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The 2020-2021 calendar was modified to accommodate an in-person flexible hybrid model for the academic year. Late starts have been removed and professional development dates have been added. The semester 1 calendar is now available. 

The semester 2 calendar will be released and posted on the Resources for Current Families webpage following the start of the school year. Spring break week will remain the same:  March 15-19.

Totino-Grace is not considering implementing or extending longer breaks in our calendar.

If there is a need to switch to a fully remote schedule, more professional development days for teachers may be added to the calendar.

When students arrive they should be going directly to their homeroom rather than congregating in the Commons. 

We are asking students to use backpacks throughout the day so that they don't go back and forth to their locker but rather right to their next class. 

Some hallways will be one-directional. 

All students will be wearing masks as they move from class to class. 

At the end of the day we will be looking at a slight staggered dismissal if we feel that is necessary

Photos will be taken during the first week of school with IDs distributed on photo day. Until IDs are available to students, student access doors between the main building and library will be monitored by staff and in person and/or security cameras.

We would like to have as few students as necessary in the building before and after school. We know that there will be families who will need to drop their child off early or pick them up a little later and we will have designated supervised spaces for those students to study independently.

For Totino-Grace to successfully create and maintain a healthy school environment inside the school, it is important that teachers, staff members, and students consistently wear masks, maintain social distancing as much as possible, and practice hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the building providing requirements and guidance. We ask all parents/guardians to review school expectations and guidelines so students arrive to school with an understanding of the expectations and their importance to our entire community. Preventative measures will be communicated to students during orientation and during the first days of the year.

Totino-Grace will implement physical distancing practices and procedures that provide our students with structure and guidelines in a school setting that does have limitations. This will include, but is not limited to, having cap limits on classroom spaces, seating limits at tables in the Common and in other on campus settings, and changes to on campus spaces that students may be present before and after school. Schedule changes have been made to reduce the period of time in which students are out of the classroom during passing time and policy changes have been made to ensure those passing times will not require stops along the way. 

Wearing a mask or face covering will be an on campus requirement at Totino-Grace. This applies to all students, staff, and visitors. Face coverings must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking. 

Mask wearing will not have an "opt out" option. However, we do anticipate working with individual families who need alternatives to a traditional mask for medical reasons. Those alternatives may include face shields, greater distancing in classrooms, and distance learning as recommended through medical consultation. Any exemption to wearing a traditional mask will be a partnership between a family’s medical provider’s recommendation and our Health Office. Our Health Office will provide a process for families to request an exemption.

Teachers will be asked to be diligent about asking students to wear masks in class. Hallways and other common areas will also be closely monitored. We hope all students understand why this preventative measure is important and willingly abide by it. If not, students will be sent to the Dean of Students, Mr. Blake. Failure to consistently wear makes will find students in a progressive discipline program, including suspension from school.

COVID-19 cases have been reported in every state and travel recommendations based on the risk of spread is constantly changing. It is important that Totino-Grace monitors community transmission risk and follows guidance based on the best available information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health.

If a member of our community travels internationally by air, they must self-quarantine for 14 days before entering Totino-Grace buildings. At this time, Totino-Grace does not have the same policy for domestic travel. However, at certain times during the year, Totino-Grace may restrict facility admission to our campus by those who have traveled to areas where there is increased risk.

TG does not currently plan to implement a code of conduct outside of campus as we are unable to manage/control the choices and behaviors of students outside of the school day or school-sanctioned activity participation. We rely on the partnership of students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff and hope that all community members do their part to maintain the safety of the entire TG school community and adhere to the recommendations and guidelines in the Totino-Grace Informed Consent Document and Health and Safety Protocol. 

Because our goal is to promote consistently followed protocol in a timely manner, the most effective way for a student to express concerns while on campus would be to share them with the nearest adult, teacher, or staff member. Every adult in our building will be aware of expectations and can address immediate concerns. Repeated concerns for violations may be brought to a school administrator.

We ask all community members and visitors to be aware of current guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding social settings in which COVID-19 transmission could impact the individual’s ability to be present in our building. If an individual meets any of the criteria listed below, we ask that they refrain from entering Totino-Grace facilities and follow our health screening protocol. 

• I was in the presence of a large group of people (more than 10 indoors, more than 25 outdoors) where social distancing and face masks were not used. 
• I visited multiple locations while out of state (restaurants, bars, stores, etc.). 
• I attended a sporting event (basketball, baseball, soccer tournaments/games, etc.) where social distancing and face masks were not used. 

In response to this ongoing public health emergency, and the risk posed by a resurgence of COVID-19, Totino-Grace asks community members and visitors to use common sense and error on the side of caution when deciding to come on the school campus.

Facility modifications in preparation for on campus learning are outlined in the Return to Campus Road Map.

To further clarify questions regarding air quality in our building, all ducts and air handlers have been cleaned and all air handler filters have been replaced. Air filters are rated on a scale known as a MERV which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. All MERV ratings are on a scale of one to 20 depending on the minimum size of the particles a filter can be expected to capture. All Totino-Grace air handlers filter the air at intake and again before discharge. Our newest units covering classroom spaces filter three times: once on intake, again before conditioning the air, and then once more before discharge into the classrooms. Our final filter ratings have a MERV rating of 13. A filter with a MERV rating of 13 to 16 captures particles greater than 0.3 micrometers. This includes bacteria, droplets from sneezing, smoke, and most other sources of pollution. This level of filtration is used in patient and surgery areas of hospitals.

New students will receive their laptop on Orientation Day. Laptops will be distributed to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 on their first day of school.

We will be able to differentiate between students who are "present" and "present-online" while sick this school year. We do still anticipate having students who will be traditionally absent because their illness does not allow them to participate in online learning. 

Teachers will be asked to teach remotely (if possible) when quarantining or when experiencing COVID symptoms. Totino-Grace will utilize internal and external subs to provide supervision for students. 

The type of assessments used may change to promote creativity, academic integrity and demonstrate knowledge. To prevent cheating when students are learning remotely, teachers have developed a variety of strategies.

Student participation can be measured in a variety of ways. Teachers may adjust those measurements depending on the nature of the course. Students are encouraged to participate through their attention in class, oral participation, and small group and individual work.

Gym classes will be held outside until weather dictates students being indoors. When classes move inside, students will be meeting in small groups in the gym or in a traditional classroom. Locker room availability will be scheduled and specific entrances and exits will be communicated with students. Lockers will be assigned to students for physical education and co-curricular activity use.

The band classroom has been modified to increase physical space. Instrument specific safety measures will be in place. Multiple spaces in the building will be used for full rehearsals to keep all students physically distanced. Brass instruments will have bell covers and absorbent pads for releasing water from their instruments. Flutes will utilize flute shields to control air flow. Percussionist will each have their own sticks, mallets and stick bags. Traffic flow in and out of the rehearsal rooms will also be controlled. These strategies will also be implemented for ensemble groups.

Choir classes will also utilize multiple spaces to safely spread out the students for physical distancing. Masks will be worn during choir to control air flow, and traffic flow in and out of the rehearsal rooms will be controlled. These strategies will also be implemented for ensemble groups.

Totino-Grace continues to be an ACT testing site. Due to distancing restrictions, pre-registration is required. At this time, Totino-Grace has met capacity and is not taking additional registrations.

DISTANCE LEARNING

Students who choose the Exclusive Online option, approved by administration and with plans arranged with Mr. Vandermyde, will attend classes live and as scheduled, remotely.

Students who need to stay home (symptoms, exposure, etc.) should be joining classes live – remotely -- unless they are physically unable to do so. 

If a TG family has determined they would prefer their child start the school year exclusively attending Totino-Grace classes remotely, they should contact Dan Vandermyde, Assistant Principal at dan.vandermyde@totinograce.org by Friday, August 21, so the request can be reviewed by administrators and arrangements can be made prior to the first day of school. If at any time during the school year your family determines that exclusive remote learning is best for your student, contact Mr. Vandermyde.

Remote learning best practices will be outlined with students and shared with families.

TRANSITIONING TO REMOTE LEARNING

Based on the guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), schools should revert to remote learning when:  "The number of students and school staff who are absent or who are sent home with influenza or COVID-19-like illness reaches approximately 5% of the total number of students in a school within a week. (Stay Safe MN). However, keep in mind this is only a guideline. The decision to pivot to a remote, synchronized learning plan could be  based on a much lower number of affective cases.   

The Food Service page on the TG website outlines meal options, pricing, daily lunch ordering process, and menus for the 2020-2021 academic year.  

A selection of breakfast items will be available before school and three pre-packaged lunch options are offered daily: salad, sandwich, or hot line meal.

Taher will be utilizing the point of sale system as in the past, with the students telling our cashiers their private number in order to minimize the amount of people touching the keypad. Three point of sale stations will be systematically spread out in the commons area to help create a safe and functional environment.

Distancing will be maintained during the four lunch hours with tables spaced in both the Commons and gym and by limiting the number of students per table.

Families should set up their student’s food service account prior to the start of school following the instructions outlined on the page. 

Questions can be directed to Mr. Ben Bush, Food Service Director, at ben.bush@totinograce.org.

The Totino-Grace Spirit Shop, located just inside the front entry of the building, will be open on Wednesday, August 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Wednesday, August 26, from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Uniform shirts and gym shirts (required for students in PE I and II) are carried in the physical store throughout the year as well as spirit wear and fan merchandise. 

Uniform shirts (with the exception of gym shirts) and a selection of fan wear is also available through our online store. 

Click HERE for Spirit Shop information, the link to shop online, uniform information, and school year store hours.

Work study will be an option for students when we are in an in-person or hybrid model. The work study application can be found HERE on the school website.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has permitted all fall sports to proceed – with modifications – with the exception of volleyball and football; those programs will be offered later in the school year.

Students who wish to participate in a fall sport are required to complete a registration in advance so coaches can best plan to comply with MDH and MSHSL guidelines.

Co-curricular participation will be considered on a case by case basis for students pursuing exclusive distance learning.

Totino-Grace is working with local bus companies to determine the capabilities of covering transportation routes for TG students as they have in the past. We are working hard with local providers as they work through all of their new regulations. Administration is discussing how to best address the challenge if busing cannot be provided for our school this year. As information is acquired and plans are finalized, we will communicate with families.

We are working to establish transportation guidelines for co-curricular activities.

All school gatherings will not take place this fall. We are working to find alternatives for our traditional community gatherings like Monday Convocation, Masses, and Homecoming Week events. 

Fall events that for our extended community that traditionally include large group gatherings have been cancelled; we are exploring options to reschedule or modify events that are significant for students and the Eagle community within the guidelines and recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Faculty and staff will not be tested prior to the start of the school year and there is no plan to have faculty and staff tested for COVID-19 infection throughout the year unless they meet testing recommendations per the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), their own medical provider, or as suggested by our Health Office. 

Any recommendation for COVID-19 testing will follow the TG Health Screening Protocol Flowchart which was developed following MDH guidelines and recommendations. Any testing recommendations follow personal symptoms or exposure. Even in asymptomatic cases, MDH's contact tracing will help identify people who may need to quarantine or test. Totino-Grace expects guidance and recommendations from MDH to change throughout the year as new data is gained both globally and locally and our practices will be informed by that guidance.

Totino-Grace High School will support the Minnesota Department of Health in their process for contact tracing and quarantine requests in every lab-tested positive COVID-19 case. MDH conducts interviews within the first 24 hours of every positive test and determines who meets their threshold for exposure and needs to quarantine. Broad exposure is determined by students or staff who are within six feet of someone for 15 minutes or longer, 48 hours prior to testing positive or the presence of symptoms. There are many potential variables (masks being worn, consistency of social distancing, contact activities, etc.) that can all impact how exposure is determined by the MDH. Our intent is to follow MDH's recommendations with regards to privacy for the individual who is sick and transparency for the students and staff who they determine to be exposed.

Unfortunately with this virus, even when someone tests negative early on during the quarantine time frame, this disease has been shown to appear anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure. That means an early negative test may suggest someone is healthy, when the virus is simply not at a stage where it will appear in testing.

Temperature scanning is a part of our school’s plan for creating a safe environment. It will be a required protocol in our Health Office, Athletic Training Office, and a part of each athletic program’s practice and competition. Spot checking will occur as determined by the Health Office. Temperature checking all students is not a current part of our start to the school day because the volume of students would likely create physical distancing scenarios that would be difficult to manage effectively. Because of the various symptoms of COVID-19, the most effective strategy for keeping sick students out of our building is a school and family partnership that starts each day evaluating symptoms or illness and following the TG Health Screening Protocol.

Totino-Grace currently has nearly 670 students enrolled and we will continue to accept applications for the class of 2024 and for students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who wish to transfer to TG.