Coronavirus COVID-19 Response Plan
This information includes updates on Wayzata Public Schools’ response plan to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The situation is evolving and this page is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Resources
Overview of COVID-19 from MDH (multiple languages)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PDF)
Basic overview of COVID-19 in multiple languages.
- COVID-19 in Amharic (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Arabic (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Chinese (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Hmong (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Karen (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Russian (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Somali (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Spanish (PDF)
- COVID-19 in Vietnamese (PDF)
Resources to Find Low-Cost Health Care or get Health Insurance (PDF)
- Communications
- Resources for Support
- Continued Learning at Home When School is Out
- Preventing Coronavirus Incidents
- Monitoring for Coronavirus Incidents
Communications
Wayzata Public Schools will communicate with students, families, staff and community members through the following methods:
- Email Notifications (English, Somali and Spanish)
- Automated and Individual Telephone and Text Messages (English, Somali and Spanish)
- Websites: district and school/program sites
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (district and school sites)
- Online Learning Platforms: (e.g. Seesaw for Pre-K-grade 3 and Canvas for grades 4-12)
- Print Resources
- Sharing messages with local media and district key communicators
If you have questions about distance learning for your child, please contact your student’s teacher(s) first and then your building principal. You can also email communications@wayzataschools.org and your question will be routed to the appropriate staff member who can help.
Licensed School Nurses assigned to each building will serve as the onsite COVID-19 coordinator, they are responsible for communicating and coordinating all issues related to COVID-19 including all lessons learned as related to preventative actions with staff, students, and parents. All reported COVID-19cases must be reported to Dawn Willson at Dawn.Willson@wayzataschools.org or 763-745-6073. She is the district contact person for all COVID-19 cases as she is our direct link to MDH.
A COVID-19 Coordinator for after-school activities and athletics will be determined.
Resources for Support
Your school social worker is still here to support you and your child! We can be reached by phone or email.
What Every Kid Needs to Know about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Online Health Seminar
This one-hour webinar is designed for elementary, middle, and high school children, their parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, school administrators, and anyone who is interested in getting information on the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The webinar will use medically accurate and age appropriate content for 5-13 year olds. The content will focus on basic facts related to the science and public health along with frequently asked questions about how the coronavirus impacts things that matter to children like their friends, pets, vacations, etc. Webinar log in details will be sent one day before the webinar. Presenter is Dr. Anthony Santella, Associate Professor of Public Health at Hofstra University.
Mental health resources
Contact your school social worker regarding resources for mental health needs. Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health hosted a webinar, "Helping Your Children Manage COVID-19 Realities: Beyond the Facts and Into the Effects on our Lives", which is available to watch online.
Resources to help you talk with your child about coronavirus
- Video for Children - Video explaining coronavirus and common feelings children may experience
- Talking to Children about Coronavirus - National Association of School Psychologists
- Tips for Talking with Children - Child Mind Institute
Resources for managing fears
- How to Help Manage Anxiety and Stress - Center for Disease Control
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease - SAMHSA
- Tips for Social Distancing - SAMHSA
Food resources
- District Breakfast and Lunch - Use this link to find the most up to date information about how to obtain weekly meals. These meals are free and available to anyone under the age of 18 years old! Meals are available for pickup at district locations or can be delivered if you can not access the distribution sites.
- Restaurants Offering Free Meals
- Interfaith Outreach - 763-489-7500 Food Shelf
- Prism - 763-529-1350 Food Shelf
Child care for emergency personnel
- District Emergency Child Care Information - Use this link to find the most up to date information about child care being provided by the district.
Mental health crisis resources
- Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Crisis - 612-348-2233
- Hennepin County Adult Mental Health Crisis - 612-596-1223
Resources for emergency needs
- Interfaith Outreach - 763-489-7500, Drive up Food Shelf, Emergency Financial Assistance, New Client Intakes
- Prism - 763-529-1350, Drive up Food Shelf, Housing Support
- Crisis Nursery - 763-591-0100
- State Emergency Operations Center Assistance Hotline Information
- Speaking to Kids about COVID-19
- Students Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability
State Emergency Operations Center Assistance Hotline Information
Below is a hotline that has been created for families to obtain information about childcare resources and other general questions about the school closure. The State Information Hotline at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to answer questions about childcare resources and general questions during the time of school closure.
- Metro: 651-297-1304
- Greater Minnesota: 1-800-657-3504
Speaking to Kids about COVID-19
Several links are included below that may be helpful to parents and students.
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
- Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer Use at Home, at Play, and Out and About
- For more information related to schools and physical and mental health, visit National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses.
- Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
Students Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Instability
Students experiencing homelessness face unique barriers from school closings and participating in distance learning, including limited availability of technology and living situations, which do not support alternative learning formats. Schools have critical responsibilities for the education of these students, and are critical partners in the community-wide response to addressing the unique vulnerabilities of these students. Students experiencing homelessness are disproportionately students of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), and/or students with disabilities. As such, a robust plan for meeting the needs of these students will help ensure all Minnesota students can equitably participate in distance learning.
To address these challenges, Wayzata Public Schools’ McKinney-Vento liaison and/or school social workers will:
- Contact eligible families to conduct a needs assessment related to distance learning.
- Assess the living situations and other characteristics for students who are experiencing homelessness to determine where the greatest support is needed for them to fully participate in distance learning.
- Provide guidance and/or resources to families experiencing homelessness to ensure they have necessary materials to support community mitigation.
- Share resources for food support in communities where families are staying, both in and outside of Wayzata Public Schools.
- Monitor participation and engagement of homeless and highly-mobile students in distance learning (e.g., including both attendance and performance) to guide whether additional staff support, engagement or assistance are needed via weekly check-ins.
- Develop plans to distribute academic materials to eligible families, where families are located as needed.
- Encourage students and/or parents to reach out if their living situation changes and access additional support, which promotes a student’s ability to participate in distance learning.
- Maintain regular contact with local public health departments, county or Tribal human services departments and Continuum of Care planning bodies on ongoing or emerging needs.
- Connect to resources, which assist students and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
- Monitor evolving and emerging recommendations specifically pertaining to students experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic offered by the National Center on Homeless Education, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and SchoolHouse Connection, as well as other recommendations from local resources.
Please contact Jennifer Welk, District McKinney-Vento liaison, at 763-745-5044 or Jennifer.Welk@wayzataschools.org if you have any questions.
Continued Learning at Home When School is Out
Preventing Coronavirus Incidents
Prevention is key. The District encourages students, staff members and volunteers to continue the following preventative measures to avoid contracting the coronavirus:
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Our Buildings & Grounds department has increased the frequency of cleaning practices throughout our schools and buildings. Custodians are focusing on sanitizing and disinfecting frequently-used surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, tables, countertops, drinking fountains, etc.
Monitoring for Coronavirus Incidents
The Minnesota Department of Health has primary responsibility for the overall monitoring of Minnesota residents who may be exposed to the coronavirus, and MDH will inform the District of steps they expect the District to implement.
Stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.