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Madison Metropolitan School District

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Covid Health & Safety Guidance

childs hands with soap suds

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.

Child at desk coloring with a marker with a mask on their face

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.

Picture of bus

Masks - On Buses

We highly recommend students and staff continue to wear masks while on buses.

desk with student sitting showing just legs with social distance sign on floor

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.

Chilcren on a field trip looking at butterflies

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.

Table with tea, and tissues from someone with illness

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

Child giving a thumbs up after recieving vaccine shot.

COVID Health and Safety Updates from MMSD

Students looking at a yearbook at a picnic table

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.

Read More about MMSD COVID Safety Protocols for Start of School Year - Letter to Families and Staff
Child at desk coloring with a marker with a mask on their face

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.

Read More about Feb. 23rd Message - Phased Approach to Mask Protocols
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy

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.

Read More about Surgeon general warns of emerging youth mental health crisis in rare public advisory
an open letter to schools and parents

“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.”

Read More about Nearly 500 pediatricians sign open letter calling for COVID-19 safety precautions

Additional Information and Resources:

Masking

Below some Wellness links that many families have found helpful during the pandemic.

Mental Health Resources

Being Well Resources
 

Guidance for Visitors and Volunteers

Tracking Coronavirus in Dane County, Wisconsin: Latest Map and Case Count

A School Building Icon

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.