On August 10, 2021, the Board of Education approved three learning choice options for families with students who are under the age of 12 and unable to receive the COVID vaccine. Families with students in 4K-6th grades can choose between a mask-required classroom, mask-recommended classroom, and a virtual classroom (no 4K virtual option). Any preference must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 15. This year’s virtual option is a semester-long commitment and will be re-evaluated should a vaccine become widely available for students under the age of 12.

Student Schedules and Course Mitigation Strategies

• Elementary students will resume all specials courses (art, music, library, phy ed) in their designated spaces (e.g. gym) with appropriate cleaning protocols.
• Middle School students will participate in a normal schedule without cohorts.
• Course-specific mitigation measures are being developed but it is expected we will resume all courses and offerings (including elementary music). Outdoor or large group spaces will be used when practical/possible.

The District will leverage its significant investment in ionization technology in all classrooms and large group spaces to reduce airborne particles through the airflow from our high-quality HVAC systems. Distancing will occur in our classrooms as space and furniture allow, more common at middle and high school than at elementary. 

We will continue to deploy best practice cleaning protocols as well as provide increased access to hand sanitizer and offer frequent opportunities to wash hands.

Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, for all students in 4K-6th grade mask-recommended classrooms, and all students in grades 7-12. Any staff member who engages with 4K-6th grade students in mask-required classrooms must wear a mask. For all other staff members, masks are strongly recommended. Recent CDC guidelines recommend masks be worn by all people in a school, including those who are fully vaccinated. 

The Board of Education has also directed District Administration to establish thresholds that would guide any change to an approach with masking. These thresholds, and any corresponding action, would require Board approval.

Our data suggests that while our overall proficiency levels experienced only a slight downturn from pre-pandemic levels, the percentage of students meeting growth targets declined. In response, 121 students participated in summer school interventions. 

Additionally, many teaching and learning best practices were disrupted during shifts to modes of learning and cohorting models last year. These practices are designed to challenge and support all students in their learning journey. A return to a more traditional bell schedule at elementary and middle school will prioritize literacy and math instruction as well as intervention/extension time.

The District’s 2021-2022 Strategy Map prioritized a culture of wellness for students and staff this year, recognizing the physical and mental toll the pandemic has had on our school communities.

We will welcome back to in-person learning the 20% of our students who learned virtually all last year. We will support our students and staff members’ social and emotional needs, while also supporting their work towards rigorous teaching and learning standards through a “both/and” approach. And finally, each school will intentionally deploy strategies to instill a sense of belonging for all students and staff. 

COVID Testing

Students and staff members should stay home when they have signs or symptoms of any infectious illness and contact their healthcare provider for testing and care.

In an effort to support our community and remove barriers to testing, the District is partnering with a community laboratory to establish protocols for providing school-based access to rapid (within 24 hours) PCR diagnostic testing for students (FERPA compliant and requires parent permission) and staff concerned about a school-based exposure or who develop symptoms while at school.
Additionally, the District is establishing protocols to require onsite screening of all District staff who are not fully vaccinated, at least once per week, with rapid (within 24 hours) report results.

Responding to Positive Cases

Timely and Transparent Communication

• Parents/Guardians of students and staff members will be notified via email if they have had a school-based exposure to a COVID positive person. 
• The District will collaborate with the county public health department to assess any community-based spread in a classroom, grade level or school.
• The District will use student attendance data, school disease data, and community and regional data to inform decisions and COVID response next steps. Families are encouraged to monitor disease and vaccine data found on the Department of Health Services website.