👉August 13 - RRPS School Reentry Plans E-Newsletter👈

Good morning RRPS Community,

This week Rio Rancho Public Schools welcomed back preschool and elementary school students for the new school year. It was exciting to see our youngest students back in the classroom once again. Below please find the latest information as it relates to school reentry in this second edition of the School Reentry E-Newsletter for the 2021-2022 school year:

The Scoop on Student Surveillance Testing

The New Mexico Public Education Department is requiring all school districts to continue to participate in student surveillance testing this school year (See page 18 of the NMPED Toolkit for New Mexico's Public Schools). The student surveillance testing program is voluntary and parents/guardians may choose whether or not to participate.

The goal of the student surveillance testing program is to test unvaccinated asymptomatic students to discover undiagnosed cases and to better understand the rate of infection in the community. Last school year, every public school had this same requirement, however, this year the NMPED has given schools a weekly goal of testing 25% of unvaccinated students who are participating in in-person learning.

Testing is completely voluntary and free for families. If you choose to have your child(ren) participate, you may locate a testing site via the Public Health Office Testing Sites web page. We are not offering testing services at our schools. If you choose to participate, please have your child take a COVID-19 surveillance test per the schedule to the right. All results need to be submitted via this link: Student Surveillance Testing Results. Students who are fully vaccinated or students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days do not need to participate.

We are inviting students to voluntarily participate each week per the schedule below:

NMPED Reentry Guidelines for the 21-22 School Year

RRPS Student Surveillance Testing Program Web Page

Have a question not covered here or in a linked resource? Email us at RRPSReentryPlans@rrps.net

When to Call Us About COVID-19

It's vital that you notify your child's school when...

Your child tests positive for COVID-19
Your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19
Any member of your child's household tests positive for COVID-19
Your child is deemed a "Close Contact" of a positive COVID-19 individual and must quarantine
Your child has been quarantined and is now exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms
Your child has been quarantined and has now tested positive for COVID-19

If any of the situations above occur, please contact your child's school immediately. Doing so will allow us to act appropriately to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Examples of what we may do with notification include, but are not limited to, making virtual learning arrangements, activating our Rapid Response Team, disinfecting appropriate areas of the school, etc. The effectiveness of our COVID safety practices relies heavily on two-way communication between the district and parents/guardians.

Face Masks: What's Allowed & What Isn't

Per the New Mexico Public Education Department face covering criteria, the following rules apply to face masks used within Rio Rancho Public Schools (for students, staff, visitors, volunteers, contractors, etc.):

Face coverings should consist of two or more layers of cloth

Face masks with a clear plastic window are allowed

Surgical, procedural, N95 or KN95 face masks are allowed

Face shields are not permitted

Face masks with exhalation vents/valves are not permitted

Bandanas as face masks are not permitted

Neck Gaiters as face masks are not permitted

Scarves as face masks are not permitted

Visiting Your Child's Elementary School

If you need assistance from your child's elementary school, which cannot be handled over the phone or via email, you may visit the school's front office. Our elementary schools, to better protect our students and staff, are limiting visitation to school facilities but are available to assist in certain circumstances. Anyone who wishes to receive assistance from an elementary school front office will need to adhere to all masking requirements and will only be granted access to the school front office.

At this time, parents, guardians and community members will not be permitted into elementary school facilities beyond the front office for safety. Special requests should be routed to the school office or your child's teacher via email or phone.

Rio Rancho Public Schools

500 Laser Rd NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87124

www.rrps.net

School Reentry Web Page

COVID-19 Cases & Quarantines

Contact Our Staff