COVID Protocols as We Begin

I had sincerely hoped the need for this communication would be unnecessary, but unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a part of our lives. If there is good news, it is that we are in a much different environment then we were when classes concluded last spring. This due to the fact that vaccines are readily available for anyone age 12 and over. If eligible and you haven’t already, I would urge you to please consider becoming vaccinated. This is the best way we can fully return to normal. 

Face coverings will not be required in our school buildings. However, face coverings will be required on school buses and any transportation systems operated by the school district. It is our interpretation that this adheres to both state law and the most recent CDC orders.

It is our intention to closely adhere to the letter of the law, guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Black Hawk County Health Department. When in conflict, we will defer to state law and the Iowa Department of Public Health. In accordance with that law, masks and other face coverings will not be required. When signed on May 20, 2021, HF 847 prohibited school districts from adopting or enforcing a policy that requires employees, students, or the public to wear a mask while on school property. At the same time we do recommend face masks, particularly for those who are unvaccinated or have other health conditions. 

There is, however, one caveat to the face covering requirement. The CDC order effective from February 1, 2021 does require passengers and drivers of school buses to wear face coverings. According to the latest IDPH guidance, this order appears to supersede HF 847. Therefore, face coverings ARE required to be worn on school buses. 

Public health has adjusted their case investigation procedures regarding contact tracing to mirror the influenza model, which will focus on outbreaks and vulnerable populations. Likewise, isolation and quarantine orders will no longer be issued by the health department. 

We will continue to update our dashboard, which has been streamlined and can be found here. Like last year, if we learn your child was exposed to COVID-19, we will contact you. At the same time, the three instructional models promulgated by the Board of Directors will remain options. However, voluntary remote learning is not an instructional model being offered this school year. Any change in learning model will only be implemented after careful consideration of the localized metrics and in consultation with the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Black Hawk County Health Department. 

Both lunch and recess groups will remain in ‘cohorted groups’ at the elementary in an effort to control vectors of potential transmission. Hand sanitizing stations are available and the daily disinfecting of attendance centers will continue. We have also retained our extra day shift custodian who will assist in disinfecting and attending to ‘high touch’ areas. 

While for the most part, we are planning to allow guests and visitors to our facilities, we will phase in the use of classroom volunteers and lunch guests. At this time, we are not ready to accommodate those types of requests. 

For additional information, please refer to the Return to Learn page of our website.