Ludlow Independent Schools

With the recent rise in cases of COVID and the delta variant across the region and state, we will begin the school year with a continuation of the risk mitigation strategies that were successful last year. We will continue with the universal wearing of masks for staff members and students, regardless of vaccination status. This is 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.

ARRIVAL TIMES

Student Arrival/Drop-Off is between 7:45 AM and 8:20AM. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classroom by 8:20 AM. Dismissal remains at 3:10 PM.

ELEMENTARY ARRIVAL

• Between 7:45 and 8:20 AM, all elementary students should use the Oak Street entrance.
• Grades P-6 will report to the cafeteria upon arrival. Students in K-6 can eat breakfast at that time; preschoolers will eat in their classroom at 8:30 AM. As it gets closer to 8:10 AM, grade levels will be sent to sit in the hallway near their classroom once they've eaten breakfast. Breakfast will be served between 7:45 and 8:10 AM.

HIGH SCHOOL ARRIVAL

• Between 7:45 and 8:10 AM: All students in Grades 7-9 should enter the HS Gym on Oak Street. All students in Grades 10-12 should enter the high school using the Adela Avenue entrance. They will wait in the hallways near the office until the 8:10 AM bell.
• As they arrive, students in Grades 7-12 will get their Grab & Go Breakfast and at the 8:10 AM bell, they will head to their 1st period class by 8:20 AM.

MORNING SHINE & SOAR STUDENTS

• If students are enrolled in the morning SHINE or SOAR programs, these students can arrive at 7:15 AM.
• Morning SHINE students should use the Adela Avenue entrance between 7:15 and 7:45 AM. They should report to the cafeteria for breakfast and their program activities.
• Morning SOAR students should use the HS Gym entrance between 7:15 and 7:45 AM.

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.

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.
• 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.

The first day of school for Grades K-12 is Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

The first day for preschoolers is Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

View our Full 2021-2022 Calendar

View our Supply Lists:

Elementary Supply List

High School Supply List

Web: www.ludlow.kyschools.us

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