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ROADMAP
TO
RECOVERY
PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS
RETURN TO SCHOOL GUIDE
2021-2022
UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 7, 2021Letter from the Superintendent
Dear PCS families, staff, and community members,
It is my hope that our Putnam County school community is safe and well. I
understand that our Putnam County Schools' families, staff, and school
community members may continue to have questions as the new school
year approaches. Again, I will ask for your patience, understanding, and
flexibility as Putnam County Schools continues to persistently navigate
through the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2021-22 school
year. I know that we will establish the best and safest way to educate our
students together as a team.
As always, our top priority remains the safety of our students, staff, and
families. I am grateful for the collaboration and unity that I continue to
witness in our outstanding school community. Once more, I believe that
by working together as a team, we will launch a safe and successful 2021-
22 school year in Putnam County. I truly value your continued support and
trust.
Respectfully,
John Hudson
Putnam County Schools
Superintendent
Table of Contents
Letter from the Superintendent .............................................................. 2
Guiding Principles ....................................................................................... 3
Health & Wellness ........................................................................................ 6
School Operations ........................................................................................ 10
Recovery Resources ..................................................................................... 15
P L E A S E N O T E : Gu i d a n c e i n t h i s d o c u m e n t i s s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e a s a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e
spread and prevention of COVID-19 is known. In addition, directives may evolve as they are received
from Governor Jim Justice, public health officials, and the West Virginia Department of Education
(WVDE). Therefore, all West Virginia County Boards of Education must be prepared to alter their
guidance to comply with any new directives to best safeguard student health and learning needs.
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY PAGE 2Guiding Principles
The implementation of this guidance featured in the Putnam County Schools
(PCS) Roadmap to Recovery/Return to School Guide has been developed utilizing
guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and
local health officials, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), and
Governor’s Executive Orders.
It is important to note that guidance in this document is subject to change as
additional information about the spread and prevention of COVID-19 is known.
Directives may evolve as they are received from Governor Jim Justice, public
health officials, and the WVDE. All West Virginia County Boards of Education
must be prepared to alter their guidance to comply with any new directives to
best safeguard student health and learning needs.
Children benefit from in-person instruction, and when mitigation is
implemented and enforced, it is safe for them to do so. Heightened transmission
rates experienced in communities have not been reflected within the schools. In-
person instruction will be fully implemented with school mitigation measures
and prevention strategies in place.
MITIGATION MEASURES & PREVENTION STRATEGIES
PCS continues to monitor health conditions in our community. Our conversations
with the Putnam County Health Department (PCHD) and the WVDE are ongoing.
It continues to be critical that we all follow best health practices as outlined by
our health officials so our students can continue to learn in-person.
Please know that the health, safety, and well-being of our school community
remains our top priority. PCS will continue to implement a variety of health and
safety measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses
including:
Face Coverings/Masks - No Masking Mandate (CDC Recommendations Below)
In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that
everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public
indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Delta Variant
and protect others.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette
Social Distancing to the Greatest Extent Possible
Contact Tracing
These COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including
students, teachers, and staff, who are not fully vaccinated, especially in areas of
moderate-to-high community transmission levels. The need for layering specific
prevention strategies will vary, and local health officials may implement fewer
COVID-19 prevention strategies based on community transmission levels,
vaccination coverage, and local policies and regulations.
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | GUIDING PRINCIPLES PAGE 3FACE COVERINGS/MASKS In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Delta Variant and to protect others. While masking is not mandated at PCS, when teachers, staff, and students consistently and correctly wear a mask, they protect others as well as themselves. As referenced in the WVDE’s “School Recovery & Guidance Document,” unvaccinated individuals who are within three to six feet (close contact) of an infected person where both are wearing masks will not be required to quarantine. CLEANING & DISINFECTION In general, cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove potential viruses that may be on surfaces. Disinfecting (using disinfectants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency COVID-19 list) removes any remaining germs on surfaces, which further reduces any risk of spreading infection. H A N D W A S H I N G & R E S P I R A T O R Y E T IQ U E T T E People should practice proper respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the elbow followed by handwashing) to keep from getting and spreading infectious illnesses including COVID-19. Schools will monitor and reinforce these behaviors as well as provide adequate supplies. Frequent handwashing with soap and water must occur throughout the school day. Hand Sanitizer of 60% alcohol base can be used in place of soap and water. However, this should not replace washing hands with soap and water. After using hand sanitizer three times, it is encouraged that students and staff wash hands with soap and water. SOCIAL DISTANCING Because of the importance of in-person learning, schools, where not everyone is fully vaccinated, should implement social or physical distancing to the greatest extent possible within their structures but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement. CONTACT TRACING PCS will continue to collaborate with state and local health departments, to the extent allowable by privacy laws and other applicable laws, to confidentially provide information about people diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 as may be required. This allows identifying which students, teachers, and staff with positive COVID-19 test results should isolate, and which close contacts should quarantine. PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | GUIDING PRINCIPLES PAGE 4
QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
PCS will follow the WVDE School Recovery & Guidance Document for COVID-19 protocols in schools.
For cases requiring quarantining, students who have been vaccinated do NOT have to quarantine. For
unvaccinated students in a classroom, review class, bus, and cafeteria seating charts, and only
quarantine students who were less than six feet of an infected person as opposed to quarantining an
entire classroom. There are exceptions when quarantining an entire classroom is acceptable (e.g.,
greater than 10% of class positive with COVID-19 or younger-aged children where identifying close
contacts is not possible).
Students who have been vaccinated do NOT have to quarantine.
With Mask: Students that are unvaccinated will need to quarantine if within six feet of a confirmed
case in high-risk areas such as cafeterias, extracurricular settings where masks are not worn.
Without Mask: Students that are unvaccinated must follow one of the two quarantine options
below.
OPTION ONE
Quarantine period can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been identified
during daily self-monitoring.
Day 0*-10 quarantine for close contacts can end if no symptoms develop during daily self-
monitoring without testing.
If an individual develops symptoms within the quarantine period, immediately isolate and
contact the local health department to report change in clinical status.
OPTION TWO
Quarantine period can end after Day 7 if someone tests negative (PCR or antigen test) and if no
symptoms have been identified during daily self-monitoring.
Post-quarantine transmission risk: 5%-12
Day 0*-7 quarantine for close contact can end if COVID-19 test is negative and if no
symptoms develop during daily self-monitoring.
Specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned
quarantine discontinuation.
Self-monitoring and mask-wearing should be continuous.
If an individual develops symptoms within the quarantine period, immediately isolate and
contact public health to report change in clinical status.
*Duration of quarantine applies from the last date of exposure
NOTE: Guidance cited from the WVDE's School Recovery & Guidance Document (page 9-10).
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | GUIDING PRINCIPLES PAGE 5Health & Wellness PROMOTING VACCINATION Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports. According to the CDC, currently authorized vaccines in the United States are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection or transmit COVID-19 to others. One of the most essential mitigation measures we can take is getting vaccinated. Governor Justice strongly encourages all citizens to get vaccinated. Vaccinations are now available to all West Virginians ages 12 and older and are available in all 55 counties. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations or to find a vaccine near you, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call the WV Vaccine Info Line at 1-833-734-0965. COVID-19 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS It is important to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. These include fever or chills, new onset of cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and new onset of severe headache, especially with fever. If your child exhibits any of the listed symptoms, he/she should not come to school, and you should contact your health care provider or the PCHD. PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 6
HEALTH ASSESSMENTS & SCREENING
AT HOME
PCS encourages families to complete a daily health assessment or screening
before sending their child to school (Student Daily Health Assessment Form can
be found on the following page). If a child exhibits symptoms or a temperature,
do not send him/her to school. If your child has been exposed to COVID-19 by a
family household contact, family member, or someone in the community that has
tested positive, DO NOT send him/her to school. Additionally, if your child has
been tested for COVID-19, please do not send him/her to school until the results
have been determined.
AT SCHOOL
If a student exhibits any symptoms or complains of not feeling well, he/she will
proceed to the office or designated isolation area for further evaluation. If the
student has any symptoms or has a temperature, a parent or guardian will be
contacted for student pick-up.
Designated isolation areas will be kept separate from the regular school nurse
office used by students that need daily procedures. School Administration and
nursing staff will identify areas for use in each building. Students in isolation
areas must be visible to school staff supervising the area. Proper personal
protective equipment, ventilation, and cleaning of these areas will follow WVDE
and CDC guidelines.
EMPLOYEES
Employees are also encouraged to complete a daily health assessment or
screening prior to leaving home. Any employee that is not feeling well, has any
symptoms of COVID-19 or has an elevated temperature needs to remain home.
Per the WVDE's "School Recovery & Guidance Document," an employee who
exhibits COVID-19 symptoms should leave the premises immediately and seek
medical care and/or COVID-19 testing. Local health departments should be
informed of any such positive tests and for tracing purposes.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER COVID-19
Students or employees returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19
must complete a questionnaire and answer YES to the following questions:
Have you been fever-free without taking fever-reducing medication and have
had no symptoms for 72 hours?
Has it been at least 10 days since having the first symptoms of COVID-19?
Has it been 3 days since symptoms have totally resolved?
If a person tests positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms, the individual
shall stay home for 10 days after testing.
If a student or employee tests negative for COVID-19, the person may return
to school after the student or employee is fever-free without taking fever-
reducing medication and is feeling well for 72 hours.
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 7STUDENT DAILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Families: Please complete this short checklist each morning BEFORE your child leaves for
school. If you answer "YES" to any of the following, DO NOT send your child, but please report
your child's information to your school nurse. KEEP THIS FOR DAILY USE.
STUDENT SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST
If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms please do not send your child to
school. These symptoms may decrease your child’s ability to learn and may put he/she
at risk for spreading illness to others.
____ Temperature of 100.4°F or higher, shaking with chills or feels feverish
____ Sore throat
____ Coughing - New uncontrolled cough, cough that causes difficulty breathing (for
students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from
baseline)
____ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
____ Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
____ New onset of severe headache, especially with fever
____ New loss of taste or smell
____ Muscle aches or generalized "not feeling well" that is not the child's normal
baseline
STUDENT CONTACT OR EXPOSURE CHECKLIST
____ Had close contact with a person who has been confirmed to have COVID-19; OR
____ Had close contact with a person under quarantine for possible exposure to COVID-19.SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLNESS PCS recognizes that educating a child goes beyond classroom instruction. PCS will continue to work closely with state and local health officials during these challenging times to provide guidance to address the child’s entire well-being. Research confirms that students perform better when they are in school and their social-emotional and mental health wellness is appropriately addressed. PCS has trained counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses ready to support and address the physical, social-emotional, and mental health wellness of students, staff, and families. P U T N A M C O U N T Y S C H O O L S E M O T IO N A L S U P P O R T H O T L IN E Feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or alone? Need to talk? Do you or does your family need emotional support during the COVID 19 pandemic? PCS will continue to offer our Emotional Support Hotline to our students and families during the 2021-22 school year. The PCS Emotional Support Hotline provides resource referrals for students and families experiencing emotional distress. Student support staff are available to talk, offer resources, and provide referrals to other local agencies if needed. The PCS Emotional Support Hotline can be reached by calling 304-586-4947, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. If you are experiencing an emergency crisis, please contact the West Virginia Children’s Crisis Line at 1-800-HELP4WV (1-800-435-7498) or call 911 immediately. West Virginia Children’s Crisis can also be reached on their website at www.help4wv.com/ccl. PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 9
School Operations
FACILITIES
PCS will implement an abundance of school-wide mitigation measures and
extra safety protocols for the 2021-22 school year. PCS will follow key
mitigation guidance as defined within the WVDE’s “School Recovery &
Guidance Document.” You can review highlighted mitigations for school
safety on the following page. PCS school safety protocols will include these
mitigation measures.
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the school building to include
classrooms, cafeteria, and gymnasiums.
Tissues will be available for students in each classroom.
Desks and frequently touched areas should be cleaned regularly.
Restrooms will be sanitized throughout the school day while students are
present. Frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, tabletops, stair
rails, faucet handles, toilet handles, playground equipment, light switches,
desks, chairs, kitchen countertops, cafeteria, and service tables will be
sanitized on an established schedule.
Hallway traffic will socially distance to the greatest extent possible.
Class equipment that will need to be used by multiple students will be
sanitized regularly.
Alternate water sources and disposable cups will be made available.
Students may bring a reusable water container.
Pick-up and drop-off procedures will be developed by building-level
administrators. Parents will be required to remain outside of the building
to receive students.
School administration will communicate campus-specific arrival and
dismissal procedures.
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | SCHOOL OPERATIONS PAGE 10KEY MITIGATIONS FOR SCHOOLS FROM THE WVDE
Whether in the classroom or participating in extracurricular activities, local
administrators and leaders should follow the mitigations below relevant to the
latest Governor’s Executive Orders and CDC guidance. Additionally, they should
work closely with their local health departments to develop the necessary
measures for their schools to operate safely without interruption.
These practices are important to not only guard against COVID-19, but also the
spread of other infections such as the flu and the common cold.
Further details on school mitigation strategies can be found in the WVDE's
"School Recovery & Guidance Document" on pages seven through nine.
The most effective mitigation
strategy is the vaccination for
those eligible to receive it.
Cleaning & Hand Hygiene & Evaluate Large
Disinfecting Coughing/Sneezing Gatherings Outside
Etiquette of Classroom/Core
Groups
Social Distancing Face Coverings at Contact Tracing in
According to County Board Collaboration with
County Board Discretion Local Health
Guidance Departments
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | SCHOOL OPERATIONS PAGE 11TRANSPORTATION The CDC recommends that bus operators, bus aides, and students wear face coverings or masks during transportation of students. Bus operators will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces before and after all routes. Bus operators will keep doors and windows open during cleaning and between trips/routes to air out the bus. Bus operators will lower the windows by approximately one inch or more (weather permitting) to allow for proper ventilation during the route. Bus drivers and aides will clean, sanitize, and disinfect equipment, including car seats, wheelchairs, walkers, adaptive equipment, and other high touch point areas. Hand sanitizing stations will be provided on each bus for use by drivers and students. Students will be seated using social distancing to the greatest extent possible. A student identified with COVID-19 symptoms will not be transported home by the school bus at the end of the day. Instead, he/she will be required to be picked up by a parent or guardian. Seating charts will be required for contact tracing purposes. ATHLETICS & EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Athletics and band will follow directives outlined by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC). PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | SCHOOL OPERATIONS PAGE 12
FOOD SERVICES
The nutritional needs of students will be met in an environment that
promotes social distancing and personal hygiene practices. Breakfast and
lunch meals will be FREE of charge to all students and meet USDA
regulations. Breakfast will consist of a variety of meats, breads, fruits, and
milk servings. Lunch will consist of a variety of entrees, vegetables, fruits,
breads, and milk servings. The Putnam County Health Department will be
the primary resource for guidance on all food service safety operations.
Handwashing and hand sanitizer use will be encouraged among
customers before using all areas of food services.
Hand sanitizer will be provided at the beginning of each serving line and
signage requesting use before handling all self-service areas of food
services.
School staff will assist and monitor social distancing protocols and hand
sanitizing for students waiting in line.
Food Service Staff preparing all meals will wear appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE) such as uniforms, aprons, gloves, and hair
restraints. It is highly recommended that unvaccinated kitchen staff
wear face coverings or masks when students are present in food service
areas.
Sneeze guards/plexiglass shields may be used over serving lines and
salad bar areas to prevent contamination of displayed food.
All self-service meal options such as salad bars, hot food bars, milk/juice
beverage coolers, condiment stations, eating utensils/napkin bins, share
carts, and water dispensing containers that can be utilized by individual
students will be monitored continuously by school staff and disinfected
frequently during the operation of meal service hours.
Each school will determine safe places for students to consume meals
and within the proper time limitations set by the WVDE. Areas that may
be utilized for meal consumption are cafeterias, gyms, classrooms, and
outside eating areas (weather permitting).
Sharing of served food among students is prohibited.
The Putnam County Health Department will inspect each school kitchen
and assist staff with any additional necessary guidelines.
SCHOOL VISITORS
All visitors having direct access to students during the school day shall wear
a mask or show proof of vaccination before permission is granted enter the
school building. This does not apply to those entering the main office for
student pick-up, drop-off, etc.
PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | SCHOOL OPERATIONS PAGE 13COMMUNICATIONS It is important Putnam County families, staff and community receive information from reputable and reliable sources. PCS is dedicated to transparent and timely communication updating families and the school community during the school year. PCS communication channels include but are not limited to: Putnam County Schools Website District updates can be found on the PCS Website including news articles, bulletin board posts, and live feed posts. www.putnamschools.com Putnam County Schools Social Media The goal of PCS social media is to share important district-wide information with our school community. Facebook: Putnam County Schools - WV Twitter: PutnamWVSchools Instagram: PutnamWVSchools Putnam County Schools Mobile App – PCS Connect Download our mobile app, PCS Connect, for up-to-date information about the district and individual schools. PCS Connect is available to download for free on Google Play (Android) and the App Store (Apple). Have Questions? We understand that families, staff, and school community members may continue to have questions. Again, we will ask for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we all continue to persistently navigate through the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic relating to the 2021-22 school year. If you have questions, we encourage you to call your school or the appropriate PCS department at 304.586.0500 or your school administrator. This method of communication will deliver more timely responses and accurate answers. PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | SCHOOL OPERATIONS PAGE 14
Recovery Resources CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/ "Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools" https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k- 12-guidance.html WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES (WV DHHR) https://dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx “COVID-19 Vaccine” https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx WV Vaccine Info Line: 1-833-734-0965 WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (WVDE) https://wvde.us/ “School Recovery & Guidance Document” https://wvde.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/School-Recovery-and-Guidance- Document-FALL-2021.pdf W E S T V I R G I N I A S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L A C T I V I T I E S C O M M I S S I ON (WVSSAC) https://www.wvssac.org/ PUTNAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (PCHD) https://pchdwv.org/ PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS (PCS) www.putnamschools.com PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY | RECOVERY RESOURCES PAGE 15
BOARD OF EDUCATION G. Robert Cunningham, President Bruce Knell, Vice President R. Calvin Damron II, Member Wade Neal, Member Christian Wells, Member John G. Hudson, Superintendent PLEASE NOTE: Guidance in this document is subject to change as additional information about the spread and prevention of COVID-19 is known. In addition, directives may evolve as they are received from Governor Jim Justice, public health officials, and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). Therefore, all West Virginia County Boards of Education must be prepared to alter their guidance to comply with any new directives to best safeguard student health and learning needs. PCS ROADMAP TO RECOVERY UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
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