FREMONT – Fremont Public Schools announced today that, to date, FPS 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; while Three Rivers Public Health Department, working with area school districts, continues to analyze the data related to exposures at school.
Fremont Public Schools also released its weekly update today, informing the public of:
- 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.
- Flu Shot Clinics available for students and their families.
The breakdown of the numbers is as follows:
- Total number of students absent today for any illness: 121
- Number of Students not in school today due to a positive COVID-19 Test: 7
- Number of Students not in school today due to quarantine: 38
- Number of certified teaching staff not at work today for any reason: 27
- Number of employees not working today due to a positive COVID-19 Test: 1
- Number of employees not working today due to quarantine: 11
The District also released the current enrollment numbers for students participating in the virtual learning environment. As of today, 687 students are enrolled in the virtual school option – this represents approximately 14.37% of the overall student enrollment of 4,781.
Fremont Public Schools would like to remind parents that students can transition in or out of virtual learning at any time. 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 increased from 1.75 to 1.88 – Yellow risk level, where we were two weeks ago. Positivity rate and positive cases in the county continue to drive the Risk Dial on a rolling three week average. 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.
FPS continues to reinforce that protocol at athletic contests need to be followed by everyone. FPS believes it can continue to allow spectators into its’ facilities provided that all protocol related to wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing is followed, including at outside venues.
“Our student athletes are off to a great start to their respective seasons. We want to thank our supporters for following our protocols so that our athletes can continue to compete and have spectators in the stands or on the sidelines,” stated Fremont High School Activities Director Scott Anderson.
Starting this week on September 21, no meal charges have been made to student accounts due to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approving free breakfast and lunch for all students. This will continue 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, FPS’ reminds everyone that the CDC recommends that anyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccine annually. Flu vaccines are offered in clinics, health departments, pharmacies, and urgent care facilities.
Three Rivers Public Health will be holding Flu Shot Clinics at several school locations for students and their families. They ask that you arrive after no more than 15 minutes prior to the start time and masks are required for all people 2 years and older.
The Flu Shot Clinics will be held on
- Monday, October 5 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Linden Elementary
- Wednesday, October 7 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Fremont Middle School
- Monday, October 19 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm at Johnson Crossing Academic Center
- Wednesday, October 21 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at Washington Elementary
FPS says 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.
“Working together we continue to be able to deliver instruction both in-person and online. Our staff has been doing an amazing job!” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Schools. “As restrictions are lessened, due to phase 4 of the State’s reopening plan, we have to be vigilant in our efforts to keep our buildings and programs open,” concluded Shepard.
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.
