3-School Newsletter

COVID-19 Mitigation Plan updates (read online)

Dear KPBSD staff, these updates will go into effect on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, and hopefully be helpful for some of you. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep schools open.
Two main updates: if you are COVID-19 positive with symptoms that are resolved—details about when you can return (as soon as day 6). And no contact tracing if a school is universally masking.

Updates to the KPBSD mitigation plan effective January 18, 2022*

· UPDATE to “Positive COVID-19 Monitor, Mask and Return” Protocol
Symptomatic Staff and students who test positive for COVID-19, and whose symptoms are resolved for 24 hours without taking medication may now return to work or school on Day 6, and wear a well-fitted mask through Day 10. (The positive test day or symptom onset is counted as Day 0.)

· Contact Tracing
In schools that are operating with universal masking, KPBSD will not contact trace. Schools will support staff and students with testing options, and educational materials about what to do if someone is a close contact or tests positive.

· Testing
KPBSD Health Services will work with schools to support their testing strategies for staff and families. Schools have an ample supply of surgical masks for staff and students who need or want one.

*The online versions of protocols, mitigation plan, and Symptom-Free Schools are in the process of being updated. Updated resources from the State and CDC for COVID-19 positive people and Close Contacts will be added to the website later this week.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST

Monitor, Mask and Return Protocol

Effective Tuesday, 1-18-22. Original version took effect Wednesday, 1-12-22.

Staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 and have not experienced any symptoms of illness, or if symptoms have resolved for 24 hours without medication, may choose an option to end isolation and return to work or school on Day 6. Staff and students must follow the KPBSD Monitor, Mask and Return Protocols to return to school or work:

MONITOR

1. Be symptom free from illness (asymptomatic). The first day of a positive COVID-19 test or symptom onset is Day 0. If you have never developed symptoms of illness, or if symptoms are resolved for 24 hours without taking medication, on Day 6 you may return to work or school, and strictly follow the KPBSD Monitor, Mask and Return protocol.

MASK and RETURN

2. Wear a well-fitting mask in school at all times Days 6 through 10. If any symptoms of illness develop, you must stay home and isolate. When you cannot wear a face covering (i.e., when eating or drinking) you should maintain a minimum of six feet of distance from other individuals to every extent possible.

Athletes: In addition to the above protocols, to continue to participate in school sponsored co-curricular activities, athletes must also continue Daily Symptom Check Protocols.

Do you have symptoms and a positive COVID-19 test?

KPBSD staff and students who have COVID-19 and symptoms that have not resolved by Day 5 should continue to isolate through Day 10, or whenever symptoms are resolved without medication for 24 hours.

DEFINITIONS

· Isolation separates someone who is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 (or presumed to be infected because they have symptoms) away from people who are not infected, including household members.

· Quarantine separates people who were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 from others, including household members, during the time when they could become sick and infect others.

LINKS

· Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available for everyone age 5 and older. Find a location near you: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/id/pages/covid-19/VaccineAppointments.aspx

· KPBSD COVID-19 Hub: covid19.kpbsd.org

· CDC COVID-19 Isolation for K-12 Schools

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Kind Regards,

Pegge Erkeneff, Director of Communications, Community, and Government Relations

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

148 N. Binkley Street

Soldotna, Alaska 99669

direct: 907.714.8847 main: 907.714.8888

www.KPBSD.org | Twitter @KPBSD | Facebook KPBSD

Part-Time Custodian Needed - Cooper Landing School and Moose Pass School are both in need of a 4-hour per day custodian. The job could be combined to make an 8-hour position. Mileage will be paid for travel between the schools. The job will appear soon on the KPBSD website. (The Cooper Landing position is not available until February 11.) Please contact Donna Tucker or Tommy Gossard if interested. 907-595-1244.

Early Release Dates - January 21 and 28. School will end 90 minutes early (1:45).

PAC Meeting - The next PAC meeting is scheduled for January 27. Please let Donna know if there are any items you would like added to the agenda.

Battle of the Books - Grades 3/4 is January 24. Grades 5/6 is January 25.

Volunteers / Background Checks - If you wish to participate in any field trips such as skiing, you must complete the online application which includes consenting to a background check. This is an annual requirement. Navigate to this page to complete the application.

Skiing - Dates for skiing are confirmed! February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 15.

Friday 1-21 - Early Release: students released @ 1:45

Monday 1-24 - Battle of the Books 3rd-4th

Friday 1-28 - Early Release: students released @ 1:45

Skiing - Dates for skiing are confirmed! February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 15. Paperwork will be sent home soon.

Hope School PTO: Today January 18th, 2022 @ 4PM.

Volunteers and Substitute Teachers: Hope School is always happy to have substitute teachers and volunteers. Opportunity is available for both positions currently. Please consider one or both positions and visit our website for more information https://www.applitrak.com/kpbsd/onlineapp/default.aspx.

Important Dates:

January 21st, 2022: EARLY RELEASE @ 2:00 PM

January 28th, 2022: EARLY RELEASE @ 2:00 PM

READATHON: Hope Huskies Readathon February 1st through February 28th. The Students are so excited about this. WOW! If they read a collective 10,000 pages, PIZZA PARTY!!!! Please encourage and support a local Hope Student. Reading is an essential in education.

Skiing - Dates for skiing are confirmed! February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 15. Although Alyeska may not require masks to be warn outside, please make sure you have a mask on hand, should you decide to enter buildings or areas which may require them.

COVID POLICY: Covid information available on district web site https://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/content.aspx?id=42180

VACCINATION INFORMATION LINK: Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available for everyone age 5 and older. Find a location near you: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/id/pages/covid-19/VaccineAppointments.aspx

Hope School Staff