COVID-19 Weekly Updates

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of January 16-22, Totino-Grace received 18 new positive COVID-19 reports. As of today, Monday, January 24, we have 20 individuals quarantined off campus - two of which are staff members.  

The administration is working through the logistics of adopting the new 5-day quarantine period, which was recently adopted by the MDH. For now, our current protocols will remain in place. 

We also wanted to make you aware that every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. If you’d like to have a few tests on-hand, all you need to do is visit https://www.covidtests.gov and your tests will ship within 7-12 days. 

Additionally, the TG Health Office continues to offer COVID-19 rapid tests for symptomatic students. The tests can be sent home with students or picked up by a parent if the student is ill at home. Contact Gail Koshiol in the nurse's office to inquire about take-home COVID-19 tests.

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of January 9-15, Totino-Grace received 43 new positive COVID-19 reports and an additional two students in quarantine due to a positive test in the household. We currently have minimal teachers and staff members, including maintenance, food service, and transportation people, absent.

As of today, Monday, January 17, we have 45 individuals quarantined off campus. 

As some of you may be aware, the MDH has adopted the updated CDC recommendations for a shortened isolation period. Our COVID-19 response team is aware of these changes and is still reviewing the recommendations and if/how we will be able to implement them. We will continue to keep you updated on any policy changes to our COVID-19 quarantine protocol. For now, our current policies will remain in effect. 

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we navigate these unprecedented times together. 

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

From January 2 - January 8, Totino-Grace received 24 new positive COVID-19 case reports, impacting both teachers/staff and students, with an additional eight people in quarantine due to exposure. Coupled with the previous week, a total of 38 positive tests have been reported, making this the most in any two week period over the past 22 months. A total of 32 teachers/staff and students are currently in quarantine.   

There were 21 positive cases reported in the month of December.  

The administration’s Pandemic Team meets weekly – and often daily – to review data and the current status of different factors, and consider options. A few nearby schools have decided to return to online learning. Starting today, Fridley Public Schools will go back to online learning, joining St. Anthony/New Brighton and Armstrong High School. This change is due to COVID-related absences that are affecting student attendance, classroom staffing, and bus transportation. 

As we’ve said many times in the past, the safety of our student body and staff, as well as a desire to remain open for in-person classes are paramount. Our hope is that our numbers start to improve this week and that our community continues to take mitigating measures seriously. Students last week did a better job of wearing masks, and we are so appreciative of our parents supporting this measure and hope it continues.

Our COVID-19 mitigation protocols are informed by the below criteria:

• Local numbers of positive cases, including teacher availability
• Community spread in the school
• Recommendations of medical professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Guidance and alignment with Archdiocesan policies 

Reporting COVID:
If anyone in your household has recently tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you please report it as quickly as possible to Mrs. Meghan Weeks in the attendance office at meghan.weeks@totinograce.org or 763-571-9116. Please take a picture of your positive results if taking an at-home test. Our teaching and technology teams appreciate as much lead time as possible to get students set up for online learning if applicable. 

Isolation:
The Minnesota Department of Health has not yet adopted the new CDC recommendations. Therefore, TG will continue to follow the current Minnesota Department of Health isolation and quarantine protocols. People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home until all three of the below items are true:

• They feel better. Cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better;
• It has been 10 days since they first felt sick or tested positive, and
• They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers the fever.

If a COVID test is negative, please do not return to school until symptoms have subsided.  

Testing:
We also continue to request that students stay home when they are ill and to be tested for COVID-19. Even mild cold symptoms can be a sign of COVID. The TG Health Office has COVID-19 rapid tests available for symptomatic students. The tests can be sent home with students or picked up by a parent if the student is at home sick. Contact Gail Koshiol in the nurse's office (gail.koshiol@totinograce.org) to inquire about take-home COVID-19 tests.

Vaccines:
We highly recommend that parents discuss having their child vaccinated for COVID-19 with their primary healthcare provider. While vaccination is not a requirement for students, vaccination is another mitigation layer that can contribute to reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission onsite. If you have not yet reported your student’s COVID-19 vaccination status to our health aide, please do so by emailing her at gail.koshiol@totinograce.org. 

Masks:
All students, staff and guests are required to wear a mask when in the building.  Please make sure your children have a mask when they come to school and advise them to wear it correctly; completely covering their nose and mouth at all times.   

Thank you for your ongoing support as we deal with the impact of the coronavirus. We will continue to monitor numbers and make decisions that are in the best interest of keeping people safe and the school open for in person learning.   

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.  

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

From December 26 - January 1, Totino-Grace received nine new positive COVID-19 reports, impacting both teachers/staff and students. Over the past two days alone (January 2 and 3), ten additional positive tests have been reported, amounting to 19 cases within an eight day period. A total of 20 teachers and students are currently in quarantine. We anticipate further reports of positive tests during the week.    

The safety of our student body and staff, as well as a desire to remain open for in-person classes are paramount. Our COVID-19 mitigation protocols are informed by the below criteria:

• Local numbers of positive cases, including the number of teachers unable to teach
• Community spread in the school
• Recommendations of medical professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Guidance and alignment with Archdiocesan policies 

Reporting COVID-19:
If anyone in your household has recently tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you please report it as quickly as possible to Mrs. Meghan Weeks in the attendance office at meghan.weeks@totinograce.org or 763-571-9116. Please take a picture of your positive results if taking an at-home test. Our teaching and technology teams appreciate as much lead time as possible to get students set up for online learning if applicable. 

Isolation:
The Minnesota Department of Health has not yet adopted the new CDC recommendations. Therefore, TG will continue to follow the current Minnesota Department of Health isolation and quarantine protocols. People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home until all three of the below items are true:

• They feel better. Cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better;
• It has been 10 days since they first felt sick or tested positive, and
• They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers the fever.

If a COVID test is negative, please do not return to school until symptoms have subsided.  

Testing:
We also continue to request that students stay home when they are ill and to be tested for COVID-19. Even mild cold symptoms can be a sign of COVID. The TG Health Office has COVID-19 rapid tests available for symptomatic students. The tests can be sent home with students or picked up by a parent if the student is at home sick. Contact Gail Koshiol in the nurse's office (gail.koshiol@totinograce.org) to inquire about take-home COVID-19 tests.

Vaccines:
We highly recommend that parents discuss having their child vaccinated for COVID-19 with their primary healthcare provider. While vaccination is not a requirement, vaccination is another mitigation layer that can contribute to reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission onsite. If you have not yet reported your student’s COVID-19 vaccination status to our health aide, please do so by emailing her at gail.koshiol@totinograce.org. 

Masks:
All students, staff and guests are required to wear a mask when in the building. This includes after school indoor activities. All spectators will be required to wear a mask. N95 and N94 masks are best, however, any mask worn properly is a key element to our mitigation strategy. Please make sure your children have a mask when they come to school and advise them to wear it correctly; completely covering their nose and mouth at all times.   

Public health and medical experts believe the next four weeks will place a significant strain on our educational system. This will require us to come together to take care of our students and one another. As we have over the past almost 22 months, we will make it through this wave by adhering to mitigation measures.  

Our primary objective remains what it has always been: to keep students and staff members healthy and safe; maintain in-person, on campus instruction; and provide a rich array of co-curricular activities. 

Thank you for your ongoing support as we persevere in our efforts to keep the virus out of our school. We will continue to monitor numbers and make decisions that are in the best interest of keeping people safe and the school open for in person learning.

Our prayers are always with you and with your children – our students. 

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.  

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of December 6-10, Totino-Grace received two additional positive COVID-19 reports and had six people quarantined off-campus.

While these numbers continue to look promising, students should not be on campus or participate in TG activities if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 -- especially a fever. 

Thank you to everyone for your support and work to keep our community healthy.  

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

First of all, thank you for your support and patience as we continue to navigate this unprecedented time in our school and our community. We know we speak for everyone when we say that, by this point, we had hoped to have better news to share with you. However, the health of our school community and those outside our walls are in a very vulnerable place right now.  

• Totino-Grace’s COVID-19 numbers have come down since requiring masks, but have not come down to our previously reported lows.
  • During the week of November 29 - December 3, Totino-Grace received 3 new positive COVID-19 tests and four people quarantined off-campus due to COVID-19. 
  • There were 27 total positive COVID-19 cases at Totino-Grace in the month of November. 
  • Starting this week, we have already received two positive COVID-19 cases.
• Additionally, more than 100 students are currently out sick. Some of these students have tested positive for Influenza A, however there are still individuals who have not yet been tested for either Influenza or COVID. 
• A huge strain is currently being put on our teachers to provide assistance and support for the number of students out sick (whether with COVID or other illnesses) and trying to get them caught up. 
• Our Minnesota health systems are in such a staffing and volume crisis, the federal government has sent emergency workers to help staff at HCMC, CentraCare, and M Health Fairview to care for COVID patients.
• Minnesota has some of the worst COVID-19 numbers in the country. 

It’s not ideal, but with all of this information in mind and our ultimate goal being to remain in person and on campus - we will be continuing to require masks through December 17. 

Hopefully we are all able to take time over the Christmas holiday to rest and come back together healthier than ever. Thank you for bearing with us for a few more weeks of implementing this mitigation strategy and thank you for keeping kids home when they are ill. These are two small things we can do that have the best chance of keeping TG healthy and in person. 

Please refer to our COVID-19 FAQ and, as always, any member of the administrative team is willing to talk individually with parents or guardians who have questions or concerns.

Wishing you, your family, and our community good health.

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever. 

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

Within the last week, Totino-Grace received one new positive COVID-19 report. There are a total of three community members currently in quarantine. 

The TG administrative team will be reviewing and reexamining our community data tomorrow and will send an update about the masking policy moving forward. 

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving break, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your help and support these past few days as we made the difficult decision to require masks through November. Over the past twenty months -- since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been very challenging to navigate. Many people have strong thoughts and feelings about how TG should handle our response to the pandemic. As much as we’d like to accommodate everyone’s suggestions, that is impossible. Since August, we shared that the administration’s decisions are intended to support safe, in-person learning and are based on:

• Local numbers of positive cases, including trending numbers in the school 
• Community spread in the school
• Number of teachers out sick
• Recommendations of medical professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Alignment with Archdiocesan policies

We understand that our mask requirement is imperfect. However, it is a strategy that school leaders have been asked to implement as recently as November 15 in a letter sent to all Minnesota school leaders by the Health Commissioner of Minnesota. We see masks as part of our preventative strategy and a step that we are willing to require, hopefully for only a short time. 

During the week of November 8 - 12, TG saw a spike of 10 cases with 21 people quarantined. Not only did we see a significant uptick in positive cases, but we also realized the potential for community spread. We saw six teachers and staff members who contracted COVID-19 during this time period, making it challenging to cover classes. Furthermore, based on the significant spike in cases, the administration anticipated a continued increase in cases. Unfortunately, we were proven correct.

During the week of November 15 - 19, TG saw an additional 11 documented positive COVID-19 tests, bringing the total number to 21 positive cases within a two week period, including 14 in quarantine. This exceeds the worst two week total during all of last year.

As we hope that you can see and appreciate, masking through November offered the chance to change the trend and slow or reverse this spike, especially as Minnesota’s COVID-19 numbers are some of the worst in the country. 

Our COVID-19 numbers and messaging will continue to come out in Insights each Monday and be posted on the website shortly thereafter. Our hope is that those positive cases will begin to trend downward rather than continuing to grow, and that we will be able to go back to the mask-optional model. 

In addition to either of us, any member of the administrative team, including Assistant Principal Vandermyde or Dean Blake, are always willing to talk with individual parents wanting to share concerns, whether on the phone or in person.   

At times like this it is important to remember that we are a community, a community that will never fully agree on how to navigate the pandemic. While we don’t expect agreement, we do expect an understanding that we are in this together with the shared goal of a safe environment for in-person learning for our students and teachers.

We are grateful for each and every one of you and want you to know that your student's safety and in-person education are at the top of our priority list.   

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

With all of that said, we know that there are questions circulating in our parent community. We are doing our best to respond to people individually, but have also put together a webpage with an FAQ for those interested in more information. Click HERE for our COVID-19 FAQs. 

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

Within the last week, Totino-Grace received 10 new positive COVID-19 reports. There are a total of 21 students and staff members currently in quarantine. 

Since the beginning of the school year, Totino-Grace has consistently communicated that we will make decisions about COVID-19 mitigation measures based upon:

• Local numbers of positive cases
• Community spread in the school
• Recommendations of medical professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Guidance and alignment with Archdiocesan policies 

While we have managed to stay open and without masks for 11 weeks of in-person learning, in comparison to previous weeks, TG has seen an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our school community. This data prompted our decision to revert to masks through at least the end of November (a total of seven school days). We hope this is a temporary measure. We believe making this adjustment now is our best chance of being able to go back to no masks in early December. While there is no guarantee that this requirement will be lifted, that’s what we are aiming for.

While we had hoped this decision wouldn’t become necessary, it is apparent to the administration that it has. The safety of our student body and staff, as well as a desire to remain open for in-person classes are paramount. This past two weeks, a number of teachers have gotten sick and we are struggling to cover classrooms. This is consistent with schools in the area and across the country; substitute teachers are in short supply. Without healthy teachers, we will not be able to conduct in-person, on-campus classes. 

An email was sent to parents and students on November 12 which includes a reminder of TG’s COVID-19 protocols. Parents can review that message HERE. Our protocols are informed by recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health. They are expectations and we thank you in advance for adhering to them. Most importantly, please DO NOT send your students to school if they are sick.

We understand that some individuals may be upset about our decision to require masks. Please know that we understand this point of view. We don’t expect everyone to agree with this course of action, but we do -- for the health and safety of our students and staff members -- need this requirement honored. Again, we hope this is only temporary. Thank you for your support.

Our prayers are always with you and with your children – our students. It is our absolute honor to be entrusted with their care. Let us continue to care for each other.

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of November 1-5, Totino-Grace received one new positive COVID-19 report. Currently there are three people quarantined off-campus due to a family member's positive COVID-19 test and one quarantined off-campus due to their own positive COVID-19 test.

While COVID numbers have remained low, there is new information regarding voluntary testing we would like to share.

At Home Testing Available:

If your student is ill, we can now provide take-home rapid tests.

The BinaxNOW over-the-counter at-home test is a rapid antigen test recommended for symptomatic students. This test could be considered when rapid results are needed at home. We are not allowed to administer this test at school and the test must be supervised by a parent or guardian. If any student in your home is showing symptoms, please keep them home and contact Nurse Koshiol for more information and to request a test kit.

Please continue to keep students home if they are exhibiting any symptoms and report any positive test results in the home. (Note: If your student is vaccinated and there is a positive test in the household they are not required to quarantine.) Make sure you are letting the office or nurse's office know of your child's vaccination status when applicable.

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of October 25 - 29, Totino-Grace received zero new positive COVID-19 reports. Currently there are three people quarantined off-campus due to COVID-19. There were six total positive COVID-19 cases at Totino-Grace in the month of October. This is considered a low transmission rate for the size of our school.      

TG pays close attention to what is happening nationally, statewide, and locally in terms of the pandemic.  You are welcome to visit two sites that we look at often:  

COVID Act Now
Minnesota Department of Health

Totino-Grace continues to encourage families to talk to their medical provider to determine if vaccinations and surveillance testing are right for their family. 

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of October 18-22, Totino-Grace received three additional positive COVID-19 reports to community members. We currently have three people quarantined off-campus due to COVID-19. 

Please Remain Cautious:
COVID-19 cases in Minnesota preK-12 schools have dropped significantly since mid-September with the number of new infections falling nearly 70%. While this is welcome news, state health officials also reported that school age students and staff are still being hospitalized, including five who required intensive care. In other words, we need to proceed with caution as the risk is real. Hopefully, Minnesota will see a sustained trend in the days and weeks ahead. 

One of the best ways to stop the spread is to stay home when feeling sick. Students should not be on campus or participate in TG activities if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, especially a fever. I am very grateful for everyone who has adhered to this obligation.

 Totino-Grace continues to encourage families to talk to their medical provider to determine if vaccinations and surveillance testing are right for their family. 

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Craig W. Junker, President

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of October 11-15, Totino-Grace received zero additional positive COVID-19 reports. We currently have two people quarantined off-campus due to COVID-19. There was no student exposure in either case.

While these numbers continue to look promising, students should not be on campus or participate in TG activities if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, especially a fever. I am very grateful for everyone who has adhered to this obligation. It is only through our community's continued due diligence that we are still able to fall in the 'low transmission' category. 

Totino-Grace continues to encourage families to talk to their medical provider to determine if vaccinations and surveillance testing are right for their family. 

Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!

Craig W. Junker,  President

Weekly Update:

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of October 4-8, Totino-Grace received two positive COVID-19 reports.  We  currently have two people quarantined off-campus due to COVID-19. There was no student exposure in either case. 

There were eight total positive COVID-19 cases at TG in the month of September. This is considered a low transmission rate for the size of our community.     

As you know, TG pays close attention to what is happening nationally, statewide, and locally in terms of the pandemic.  For example, two sites that we looked at recently include:

1. COVID Act Now
2. Minnesota Department of Health

Totino-Grace continues to encourage families to talk to their medical provider to determine if vaccinations and surveillance testing are right for their family. 

Returning to School After 3 Day Absence Policy

If your child has been home ill for three consecutive days, our nurse, Gail Koshiol, will call home to check in on your child's health. Totino-Grace's policy is to require a note from a doctor to return to school after three days of illness. A doctor's note or documentation of a negative COVID-19 test will fulfill this requirement. Students out for three days or more will not be able to return to school without one of these steps.  

Thank you for keeping your children home when they are sick. We also encourage students to wear masks if they have a light cold or when they return from an illness. We are seeing more students wearing masks and appreciate their efforts to keep the community safe. 

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

Weekly Update:

During the week of September 27 - October 1, Totino-Grace received zero positive COVID-19 reports. We  currently do not have anyone out due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Returning to School After 3 Day Absence Policy

If your child has been home ill for three consecutive days, our nurse, Gail Koshiol, will call home to check in on your child's health. Totino-Grace's policy is to require a note from a doctor to return to school after three days of illness. A doctor's note or documentation of a negative COVID-19 test will fulfill this requirement. Students out for three days or more will not be able to return to school without one of these steps.  

Thank you for keeping your children home when they are sick. We also encourage students to wear masks if they have a light cold or when they return from an illness. We are seeing more students wearing masks and appreciate their efforts to keep the community safe. 

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

September 27, 2021                

14-Day Case Report: Current Status

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of September 20 - 24, Totino-Grace received two positive COVID-19 reports.  

Returning to School After 3 Day Absence Policy 

If your child has been home ill for three consecutive days, our nurse, Gail Koshiol, will call home to check in on your child’s health. Totino-Grace’s policy is to require a note from a doctor to return to school after three days of illness. A doctor’s note or documentation of a negative COVID-19 test will fulfill this requirement. Students out for three days or more will not be able to return to school without one of these steps.  

Thank you for keeping your children home when they are sick. We also encourage students to wear masks if they have a light cold or when they return from an illness. We are seeing more students wearing masks and appreciate their efforts to keep the community safe. 

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

September 20, 2021                

14-Day Case Report: Current Status

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

During the week of September 13 - 20, Totino-Grace received one positive COVID-19 report. 

COVID -19 Planning 

Dating to last June, Totino-Grace has consistently shared that we were not planning to mandate masks or vaccinations for students. We understand there are many emotions and thoughts surrounding such mandates. Totino-Grace plans to continue to make decisions based upon local numbers of positive cases, any community spread in the school, and the recommendations of medical professionals at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and alignment with Archdiocesan policies. As you can see from above, Totino-Grace currently has minimal known documented cases of positive tests over the past week. In fact, going back over the past four months, Totino-Grace has received very few positive reported COVID-19 reports. 

We’ve learned over the past year-and-a-half that circumstances surrounding the pandemic can rapidly change. Totino-Grace will continue to closely monitor our numbers and reach out to medical professionals as we assess the local landscape. 

On behalf of our student body, teachers, and Board of Directors, if we need to adjust to wearing masks, we ask for your support.    

Amidst all the debate and division surrounding how to best navigate the pandemic, our primary objective remains what it has always been: to keep our campus open for in-person instruction, to provide a rich array of co-curricular activities for our students, and to do so as safely as possible. We strive to do all these things in the light of God’s love. 

We may not agree on every course of action, but TG vows to act with transparency and respect toward all. Our prayers are always with you and with your children – our students. It is our absolute honor to be entrusted with their care. Let us continue to care for each other.

In peace,

Dr. Craig W. Junker, President
Cheri Broadhead, Principal

COVID-19 FAQS from the Totino-Grace Health Office

Should my student stay home when sick?

Yes. Parents are asked to do daily health checks before sending students to school. If children are sick, keep them home. If they are healthy, send them to school. If students become sick while at school, they may be required to be sent home.

Sick students can return to school once their symptoms have significantly improved, 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher (without fever reducing medicines), and they feel well enough to come back.

When should my student get a COVID test?

If a child has (1) one or more of the “more common” symptoms, they should be tested. “More common” symptoms include: fever of 100.4 or higher, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell; or (2), two or more of the “less common” symptoms. “Less common” symptoms include: sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, new serious headache, new nasal congestion or runny nose.

When can my sick child return to school?

Your child is allowed back to school when their symptoms have improved: “Improved symptoms” means your child no longer feels ill, they are able to keep up with daily routines just like they did before they were ill, and any remaining symptoms (such as cough, runny nose) are very mild, intermittent, or infrequent and do not interfere with their day.

One or more of my children had symptoms and tested negative for COVID-19. Now my other child has symptoms. Can we assume it’s probably just the same virus?

No. Each member of the family must be evaluated separately. Other family members must be home while the second child is evaluated.

September 13, 2021

Case Report: Current Status

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,
During the week of September 13, 2021, Totino-Grace received one positive COVID-19 report.

PLEASE REMAIN HOME WHEN SICK 

Over the past week, we’ve had students show up to school when they are not feeling healthy. For their sake and the safety of others, if your children are feeling sick, especially a fever, please have them get tested and remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours and pending test results. It is very important that students don’t come to school when they are not feeling healthy.

COVID-19 FAQS from the Totino-Grace Health Office

September 3, 2021                

14-Day Case Report: Current Status

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

Over the past two weeks, Totino-Grace received four positive COVID-19 reports. All four community members followed MDH protocols. Three are now back at school. Only one person remains out of school.   

Currently, we believe that approximately 58% of our student population and nearly 100% of our teachers and staff at TG have received the Covid-19 vaccination. Our student results are based on voluntary submission of health data, acquired during Eagle Round Up. We believe additional students have been vaccinated over the past month.  

For the past 18 months, Totino-Grace has been paying a lot of attention to what the CDC, MDH, Archdiocese, and MDE are saying and doing to keep students and staff safe, especially regarding vaccinations and masking. We understand that the CDC has recommended that people wear masks in K-12 schools and in counties with high or substantial levels of viral transmission. We also understand that state health and education officials are recommending -- but not requiring -- that Minnesota schools mandate indoor mask wearing for all students and teachers this fall, whether or not they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. To be clear, Totino-Grace is encouraging mask wearing on campus. 

Our decision to require masks has been largely based on our transmission rate within the school building. As you can see above, we currently have one student quarantined because of a positive test. If we see Covid cases rise within our school and local community, we will adjust accordingly.  

PLEASE REPORT YOUR CHILD’S VACCINATION STATUS:

If your child has received a Covid-19 vaccination and you have not yet reported that to TG, we invite you to do so by emailing Health Aide Gail Koshiol at gail.koshiol@totinograce.org. Knowing what percentage of our population is vaccinated will help determine other health protocols we put in place throughout the school year. 

Ultimately, Totino-Grace understands that receiving the Covid-19 vaccine is a family decision. If you are still considering whether or not to vaccinate your TG student, we ask that you please consider this additional information that may be helpful in making your decision.

1. Your child’s best chance of having an uninterrupted year: Students learn best when they are in school. Teams and activities perform best when all of their members are present. When students miss school and their activities due to illness, it is incredibly disappointing and disruptive for all involved.

2. Vaccination is well supported by our medical community. TG encourages parents and guardians to have a conversation with your doctor/health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccines. Most medical groups have information on their websites regarding COVID-19 vaccines.  Included are links to articles written by HealthPartners/Park Nicollet, Dr. Mark Sannes who is an infectious disease doctor.  https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/covid-19-vaccines-for-kids-and-teens-your-questions-answered/. Childrens' Hospitals and Clinics have been essential in vaccinating teens and kids. They also have information about some more common questions and also address other vaccine concerns or myths: https://www.childrensmn.org/2021/05/13/common-questions-answers-covid-19-vaccination/

3. Vaccinations help our community: “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your community. The more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19, the better it is for everyone. More people vaccinated means that there will be less disease in our communities. Vaccination will also help prevent the spread of new COVID-19 variants. We will get back to the activities we love, open up business and schools, and scale back our public health prevention measures, such as masking and social distancing. Vaccination is how we will end the pandemic.”  -- Minnesota Department of Health. 

4. Vaccination is important to keep others safe.  People who are vaccinated are protecting people around them.  There may be other people, whether it be immediate family, other relatives, people at school or work who are more vulnerable and may have medical conditions that put them at risk for more serious complications or have suppressed immune systems.  Some may have family members in their own household who are under the age of 12 and are unable to get vaccinated yet.   

5. The Catholic Church encourages vaccination to protect self and others.  Recently, Pope Francis encouraged people to get vaccinated in order to “bring hope to end the pandemic.”  He called vaccination an  “act of love. Love for oneself, love for our families and friends, and love for all peoples." Click HERE to read Archbishop Hebda’s statement on vaccines. 

August 30, 2021

Dear Totino-Grace Parents and Guardians,

Over the past two weeks, Totino-Grace received three positive COVID-19 reports. To our knowledge, none of these cases required community members outside the household to quarantine. 

While Totino-Grace has seen very few reports of positive test results over the summer, it is clear that the number of positive cases is trending upward in Minnesota. Be assured that Totino-Grace is looking at various information and data, particularly the number of positive cases in our immediate school community, and will rely on the Minnesota Department of Health when making decisions. Totino-Grace has been focused on a return to a more normal educational experience and we are excited to welcome our students back to a single learning model. Our intention is to move from the least restrictive environment to a more restrictive environment, if that is what the data tells us -- and not the other way around. Our plan has remained as previously communicated:

In-Person, On Campus Learning Model Only: 

• All students will return to in-person learning, five days a week. No online option will be offered this year. Modifications may be made for students who test positive for COVID-19 during the school year.

Vaccinations

• Totino-Grace will not mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or documentation of vaccination for students or staff. Almost every member of the Totino-Grace faculty and staff have been vaccinated. 

• It should be clear by now that students who do not have documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination on file at TG will be asked to quarantine or isolate if they are identified as a close contact to someone testing positive for COVID-19. 

Face Coverings 

• For the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Totino-Grace encourages those who are not vaccinated to wear a mask inside the school building. However, masks are not required. 

Face Coverings on Buses

• All people are required — by an Order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — to wear face coverings while in the public transportation hubs and on all public transportation conveyances, including, both public and nonpublic school buses, mass transit buses, airplanes, trains, etc. Totino-Grace students and staff are required to adhere to this face covering mandate while present on school provided transportation.

Contact Tracing

• Totino-Grace will conduct broad-based contact tracing by informing families, via email, if their child has been possibly exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 in a classroom, on school transportation, or in a school sponsored activity. Totino-Grace will conduct in-depth contact tracing only if directed by the MN Department of Health or when wide-spread community transmission is evident. 

Lab-Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

• State law requires all schools to report to the Minnesota Department of Health any confirmed case of COVID-19 that occurs among students or staff. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are required to refrain from participation in on campus learning and school sponsored activities until they are no longer contagious. This means:

  • Symptoms including, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of illness are no longer present or substantially improved

  • It has been determined that at least ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms or receipt of  the positive COVID-19 test result

  • Absence of fever for at least 24 hours, without medication.

Staying Home When Sick

• Totino-Grace asks parents/guardians to conduct health screenings with their child(ren) daily and continue to require individuals to stay home when ill. Students should return to school once they are feeling better and their symptoms have substantially improved as outlined above. 

Additional Insights

• Totino-Grace will conduct daily facility cleaning and sanitization.

• Health screening and hand hygiene promotion will continue.

• There are no group size limits at this time, including assemblies, concerts, indoor and outdoor athletic competitions, etc.

Totino-Grace launches the 2021-2022 school year with cautious optimism and a healthy respect for both data-driven local decision making and guidance from state health officials. We have been focused on a return to a more normal educational experience and are excited to welcome our students back to a single learning model. In conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health, we will be monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic closely and communicating updates as needed. Our intention is to move from the least restrictive environment to a more restrictive environment, if that is what the data tells us -- and not the other way around. We are grateful for your trust to educate your children with purpose and excellence.

In peace,

Craig W. Junker