CLAYTON COUNTY: What students and parents need to know about back to school policies

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County Schools has released it updated guidance for students and staff returning to school this fall. The district’s first day of school is Aug. 2.

“Clayton County Public Schools will ensure high quality teaching and learning for students who are learning face-to-face and remotely. A primary focus will be to ensure optimal opportunities for learning to accelerate students to grade level performance.”

Two schools will begin the year virtually. Due to a number of staff members having to quarantine, North Clayton High School and Pointe South Middle School will be virtual on Monday through Wednesday.

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[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2′s complete guide for back to school 2021 in north Georgia]

Here are the latest protocols for Clayton County’s 2021-2022 school year:

Face coverings

• All students and staff will wear masks at all times.
• Visitors will be allowed to visit schools on the first two days of school. All visitors will be required to wear a mask and practice the district’s other COVID-19 safety guidelines/procedures.
• After day two, visitors will be allowed in the school buildings by appointment only and will be required to wear a mask and follow the district’s safety protocols.
• Classrooms with students with high needs and who are medically-fragile, will not require mask usage at any time for students with disabilities due to intolerance and/or medical needs (inability to remove masks, etc.). These classrooms will have additional signage, PPE for staff, and handwashing requirements prior to entry to the classrooms.

Social distancing and cleaning

• Social distancing of 3 feet will be encouraged when possible.
• Temperature Checks for all employees, students, and visitors will be conducted in all CCPS facilities. Hand sanitizer will be provided in all classrooms.
• Desk shields will be provided in all elementary classrooms, in all low-incidence special education classrooms, and in all secondary classrooms as feasible.
• Students should have assigned seats in the classroom and all other locations for efficient contact tracing. Students should know their “left/right” buddy for all assigned seating. Teachers should maintain physical copies of seating charts.
• All high-touch points will be cleaned throughout the day. High touch surfaces include: tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, chairs, phones, tables, etc.
• Staff screening procedures will be required in all CCPS facilities. Isolation Rooms and COVID Response teams will remain in all schools.
• Custodians will sanitize school buildings daily.

Bus transportation

• Students will be required to wear masks while being transported.
• Students will have assigned seats.
• Buses will be cleaned and sanitized between each route. Route delays may occur due to staff shortages.

Quarantine

• If staff or students become ill, they will be quarantined in a designated area (the isolation room) and students will remain isolated until they are picked up by a parent/guardian.
• The school nurse and/or other health care technicians will render the necessary medical attention or first aid based on the symptoms being exhibited. The parent or guardian will be immediately notified and advised to expeditiously respond to the school to retrieve the student for further medical treatment.
• Staff members and students with confirmed COVID-19 should not return until they have met the state Department of Public Health (DPH) criteria to return to work.
• Those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 should remain home and follow state DPH guidance if symptoms develop.
• If a person does not have symptoms, follow appropriate state DPH guidance for home quarantine. The healthcare technician will assist with next steps.

Virtual learning

• (CCPS offers an online learning experience for students in grades K-12 through its School Based Virtual Learning Program (VLP).
• VLP Learners and Face to Face learners will operate on the same daily instructional schedule. The simultaneous learning model requires teachers in the classroom to teach students in the virtual learning program at home and students who are face to face at the same time. This blended learning model will require teachers to use technology resources and a combination of synchronous (live with the teacher) and asynchronous (independent student-learning) instruction.

BACK 2 SCHOOL HEADLINES

• Back to School 2021: Here’s how to check your county’s vaccination rate
• When does my district return to the classroom?
• How to reduce your child’s COVID-19 risk if they’re too young to be vaccinated

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