaccine bottle and needle Get Vaccinated

    The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. After you fill out a simple form, the Vaccine Connector will:
    • alert you when you are eligible to receive a vaccine;
    • connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment; and
    • notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.