The Paducah Independent School District has developed this plan to implement health and safety precautions during the 2021-22 school year. Our focus always is providing a safe and secure environment for our students and staff members. We believe that the best learning environment for students is in-person learning with live teachers.
Paducah Public Schools administrators have analyzed guidance from several sources - the Kentucky Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control, Kentucky Department of Health, and the Purchase Area Health Department - to develop this plan. Administrators will continue to monitor health data in the community, as well as local and state guidance, and make changes to this plan as needed.
For more information: See the PPS COVID web page here. For questions or more information, please e-mail Questions@paducah.kyschools.us
- All families should screen their students for symptoms of COVID-19 before sending them to school. Symptoms include fever, chills, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, new cough, new loss of taste or smell or gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Parents should make sure that students have no signs or symptoms of illness prior to sending them to school. Students with a fever of 100.4 or greater will not be allowed in school. To return to school, students should be fever-free for 24 hours with no medication.
- Parents whose children are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 before school should contact their health care provider for further guidance and keep their student at home. Contact the school attendance clerk where your student is enrolled to report the absence.
IF A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER EXHIBITS SYMPTOMS WHILE AT SCHOOL
If a student or staff member displays at least one symptom (fever, chills, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, new cough, new loss of taste or smell or gastrointestinal symptoms) while at school, as determined by our school nurse, the student or staff member may be tested for COVID at school assuming availability of tests (students must have parental consent). Parents will be called to pick up the student. Staff members will leave immediately.
ISOLATION AT HOME
Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 will:
- Isolate at home for 5 days regardless of vaccination status.
- After isolating for 5 days, individuals with no symptoms may return and wear a well-fitting mask for the remaining 5 days.
- If symptomatic or unable to mask after 5 days, the individual will isolate for an additional 5 days (days 6-10), returning on day 11.
IF A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER IS EXPOSED TO A PERSON TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID
Exposure to person testing positive to COVID while at school:
- Following at-school exposures, students and staff will remain at school, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Individuals who are identified as direct contacts will be notified of the exposure and provided additional guidance.
Exposure to person testing positive to COVID while away from school.
Fully Vaccinated Persons
- Do not need to quarantine if they have no symptoms
- Are recommended to get a COVID test 5-7 days after the last date of exposure. This can be obtained at the school through Wild Health or the Baptist Health clinics at school.
- Are required to continue to wear a mask while at school and recommended to wear a mask any other time they are indoors.
Unvaccinated Persons or People Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated (i.e. have 1st shot only OR it has not been 14 days since 2nd shot OR who do not have a documented COVID 19 infection in the prior 3 months)
- Can quarantine at home for 10 full days from the last date of exposure.
- Can quarantine 5 days if they have NO symptoms AND have a negative COVID Test (PCR or Rapid) on or after day 5 of the quarantine. Testing can be completed at school with Wild Health or Baptist Health Nurse Office at school. Persons can return to school immediately with a negative result.
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VACCINES
Medical experts advise that vaccines are the best defense against serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines are now available for all individuals five years of age or older, and on January 3, 2022, the FDA approved boosters for individuals 12 years of age and older. You can find vaccine locations here.
Health officials have changed the definition of being fully vaccinated to require a booster shot. According to the new guidance, an individual is considered fully vaccinated:
- For six months, beginning 14 days after receiving their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
- For two months, beginning 14 days after receiving one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
- Immediately after receiving a booster shot. Note: no waiting period is needed. (Individuals aged 12 and up are eligible for a booster shot six months after receiving their two-shot regimen of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after receiving one shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
DISTRICT COVID-19 MITIGATION PROTOCOLS
District-wide COVID-19 mitigation protocols include:
- Masks
Paducah Public Schools continue universal masking due to an increase in the spread of COVID-19. This applies to all district facilities and PPS vehicles, including all school buses, at all times.
A committee that includes the Purchase Area Health Department and local physicians will continue to meet regularly with Dr. Shively to review the local data on the Kentucky COVID-19 current incidence rate map. Any adjustments to universal masking are announced Friday afternoons for the following week.
- Social Distancing:
• Schools will make every attempt to increase space between students to 3 feet, when possible, through supervision and communication.
• Every attempt will be made at the school to reduce congestion in the classroom and in shared areas.
• Buildings may limit visitors.
- Personal Protective Equipment and School Health Policies
• All schools will encourage frequent hand-washing and good hand-cleaning hygiene.
• All schools will clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be in every classroom and in high traffic areas.
- Sanitation and Environmental Standards
• As always, proper hand washing and respiratory hygiene practices (covering coughs and sneezing into the elbow) will be taught and emphasized to students and staff members. Frequent use of hand sanitizer also will be encouraged throughout the school day.
• Daily cleaning and disinfection of school facilities will follow KDE (Kentucky Department of Education) and Kentucky Department of Public Heath guidance.
• Cleaning, disinfecting, and PPE supplies that meet the safety and health needs of students and staff will be on hand daily.
OUR COMMITMENT
The health and well-being of PPS students, employees, and families has been and will continue to be the top priority in every decision made. The Paducah Public Schools Board of Education has invested millions of dollars in mitigation and prevention measures, including:
- Extending the hours of HVAC in all schools to assist with indoor air quality.
- Providing air purifiers for classrooms without windows.
- Purchasing PPE and additional cleaning supplies and equipment.
- Extending COVID-19 leave benefits for employees.
- Incentivizing vaccination for employees.
As a district, we are committed to meeting any needs that may arise as we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19. We pledge to continue to do what is needed to protect our students, employees, and families.
For more information see the PPS COVID web page here. For more information or questions, please e-mail Questions@paducah.kyschools.us