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USD 269 Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

June 22, 2021

USD 269 Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

This plan will change and evolve as the 2021-22 school year approaches

PART I.

Describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:

1. Universal and correct wearing of masks.

We will use a variety of factors to determine if masks are necessary for any of our students or staff. Decisions for mandating masks will be made by a vote of the Board of Education with input from local doctors, county health officials, and CDC/KDHE guidance. 

2. Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).

The superintendent will monitor the covid positivity rate and number of positive cases in our district to make decisions on implementing physical distancing. 

3. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.

Students will wash hands before lunch and will use hand sanitizer on a regular basis throughout the day. Hand sanitizer stations will be maintained at every exterior door where students and staff regularly enter and exit. Sanitizer stations will also be set up at lunch lines for additional opportunities to sanitize. All classrooms will be continually stocked with a sanitizer dispenser to make sure it is easily available to students in their rooms. 

4. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.

Desks will be cleaned at least daily at DES and at least twice a day at PJSHS. High touch surfaces such as door knobs, water fountains, and handrails will be wiped down throughout the day by custodial staff. Fresh air intakes will be opened on applicable HVAC units to maximize ventilation. 

5. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.

We will follow all quarantine and isolation directives from our county health officer. In the event of a positive case of COVID 19, our health staff will conduct internal contact tracing and we will remove unvaccinated close contacts from school for 10 days, or 7 days with a negative test on the 7th day.

6. Diagnostic and screening testing.

COVID 19 tests will be available at Rooks County Health Department. All students will be referred to the Rooks County Health Department. 

7. Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.

We will continue to make our students and staff aware of opportunities to be vaccinated in our communities.

8. Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.

We will work with our special education staff to ensure that our special education students have full access to appropriate educational supports even if we are forced to alter our delivery model. 

9. Coordination with State and local health officials.

The superintendent will continue to monitor information available from KSDE and KDHE to ensure that the district is ready for statewide changes to policies or recommendations. The superintendent will also communicate with the county health officer on a regular basis to monitor the current situation in the county and district.

Part II.

Describe how the district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:

1. services to address students' academic needs 

Using ESSER funds we have improved our ability to deliver remote and hybrid instruction. In the event of a widespread breakout we will return to remote learning with specialized small group instruction as deemed safe by the county health officer.

2. students' and staff social, emotional, mental health 

We will continue to work with students and their families to help them deal with the stresses of the pandemic. 

3. other needs, which may include student health and food services.

We have contingency plans and materials for quickly changing to grab and go meals if a shutdown is required.