MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — Classes are canceled at St. Thomas Academy (STA) in Mendota Heights Thursday and Friday after a parent in the school community tested positive for the coronavirus.
Visitation School is also closed as the school shares students and resources with STA.
Interim Headmaster Rear Admiral John E. Crowley sent a communication home to STA families informing them of the situation. "Out of an abundance of caution, and as we gather additional information, we are canceling school and all activities on campus tomorrow, Thursday, March 12. Out of practicality and proximity of Spring Break we are extending the closing to Friday, March 13 as well," Crowley wrote.
Crowley said in his release that the individual has not been on campus.
STA leaders found out about the positive test Wednesday night, and a school spokesperson says they are working with the Minnesota Department of Health and Dakota County Public Health Services to determine the appropriate course of action. They add that the MDH has informed them that this situation is one of very low risk.
The spokesperson says although STA has been stepping up cleaning procedures for a number of weeks over concerns about the coronavirus, a deep cleaning will be conducted Thursday and Friday according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
"Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we do all we can to keep our community safe," Crowley wrote. "We are taking this matter very seriously."
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