|
Dear Wildcat Nation,
Welcome back! We are very excited to begin the new school year next Wednesday, August 25. While we had hopes we would resume some normalcy in our operations this year, the persistence of COVID across the country and in our communities continues to present challenges.
Over the past few weeks, we have heard from concerned community and staff members sharing their opinions regarding appropriate measures the district should or should not adopt as we enter the new school year. These concerns range from parents requesting the district implement mask mandates and others who have expressed concerns about the negative impact of masking students.
As a school district, it is essential we listen to input from everyonewe serve. While we recognize the need to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff, there are many divergent opinions on how to achieve those goals. It is also essential to understand that we are an educational institution. This is why it is imperative that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Oakland County Health Division(OCHD) provide clear mandates for school districts. These organizations employ health professionals, epidemiologists, virologists, and other health experts who are trained in these areas and are in a position to make the best decision for our students after weighing all circumstances and local conditions (rather than universal strategies).
That being said, Oxford Community Schools will continue our approach to strongly recommend masksfor allstudents. Just like the community has built trust in us, we are trusting our parents, students, and staff to adhere to the Family Pledge (agreed to by every family in the Information Update) for the good of our whole community. Mitigation efforts will continue to be employed in order to prevent and slow the spread of COVID in our schools. For example, we are cohorting our younger, unvaccinated students throughout the school day (including assigned lunchroom seating). Our elementary students will remain with their own class and will only be in contact with students outside their class at outdoor recess and on school buses (masked by CDC mandate).
Our additional strategies can be found in the table below which includes guidancefrom OCHDwe received yesterday, August 19, 2021:
|
Mask use
|
Masks are required on public transportation vehicles including school busesper theFederal Order. Any student refusing to properly wear a mask while on a bus will not be allowed to ride it.
According to OCHD & MDHHSguidance, 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.Physical distancing is not possible during all times of the instructional day.
|
|
COVID-19 screening/testing/vaccination
|
Not required.COVID-19 vaccination is 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 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 hassymptoms, 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 Divisionguidelines 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.
In accordance with OCHD guidance, administrators will be directing students or staff to quarantine. We will quarantine individuals within three feet of a positive case of COVID-19. Vaccinated individuals will not be quarantined. Quarantined students and staff may perform a COVID test on or after day five following exposure to return on or after day seven with a negative test result.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 MDHHSHealth Order.
|
|
Remote learning & pupil accounting
|
The state legislature has reinstated all aspects of the School Aid Act this school year. While the district always has the discretion to closeschool as a result of COVID-19 transmission, remote learning during that closure is not an allowablealternative under the current pupil accounting rules.As such, if not forgiven by the state, school closures may result in the addition of instructional time.
Much like last year, we will remain vigilant and flexible as we continue to address the impact of COVID-19 in our community and rely on our local health experts to provide specific mandates based on local conditions. Despite all mitigation efforts, COVID will continue to remain a threat in the school setting.
We overcame many obstacles together last year and we are confident we will safely do so again.
Go, Wildcats!
Superintendent Tim Throne
|
|