COVID-19 Weekly Updates

14-Day Case Report: Updated November 23, 2020

Totino-Grace has received eight positive COVID-19 reports in the past two weeks.  Of these cases, internal contact tracing determined that six of the eight required community members outside the household to quarantine. 

Dear Totino-Grace community,

Totino-Grace has had about 60 days of school since August. We’ve made it to Thanksgiving without having to make an extended pivot to distance learning. What an achievement!  

However, as was shared last week, we believe many families will likely travel and gather with family members and others outside of the household.  Case numbers continue to rise across the country, including in many nearby counties, including: Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey.  Because of these reasons, the administrative team decided to implement a school-wide remote learning program during the week of Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 4. This is the week directly following Thanksgiving break.  

• This decision is currently not based on the number of positive tests our community has seen.  Rather, this one week of remote learning will allow all community members additional time to monitor symptoms and possible exposure from gatherings and travel during the holiday break and arrange for a COVID screening test before returning to in-person learning on campus.  Parents will be given the time -- an extra week -- to monitor for symptoms and decide for themselves if it is prudent to have their child tested. If there is any doubt, parents are asked to have their kids tested and keep them home from school.

• Totino-Grace will continue to keep an eye on how things play out between now and December 7.  The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is our partner. If it is determined that a second week of distance learning is in our students’ and teachers/staff members’ best interest, we will do so.  

• When considering whether to revert to distance learning, TG will consider the following factors:

  • Number of positive cases within a two week period in counties that serve TG, possibly to include the numbers in the high school age group.

  • School numbers within two week period: number of positive cases, number of people asked to quarantine, number of students kept home by parents as a caution.

  • Number of teachers/staff members unavailable to teach/work in person, on campus.

  • Community spread.

  • MDH Health and safety protocols.

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Gail Koshiol in the TG health office for any assistance in making screening decisions:  763-571-9116 ext.202 or gail.koshiol@totinograce.org.   

Governor Walz Executive Order 

On Wednesday, November 18, Governor Walz announced new COVID-19 restrictions — that include all organized youth and high school sports and activities — for the next four weeks. Due to the new executive order, in-person Totino-Grace co-curricular programming will pause from Saturday, November 20, through Friday, December 18.  Winter co-curricular activity participants should have received communication from their respective coaches and advisors.    

• To be clear, any Minnesota State High School League Sponsored (MSHSL) sponsored co-curricular activity, competition or practice scheduled through December 18, is NOT permitted. All team competitions, practices, tryouts, student-led practices or gatherings, and in-person workouts are cancelled, beginning Saturday November 21 and running through December 18. Totino-Grace will treat non-MSHSL sponsored events in the same spirit as sponsored events and lift up the executive order. 

• While coaches may not have in-person contact with students, they may meet with students participants and teammates using virtual platforms for practice, rehearsal and team meetings. Coaches may not require participants to take part in individual workouts or skills training.  Likewise, students may not require or suggest groups of participants gather. 

• In the course of the coming days we expect to receive further clarification from the state and Minnesota State High School League regarding these new restrictions and will  share more detailed information about how this executive order will impact Totino-Grace programming.

Important Community Reminders

The information below was provided on November 16, which includes holiday travel guidelines and distance learning expectations to students and parents. 

COVID-19 Holiday Travel Guidelines and Return to School Procedures

Totino-Grace has been able to navigate through these first few months of school with COVID-19 challenges by creating an open partnership among our families, students, and school staff. More than ever, it is clear that our individual decisions have an impact on the whole community.

As families plan for gatherings with individuals outside the household and potential travel over the holiday season, please be mindful of these guidelines: 

If  your family gatherings or travel plans place you in an environment where CDC guidelines are not or cannot be followed, we want to make it as easy as possible for community members to self-quarantine. We know that absence from in-person classes and campus events can be difficult, but when students quarantine, they do not put their classmates, teachers, and others at risk. We are grateful when families partner with us to implement this important step in reducing the risk of spread. 

International Travel: If you are returning from any international travel, we ask that your student receives a lab-tested negative COVID-19 result prior to returning to campus or TG events.  

Best practice, of course, is to continue to follow recommended guidelines:

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.
• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.
• Avoid large group gatherings.
• Stay home if you or a member of your household is waiting for a test result. 

If you feel like your holiday plans or travel should require a student to quarantine for an extended period of time, please communicate with Mrs. Weeks in our attendance office at meghan.weeks@totinograce.org.

If you have specific health or COVID-19 questions, please contact TG Health Aid, Mrs. Koshiol at gail.koshiol@totinograce.org.

Communicating Test Results

If your student receives a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, please IMMEDIATELY contact the attendance line (763-586-6300) at any time of day. Leave a voice message that includes the student's first and last name, date of positive test result, and date of first symptoms. The attendance line is monitored throughout the school day, evenings, weekends, and during holiday breaks. Your prompt communication will aid Totino-Grace in contact tracing and communicating with high risk close contacts in a timely manner. 

Remote Learning Expectations for Students

• The Asynchronous Learning Day on Wednesday, December 2, will take place as previously scheduled. 
  Students are expected to attend homeroom each day.
• Students are expected to be on time to class.
  • Anyone logging in late will be marked tardy.
• Students having technical difficulties should immediately contact Mr. Nicholas Hoang or Mr. Paul Cleary to resolve these issues.
• Students should attend class from a suitable study area in their homes.
  • Students should not be in their beds.
  • Students should be dressed appropriately for class.
• Parents are encouraged to take cell phones from their students while they are attending class. 

School Counseling

Our school counselors continue to meet virtually with students one-on-one and in small groups for academic, social and emotional support. This continues whether we are in person or fully remote. Seniors are meeting regularly with their counselors to stay on track with college applications. While the November 1 deadline has passed, many students are working on applications that have future deadlines. Counselors will continue to support each student as they work to achieve their post-secondary goals. 

In person or remote, students are encouraged to connect with their school counselor for needed support during times of personal or academic difficulty. 

Faith Formation

We learned last spring that while our faith formation programming is different in a distance learning environment, it will continue and in some ways expand. Prayer will continue to be a part of students' daily experience through homeroom time, classrooms, morning reflection groups, weekly morning Mass, faith sharing groups, virtual service projects, and mission-based speaker series. When our students are facing challenges and adversity, it is important that their faith is a bedrock of foundational support.

Co-curricular Activities During Remote Learning Week

School administers, the activities department, and coaches are constantly monitoring state and community data to make decisions in the best interest of students participating in TG co-curricular programs. Athletics, activities, and performing arts programs will continue to meet in person unless communication is shared otherwise. Please note that coaches and moderators will provide updated mask protocol specific to the activity with students and parents/guardians.

Let's Be Safe

The best way to mitigate further viral spread is to lift up the the following: 

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.
• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.
• Avoid large group gatherings.
• Stay home if you or a member of your household is waiting for a test result.  THIS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.   

As communicated in the past, it may not be our practice to send email alerts to every family every time we are notified of a positive COVID-19 test result from a member of our community. The Contact Tracing Team will continue to alert parents/guardians of students and other individuals if they have been identified as someone who may have had high-risk close contact with the confirmed case. 

Student Attendance Reminder

A student's in-person attendance is expected unless the parent/guardian has contacted Mr. Dan Vandermyde to arrange an online learning option or the student is in quarantine. Online learning on a day-to-day basis is not optional. Contact Ms. Meghan Weeks in the attendance office with questions. 

14-Day Case Report: Updated November 16, 2020

Totino-Grace has received eleven positive COVID-19 reports in the past two weeks.  Of these cases, internal contact tracing determined that five of the eleven did not require community members outside the household to quarantine. 

Dear Totino-Grace Families,

Case numbers continue to rise across the country and students and staff will likely travel and gather with family members and others outside of the household during Thanksgiving break.  

Because of the increased risk, we want to give community members time to monitor symptoms and possible exposure before returning to school. Therefore, we will implement one week of remote learning for all students, Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 4. We believe this decision will allow Totino-Grace an enhanced opportunity to safely return to campus on Monday, December 7, and remain open with in-person, on campus learning through Friday, December 18, before our Christmas break.

The daily online academic schedule and student expectations are outlined below. Parents and guardians, please review these expectations with your child.

The goal of the additional week of distance from our facilities is to provide extra caution and care for all TG students, staff, and their families after social gatherings and travel so we can return to in-person, on campus learning in a safer way. 

Thank you for your support.

Craig Junker, President & Cheri Broadhead, Principal

COVID-19 Holiday Travel Guidelines and Return to School Procedures

Totino-Grace has been able to navigate through these first few months of school with COVID-19 challenges by creating an open partnership among our families, students, and school staff. More than ever, it is clear that our individual decisions have an impact on the whole community.

As families plan for gatherings with individuals outside the household and potential travel over the holiday season, please be mindful of these guidelines: 

If  your family gatherings or travel plans place you in an environment where CDC guidelines are not or cannot be followed, we want to make it as easy as possible for community members to self-quarantine. We know that absence from in-person classes and campus events can be difficult, but when students quarantine, they do not put their classmates, teachers, and others at risk. We are grateful when families partner with us to implement this important step in reducing the risk of spread. 

International Travel: If you are returning from any international travel, we ask that your student receives a lab-tested negative COVID-19 result prior to returning to campus or TG events.  

Best practice, of course, is to continue to follow recommended guidelines:

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.
• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.
• Avoid large group gatherings.
• Stay home if you or a member of your household is waiting for a test result. 

If you feel like your holiday plans or travel should require a student to quarantine for an extended period of time, please communicate with Mrs. Weeks in our attendance office at meghan.weeks@totinograce.org.

If you have specific health or COVID-19 questions, please contact TG Health Aid, Mrs. Koshiol at gail.koshiol@totinograce.org.

Communicating Test Results

If your student receives a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, please IMMEDIATELY contact the attendance line (763-586-6300) at any time of day. Leave a voice message that includes the student's first and last name, date of positive test result, and date of first symptoms. The attendance line is monitored throughout the school day, evenings, weekends, and during holiday breaks. Your prompt communication will aid Totino-Grace in contact tracing and communicating with high risk close contacts in a timely manner. 

Remote Learning Expectations for Students

• The Asynchronous Learning Day on Wednesday, December 2, will take place as previously scheduled. 
  Students are expected to attend homeroom each day.
• Students are expected to be on time to class.
  • Anyone logging in late will be marked tardy.
• Students having technical difficulties should immediately contact Mr. Nicholas Hoang or Mr. Paul Cleary to resolve these issues.
• Students should attend class from a suitable study area in their homes.
  • Students should not be in their beds.
  • Students should be dressed appropriately for class.
• Parents are encouraged to take cell phones from their students while they are attending class. 

School Counseling

Our school counselors continue to meet virtually with students one-on-one and in small groups for academic, social and emotional support. This continues whether we are in person or fully remote. Seniors are meeting regularly with their counselors to stay on track with college applications. While the November 1 deadline has passed, many students are working on applications that have future deadlines. Counselors will continue to support each student as they work to achieve their post-secondary goals. 

In person or remote, students are encouraged to connect with their school counselor for needed support during times of personal or academic difficulty. 

Faith Formation

We learned last spring that while our faith formation programming is different in a distance learning environment, it will continue and in some ways expand. Prayer will continue to be a part of students' daily experience through homeroom time, classrooms, morning reflection groups, weekly morning Mass, faith sharing groups, virtual service projects, and mission-based speaker series. When our students are facing challenges and adversity, it is important that their faith is a bedrock of foundational support.

Co-curricular Activities During Remote Learning Week

School administers, the activities department, and coaches are constantly monitoring state and community data to make decisions in the best interest of students participating in TG co-curricular programs. Athletics, activities, and performing arts programs will continue to meet in person unless communication is shared otherwise. Please note that coaches and moderators will provide updated mask protocol specific to the activity with students and parents/guardians.

Let's Be Safe

The best way to mitigate further viral spread is to lift up the the following: 

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.
• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.
• Avoid large group gatherings.
• Stay home if you or a member of your household is waiting for a test result.  THIS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.   

As communicated in the past, it may not be our practice to send email alerts to every family every time we are notified of a positive COVID-19 test result from a member of our community. The Contact Tracing Team will continue to alert parents/guardians of students and other individuals if they have been identified as someone who may have had high-risk close contact with the confirmed case. 

Student Attendance Reminder

A student's in-person attendance is expected unless the parent/guardian has contacted Mr. Dan Vandermyde to arrange an online learning option or the student is in quarantine. Online learning on a day-to-day basis is not optional. Contact Ms. Meghan Weeks in the attendance office with questions. 

14-Day Case Report: Updated November 9, 2020

Totino-Grace has received twelve positive COVID-19 reports in the past two weeks.  Of these cases, internal contact tracing determined that nine of the twelve did not require community members outside the household to quarantine. 

Totino-Grace Community Members,

While many high schools in public districts surrounding Totino-Grace have announced their intention to transition to distance learning within the next week or so, Totino-Grace will remain open for in-person, on campus learning as long as it is safe to do so.  We will continue to rely on the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education for guidance in COVID-19 planning and procedures.  

As an independent school, Totino-Grace has the autonomy to develop and implement our own protocol and practices, unless the governor issues an executive order and mandates all schools pivot to distance learning.  If Totino-Grace should transition to distance learning at any point during the school year, we have confidence in a smooth adjustment as all students participated in a remote learning practice week early in the school year.  Ideally, Totino-Grace would provide at least one week’s notice if exclusive remote learning were necessary. 

As county and state positive case numbers rise, the MDE encourages schools to consider the following data when exploring a  move to fully remote education:  

• County infectious rates.

• Number of cases within a school community.

• Community spread. 

Based on current reports, we believe that the positive cases at TG have not significantly spread within our school. Our efforts with contact tracing and health and safety protocols seem to be having the intended effect.  As the state’s numbers continue to increase, we anticipate additional positive case reports, but we are hopeful that our efforts and the partnership and support of TG students, staff, and families will continue to prevent internal community spread.

Let’s be Safe

We recently learned that nine percent of COVID-19 diagnostic tests are now positive in Minnesota, a warning to state health officials that the infectious disease is spreading rapidly.  Infections are reported in every part of the state. 

The coronavirus is still a mystery.  Scientists can’t say for certain why it’s debilitating in some people but has virtually no effect in others. They don’t know exactly how long immunity lasts or whether or when a vaccine will stop its spread and bring this horrible problem to a close.   

However, scientists do know this: the virus spreads most rampantly between people who gather indoors, in close quarters, to talk or laugh or sing, without wearing masks.  Experts say the wave of outbreaks now sweeping Minnesota and much of the nation has been caused by precisely these types of social gatherings. 

The best way to mitigate further viral spread is to lift up the the following: 

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.

• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.

• Avoid large group gatherings.

• Stay home if you or a member of your household is waiting for a test result. 

As communicated the past two weeks, it may not be our practice to send email alerts to every family every time we are notified of a positive COVID-19 test result from a member of our community. The Contact Tracing Team will continue to alert parents/guardians of students and other individuals if they have been identified as someone who may have had high-risk close contact with the confirmed case. 

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

 

Totino-Grace Community Members,

Totino-Grace relies on guidance from Minnesota’s Departments of Health and Education for COVID-19 planning and procedures but has the autonomy — a blessing and occasionally, a challenge — as an independent school to develop and implement our own protocol and practices. Throughout the summer and in the first nine weeks of the school year, TG school leaders have planned, revised, and fine-tuned elements of our back to school plan to best serve our students and staff and to keep all members of our community safe and well-informed. 

As I communicated last week, it may not be our practice to send email alerts to every family every time we are notified of a positive COVID-19 test result from a member of our community. The Contact Tracing Team will continue to alert parents/guardians of students and other individuals if they have been identified as someone who may have had high-risk close contact with the confirmed case. 

This modification included a new plan: to list the total number of active cases — reported COVID-19 cases that result in the need for students or staff outside the individual’s household to quarantine — on the weekly update page on the school website. After further discussion, we have decided to post a weekly update of all reported COVID-19 cases, including those that do not have impact outside the household. With this change, a clear picture of all community cases — regardless of the quarantine impact — will be shared. 

Some background to clarify the shift: As of November 2, TG received nine positive COVID-19 reports in the past 14 days. Of these cases, internal contact tracing determined that five of the nine did not require community members outside the household to quarantine. As a result, those five cases were not deemed “active” and did not require community messaging.   

Let’s Be Safe

The nationwide surge in coronavirus cases is forcing many school districts to pull back from in-person instruction, including many in our metropolitan area.  Nineteen Minnesota counties are on the verge of closing their K-12 public schools for the foreseeable future due to case growth (The Pioneer Press, October 23, 2020).  The very difficult trajectory of cases has undoubtedly cast many school districts in a tough spot as they try to juggle the needs of their students, the safety of their communities, and frustrated parents.

Over the past couple of weeks, Totino-Grace has learned of several parents who kept their children home from school when they were experiencing even mild symptoms.  They played it safe because they did not want to risk other people getting sick.  We cannot thank these parents enough for their thoughtful response. 

We know that our school will continue to be impacted by positive cases, especially with the rising case numbers in our state and winter weather approaching. It remains imperative that all students, parents/guardians, and staff members act on the side of caution, always refer to the MDH Decision Tree when symptoms are present, and quarantine if any member of the household is tested and awaiting results.  This cannot be overstated. 

In order for Totino-Grace to have the best opportunity to remain open, it is important that every student, teacher, and staff member abide by these critical MDH guidelines to keep those in our building and their families safe:   

• Stay home when experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the appropriate MDH decision tree path based on more common and less common symptoms.

• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.

• Avoid large group gatherings.

• Do not come to school when waiting for a test result. 

If we all consistently lift up these protocols, we have a greater opportunity to keep our community healthy and stay open.  That’s what we want; that’s what we are aiming for.  Thank you for your continued support.

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

Totino-Grace Community Members,

We have completed eight weeks of the 2020-2021 school year, in-person and on campus.  On October 19, the last group of our students and staff members asked to quarantine as a high-risk close contact with someone in our community who previously tested positive for COVID-19 was free to return to school.  

On Friday, October 23, we were notified of another confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and took immediate action to identify and contact high-risk close contacts and inform our school community.

We know that our school will continue to be impacted by positive cases but with the rising case numbers and winter season approaching, it is vitally imperative that all students, parents/guardians, and staff members act on the side of caution, always refer to the MDH decision tree when symptoms are present, and quarantine if tested or if a household member is tested and awaiting results.  This cannot be overstated. 

Confirmed Case Community Notification Moving Forward

While Totino-Grace has kept community members informed about positive cases, moving forward it may not be our practice to send email alerts to every family every time we are notified of a positive test result. A member of the Contact Tracing Team will alert parents/guardians of students and other individuals if they have been identified as someone who may have had high-risk close contact with the confirmed case.  

For future information about case statistics within the Totino-Grace community, we encourage you to monitor the COVID-19 weekly update page  on our website.  The page will list the total number of active cases — individuals who have received a  positive COVID-19 test and are in isolation. 

Anoka County

With increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Anoka County, the Minnesota Department of Health’s Regional Support Team is working closely with public school districts in the county to evaluate and prepare for a potential change in learning models for secondary schools.

The Minnesota Department of Education’s Safe Learning Plan recommends that when the positivity rate in the community of a public school district reaches 30 positive cases per 10,000 residents, students in secondary schools are to transition to full-time distance learning. As of October 22, Anoka County’s positivity rate was 33.16.  Based on current levels of the spread of COVID-19, and the uncertainty of the spread of the virus during the next few weeks, some of these public high schools have been communicating with and informing their secondary school families to prepare for a potential transition to full distance learning. 

Totino-Grace has no plans to transition to full distance learning and will maintain in-person on campus learning for as long as possible. Remote learning — for those in quarantine and those who have an agreement with the academic office — will continue to be offered. 

Let’s Be Safe

In order for Totino-Grace to have the best opportunity to remain open, it is important that every student, teacher, and staff member adhere to the MDH guidelines below to keep staff, students, and their families safe:   

• Stay at home when sick, especially with a fever of 100 degrees or greater.  Additional symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell.

• Wear a mask, conduct hand hygiene, and practice physical distancing as much as possible.

• Avoid large group gatherings.

If we all consistently lift up these protocols, we have a greater opportunity to keep our community healthy and stay open.  

 

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

Totino-Grace Families,

Last week marked the 7th week of the 2020-2021 school year.  All students and staff members who have been asked to self-quarantine due to a close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 are now free to return to school, which is great news.  

The MDH protocols we have been following to mitigate communal spread have been having the intended effect.  In particular, students and staff members have been staying home when they display symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell.  Community members have also consistently been wearing masks and maintaining social distance as much as possible.  Away from campus, we hope that  everyone is doing the same, including avoiding large groups.  If we all consistently lift up these protocols, we have a better opportunity to stay open.  

Our intention is to avoid “mitigation fatigue” in the days ahead, especially as numbers in Minnesota have worsened.  On Friday, October 16, 2,297 new positive tests were reported, a single day record.  Cases are rising across the state, including in the counties where most of our students reside, rather than being concentrated in certain areas. 

Our understanding is that while increased testing might be picking up more mild asymptomatic cases that weren’t detected earlier, health officials have said that the latest figures suggest an increase in viral spread.  One reason for the concern is that falling outdoor temperatures will drive people indoors, where transmission risk is the highest.

This is a big week as public health officials continue to keep an eye on the numbers. Let’s make sure that everyone takes responsibility for following the guidelines so we give ourselves the best chance to remain open. 

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

Dear Totino-Grace Families,

As has already been communicated, we learned on October 9 that a third community member informed us of a positive COVID-19 test.  This individual has been in isolation for the past several days and taking the necessary cautions.  The appropriate letters were sent to parents of students who have been identified as “close contacts” as well as a general letter to the community.  

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), a close contact includes household members, intimate contacts, or caregivers of a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case; an individual who was within six feet of the confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case for more than 15 minutes, even if wearing a non-medical face covering; or having unprotected contact with infected person’s body fluids (for example, being coughed or sneezed on).

I want you to know how grateful we are that parents are increasingly understanding how important it is to keep their children home from school if any of the below symptoms exist, even mildly:     

• Fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. 

Speaking personally, one of my kids displayed a single symptom earlier in September.  In past years, my wife and I would have assumed this was just a cold.  Out of responsibility to keep others safe, we called our doctor who recommended coronavirus testing, which eventually came back negative.  In the interim, we followed MDH guidelines by self-quarantining at home, as a family.  (Thankfully, our modem could accommodate all five of us at once.)  Our kids engaged in distance learning.  While it was upsetting to our kids to miss their after school games and practices, it was the right thing to do.  Several parents have shared with us that they’ve made the same decision.   

While this message is likely getting old, if we want to remain open for in-person, on campus classes, we ask that our students and teachers:

• Adhere to health screening protocols

• Faithfully wear masks

• Maintain social distance as much as possible 

• Lift up hand hygiene

• Avoid large groups

Totino-Grace will continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures as outlined in our Return to School Road Map.  In addition, Totino-Grace will not hesitate to revert to distance learning if numbers suggest we do so.  Any decision regarding whether to remain open for on campus classes will be made in conjunction with the MDH.  

Get Tested for COVID-19

A free COVID-19 testing opportunity sponsored by the City of Anoka, Anoka County, and Minnesota Department of Health is open to everyone, with or without symptoms. No insurance or ID is needed and results are expected within 72 hours. Click HERE to watch a video about the process.

DATES: Tuesday, October 13; Wednesday, October 14; Thursday, October 15

TIME: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION: National Guard Armory, 408 Main Street, Anoka, MN 55303

The welfare of students, faculty, and staff is at stake when we decide how and when to operate during a global pandemic.  Thank you for your patience as we navigate these uncharted waters, and thank you for trusting your sons and daughters to Totino-Grace.

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President      

 

Dear Totino-Grace Families,

By now, you know that Totino-Grace received notification on Friday, October 2, that a community member tested positive for COVID-19. We made it five weeks into the school year before our first positive case. 

Our understanding is that the individual in question followed the requested guidelines leading up to the positive test and followed the necessary protocols to inform the school.  This is an example of practicing the right precautions and still testing positive.  I am grateful that this family quickly contacted the school, so we could then get word out to protect other community members and mitigate the spread. Families of high risk students were all contacted no later than Saturday, October 3, and are now self-quarantined.  No doubt, these were tough phone calls to receive. We encourage everyone to be mindful of the impact of our personal reaction to this information and to be empathetic and respectful to those affected

Having positive COVID-19 cases in our school is neither a surprise nor a cause for alarm.  When we opened the school for in-person classes, we anticipated these circumstances.  There is nothing more important to Totino-Grace than the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families.  We will continue to watch the rates of infection for our own school as well as our local communities. Totino-Grace is prepared to revert to remote learning in the future if circumstances warrant doing so. Parents and students should have great confidence that TG can provide effective synchronous instruction. Our track record is very strong here.  

The Midwest continues to see increases in new coronavirus cases, which is why it is more important than ever that parents health screen their kids prior to letting them attend school on campus and keeping them at home if they have a temperature or any symptoms.  Just as important, with the exception for lunch, we all need to wear masks when inside the school, practice physical distancing as much as possible, and adhere to good hand-hygiene.   Our plan is to offer in-person instruction as long as possible.  

Finally, I want to acknowledge just how difficult it has been to navigate the pandemic.  Many high schools in our area have not returned to in person classes or even hybrid forms of instruction, yet.  Many remain entirely remote.  Totino-Grace has asked a lot from our teachers--to attend to both in person and remote instruction, build relationships with students, provide for students’ mental health and physical safety, etc.  

Last week I shared that our teachers are our front line workers. Through their professional practice, they are the most impactful resource leading to student success, and I think they are doing a great job.  If you get an opportunity, I encourage you to reach out to one or two of your child’s teachers and recognize their efforts to create engaging lessons and joyful experiences.  They would be happy to hear from you.

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever! 

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

Dear Totino-Grace Families,

With the news of new coronavirus cases and the fear of students going back to school, I am pleased to share that Totino-Grace is not aware of any student or staff member who has tested positive for the coronavirus, which is obviously welcome news.  

While we understand that things can change quickly, what we are doing is working.  In particular, parents are doing a great job of health screening their kids prior to letting them attend school on campus and keeping them at home if they have a temperature or any symptoms.  Further, several families and students have made the unselfish decision to self-quarantine when a perceived close contact with someone who has tested positive or displayed symptoms has taken place.  Our students want to be in school, and they want to participate in their co-curricular activities, so choosing to isolate or quarantine in order to keep others safe is an unselfish act.  Thank you. 

Moving Forward

It has become clear that until we have a safe and effective vaccine, we don’t know what the rate of infection will be in our communities.  We do know that we can affect that rate by practicing proven prevention actions such as mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing.  We will continue to watch the rates of infection for our local communities, and those rates tell us how to deliver instruction while keeping our students and staff safe.  Our plan is to offer in-person instruction as long as possible.  

The guidance Totino-Grace relies upon from the CDC and MDH is based on the appropriate response to the incidence of virus in a community, and proper safety equipment and behavior is key. This is not about politics any more than wearing a seat belt, not smoking, or not taking a stroll in a lightning storm is about politics.  We are about the safety of our students and staff, and we will provide guidance to ensure that safety based on our very best scientific evidence.

Our teachers are our front line workers. Through their professional practice, they are the most impactful resource leading to student success, and I think they are doing a great job.  We pledge to you that a safe environment is of paramount importance.  We will accept nothing less for our students and staff; and we respectfully ask for your continued support. 

New Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Guidelines

To access the most up-to-date decision tree from the MDH, refer to the image below.  As you will see, a significant addition to the protocol as a result of this new decision tree is that we are now asking students and staff to stay home from school when there is illness that meets the decision tree threshold by any member of the household.  Please contact Mrs. Gail Koshiol in the TG health office for any assistance in making screening decisions.  763-571-9116 ext.202 or gail.koshiol@totinograce.org. 

Conclusion 

I hope you enjoy the crisp fall mornings as we move into fall.  I personally love the smell, look, and feel of autumn and enjoy getting outside as much as possible.  I hope you are able to take time to find your space and enjoy it.  

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have successfully completed three weeks of school. Congratulations to our students for diligently following our new safety protocols, to our teachers for patiently navigating the challenges of teaching in this new format and to our staff who work so hard behind the scenes to make in-person learning possible. We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday, September 21. 

During this week of remote learning, we made some changes to our plan and facilities improvements to make the learning experience even better. Over the course of this week we added several new internet access points around the school to improve students’ ability to remotely connect to class. While access was pretty good during the first few weeks of school, there were certain times of the day when things slowed down. We hope to see dramatic improvements.

Beginning on Monday, we will provide more opportunities for students to go outside. When the weather cooperates, we will allow students in one grade to eat on the lawn. We will rotate by grade each day. This will give students more opportunities to connect with each other, but still remain socially distant.  Teachers will also be able to take their classes outside when appropriate. During these class times, students will be expected to keep their masks on. 

After school, we were asking students to leave campus if they did not have an after school activity or needed to wait for a ride. What happened is that students began gathering in large groups outside the front doors. We are now going to ask students to either wait inside, seated at a table in the commons, or wait outside, but with their masks on. Please help us communicate that to your children. 

Thank you for your support in following the Covid-19 Decision Tree. We are glad to see that parents are keeping their students home when they are ill. With our remote learning option, this makes staying home easy. Please continue to follow the guidelines for symptoms and reach out to us if you are ever in doubt about your decision to stay home. 

I wish you a restful and sunny weekend. 

Cheri Broadhead, Principal

During the third week of the semester, September 14-18, remote classes will be held for all students to experience distance learning and prepare to be their best synchronous learners if implementation is needed at any point during the academic year. The schedule is outlined below.

• Monday, September 14: Day B
• Tuesday, September 15: Day A
• Wednesday, September 16: Day B
• Thursday, September 17: Day A
• Friday, September 18: No School

School is not in session on Friday, September 18, as it is a professional development day for staff.

On Monday, September 21, students will return to on campus in-person learning, following the Day A / Day B Schedule.

President's Message

September 11, 2001 Remembrance

Today is the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on our country. It has been 19 years since passenger jets hijacked by terrorists slammed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost, some 2,700 of them in New York, in the deadliest attack in our country’s history.  

At the time, I was President of Cotter Schools, a Catholic school located in Winona, Minnesota.  I will never forget the images of what transpired on that day, as the World Trade Center buildings came down.  Although we watched the events on screens, the suffering was palpable.  Many of Cotter’s 600 students looked to their teachers for comfort.  And what did those teachers do?  They prayed.  They prayed to God to be present to those suffering, including the innocent victims, their families, and the emergency responders. 

Today as we go about our day, it is important that we keep in our prayers the lives that were lost, the lives that are still mourning, and the healing that continues to take place.  God bless all these people and God bless the United States. 

Pandemic Update #2 

I am pleased to report that Totino-Grace is not aware of any student or staff member who has tested positive for the coronavirus, which is obviously great news.

Today marks the end of our second week of school, where both online classes and in person classes have been taking place.  Our teachers and students have done a great job of managing such a different learning model.  Next week, we will adopt a one week period of synchronized (remote) learning -- in order to allow our new students to become familiar with how virtual teaching works at TG and troubleshoot any problems. We will resume our current model on Monday, September 21, and continue to offer in person classes as long as possible.    

No doubt the pandemic has forced Totino-Grace to change many aspects of our daily culture.  For example, TG is all about bringing people together, never leaving anyone out.  With social distancing a key safety priority, it’s been contrary to who we are to ask our students to not get too close to one another.  That has felt odd to us.  So while our school protocols are different, what the pandemic has not taken away from us is our shared values about building community with students.  Education is about relationships, so we have been working harder and more creatively to make sure students feel welcomed, valued, and wanted.  Next week, our students will need to attend class via Google Meets and participate virtually.  Parents can count on TG to center on the needs of our students so that meaningful learning and accountability take place. 

A Story of What Not To Do

A Catholic high school in the Twin Cities recently shared that a student attended school with a temperature of over 100.4 on two consecutive days.  Shortly thereafter, this student tested positive for COVID-19.   The result of the student being in school with a temperature of over 100.4 present, needlessly exposed the school community to the coronavirus; approximately 45 students were asked to quarantine for two weeks; and several also tested positive.  Not only were these students not able to attend school with their classmates but they also could not participate in any of their co-curricular activities.  They also exposed their families to the virus as they remained home.   The situation caused a lot of disruption and anxiety for the entire school community.  Had the parents kept their child home when they knew of the temperature, this would not have happened. 

Continued Safety Precautions

Everyone has a contribution to make as we move deeper into the fall; we all have a responsibility to keep one another safe.  This may be getting old but I want to again lift up that we want students to:

• Health screen before they arrive at school.

• Stay at home if they have a temperature of 100.4 degree or or have COVID-19 symptoms.

• Wear a mask in the building at all times, except while eating lunch.

• Practice physical distancing as much as possible.

• Conduct routine hand-hygiene.

Our students have done a great job of supporting what we’ve asked of them. Let’s keep it up.  

Final Note

Last week, I shared that having positive cases in our school community will neither be a surprise nor a cause for alarm.  With hundreds of people in our building daily, we anticipate having positive cases at some point, hopefully well into the future.  Our goal is to mitigate the spread of the virus on campus.   

New Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Guidelines

To access the most up-to-date decision tree from the MDH, refer to the image below.  As you will see, a significant addition to the protocol as a result of this new decision tree is that we are now asking students and staff to stay home from school when there is illness that meets the decision tree threshold by any member of the household. Please contact Mrs. Gail Koshiol in the TG health office for any assistance in making screening decisions.  763-571-9116 ext.202 or gail.koshiol@totinograce.org. 

Conclusion

Relationships matter, safety matters, and a climate of expectation for strong teaching and learning conditions matter.  Totino-Grace is grateful for the opportunity to teach your children. Thank you for your support of Totino-Grace.  

 

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President

 In-Person Flexible Hybrid Learning Begins
Totino-Grace students and staff successfully completed the first week of our In-Person Flexible Hybrid Learning Model for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students were on campus, attending in classrooms and in common learning spaces, and those who selected remote learning joined us virtually. We are grateful for the partnership of our community members to follow our plans and protocol to keep students and staff safe and healthy. We are proud of the significant amount of planning and preparation by administrators, teachers, staff members, and so many others to get us to a place where we could successfully bring students back on campus. This is a challenging and uncertain time but being together allows us to better foster relationships, provide support, and build community with each other. Thank you, TG parents and guardians, for trusting us to educate your sons and daughters and prepare them for a future full of possibilities. We are in this together! Please pray for the Totino-Grace community as we begin a new school year.

  

President's Message

Dear Totino-Grace Families,

We welcomed almost 700 students back to school this week.  After not seeing our students since March 12, it was a joy to have so much energy and joy back in the building.  

One of our priorities this week was to set a tone for the year.  Many of our students and families have experienced anxiety due to COVID-19 but also due to the social unrest that has been especially heightened over the past three months.  It is very important to us that each of our students know that they count, that they have a voice, and that we want each of them at TG.  This has been TG’s mantra since our doors opened in 1966, and it remains one of our core principals today.  

A second priority this week was to communicate safety precautions to our students.   Specifically, we want students to:

• Health screen before they arrive at school.

• Stay at home if they have a temperature or have COVID-19 symptoms.

• Wear a mask in the building at all times, except while eating lunch.

• Practice physical distancing as much as possible.

• Conduct routine hand-hygiene.

Our students have done a great job of doing what we’ve asked of them. 

 

Weekly Response to Pandemic Update

Totino-Grace will provide a weekly update regarding our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased to report that we are not aware of any student or staff member who has tested positive, which is obviously great news.

Eventually, having positive cases in our school community will neither be a surprise nor a cause for alarm.  While we hope to hold off as long as possible, we anticipate having positive cases at some point, and our goal is to mitigate the spread of the virus on campus.  Totino-Grace will continue to follow and promote all COVID-related safety procedures as outlined above and in our Return to School Road Map. 

As more cases are confirmed across the state, including in our community, we must continue to be vigilant. 

 

New Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Guidelines

 The MDH released a more nuanced decision tree this week for families and schools to discern when a student should stay home from school, when to receive further evaluation or testing, and when to return to campus. We are asking families to review and use these updated guidelines to inform their health screening decision making.

A significant addition to the protocol as a result of this new decision tree is that we are now asking students and staff to stay home from school when there is illness that meets the decision tree threshold by any member of the household.  Please contact Mrs. Gail Koshiol in the TG health office for any assistance in making screening decisions. 763-571-9116 ext.202 or gail.koshiol@totinograce.org 

 

When Totino-Grace is Notified of a Lab-Confirmed Case of COVID-19

Finally, I want to share that Totino-Grace High School will take the following measures when we are notified of a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19:

 Communicate and Protect Privacy

• Report the case to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

• Inform all members of the school leadership team and prepare to consult with MDH.

• Inform faculty, staff, and school families that our school has received a report of a lab-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and is engaged in a consultation process with MDH to determine next steps.

• Be in close communication with the community or those impacted regarding next steps after consultation with MDH.

• Protect the privacy of the student, employee, or family with COVID-19 diagnosis by withholding names in any public communication.

Clean and Disinfect

• Identify, clean, and disinfect all classrooms and spaces used by the individual with the lab-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis using MDH procedures.

Consult with Minnesota Department of Health

• Consult with MDH to determine the most prudent way to continue educating students after a confirmed COVID-19 case in the school. MDH does not recommend changing plans for in-person learning before consulting with them.  

• Collaborate with MDH to identify close contacts and inform families, if needed.

• Review and reinforce our health and safety protocols.

 Require Households with COVID-19 to Stay Home

• Require all individuals who are sick to stay home.

• Require all individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home until no longer at risk for spreading the disease.

• Require all household members to stay home if there is a case of COVID-19 in the household or if a household member is awaiting test results.

• Offer learning options for students who are well enough to learn when they are home. 

On behalf of TG teachers and staff members, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family, especially as we face this challenging situation together. Thank you for your support of Totino-Grace.  

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President