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New COVID-19 Guidance

Thursday, July 28, 2022
 

Dear District Administrators,

We are all preparing for the upcoming school year.

Department of Public Instruction posted new guidance for schools for the 2022-2023 school year on the COVID-19 Information for School Health Services webpage. This guidance is reflective of DPI’s commitment and focus on equity, both educational equity and health equity. We understand that keeping students healthy is how we keep our educators healthy, our families healthy, our communities healthy, and our health care system able to care for us in times of need. Students need to be healthy and safe to learn.

While DPI continues to work in consultation with the Department of Health Services (DHS) in support of the CDC guidance for schools, DPI is recommending a measured approach for managing COVID-19 for the 2022-2023 school year. We recognize the tremendous burden mitigating and controlling the spread of COVID-19 has been on students’ education and the staff responsible for implementing mitigation measures, and the effect such measures have had on families over the past two plus years.

The DHS has yet to publish school specific guidance for this school year. Once published, the DPI document will be updated to reference the DHS guidelines.

It is recommended districts work with their local health authority, insurance carrier, and legal counsel in determining to what degree each district implements mitigation measures. We continue to strongly encourage layered prevention strategies.

Additionally, DPI’s COVID-19 Testing Basics in Wisconsin Schools has been updated and is located under the Testing tab on the COVID-19 Information for School Health Services webpage. Schools are encouraged to consider participating in the DHS school testing program.

DPI’s COVID-19 Information for School Health Services webpage has been updated and now includes resources on Long COVID in addition to updated links and information on several other topics.

DPI’s webpage on communicable diseases is now more accurately titled Communicable Disease & Infection Prevention and Control. This webpage provides general information on infection prevention and control in the school setting.

If you need more information or have questions please contact Louise Wilson, DPI School Nursing and Health Services Administrative Consultant, at louise.wilson@dpi.wi.gov or (608) 266-8857.

Thank you for all the work you and all your staff are doing to prepare for a great school year of learning and wonderful experiences for all students.

Regards,
 
John W. Johnson, PhD
Deputy State Superintendent