USD 434 District plan to return to school safely 2022-2023
USD 434 District plans for Safe Return to
In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
PART I.
The district will maintain the health and safety of all students, staff, and visitors which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:
Universal and correct wearing of masks
Mask mandates have been removed in District Buildings and on District Property. Any staff, student or visitor will have the choice as to whether or not they wear a mask. Further guidance from KDHE and the Osage County Health Department will be taken into consideration.
At any point in time during the school year we may adopt reasonable safety measures to protect the safety of district personnel, students, and visitors during school-related activities if needed. Reasonable safety measures may include, but may not be limited to, cleaning and sanitization plans, use of physical safeguards and barriers, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Exceptions to any requirements may be granted as required by law, state, county, and/or local health officials, and on a case-by-case basis. The district will continue to monitor national, state, and local government and health agency mandates, guidance, and recommendations as well.
If there are changes in policy those will be communicated to all stakeholders. The district will train and prepare stakeholders for any new policies that may be made during the school year.
Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing and temperature checks (e.g., use of cohorts/podding)
Physical distancing and temperature requirements will not be mandated at this time. Further guidance from KDHE and the Osage County Health Department will be taken under advisement.
Hand washing and respiratory etiquette
Hand washing and respiratory etiquette will continue to be taught to students with emphasis and practice protocols rehearsed more frequently in the primary grade levels. Signage will continue to be posted throughout our buildings as reminders of hand washing and respiratory etiquette. In addition, hand sanitizing stations and liquids will continue to be made available for use in all classrooms.
Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation
Custodial staff will continue to follow specific cleaning protocols and procedures. The district will continue to consider assignments/reassignments to applicable shifts in order to continually clean high traffic and high contact surfaces. The district will continue to use cleaning solutions that are rated to eliminate the COVID-19 virus. HVAC systems are in the process of being evaluated for updates and improvements.
Contact tracing in combination with isolation and exposure, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.
The district nursing staff will no longer do contact tracing. People with COVID-19 symptoms are most contagious 2-3 days after symptoms begin, but you are contagious in the 2 days before developing symptoms and for up to 10 days after symptoms start. People who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms can still spread the virus and are considered contagious 2 days before a positive test sample was collected and for up to 10 days after.
Positive for COVID-19
- Follow current recommendations and guidelines for the 10-day isolation period.
- Notify the school so that the absence may be appropriately documented.
- Isolate at home for a full 5 days and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication (minimum 5-day isolation), followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitting mask.
- During Isolation: stay home, avoid contact with other members of your household and pets, and do not share items. Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others.
- Notify any possible close contacts of potential exposure.
Close Contacts are defined as anyone being within 6 feet of a person positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period. When a person tests positive, they are responsible for notifying their close contacts as soon as possible about any potential exposures. Close contacts should then follow current recommendations and:
- Follow Test to Know guidelines.
- Observe for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days after exposure.
- Remain home if any symptoms develop and test as soon as possible.
Diagnostic and screening testing
Students, staff, and community members can access COVID-19 diagnostic or screening tests through a variety of community partners. School nurses and health support staff will continue to monitor for symptoms, trends, clusters, and request that students and staff seek medical services as appropriate. The district will have rapid testing at the nursing stations in each building if students/families wish to be tested at school.
Test to Know
This plan provides testing to anyone exposed to someone with COVID-19 or anyone that would like to know their status.
Non-Household Contacts
- Students/teachers/staff who choose to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask daily for at least 10 days after exposure should be tested on day 5 following their exposure.
- Students/teachers/staff who chose not to wear a mask should be tested upon notification of their exposure then every other day through day 7.
Household Contacts
- Students/teachers/staff who are close household contacts who choose to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask daily should mask while household exposure is ongoing and for 10 days following their last exposure, testing on day 5 after last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.
- Students/teachers/staff who are close household contacts who chose not to wear a mask should be tested upon notification of their exposure then every other day through day 7after last exposure.
District health protocols for fever/vomiting are still in effect.
USD 434 will adhere to the current guidelines regarding COVID-19 as provided by KDHE, CDC, and our local health department. Santa Fe Trail School District has prioritized the ability to attend school as often as possible and is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff by following the School Testing Program provided by KDHE. It has been effective at preventing transmission and should be continued to enable students and staff to safely remain in school.
Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities
School staff has been provided with vaccination opportunities. Local agencies and pharmacies are making vaccinations available to students. The District will not refuse, withhold from, or deny a person any services, goods, facilities, advantages, privileges, licensing, educational opportunities, health care access, or employment opportunities based on the person's COVID-19 vaccination status.
Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies
The district will provide reasonable, necessary, and appropriate accommodations to its policies and practices for students with disabilities as determined by individual student needs and in accordance with an individual’s documented accommodations and/or individualized education plan (IEP). Parents or guardians of students requiring accommodations should contact the applicable building administrator(s) to request information on plans for students with disabilities
Coordination with State and local health officials
Applicable district personnel currently participate, and will continue to participate, with our local county health department and/or agencies on a frequent basis to determine next steps as needed.
Part II.
The district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:
Services to address students' academic needs
The district has implemented a summer learning program to assist students with academic recovery. The district plans to continue full time in-person instruction beginning the fall of 2021. Additional instructional personnel have been added or reassigned where possible to implement further academic recovery efforts in core curriculum areas. Where possible, specialists, para-educators, and educational consultants will be available and utilized during the instructional day, on professional development days, and/or during before and after school programs throughout the year to support students.
Students' and staff social, emotional, mental health
The district has K-12 staff to monitor and address the social and emotional learning needs of our students. We will continue to partner our district social worker, counselors, teachers, administrators, and local mental health services with the goal of helping students and families overcome obstacles with connecting to school. Staff social and emotional wellness and mental health are also top priorities for the district as we move into the new school year. Training, support, and collaboration will be put in place to ensure our staff have resources they need to be successful.