|
Dear Wildcat Nation,
As we prepare for another year of learning, we look forward to having our outstanding staff, students, and families back together again. The success we experienced together last year was whole heartedly because of the efforts of each individual in our school community working together and it will be no different as we face what lies ahead of us this year.
Even though over 70% of Oakland County residents 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; COVID-19 remains a present reality affecting our world and our upcoming school year. In our return to school, we will once again look to the state and local health authorities to strive forward in safely fulfilling our educational mission. Our aim is to provide a challenging education so our students may achieve their maximum potential in academics, arts and athletics.I implore each of you to embody the characteristics of being principled, caring, and openminded, exemplifying our Portrait of a Graduate.
You are our partners in education and your support will help keep our school community safe and engaged. In the absence of any enforceable federal or state COVID restrictions or mask mandates, our plans for the fall include a layered approach to safety that are consistent with the protocols that have been in place for our summer programs and camps:
|
Mask use
|
Masks are required on public transportation vehicles including school buses per the Federal Order (set to expire Sept. 13). Any student refusing to properly wear a mask while on a bus will not be allowed to ride it.
According to MDHHS’ guidance, masks are strongly recommended but not required in school buildings and on school campuses. The voluntary wearing of masks at school is encouraged by state and federal health officials. Please decide, as a family, whether your child(ren) will wear a mask. It is important that we treat one another kindly and respect one another’s personal choice in this area, understanding that there are varying tolerances, comfort levels, and circumstances affecting this decision.
|
|
Physical distancing
|
Not required.
|
|
COVID-19 screening/testing/vaccination
|
Not required.COVID-19 vaccinationis encouraged for all eligible individuals.
|
|
Ventilation
|
Ventilation systems in buildings will continue to operate to original design specifications. On school buses, windows may be opened slightly when safe and practicable.
|
|
Monitoring symptoms
|
Staff and families are expected to use good judgment, stay home when they are sick, and report absences according to our attendance policies.
Promptly pick your child(ren) up or arrange for pick up from school if signs of symptoms of illness are present.
- Monitor your child(ren)’s health for any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Shortness of breath, rapid or difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body ache
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flushed cheeks
If your child has any of these symptoms, please keep them home until they have been symptom free for 24 hours without medication. If needed, the district may screen your child for a fever.
Inform your child(ren)’s school if they test positive for COVID-19. If they test positive, you will be asked to follow Oakland County Health Department guidelines which may include isolation until it is safe to return.
|
|
Contact tracing, isolation, & quarantine
|
The district will inform families of positive cases present in their child’s classroom at the seated elementary schools. Parents at the secondary level and OVA will receive a notification of any positive cases present in each school/building.
Administrators will not be directing students or staff to quarantine. Any direct notification to close contacts of a person with COVID-19 is the responsibility of the Oakland County Health Division per the October 6 MDHHS Health Order.
|
|
Cleaning & disinfection
|
Standard daily cleaning protocols using products approved by the CDC to be effective against the COVID-19 virus.
|
|
School day
|
Traditional classroom setup, normal flow of traffic between classes, assigned lunchroom seating at the elementary and middle schools, use of lockers, unrestricted recesses, and parents are welcome back into our buildings for educational purposes.
|
In Oxford we are fortunate to have our virtual school, Oxford Virtual Academy, as a choice for our families. If you wish to reduce your child’s potential exposure to other unmasked students, we want to remind you that you have the option of transferring to OVA. While our third and final transfer window has closed and we encourage our families to maintain enrollment in their current schools, we understand that this is a fluid situation. If you desire to transfer either from seated to virtual or vice versa before the start of the school year, please email Student Services via [email protected] as soon as possible. We will work with families on a case-by-case basis to make transfer determinations.
As we have experienced with the pandemic from the start, anything can change at any time. We will continue to monitor community conditions to make informed decisions locally. We remain committed to communicate with you in the most timely manner possible. In fact, we will continue to send our weekly COVID-19 reports so you are all aware of the numbers across the district. I am proud to partner with you and serve our outstanding Wildcat community.
Go, Wildcats!
Superintendent Tim Throne
|