Learning Models -  A learning model describes the location where learning takes place. Cambridge-Isanti Schools' learning models include in-person learning, hybrid learning, distance learning, and full-time online learning. A shift in learning models is one mitigation tool to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools Online - Cambridge-Isanti Schools Online provides a full-time option for students who are choosing online learning for the full 2021-22 school year. Students at the high school can choose a part-time online option Cambridge-Isanti Schools is a fully-approved online learning provider through the Minnesota Department of Education. 

In-Person Learning - This is our base learning model where students attend school in-person. 

Hybrid Learning - Hybrid Learning is Cambridge-Isanti’s blended learning model where students receive instruction online for part of their weekly schedule and in-person for the remainder of their weekly schedule. This learning model provides for few students in the building at one time and increased physical distancing between students. An example of a hybrid learning schedule would be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday online; and Tuesday and Thursday in-person. 

Distance Learning - Distance Learning is Cambridge-Isanti’s temporary online learning model where students learn fully online away from a school building during periods of isolation, quarantine, or substantial local spread. 

Thresholds - Defined parameters at which different mitigation strategies may be deployed. These parameters will be different based on the specific circumstances surrounding the positive case and the cohort.

Cohort - A group of individuals sharing a common factor such as a classroom, team, club, building, etc. 

Mitigation Strategies - These are specific strategies employed to reduce the impact of an outbreak when one has begun. These may include, but are not limited to increased contact tracing, use of quarantine and isolation practices, increased distancing, cohorting of groups/classes to decrease contact with other groups (can be used for lunch, recess, specials, etc), temporary masking, temporary use of hybrid or distance learning for a cohort of students

Close Contact - A person is considered a close contact when they have spent 15 minutes or longer within 6 feet of a positive individual. 

Isolation - Occurs when a person has tested positive for COVID-19, symptomatic or asymptomatic, and is kept away from others for a predetermined period of time. Can also be used for someone who is symptomatic but is either waiting for test results or is choosing not to test

Quarantine - Occurs when a person has been identified as a close contact of a positive case and is kept away from others for a predetermined period of time. Quarantined individuals should monitor for the onset of COVID-like symptoms.

Asymptomatic - Not showing signs or symptoms of illness. Some people without any symptoms still have and can spread the coronavirus. They’re without symptoms, but contagious.

Symptomatic - Showing signs and symptoms of illness. For COVID-19, that includes fever greater than 100.4 degrees, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, vomiting/nausea, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, new severe headache.

Contagious period - for symptomatic individuals, from 2 days before symptom onset to 10 days after. For asymptomatic, from 2 days before they test positive to 10 days after

PCR/molecular test - These tests are highly sensitive and accurate for both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. They can be used for the diagnosis of COVID-19in either symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. This test is the ONLY type of test that can be used to get out of quarantine early (testing on or after day 5 to get out on day 8). At school, the VAULT tests are PCR tests. Results typically take 1-3 days to receive.

Antigen/rapid test - These tests are less sensitive and are more accurate for symptomatic individuals than for asymptomatic individuals. They are best used when someone is feeling sick. They can be used only for diagnostic purposes and can NOT be used to get out or quarantine early. At school, the CUE tests are antigen tests. Results are typically available in 20 minutes.

Transmission - When an illness spreads between people. 

Incubation period - The time from close contact exposure to development of symptoms. For COVID-19, the incubation period ranges 2-14 days.

Following updated guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Cambridge-Isanti Schools updated guidance regarding isolation and quarantine for COVID-19 for staff and students.  

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will follow the updated decision tree released by MDH: 

Isolation - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/youthiso.pdf  

Quarantine - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/youthquar.pdf 

Isolation Guidance:

Staff and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate themselves from others. Isolation starts from the positive person’s symptom onset or test date for those who tested positive and are asymptomatic. 

• Please notify the school nurse at your students' school if symptoms or positive tests for COVID-19 occur. 
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to stay home for a minimum of five (5) days from the time symptoms started and/or the time they tested positive for COVID-19. They may not return to school until after that time and must be fever free and symptoms have improved.
• ​​When returning, the positive person must wear a well-fitting mask for the remainder of the 10 days (day 6-day 10). If they are unable to wear a mask then they are not able to return to school and must continue to isolate at home for the full 10 days.

Quarantine Guidance:

When someone is considered a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 they have been in contact with the positive person within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes during the positive person’s infectious period. CDC and MDH recommend quarantine for anyone who is considered a close contact of a positive but it is not required. 

The District expects students and their parents, as well as staff members, to conduct self-screening before entering any district facility and stay home if they are sick or display any symptoms. Please do not send children to school if they are sick or display any symptoms. This is one of the most significant mitigating factors we can take as a community and we need parent assistance.   

• People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. See CDC for more information. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
• Fever (100.4) or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Symptom screening tools are available on the MDH website and CDC website.
• MDH: Health Screening 
• CDC: What to Do If You Are Sick
• As with any other illness, do not return to school until symptoms improve and with no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. 
• Parents should report illness and absences to their child’s school. 

Parents/Guardians should contact the school nurse assigned to their child’s school if they have any questions.  The District COVID-19 Coordinator, Julie Williams, can also be reached at 763-689-6196.

Parents/Guardians should contact the school nurse assigned to their child’s school to report a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 case. School District personnel who need to report a lab-confirmed positive case for self should contact their direct supervisor and/or the District COVID-19 Coordinator, Julie Williams, at 763-689-6196.

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to stay home for a minimum of five (5) days from the time symptoms started and/or the time they tested positive for COVID-19. They may not return to school until after that time and must be fever free and symptoms have improved. ​​When returning, the positive person must wear a well-fitting mask for the remainder of the 10 days (day 6-day 10). If they are unable to wear a mask then they are not able to return to school and must continue to isolate at home for the full 10 days.

At this time, masks are recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education. As a result, Cambridge-Isanti Schools will recommend but not require masks within our public school buildings and other District sites.

We expect all staff, students, and families to follow the Bluejacket Way and show Responsibility, Respect, Compassion, Self-Discipline, and Honesty to one another. This includes the acceptance of all who choose or choose not to wear masks. Our schools will be working closely with students to pre-teach behavioral expectations in accordance with our District PBIS plan and school policy.

When notified of a close contact, parents/guardians and staff will be encouraged to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (here) which includes the option to self-quarantine. Students and staff will not be required by the School District to quarantine unless there is a high rate of transmission within specific classes or building communities.  Parents/guardians and staff are urged to monitor for symptoms and then isolate and test if symptoms are present.

Additional mitigation strategies will be implemented if/when a setting reaches a threshold of high transmission for COVID-19. 

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to work directly with their child’s teacher to make arrangements when students are quarantined. Students who typically attend school in person and who are required to isolate (i.e. tested positive for COVID 19) or are choosing to quarantine because they were identified as a close contact to someone who has now tested positive for COVID 19 will not participate in virtual lessons during their quarantine/isolation period. Instead, students will follow the traditional make-up methods unless otherwise instructed by their teacher. All students must complete required coursework.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will follow guidelines and requirements from the Minnesota State High School League and the Mississippi 8 conference. Athletics and Activities Directors and/or coaches/advisors will continue to provide information to both students and families. When traveling to districts with protocols or restrictions that are different from the C-I District, participants will follow expectations/protocols requested of the host school.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are encouraged for all students and staff who are eligible. They are not required in Cambridge-Isanti Schools, and neither students nor staff will be required to provide evidence of their vaccination status. 

Unvaccinated staff and students are encouraged to test weekly as a preventative measure. If interested, statewide COVID-19 testing locations can be found here.

Based on current levels of community spread across Minnesota, the CDC and MDH recommend that all unvaccinated school-age children and school staff should get tested for COVID-19 at least weekly throughout the school year. Unvaccinated children involved in any extracurricular activities or sports should be tested more frequently. Vaccinated students and school staff should get tested if they are experiencing symptoms or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will offer free COVID testing on a voluntary basis. Optional tests are provided by MDE and MDH as part of a statewide educational testing program and are similar to the saliva tests offered last spring.

With parent permission, students will be able to get a Zoom-enabled test kit from the school nurse’s office on a specified date (TBD) each week. Students can take tests home and complete it with a parent/guardian by following the kit directions. They will then return the kit to the nurse’s office the next day. Completed test kits will be mailed by the District each week. Test results will be sent to the parent/guardian from Vault and data will not be shared with the School District. If the student receives a positive test, the parent/guardian is required to call and inform the school nurse and follow protocols accordingly. 

The district will also have the availability of optional rapid tests for symptomatic students.  This is optional and would only be conducted with informed consent from a parent/guardian.  

Order an at-home test at no cost 

Vault: No-Cost COVID Testing For All Minnesotans

Families are invited to order in-house test kits to keep on hand. Minnesota and Vault Medical Services have teamed up to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for everyone who lives in Minnesota, with or without symptoms, at no cost. Typically Vault saliva test kits ship within a day of receiving the order. Note that shipping and delivery does not happen on Sundays or holidays. If you need a test immediately, visit Find Testing Locations for in-person options.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will continue to implement similar mitigation strategies that were used last year. These include, but are not limited to:

• Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout buildings 
• Social Distancing will continue to be encouraged when possible
• Signs will be posted throughout the buildings to remind everyone of continued proper hygiene and mitigation strategies 
• Seating charts will be used on all school buses

General “high touch” areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly by custodians and other employees. Staff will have access to supplies for more regular cleaning.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools is continually working to maximize the efficiency of our building ventilation and filtration systems. These systems are routinely monitored and maintained to ensure they meet or exceed industry requirements. All air in the buildings and classrooms is filtered.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools prioritizes and values having both visitors and volunteers engaged and present in its schools and buildings.

Volunteers are defined as individuals who are invited and approved by the School District to assist with specific activities and/or at certain events.

Visitors are defined as individuals who choose to come to school for things such as, but not limited to dropping off materials in a classroom, having lunch with their child, and observing their child during a particular activity.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will allow volunteers to be present and to participate in school activities and events during the school day in all its schools (PreK-12). Volunteers are encouraged to follow all prevention and mitigation strategies, including wearing a face-covering if unvaccinated, regularly washing hands, and staying home if ill.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will limit visitors for certain activities during the school day and will inform families when visitors are able to attend events. Visitors will not be allowed to have lunch with their child, visit classrooms, and other activities as outlined by building administration. Visitors will be able to attend activities, such as concerts, sports, other activities as outlined by building administration. Visitors are encouraged to follow all prevention and mitigation strategies, including wearing a face-covering if unvaccinated, regularly washing hands, and staying home if ill.

Cambridge-Isanti Schools will return to normal food service operations for the 2021-2022 school year. Students will also be able to receive a healthy breakfast AND lunch, free of charge as communicated to families previously.