Fullerton Public Schools

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The purpose of this document is to provide a framework for how Fullerton Public Schools will respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the educational program during the 2020-2021 school year. The document is structured using a “risk condition dial” (as determined in conjunction with the East Central District Health Department - Columbus) to allow for a response to changing conditions.

Using the “risk condition dial:”

GREEN – low risk - will represent the conditions being near normal.

YELLOW – moderate risk - will represent increased cases or risk within the community. Increased safety measures will be implemented where appropriate.

ORANGE - high risk -will represent increased cases and risk within the community and/or building. Consultation with the Health Department will occur. Increased safety measures will be implemented that may include an alternate education delivery system such as alternating days, remote learning, etc.

RED –severe risk – will represent greatly increased cases and risk within the community and/or building. Will consult with Health Department. Remote learning (at home) will be implemented.

Key Points of the Fullerton Schools Plan

Temperature checks for all staff and students will be conducted each morning to allow entrance into the building or a school bus. Temperatures must be under 100.4 degrees to allow entrance.
Students may not enter the building for the regular school day until 7:45 a.m.
Breakfast will be “grab and go” and all students will proceed to 1^st period and/or homeroom.
Use of Masks – Our East Central Department of Health District (and many others) has concluded the wearing of a mask is considered to be an effective method to keep students and staff at a “low risk” of infection. Wearing a mask, therefore, lessens the chance of a required quarantine as determined in conjunction with the Health Department through contact tracing. In the event of exposure, quarantine time for a student and/or staff member could be influenced by whether or not masks were worn. Quarantines may have a minimum of 14 days.

The following reflects the use of masks within the Fullerton plan based upon the risk dial:

Staff –(when social distancing is not achievable)

In Green – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Yellow and Orange – Required

Students -(when social distancing is not achievable)

In Green – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Yellow – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Orange – Required

Mask breaks will be conducted throughout the day for both staff and students when social distancing opportunities allow. Staff and students will be provided cloth masks. Staff and students may bring their own masks as long as they meet safety and school guidelines.

Basic Protocol for Confirmed Cases
1. When the district is officially informed of a Covid-19 positive case, steps will be taken to work directly with the Health District for contact tracing efforts in determining the risk level and quarantine requirements.
2. A student or staff member who has been identified to have contracted Covid-19 will be required to work with health officials and our nurse to obtain approval to return to school.

Letter to Parents and Students

July 31, 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

There is no doubt that the 2020-2021 school year will be challenging as we reopen under the current conditions placed upon us all from the presence of Covid-19. Our focus will be to reopen and keep our doors open to as normal of a school year, as possible, all while keeping student and staff health at the forefront. That being said, the district has created a very basic and flexible plan that we believe will allow us to bring all K-12 students back and maneuver throughout the school year. The official plan will be released on or near Saturday, August 1 (via our school website and Facebook).

The following are some of the items that will be addressed by the plan:

Risk Dial from the East Central District Health Department

The district will use a “risk condition framework” that includes low risk (GREEN) to moderate risk (YELLOW) to high risk (ORANGE) to severe risk (RED). The level will be determined in conjunction with the Health Department due to identified cases and conditions within the county. The higher the risk level the greater the restrictions and modifications necessary to keep our doors open and provide a safe environment.

Key Points of the Fullerton Public Schools Plan

1. Temperature Checks -Temperature checks for all staff and students will be conducted each morning to allow entrance into the building or a school bus. Temperatures must be under 100.4 degrees to allow entrance.

2. Social Distancing at School – Efforts will be made to create social distancing when possible. This will be a challenging task as many classrooms are small.

3. Meals- Breakfast will be “grab and go” and eaten in the classrooms. Lunch will be served in the elementary classrooms and 7-12 students will be socially distanced in the cafeteria.

4. Cleaning- Cleaning and disinfecting efforts will be modified if risk levels increase.

5. Confirmed Cases of Covid-19 - We understand that some students and staff may be diagnosed with Covid-19 at some point during the school year. Having confirmed cases within the building will not necessarily mean the school will close down and go to remote learning. In every situation we will work diligently with our Health District and our school nurse to determine the risk of spread and the steps that should be taken to address the issues.

Basic Protocol for Confirmed Cases

1. When the district is officially informed of a Covid-19 positive case, steps will be taken to work directly with the Health District for contact tracing efforts in determining the risk level and quarantine requirements.
2. A student or staff member who has been identified to have contracted Covid-19 will be required to work with health officials and our nurse to obtain approval to return to school.

6. Use of Masks – Our East Central Department of Health District (and many others) has concluded the wearing of a mask is considered to be an effective method to keep students and staff at a “low risk” of infection. Wearing a mask, therefore, lessens the chance of a required quarantine as determined in conjunction with the Health Department through contact tracing. In the event of exposure, quarantine time for a student and/or staff member could be influenced by whether or not masks were worn. Quarantines may have a minimum of 14 days.

The following reflects the use of masks within the Fullerton plan based upon the risk dial color:

Staff –(when social distancing is not achievable)

In Green – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Yellow and Orange – Required

Students -(when social distancing is not achievable)

In Green – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Yellow – Highly Recommended/Optional

In Orange – Required

Mask breaks will be conducted throughout the day for both staff and students when social distancing opportunities allow.

Staff and students will be provided cloth masks. Staff and students may bring their own masks as long as they meet safety and school guidelines.

Please keep in mind that this plan is a basic guide for the district to maneuver throughout a very challenging year. Changes within the plan could very well occur a number of times as conditions warrant. Our goal, very simply, is to create a safe environment for students and staff to be in our building each day. We will rely heavily on the cooperation and patience of our staff, students, parents and entire community. This will not be an easy year, but we will march forward with our best efforts to safely provide our students with a positive and successful school year. School begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14!

Go Warriors!

Dr. Jeff Anderson, Supt.

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