Rich in tradition and focused on the future, the Fort Thomas Independent School District provides engaging and challenging learning experiences which foster creativity, curiosity and innovation, while inspiring all students to pursue lifelong learning and become productive members of the global community.

FTIS Healthy at School Update - February 9, 2022

FTIS Family,

As mentioned in the communication on February 4, 2022, based on our local experience we have determined that the Fort Thomas Schools will return to a mask optional COVID protocol when the number of active positive district cases are below 25 and the incidence rate in Fort Thomas (zip code 41075) per 100,000 is below 50.  As of February 9, 2022, both conditions have been met.  Therefore effective Thursday, February 10, 2022, the use of face coverings in Fort Thomas schools will be completely supported but the choice to do so will be considered optional.  This applies to all students in Preschool - Grade 12.

As required by federal mandate, use of masks will continue to be required for those on buses and district provided transportation.  In addition, those returning from isolations and quarantines will continue to be required to mask on days 6-10 upon return to school.  There may also be scenarios in which principals, in consultation with district leadership, will require temporary use of masks during spikes or unique circumstances.  Finally, please note, as we have stated throughout, we will be monitoring conditions and will respond accordingly should we see the opportunity for quality in-person instruction compromised. 

Thank you all for your continued partnership and support.  

Respectfully,

Brian Robinson, Superintendent

February 4, 2022

Fort Thomas Independent Schools Family,  

On January 12, 2022, FTIS announced a temporary return to first semester Healthy at School protocol including the required use of masks during school hours.  For purposes of clarity, this communication serves as an explanation of how we will determine when to return to optional masking and conditions by which we would consider universal requirements again in the future. Fortunately conditions are improving and we can consider a less restrictive approach. Our team continues to monitor a number of factors.  Moving forward, based on review of local data, we will alter protocol in response to the two factors that have been most indicative of our ability to maximize in person instruction in the least intrusive manner possible: 

(1) the number of active positive cases for those within our school district; AND

(2) the local incidence rate for infection advertised for our local community as outlined by the Northern Kentucky Health Department.  

 The Fort Thomas Schools will return to our intended second semester mask optional protocol when two criteria have been met: (1) the number of district-wide active positive cases are at or below 25; AND (2) the incidence rate for zip code 41075 is below 50 per 100,000 persons.  [For reference to the COVID current incidence rate in Northern Kentucky, including for zip code 41075, please visit the NKY Health website.]  Notification will be provided by the district office prior to changes going into practice and we do not immediately return to required use of face coverings when these numbers are exceeded (see paragraph below).  As of Thursday, February 3rd, FTIS had 16 positive cases, and the incidence rate for 41075 was 116.0 per 100,000.  

It is important to our school community that we not have continuous fluctuation and change of our protocol.  However, when the number of active positive cases within our schools and local infection rates are high, the school experience is significantly impacted.  High rates of student and teacher absences puts in-person instruction in jeopardy. For these reasons, when numbers reach a specific threshold we will implement recommendations from the CDC, Department of Public Health, local Health Department, and area hospitals, and make modifications to the classroom environment.  These temporary changes would include increased physical distancing, modifications to small group instruction, reduction of large group gatherings, and required use of masks.  We are hopeful this need will have passed.  For Fort Thomas Schools, we would only consider a temporary revisitation of these standards should our district's active positive cases exceed 40 AND the incidence rate for zip code 41075 exceed 100/100,000 for multiple days. Prior notification would be sent by district leadership before a return.  Please note, these criteria would not have resulted in a return to more restrictive protocol at any point in the first semester, but would have dictated the change we made the second week of January.  

Summary of criteria for adjusting protocol:

     # of active positive cases in FTIS < 25

     AND

     Incidence rate for zip code 41075 < 50 (per 100,000)

     Face coverings are supported yet optional during the school day.

     # of active positive cases in FTIS > 40

     AND

     Incidence rate for zip code 41075 > 100 (per 100,000)

     Temporary return to increased mitigation steps including required indoor face coverings during the school day.

The approach above, informed by our experiences, outlines our intention for making future decisions and hopefully provides a reduction in the anxiety that anticipation of a response may bring for many individuals.  Please also remember that, while the district-wide expectation will remain that use of face coverings is optional there may be times in which principals, in collaboration with district leadership, may require temporary use of masks in a variety of settings.  In addition to the information above, more specific information regarding our Healthy at School protocol may be found at the district’s website.  

This approach provides an opportunity to return to the ability for families to make choices based on the experience their children are having as long as our schools are in a similar condition as last fall.  It also provides a mechanism to return to mitigation recommendations from public health sources when it is clear that the impact to staff and student attendance could compromise in person instruction.  This clarification of our approach is intended to allow us to return to addressing the primary focus of our school district; preparing students to achieve personal success.  We feel fortunate to be part of a community so unified in supporting the success of our students.  I personally thank you for your patience and continued support of our schools.

Respectfully,

Brian Robinson, Superintendent