The Buzz Sept. 1, 2020

THE SAFETY EDITION

Keeping Edina schools open depends on ALL of us Following key health safety guidelines in school, at home and around the community will help stop the spread of COVID-19. A local outbreak of COVID is what could lead to classroom or school closures. Rising case numbers in Hennepin County could lead to the closure of all schools in the district. Edina Public Schools needs your help to create a safe learning environment for students and working environment for teachers and staff. Take the Hornet Health Pledge!

The Big 4

There are 4 key safety guidelines that will make the difference in keeping yourself and others safe from the virus AND help keep Edina schools open!

Practice Social Distancing From Johns’ Hopkins University, here are the key elements related to social distancing: Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others who are not members of your household Avoid crowded places, particularly indoors and events that are likely to draw crowds. Social Distancing in Edina Schools: Classrooms are arranged to maintain a 6 foot distance. Students will not be allowed to congregate at entrances, commons areas, media centers, lockers, etc. Students should maintain social distancing at bus stops. Hallways are signed "Keep Right" to reduce intermingling (some EHS hallways are one-way). Nutrition Services guidelines include having elementary students eat lunch in their classrooms, and secondary students eat lunch by class cohorts, in socially distanced cafeterias. Athletics and Activities will follow MDH guidelines, including crowd size recommendations. School bus capacity will be about 50%, allowing for household groups to sit together and all others will be social distanced.

Wear a Face Covering Wearing a mask or cloth face covering is mandated by the Governor’s Executive Order, the City of Edina Emergency Regulation and School Board Policy 308. EPS employees and students are required to wear a face covering when in our buildings. Since students and staff are in our buildings for only a portion of the day, it is important that everyone adhere to mask requirements throughout their day. How masks work: The virus which causes COVID-19 is thought to be mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough or sneeze. Wearing a mask stops these droplets from spreading to others. This is extra important because around 40-50% of people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still spread the virus.  Wearing a mask does not mean people who are sick should be in public. Stay home if you are sick unless you need to seek medical care. How to wear a mask: Wash your hands before putting on your mask and after taking it off. Cover your nose and mouth and try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face. Keep the mask on your face the whole time you are out. Don't put the mask around your neck or on your forehead. Wash your mask after each time you wear it. Label students' masks clearly with a permanent marker so they are not confused with those of another child. Consider providing your child with a container (such as a resealable bag) to store their mask when not wear, e.g. when eating.

Wash Your Hands Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading. Washing with soap and water is preferred to the use of hand sanitizer. However, if soap and water is not available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is a good substitute. (Do not use hand sanitizer that contains methanol.) What you need to know about hand washing: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds Wash before and after you eat or cook Wash after using the bathroom After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing Before and after visiting or taking care of sick friends or family members Hand Washing at Edina Schools: Students will wash their hands before lunch and at other times of the day as needed Hand washing signs are posted in bathrooms as reminders Hand sanitizer is located in the vestibule at schools for persons needing to enter the school. (Visitors are restricted at this time.)

Screen for COVID and Stay Home if Sick EPS expects all students and staff to screen for signs of COVID-19 every day before coming to school. We’ve created a printable version of the At-Home COVID Screening to make it handy for you to build into your morning routine. Visit the COVID Monitoring page of the Dashboard for Exclusion Criteria (i.e. if sick, tested or exposed, how long to stay home).

Visit edinaschools.org/FamilyDashboard This webpage provides quick access to EPS plans for Safe Learning Spaces, Bus Transportation, COVID Monitoring, Nutrition Services, FAQs and more. We continuously update these pages as guidance changes.

More Resources

The Role You Play Outside of School What we do and where we go outside of the school day can have an impact not only on your own health, but on the health and safety of other students and staff, and on our ability to keep schools open. Here are several resources for safety guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health: Protect Yourself and Others from COVD-19 Lower Your Risk of COVID Daily Life and Coping Guidance for Safe Celebrations and Events

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