USD 271 weekly report dated Thursday, January 20th and Friday, Jan. 21st

Thursday, January 20th Report: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas State Department of Education recently met with district administrators and county health officials to discuss the current Omicron surge. KDHE and KSDE shared updated recommendations for school districts. The Rooks County Team held a special meeting this week to review the recommendations. This document includes information regarding how Rooks County plans to proceed. As always, the goal is to keep students and staff in school in a safe and healthy environment.

In the last week almost 30 districts in Kansas reported closing at least one school in their district due to Covid. Some of the closures were due to the number of cases in their schools while other closures were due to a shortage of teaching staff due to the illness. Rooks County School Districts have had our share of cases, but we have been able to remain open throughout this school year. At this time, we ask for your help and support in implementing the following protocols so we may remain in school and may offer a quality education:

• Regularly monitor your student(s) for symptoms of Covid-19.

• If your student is symptomatic, have him/ her tested.

• Do not send your student to school if he/she is sick or if he/she has tested positive.

• Notify your school if your child tests positive.

Those who test positive will be required to fulfill the quarantine time. Once the at-home quarantine period is over, the student or staff member will be allowed to return to school as long as he/she meets the following criteria:

• He/she is not having any symptoms;

• He/she is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications; and

• He/she wears a mask for the remainder of the quarantine period.

Household contacts of a positive are required to quarantine and to meet the above-mentioned criteria. Rooks County School Districts will continue to offer “Test to Stay” and “Test to Play” at this time as long as testing kits are available for household contacts.

Please stay home if you are ill, continue to wash your hands, and take any necessary precautions to prevent further illness. Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this challenging time for our schools and communities. We will continue to keep you informed as guidance changes are announced.

Friday, January 21st Report: We currently have 60 active reported cases of Covid-19 in the county and three individuals in the hospital due to Covid-19.

Rooks County and USD 271 are following the KDHE guidelines. We have a “Test to Stay” program for students and staff, please contact your building administrator if you would like your student tested.