FPS releases return to in-person instruction plan

Fremont Public Schools is releasing the Return to In-Person Instruction Plan for the 2021-2022 school year.
 
FPS officials said they have spent considerable time and energy working through the details of each of the various scenarios related to the levels of risk within the community. They continue to develop as information related to the response of COVID-19 and guidance continues to flow from various organizations.
 
The guidance is designed to be flexible and adjust if necessary. School employees representing various employee groups and public health officials have been involved in developing and reviewing the plan.
 
“Input from Three Rivers (Public Health Department) was invaluable in developing this plan and reviewing it. They have been a great leader and partner throughout the pandemic,” FPS Superintendent Mark Shepard said.
 
The plan also took into consideration input received from an online survey of district patrons.
 
The plan does not require daily temperature checks for entry into school and recommends masking for individuals who are currently not fully vaccinated. However, it is not required. Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate for 10 days following symptom onset or test date if asymptomatic.
 
Close contacts should social distance and wear a mask when possible. During summer school and summer camps, the district tested the proposed protocols and found them to be appropriate.
 
 “The plan is designed to work with the associated risk of COVID-19 in a similar fashion to that of the district and community’s previous responses to other health risks such as pertussis (whooping cough), mumps and influenza,” FPS Associate Superintendent Brad Dahl said. “The plan will deal with individuals and groups of students potentially affected, as opposed to the student body as a whole.” 
 
Students and staff exhibiting a fever greater than 100.0° will be required to stay out of school until they are fever-free for 24 hours.
 
“Should the level of spread within a classroom, school building or the community reach a level that requires more stringent requirements, the district can and will revert to the protocol proven effective during the 2020-21 school year,” Shepard said. 
 
The plan can be accessed at fremonttigers.org/return-to-school-2021.