Overview

As of June 2023, TJS has updated our COVID-19 protocols to reflect the federal emergency order related to COVID-19, lifted on May 11, 2023.

As we transition to a post-pandemic phase, our focus will shift toward addressing the evolving needs of our community. We are committed to reestablishing routines, implementing new strategies, and addressing the socioeconomic and health losses that have affected student success. 

Guiding Principles

• Safety is a priority for all.
• Decision-making needs to be made in conjunction with experts- the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Schools will safely reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Plans are subject to change as best practices evolve and protocols are determined to be ineffective or unsustainable.

Expectations for Fall 2023

Face Coverings

Face masks are optional in school and on school transportation. Students, staff and family members are welcome to wear a mask if they choose to do so.

Social Distancing

TJS is committed to continuing in-person learning opportunities. Social distancing is no longer required. Students, staff and visitors are welcome to practice physical distancing if they choose and the situation allows.

Hand Hygiene

TJS has built routines of handwashing and respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) to keep from getting and spreading infectious illnesses including COVID-19 into the daily school schedule for all students and staff. We will teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or the safe use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Contact Tracing

TJS is no longer conducting contact tracing following a positive COVID-19 case report. This means families will not be notified if someone in their student’s class, athletics team, bus or other extracurricular activity has tested positive for COVID-19.

Sick Students

Students who become sick during the school day will be isolated (under supervision) until they can be picked up. It is important that sick students are picked up as soon as possible to limit the risk to other students and staff. Please make sure your contact information is up to date in JMC.

COVID-19 Testing

TJS will continue to offer COVID-19 rapid test kits while supplies last. 

BinaxNow testing instructions are available from the manufacturer in English and Spanish. We are unable to reproduce instructions in other languages. 

HOW TO VIDEO: A Guide for the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Self Test: youtu.be/baQQfoX-JXo 

BinaxNOW: What You Need to Know: abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/BinaxNOW-what-you-need-to-know.html

For routine testing, please use other testing resources in the community including your health care provider, local pharmacies and community test sites. Ordering Your Free At-Home Test Kit or find a COVID-19 Community Testing Site. Our schools cannot meet the needs of all employees and families in regard to testing supplies, so other options should be considered.

Maintaining Healthy Environments

Building sanitation and improved ventilation are some of the many steps being taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in our schools and programs. 

Strategies to support healthy environments include:

Disinfection of drinking fountains, bathrooms, and sinks will be completed daily.  Disinfection of additional high-touch areas will be completed twice a week.  

Custodial staff will disinfect common areas per protocol; staff are welcome to disinfect their personal workspace as they see fit.

Masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will continue to be provided upon request.

TJS will return to using EPA-approved disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2 in the case of COVID-19 outbreaks reaching a high level in the county, per the CDC tracker.

Vaccines

Vaccination remains a vital tool in preventing severe illness and protecting ourselves, our families and our community. 

There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to provide a government-issued ID or medical insurance to be vaccinated, and no question about immigration status is ever asked.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or other vaccines your child may need, talk to your child’s health provider.