Marmaton Valley U.S.D. No. 256

128 W. Oak

Moran, Kansas 66755-9710

Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

2021-2022 School Year

Revised June 2021

PART I.

Describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:

Universal and correct wearing of masks:

Marmaton Valley USD 256 no longer has a mask requirement. Those staff and students who would like to wear a mask will be allowed to do so while inside USD 256 buildings. When outdoors, face masks are not required but are optional for those who choose to wear them.

If necessary, Marmaton Valley USD 256 may adopt reasonable safety measures to protect the safety of district personnel, students, and visitors during school-related activities. Reasonable safety measures may include, but may not be limited to, cleaning and sanitization plans, use of physical safeguards and barriers, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Exceptions to any requirements may be granted as required by law, state, county, and/or local health officials, and on a case-by-case basis. We will continue to monitor national, state, and local government and health agency mandates, guidance, and recommendations as well.

Amendment Made to wearing of Masks - September 13, 2021

If a building reaches 8 staff/student active cases, a required 2 week mask mandate will be initiated after a day notice has been given to families. We will take into consideration "clusters" of students or "families" in this count. These extenuating circumstances may allow a building to stay in "mask recommended" status. At the conclusion of the 2 week interval, if active cases are at or below 3 active cases for staff/student, the building will revert back to the mask recommended protocol. We will honor medical exemption paperwork from a doctor for those students who need to refrain from wearing a mask due to medical reasons.

Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).

Appropriate distancing is not required. For those staff and students who would like to physical distance (3 ft.) may do so.

(C) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.

Handwashing and respiratory etiquette will continue to be taught to students with emphasis and practice protocols rehearsed more frequently in the primary grade levels. Individuals are encouraged to wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. Hands should be washed or sanitized before and after using shared supplies. Covering coughs and sneezes is always recommended.

(D) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.

Custodial staff have been and will continue to follow specific cleaning protocols and procedures. We will continue to consider assignments/reassignments to applicable shifts in order to continually clean high traffic and high contact surfaces. USD 256 will continue to use cleaning solutions that are rated to eliminate the COVID-19 virus. We will continue to monitor ventilation efficiency and effectiveness for opportunities to continually improve air quality.

(E) Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.

Contact tracing will be done in cooperation with the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.

(F) Diagnostic and screening testing.

Students, staff, and community members can access COVID-19 diagnostic or screening tests through a variety of health organizations.

(G) Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.

Marmaton Valley USD 256 will participate and partner with vaccination efforts in accordance with state and federal law for staff and eligible student groups. The District will not refuse, withhold from, or deny a person any services, goods, facilities, advantages, privileges, licensing, educational opportunities, health care access, or employment opportunities based on the person's COVID-19 vaccination status.

(H) Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.

Marmaton Valley USD 256 will provide reasonable, necessary, and appropriate accommodations to its policies and practices for students with disabilities as determined by individual student needs and in accordance with an individual’s documented accommodations and/or individualized education plan (IEP)

(I) Coordination with State and local health officials

Applicable district personnel currently participate, and will continue to participate, with our local county health department and/or agencies on a frequent basis to determine next steps as needed.

Part II. Describe how the district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:

Services to address students' academic needs

Marmaton Valley USD 256 will implement a support program to assist students with academic recovery. USD 256 plans to continue full time, in-person instruction beginning the fall of 2021. Additional instructional personnel have been added or reassigned where possible to implement further academic recovery efforts in core curriculum areas.

(B) Students' and staff social, emotional, mental health

Marmaton Valley USD 256 district has pre K-12 staff to monitor and address the social and emotional learning needs of our students. We will continue to partner with local mental health services with the goal of helping students and families overcome obstacles with connecting to school.

Marmaton Valley USD 256 district has provided staff with opportunities for social and emotional support through USD 256’s participation with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider.

(C) Other needs, which may include student health and food services.

Food services will continue as normal during the 2021-2022 school year, with free meals to all students per the USDA statement.

Official Document can be found in the menu/documents/district information/COVID Plan 21-22

Marmaton Valley USD #256

District Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services 2021-2022 School Year

State Track