2021 Back to school - Covid-19 Communication

Parents/Guardians,

Some of you may be wondering what school will look like when it resumes on August 19, 2021.  School will look very similar to how it did most of last year. Masks will be strongly encouraged, but not mandatory for staff, students, or teachers, but they will be allowed to wear them if they so choose.  Parents and students will not have the option of remote learning for the 2021-2022 school year.  If at any point someone is put in quarantine, they will still be asked to do modified quarantine (listed below).     

Modified Quarantine Requirements:

These modified quarantine requirements are contingent on the close contacts of a case remaining asymptomatic and are not in the household that you reside. Students and staff who have had exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the following practices prior to and during the school day:

• Parental Choice: Parents who are not comfortable with sending their children to modified quarantine have the option of keeping their kids at home in regular quarantine.  Students will not be allowed to attend class virtually while not at school.   

• Transportation: Students on modified quarantine will be allowed to ride the bus, but will be required to wear a mask.  

• Arrival and dismissal times: Both students and staff on modified quarantine may arrive at and leave school among the non-quarantined people in the building, but are required to wear a mask upon arrival. At the Jr/Sr high school students will report directly to the modified quarantine room and not mingle with other students before the school day begins.  Staff will be able to stay in the classroom but will be required to social distance at all times and wear a mask.  Elementary students will remain in their general classrooms and be mandated to wear masks, socially distance when applicable, and take part in all school activities.

• Pre-screen: We will ask that parents/guardians to monitor for symptoms at home. Notify the school administration of any symptoms that develop and stay home.

• Medical check-in: Modified quarantine students and staff will be checked on periodically by school administration or other designated employees. If the quarantined student or staff becomes sick during the day, they will be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace will be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during the quarantine period should notify the school administration and be picked up from school. Families will be encouraged to contact the county health department. 

• Wear a mask: Modified quarantine students and staff must always wear a facemask/face covering while in the school. Refusal to wear a mask will result in the staff member or the student being sent home for regular quarantine. Students who have a medical exemption from wearing a mask are still required to wear a face-covering while in modified quarantine.  If any student or staff member has been vaccinated, he or she will not be required to wear a mask unless they become symptomatic.  All students and staff will be required to provide proof of vaccination to the school for this to come into effect.  

• Physical separation: When able, modified quarantine students and staff should be physically separated from the general school population through groupings, classroom arrangements, and assigned seating as directed by the school administration. At the Junior/Senior High School, Lab 102 would be used to separate modified quarantine students from the general student population for the majority of the school day. Elementary students will remain in their general classrooms and be mandated to wear masks, socially distance when applicable, and take part in all school activities, excluding choir, unless they become symptomatic.

• Lunch: Modified quarantine students and staff may be directed to a designated lunch location/area by staff.  The Jr/Sr high students and staff will eat lunch in the modified quarantine room.  The elementary school will continue to have lunch in the cafeteria, but the modified quarantined students will have their own tables.  

• School activities: Modified quarantine students and staff may participate in activities but will be required to wear a mask. They will not be required to wear a mask during vigorous physical activity or if able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others and are outdoors.  While students are in modified quarantine, they will be required to wear face coverings during elementary PE and recess. 

• Outside of school: Modified quarantine students and staff may still participate in outside activities at this time. It is advised that those in modified quarantine respect that they may be asymptomatic carriers and to wear masks whenever they are unable to maintain 6 feet distance or are indoors. It would also be advised to avoid contact with family members or others who are vulnerable to serious diseases such as the elderly or immunocompromised. 

Required Cleaning/Disinfection/Sanitation

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces in the classroom with products meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2 and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• If materials are used by multiple people – disinfect between shared use.

• Conduct targeted and more frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces of shared spaces (e.g., tables and chairs, railings, door handles).