2021-2022 FTIS COVID Protocol for Families - 2nd Semester

School-Home Partnership

In order to ensure the healthiest learning environment for our students, faculty, and staff, we respectfully request a strong partnership with families.  If a positive COVID case occurs in the home, please keep your children temporarily out of school and engage in collaboration with our schools/district to consult on the most appropriate next steps in your individual situation.

Safety Protocol

Social Distancing:  Individuals will maintain 3 feet, or the greatest distance possible, at all times. Cohort grouping will also be considered in some experiences.

Masking:  We recommend alI students, faculty, staff, and community members wear face coverings but the district will consider the choice to do so optional.  All individuals using school transportation will be recommended to wear masks.  (Updated 03.01.22)

Temperature Screening:  Temperature screening will take place randomly for non-symptomatic students and staff.

Sanitizing:  All previous protocols will be in place to promote proper hand hygiene and following proper cleaning procedures.

Symptoms to Monitor

Symptoms include (but are not limited to):

• fever

• chills

• cough

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• fatigue

• muscle or body aches

• headaches

• new loss of taste or smell

• sore throat

• congestion or runny nose

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea

Notification of Close Contact

The district strongly encourages families to watch for the development of symptoms.  If individuals become symptomatic, we ask that the individual remain at home.  A negative COVID test or an alternate diagnosis will permit the individual back in school.  We reinforce that wearing face coverings are recommended for alI students, faculty, staff, and community members but the district will consider the choice to do so optional.

There will be no contact tracing for at-school exposures.  This includes close contact tracing during lunch.  We are discontinuing classroom notifications of potential exposure via email, as well.

Quarantine due to Household Exposure and Positive Isolations

If you test positive for COVID:

• Stay home and isolate for 5 days

• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house on day 6

• Continue to wear a mask while outside house on days 6-10

• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

If you were exposed to a positive household case and unvaccinated:

• Stay home for 10 days after your last exposure

• Quarantine may be shortened to 5 days if there are no symptoms AND test negative on day 5

• If shortened, wear a well fitted face mask through the 10th day of your last exposure

• Stay home and get a test if symptoms develop

     **A negative test on day 5 must be presented to the district by submission through the link provided below.**

     ***Preschool students and those individuals with a mask exemption must stay home 10 days after your last exposure.***

If you were exposed to a positive household case and vaccinated:

• Wear a well fitted face mask for 10 full days from your last exposure

• Stay home and get a test if symptoms develop

     **Vaccination card must be presented to the district by submission through the link provided below.**

      ***Preschool students and those individuals with a mask exemption must stay home 10 days after your last exposure.***

For last exposure:  Isolation guidelines are for 10 days unless the person did not have any symptoms or their symptoms are completely resolved at day 5, and then isolation can end after day 5 and the quarantine period for the non-positive household member would start at day 6 from the positive individual's symptom onset (or test date if no symptoms). If symptoms are resolving and getting better but not completely resolved then the isolation period for the positive individual is 10 days and then the quarantine period for the household member would start on day 11 from the positive individual's symptom onset.

Vaccination Submission Link

Please note:  We will only accept vaccination cards for individuals that are FULLY VACCINATED.  To ensure adequate time for an immune response to occur, a person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after completion of a two-dose mRNA series or one dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.  At this time, qualification for full vaccination status in FTIS is 2 weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; or, 2 weeks after the second dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or the single-dose J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Negative COVID Test Submission Link

Please note: Only lab tests for COVID will be accepted.  We cannot accept at home tests for COVID.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will I need to receive a COVID test to return?

We will follow the quarantine/isolation protocol listed above.  If symptomatic, an individual will need either a negative COVID test or an alternate diagnosis to return to school.

2. Will teachers be required to vaccinate at this time?

Teachers will not be required to have the vaccine, but they have the option to vaccinate.

3. What should I do if my child shows one of the symptoms?  

If a student is symptomatic, the parent is asked to call the school office and speak to the school nurse to discuss next steps.  The child should not be sent to school.

4. Will FTIS still offer COVID testing?  

Yes, for students and staff who show symptoms or are considered a close contact.

5. How can I set up a COVID test?  

Please work with the school nurses to consider the proper appointment date and the process to arrange the test.

6. How will my student be serviced if in a quarantine/isolation situation and not permitted to come to school for a period of time?  

Students will work with their classroom teachers to stay connected through Schoology or Seesaw related to content and assignments.  Students will be able to message their teachers and make connections during that time as well.

7. What guidance is followed if my student is an athlete at HMS or HHS?  

KHSAA has provided clear guidelines regarding Return to Play as well as steps to follow if positive or a close contact.  Proactively, we have asked our coaches to consider as many mitigating strategies as possible to eliminate the risk of exposure while practicing and competing.  Student athletes will be required to wear a mask while on school provided transportation.

8. Are field trips being planned at this time?  

Trips are being planned with safety protocol in mind.  All individuals using school transportation will be required to wear masks.

9.  Is there a remote learning option for students during the 2nd semester?

            There is not a remote learning option for students during the 2nd semester.