Dear RPS Families,
As you may have heard in Governor Walz’s announcement this week, he is loosening restrictions related to COVID-19 effective Memorial Day weekend.
While this is good news, we want to remind you that the pandemic is not over and case rates continue to be high in Hennepin County. Please continue to follow best practices like regularly washing your hands, staying home when you are sick, etc. Here is additional guidance from the State of Minnesota:
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Every student in Minnesota is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test every two weeks. Additionally, anyone participating in a club or school sport is strongly encouraged to test at least once per week for COVID-19. Learn more on the Stay Safe Minnesota – Organized Sports web page. We are including testing resources at the bottom of this message.
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Vaccines are now available for anyone age 16 and older. The Minnesota Department of Health has created a resource with information about COVID-19 vaccines for 16- and 17-year-olds. At this time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been studied and authorized for use by 16 and 17-year-olds. Data from Pfizer vaccine studies show the vaccine is safe and effective for this age group. Other vaccine manufacturers are also studying their vaccines in younger age groups but have not yet received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Additionally, when it comes to the loosening of restrictions that was announced by the Governor this week, please note that this does not apply to schools. We follow Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for schools, which is in effect through the end of the school year. This means that we will continue to require face coverings in school, practice social distancing as much as possible, and other guidelines as outlined in the Safe Learning Plan through June 9, 2021.
We hope that case rates continue to fall in our community and across the world. This has been an incredibly difficult time for so many of us and we are all looking forward to a time when we can put our masks away and safely enjoy time with friends and family. Until then, stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
Sincerely,
Dr. Latanya Daniels
Assistant Superintendent
Testing Resources
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While saliva testing will not be conducted for students in Richfield Public School, here are two nearby testing sites that are available for walk-in testing. You can also find testing sites anywhere in Minnesota (including clinics and pharmacies) on the state website.
Bloomington Creekside Community Center
9801 Penn Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55431
Weekdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport
4300 Glumack Drive
St. Paul, MN 55111
Daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vaccination Resources
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The Minnesota Department of Health and its partners have made the following vaccine opportunities available to individuals age 16 and older.
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State Fair Vaccine / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota
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COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota
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The Minnesota Department of Health has also created a resource with information about COVID-19 vaccines for 16- and 17-year-olds.
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At this time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been studied and authorized for use by 16 and 17-year-olds. Data from Pfizer vaccine studies show the vaccine is safe and effective for this age group. Other vaccine manufacturers are also studying their vaccines in younger age groups but have not yet received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.