Schools seek local support in slowing virus spread

After two weeks of instruction, Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek public schools will continue with their current safe learning models, even as coronavirus positive case numbers continue to rise in the county.
The Minnesota Department of Health released the 14-day case rate per 10,000 residents on Sept. 17.
The rate is at 18.06, up from the previous 14-day case rate of 17.
Each school’s incident command team also met Sept. 17 to review the numbers. Local health officials provided more specifics about the case rates.
Luverne Public Schools released a statement to parents and the community Friday.
“The most common transmission is occurring outside the school environment through family groups and large gatherings in our community,” stated Luverne Public Schools Superintendent Craig Oftedahl.
“At this point there is no indication of transmission among students and staff in the school building.”
However, staff and students’ attendance has been affected by the coronavirus.
As of Friday, Luverne Public Schools had five positive cases among staff and students and H-BC had zero.
Luverne reports about 20 students who many been exposed to the virus and are self-quarantined at home.
H-BC has about 5 students absent due to COVID-19.
“We definitely need our community to avoid large gatherings, wear masks and social distance,” Oftedahl said. “Please help our students remain in school.”
The elementary school will continue the in-person hybrid learning model, and the middle-high school will continue with alternating days with half of the student body in person and half at home distance learning.
However, as Oftedahl indicated, the district is on “probationary status.”
“Without assistance from the community, the school district will likely have to pivot to another learning model, including the possibility of distance learning (for all students), in a rather short period of time,” Oftedahl said.
“School staff will continue to make contingency plans for all scenarios.”
H-BC elementary and secondary students are currently conducting in-person hybrid learning in both buildings.
H-BC Secondary Principal Andrew Kellenberger told board members Sept. 14 that families have been following the recommended self-monitoring guidelines.
In the school buildings, staff and students are masked and following social distancing guidelines since the new school year started Sept. 8.
“A lot of teachers are attempting to utilize the outdoors, which I think is a great idea,” Kellenberger said. “These five days have been a real success.”
Kellenberger said many of the students’ autonomy has been restricted. New rules due to the coronavirus include standing on the red dot, one-way hallways and wearing a mask.
Luverne Superintendent Oftedahl commended staff and students for following the state’s executive order of masking and social distancing. He especially thanked parents.
“Thank you for your part in having a positive impact on their behavior,” he said.
Dr. Diane Kennedy is a member of the Luverne Schools Incident Command Team and recommended that more community members follow the state’s executive order so that students and staff can remain in school.
“Our only defense is to follow the social distancing guidelines and embrace masking without exception,” Kennedy stated.
“Believe in the science behind the recommendations and support our kids.”
Kennedy also cautioned community members who’ve had a high-risk exposure or have symptoms to seek medical testing and/or treatment.
Positive case rates are only one indicator as to whether schools need to conduct classes in a different way.
“We look at more than just the positive numbers to determine the learning model,” she said.
Local public health official Jason Kloss serves on the incident command teams for both Luverne and H-BC schools. He said isolation and self-quarantine are important tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Please stay home if you experience minor COVID systems,” Kloss recommended.
“If you test positive, ensure your family members and other close contacts serve the full 14-day quarantine period.”