Ludlow Independent Schools

With the rise in cases of COVID and the delta variant across the region and state, we will continue with the universal wearing of masks for staff members and students, regardless of vaccination status. This has been in place since the opening of school in August, and it continues to be the most effective way we can keep our Panthers healthy and in school.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with our Kentucky Department of Education, strongly advocate the importance of in-person learning. Given the multiple layers of protection through the safety strategies we'll have in place, we will only be offering in-person learning at this time.

We will use the guidance for schools, as well as our local data, to continue to monitor and evaluate our plan to make the best decision for our students. Adjustments will be made based on these recommendations and current data. After our Fall Break in October, we will utilize a matrix specific to our zip code that will allow the possibility of no universal masking if positivity rates decline. As the school year continues, and new data is available, Superintendent Borchers will adjust the district plan as needed.

We continue to encourage all eligible students and staff members to get fully vaccinated. This helps mitigate the spread of COVID, as well as limits the number of quarantines needed.

We are taking many, many steps to ensure a healthy environment, following the Healthy at School Guidelines:

• We will continue to monitor guidelines throughout the school year and base decisions on those recommendations as well as the COVID data/rates in our community.
• Per federal guidelines, all students/staff riding public transportation (a school bus) must wear a mask for the duration of the ride. Please make a note of this for athletes traveling to an away game, or students on a field trip.
• Hand sanitizing stations are in all rooms and throughout hallways. Students will be asked to use hand sanitizer as they enter and exit a room. Proper hand-washing technique will be reminded and encouraged.
• Desks or tables will be used in classrooms, spread out as much as possible. Social distancing will be encouraged as much as possible.
• Classroom desks will be cleaned thoroughly at least once daily.
• Common areas such as restrooms, stairwell rails, and door handles will be cleaned often throughout the day.
• We encourage students to use the water fountains that allow for filling water bottles. Students may bring a water bottle to school with them to use during class. Drinking directly from a fountain will be prohibited.
• An Isolation Room will be set up for students not feeling well so that they may be secluded and not sit in the main office area. Parents will be contacted for pickup.
• We will continue to follow the process for quarantining students or staff members if they are exposed to a person who tests positive for COVID. Students and staff members who are fully vaccinated will NOT have to quarantine, per CDC guidelines.

As of September 8th, our district has partnered with Gravity Diagnostics to provide the Test to Stay Program. This program, which follows the guidance of the NKY Health Department, will allow a student, with parental consent, to attend school even if they have been exposed. Testing is conducted on our campus and is free of charge to families. Students must meet the following conditions as well:

• Show no symptoms
• Wear a mask indoors when at school
• Have been exposed to COVID-19 at school only
• Quarantine when not at school
• Test negative daily during the Test to Stay Program

The chart below displays the testing protocol that will need to be completed by a student participating in the Test to Stay Program.

With the help of Gravity Diagnostics, we continue to offer PCR Testing for COVID-19 for any student upon a parent request. Results are typically returned in 24 hours. Tests can be conducted on our campus, and is free of charge to families. To request PCR testing, please contact Nurse Ashley Baumgardner at nurseludlow@ludlow.kyschools.us or 859-431-7242.

Following these steps can help ensure a safe and enjoyable school year:

• We certainly encourage anyone age 12 or older to be vaccinated if at all possible. If you are in need of assistance with getting vaccinated, please contact our school nurse, Ashley Baumgardner, at nurseludlow@ludlow.kyschools.us or 859-431-7242. If a student is fully vaccinated, they do not have to quarantine if exposed, unless they present with symptoms.
• Help reinforce the importance of the safety reminders. Ask your child to use hand sanitizer and proper hand-washing techniques regularly. Practice social distancing as much as possible. We can all remind students of our positive behavior motto:
  Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible.
• Communicate with us if your child or someone in your household tests positive for COVID.
• Keep your child at home if they aren't feeling well. If their temperature is over 100.4 degrees, they should stay home. Please do not administer medication to break the fever, then send them immediately to school. When calling your child in sick, letting our office staff know his/her symptoms is helpful as we gather data on illnesses.
• Don't hesitate to contact someone in the school office or your child's teacher if you are concerned or need assistance with their emotional, social, or academic progress.

If positivity rates and absences are extremely high among our region, local community, and school district, the district may utilize Remote Learning as needed. Like last year, students would remain home and log into their Google Classrooms to connect with teachers.

With all mitigation strategies in place, it our our hope that students can remain on campus for in-person learning throughout the full school year.

Our COVID Dashboard is updated daily on our webpage. You can also find a number of other COVID-related documents, communications, resources, and links on our COVID Page as well.

Web: www.ludlow.kyschools.us

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