The start of the 2022-23 school year is fast approaching, therefore, we want to update you on our COVID-19 safety protocols. The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will continue to highly recommend wearing masks indoors and on buses, and will not require masks for the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Covid Health & Safety Guidance
Universal Health Practices
Following practices of proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and monitoring symptoms.
Prior to coming to school, students and staff should conduct daily symptom checks and stay home if they are sick and do not feel well.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Custodial and Maintenance staff will continue “high touch-point” cleaning as be part of our daily routine.
All classrooms have been outfitted with classroom cleaning kits which will be restocked by our custodians.
Masks
We highly recommend students and staff continue to wear masks while inside school and district buildings.
Masks are required for anyone that is on day 6-10 of isolation from Covid-19 infection or for anyone that is having symptoms of respiratory infection even with a negative COVID-19 test until symptoms are resolving.
Masks - On Buses
We highly recommend students and staff continue to wear masks while on buses.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing is no longer required, in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the district does encourage distancing where possible and to avoid overcrowding especially during periods when there is high community transmission rates.
Field Trips & Events
Participants of field trips have the expectation to follow the district’s current COVID-19 safety measures and current Board policies.
Those attending large events, such as ceremonies, performing arts, and athletics, should follow the district’s current COVID-19 safety measures and current Board policies.
Stay Home When Sick
All Staff and Students that are experiencing respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 or gastrointestinal symptoms will be required to stay home.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to test. If the test is negative, and they don’t have fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, and they are able and willing to wear a mask, they may stay in school. If they decline testing, they will be asked to go home for a minimum of 24 hours, and symptoms must be resolving, or they receive an alternative diagnosis before they can return to school.
COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone and have been shown to be highly safe and effective.
schedule an appointment with Public Health Madison & Dane County
COVID Health and Safety Updates from MMSD
Effective at the start of the summer semester, we are modifying wearing a mask indoors from “required” to “highly recommended.” This decision comes after our continued review of current metrics, recent CDC guidance and following the unanimous recommendation of our medical advisors.
Lincoln Elementary School will host a COVID-19 clinic in partnership with SSM Health on Thursday, June 23rd from 9:00-3:00 pm. All MMSD staff, students and family members over the age of 5 are invited.
Today, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) informed families it will be following a unanimous recommendation from its team of medical advisors to extend its requirement to wear masks inside school buildings, while continuing to monitor local COVID-19 conditions and reviewing its indoor masking requirement on a bi-weekly basis.
Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) announced the Dane County mask mandate will expire March 1, 2022. As a result of their announcement, and with consideration of current COVID-19 metrics along with the guidance of MMSD’s medical advisory team and experts, I am writing to inform you of our plan to begin a phased approach to modifying some of the district's COVID-19 masking protocols.
Los Angeles Times, Dec. 7, 2021 4 AM PT
Citing mounting evidence of ongoing harm, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy on Tuesday issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges confronting youth, a rare warning and call to action to address what he called an emerging crisis exacerbated by pandemic hardships.
“Children are our most precious resource, and we must do everything we can to keep them safe as they return to the classroom,” said Dr. Ellen Wald, chair of the department of pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and infectious disease physician at UW Health. “In-person learning is important for our children. This letter is all about how we can work together – parents, teachers, schools and healthcare providers – to have a safe and positive return to school this year.”
2021-2022 Fall Covid Safety Plan Update
Dear MMSD Families,
Thank you for your continued collaboration, patience, and support as we have navigated the COVID-19 global health pandemic together. We hope you have found time to make new memories this summer as the excitement of a new school year fast approaches.
Additional Information and Resources:
Masking
Below some Wellness links that many families have found helpful during the pandemic.
Guidance for Visitors and Volunteers
Tracking Coronavirus in Dane County, Wisconsin: Latest Map and Case Count
Safety in our Buildings
We've made several adjustments in preparation for students and staff to return to buildings. Some of those are outlined below and in the MMSD Covid-19 Building Analysis Final Report.