_____Blue Valley_____
COVID-19 Reporting • Inclement Weather • On Call with Dr. J
JCDHE updates quarantine recommendations
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has updated its quarantine recommendations for individuals who are close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases. These recommendations follow the recently announced CDC quarantine protocol.
For those individuals identified as a close contact, the new recommendations include:
If close contacts get a PCR COVID-19 test on day 5 or later after being exposed to a COVID-19 case, and they are negative and have no symptoms, they must quarantine for 7 full days and may return to activities on day 8.
If close contacts do not get tested after being exposed to a COVID-19 case, and they have no symptoms, they must quarantine for 10 full days and may return to activities on day 11.
All close contacts should self-monitor for the entire 14 days from exposure and seek testing if symptoms develop.
Please note that JCDHE’s updated recommendations will begin with all new cases starting Monday, Dec. 7. Our understanding is that all pre-existing quarantines directed by JCDHE will remain in place without modification. For more information, including additional data about COVID-19 in Johnson County, visit www.jocogov.org/coronavirus.
Reporting positive COVID-19 cases and quarantines
Blue Valley Schools actively monitors the COVID-19 metrics in our district regardless of whether students are learning in-person or remotely or on a holiday break. If you have a child who tests positive or is quarantining due to a high-risk exposure, please contact their school to let them know. The district works closely with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) to determine next steps when cases arise in a school/building. In addition, the reporting of positive cases and quarantines when students are learning remotely helps the district keep a pulse on community spread and what this may mean for our safe return to in-person learning. Confirmed positive COVID-19 cases as reported to the school/district by school, as well as a district overview, and district quarantine data are available on the BV COVID Dashboard.
Inclement weather update
In Kansas, it is likely over the next several months we’ll see forecasts that call for inclement weather. During this ever-changing pandemic, Blue Valley is prioritizing student learning on inclement weather days, whether that learning is in-person or remote. By prioritizing learning, the district avoids having to further extend the school year into June.
Blue Valley encourages students and families to be prepared by:
Bringing home district-provided devices daily
Reviewing 2020-21 inclement weather learning options
NEW! REMOTE LEARNING DAY: A remote learning day will be used when adverse weather conditions exist that make travel to and from school unsafe. The learning day will include check-ins with teachers and asynchronous work for all students, including VirtualED. Students who attend in-person instruction during Distance Learning will be contacted by their special education teacher with at home learning activities for the day. Specific details about schedules for the day will be communicated by the school administration and teachers.
DELAYED START: Delayed starts will be used when temporary adverse weather conditions exist, including high winds, cold temperatures or unfavorable road conditions. A two-hour delayed start would allow in-person staff and students extra time to arrive at school. This option maximizes in-person instructional time with students. VirtualED students and students learning remotely in the hybrid model would also start two hours late. Specific details about schedules for the day will be communicated by school administration and teachers.
TRADITIONAL “SNOW DAY”: In extreme weather conditions, the district may still call an inclement weather day with no school for all students.
Reviewing Inclement Weather Meal Pick-Up Procedures
In the event that schools are closed for in-person learning due to inclement weather, the Food and Nutrition Department will send out meal pick-up instructions to Blue Valley families prior to building closures. The announcement of meal pick-up due to inclement weather is NOT considered the formal announcement of school cancellation. Meal pick-up will continue, weather permitting, from 11 a.m.-noon at BVH, BVN, BVNW and BVW. Pick-up day may vary based on weather. If in-person school is cancelled, and meals will NOT be available for pick up, families will be notified.
Families will continue to receive an email and text message when the school day is modified due to inclement weather. When possible, the announcement will be made the day before so families can plan. General information about inclement weather is available on the district’s website.
On Call with Doc. J
"We've had a lot of great questions from our parents, students and staff regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and these questions are important... We wanted to hit them head-on and share the results with you." - Dr. Chris Jenson, Blue Valley Medical Consultant
Blue Valley has teamed up with our very own Dr. Chris Jenson in a new podcast series we're calling "On Call with Doc. J." Dr. Jenson is a former ER doctor, a BV teacher, and is currently serving the district as our BV Medical Consultant. Over the next few weeks, Dr. Jenson will invite local and regional health experts to answer questions about the coronavirus pandemic. Our goal is to work through these topics with you, keep you informed, and let you know what Blue Valley is doing to help keep our students, staff and community safe. In episode 1, Dr. Jenson visits with Dr. Jennifer Schuster, infectious disease specialist at Children's Mercy, for a COVID Q&A.
Blue Valley Schools
Email: bvinfo@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org
Location: 15020 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66223, USA
Phone: 913-239-4000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueValleySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @BVSchools