The last month has likely been a whirlwind. Let's rewind and review the district COVID guidance again.
What's a cohort?
Cohorts really only exist in our PreK and Elementary buildings. A cohort is a group that stays together as they move throughout the day. Mrs. Miller's Kindergarten class is a cohort and Miss. Miller's Kindergarten class is a separate cohort. Even though the kids are all in Kindergarten and would have mixed together during a normal school year, we are keeping them separate this year. Because these groups stay together and don't intermingle, we are able to loosen some of the mask rules however, we do still encourage as much social distancing as possible.
Positive cases in a cohort...
Per the current health guidance, when 1 child tests positive in a cohort it affects the entire group and everyone will be out for 14 days. It's nearly impossible to track close contacts of elementary students, especially when you factor in recess.
Protecting yourself from quarantine
While there is likely no avoiding quarantine for the classroom teacher in a cohort, staff can reduce their risk of becoming a contact by keeping their distance.
Do what you can to teach from 6 feet away and assist students without being "in their bubble". Don't stay close with more than one student for more than 15 minutes, and if you do -- make a note of it.
Anytime you need to work 1 on 1 with a student or a small group of students be sure you are keeping track of who it is and the date. (This holds true for building admin, nurses, counselors, and secretaries too!)
The great mask debate
PreK -- No masks. The CDC doesn't really recommend them for children at that age and they remain in cohorts just like our K-5ers.
Elementary - Masks on the bus and for SACC. Some buildings are asking that they are worn during arrival and dismissal as well.
Secondary - Masks are required in the hallways and in classrooms where social distancing is not possible. If you can space students out by 6 feet in your classroom please do so and allow students to remove their masks. Keep in mind that we all need a break from the mask, allow your students to take mask breaks when it's appropriate to do so. You will not be personally reprimanded for allowing appropriate breaks in a controlled environment.
Masks alone will not stop the spread, however they are another layer of protection and mitigation to help lessen exposure. Outbreaks and large numbers of positive cases will mean mass closure. The goal of the district is to keep our campuses open so long as it is appropriate to do so.
Contact Tracing
When the Andrew County Health Department gets a call about a positive case they contact our building administrators. From there class rosters and seating charts are pulled.
For pre-k and elementary students this directly effects the cohort and they will all be asked to quarantine. Other staff who may have been in contact with the positive case are also considered.
In a secondary setting any student who sits next to, in front of, or behind the positive contact will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Likewise, any staff who have been within 6 feet of the positive contact for more than 15 minutes will also be asked to quarantine.
This is not an exact science and when it comes to student-athletes can often become problematic because it is nearly impossible to be positive of who was near who in contact sports. When we can't be positive who has been exposed, more people are likely to be quarantined.
While wearing a mask does lessen your risk, you will still be asked to quarantine if you were within 6 feet of a positive case regardless of a mask or face covering.
Quarantined Staff Members
If you have personally been quarantined as a contact of a positive case on your campus you will be allowed to count that sick time towards your 80 hours of COVID leave.
If you are distance teaching because your entire classroom/grade level/building has been quarantined, it will have no effect on your sick leave or COVID leave.
If you are personally quarantined because you test positive you are allowed to count that sick time towards your 80 hours of COVID leave.
