WCS Back-to-School COVID-19 Protocols

(8/13/2021)

We are looking forward to the beginning of a brand new school year with kids who are eager to learn! As student safety continues to be our number one priority, we pride ourselves in providing personalized learning for every student, every day. With that in mind, we will continue to use Franklin County Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health, and the CDC as our guides for the best protocols to help keep kids in school five days a week. Below are Whitehall City Schools COVID-19 protocols for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year until further notice. We want to thank our parents and community for working with us to make the best of this continuing and very difficult situation. As always, we will remain nimble and swift to adjust to any needed changes to the guidelines from our health professionals.

• Face masks/face coverings will be required for all students, PreK - 12th grade, and staff during the school day. (Changed on 9/2/21 - Goes into effect on 9/7/21)
• It is strongly recommended that all high school students (grades 9-12) and staff wear a face mask/covering while indoors, especially those who are not vaccinated. Mask use during outdoor activities is not required.  (Changed on 9/2/21)
• Due to a federal requirement for mass transit, students and staff are required to wear a face mask/face covering on school transportation. Those who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask because of a developmental delay or disability, may complete a mask exemption form.

• Proof of vaccination will not be required of students or staff in order to be at school/work.
• Social distancing (of at least 3 feet) will remain as one of our mitigation efforts against COVID-19.
• Increased ventilation using MERV-11 or higher air filters will remain in all of our school buildings.
• Daily disinfection and enhanced cleaning will continue.
• Students and staff will be encouraged to practice good personal health hygiene, including covering their cough, washing hands, and staying home when sick.
  • Students and staff should stay home if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 in order to prevent spread to others.
• Quarantine protocols will be followed according to the most recent flow chart issued by the Ohio Department of Health.

• Proportion of COVID-19 cases of school-aged children in the Whitehall City School District
• COVID-19 Analytics and Targeted Surveillance (CATS) data in three areas:
  • Percent of student absences
  • Percent of staff absences
  • Rate of nurse visits of CLI/ILI per 1,000 students
• Positivity rates and case counts in Whitehall City School District community
• Other data as deemed relevant by federal, state, and local medical experts.