USD 405 - Lyons
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 and begins
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:
(A) 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.
(B) Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).
The superintendent in conjunction with the district COVID team, as necessary, will monitor the KDHE COVID gating criteria to make decisions on implementing physical distancing.
(C) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
Students will wash their 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 at least 2 sanitizer dispensers to make sure it is easily available to students in their rooms.
(D ) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.
Desks will be cleaned at least daily at all schools and more often if gating criteria shows a need for it. 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. Indoor air quality (IAQ) studies will be conducted to determine the best course of action in each building and location within the buildings for air quality improvement methods. The board of education ad hoc HVAC committee will work closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to improve IAQ as the budget and other considerations allow.
(E) 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 if there is a negative test on the 7th day.
(F) Diagnostic and screening testing.
COVID 19 rapid tests will be available for use by district health staff. Permission will be obtained by parents of all students under 18 before a test is administered. A test can be requested by parents and will be offered to parents if a student feels ill or is presenting symptoms.
(G) Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.
We will continue to make our students and staff aware of opportunities to be vaccinated in our community.
(H) 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.
(I) 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:
(A) 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 the least restrictive format possible, using the hybrid or remote plans developed for the 2020-21 school year.
(B) Students' and staff social, emotional, mental health
Using ESSER funds we will be contracting licensed professionals as needed to assist with students and staff who need additional social, emotional, and mental health support.
(C) 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. We are also hiring a full-time athletic trainer that will be able to support our school nurse in contact tracing, screening, and notifications if needed.
American Rescue Plan Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
Revised June 2021