Prevention guidance focuses on core prevention strategies and layering of additional prevention strategies as needed. Using the core prevention strategies will help provide a degree of protection for you and those around you. The prevention strategies recommended to help reduce the spread of illness are as follows:

• Immunizations: Students and staff who are eligible for immunizations they have not yet received are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Staying up to date on routine vaccinations, including COVID19 and flu shots, is essential to prevent illness from many different infections.
• Hygiene: Washing your hands and covering your cough will help to protect yourself and others. Students and staff are encouraged to wash their hands throughout the day with soap and water.
• Cleaner Air: The District has optimized ventilation and maintained improvements to indoor air quality to reduce the risk of germs and contaminants spreading through the air. The ventilation system has been certified by engineers, and an auxiliary system of air purifiers have been installed in classrooms and offices throughout the schools. This system introduces fresh air into every room frequently.
• Masks: Wearing a mask can help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses. Masks are available to students, staff, and families upon request.
• Physical distancing: Keeping space between yourself and others can help lower the risk of spreading respiratory viruses.

• Testing: Testing for illness and respiratory viruses can help you make decisions about your health (e.g. getting treatment).

The best time to revisit your prevention strategies are when:

• Respiratory viruses are causing an increased amount of illness in the community.
• You or the people around you were recently exposed to a respiratory virus, are sick, or are recovering.
• You or the people around you have risk factors for severe illness.

If you are unsure about the health condition or risk status of those around you,, the most protective option is choosing to use additional prevention strategies, such as masking physical distancing, and testing.

Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to other people. 

People who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever of 100 degrees or higher, should stay home.

If you feel sick:

• Stay home and away from others until both of the following are true (BOTH of these must be true before returning to school/work)
  • 24 hours fever free (without fever-reducing medication) AND
  • 24 hours of improved symptoms
• It is recommended that you layer additional prevention strategies like masking, physical distancing, and testing for the next five (5) days
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness or have an underlying health condition
• If you are asymptomatic but test positive for a respiratory virus, use added precautions (e.g. hygiene, masks, physical distancing) for five (5) days as you may be contagious

Students or staff who come to school with symptoms of illness or develop symptoms while at school may be sent home and encouraged to be evaluated by their health care provider.

• If a student becomes injured or ill during the school day, staff will notify the Health Office.
  • Health Office staff will assist the student and/or determine if they need to go home.
  • Students who are ill will be kept isolated from well students as much as possible until a parent can pick them up.
  • If a student is symptomatic at school, the school will notify a parent/guardian for the student to be picked up.

If a student becomes ill during District programming outside of the regular school day/year, the program coordinator will follow District protocols.

Minnetonka Public Schools does not monitor students, families or staff for travel.  For current recommendations and guidance, please visit the CDC’s website.