“Home of the Wolves”
MENNO SCHOOL DISTRICT
Post Office Box 346
410 5th Street
Menno, South Dakota 57045
Phone 605-387-5161 FAX 605-387-5171
http://www.menno.k12.sd.us
Mr. Tom Rice, Superintendent / High School Principal, Mr. Kory Foss, PK – 8 Principal, Mr. Dale Weiss, Business Manager

September 2, 2020
Menno Public School District General Notification Letter
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Freeman Health Clinic has informed us that we have a student in our school that
has been diagnosed with COVID-19. As of Monday, August 31st, that student has
been in isolation.
Staff members and students who test positive for COVID-19 are required to selfisolate for ten (10) days from the first onset of symptoms and must be fever free for
24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Staff members and students
who are verified close contacts are required to quarantine for fourteen (14) days
since their last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
Isolation is for people who are already sick with COVID-19 and quarantine is for
people who are not sick, but may have been exposed to COVID-19. Isolation
separates and restricts the movement of sick people so they cannot spread the
disease. Quarantined people may or may not become sick. Quarantined people must
stay at home or another location so they do not spread the disease.
We are alerting parents to be watchful for children with symptoms suggestive of
COVID-19 illness during the next 14 days. We are working to notify parents if your
child is identified as being a verified close contact to the COVID-19 case.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
· Fever or chills · Headache
· Cough · Loss of taste or smell
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing · Sore throat

 · Fatigue · Congestion or runny nose
· Muscle or body aches · Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
The COVID-19 virus is spread from person-to-person, mainly through respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Spread is more likely
to occur when people are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet for at least
15 minutes).
If your child develops symptoms of any contagious disease, including COVID-19, do
not send him/her to school. If a healthcare provider is contacted, follow all directions
on care and testing.
Precautions to avoid illness:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· While not mandatory, the CDC advises you to cover your mouth and nose with a
cloth face cover when around others.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
· Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
· Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults or people
who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take
actions to reduce your risk of exposure. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html)
For more information on COVID-19, South Dakota’s Information Line can be reached
at (800) 997-2880 or visit https://covid.sd.gov/
Sincerely,
Mr. Tom Rice
Menno Public School Superintendent