Covid-19 Protocol
COVID-19 Dashboard Information
This Dashboard is showing the number of total overall positive cases among CASB & SASB students and staff since we began in-person instruction; it is a running total. The cases are NOT broken down by date. Therefore, the quarantine of some of these cases may have already concluded. The Dashboard is broken down into the following groups:
We do not send districtwide communication on positive cases. The staff and families of the impacted building/location are notified. Therefore, we are making this Dashboard viewable by the public so families and the community can see the cases.
Federal privacy laws, HIPPA and FERPA, prevent us from providing the identity of positive cases. Therefore this data is aggregated separately and is not relatable to the other categories; therefore we are not inadvertently identifying the positive cases.
When the administration of CASB and SASB receive notification of a positive case, the following actions are taken:
- Contact Tracing of the positive case begins to identify Close Contacts
Following CDC and Indiana State Dept. of Health Guidelines, positive cases must now do the following:
*isolate at home for at least 10 days since the first symptoms began AND
*be fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours AND with improvement of symptoms
- Close Contacts are identified, notified and quarantined for 14 days
*Click here for more details on contact tracing from ISDH.
*Click here for more details on quarantine from the CDC. - Principal notifies building teachers and staff of a positive case in the building
- Principal notifies all school parents/families of a positive case in the building
- If necessary, parents and staff (who are not close contacts) of the impacted classroom will receive a more detailed notification. This is not always necessary if the close contacts have been quickly identified, not returned to school and are quarantining.
We will continue to consult with the St. Joseph County Health Department on specific situations to determine whether there is a need to shut down an impacted classroom, or the entire school.
*PLEASE NOTE: at this time the Dashboard is showing total overall cases since in-person instruction began. The cases are NOT broken down by date. Therefore, the quarantine of some of these cases may have already concluded. Due to the nature of the coronavirus and even with contact tracing, the determination of where a person contracted the virus is not always easily discernible. A CASB & SASB student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 does not necessarily mean the person contracted this while in a CASB or SASB building.
Letter from the Superintendent of Schools:
August 18, 2021
Dear Career and Success Academy Families,
We are thrilled to have students physically back in the buildings at Career and Success Academy. The first couple weeks of school have been exciting as we begin to get into our school routines. With learning as our focus, I’m confident students will grow and make incredible gains this year.
Recent data released from Indiana Department of Education and Indiana Department of Health point to several advantages of in-person learning. It is our goal to avoid transitions and other potential disruptions to learning this year. We do not want to be forced, due to the virus, to transition from in-person to virtual to hybrid learning like last year. Unfortunately, cases of Covid-19 are rising throughout St. Joseph County. As a preventative measure, we will increase mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Handwashing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, social distancing when appropriate, self-screening and other strategies will continue to be implemented throughout the day. As an additional mitigation effort, masks will be required for all students, staff and visitors entering the buildings. This policy will begin tomorrow, August 19 and remain in effect until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis and adjust policy based on the data, health and education official recommendations, etc.
This decision was informed by the St. Joseph County Department of Health, Indiana Department of Health, Center for Disease and Control Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics as well as working with local health and education officials. St. Joseph County has experienced an increase in new Covid-19 cases and positivity rates over the last two weeks. See the county metrics linked HERE. The guidance for K-12 schools reopening policy from St. Joseph County Health officials is linked HERE.
Per Indiana Department of Health, the vaccine is the “best defense against the virus.” We are currently in the planning stages to offer a voluntary vaccine clinic for eligible students, parents and community members. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
We will continue to work closely with St. Joseph County Department of Health, state health and education officials, and monitor our own buildings as we make decisions to keep students and staff safe.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Lugbill
Superintendent
Career & Success Academy
Reopening
Reopening Plan Fall 2021
Career and Success Academies are excited to welcome staff and students for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. For the 2021-22 school year, Career and Success Academies will be providing face-to-face instruction according to our adopted school calendar with the first day of school being Thursday, August 5, 2021. Career Academy (6th-12th grade) will continue a virtual option for students.
Governor Holcomb empowered each school district to consider and evaluate all aspects of returning to school and to develop a re-entry plan that considers the recommendations and addresses local district capabilities while still delivering a quality education.
As addressed in the IDOE document, Career and Success Academies will be constantly evaluating two key factors:
- the school’s ability to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, and
- the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community
We will be working closely with St. Joseph Health Department, who will guide us if any adjustments need to be made during the school year. We continue to monitor the St. Joseph County COVID-19 data and will stay in contact with the local health department as we make decisions to keep our students and staff safe.
We know that we can help to protect the students and adults in the school environment by taking a series of reasonable steps in various aspects of our school operations. This document will provide guidance to students, parents, and other community stakeholders regarding the specific re-entry plans for Career and Success Academies.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Lugbill
Superintendent
Career and Success Academies
Revisions to this document are expected as dictated by circumstances surrounding COVID-19
General Guidelines for Career and Success Academies
The following general guidelines will be used to provide for a safe re-entry to school:
- We plan for the school year to begin, as scheduled, with in-person and virtual classroom instruction on the first day of school, August 5, 2021.
- Students at Success Academy will be required to wear masks during the school day. Masks will continue to be optional, but strongly recommended at Career Academy.
- We anticipate providing the standard 180 days of instruction during the 2021-2022 school year. If necessary, we will review and adjust the calendar. Such adjustments may consist of virtual and/or hybrid instruction and longer or shorter breaks. These decisions will be made based on the current community health status.
- We will review all policies and procedures to provide more flexibility and may remove punitive measures for absences when there is determined illness, a localized outbreak, or exposure of a contagious disease.
- All buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to the start of school and on a frequent basis throughout the year.
- We will work with the St. Joseph Health Department to establish predetermined thresholds for mitigation strategies if there are cases in our schools and/or community spread.
- The superintendent will be provided with health reports as necessary to review with the St. Joseph Health Department and make determinations if further mitigation is warranted. Data tracked may include, but is not limited to:
- Reasons for student and staff absences.
- Positive cases of COVID-19 in the schools.
- Data regarding COVID-19 spread in the community.
- If school is closed by the superintendent or the St. Joseph Health Department, Career and Success Academies will transition to eLearning during the period of the closure.
- Staff will be trained on non-interventive screening procedures to help identify symptoms which may need to be addressed.
- Student and staff daily schedules may be adjusted to provide adequate time for handwashing, sanitizing desks, and other good hygiene practices.
- The school clinic will develop procedures to minimize infection.
- Extra-curricular and co-curricular guidelines will be developed so that sports and other extra-curricular programs may continue to take place while reducing risk of disease spread.
- Relevant training will be provided to certified staff, non-certified staff, and substitute teachers to address a variety of COVID-19 related issues.
- Mental health training may be provided to assess student and staff needs stemming from dealing with the pandemic.
- Custodial staff has been trained on effective methods of cleaning and disinfecting work and play areas and the time schedules for cleaning.
- The COVID-19 section of the Career and Success Academies website will provide updates for students, parents, and stakeholders. In addition, other methods of communication may be employed to ensure that stakeholders are aware of any noteworthy developments.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Career and Success Academies will recommend all, who are able, to get the COVID-19 vaccination. This is voluntary and administration at Career and Success Academies will not require staff or students to show vaccination cards. If at school, a vaccinated employee or student will not be required to quarantine if they are in close contact with an individual who has tested positive.
Symptoms Impacting Consideration for Exclusion from School
Students and employees will be excluded from school if they test positive for COVID-19. Excluded students are expected to keep up with school work via eLearning as their health allows. Students and employees will be trained to recognize the following symptoms:
- A fever of 100.4° F or greater
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Return to School After Exclusion
Once a student or employee is excluded from the school, they may return if they have remained symptom free and fever free for 24 hours, or if they have a doctor’s document stating approval for the return to school with the date of return.
If an employee or student is suspected of having COVID-19, the following guidelines will be expected to be followed before a re-entry:
Tested Positive – Symptomatic
Persons who experienced symptoms and have been tested for COVID-19 may return to school if the following conditions are met:
- At least 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared: and
- The individual no longer has a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers); and
- Other symptoms have improved.
Tested Positive- Asymptomatic
Persons who have not had symptoms but test positive for COVID-19 may return when they have gone ten calendar days without symptoms and have been released by a healthcare provider. Persons may also return if they are approved to do so in writing by their health care provider.
Tested Negative
Persons who have had symptoms of COVID-19 and received a negative test result may return to school when they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers).
Screening
Career and Success Academies will operate using the CDC option of self-screening. All students and employees are expected to self-check their temperatures before arrival. If staff or students have a temperature of 100.4 or greater, or if they feel sick with symptoms of COVID-19, they are to stay home for a minimum of 24 hours. All staff, students and parents will be provided information regarding the recognition of COVID-19 symptoms and screening.
At any time the district/school may take the temperature of students, employees and visitors on school property on a random basis or in situations where there is reason to believe that the person may be ill.
Close Contact with a Positive
According to the CDC, a close contact is someone who spends greater than 15 minutes within six feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 from the 48 hours prior to the positive person’s symptom onset, or if the positive person is asymptomatic, 48 hours prior to the positive test collection date. Persons identified through contact tracing as “close contacts” will be notified to determine quarantine status. Factors such as vaccinations, mask wearing, and social distancing could impact the need for or the length of quarantine. Families will still be notified if school-based contact tracing identifies their student as a close contact. Students who are identified COVID-19 positive will still be required to quarantine.
- Quarantine must be used for unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- Close contacts, identified through contact tracing, should quarantine unless they are fully vaccinated, or have tested positive in the last 3 months, and do not have any symptoms.
- Students, teachers, and staff who are in quarantine should stay home and follow the direction of the local public health department about when it is safe for them to be around others.
- All fully vaccinated individuals who remain asymptomatic (even if a close contact) do not need to quarantine but should monitor for symptoms throughout the 14 days following their exposure.
- The CDC recommends fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
COVID Protocols
Immunizations and Vaccinations
Indiana State Immunization requirements still remain in effect. A fall immunization will still be offered. Flu clinics and “catch-up” immunization clinics will be scheduled for fall. The school will consult guidance from the Indiana State Department of Health and the St. Joseph County Health Department in regard to COVID-19 vaccination.
Social Distancing
Career and Success Academies will determine the need for Social Distancing during the 21-22 school year. Even if deemed appropriate, Social Distancing will not be possible at all times within the school environment, however, we are taking steps to provide greater distance between students wherever possible. The following adjustments include measures that Career and Success Academies will take to increase distance between students if deemed necessary to do so.
Rearranging of classroom set-up to allow for greater space between students.
Implementing measures to decrease students congregating in one location.
Reducing the number of shared materials, supplies, and personal belongings going to and from school.
Reducing student exposure to high-touch, shared resources at school, and implementing frequent sanitizing of shared space.
Masks and PPE
According to Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 21-15 on May 28th, 2021, after July 1, 2021, local school boards of public k-12 institutes will be responsible for implementing whatever measures and restrictions deemed necessary and prudent to address the impact and spread of COVID-19. In making these decisions, the school board will consider CDC guidance as well as information provided by the St. Joseph County Health Department.
Consistent with school year practice and the Executive Order, Career and Success Academies will require masking for all K-12 students and staff indoors through June 30, 2021.
Per Federal requirements, Masks are required for all students and staff while on a school bus or school-sponsored mode of transportation.
Masks are not required for strenuous indoor activities or while outdoors on school grounds.
Face Covering Guidance Beginning July 1st
Career and Success Academies will adhere to all federal, state, and local health orders.
• With the Governor’s mask order expiring at the end of June, Career and Success Academies will consult with the local health department.
• The local health department recommends the universal and correct wearing of masks for all unvaccinated individuals while indoors.
• Beginning July 1, 2021, Career and Success Academies will become mask optional.
• Per Federal requirements, Masks are still required for all students and staff while on a school bus or school-sponsored mode of transportation.
Individuals who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 while at school may be required to wear a mask and will be isolated from others until they are safely able to leave the building.
Hygiene at School
Career and Success Academies will insist that employees and students wash their hands often, and if soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Key times for handwashing include but are not limited to:
● Start of the school day
● Before and after breakfast and lunch
● Before and after recess (elementary school)
● After using the restroom, blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing
● After using shared equipment
Recess
Success Academy recognizes the importance of breaks in instructional time for elementary students. We will continue to have recess, but adjustments to normal procedures may include the following:
● Students will sanitize hands when going to and coming back from recess.
● Playground equipment will be sanitized as appropriate.
Mental Health Considerations
Career and Success Academies may be able to provide support for students and staff who may develop mental health difficulties due to the stress and anxiety brought on by COVID-19. These resources may include access to school counselors, curriculum-related materials to provide students and families with suggestions for coping mechanisms, or other strategies to reduce the stress created by this situation.
Facility and Cleaning Considerations
Custodial staff at all schools will receive training regarding how to clean and disinfect surfaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19. High-touch objects and surfaces will be cleaned more often and a more vigorous cleaning schedule will be adhered to. Custodial staff will adhere to CDC Cleaning Guidelines
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Athletics and extracurricular activities will be conducted following recommendations and guidance provided by state agencies such as the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana High School Athletic Association and local guidance.
All participants and coaches MUST be symptom-free. Participation is strictly prohibited by anyone exhibiting a fever, or symptoms of COVID-19 found earlier in this document that are not otherwise explained.
Additional guidance for a specific activity/club/sport will be provided by the Athletic, Director, coach, or sponsor. Please contact the coach or athletic director if you have questions.
Revisions to this document are expected as dictated by circumstances surrounding COVID-19
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