Superintendent Update for 01-04-2022
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District OR-1 “Return to School” Protocols for Second Semester
Updated Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Panther Families,
Before school starts again for the second semester tomorrow morning, I just wanted to reach out with a more specific update related to our “Return to School” protocols. Please note: these protocols are subject to change at any time in accordance with current local health conditions and updated health department guidance. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience!
As stated in an earlier update, masks will not be required at Bennet Elementary or Palmyra High School to start the second semester. This includes students and staff riding in district vehicles.
Given the current conditions, masks are recommended at both the high school and the elementary (especially for those with weakened immune systems or those who have family members with adverse health conditions). Please continue to constantly monitor your own family health conditions, stay home as needed, and notify school officials immediately if your student is sick to keep others from getting ill.
Delta and Omicron variant cases continue to escalate in our area (and across the nation) and this trend could continue throughout the immediate future. Positivity rates may continue to climb, but all children aged 5 and above have now had a chance to get fully vaccinated and students 16 and older have the opportunity for a booster shot as well and these elements should strengthen our ability to keep students in school.
Protecting our students and staff from getting sick is still our paramount concern, but we are also extremely concerned about the continued (and extended) loss of learning our students continue to demonstrate. Additionally, increased isolation, disconnection from peers, developmental delays, lack of resources and access for remote learning, behavior issues (inattention, impulse control,etc.) and the social and mental health challenges our students continue to experience is also critical to address. Student and staff safety remains our highest priority and everyone working together will help us successfully navigate the continuing challenges presented by this virus.
Additional Information:
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Mask Types: Even though masks are not required, many students and staff will elect to wear a mask so we ask that everyone continue to be respectful and supportive of each individual choice. If an individual chooses to mask, we ask that they consider using a higher quality mask than may have been utilized in the past. These higher quality masks would be more than just a cloth face covering and could include disposable surgical-style masks like KN95 or N95 masks. We will still have some of the masks we have used in the past available to students, but if families would like to increase the level of mask protection; please consider the types mentioned earlier.
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Self-Screening: Keeping individuals who are sick away from those who are healthy is a universal precaution that will reduce overall illness and help maintain school stability and increase the chances to continue “in person” student learning. In order to be as efficient as possible with this, we ask that students, staff, and visitors complete our “self-screening” protocol daily before entering our buildings and coming to school. This protocol is listed below:
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Self Screening Protocol: If you answer “Yes” to any of the first three questions listed below, do not come to school or enter one of our buildings. If you answer “Yes” to the last question, please make sure you are following our “close contact” protocol listed below and wear a mask.
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Do you have one of the following symptoms?
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Fever of over 100.4 degrees
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Onset of a dry cough
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Loss of taste or smell
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Have you had two (or more) of the following symptoms for longer than 24 hours?
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Chills (lasting for over two hours)
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Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
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Sore throat
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Headache
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Muscle Aches
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Have you been directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a school official or health provider?
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Have you had “close contact” with someone who has tested positive for COVID -19?
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“Close contact” means that you have been around the positive individual (closer than six feet) for longer than 15 minutes within the same day without wearing a mask.
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School Exclusion, Positive Case Procedures, and “Close Contact” Guidance
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School Exclusion: At the recommendation of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD), we will return to "normal" school exclusion criteria which includes fever, persistent cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. The exclusion criteria is also listed in our high school and elementary school student handbooks. In addition, if a student or staff member has a recent loss of taste or smell, they will be excluded as if they were COVID-19 positive unless they present a negative PCR lab test result. Please note: A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is where a sample is collected (typically by a licensed healthcare provider) with a nasal or throat swab, or saliva collected by spitting into a tube. This is different from a rapid test.
Positive COVID-19 Diagnosis (Isolation): If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they should isolate at home for 5-days from the date the positive COVID-19 test sample was collected. If individuals do not have symptoms or if symptoms are resolving and the person is fever free for at least 24-hours, they can return to school on day 6 if they are willing to wear a mask through day 10. This is a consistent standard which will be used in schools across Nebraska. If a student or staff cannot wear a mask, they would continue to be excluded for 10 days similar to the previous isolation criteria. There are no mask exemptions.
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“Close Contact” Exposure (Quarantine): The following criteria will be used by the health department in making quarantine decisions as it relates to school students and staff at the start of second semester:
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Students and staff will not be excluded from school for quarantine if they are deemed a “close contact” so long as they are willing to wear a mask for 10 consecutive days following exposure while at school or participating in school activities.
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Individuals are strongly recommended to be tested using a COVID-19 PCR test on day 5 after the exposure.
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Students or staff who have an on-going high-risk exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual who is unable to isolate (i.e., living in the same household with someone who is unable to isolate) will need to remain at home until the positive individual completes 5 days of isolation.
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If symptoms develop at any time during the 10 days following exposure, an individual will be excluded as if they were COVID-19 positive until they can present a negative COVID-19 PCR lab test result or otherwise complete an isolation period as described above.
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If a student or staff member cannot wear a mask, they will be excluded from school for the duration of the 10-day quarantine period.
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Enhanced Protocols:
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If health conditions change, District OR-1 will utilize enhanced mitigation protocols in response to a COVID-19 outbreak or elevated levels of illness within a classroom, grade level, or a school building. These enhanced protocols will be implemented in order to maintain school continuity and “in person” learning. At this point, there are still no “remote learning” options for students.
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Enhanced protocols may include procedures such as enhanced cleaning, required mask wearing, reduced lunchroom density, minimizing transitions to different classrooms, more frequent hand washing, and daily temperature checks. Students, staff, and families will be notified of the need to employ any of these strategies along with the corresponding rationale.
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Please note that if we utilize any of these "enhanced protocols", they will be reevaluated at a minimum every two-weeks and these changes will be communicated to you as soon as possible.
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While I remain hopeful that our COVID positive numbers and the rates of student and staff illnesses stay as low as possible, I also understand the realistic possibility that we could experience higher illness and positivity rates as we are seeing throughout the area and country. If that happens, we will adjust as needed.
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Our goal is to keep students in school and we hope that these enhanced protocols would allow us to maintain that goal.
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Vaccinations: COVID-19 vaccination is currently available for individuals 5 years of age and older. Individuals 16 years of age and older are also eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Click here for more information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and local availability. It is also not too late to receive a seasonal flu vaccine with reported cases of influenza already circulating in the community. We encourage individuals and families to weigh the merits of vaccination for themselves and their children in consultation with a family physician. Covid or flu vaccines are not required in our district.
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Staffing:
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Covid and illnesses in general have not only impacted student absences, but staff absences as well. Keeping that in mind, we were very blessed that we were able to operate as normal as possible in the first semester. I am hopeful that trend continues, but I also want to remain transparent in the fact that if we are unable to adequately staff our classrooms, bus routes, food service, etc. this will negatively impact our ability to operate effectively. We all want students in school, but there are limits to what we can do in order to prevent disruption to the services we provide.
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In summary, the continued challenges associated with this virus are complicated and we understand that there will be some varying perspectives on these decisions.Thank you again for your understanding and patience as we continue to navigate through this most unprecedented time.
Have a good rest of your night,
Mike
Go Panthers!
