MAPS COVID-19 Information (Coronavirus 2019)

August 24, 2020

Hello Bluejays!

As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, it is imperative that I remind the community that student and staff safety remains our highest priority. I strongly believe that our administration and staff have taken the necessary precautions, to not only provide a safe learning environment, but  to ensure the highest quality of student instruction possible.

Our district has risen to the challenge of offering flexible educational options for all students. We have modified our instructional settings, altered our recess and lunch schedules and continue to view the instructional day through the lens of social distancing. 

We will continue to build and strengthen the partnership we have with our parents and the entire community. Like any family, disagreements may arise as to safety recommendations and suggestions. But I can confidently say that all of us share the same strong principle as we move forward: to keep everybody healthy and prevent exposure to COVID 19. 

MAPS will continue to require face coverings for all students and staff unless an approved exemption is made known. The face covering requirement will be evaluated at the end of the first quarter as to its relevance. Please join us in continuing to encourage frequent hand washing, social distancing and staying home when sick. 

Please be patient as our efforts to maintain safety have also caused us to limit visitors to our buildings. We understand there will be times when parents must be present as a responsibility to their child or children. Knowing these obligations, however, has caused us to revise our procedures to minimize exposure for our students (your children). 

Thank you in advance! We will continue to keep you informed as additional information becomes available.

Dr. John Sample, Superintendent of Schools

Daily Home Screening for Students

 COVID-19 MAPS Data Update 2020

Coronavirus Preparedness: What You Need to Know
The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we want to assure our community that the Merrill Area Public School District is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 on a daily basis. 

Each morning, please complete the daily home screening (above). If your student is not feeling well,  please keep them home. Update all family and emergency contact information to allow easy accessibility if a student  needs to be sent home due to illness. 

To determine when a student should be sent home:
Health Screening Checklist

Additional COVID-19 Monitoring Process Updates
Additional Sick Student Process Update 9/29/2020
To determine when a student may return to school:
When To Return To School

Please Note: If a student or staff member is sent home (based on health screening checklist) and NOT tested, the individual must remain home for at least 10 days since the first symptoms began AND be fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours AND with improvement of symptoms.

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the following letter will be sent to the identified school and staff from Central Office. All information is confidential with no name sharing.
Letter for Positive Student/Staff

Expert Guidance
Our procedures are based on guidance from the Lincoln County Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services,  the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This site will be updated as new information is available.

Communicable Diseases Precautions
We are taking additional precautions to limit the spread of illness.

• School buses are being disinfected each day
• Cafeterias are disinfected after each meal
• School custodians have been instructed to wipe down commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant multiple times throughout the day
• Sanitary wipes have been made available for use on iPads
• Additional supplies of tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels and soap have been made available

Good Hygiene Practices
Please remind your students that by practicing good hygiene, they can help prevent the spread of illness by following the guidance below:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue
• Dispose of used tissues immediately and wash your hands
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds especially before eating and after going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Avoid close contact or shaking hands with people who are sick
• Wear a face covering if able to do so
• Remain at home when you are ill