Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

As a requirement of the American Rescue Plan: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief:  (ARP/ESSER III) fund, school districts receiving funds must develop a plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services.  For the 2021-2022 school year, the district will continue to monitor recommendations from local physicians, Sedgwick County Health Department, Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The district will monitor and adjust plans/safety protocols on an as needed basis. 

• Universal and Correct Wearing of Masks

As approved at the December 13th, 2021 Board of Education meeting, the district is adjusting our protocol to recommend masks for all students and staff while inside school buildings.  Masks will be recommended for all activities but not required. It's also recommended that parents and visitors to the buildings during the school day or during activities also wear masks.  Building administration will be monitoring and evaluating positive COVID cases in their building. Administration may implement a mask requirement for a classroom, grade level, buildings, team and/or activity for up to a two week time period.  Per Federal requirements, masks are required for students and staff on any school transportation vehicle.  

• Modifying Facilities to Allow for Physical Distancing

For the 2021-2022 school year, social distancing will be utilized when possible. Classroom instruction will require seating charts. We also are utilizing seating charts on school transportation, when possible. 

• Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

For the 2021-2022 school year, hand sanitizing stations will continue to be available at various locations throughout each building.  Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is encouraged throughout the day.  Student desks will be sanitized throughout the day during class changes.  We will continue to teach and remind students of respiratory etiquette.

• Cleaning/Maintaining Healthy Facilities, Including Improving Ventilation

We have dedicated preventative maintenance staff who are adhering to a strict schedule of ensuring filtering systems are changed on a regular basis for all buildings within the district.  For the 2021-2022 school year, a high level of cleaning and sanitization practices will continue to be implemented across our schools. Some of these practices include: A rotation of electrostatic disinfectant machines, daily disinfecting of every classroom and frequent disinfection of high touch surfaces throughout the day. A high level of cleaning and sanitization practices, which were increased over this past year, will continue into this school year. Custodians will receive additional training on cleaning procedures.

• Contact Tracing in Combination with Isolation and Quarantine in Collaboration with Local Health Department 

The district will consider all local health department guidelines regarding quarantine, close contacts, and positive cases.  USD 263 will follow any and all state and county orders or mandates.   

• Diagnostic and Screening Testing

Beginning September 7th, 2021, the district will employ the KDHE rapid testing program in each of the school buildings.  The procedures and processes for this program are posted at www.usd263.com.

• Efforts to Provide Vaccinations to School Communities

Mulvane Public Schools held an on-site vaccination clinic in March and April for all staff. We've also held a vaccination clinics for all community members in May, June, and Decemeber of 2021. We've also held community clinics in January of 2022.   We will continue to provide periodic information as to where to find vaccine locations in our community.

• Appropriate Accommodations for Children with Disabilities with Respect to Health and Safety Policies

The district will continue to evaluate the accommodations needed to provide a safe in-person learning environment for students with disabilities. Summer opportunities include Extended School Year (ESY) and Related Services for students with identified needs. Supports were in place for students to participate in Wildcat University, the general education learning opportunity provided by the district during the June of 2021. For the 2021-2022 school year, the district will evaluate any individualized special accommodations needed to provide free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for our students with disabilities. This also includes reviewing and planning for a possible Wildcat University summer learning program for June of 2022. 

• Coordination with State and Local Health Officials

The district will continue to consider recommendations from local physicians, Sedgwick County Health Department, Kansas Covid Workgroup for Kids, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

• Ensuring Continuity of Services, Including but Not Limited to: 
  • Services to Address Students' Academic Needs

Students will have access to academic support programs including Multiple Tiered Support System (MTSS) interventions for students whose universal screeners indicate they need additional support. Students with Individualized Education Program (IEPs), 504s and Individualized Language Plan (ILP) will receive support per their outlined plan.

• Students' and Staff Social, Emotional, Mental Health

Reintegration for all students into a full-time in-person setting will be a priority. During the 2021-2022 school year, social and emotional health curriculum will continue to be taught.  Mental health support and referrals are provided by social workers at the elementary level and social workers and/or counselors at the secondary level. Staff social, emotional and mental health support will continue to be offered through each school community and the district employee assistance program (EAP).

• Other Needs, Which May Include Student Health and Food Services

During the 2021-2022 school year, students will be provided with many free services to support continued learning including free breakfast and lunch, WiFi Verizon Hotspots for students participating in online activities with limited connectivity, on-site COVID testing, credit recovery sessions for high school students, a variety of free summer learning opportunities for K-8 students.  

Updated 1/7/2022

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