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January 14th, 2021

Dear DACC Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday break and found time to recharge before returning to what is starting to feel like a normal schedule. This is an appropriate time to remind ourselves, though, that the way we are living every day is still abnormal. We have all adjusted our lives to keep one another safe during this pandemic and it has not been easy. I appreciate our staff, students, and families for all of your efforts, patience, and understanding as we work through this together.

We knew at the beginning of the school year that we would be moving in and out of educational options as news and information about COVID-19 surfaced. We are currently following Plan C: Labs Blended; Academics Remote. Based on data tracking and conversations with Central Ohio health districts, including the Delaware General Health District, we will be moving to Plan B: Labs and Academics Blended, beginning February 1st, 2021.

This means that all students in both lab and academic classes will attend class on campus on an every-other-day schedule, following the Blue/Green calendar. Cosmetology, Fire, Food Service, and Hospitality students will continue attending school on campus 5 days a week.

Based on the data that we have today and the information we are receiving about a vaccine rollout, my goal is to have all of our students back on campus five days a week sometime this spring. As with every plan we have considered and implemented, this will only be done if it can be done so safely.

We are currently working with the Delaware General Health District to create a schedule for DACC staff to receive the vaccine and I will keep you informed as more details for that schedule are confirmed. While our community begins to receive the vaccine, we will continue to follow safety protocols based on recently revised standards for schools. Please note that the standards for schools are not the same as the standards for public places. Those revisions include:
  • As long as individuals are properly wearing a mask and maintain 3’ of distance, neither person will be considered a contact. The mask must cover the mouth and nose at all times. 
  • When a student is eating lunch and maintains 6’ or more distance, they will not be considered a contact. 
  • After an individual receives the second vaccination, they will not need to quarantine if exposed. However, they will be required to continue wearing their mask and practice social distancing. 
  • For individuals who are flagged as a contact, we will follow the Delaware General Health District guidance which is to continue the 14-day quarantine process.

Safety protocols will continue to be followed for our staff and students. Anyone on our school grounds and in our facility will continue to wear a mask that covers both their mouth and nose. Social distancing will remain in place based on the new guidance of 3’ of distance. Following all the safety protocols as mentioned above, along with washing and sanitizing hands, remains a priority.

The physical, mental, and emotional well-being of our students is at the forefront of every decision I make on behalf of our district. I am optimistic about the direction we are headed, but also grounded in knowing that we must remain diligent with our safety protocols. By working together to keep each other safe, we will continue moving in the right direction.

Best Regards,

Mary Beth Freeman
Superintendent
Delaware Area Career Center
740-201-3204
Reporting Symptoms or a Positive Case
If you have tested positive for COVID 19 or are being quarantined due to exposure or contact, please fill out this form to inform us as soon as possible. This form will take the place of calling our school nurse, but does not take the place of calling the attendance line to report an absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are continuing to add to the FAQ on our web site. Below are some of the most recent questions we have received:

Why has DACC not moved to 100% remote?
As we shared in August, it is extremely difficult to teach career tech through a remote model. We began our year with students only attending lab and returning home to complete their academics remotely. We returned to Plan C on November 23rd (Academics Remote; Labs Hybrid) and we believe this will protect the integrity of career tech and address the challenges that come with high incidence of quarantine cases.


Why has DACC not moved to 100% in-person?
While we want nothing more than to have all of our students back on campus every day, we are making decisions with safety at the forefront. Remaining on a hybrid schedule for our lab programs allows for the social distancing and disinfecting of shared tools that is keeping the spread rate within our walls at 0%. We are carefully watching the data and following the guidance of the local health departments in making these decisions.


How does DACC determine whether to teach remotely or in-person?
The leadership team at DACC is monitoring data daily, both within our district and in the community. Included in these sources are the number of cases we have internally, the general case data from Delaware, Franklin and other surrounding counties where our students reside, and any other data which may affect how we can continue to safely deliver instruction.

While our internal isolation rate remains low, we are feeling the impact of what is happening in our community. Due to the number of staff and students who are under quarantine from exposure and the continued increase in community cases, we moved to Plan C on November 23rd with academic classes shifting to remote learning and labs remaining on the hybrid plan.


What are you doing to keep my child safe?
Our safety and cleaning protocols are outlined in the Return to School Guide that we shared at the beginning of the year. We continue to follow strict adherence to these guidelines, as well as ensuring that staff or students who are symptomatic, exposed, or positive, remain at home.
Mental & Emotional Well-Being
DACC is committed to supporting the whole student. If you notice that your child needs support in dealing with all the changes, has excessive fears and anxiety, or are dealing with depressive feelings, there are services available for them. We are offering telehealth visits on your child’s home learning days or an in-person session can be arranged after or before their DACC school day. 
 
If your child is in the BLUE group, please contact Ms. Hill at 740-203-3521 or Hilll@delawareareacc.org   
 
If your child is in the GREEN group, please contact CJ Soliday at 740-203-2262 or Solidayc@delawareareacc.org
The Delaware Area Career Center (DACC) affirms that equal opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military status, national origin, disability, age and ancestry of person. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity conducted under its auspices. This shall extend to employees therein and to admission thereto. Inquiries concerning the application of the policy may be referred to the Superintendent or designated coordinators. This policy shall prevail in all Board Policies concerning school employees and students.