Hello SDMA Families and Staff.

Now that we have completed our first month of the 2020-2021 school year, I will be hosting a virtual Q&A session for SDMA families. If you have questions that you would like answered about our school district, please join me this Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 pm for this online meeting at: meet.google.com/wyy-xmcw-wzv or dial in at 605-412-8087 (PIN 627 508 690). Questions may be submitted through the meeting chat feature or by emailing me prior to the meeting at [email protected] .

The data listed on the Dunn County Dashboard was updated today, and you can see that there are now 612 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dunn County (up from 426 last week) and 8,366 negative test results (up from 8,043 last week). The state is changing how burden and trajectory are tracked, so that data is not included in this week's update.

In looking at a graph of the cumulative and daily COVID-19 data for Dunn County broken down by age, it can be seen that the large increase in cases in the county is still clearly associated with young adults. 

Some of the increases in the 10-19 age range have been in the SDMA, with 13 total cases of COVID reported in our schools (up from 8 last week). The current breakdown of total SDMA cases includes:

• Menomonie High School-   10 (up from 6)
• Menomonie Middle School- 3  (up from 2)
• Menomonie Elem. Schools- 0

There have been 3 total cases reported for SDMA staff (up from 1 last week).

Today 9.52% of the students in the SDMA were excluded from school due to close contacts, symptoms, or other COVID-19 concerns (similar to 9.34% last week). 

The current breakdown of SDMA exclusions includes:

• Menomonie High School-   17.35% (up from 17.01%)
• Menomonie Middle School-  6.49% (up from 5.73%)
• Wakanda Elementary-          7.17% (down from 9.97%)
• River Heights Elementary-    6.65% (up from 5.74%)
• Oaklawn Elementary-            4.46%  (same as 4.46%)
• Knapp Elementary-               1.35% (down from 6.76%)
• Downsville Elementary-         2.63% (up from 0%)

With a number of early student exclusions expiring this week, and with the increased distancing now available at MHS, we are expecting the number of exclusions at the high school to drop over the next week. If the number of school exclusions is sustained at any school for a four-week period above 20%, or if a single day spikes above 50%, it is expected that the Dunn County Health Department will probably close that school for a period of time. The closure of a school would result in those students moving to the Safer-At-Home learning environment as noted on the 2020-2021 SDMA Instructional Models graphic.

The first home varsity football game of the season is scheduled for 7:00 pm this Friday, October 2. As previously communicated, spectator attendance will be limited to 50 parents of the senior players and cheerleaders. It is imperative that other students, parents, and community members refrain from gathering at the stadium or on the public areas adjacent to the stadium. Failure to comply with this expectation will result in the university revoking the school district's permission to use the stadium. The game is scheduled to be live streamed on the school district website and broadcast on the radio (online at wmeq.com or over the air on 880 AM and 106.3 FM).

Please encourage your children and members of your household to Wash Up, Back Up, and Mask Up.

Thank you.

Joe Zydowsky