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2nd Semester Planning and COVID-19 Testing Information
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Frequently Asked Questions
INFORMATION AND PLANNING FOR 2nd SEMESTER
Since the December 6th email sent to parents, many questions have come in and we would like to update all of you with the answers we have at this time.
We have also extended the deadline to fill out the form until 4PM on Tuesday, December 15th, 2020. This way, you will have the Board of Education's decision from December 14th and answers to many of the questions you have shared with us.
Please send additional questions to: listen@weldre5j.org
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Answers to some of the questions we have received: |
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What has changed with COVID-19 now for us to consider going back to in-person instruction in January 2021? |
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Here is what has changed since we went remote prior to Thanksgiving:
The CDC and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have provided guidance to schools on the following items:
- Smaller cohorts can now be grouped within the classroom setting. Rather than everyone being 6 feet apart, a small cohort group can be 6 feet apart from other small cohort groups within the same classroom. This way, we can quarantine just the group if needed, not the whole class. How will we keep groups 6 feet away? We will add circles on the floor, areas of the room for each group to stay in, assigned seating, etc.
- Quarantine rules have changed. When we do have a quarantine with students and teachers, all individuals can return to school IF they do not have symptoms and they take a COVID-19 test and test negative on the 5th day of quarantine.
- Staff members who are put on a quarantine no longer have to stay out for the full 14 days. They can return IF they do not have symptoms and IF they take a COVID-19 test and test negative. Staffing classrooms was difficult when many staff were out on quarantine. We have a little more flexibility with our staff quarantine now than we do with students.
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What has Weld RE-5J done since we went remote before Thanksgiving to assure the safety in our schools?
We are currently the only school district in Northern Colorado that is providing FREE staff testing and community testing. Windsor just began their staff testing this week. As we move forward, we will offer the following:
- It will be strongly encouraged that ALL staff members get COVID-19 tested on January 5th, 2021. This will provide us with current information for staffing our schools.
- Students will now be able to be tested, with parent consent, within our buildings starting in January 2021. If a child comes to school and has a fever or showing other signs of COVID-19, we will call the parent(s)/guardians to come pick up the child. Once the parent(s)/guardians come to the building, the student will be able to be tested FREE for COVID-19 right then WITH PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT. This way, parents/guardians do not have to schedule another appointment for testing. Results from the test will come back to the parent within 2 days or so.
- We will continue to do FREE community testing on Fridays starting in January 2021 at the MAC and at Nelson Farms where parents can get tested by the same company the students are tested.
- We will require assigned seats with a seating chart on the bus as well as in the classroom.
- We have extended our substitutes to work full-time at each of our schools until the end of May. This provides 3 additional staff members at each building.
- Many of our paraprofessionals that are currently employed are deciding that they would like to work full-time starting in January 2021. This will provide our schools with more coverage (40 hours rather than 29 hours for each paraprofessional).
- We have asked our partners at the YMCA and TRPR if they could help our families on Fridays if we return to a M-TH school week 2nd semester. They are happy to help and if any parent is on Free/Reduced Lunch, we will assist the family with getting scholarships for students to attend one of these places on Fridays.
- We have also acquired additional masks for children and staff, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for staff members and some students, additional cleaning supplies (spray bottles of disinfectant that dries in 60 seconds), etc.
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Will masks still need to be worn at school?
Yes. Masks will continue to be worn throughout the day at school. We will encourage many mask breaks, recess, outdoor time, etc., for our students during the day.
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Will busses run their full routes?
Yes. Transportation will run their full routes and students will need to wear masks and have assigned seats for contact tracing. We encourage our parents to bring their child to school, if possible, to keep the numbers lower on the busses but we will offer transportation to all students that need it and qualify for it. We will re-post the transportation routes once we are approved to go back to in-person learning.
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Will lunches still be served to the community for free?
Yes -- through June 2021. Parents can pick up the lunches at the schools M-TH for any online child or younger child at home. Busses will deliver the lunches in the community on Fridays only. During the Friday delivery, students will be able to receive 3 breakfasts and lunches for the weekend.
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Will online learning still be available?
Yes. Parents can continue their child(ren) in online school. If parents are uncomfortable with going to a more in-person schedule at school, parents can select to have their child(ren) attend an online class. We cannot guarantee that the same teacher will follow the children back to in-person learning or online learning.
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What do parents need to do to indicate what instructional preference they want for their children?
If your child(ren) are currently in online learning, and have been the 1st semester, and you would like to continue online learning for 2nd semester, NO NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM.
If your child(ren) were in hybrid learning PRIOR to going remote before Thanksgiving, and you would like to continue in-person for 2nd semester even if it is more days and full days, NO NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM.
If your child(ren) are currently in online learning, and have been for the 1st semester, and you would like them to be in-person learning for 2nd semester, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM to indicate that you would like them to be in-person for 2nd semester.
If your child(ren) were in hybrid learning PRIOR to going remote before Thanksgiving, and you would like to not have them going more days to school and full days, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM to indicate you would like them to be online for 2nd semester.
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What plans are Weld RE-5J considering for early 2021?
Weld RE-5J is considering increasing in-person instruction starting sometime in early 2021.
Pending BOE approval on December 14th, 2020, the schedule could increase the amount of time students are in-person and may be as follows:
Elementary - Full-day, in-person, Monday-Thursday with Fridays virtual learning
Middle - Full-day, in-person, Monday-Thursday with Fridays virtual learning
High - Full-day, in-person, Monday-Thursday with Fridays virtual learning (with grade levels brought in each week=staggered start)
A full, online option will remain available as offered in the first semester.
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Why can't students attend on Fridays?
We need Fridays for our custodial staff to clean the building. We have to have one full day to clean hallways, bathrooms, gyms, etc.
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The Weld RE-5J District needs to know if you prefer to CHANGE the method of instruction your child(ren) were receiving prior to the District moving to full remote learning (in-person or fully online)
Please fill out the form, below. The deadline is Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 at 4:00 PM.
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FREE COVID-19 TESTING in JOHNSTOWN AND MILLIKEN! |
You, your family (age 1 and older), your friends and all members of our community can participate in the FREE COVID-19 testing in Johnstown and Milliken starting this week!
The Weld RE-5J School District is bringing COVID-19 testing to all families and community members through December 17th, 2020, FREE of charge. You will have ZERO co-pay and your health insurance will not be charged. We are working on providing this service again in January-March 2021 on FRIDAYS.
LOCATIONS:
Milliken Athletic Center (MAC)
or
Nelson Farm Park
(The registration link will show you EVERY site you can register for but you can scroll to find the MAC and Nelson Farm Park site on the list.)
TIMES:
You will need to register for times that are midday either M&W from 11am-1pm at the MAC or on T&TH from 11am-1pm at Nelson Farm Park.
TYPE OF TEST:
Nasal swab PCR test (gentle test -- only is inserted a little ways into your nose and the swab sits there for 10-15 seconds in each nostril)
RESULTS:
Results will be returned to you via a secure login within 24-72 hours of your appointment. You will receive a text/email when results are ready.
CHILDREN:
Must be accompanied by a parent to receive the test. You can register a family member for a COVID-19 test on the site link.
STAFFED BY:
Weld RE-5J Nurses and Health Aides (at the MAC and Nelson Farms only).
WHO SHOULD GET TESTED:
- If you are symptomatic or have been exposed to COVID-19 – Test NOW
- If you are working in a public facing capacity – Test REGULARLY
- If you feel you need a test for any reason – Test AS NEEDED
You can make an appointment at one of COVIDCheck Colorado’s convenient locations. The test process is very simple, at all of our drive-thru locations. The nasal swab test takes less than 5 minutes to complete and results are delivered via text and email within 72 hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Testing through COVIDCheck Colorado is easy, fast and convenient. To ensure the most efficient testing experience, individuals are encouraged to register. Pre-registration is highly encouraged to enable test site staff to plan for a seamless testing experience. COVIDCheck Colorado uses a nasal mid-turbinate swab PCR test, which is a highly sensitive and reliable test that is administered by licensed medical professionals. Here’s what to expect:
- Mask Up: On the day of your appointment, please arrive wearing your mask.
- Drive Up: A member of the COVIDCheck Colorado team will greet you and get you checked in.
- Look Up: A trained medical professional will explain the sample collection process and insert a swab about two inches into each nostril for about 10 seconds.
GETTING YOUR RESULTS:
Depending on the contact information you provided during registration, you will receive a text message and/or email alert from PrimaryBio when your results are available. If you test positive, you will receive a phone call from a tele-health clinician who will provide support and guidance on next steps. Should you notice that your results are delayed, please contact support@covidcheckcolorado.org.
HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Please check out this link: https://covidcheckcolorado.org/faqs/
PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR FREE COVID-19 TESTING. REGISTRATION TAKES LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO COMPLETE:
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110 South Centennial Dr., Ste. A, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: (970) 587-6050 | Fax: (970) 587-2607
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