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South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) is now at a critical stage that will result in multiple cancellations or delays for bus routes in the mornings and afternoons. Families will be notified by phone and text, with as much notice as possible, if their child’s morning or afternoon route is expected to be impacted. 

The first two days after winter break (Jan. 4-5) have shown a steady number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our schools.

Due to ongoing supply chain issues, our milk vendor can only provide limited amounts of milk because of a carton shortage. The limited supply will be distributed to elementary schools for lunch beginning Jan. 4. This means milk cannot be provided to middle and high schools and is not guaranteed at all elementary schools.

Nick Falde was selected as the principal for a new virtual school, SoWashCo Online, for the 2022-23 school year for grades K-5 and 9-12. 

During its regular business meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16, the school board approved adjustments to the current 2021-22 school calendar.

We have been made aware of nationwide school shooting rumors circulating within our school communities through social media. Currently, there are no credible threats against our schools.

South Washington County Schools and the State of Minnesota are hosting a free vaccination clinic for all children age five and older from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 at Pullman Elementary School. COVID-19 booster shots will also be available for eligible children age 16 and older.

Like many school districts, SoWashCo Schools seeks to adjust its current calendar to help address a combination of challenges related to the ongoing pandemic. The changes to the remainder of the school year will provide flexible learning days for students. On flexible learning days, students will learn from home and connect and interact with their teacher and classmates. 

All schools are closed today, Dec. 10, due to the wintry weather. Students should not report to school and all online learning activities are canceled and no new assignments will be posted.

For a list of cancellations during an emergency closure, visit sowashco.org/emergency and click on the emergency closure tab.

South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) will participate in the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey. This survey is administered every three years across Minnesota schools and collects important information about student experiences in the areas of health, safety and academics. 

Last month, South Washington County Schools (SoWashco Schools) conducted a survey of families, staff and students (grades 6-12) about their ideal school-year calendar. The results of the open question “Do you have any additional information that you would like to share with SoWashCo Schools for the calendar committee to consider when creating future school calendars?” pointed to action steps that need to be taken for this school year.

As COVID-19 case rates continue to increase, SoWashCo Elementary Schools will implement the health and safety adjustments listed in our criteria for COVID-19 decision-making.

Throughout the school year, SoWashCo Schools may enter into an emergency closure or an e-learning day (extended learning day) due to bad weather or other situations in which school cannot be held in person.

As we near the end of the first trimester, we are seeing a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases that have shifted a number of schools into higher mitigation and created staff shortages.

With the rise in positive cases, finding substitutes is increasingly challenging. We ask families to prepare for staff shortages that could temporarily shift a classroom into distance learning for up to 10 calendar days. Families will be provided with as much notice as possible while balancing health and safety requirements.

SoWashCo Schools and the State of Minnesota are hosting a vaccination clinic for 5 to 11 year-olds at Cottage Grove Middle School from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21.