Health and safety protocols

Request a Free take home test for a student

SSPPS has free take-home COVID tests available for students and staff. There are two different tests available: PCR at home saliva tests for students and staff and rapid at home tests for students. Tests will be available while supplies last. Interested families can request to have a test sent home with a student by calling their school’s health office or completing this Consent Form: Request a COVID Test for a Student.  SSPPS will not send a test home without consent from the parent/guardian.

SSPPS is not administering the tests, just providing test access to interested staff and students in accordance with MDE and MDH guidelines. SSPPS staff will not be running/processing/administering the tests for individuals. SSPPS does not guarantee the effectiveness or accuracy of test results. The persons taking the test accepts the test “as-is” and assumes any risks associated with the test.

Rapid Nasal Swab Tests for Students
Any student whose parent/guardian requested a Rapid Nasal Swab test, can pick up a test kit from any school health office, during school hours.  The student or a parent/guardian will administer the test at home according to the directions.  Each test has instructions in both English and Spanish. Results will appear on the test in 15 minutes. Please email test results to Nurse Shawnee at skrueger@sspps.org.

Other Testing Location Options

Inver Grove Heights
Inver Grove Heights Armory 8076 Babcock Trail
Inver Grove Heights, MN, 55077
Free Rapid Tests ages 0+

This site will be open Monday-Friday the week of 1/10-1/14
Monday - Thursday
11 a.m - 6 p.m.
Click here to schedule an appointment or call 1-833-431-2053

Stillwater
Stillwater Armory
350 Maryknoll Drive North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Free Rapid Tests ages 0+

Open Sunday 1/16 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Schedule an appointment at Stillwater

St. Paul 
Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 West Kellogg Fourth Ave South
Saliva and Rapid (Rapid only for ages 2+)
Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click here to schedule and appointment

MSP Airport
Terminal 1, 4300 Glumack Dr. (follow signs to the testing site on Level 2 of the Blue Ramp)
Saliva Test
7 days a week
7 am - 7 pm every day
Click here to schedule an appointment
Parking will be available for all seeking a COVID-19 test:

• Drive to Terminal 1 and into the entry plaza for the parking ramps. Signs will guide you from the inbound roadway to the clinic location itself.
• Follow signage to Level 2 in the Blue Ramp.
• Walk to the centrally located elevator lobby and follow signs to the clinic.

Minneapolis Convention Center
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Saliva and Rapid 
Holiday hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Schedule an appointment at Minneapolis Convention Center
**Rapid Testing Open to Ages 2+
Enter the testing site at Door E on 2nd Avenue. Free parking is available the Plaza Ramp at 117 South 12th St, Mpls, MN 55403 Parking is free with a voucher you will obtain from the testing clinic.

• Face coverings are recommended for all people (ages 2 and above), inside all SSPPS buildings regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are not required when outdoors.
• In accordance with federal guidelines, face coverings are also recommended on all public and district provided transportation (buses, van, taxi, private vehicle, etc.) at all times. This recommendation requirement includes to and from school, field trips, athletic events, etc.
• People who test positive and opt for a shortened quarantine after talking with Nurse Shawnee are required to wear a face covering at all times while indoors (except while eating or drinking) for the remainder of their quarantine time.

Social distancing will occur when possible; however, it is not always feasible with schools at full capacity.

SSPPS will continue to thoroughly clean and disinfect our schools after each school day using products that are approved and effective against the COVID-19 virus. Hand sanitizer stations are available and SSPPS encourages healthy hygiene behaviors (hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing using soap).

• All staff and students should monitor each day for COVID symptoms and are encouraged to stay home if not well.  COVID symptoms can include:  fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, or loss of taste and smell.
• If a student member becomes ill during the school day, our health staff will continue to follow MDH guidance for best practices, including:
  • Separating ill students from healthy individuals;
  • Sending students home for a fever greater than 100.0, vomiting, or diarrhea. Students must remain home for 24-hours after the symptoms have subsided without medication.

• Anyone who has a positive COVID-19 test, contact Nurse Shawnee - skrueger@sspps.org or 651-248-1055.
• Public health officials will continue to guide our steps following a reported positive case.  Families should contact Nurse Shawnee for specific quarantine guidelines.

• Quarantines are meant to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by those who are suspected to have contracted the virus, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, and to be able to transmit it to others, particularly to those who are unvaccinated.
• SSPPS, in accordance with MDH guidance, does not require close contacts of a positive person to quarantine. We recommend that all close contacts get tested 3-5 days after their contact with the positive person AND if they develop any symptoms. We recommend keeping symptomatic close contacts home until they receive their test results back. If a staff or student tests positive, they will need to quarantine in accordance with MDH recommendations. If you need testing site recommendations or to report a positive case of COVID, please contact Nurse Shawnee at skrueger@sspps.org.
• Anyone who has a positive COVID-19 test shall not enter any District building or office, transportation, or activities, wherever located, until making a proper report to Nurse Shawnee at skrueger@sspps.org, and completing any necessary quarantine.
• Public health officials will continue to guide our steps following a reported positive case.  Families should contact Nurse Shawnee for specific quarantine guidelines.

Along with the CDC and the MDH, SSPPS recommends and encourages all eligible individuals to get the COVID vaccine.  The CDC has identified the vaccine and face coverings as effective preventative strategies to slow the spread of COVID.

• Breakfast will be served in either the cafeteria or as a “grab and go” option.
• Lunch will be served in the cafeterias for grades K-12. 
• Preschool snacks and lunches (where applicable) will be served in the classrooms

Field trips may occur throughout the school year. Face coverings are recommended on all transportation. Individual venues may have health guidance in place that is more restrictive than our requirements.

• Face coverings are recommended for all people (ages 2 and above), inside all SSPPS buildings, including indoor athletic/activity events, beginning August 23, 2021.  This face covering recommendation includes students, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
• SSPPS will follow MSHSL face covering guidelines for athletes (i.e. face coverings are recommended and encouraged when individuals are not in active participation or competition).
• Face coverings are recommended on all SSPPS provided transportation.

To protect the health of our students and staff, all visitors should be COVID symptom-free when visiting our schools.  Face coverings are recommended, and we ask visitors to maintain physical distance to the degree possible.