We continue to partner with the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, and Isanti Public Health officials as we monitor COVID-19 case rates and community transmission rates. 

Families are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines for the prevention of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

1. Students are encouraged to self-assess for symptoms before entering school grounds or school transportation by the student, parent or caregiver.

2. Students who are experiencing symptoms should stay home if sick.

3. Parents of students who test positive for COVID-19 must contact the school Health Services office immediately upon learning of the test results.

4. Parents must contact their school attendance line immediately to report absences for students who are experiencing symptoms. 

5. Student notifications of confirmed COVID-19 case exposure will follow MDH guidance. See our Safe Learning Plan for specific questions regarding isolation and quarantine recommendations.

As a district, we continue to review and update our Return to Learn Plan every 6 months. 

What can parents do?  Do weekly head checks on your children.

1. Until a few years ago, approaches to head lice were based on old wives tales, misconceptions, and marketing department companies.  Luckily, there is now research from Harvard, on which these facts are known.    
2. Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness; they love clean hair because it is easier to latch on.
3. Lice do not hop, jump, or fly; the only way they can get from one person to another is direct touching, head to head.
4. Lice are not passed on by pets.  The only place head lice can thrive is on the human head.
5. When found most cases of head lice are already more than a month old.
6. Because of use and overuse of head lice shampoos, head lice have become resistant to the products that once would kill them so no head lice product is 100% effective.  That is why combing and nit removal is important.
7. Never treat or retreat “just in case” in the absence of live lice.  Head lice products are pesticides, which are toxic and if overused can be absorbed through the skin.
8. Removing the nits (eggs) and live lice with a special metal-tooth comb is time consuming but the most effective way to get rid of them.  They do not wash out.
9. Hats and coats touching in school are not sources of lice.  A louse on a hat or coat is a dying louse who will not be capable of reproducing.  Healthy ones stay close to the scalp.  They cannot survive without blood, that is why they bite.
10. Head lice are not a source of infection or disease.  They are simply a nuisance.
11. Schools are not the most common places where head lice are spread, even though they have been blamed in the past.  Sleep-overs among friends and relatives are thought to be a common way they are passed from home to home.
12. School-wide head checks are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The most effective screening occurs when parents check their own children at home.
13. One of the biggest challenges in eliminating head lice is parents’ discomfort in communicating about the problem.  
14. Most schools do not practice “no-nit” policies because it has been proven that these policies do not impact the spread of lice.
15. You will always be able to find web sites that promote drastic measure like sprays, special products, and “no-nit” policies.  Most of them are commercial sites and are in the business of selling the product.  It is their best interest to keep Head lice Hysteria alive, otherwise they will not make any profits.  .
16. Nit and lice removal is tedious but there are some simple products that help.  Vinegar, real mayonnaise, olive oil, and Dawn Dish soap. None of these have been proven but they seem to help loosen the nits for easier removal.
17. Shaving the head or cutting the hair will not affect how easily a child catches lice, although this may make nit removal easier.  Don’t do this unless your child wants you to.  A child’s self-esteem is much more important than a few missed nits.
18. Most schools want children with head lice treated and back in school right away.
19. School nurses are supportive advocates who will help you obtain lice shampoo and use it properly.  School nurses will assist you in checking or rechecking as you work to remove nits and lice from your child’s head.  Just ask.
20. School nurses will not judge you or report you or tell others if you ask for assistance.  We handle lice in a confidential manner.  We know that even the best families can catch them, and most of us who are parents have been through it at least once ourselves.  

Home Head Lice Checks

Influenza is classified as a respiratory illness causing fever (100 degress or higher) AND cough or sore throat. Symptoms can last up to 7 days. It is spread by coughing and sneezing, or touching contaminated objects or surfaces. To prevent spread of influenza, cover your cough and wash your hands frequently. Getting the seasonal flu vaccine can also help prevent the illness.

Call your child's health care provider if they begin having difficulty breathing or a high fever or vomiting/diarrhea lasting more then a couple days. It is also recommended to call your health care provider if your child has been exposed to influenza and they have an underlying health condition that can put them at risk for complications; antiviral medication may be prescribed.

The student can return to school after they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medications).

Symptoms: Conjunctivitis is  redness and soreness in the eye. You child may have itching, pain, or drainage in one or both eyes, and in some cases a fever.

Spread: By touching secretions from eyes, nose or mouth. Or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

Treatment: Conjunctivitis is often times viral and will resolve on its own. It can last up to 2 or 3 weeks. If your health care provider suspects you have bacterial conjunctivitis, an antibiotic drop may be prescribed.

Comfort measures could be tried in an attempt to relieve symptoms. A warm or cool compress on the eye can help with pain or discomfort.

It's important to wash hands to prevent spread of conjunctivitis and to avoid touching your eye if pink eye is suspected.

Strep throat is very common among kids and teens. Symptoms of strep throat include fever, stomach pain, and red, swollen tonsils.  Not all sore throats are strep.

• Strep throat usually requires treatment with antibiotics.
• Anybody can get strep throat, but it's most common in school-age kids and teens. These infections occur most often during the school year when big groups of kids and teens are in close quarters.
• The bacteria that cause strep throat (group A streptococcus) tends to hang out in the nose and throat, so normal activities like sneezing, coughing, or shaking hands can easily spread infection from one person to another. That's why it's so important to teach kids the importance of hand washing — good hygiene can lessen their chances of getting contagious diseases like strep throat.

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Symptoms: Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory illness. It can be serious, especially in young, unvaccinated children. Symptoms usually begin as mild cough, runny nose, sneezing and sometimes fever. In 1 or 2 weeks, it can develop into coughing attacks that can end up in vomiting and/or a high pitched "whoop". Coughing is usually worse at nighttime and can last up to 3 months.