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COVID 19 Information

The St. Tammany Parish Public School System continues to keep the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff as our highest priority. As a school district, we are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and taking guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Safe STPPS health and safety guidelines provide an overview of COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place throughout STPPS.

While it is not all encompassing of all protocols and procedures, it provides stakeholders a concise overview. The plan and protocols will be evaluated and adjusted as the situation evolves and we receive new guidance from health and government officials.

If you have questions or comments about this plan, please email public.comment@stpsb.org.

School Campuses and Office

Before and after school programs will be operating under normal guidelines with current safety and cleaning measures in place.

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to use MyPayments Plus for any and all school related expenses and fees to minimize physical contact.

Transportation

Buses will operate at 100% capacity. Face masks are highly recommended for all students PreK-12th, drivers, and passengers.

School Campuses and Offices Closure

If it is determined that a school campus or office was the focus of a COVID-19 infection, the Superintendent, in consultation with the Office of Public Health, will determine if the school/office should remain open and if any quarantines are required or recommended. A positive case of COVID-19 does not necessarily warrant classroom, campus or office closure.

Food Service

Students will be served breakfast and lunch according to nutrition guidelines. Meal service operations will vary from school to school.

  • Handwashing should occur before and after every meal by students, teachers, and cafeteria staff.
  • Cafeterias and high-touch surfaces such as kitchen countertops, cafeteria and service tables, door handles, carts and trays will be routinely cleaned throughout the school day.
  • Students are allowed to bring food from home.

Visitors

At this time, campuses and offices are open to non-essential visitors.

Confirmed Positive Test Results

If You Get Sick:

  • Step 1: Stay at home. As much as possible, you should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both:
    1. Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
    2. You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
      • This advice is similar to what has been recommended for flu for decades and will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses during the most contagious period after infection. Not all respiratory virus infections result in a fever, so paying attention to other symptoms (cough, muscle aches, etc.) is important as you determine when you are well enough to leave home. If your symptoms are getting better, and stay better for 24 hours, you are less likely to pass your infection to others and you can start getting back to your daily routine and move on to step 2.
         
  • Step 2: Resume normal activities, and use added prevention strategies over the next five days, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing your hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.
    • People can choose to use these prevention strategies at any time. Since some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, taking added precautions can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others.

Resources:

CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Bulletin
CDC’s Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance: What to Do When You Are Sick

Teaching and Learning

Teachers and staff will report to campus daily as allowed by state health guidelines to provide instruction and support services.

Assessing Learning Needs and Intervention Strategies

Additional instructional support and targeted interventions will be provided as needed to students at-risk of not graduating on time, students with exceptionalities, early grades, English Learners, and other students identified as being behind academically by teachers and parents.

Attendance

STPPS will work with families to ensure continuity of education through distance learning due to illnesses and absences. Opportunities will be available for make-up work when students miss school due to illnesses and absences. Pursuant to BESE Bulletin 741, student attendance guidelines apply when a student misses school. Please reference the District Handbook For Students and Parents for additional attendance guidelines and procedures. It is imperative for parents/caretakers to communicate with their school administration anytime their child is absent from school.

Absences fall under four categories:

  • Exempted and Excused: The student is allowed to make up the missed work and the absence is not counted against the attendance requirement. Examples are extended illness documented by a doctor or to celebrate religious holidays. There is no limit to these absences.
  • Non-Exempted and Excused: The student is allowed to make up the missed work, but the absence is counted against the attendance requirement. An example is personal or family illness documented by a parent’s note.
  • Unexcused: The student is not allowed to make up the missed work and the absence is counted against the attendance requirement. An example is skipping school.
  • Suspensions: The student is allowed to make up the missed work, but the absence is counted against the attendance requirement.

Communication and Technology

Chromebooks will be provided. Teachers will be available via email for assistance. District updates will be provided as needed through the District website, social media channels, robocalls, and STPPS app notifications. Teacher webpages and the Student Progress Center will be updated frequently.

Band, Music, Theatre, Choir

Band and vocal music will follow the National Federation of State High Schools Associations and the National Association for Music Education Guidance.

Physical Education and Athletics

There are currently no restrictions for Physical Education. These classes may occur indoors or outdoors. Equipment will be cleaned daily when used. There are currently no restrictions for athletic team practices and competitions. All athletic teams will follow current guidelines and recommendations put forth by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

Students with Exceptionalities

Students with exceptionalities will continue to receive special education and related services in the
least restrictive environment. Special Education consultants will be working with parents to ensure an appropriate learning model.

Wellness and Mental Health

Individual needs will be addressed by providing support and services to enhance the social and emotional well-being of employees and students.

  • Access to Mental Health Providers (MHPs) will continue to be provided.
  • Healthy eating, exercising, getting sleep, and finding time to unwind will be promoted.
  • Employees and students will be encouraged to talk with people they trust about their concerns and how they are feeling.
  • Purposeful relationships within the classrooms and family will be addressed and prioritized.
  • Communication will be developmentally appropriate and accessible for all students, including those with exceptionalities.

Practicing Prevention

Facility Safety Measures

  • It will be ensured that ventilation systems operate properly and circulation of outdoor air will be increased as much as possible.
  • Students or employees who are exhibiting symptoms will be moved to a designated isolation area.

Cleaning

  • Custodial staff will continue with routine cleaning protocols as well as cleaning all high touch surfaces routinely at least twice per day.
  • Playground equipment, athletic equipment, locker rooms and training rooms will be cleaned routinely.
  • Buses will be cleaned at the end of each day.

Health Screenings

All employees, students and visitors shall self-screen for symptoms before coming onto school campuses and into offices using the recommended guidance below. Parents and caretakers are expected to screen their student before allowing them to attend school and/or before entering the school bus.

  • Symptoms include a fever of 100.4°F or higher, shortness of breath, chest pain, increasingly non-productive cough, body aches or fatigue, GI symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting), loss of taste and smell, other flu or cold like symptoms, headache, sore throat, or congestion. If a student has any of these symptoms and/or has a reasonable belief of possible exposure to COVID-19, they should stay home.

If a student develops symptoms once on campus, then the student shall be sent to the school nurse for evaluation.

  • A parent or caretaker will be contacted to pick up the child immediately.
  • If a student is a licensed driver, they will be allowed to drive home subject to parent/caretaker permission.

If an employee develops symptoms at work, then he/she should contact a healthcare provider.

Face Masks

Face masks are not required in STPPS schools and support sites but are highly recommended for students and adults.

Student face masks can be patterned, have the school or STPPS logo, or can be monogrammed as long as they comply with the dress and personal grooming policy stated in the District Handbook for Students and Parents.

Personal Hygiene

Employees and students should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day especially before and after eating and before and after using outdoor play or athletic equipment.

Please note: 

STPPS adheres to national, state and local guidance and requirements for safety protocols and operational standards to help keep our schools safe and our students, families and employees healthy. School administrators use these standards to implement protocols at the school level. The situation is being monitored and adjustments will be made as needed.

The procedures and protocols are subject to change as updated guidance is provided by governing authorities and public health officials.