The following communicable disease mitigation protocols were adopted by the USD 232 Board of Education on July 12, 2021.

Masks - Barrier face masks are optional inside USD 232 buildings. 

Hand Hygiene – Individuals are encouraged to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.  Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after using shared supplies.

Health Screenings – Individuals are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms of illness.  Individuals who are ill should stay home.

Exclusions – Individuals who are considered contagious with a communicable disease will be excluded from school.  Protocols for exclusions of individuals that have been exposed to a communicable disease are being developed and will be presented at the August 2, 2021 meeting.

Vaccinations – USD 232 will continue to collect vaccination information from families in accordance with district policy and state law.  If families provide verification of voluntary COVID-19 vaccination, the information will be recorded.  Individuals will not be excluded from school based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status.  As with all communicable diseases, vaccination information may be used when making exclusion decisions.  The district will, at times, partner with outside agencies to provide space for voluntary vaccination clinics.

Remote Learning – Remote learning designed to approximate regular classroom learning will be limited to special circumstances allowed by state regulation.  This does not affect the district’s Virtual Education Program.

Rentals – Groups that rent USD 232 facilities will be expected to follow relevant state, county and local mitigation protocols.  Capacity guidelines may be limited depending on the activity.

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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.

The wearing of barrier face masks is encouraged while inside USD 232 buildings.  When outdoors, barrier face masks are optional.  Barrier face masks are strongly encouraged for anyone who is not fully vaccinated whenever appropriate distancing cannot be maintained.  Barrier face masks may be required in some indoor settings.

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

Appropriate distancing is encouraged when possible.  If, due to the activity or venue, appropriate distancing on a regular basis cannot be maintained, barrier face masks may be required.  This will be especially true if it is known that the participants are not vaccinated.

(C) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.

Individuals are encouraged to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.  Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after using shared supplies.  Covering coughs and sneezes is always recommended.

(D) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.

In spaces that are regularly occupied, enhanced cleaning and maintenance protocols will continue to be used. Increased outdoor air will continue to be used as a mitigation strategy.  The activities taking place in each space in a building will help determine the amount of fresh outside air utilized.

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

Contact tracing will be done in cooperation with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

(F) Diagnostic and screening testing.

Testing of symptomatic students may be available at school.  Diagnostic and screening testing is available throughout the community.

(G) Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.

USD 232 is partnering with University of Kansas Health System and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment to provide facilities for vaccination clinics.

(H) Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.

Specific student health needs are addressed through a student health plan and/or their Individual Education Plan.

(I) Coordination with State and local health officials.

USD 232 officials meet regularly with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

Part II.

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

(A) services to address students' academic needs

USD 232 has expanded summer offerings for 2021 and will continue to evaluate student needs throughout the 2021-22 school year.

(B) students' and staff social, emotional, mental health

USD 232 has incorporated social emotional learning and interventions as part of its Multi-Tiered System of Supports for students.  Staff members have access to an employee assistance program, Life Matters. Social-emotional and mental health needs of student and staff will continue to be evaluated throughout the 2021-22 school year.

(C) other needs, which may include student health and food services.

USD 232 has continued the expanded summer meals service for 2021.  All students will be eligible for free meals during the 2021-22 school year.  The district is also increasing the availability of nurses to accommodate student health needs.

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USD 232 Families and Staff: 

The Board of Education on Monday evening, June 7, 2021, took action to rescind the district’s Coming Back Together Plan and policies regarding COVID-19 mitigation and adopted new Summer Mitigation Protocols. 

The mask requirement that had been in place for the 2020-21 school year is now lifted. The wearing of barrier face masks is encouraged while inside USD 232 buildings.  When outdoors, barrier face masks are optional.  Barrier face masks are strongly encouraged for anyone who is not fully vaccinated whenever appropriate distancing cannot be maintained.  Barrier face masks may be required in some indoor settings; specific mask requirements will be communicated to participants, if needed. 

The new protocols are for summer programs and activities and made possible by a decrease in community case rates of COVID-19, as well as an increase in the number of individuals receiving vaccines.  

Looking to the new school year that begins in August, the Board of Education will discuss mitigation protocols at its regularly scheduled meeting in July. While it is unlikely that universal mask wearing will be required, there are many other mitigation protocols that need to be considered. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we work towards the beginning of another great school year. 

Summer COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols 

Social Distancing – Appropriate distancing is encouraged when possible.  If, due to the activity or venue, appropriate distancing on a regular basis cannot be maintained, barrier face masks may be required.  This will be especially true if it is known that the participants are not vaccinated. 

Masks - The wearing of barrier face masks is encouraged while inside USD 232 buildings.  When outdoors, barrier face masks are optional.  Barrier face masks are strongly encouraged for anyone who is not fully vaccinated whenever appropriate distancing cannot be maintained.  Barrier face masks may be required in some indoor settings. 

Hand Hygiene – Individuals are encouraged to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.  Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after using shared supplies. 

Health Screenings – Individuals are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms of any illness.  Individuals who are ill should stay home. 

Exclusions – The most recent guidance from Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) will be used for exclusion of individuals or groups recommended for quarantine and isolation. 

Notifications - Parents and employees will continue to be notified if they or their children have been exposed (low, moderate or high-risk exposure). 

Cleaning and Sanitation – In spaces that are regularly occupied, enhanced cleaning and maintenance protocols will continue to be used. 

Ventilation – Increased outdoor air will continue to be used as a mitigation strategy.  The activities taking place in each space in a building will help determine the amount of fresh, outside air utilized. 

Rentals – Groups that rent USD 232 facilities will be expected to follow relevant state, county and local mitigation protocols.  Capacity guidelines may be limited depending on the activity. 

Because there is the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak within our school community, we must all be prepared to adapt to any number of actions to increase preventative measures in response to changing circumstances throughout the summer. 

USD 232 Administration 

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