Guess what?

It’s back to school time in the area and schools were bustling with activity as teachers, students and bus drivers made their way to the schools.

With Labor Day past as well as the Great Minnesota Get Together, summer days are winding down and fall activities have commenced for the final quarter of 2021. Students will return to school in-person, each day. At this time hybrid learning will not be an option this school year 

Refreshingly, the area schools have not mandated that children and teachers wear masks, though they recommend and endorse the idea. Face coverings are required on student transportation regardless if individuals have been vaccinated. The school will continue to require increased sanitation around the schools, including washing and sanitizing hands, and disinfecting the schools.

Currently, there are only two COVID-19 safety guidelines required of schools. Firstly, anyone using public transportation (school buses) needs to wear face coverings, Secondly, all COVID-19 positive cases need to be reported to the state, either by the school or by the family.

COVID Cases In MN Schools

(Numbers listed are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020 in Minnesota schools through Sept.1, 2021)

• Total pre-k-12 School Building associated cases in the state - 27,041;

• Total pre-k-12 Staff cases - 9,117;

• Total pre-k-12 Student Cases - 17,924;

• Total pre-k-12 Staff hospitalizations -  169;

• Total pre-k-12 Student hospitalizations - 86;

• Total pre-k-12 Staff ICU hospitalizations - 27;

• Total pre-k-12 Student ICU hospitalizations - 14;

• Total pre-k-12 Staff deaths - 8;

• Total pre-k-12 Student deaths - 1.

With the current data above there was a .000056 chance of students dying from COVID-19 in the last 18 months in Minnesota Schools.

All Minnesota schools are represented including public, nonpublic, and tribal schools.