Dragon Strong Community
Superintendent's Update - August 11 Learning Plan Updates
Learning Plans
Dear Dragon Community,
While our previous school year was a difficult challenge under pandemic circumstances, we are proud of the team effort from faculty, staff, students, and parents alike to re-open our schools. This update is to share with you our plans as we prepare to open the 21-22 school year. We look forward to the return of our Dragons for on-site learning.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or our team of school nurses and administrators.
Sincerely,
Dr. Debbie Atwell
Superintendent
Learning Options for 2021-2022
We recognize there is a loss of learning from the spring school closures and disruptions this school year. We are providing additional literacy and math support, credit recovery, and tutoring. Please contact your student's principal or counselor for more information if your student has failed or not completed courses from the fall or spring semesters.
Preventative Measures
We ask for your assistance regarding preventative measures and best practices that will support a strong in-person learning environment:
Vaccinations: Covid-19 vaccines are the most effective strategy to protect people from getting sick and to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. Students who are ages 12 and older are now eligible to receive vaccinations. Fully vaccinated students or staff do not need to quarantine if deemed close contacts unless they develop symptoms.
Because our schools serve many children under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination at this time or are not fully vaccinated, we will continue practicing preventative measures such as appropriate masking, physical distancing, screening, ventilation, handwashing, and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, and cleaning and disinfecting to the extent practical.
Screening: Do not attend classes or school events if you are sick. Students and staff should stay home when sick until symptom and fever-free: Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or been in contact with someone covid positive.
Masks: As of July 9, 2021, CDC guidance states, "consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings."
At this time, masks are optional, and highly encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated and when indoors in close settings.
- Indoors: Mask use is recommended for people who are not fully vaccinated including students, teachers, and staff. Children under 2 years of age should not wear a mask
- Outdoors: In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. However, particularly in areas of substantial high transmission, the CDC recommends that people not fully vaccinated wear a mask in crowded settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people who are not fully vaccinated
Individuals exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will not need to be quarantined if they have no symptoms and both the infected and exposed individual consistently and correctly were wearing a mask.
Point of Contact and Reporting Positive Cases: Nurse Amy Allen will serve as the district Point of Contact (POC) who will initiate the contact tracing process when positive cases are reported at school and notify ADH of positive cases as they occur. See details below:
Other tools: We will continue to practice safety and sanitation practices, such as contact tracing, spraying and disinfecting facilities, providing hand sanitizer throughout the schools, encouraging hand washing, emphasizing social distancing, health screenings, and all other Health Department directives.
Busing: Windows will be opened when possible. It is recommended that students sanitize hands before and after entering buses, distance when possible, and wear masks.
While attendance is important, please do not come to school or work if you are sick, and contact Nurse Amy Allen if you have symptoms or have been exposed.
POC - Nurse Amy Allen 1-479-420-8486
Point of Contact and Reporting of Positive Cases
If an individual who has been in a school has tested positive for COVID-19, districts are still required to continue to follow the established ADH reporting processes and requirements for isolation and quarantine.
There are some conditions that could exempt an exposed individual / close contact to the quarantine/isolation requirements that are discussed below. School nurses can help verify the status of a potential close contact to help POCs and school officials determine responses.
Close Contact Determination and Responses:
The CDC defines a close contact as an individual confirmed to have been within six feet for 15 cumulative minutes or longer within a 24-hour period during the infectious period of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
1. Individuals who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered and who are subsequently exposed to someone with COVID-19 within three months of their original diagnosis do not have to stay at home or get tested again, as long as they do not develop new symptoms. Individuals who develop symptoms again within three months of their first instance of COVID-19 should see their physician as they may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.
2. Individuals exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will not need to be quarantined if they have no symptoms and both the infected and exposed individual consistently and correctly were wearing a mask.
3. Individuals who are fully vaccinated may not have to quarantine.
To help determine whether a fully vaccinated individual should quarantine, refer to the chart below:
Quarantine of those exposed to someone with COVID-19
1. After 10 full 24-hour periods since close contact exposure without testing, or
2. After seven full 24-hour periods since close contact exposure and after receiving a negative test result (sample taken no earlier than five 24-hour periods after exposure).
If individuals return to school from these shorter quarantine windows, they should regularly monitor themselves for symptoms to ensure they remain symptom-free and take appropriate precautions (e.g., consistent mask usage) for the duration of the 14-day incubation period.
Isolation of those with COVID-19
Possible Class or School Closures
Notice will be made as soon as possible and schools will communicate plans for remote learning following school Alternate Methods of Instruction (AMI) plans.
Community Events
We encourage fans to bring lawn chairs and spread out during football games, etc.
Staying Caught up with Learning While Out
ESSR Covid Relief Funds
Public Comment
Leading Dragon Strong
- Honor our History through Values and Traditions
- Build our present through Teamwork and Collaboration
- Create our future through Creativity and Innovation
Dr. Debbie Atwell is serving her fourth year as superintendent. She and husband Roger are MHS graduates, life long residents of the community, and are owned by dogs Woodrow & Sadie.
Email: debbie.atwell@mountainburg.org
Website: www.mountainburg.org
Location: 129 Hwy 71 SW, Mountainburg
Phone: 479-369-2121