FREMONT – Fremont Public Schools released information today related to:
- The number of students and staff absent due to testing positive for COVID-19.
- The number of students and staff in quarantine due to close contact exposure to
someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results. - The number of students utilizing the virtual learning environment.
- October 13 – No students due to training and lesson development
- USDA has approved free meals for all students
The breakdown of the numbers is as follows:
- Total number of students absent today for any illness: 176
- Number of Students not in school today due to positive COVID-19 Test: 3
- Number of Students not in school today due to quarantine: 30
- Number of certified teaching staff not at work today for any reason: 37
- Number of employees not working today due to a positive COVID-19 Test: 1
- Number of employees not working today due to quarantine: 5
The number of students quarantined due to exposure is testimony to the impact of contact tracing, which FPS works together with Three Rivers Public Health Department to achieve. Quarantining individuals, due to exposure, greatly limits the spread of the virus and keeps others safe.
The District does not release information by school or grade level in an effort to not share information that is personally identifiable. This would be in violation of FERPA (Federal Education Rights to Privacy Act) and potentially employment and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act) laws.
The District also released the current enrollment numbers for students participating in the virtual learning environment. As of today, 746 students are enrolled in the virtual school option – this represents approximately 15.61% of the overall student enrollment of 4,778. Fremont Public Schools would like to remind parents that students can transition in or out of virtual learning at any time.
“The program was designed to meet the needs of students and families,” said Brent Cudly, Coordinator of Virtual Learning. Individuals and families choosing the virtual learning environment chose this system of learning for a variety of reasons. “It has been a great tool that has afforded families choice during the pandemic. Some have temporarily utilized the program when they or family members have tested positive or have needed to quarantine due to exposure, others have used it to protect themselves or family members who are immune-compromised,” Cudly added.
Please contact your school office if you desire to move back to in-person learning.
The Three Rivers Public Health Risk Dial for Dodge County lowered from 1.88 to 1.75 – Yellow risk level. Positivity rate and positive cases in the county continue to drive the Risk Dial on a rolling three-week average.
This week Dodge County moved to Phase 4 of the reopening plan, according to State Directed Health Measures. This does not mean that the school district suddenly moves away from its’ Blueprint guidance. All of the current protocols remain in effect which includes taking temperatures upon entry into a facility and wearing masks (with few exceptions) in all indoor and outdoor facilities.
FHS’ continues to reinforce that protocol at athletic contests need to be followed by everyone. Recently other entities have greatly limited or eliminated spectators from attending. We believe we can continue to allow spectators into our facilities provided that all protocol related to wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing is followed, including at outside venues.
“Our goal from the beginning has been to provide a safe environment for our students, teachers and the public – the plan is currently working,” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Schools. “We want the public to be able to support and enjoy the school district’s activities but we must adhere to the safeguards we have in place to ensure that we can continue to have school and activities,” he concluded.
Fremont Public Schools is announcing today that the Board of Education approved Tuesday, October 13 to be a teacher workday, where students will not be in attendance. Teachers will be working on lesson plans in SeeSaw and Canvas in order to continue to deliver lessons in person and online.
Today Fremont Public schools notified families that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved free breakfast and lunch for all students. Starting on September 21, no meal charges will be made to the students’ accounts through December 31, 2020, or until the district is notified by the USDA and State Authorities that the funding is depleted.
As we head into Cold and Influenza season, Lois Krohn, the FPS Coordinator of Nursing, offers
the following advice:
- CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccine annually
- This year in light of COVID-19 / similar symptoms, the vaccine should be considered
- Flu vaccines are offered in clinics, health departments, pharmacies, and urgent cares
Three Rivers Public Health will be holding a Flu Shot Clinic on Wednesday, October 7 from 4 – 6 pm at the Fremont Middle School for students and their families. Please arrive after 3:45 pm and masks are required for all people 2 years and older.
Three Rivers Public Health Department, working with area school districts, continues to analyze the data related to exposures at school and, to date, has not had a single positive test due to transmission at school when all parties were wearing a mask. The District continues to identify ways to strengthen protocols and keep students and staff safe.
