USD 232 Families –
With about 18-days remaining in the school year, our priority is to keep students and staff safe while finishing the school year strong with in-person activities and celebrations, like graduation. Mitigation measures, including masking, have made in-person learning and these activities possible.

As many of you may know by now, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners will allow the current public health order requiring masks be worn in public spaces to expire at the end of the day on April 30. In its place, the county will issue a resolution on May 1 to strongly recommend masking in public spaces.  This decision was made at least in part because of the availability of vaccines in the county.

The school district’s policy requiring masks was adopted on July 13, 2020.  Given that there is not a vaccine available to anyone under the age of 16 and having students in close proximity for long periods of time, it is important that the mask requirement remain in place for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

Only the Board of Education can take action to amend or change the current policy. Kansas law gives Boards of Education sole authority to take actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes learning modes, emergency school closures and other mitigation strategies such as masking, social distancing and other efforts.

The district will continue to follow guidance for schools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE). This means staff, students and guests will be required to wear masks to school and district facilities. Wearing masks and other mitigation steps are critical to helping limit the spread of the virus.

Decisions about next school year and any COVID-19 mitigation will be made and shared with staff and families during the summer.

We can do this, together.  Better and brighter days are just around the corner.

USD 232 Administration

-end message-

March 30, 2021 

Updated April 14, 2021

For Secondary Schools (grades 6-12)  

USD 232 Families – 

We are writing to share updated COVID-19 public health guidance for schools provided by the Johnson County Department of Health Environment (JCDHE). 

Beginning March 30, JCDHE will apply an adapted airplane model for secondary students (grades 6-12) as it relates to identifying exposure to a positive case of COVID-19. In this model, any secondary students sitting immediately next to and in front of an infected individual will be considered a moderate risk exposure, if properly masked. If an infected individual is identified as not masking properly, then individuals sitting within 6 feet of the infected person may be considered a high-risk exposure. Alternatively, if an infected person masks well, then individuals who are not masking properly and sitting within 6 feet of the infected individual may be considered a high-risk exposure.

What does moderate risk mean?  
An individual is identified as having a moderate-risk exposure to COVID-19. 

• Students will not be excluded from school for a moderate-risk exposure if they remain asymptomatic. 
• Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days following exposure. 

Free Testing 
JCDHE recommends moderate risk individuals who do not have symptoms receive a PCR test six (6) days after their exposure. The school can provide a free PCR test for students (with parental consent) and staff members. The test is not required but is recommended.  

Secondary Schools 
The moderate risk criteria are being applied to only secondary schools due to the inability for these students to be cohorted, which increases the likelihood of spread through a much larger group (e.g., an entire grade).

Symptoms of COVID-19  
A loss of taste and/or smell is characteristic for COVID-19. Individuals with this symptom will be considered presumed positive regardless of negative test results or exposure history.  

Other symptoms include, but are not limited to: cough, loss of smell and/or taste, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, fatigue, congestion, shortness of breath, muscle aches/body aches, headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, and runny nose/congestion.  

Low-Risk Notification 
The moderate-risk exposure at secondary schools will replace the low-risk exposure. The district will no longer send COVID-19 low-risk notifications to students/families in grades 6-12. This change will not impact elementary schools, as low-risk notifications will remain in place. 

High-Risk Notification Letter
A person will receive a high-risk notification letter from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) indicating they had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. JCDHE carefully considers all information when determining isolation and quarantine recommendations. If a person was identified in the case investigation, their proximity to or nature of the interaction with the positive individual was enough to put them at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. Because the exposure is considered high risk and per public health recommendations, students will be excluded from school for 14 days from the date of last exposure, if no other exposures occur. If an infected individual is identified as not masking properly, then individuals sitting within 6 feet of the infected person would be considered a high-risk exposure. Alternatively, if an infected person masks well, then individuals who are not masking properly and sitting within 6 feet of the infected individual would be considered a high-risk exposure.

General Notification 
General notification letters will continue to be sent to everyone in a school (elementary and secondary) when there is a positive case which may have posed a risk of exposure of COVID-19 while at school.  

For current information and facts regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, refer to KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/ or the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s website at: https://www.jocogov.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update. 

January 25, 2021

USD 232 Families: 

We are writing to keep you informed that the school district remains on track to shift secondary students from the hybrid learning environment to full, on-site learning beginning Monday, February 1. Note: This does not impact students who specifically selected the Optional Remote Learning Model for second semester. 

The Board of Education took action during its regular meeting on January 11 to move secondary students (grades 6-12) to full, on-site learning. The decision is contingent on whether the school district remains within the Green category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria. As of Thursday, January 21, the district is within the Green category with the Quarantine and Isolation Modifier applied to the score. The administration will continue to monitor COVID-19 data leading up to February 1. 

Spectators/Visitors  
While the district is in the Green category for learning environments with a modifier applied to the gating criteria score, spectator and visitor protocols remain in the Yellow category. The Quarantine and Isolation Modifier is based only on student and staff data and does not apply to spectators/visitors.  

Effective Friday, January 29, secondary schools will allow two spectators per participant to attend student events and activities. Spectators will be required to wear masks and follow appropriate social distancing. Secondary schools will communicate spectator details to families. Passes to events and activities will not be accepted at this time.  This will be a change from the current protocol regarding spectators, which only allows two spectators per family.  

While the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) will shift its restriction for spectators from two participants per family to four participants per participant on Friday, January 29, the KSHSAA decision is less restrictive than the spectator protocol approved by the Board of Education. As such, USD 232 secondary schools will follow Board of Education guidelines for spectators. If KSHSAA were to implement more restrictive spectator restrictions than district guidelines, then schools would follow the KSHSAA protocols.

-end message-

As Johnson County Department of Health and Environment continues to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important for county residents to have timely, accurate information about when they will be eligible to be vaccinated, based on the state’s plan.

The county’s daily e-newsletter regularly includes the latest:

• Important information on testing and vaccines.
• Vital pandemic statistics.
• Links to valuable resources such as:
• Educational videos.
• Information to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Dashboards: COVID-19 information from Johnson County and KC Regional Hospital Data.
• Actions taken by the federal government, state of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, the Johnson County Board of Public Health and the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners as they pertain to residents and businesses in Johnson County, as well as updates.
• Highlights from the daily media update conducted by The University of Kansas Health System.

And more.

Sign-up is easy – go to jocogov.org/COVIDNewsletter. The daily e-newsletter is also available on the county’s website at jocogov.org and is posted on its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

January 12, 2021

USD 232 Families:

The Board of Education took action during its regularly scheduled meeting on January 11 to move secondary students (grades 6-12) to full in-person learning as of Monday, February 1. The decision is contingent on whether the school district remains within the Green category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria. The Board may call a special meeting over the next two weeks to reconsider the learning environment.

Important: Secondary students will transition to the Hybrid Learning Environment as planned on Wednesday, January 20, which is the official start of second semester. There will be no change for elementary students who are currently in the on-site learning environment.

The school district will monitor the metrics of the gating criteria to determine if full in-person instruction for secondary students continues to be supported by the data ahead of February 1. The Board of Education made the decision to shift learning environments with safety in mind.

Safety/Risk-Based Modifier
Dr. Frank Harwood, Superintendent of Schools, recommended applying a safety/risk-based modifier to the score of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria before determining the final color category. Data shows that schools can accommodate a higher level of community spread of the virus due to the many mitigation protocols in place. The modifier will consider the percentage of student and staff quarantines and isolations by indicating lower or higher prevalence of COVID-19 among students and staff. Although the spread of the virus is low at school, an increase in quarantines and isolations causes significant disruptions to learning.

Currently, the percentage of student/staff quarantines and isolations is at 2.84%. The school district has not been above 3.0% since the start of the school year. The Board of Education approved application of the new safety/risk-based modifier based on the historical data. The table below provides details of how the modifier is applied.

Impact of the Modifier
The most recent weekly total for quarantines and isolations for students and staff is 198. Based on the total number of on-site students and staff, the percentage is currently at 2.84%. The result subtracts one point from the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria (KSGC) score.

Using the KSCG scoring method approved by the Board of Education on December 21, the modified score places the district in the Green category. Based on this data, secondary students would shift to full in-person learning on Monday, February 1, as long as the modified KSGC score remains within the green category. The district will monitor the metrics of the gating criteria to determine if full in-person instruction continues to be supported by the data ahead of February 1. As such, the Board could call a special meeting to reconsider its decision to change learning environments.

The shift in learning environments will not impact those families that selected Optional Remote Learning Model for their students during second semester.

As a reminder, students in grades 6-12 will transition to the Hybrid Learning Environment as planned on Wednesday, January 20, which is the start of second semester.

Rentals of Facilities
The modified score of the gating criteria will not apply to current restrictions for rentals of district facilities and spaces. Contact the facilities department with questions about rentals.

Spectators & Visitors
The modified score of the gating criteria will not apply to current restrictions for spectators and visitors at school, activities, and events. Current restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

USD 232 Administration

#

January 4, 2021

USD 232 Staff and Families:

The Board of Education took action during a special meeting on Monday evening, December 21, to move secondary students to the Hybrid Learning Environment effective with the start of second semester on January 20, 2021. Elementary and Early Childhood students will remain in full-time, in-person learning.

For planning purposes, the school district released a hybrid learning schedule for middle and high schools to assist families and students. The current schedule is for January 20 through February 12. Schools will provide building-specific information. The hybrid schedule will not impact students registered for the Optional Remote Learning Model beginning January 20.

Calendar is Subject to Change
The Board of Education is scheduled to meet again on Monday, January 11 and will consider any new recommendations from the superintendent regarding learning environments for second semester. The following hybrid calendar is provided for planning purposes but is subject to change based on future Board action.

Hybrid Schedule for Secondary (middle/high) Schools, Jan. 20 - Feb. 12

• A Day = Blue
• B Day = Green
• C Day = Purple (remote day for students)

Calendar Change for January 15 – Half Day for Students, K-12; Half Day Staff Collaboration 
In other action on December 21, the Board of Education approved an administrative recommendation to change Friday, January 15, 2021, to be a half day for all students, grades K-12 and half day for staff collaboration. Previously, January 15 was a half day only for high school students. This change was approved to allow all teachers, especially elementary teachers, the staff collaboration time to prepare for the transition to second semester – as there are a number of students who registered to switch learning models (On-Site or Optional Remote) on January 20.

We are grateful for the support of our families, students, and staff during a challenging year. 

USD 232 Administration

#

December 22, 2020

USD 232 Staff and Families:

The Board of Education took action during a special meeting on Monday evening, December 21, to move secondary students to the Hybrid Learning Environment effective with the start of second semester on January 20, 2021.

The Board considered the recommendation from the Superintendent of Schools that the district is currently in the Yellow category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria. Early childhood and elementary students will remain in full-time, in-person learning. Middle and high school students will remain in the remote learning environment until the end of first semester, from January 5-15. This timing provides schools the ability to maintain instructional continuity in the final two weeks of the semester. It also allows time for teachers to enjoy the winter break with their families and prepare for the transition when they return in the new year.

Schools will provide building-specific information for students and families. Current learning supports in place for students with special needs will continue. Students registered for the Optional Remote Learning Model will continue with their current schedule through the end of the semester. District facilities will be closed to rentals through at least January 20, 2021.

New Scoring Method for Gating Criteria
The Superintendent’s COVID Advisory Committee met Thursday, December 17, and reviewed the most localized data available relating to the five data points of the Kansas State Department of Education Schools Gating Criteria for COVID-19. The most recent gating criteria information is available on the district’s website.

Note: The committee has no authority to make changes to the learning environment and only makes recommendations to the Superintendent.

The Board approved a recommendation to change how the metrics of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria are scored. Previously, the scores of the metrics were averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number to determine the recommended color category.

In acknowledgement of the concerns surrounding the social-emotional well-being of students, the metrics will now be totaled using a scale to determine the recommended color category of the gating criteria. This shifts the color categories down two points for recognition of social-emotional needs. The use of the scoring method will also make the application of weightings easier to understand if adopted in the near future.

Calendar Change for January 15 – Half Day for Students, K-12; Half Day Staff Collaboration 
In other action, the Board of Education approved an administrative recommendation to change Friday, January 15, 2021, to be a half day for all students, grades K-12 and half day for staff collaboration. Previously, January 15 was a half day only for high school students. This change was approved to allow all teachers, especially elementary teachers, the staff collaboration time to prepare for the transition to second semester – as there are a number of students who registered to switch learning models (On-Site or Optional Remote) on January 20.

We are grateful for the support of our families, students, and staff during a challenging year. Wishing each of you a wonderful winter break with all the warmth of the holiday season.

USD 232 Administration

# #

December 18, 2020

USD 232 Staff and Families:

The Board of Education scheduled a special meeting for Monday, December 21, at 6:00 p.m., to consider a recommendation from the Superintendent of Schools that the district is now in the Yellow category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria.

The Superintendent’s COVID Advisory Committee met Thursday, December 17, and reviewed the most localized data available relating to the five data points of the Kansas State Department of Education Schools Gating Criteria for COVID-19. The most recent gating criteria information is available on the district’s website.

Note: The committee has no authority to make changes to the learning environment and only makes recommendations to the Superintendent.

Special Meeting
Information will be presented to the Board of Education at the special meeting scheduled for December 21. The Board will consider various recommendations and then decide whether to change the learning environment for students in January 2020.

Individuals who desire to submit comments to the Board of Education may do so electronically in advance of the meeting. > Submit Comments to the Board by noon on Monday, Dec. 21.

The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be live streamed. > https://bit.ly/usd232youtube.
Seating will be limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.

USD 232 Administration

# # # 

December 10, 2020

USD 232 Families:

The Board of Directors of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) took action this week to modify its restrictions for spectators at school events and activities.

A limited number of spectators will be able to attend interscholastic activities to equal no more than two (2) parents/guardians per participant’s family. This modification is supported by the school district’s current gating criteria approved by the USD 232 Board of Education.

Effective Friday, December 11, 2020, USD 232 secondary schools will allow no more than two (2) parents/guardians per participant’s family. Spectator numbers may be reduced depending on the specific venue.

Spectator Guidelines

• Anyone entering the school building must wear an appropriate face mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times.
• Social distancing by household groups with a minimum of six feet distancing required between groups.
• Tickets will allow attendance of no more than two (2) parents/guardians per participant’s family.
• Tickets for parents/guardians are not transferrable if they are unable to attend the event.
• Spectators will not be allowed near participant groups. All spectators must remain off competition areas. ONLY essential personnel will be allowed near participants.
• All passes are suspended until spectator restrictions are lifted. This includes League Passes, USD 232 staff ID’s, Family Passes, All Sport Passes, etc.
• Spectators are expected to exit the building when their participant’s event/activity has concluded.
• All spectator guidelines are subject to change based on local guidelines and conditions.

Spectators who do not comply with these guidelines will be asked to leave the venue with no refund.

Secondary schools will communicate school-specific information regarding the updated spectator restrictions. Please know that other school districts may enforce attendance guidelines that are more restrictive, impacting spectator attendance for away events/activities.

USD 232 Administration

# #

December 8, 2020

USD 232 Families:

We are writing to make you aware of revised guidelines for quarantine recommendations. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) updated its quarantine protocol following new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and acceptance by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The new guidelines provide additional options for individuals to shorten the recommended 14 days.  The CDC states that for optimal prevention of COVID-19 transmission, individuals should quarantine for 14 days following an exposure to someone with COVID-19.  CDC is not changing the incubation period for the virus.

What are the new quarantine recommendations?
There are now two options for a shorter quarantine period:

• Exposed individuals who have no symptoms of COVID-19 can shorten their quarantine to seven (7) days if they get a negative result from a PCR test (nasal swab or saliva) taken no earlier than on day five (5) of their quarantine. If the test is negative and the person has NO symptoms, the person may resume activities on day eight (8).
• If someone chooses not to get tested, they should remain in quarantine for ten (10) days and can resume activities on day eleven (11) if they have NO symptoms. 

Anyone who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms for 14 days and get tested if symptoms develop.

The state of Kansas and Johnson County will only rely on PCR test results to shorten the quarantine period. The PCR is more reliable than the antigen rapid test. Free PCR tests are widely available in Johnson County.

The school district will follow the new quarantine recommendations effective December 8, 2020. Staff or students who have been recommended for quarantine on December 4 or 7 may request a shorter period of time by providing confirmation of a negative PCR test administered during the appropriate timeframe to the school nurse or coronavirus contact tracer.

According to JCDHE and the CDC, quarantining and testing are important components in the understanding and controlling of the virus within the community. Even if someone does not have symptoms, it is recommended anyone exposed to COVID-19 consistently and correctly wear a mask, keep distance from those not in their household and wash hands frequently.

For more information, including additional data about COVID-19 in Johnson County, visit www.jocogov.org/coronavirus.

# #

November 30, 2020

USD 232 Families:

As some of you may be aware, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Board of Directors took action on November 24, 2020, regarding spectators at school KSHSAA events/activities.

Effective December 1, 2020 through January 28, 2021, spectators will not be allowed at KSHSAA events in response to the community spread of COVID-19.

The action by KSHSAA overrides the November 23 decision by the USD 232 Board of Education that would have allowed a maximum of two spectators per participant so long as the school district remained in the ORANGE category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria.

The KSHSAA directive regarding spectators is set to expire on January 28, 2021. Starting on January 29^th, spectator restrictions will be based on the current color category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria as adopted by the USD 232 Board of education.

In an effort to accommodate the KSHSAA action, our school will work to live stream as many games/events as possible.  Specific information about streaming will be provided by each school building.

In other action by KSHSAA Board of Directors: 
The winter activity competition season begins December 1 and continues through December 22 before taking a winter moratorium for practice and competition (no practice and no competition) beginning December 23. The winter moratorium on practice and competition will run through January 3, 2021. Practices may resume on January 4 and competition may resume on January 8.

We will continue to keep you informed should any changes occur.

Sincerely,

USD 232 Administration

#

November 17, 2020

USD 232 Families:

The Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday evening, November 16, to consider a recommendation pertaining to the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria. In acknowledgement and response to the growing spread of COVID-19 infections in Johnson County, the Board took action to identify the district as being in the Orange Category of the criteria and to modify the learning environment for secondary students (middle and high school).

Beginning November 30, 2020, all secondary students (grades 6-12) will shift to the remote learning environment. Elementary students will continue in the on-site (in-person) learning environment.

The district will continue to monitor health conditions / staffing patterns and will revisit the decision two to three weeks after the change in learning environment.

It is important to emphasize that the Board’s action is consistent with the adopted gating criteria and is based on the increasing spread of the virus across the county. As a result, the school district is seeing a rise in the number of students and employees who are in quarantine or isolation. The impact is affecting the district’s ability to fully staff buildings at all levels. Implementing remote learning for secondary students will allow the district to shift critical human resources to the elementary level, giving the district the best opportunity to keep elementary students at school for in-person learning.

Families and employees are asked to continue with mitigation efforts to help slow the spread of the virus. The district acknowledges that schools continue to do an exceptional job of implementing protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the schools. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand washing, for example, have helped to keep transmission low inside the school buildings. However, the district is seeing an impact on staffing due to the sharp increase in cases within the community.

Elementary Families
In light of the current situation in Johnson County, the district asks elementary parents to have a plan for the weeks ahead. Administration is working closely with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment to monitor conditions in our schools and the district. While the goal is for all students to have in-person instruction, changes in learning environments will occur if the health situation deteriorates. The district will provide as much notice as is possible under the given circumstances. Actions in response to localized outbreaks could mean shifting classrooms or buildings to remote learning with little notice.

Activities & Rentals
Because the district is in the Orange Category, it will suspend spectators at activities and events effective November 30. All rentals of facilities will also be suspended, except for the child care services provided by Johnson County Parks and Recreation District.

Background
At the direction of the Board of Education, the superintendent formed a COVID Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the superintendent on COVID-19 school gating criteria. The committee has no authority to make changes to the learning environment and only makes recommendations about the categories within the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria.

The superintendent’s advisory committee is made up of 17 individuals with the superintendent serving as chair.

• Five parents/patrons from across the district recommended by board members;
• Five staff members (an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, one member from health services, district mental health and human resources teams);
• Three outside experts (a public health professional, a medical professional, and a mental health professional); and
• Four ex officio members (three Board of Education members and superintendent).

We appreciate our families and staff during this challenging time. Please continue to follow the latest public health guidance and take preventative actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Despite the surge in COVID-19 cases, it is within our power to bend the curve again. We cannot relax our safety standards because it takes each of us doing our part in our daily activities. Wear your mask or face covering, maintain physical distance, wash your hands, and avoid crowded indoor gatherings and events when possible.  

Information about COVID-19 related communication

Defining a Case of COVID-19 Disease and the Infectious Period
A person is considered a case of COVID-19 disease if they have tested positive for the SARSCoV-2 virus by a diagnostic test. Based on what we currently know, a case is considered infectious three days prior to the onset of symptoms through at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For cases that do not have symptoms, the infectious period is considered as three days prior to the date the sample was collected through a minimum of 10 days from the date the sample was collected. Cases must remain in isolation until they have met the criteria for release from isolation set by state and/or county health departments.

Defining a Close Contact
A person is considered a close contact of a case if they were within six feet of the case for ten minutes or more over a 24-hour period, or if they had exposure to secretions (for example, being coughed or sneezed on). People who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive or presumed positive individual during that person’s infectious period are considered exposed and should quarantine. Close contacts are recommended to remain in quarantine until they have met the criteria for release from quarantine set by state/county health departments.

General Notification Letter
Schools will send a general notification letter to families and staff when an individual or individuals connected to the school test positive for the virus.

Low-Risk Notification Letter
A person may receive a low-risk notification letter indicating they may have had a low-risk exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Although the risk of developing COVID-19 based on this exposure is low, watch for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include, but not limited to, fever, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, muscle aches, chest pain, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, and runny nose.

High-Risk Notification Letter
A person will receive a high-risk notification letter from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) indicating they had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. JCDHE carefully considers all information when determining isolation and quarantine recommendations. If a person was identified in the case investigation, their proximity to or nature of the interaction with the positive individual was enough to put them at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. Because the exposure is considered high risk and per public health recommendations, students will be excluded from school for 14 days from the date of last exposure, if no other exposures occur.

USD 232 Administration

#

November 13, 2020

The Board of Education scheduled a special meeting for Monday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m., to consider a recommendation that the school district is now in the Orange category of the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria.

The district’s COVID Advisory Committee met Thursday, November 12, and reviewed the most localized data available relating to the five data points of the Kansas State Department of Education Schools Gating Criteria for COVID-19. Note: The committee has no authority to make changes to the learning environment and only makes recommendations to the Superintendent about the categories within the gating criteria.

Johnson County added thousands of new COVID-19 cases in November with its 14-day positivity rate spiking to its highest percentage rate at any point in the pandemic. Hospital capacity and the medical staff necessary to accommodate patients is reaching a critical point in the metro area. The community spread of COVID-19 is evident within USD 232 schools as the number of individuals recommended for quarantine and isolation jumped by 150 students and 24 employees in just one week. Another growing concern is the district’s continued ability to staff teacher absences with substitute teachers. On a daily basis there are not enough substitutes available to fill teacher absences, as the pool of available subs continues to dwindle across the metro area.

Special Meeting
A detailed report will be presented to the Board of Education at the special meeting scheduled for November 16.The Board will consider the recommendation pertaining to the Kansas Schools Gating Criteria and then decide whether to change the learning environment for students.

Individuals who desire to submit comments to the Board of Education may do so electronically in advance of the meeting. > Submit Comments to the Board by noon on Monday, Nov. 16.

The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be live streamed. > https://bit.ly/usd232youtube.
Seating will be limited to allow for appropriate social distancing.

Data reviewed by the committee on Nov. 12

• Building Gating (Student Absenteeism): 2020 Average Daily Attendance compared to 2019 = a difference of -0.77%; GREEN
• Community Gating (Two Week Percent positive tests / all tests performed) = 12.25%; ORANGE
• Community Gating (# new cases / 100K over prior two weeks) = 650; RED
• Community Gating (Trend in county incidence rate) = 6.9670 increasing; RED
• Community Gating (Local referring/hospital ICU capacity) = 19%; ORANGE

The data includes student absenteeism, two-week county percent positive case rate, two-week cumulative county incidence rate, trend in county incidence rate, and local hospital ICU capacity.

Data is published by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment with the exception of student absenteeism (district data) and ICU bed capacity. For ICU bed capacity as of November 12, the committee is using the data published by Mid-America Regional Council as it more accurately reflects the reality of ICU bed capacity and available medical staff on the Kansas side of the metro area.

The gating criteria information is available on the district’s website.

COVID Advisory Committee
At the direction of the Board of Education, the superintendent formed a COVID Advisory Committee to make recommendations on COVID-19 school gating criteria to assist the Board in making decisions about future learning environments for students. The Advisory Committee is made up of 17 individuals with the superintendent serving as chair.

• Five parents/patrons from across the district;
• Five staff members (an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, one member from health services, district mental health and human resources teams);
• Three outside experts (a public health professional, a medical professional, and a mental health professional); and
• Four ex officio members (three Board of Education members and superintendent).

We appreciate our families and staff during this challenging time. Please continue to follow the latest public health guidance and take preventative actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Despite the surge in COVID-19 cases, it is within our power to bend the curve again. We cannot relax our safety standards because it takes each of us doing our part in our daily activities. Wear your mask or face covering, maintain physical distance, wash your hands, and avoid crowded indoor gatherings and events when possible.  

USD 232 Administration

#

USD 232 Families:

Parents who desire to change their student’s learning model for second semester may do so from November 9-20 through Skyward Family Access.  Families who want to continue with their children’s current learning model do not need to take any further action, but do have the option of completing the form to confirm the learning model choice for their student(s).  Depending on the number of learning model changes, students may be assigned different teachers for second semester.

Requesting a Change for Second Semester
There are two learning model options to assist parents in making the best possible choice for their children; On-Site or Optional Remote. Parents will utilize Skyward Family Access to make the change in learning models. Selections must be received by Friday, November 20, and will take effect second semester, January 20, 2021.

** IMPORTANT: The parent/guardian who is normally responsible for enrollment will need to make the selection in Skyward Family Access. Here are the Skyward directions to assist parents if needed.

Do I need to make a selection?
Only if you want to change your child’s learning model for second semester. Parents who do not want to change their student’s learning model do not need to take any further action. However, we have provided a “no change” option for parents who still want to complete the online form.

Parents have two choices: On-Site or Optional Remote.

1. Parents who desire in-person instruction for their children would choose the On-Site Learning Model, knowing that the school district could shift between two additional learning environments during the school year based on the community/school spread of COVID-19. Under our On-Site Model, the district could start in or move between three learning environments: On-Site (in-person) to Hybrid, or to Remote learning.

2. Parents who would rather have their children participate in off-site instruction should select the Optional Remote Learning Model. The students in this model would be in optional remote learning full time for the remainder of the school year.

Next Steps for Parents:

1. Log-in to Skyward Family Access
2. Select Learning Model for the Spring 2021 Semester
3. Repeat, as needed, for each student
4. Complete before Friday, November 20, 2020

Questions?

To learn more about your choices of Learning Models, visit our website.

Please contact your child’s school with school-specific questions.

Skyward Family Access

The district will utilize Skyward Family Access to complete registration / enrollment.

Forgot your user name/password?

The Skyward Family Access parent account is based on the parent email address on file with the school. First, try using the “Forgot your Login/Password” to reset your password. This link is on the login page for Family Access. If that process is not successful, please contact your child’s school directly to ensure it has your most current email address on file.

Other Information

Once the selection process is completed, each school will begin the process of building new schedules for students enrolled in the On-Site and Optional Remote Learning Models for the second semester.

November 3, 2020

Updated Secondary Hybrid Calendar, effective Nov. 9

The school district is writing to share an important update regarding the hybrid calendar for secondary students, grades 6-12. Beginning Monday, November 9, the hybrid calendar shifts the student cohort groups (A and B) to every other day for in-person learning. There will no longer be a scheduled C day for remote learning.

Administration shared the revised calendar with the Board of Education during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 2. Shifting the schedule to every other day for in-person learning increases the frequency students will be on campus to better support the academic progress of each individual student. The district is making the adjustment at the start of second quarter on November 9.

The district recognizes the shortened notice for families regarding the updated hybrid calendar. While this transition may be challenging with arranging necessary child care and work schedules, we believe the change is an improvement for students within the hybrid learning environment.

November 9 will begin with students in the B group for on-site learning, followed by students in the A group on Tuesday, November 10, alternating each day thereafter.

Important: Schools will communicate building-specific information related to the updated schedule. The communication will include details about class schedules and when/how students connect with teachers on their off-site days.

Schedule Key

• A Day = Blue
• B Day = Green

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October 30, 2020

USD 232 Parents & Guardians:

The school district recognizes the challenging time in which we find ourselves. The changes to school routines stretched our families, students and teachers in ways no one could have expected. Despite these challenges, our school community continues to search for safe ways to help students be successful.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of school, the district would like to know what things are going well within the learning models and identify areas for improvement. Your feedback is requested and appreciated. Please take a few minutes to answer a few survey questions. We are also providing an open-ended response allowing individuals an opportunity to share additional concerns and/or celebrations.

The school district is conducting similar surveys with secondary students and all teachers. Those groups will receive separate email communication from USD 232.

Complete the Survey by November 5, 2020 > Access the Survey

Parents/Guardians – you may choose to complete one survey for all students in your home or complete the same survey separately for each child.

USD 232 Administration

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October 27, 2020

USD 232 Families:

We are writing to provide an update on the daily temperature checks for students. Beginning Monday, November 2, schools will no longer conduct temperature checks for students upon arrival at school. We are asking parents to continue to check their children for COVID-19 like symptoms, including fever, before departing for school. Schools will continue to conduct daily temperature checks for adults – employees and visitors. This process is in line with current public health recommendations and the protocol included in the original Coming Back Together plan.

Teachers will continue to monitor students in their classrooms and if a student is not feeling well, the teacher will contact the school nurse to provide care. Temperature checks for students may be conducted at the building and/or classroom level periodically and will be conducted as needed.

COVID-19 Symptoms
Symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, muscle aches, chest pain, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, and runny nose.

For current information and facts regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, refer to KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/ or the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment website at https://www.jocogov.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update.

USD 232 Administration

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October 23, 2020

USD 232 Families:

At the direction of the Board of Education, the district formed a COVID Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the superintendent about COVID-19 school gating criteria. These recommendations are provided to the Board as it makes decisions about future learning environments for students. The committee has no authority to make changes to the learning environment.

The committee met on Thursday, October 22, and reviewed the most localized data available relating to the five data points of the Kansas State Department of Education Schools Gating Criteria for COVID-19. After reviewing and discussing the data, the committee reached consensus to recommend that the district remain in the YELLOW category and maintain current learning environments.

Data reviewed on Oct. 22

• Building Gating (Student Absenteeism): 2020 Average Daily Attendance compared to 2019 = a difference of -1.52% GREEN
• Community Gating (Two Week Percent positive tests / all tests performed) = 5.49% YELLOW
• Community Gating (# new cases / 100K over prior two weeks) = 244 RED
• Community Gating (Trend in county incidence rate) = -0.074 stable YELLOW
• Community Gating (Local referring/hospital ICU capacity) = 31% GREEN

The data includes student absenteeism, two-week county percent positive case rate, two-week cumulative county incidence rate, trend in county incidence rate, and local hospital ICU capacity. This information is now available on the district’s website. While the spread of the virus within the schools remains low, community spread remains in the red category.

COVID Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is made up of 17 individuals with the superintendent serving as chair.

• Five parents/patrons from across the district;
• Five staff members (an elementary teacher, a secondary teacher, one member from health services, district mental health and human resources teams);
• Three outside experts (a public health professional, a medical professional, and a mental health professional); and
• Four ex officio members (three Board of Education members and superintendent).

We appreciate our families and staff during this challenging time as we work to get our students back in school full-time as soon as it is safe to do so.

USD 232 Administration

October 21, 2020

USD 232 Families:

We are writing to make you aware of updated guidance from the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment regarding COVID-19 testing should your student need a test to return to school/activities.

Moving forward, the health department no longer recommends accepting rapid antigen tests for re-entry to school if an individual is symptomatic. They may be useful as an initial data point, but because antigen tests may not detect lower levels of the virus, false negatives are a concern. A rapid antigen test should be followed by a confirmatory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to make a final diagnosis. The individual will need a confirmatory PCR test, a physician’s alternate diagnosis, or wait ten (10) days from symptom onset before returning to school. Symptomatic individuals are encouraged to get a PCR test, but testing is voluntary.

Families can access free PCR tests at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in Olathe, no appointment necessary with a referral card from your school’s nurse. See attached flyer for more information.

The school district, beginning November 2, will have a limited supply of saliva (PCR) tests kits available for students and staff who are symptomatic. These free test kits are from the county health department and will be available when students or staff present COVID-19 symptoms at school. Communication with families will come from our school nurses if a saliva test kit is available.

Note: If you do get tested, you are encouraged to self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional. The county health department will provide guidance regarding your test result. 

If you test positive, know what protective steps to take to prevent others from getting sick. If you test negative, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. Continue to take steps to protect yourself.

Testing out of quarantine is not an option. The virus can take up to 14 days to incubate in the body, which is why people who have been exposed are asked to quarantine for the recommended time. Negative tests conducted during this time period could be taken too early for the viral load to be high enough to register a positive result.

COVID-19 Symptoms
Symptoms include, but not limited to, fever, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, muscle aches, chest pain, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sore throat, and runny nose.

For current information and facts regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, refer to KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/ or the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment website at https://www.jocogov.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update.

USD 232 Administration

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October 8, 2020

Hybrid Schedule for Secondary Schools

The school district published the Hybrid Schedule for the remainder of October through Friday, November 20. 

Please note, at the request of some parents the hybrid schedule was posted to assist families in planning work and family schedules. Should the school district remain in the hybrid learning environment, this will be the schedule the district follows. This schedule does not impact Optional Remote students. Please direct specific questions to your school.

Schedule Key

• A Day = Blue
• B Day = Green
• C Day = Purple (remote day for students)