Across District 518, Care Will be Taken to Comply With Social Distancing Guidelines as Strictly as Possible
On Tuesday, February 16, all students in ISD 518 facilities will be instructed using in-person learning. This day will be the beginning of full-time in-person learning for all students. District 518 is overjoyed that we will once again have the opportunity to educate all students in full in-person classes. Across the district, care will be taken to comply with social distancing guidelines as strictly as possible. However, due to space limitations within some areas of district facilities, this may not be possible at all times.
While all students take part in full-time in-person learning, continued care will be taken to follow all guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) whenever possible. These include social distancing of students and teachers as far apart as space will allow. Due to space limitations in some areas of ISD 518 facilities, distance between students will be under the recommended guideline of three feet. Whenever possible, students will be spread out to continue following all social distancing guidelines.
Many shared student areas in district buildings do not have the space needed to follow the three-foot social distancing recommendation. While measures such as moving students to classrooms to eat meals have been implemented, cafeterias, hallways, buses, locker areas, and restrooms may often include a number of students that does not allow for social distancing of three feet.
In-person learning for all ISD 518 students is an incredible opportunity made possible by following guidelines from the state and federal agencies as closely as possible. Proper face masking and frequent cleaning of surfaces are examples of the many guidelines the district will continue to follow. In shared student spaces, ISD 518 will work to protect the health and safety of all students and staff while considering space issues and the inability to fully social distance students at all times.