Face coverings, masks are optional starting Thursday, March 3

Dear Robbinsdale Area Schools families and staff,

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a sharp reduction in positive cases of COVID-19 in our schools and in the community. With that decline, coupled with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), face coverings and masks will now be optional across Robbinsdale Area Schools effective Thursday, March 3. This includes inside all schools and sites and aboard all school buses and vans, and applies to spectators and guests at district-sanctioned activities and events.

It’s important to note that families and staff can continue to wear face coverings and are encouraged to do so if they believe it is best for them. 

COVID-19 is still serious. We should do what we can to prevent community spread, especially to protect those among us who are most vulnerable. We continue to recommend that people continue to get vaccinated and use face coverings while indoors and in group settings. 

We will continue to follow the CDC's community-level approach to masking, which provides a classification of low, medium, or high based on community transmission. When the community level is high, masks are strongly recommended, and we may need to reinstate masking if there is a surge in cases. More information on Community Levels can be found at the CDC’s website.

Students and staff will still need to follow the district’s isolation and quarantine guidelines if they have been or are exposed to a positive case. Students and staff that have tested positive will still need to wear a mask for 10 full days following symptom onset or positive test. Individuals that have been exposed to COVID should continue to wear a mask for 10 days following their exposure, regardless of vaccination status. If you or your student shows symptoms or tests positive, please fill out and submit our COVID reporting form on the district website. Student-athletes will still be subject to MSHSL guidelines. For additional information, please review the district’s COVID exposure document. 

For those staff members and families who still wish to wear face coverings, masks are available for pickup at schools and sites, along with test kits for those who need them.

Thank you again for your continued support of our schools and students.

Sincerely,

David Engstrom
Superintendent, Robbinsdale Area Schools