The Crookston School District, like most districts in the state, will be starting classes Tuesday, September 7. After a strange year of social distancing, wearing masks, and distance learning, Crookston School District Nurse Stacey Grunewald discussed how some COVID practices may still be needed for the beginning of the school year.
Grunewald talked about some recommendations that she has at the beginning of the school year. “I would love those who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated,” said Grunewald. “That helps us out tremendously with regards to quarantining and keeping track of close contacts. The other thing would be masking up. It isn’t required, but it is recommended and a great mitigating strategy to try and contain the virus.”
Grunewald, who spent 26 years at the University of Minnesota Crookston before coming to the Crookston School District a year ago in the middle of the pandemic, says it wasn’t difficult to get the students on board with the ideas last year, and they were great with the changes made. She also expects them to be great again this year. “Honestly, kids are a lot more resilient than adults when it comes to wearing masks,” said Grunewald. “Most don’t question and do wear it correctly. The kids here follow directions great; the biggest concern will be with the social distancing because kids like to gather, so will see it that creates a challenge.”
Highland Elementary will be following the health and safety measures issued by the Crookston School District throughout the year. The health and safety measures that the schools will start with for the upcoming school year will include students and staff masking while on school buses (which is required by the federal government) and elementary students’ social distancing up to three feet apart which includes Highland. Those safety measures can change at any time based on new data that is released.
Grunewald mentioned how close the schools will be working with Polk County Public Health with decisions that will need to be made. “We have worked very closely with Polk County Public Health in the past, and we will see again this fall,” said Grunewald. “They’re such a valuable resource to us. We figure out what their trends are, and once we look at the county’s numbers, we can make the best decision possible.”
Grunewald mentioned what the quarantine guidelines will be for Highland and some potential shorter quarantine options. “Starting this fall, we will be giving a seven-day shortened quarantine option,” said Grunewald. “You’ll have to show a negative test around five days after potential exposure, and if that’s negative and you’re showing no symptoms, we will let you back into school sooner this year.”
