COVID-19 Quick Links |
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COVID-19 Testing Consent and Appointment Form |
Testing Options |
Response Information |
FAQ's |
Returning to In-Person |
COVID-19 Questions? Email: covidinfo@usd261.com |
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) or the
Sedgwick County Health Department)
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is limiting our COVID testing in the district to those who are symptomatic or close contacts to a positive person. We will no longer be able to provide testing for other purposes effective immediately. The web page below provides links to multiple testing locations in our area. Please let me know if you have any questions.
https://www.wichita.edu/industry_and_defense/mdl/Community_Collection_Partners.php
As you are aware, the current surge in the omicron variant is creating immense pressure on our schools and staff members as we work to keep classrooms staffed and in-person learning possible. To help alleviate some of the pressure on our schools, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), along with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) have recommended changes to COVID-19 Response Plans.
Effective January 24, any USD #261 student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 have two options:
Effective January 24, any student or staff member who is identified as a close contact at home will be required to:
Effective January 24, any student or staff member who is identified as a close contact outside of school will be required to:
What this means for staff and students: If testing positive for COVID 19, select the protocol choice that best fits your needs. If currently isolating as the result of a positive COVID 19 test or quarantined as the result of being a close contact, effective Monday, January 24, you may return if five days have passed and you meet the criteria listed above.
Staff and students experiencing any of the following symptoms, should stay home and contact their health care provider for further instructions:
As you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The District is constantly reviewing the strategies put into place to limit our students and staff’s exposure to the COVID-19 virus. With the recent availability of a COVID-19 vaccine for students in grades K-12, the District re-evaluated the strategies in the COVID-19 Response Plan. At their December 20 meeting USD #261 BOE members voted unanimously to update the District's COVID-19 Response Plan.
Effective January 4, 2022, the following changes will be implemented:
We believe these changes will allow our staff to best meet the academic and social emotional needs of all USD 261 students. As has been our practice, the District will continue to monitor the COVID-19 Response Plan and adjust as needed.
The District is constantly evaluating it's COVID Response Plan, and adjusting when appropriate. Recently, a COVID vaccine became available to children between the ages of 5-12. This now gives every child in the K-12 setting the option to receive the vaccine if their family so chooses. While we strongly encourage our families to explore this option, please note USD #261 is NOT mandating students receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Effective immediately, the District will no longer require visitors to wear masks when entering a USD #261 facility or attending an extra-curricular event. Visitors will be required to wear a mask in the following situations:
Please note federal law requires all passengers on a school bus to wear a mask while being transported. The District continues to require students to wear a mask while riding in a USD #261 vehicle.
The District will continue to review it's COVID 19 Response Plan and communicate changes as they occur.
The District maintains weekly data on the impact of the COVID-19 virus to our students and staff, and this data is used to drive local decisions. On September 20th the board approved a plan to address individual buildings impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Effective immediately, students and staff within individual buildings will be required to wear a mask for a two-week period when one of the following data points is reached within their school.
The decision to implement this policy will be based on data collected over a one week period (Thursday to Thursday).
Students and staff attending a school impacted by the mandate will be notified of the change by the end of the school week, and the mandate will go into effect on the following Monday. Data will be reviewed at the end of the two week cycle, and if the percentages drop below the identified threshold, students and staff will not be required to wear a mask within the building. Please note that if the percentages increase again, the mask mandate for the building will go back into effect for an additional two-week period. When a building is in a mask mandate, and masks are worn properly, students and staff will not be considered close contacts to a positive case, and will not be required to quarantaine.
Since the start of the 21-22 school year, the District has been able to provide free COVID 19 testing to our students who have been identified as a close contact or experiencing symptoms associated with the COVID 19 virus. However, due to the extensive workload this practice has placed on our staff, the District will no longer provide daily COVID 19 testing for students at each school. This change will take place immediately.
Effective Monday, September 20, the District will only offer drive through PCR testing at the District office, 1745 W Grand, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The number of tests performed at this location is limited, and students who wish to participate must sign up in advance.
If a student is identified as a close contact at school, s/he may continue to attend in person and participate in extracurricular activities if s/he:
We will continue to discuss and notify you of any changes to the USD 261 COVID Response Plan. Should you have additional questions, please call (316) 554-2200.
The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority, and the District is committed to providing the opportunity for every student to have a positive school experience. Recently, a committee composed of District staff, board of education members, and parents met and provided feedback on the District's COVID Response Plan for the 2021-22 school year. This committee will continue to meet throughout the school year and present their recommendations to the board.
On July 19, the Haysville Board of Education voted 7-0 to make face coverings optional, in all USD #261 facilities, effective July 20. When considering adjustments to the COVID Response Plan, the District will continue to evaluate data provided by Sedgwick County Health Department, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the CDC, as well as the social emotional needs of our students and staff.
As a District we are stronger together. The support and dedication from our staff and community are what continue to make Haysville Public Schools a great place for students.
We will continue to discuss and notify you of any changes to the USD 261 COVID Response Plan. Should you have additional questions, please call (316) 554-2200.