6/30/2021 - Board Approved - 6/29/2021
\r\nDear MVESD Families,
\r\nWe hope the summer is off to a great start for you and your families. Here in MVESD, we are already Looking Forward to Back-to-School 2021-2022!
\r\nParents entrust schools not only with their child’s intellectual development and social growth, but also with their child’s safety, health, and well‐being during the school day. Maintaining safe and healthy educational environments for our students and staff members is of the utmost importance to us. Additionally, this last school year has provided us with new experiences to inform our approach to maintaining safe and healthy school buildings. To that end, we have established protocols and procedures for the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to emergency situations.
\r\nAfter careful consideration, Mohave Valley Elementary School District will return to face-to-face learning for all students in the 2021-2022 school year. This decision takes into account students’ academic and social-emotional needs, updated guidance from health organizations, and improving pandemic conditions, including lower rates of community spread and the percentage of our school staff who have been vaccinated.
\r\nAt the start of the new school year on August 2, 2021, MVESD plans to offer all K-8 students full-day, in-person instruction at all schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Students in all grade levels will attend 5 days per week, and schools will resume normal hours. All transportation will resume. Our current plan also includes offering families a fully remote K-8 option as well.
\r\nSurveillance and Reporting during all stages of a pandemic outbreak is essential in order to monitor and document the number of students and faculty who are absent and meet the definition of infectious illness. Keeping track of these numbers will help health and school officials determine when and whether to close schools and whether the pandemic is increasing in scope.
\r\nThe following transmission models are based on communication with the Mohave County Health Department, Arizona State Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the MVESD Governing Board.
\r\nThe following Proposed COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols are based on low transmission and positivity rates in our local region. We anticipate starting the 2021-2022 school year in the following category:
\r\n0% - 4.99% of Student Population ill with Respiratory COVID/Flu-like Symptoms with low to moderate transmission/cases/ and positivity rates in our local region:
\r\nFace Coverings No Longer Required
\r\nFace coverings will no longer be required for any student or staff member, however, masks may be worn by those who feel more comfortable doing so.
Face coverings will not be required in any educational space or activity including school buses, athletics, etc.
Masks are supported if individuals choose or need to wear them and we will support this choice and work through each situation.
COVID Immunizations Not Mandatory
\r\nMVESD will continue to provide information to the community about COVID immunization opportunities as a courtesy for those who wish to access the vaccine. However, the COVID immunization will not be required for staff or students.
Quarantines Discontinued
\r\nQuarantines of healthy/non-symptomatic students and staff will be discontinued.
Should a student or staff member test positive for COVID, or show symptoms commonly associated with COVID, they will be asked to isolate for 10 days (unless they provide documentation of being fully vaccinated).
The person in isolation may return if they receive a negative COVID test after day 5 of isolation.
MVESD will work to make COVID testing more accessible for symptomatic staff.
Social Distancing
\r\nSocial distancing will be practiced when possible. Due to the size of our facilities and student body, and our decision to return to full capacity for the 2021-2022 school year, it will not be possible in many cases.
Visitors in MVESD Schools/Facilities Permitted
\r\nIn the 2021-2022 school year, visitors will be permitted in schools but will need to fill out a COVID questionnaire and be prescreened by the Health Clerk at the school. Face coverings may be required for visitors. Visitors may wear a face covering if they are more comfortable doing so.
Field Trips Resume
\r\nField trips will return as possible, depending on venue/location guidelines.
Athletics and Activities Resume
\r\nAthletics and activities will resume normal processes in 2021-2022.
Facilities Rentals Resume
\r\nFacilities rentals will resume as available with access to proper cleaning procedures taken into consideration.
Transportation
\r\nBuses will be cleaned between routes and at the end of the day, and students will wash their hands after entering school.
Routes are currently being updated for the 2021-2022 school year and route information will be available during the week before school starts.
Expect buses to be running late on the first few days of school due to new routes and parent pictures. Students will not be in trouble if they’re late to school from an arriving bus.
Cleaning Protocols:
\r\nMVESD will arrange for daily cleaning and disinfecting of all frequently touched surfaces in work areas, such as door handles, sink handles, desks, and learning tools and assign schedules to custodial staff for increased cleaning of surfaces and bathrooms throughout the day.
\r\nTouchpoints (i.e. doorknobs, light switches, etc.) will continue to be disinfected throughout all buildings on a daily basis.
School buses will continue to be disinfected daily.
Teachers and staff will continue to have access to disinfectant supplies, including disinfecting spray, to clean high-touch areas regularly if desired.
Hand Hygiene
\r\nMVESD will continue to encourage good hand hygiene, such as reminding students to wash hands after using the restroom, before meals, etc., and provide access to hand sanitizer stations.