WPS Advance - Safety and Operations Plan 21-22 / WPS Advance

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PLEASE NOTE: Our COVID response plan may be changed at any point based on WPS data and public health requirements. Any updates will be posted on this web page.

Under New Business during the August 23 Wichita Board of Education meeting, members voted 6-0 to require masks for all individuals in district buildings ages 3 and up starting Monday, August 30. Read more about the BOE vote.

Types of masks recommended and allowed.

Junta de Educación aprueba uso obligatorio de cubrebocas.

Tipos de cubrebocas recomendados y permitidos.

The WPS Advance return to school plan focuses on five key areas:

Healthy learning and work environments - this includes face masks being strongly recommended for students and staff, and required for all visitors

Learning opportunities

Student, staff and partner activities

Food service

Transportation

Specifics on each aspect of the plan are included below. Any updates or modifications to the plan will be posted on this web page. Please be advised that this plan is subject to change based on evolving public health guidance and applicable mandates.

If you have questions that haven't been answered here, please email info@usd259.net. Our team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible!

Healthy Learning and Work Environment
- Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- Students and staff will be strongly encouraged to stay home if you are sick.
- Vaccinations are strongly encouraged, but not required, and optional vaccine clinics will be held at district locations to serve interested students and families.
- FREE TESTING is available for students, staff and families, by appointment. Call 973-4790 or visit our web site (Resources section) for additional information.
- Public health requirements will guide our decisions (including travel restrictions, quarantine expectations, vaccination protocol, etc.).
- Continued emphasis on handwashing and healthy habits.
- Hand sanitizing and cleaning supplies available for order by staff via Oracle shopping list.
- Intensive cleaning, including high touch points, will continue through the year.
- Air handling enhancements will continue.
- Isolation rooms will be used again this year to accommodate those who become ill or develop symptoms after arriving to school.
- WPS COVID employee hotline will centralize employee response and tracking.
- Nurses will continue to monitor for illness, and follow existing COVID protocols should there be concern about student or staff illness.
- A revised COVID protocol has been developed that places priority on masking and vaccination in order to avoid missing school or work due to close-contact COVID quarantine.
Learning Opportunities
- Virtual learning is available through EI Academy. MySchool Remote is not allowed based on direction from the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Legislature.
- Students will continue to have one-to-one device and internet access available, and teachers will incorporate innovative technology use into classroom instruction in order to expand opportunities for all learners.
- Each IEP team (which includes the student's parents) will need to assess the unique needs of each student, and determine if any additional supports are necessary to provide that student with their free and appropriate public education.
- Focused attention is being directed to social-emotional learning and supports for students, as well as staff, as this area is one of three prioritized by stakeholders for the use of ESSER funds.
Student, Staff and Partner Activities
- All visitors are required to wear a mask while in WPS buildings and central offices during business hours when staff and students are present. This applies to anyone who does not have a valid WPS staff or student ID.
- The following activities will resume during the 21-22 school year following all health and safety guidelines in place for staff, students and visitors. If changes become necessary due to community health considerations, these activities may be modified.
- Employees travel out-of-state for professonal learning opportunities may occur only if they are fully vaccinated
- Schools may conduct field trips in-state if all participants (including chaperones) are fully masked
- All out-of-state student travel is temporarily suspended until further notice
Food Services
- All students will eat at no cost (except a la carte) per federal guidelines.
- Household Income Survey will be used in lieu of federal F/R lunch form during 21-22.
- Meals will be distributed to students at school, and there will be no remote meal distribution sites.
- Menus will be similar to the pre-pandemic traditional lunch and breakfast program.
- Breakfast is a priority
Transportation
- All students who ride on buses (First Student WPS regular transportation AND City of Wichita buses) are required to mask up based on city and federal regulations.
- Masks will be available for those students who arrive at the bus without one.

WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WPS Advance - Safety and Operations Plan 21-22

Healthy Learning and Work Environment

Learning Opportunities

Student, Staff and Partner Activities

Food Services

Transportation

WICHITA

PUBLIC SCHOOLS