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 is awaiting test results.
- The number of students utilizing the virtual learning environment.
- Risk Dial increasing from 2.5 to 3.0
- 3 Rivers reminders related to hygiene
- FPS needing substitute teachers
- FPS changes Blueprint in High Orange and Red Risk Dial designations
The breakdown of the numbers is as follows:
Number of Students not in school today due to a positive COVID-19 Test: 17
Number of Students not in school today due to quarantine: 205
Total number of students absent today for any illness: 186
Number of employees not working today due to a positive COVID-19 Test: 13
Number of employees not working today due to quarantine: 37
Number of certified teaching staff not at work today for any reason: 49
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 current enrollment numbers for students participating in the virtual learning environment. As of today, 432 students are enrolled in the virtual school option – this represents approximately 9.02% of the overall student enrollment of 4,788.
The Three Rivers Public Health Risk Dial for Dodge County increased from 2.5 to 3.0 – to mid-orange. As a reminder, the Dial utilizes eight data points on a rolling three-week average.
“While our positive COVID cases have increased this week, they continue to affect a very low percentage of our students and staff. We are seeing this increase as a reflection of the amount of cases within our community. Outside of the school day, it is vital to follow the 3 Cs to keep our students, staff, and their families healthy,” stated Brad Dahl, Associate Superintendent of Fremont Public Schools.
Please continue to follow Nebraska’s campaign to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the 3 Cs. Families should avoid crowded places, close contact with others, and confined spaces. Remembering to avoid the 3 Cs can help keep you safe and slow the spread in your community. Fremont Public Schools, working with the Three Rivers Public Health Department, stresses the importance of good hygiene habits to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your face and wear a mask
- Wear a clean mask every day
- Stay home if you feel sick
- If you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, stay home
FPS continues to navigate through a substitute teacher shortage – magnified by COVID-19.
“The District has requested and been granted a waiver from the Nebraska Department of Education to begin utilizing paraprofessionals and general aides, with at least two years of experience, as substitute teachers. We also continue to recruit local substitute teachers,” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Schools. Individuals with at least 60 hours of college education may be eligible for a local substitute teaching certificate.
Fremont Public Schools pays substitute teachers $145 per day. Anyone with a desire to seek a local substitute certificate is encouraged to contact the Human Resources office at 402-727-3016 or by email at kate.baker@fspmail.org.
“We’ve had to get creative with filling classrooms due to teachers being absent – we are committed to continuing to support our teachers – recognizing the awesome job they are doing,” Shepard concluded.
Last week Fremont Public Schools announced a change to the Blueprint according to the level of risk associated with the Three Rivers Public Health Department Risk Dial. Until this point, Fremont Public Schools has had plans to transition from in-class learning to a hybrid or fully remote model in the Orange and Red levels. In accordance with guidance from Three Rivers and Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Departments, we have announced that we will plan to keep students in class as much and for as long as possible.
“We have learned a lot in the past three months and because of the terrific work our schools are doing, we have found that keeping students in school is the safest place for them to be. School staff and students are wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing on a frequent basis. Because of all of these efforts, we have found very little transmission of COVID-19 among students and staff members within our schools.” said Terra Uhing, Executive Director of Three Rivers Public Health Department.
The full press release can be found at fremonttigers.org/news.
