GUIDELINES FOR THE RETURN TO SCHOOL
Review school-specific return dates below
As we near the return to school later this month, I wanted to update everyone on our latest guidelines, which take into consideration today's press conference with Governor Mike DeWine and our meeting with area Superintendents and the Cuyahoga County Health Department.
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Wednesday, August 18 | Middle and High school students will return to instruction in person, five days per week.
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Thursday, August 19 | Elementary students grades 1-5 will return to instruction in person, five days per week.
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Thursday, August 19 & Friday, August 20 | Kindergarten and Pre-K screening - details coming soon from our Elementary School.
- All instruction will be in school.
NOTE: If your student has health concerns due to COVID, and will be unable to attend in school instruction please contact Assistant Superintendent Matt Young at myoung@cuyhts.org.
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Masks | Remain optional in our facilities, but are strongly recommended.
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Quarantine guidelines have been modified for those wearing masks versus those who do not wear masks. Review guidelines here.
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Students riding school transportation will be required to wear masks, per CDC mandate.
- The CDC and ODH are strongly recommending masks for staff and students this fall.
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Social Distancing | We will adhere to the CDC recommendation for 3’ social distancing as much as is practicable.
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Water Bottles | We recommend students continue to bring water bottles to school. Filling stations will be available in addition to water fountains throughout our schools.
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Instruction | Remote, synchronous instruction will not take place. There will not be an option for students that are absent to “log in and participate” in classroom instruction. We are required by the state to report in-school attendance. Students who are unable to return due to health reasons will complete a self-guided online curriculum that will be monitored by the district.
COVID Guidelines Released Friday, August 6, 2021
Governor Mike DeWine stressed the following in today's press conference with Dr. Vanderhoff:
- Being vaccinated is still our best defense from COVID-19.
- Since the start of 2021, 98.4% of people hospitalized due to COVID were not vaccinated.
- Vaccines also lessen the effects of the virus should you contract it.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health shared the following information with area school superintendents today:
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Any person who is exposed to someone who tests positive for the virus does not have to be quarantined if they were wearing a mask.
Cuyahoga Heights Schools will continue to enforce many COVID-safe mitigation strategies that were put in place last school year:
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Air purifiers will be in use in classrooms;
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Outside activities will be encouraged as much as possible when the weather cooperates, including lunch, classroom activities and Recess/Physical Education;
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Additional cleaning staff will work during the day to continually sanitize our facilities district-wide;
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Contact tracing will continue to be conducted by our schools, as required by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. As shared above, previous quarantine requirements are no longer in place.
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Positive cases must be reported to the County Board of Health. Parents are asked to please notify Tracy Deal if they have a student who tests positive by emailing her at tdeal@cuyhts.org.
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Test kits are available for any parent who would like one. Again, please contact Tracy Deal at tdeal@cuyhts.org.
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Symptomatic students and staff should stay home until their COVID symptoms clear.
The plan listed above is our current plan for the return to school this fall. If last year taught us anything, it is that pandemic guidance can change swiftly, and we must be prepared to respond accordingly. Please continue to follow Tom Talks for any changes.
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING | The Board of Education will meet next Wednesday, August 11th at 7:00 PM in the Bahner Ray Media Center. Mr. Muccio will present the district financial report for last school year, and Mrs. Houchen will discuss a potential before/after school care program that the district is exploring, Mr. Wallis will also be presenting some new software to the Board that will help us keep our students safe. We hope you'll join us.
Thanks,
Tom