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We are excited for the 2021-2022 school year! Our success last year of maintaining in person learning, was largely due to a collaborative effort between, families, staff, the community and the Waukesha County Health Department. We have been and will continue to monitor the changing health conditions in the community.
As we are launching the 2021-2022 school year, the Merton Community School District (MCSD) is continuing a variety of COVID-19 safety mitigation practices to ensure learning continuity for this school year. We are committed to sustaining an in person learning environment. MCSD continues to highlight the following mitigation strategies with additional information for each located below:
Our success last year was largely due to daily self-screening, staying home with symptoms, and timely reporting. Please continue to:
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Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms - fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, etc.
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Stay home if you are sick and report an absence and symptoms to the school office.
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If you have symptoms, MCSD recommends getting tested. Return to school after you are symptom-free for 24 hours and/or have secured a negative COVID test from a medical provider.
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At this time, masks will be optional for students and staff during the 2021-22 school year.
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The district reserves the right to require masks if a significant community or school COVID-19 outbreak occurs or if there is a specific student need.
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Any changes on requiring students wear masks, would require Board approval.
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Federal regulations still mandate the use of masks while on busses, and the district will continue to follow federal, state and county health department regulations. Families may opt out of riding the bus.
Students and staff that test positive for COVID-19 will have a 10 day isolation period. Families can choose to have the child attend Merton’s Virtual Continuity of Learning environment for their 10 day isolation period. A positive COVID-19 test verification, from a medical provider, will be needed to authorize this option. There is no additional authorization for less than 10 days, or more than 10 days, per COVID-19 occurrence. Families that do not choose the virtual option, will have work sent home during that isolation period from their classroom teacher, similar to if they are ill during previous years.
Both the Primary and Intermediate School continue to have modified school operations.
- Students will have all specials courses (art, music, library, phy ed) in their designated spaces (e.g. gym) with appropriate cleaning protocols.
- Students will participate in a normal schedule without cohorts.
- It is expected we will resume all courses and offerings. Outdoor or large group spaces will be used when practical/possible.
- Visitors and volunteers will be allowed in schools. We ask that all visitors and volunteers self-screen for COVID symptoms before entering the school building.
- Field trips may resume.
- Hand sanitizers will be provided for all classrooms and common areas.
- Cleaning and sanitizing after the school day and increased ventilation in classrooms throughout the day will continue.
- Single grade level lunch and recess times.
- Entrance and exits will be assigned to assist with flow in and out of the building.
School Based Exposure
Parents/Guardians of students and staff members who have had a school-based exposure will receive a notification. Students and staff who have had a school-based exposure will not need to quarantine or test, provided they do not have any COVID-like symptoms. They shall self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure and, if symptoms begin, they should isolate and contact their health care provider.
Household Exposure
The MCSD is recommending the following procedures if you have an exposure or COVID positive case in your household:
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If symptomatic, follow COVID-19 isolation and testing guidelines and notify the school office.
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If without symptoms, the MCSD recommends that you continue to self-monitor for symptoms up to 10 days.
If a family chooses to quarantine their student, families can choose to have them attend Merton’s Virtual Continuity of Learning environment for a 10 day period. A positive COVID-19 test verification, from a medical provider, will be needed to authorize this option. Once families select the virtual option, students are required to remain in that option for the full 10 days. There is no additional authorization for less than 10 days, or more than 10 days, per COVID-19 occurrence.
Communication
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Parents/Guardians of students and staff members will be notified if they have had a school-based exposure to a COVID positive person.
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The District will collaborate with the county public health department to assess any community-based spread in a classroom, grade level or school.
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The District will use student attendance data, school disease data, and community and regional data to inform decisions and COVID response next steps. Families are encouraged to monitor disease and vaccine data found on the Department of Health Services website.
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