Health and Safety

Safe Learning Spaces

Face Masks and Coverings

All individuals, staff and students, two years of age and older are required to wear a mask at school, including playgrounds and on RPS transportation, as outlined in School Board Policy 808.

School supply lists now include masks. The Minnesota Department of Education will provide a cloth face covering for each student and staff member. Individuals may wear face coverings of their own, instead, as long as they do not create a distraction to the learning environment.

Pods Learning Spaces for Elementary Students (PreK - Grade 5 + Lincoln K8)

“Pods” are small groups of students, teachers, and other staff who stay together throughout the school day.

Decreases opportunities for exposure and transmission
Facilitates contact tracing in the event of a positive case
Allows for targeted testing, quarantine, and isolation of a single cohort instead of school-wide measures in the event of a positive case or cluster of cases.

Image of students with teachers in a %22pod%22 example

Air Circulation

RPS is following ASHRAE COVID-19 guidelines for our building air circulation systems which includes increased air exchange rates throughout the day, building flushing two hours prior to occupancy and more frequent filter changes.

Cleaning and Building Sanitation

There will be heightened emphasis on facility sanitation, including the regular cleaning of touch points, horizontal surface areas and the use of electrostatic sprayers to maintain a clean and healthy school environment. This includes school buses and other vehicles operated on behalf of RPS.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be in all classrooms and in all common areas in our buildings as well.

Image of Students Socially Distanced in a classroom

Social Distancing

A few of our preventative measures include:

Sneeze guards placed in offices and other spaces where face to face contact takes place such as speech rooms.
Removing excess furniture from classrooms to create more learning space.
Maintaining social distancing in music rooms by students facing the same direction and not share instruments.
Social distancing signage including directional signs, six foot distancing markers, and hand washing guides posted in all district buildings.

Monitoring for COVID Symptoms

It is absolutely imperative to stay home when experiencing COVID symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, chills, nausea, etc.). Each site will have a dedicated isolation space for any staff or student who becomes ill during the school day until the person is able to safely leave the building. The District works closely with public health on the notification / communication to individuals regarding close contact, exposure, and contact tracing. We also notify families of COVID situations as directed by public health.

At-Home COVID Symptom Screener

Frequently Asked Questions for Families

What if I or my child are experiencing COVID symptoms?

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has provided a Decision Tree for individuals with COVID-19 Symptoms in Youth, Student, and Child Care Programs. To keep students and staff safe and healthy, Rochester Public Schools will follow this guidance to determine the length of time students will need to remain away from school when exposed or exhibiting symptoms. This exclusion guidance is designed specifically for schools and child care programs by MDH, therefore, these guidelines may differ from businesses or employers.

COVID-19 symptoms are currently defined by MDH; more symptoms include new or worsening cough, fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, new loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or trouble breathing; less common symptoms include sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose.

Individuals who have one “more common” or at least two “less common” symptoms should stay home.
Individuals with just one “less common” symptom should evaluate whether they are well enough to attend school and activities, and should contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

Individuals experiencing these symptoms, or new symptoms with no other diagnosis to explain it (even if it is the only symptom they are experiencing), should talk to their health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.

We know that things are continually changing as more is learned about COVID-19. The District will continue to provide you with any new updates regarding MDH exclusion guidance. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community safe and healthy.

Where can I find COVID Testing?

Where can I find COVID Testing?

Mayo Clinic - 41st Street Testing Center

Address: 3033 41st Street NW, First Floor, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 293-9525
Hours: M-F from 9AM - 5PM and Sat, Sun from 9AM - 4 PM

Olmsted Medical Center - FastCare North Clinic

Address: 102 Elton Hills Drive NW, Suite 200 Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 292-7266 Hours: M-F from 7AM - 7PM

Testing Information

Individuals must be screened through a COVID-19 Nurse Triage line to be placed on the testing list.

Mayo Clinic patients, should call their primary care provider or the Mayo Nurse Line at (507) 293-9525.
Olmsted Medical Center patients, should call the COVID-19 nurse line at Olmsted Medical Center at (507) 292-7266. The nurse line is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday, 8 AM – 4 PM.
If you do not have a primary care provider, you may attempt to get testing through a COVID-19 triage line. If you do not have insurance and are unable to cover the test cost, please ask the clinic about billing options.

Test results are typically available through the patient portal in 24-48 hours.

After testing, individuals are asked to self-isolate until results are available and then strictly follow the advice provided to protect others and stop the potential spread.

Other information

Free Transportation is available for COVID-19 Positive/Suspected to be positive individuals. Call (800) 528-7622, Option 3 to request a ride. Please note that this is non-emergent transportation for medical services such as COVID testing, medical appointments, and medication.

If you are struggling with your mental health during this stressful time, please call Health Housing and Human Services at (507) 328-6400. If you are having trouble meeting your basic needs, call (507) 328-6500.

MDH Decision Tree

Close Contact Defined

First Page of RPS Close Contact PDF linked on Google Drive

Contact and Quarantining

Ring Image showing how contact with COVID and close contact works when infected

Daily Symptom Monitoring Tool

First page of Daily Health Screening PDF on Google Drive

MDH Screener Checklist

Testing for COVID

Positive Test:

Student must stay home and continue to isolate for 14 days from time symptoms started until symptoms improved AND no fever for 24 hours without medication.

Siblings and household contacts are now considered ‘close contacts’ and must continue to quarantine from all activities.

Quarantine timelines are based on the last day you were in close contact with the positive person. The safest option is to stay home from all activities for 14 days. In certain situations, you may end your quarantine after 10 days, or after 7 days with a negative test result.

Negative Test:

Student may return to school 24 hours after symptoms improved or as directed by health care provider.

Siblings and household contacts do not need to stay home once the negative result is known.

Close Contact Exposure with a Person with Confirmed Positive Test:

The safest option is to stay home from all activities for 14 days since last contact with positive case. Consider testing 5 days after last contact with positive case. In certain situations, you may end your quarantine after 10 days, or after 7 days with a negative test result.

Siblings and household contact do not need to stay home or quarantine.

Will my child be sent home if sick?

A student may be sent home based on the symptoms they are exhibiting. Due to the community spread of COVID-19, Rochester Public Schools is following the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Decision Tree guidance to determine the length of time students will need to remain away from school when exposed or exhibiting symptoms (this guidance was designed by MDH specifically for schools and child care programs and may differ from local businesses or employers).

If your child is sent home, they will sent home with a parent letter detailing student symptoms and further guidance.

MDH Decision Tree

Parent Letter

First page of Parent Exclusion Letter PDF on Google Drive

How long should my child be quarantining?

Are there any allowable exceptions to the requirement to wear face masks?

Exceptions to mask use will be determined on an individual basis, based on medical, developmental, or behavioral health needs. Medical documentation will be required.

During breakfast and lunch, masks may be removed for eating and drinking once students are seated.

During Indoor or Outdoor Physical Education (PE), masks will not be required as long as social distancing is maintained, which is six feet in most situations. When cardio activity is occurring, social distancing must increase to 12 feet.