FREE Meals and Curbside Food Pick-Up for ALL Students

FREE meals for ALL children, ages 18 and younger, through the remainder of the school year! Click on "Read More" to find the meal pick-up schedule and locations which include curbside and 25 bus stops throughout the district. Children do not need to attend Centennial Schools.

Click here for meal information and pick-up schedule.

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District Home » COVID-19 Information » Elementary Return-to-School FAQ » Returning to School Information

Returning to School Information

RETURNING TO SCHOOL INFORMATION

Will students need to wear a mask or face covering?
Yes. The Governor’s Executive Order 20-81 mandates all Minnesotans wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and indoor businesses starting on July 25, 2020. The Executive Order applies to everyone, making exemptions for children who are five-years-old and under, and those with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering.  Included in those settings where masks will be required, are school buildings, both public and nonpublic. Face coverings are generally required for all students, staff, and other persons present in any kindergarten through grade 12 school buildings or district offices or riding on school transportation vehicles. To provide a consistent, safe environment for students and staff, this requirement applies equally to kindergartners, even those aged 5 or under.

Exemptions include: Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for the individual to maintain a face covering. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who have a medical condition that compromises their ability to breathe, and individuals who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. If a student cannot wear a mask, per doctor’s orders regarding a medical condition, a doctor’s letter regarding the need to not wear a mask will be required. Parents will contact their student’s principal with questions or if further accommodations are required.

What is included in the Governor’s plan for staff face coverings?
Staff are strongly encouraged to wear a safety shield AND mask. Students are required to wear a mask or face covering.

  • The State strongly encourages staff to wear a mask and face shield.
  • Students and staff are required to wear a face covering.

Will students remain with their class in the classroom for the school day to minimize contacts.
Yes, this is the same protocol Centennial had in place when students were in the hybrid learning model.
Keeping students contained in one classroom is the safest approach. The less we move students, the safer all will be.

  • Specialists will teach in the student’s classroom (specialists come to the students).
  • The only exception is physical education. Students will have physical education in the gym or outside, weather permitting. Students will be required to wear a mask.
  • Students will eat their meals in the classroom.
  • Not moving students will continue this strategy of limiting contact with others, keeping students together for the safety and health of others.

What are the social distancing requirements?
In the Governor’s plan, social distancing is no longer required. It is highly encouraged when possible.

  • It is strongly recommended teachers maintain 6 feet of social distancing, recognizing this may not always be feasible.
  • It is strongly recommended students maintain 3 feet of social distancing when feasible, recognizing this may not always be feasible.
  • Students’ social distance practice will be monitored by staff. Students are asked to refrain from gathering in groups and will be reminded of the social distancing protocol in place.
  • Bathroom breaks will be staggered to minimize crowding.
  • Signage will also include “cover your cough,” symptoms of COVID-19, and encourage proper handwashing.

The Governor’s plan also includes on-site testing for staff.
Regular testing is one of many critical strategies for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in communities and supporting our frontline workers in schools. COVID-19 saliva testing will be available every two weeks for all staff who choose to get tested.

Keep your student home when ill.

  • Self-screen for symptoms before sending your student to school.
  • The District will send a student home if becoming ill at school or is determined to be ill during the school day. Parents must have a plan to pick up their child (or have an alternative person available to pick up their child) as soon as possible when contacted by the school. 
  • The 14-day quarantine will be in place unless students and staff meet specific criteria to shorten the quarantine to 7-10 days. Please contact your student’s school to report an absence.
  • The State has tightened guidelines for Pre-K through grades 5 regarding COVID-19 cases in the classroom. If an individual tests positive for COVID, the entire classroom may shut down and pivot to distance learning for a period of time.

What if staff or a student tests positive for COVID-19?
The District will work in partnership with MDH if the District has a COVID-19 case. Please note, a person’s health, including any test results around COVID-19, is protected under the HIPPA Privacy Rule. If you have question regarding communication, please contact your student’s principal. 

What are the quarantine and isolation guidelines?
Isolation is when a person has tested positive for COVID and needs to stay away from others. 

  • 10 days from when symptom started or when test was taken (if asymptomatic)

Quarantine is when someone is considered a close contact, has taken a COVID test and waiting for results or has COVID symptoms.

  • The 14-day quarantine will be in place unless students and staff meet specific criteria to shorten the quarantine to 7-10 days.
  • The State has tightened guidelines for Pre-K through grades 5 regarding COVID-19 cases in the classroom. If an individual tests positive for COVID, the entire classroom may shut down and pivot to distance learning.

Will the district close a classroom, grade level, or school if impacted by COVID-19 cases?
Yes, a closing of classrooms, grade levels, or schools will depend on the impact of COVID-19 in the schools. The District must have adequate staffing to provide in-person learning.

  • Families and the District need to be ready to pivot, at any time, to distance learning or to a return to the classroom for a period of time.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • The privacy of students and families is critical during this time. In accordance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), names and information of those that have been identified as positive or those that went home sick are not to be shared (staff or child). Sharing of this information violates HIPAA. Centennial cannot disclose or assume the health conditions of children, staff, or families to anyone.

Health and safety measures in place during hybrid learning and will continue to be practiced)

  • Work will be submitted electronically when possible to help decrease the risk of spread.
  • Centennial Schools has developed cleaning protocols in alignment with CDC and MDH guidelines. See additional information below.
  • Proper hand washing and hygiene will also be practiced.
  • Hand sanitizer will also be available in every classroom for student and staff u

Can students use the drinking fountains?
Students are advised to bring their own water bottle from home. All drinking fountains  are closed; water refill stations are open.

Will I be able to meet with my student’s teacher, administrators, principal?
Yes, however, when at all possible virtual meetings will be conducted to prevent spread.

What does my student’s classroom look like?
Staff are highly encouraged by the State to wear a mask and face shield. Students are required to wear a face covering. The teacher will maintain 6 feet of social distancing when possible, and students will maintain 3 feet of social distancing when possible.

Will students have access to lockers at their school during the day?
Yes, students will have access to their lockers.

Will my elementary student have recess?
Students will go outside for recess and practice social distancing. Students must be in groups of no more than 25 (practicing social distancing), equipment or balls will be for individual use only, all equipment must be wiped down after use, and all contact sports and activities are prohibited.

Staff will plan games and activities that promote healthy practices and social distances in accordance with CDC and MDH guidelines.

Can I drop off items for my student who might have left something at home?
To minimize traffic in our schools, call your student’s school office to arrange a drop-off off materials for your student.

What do I do if I am picking up my student early or arriving late?
Please call your student’s school office and a staff member will meet you at the door to walk the student into the building.

Can I visit my student’s school?
We value our partnerships with Centennial families and the community. However, nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will not be allowed in our schools to minimize spread.

Can I write a check or send money with my student to pay for fees?
Contactless payments will be used whenever possible. Checks and money are discouraged.