Fall 2021 Opening

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Our Students Are Our Why

Focused on in-person learning five days a week

2020-21

2021-22

Teaching & Learning

• In-person instruction
• Time
• Materials and Supplies
• Furniture
• Flexibility
• Socialization
• Personalization

Elementary

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8:00-2:30

5 days/week

Middle

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9:05-3:35

5 days/week

High

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9:05-3:35

5 days/week

2021-22

Instructional Day

• Athletics
• Performing Arts
• Clubs
• Student Government
• Honor Societies
• Special Events

Extracurricular Activities

Maximizing Instruction

Health

The law requires each school board to provide such in-person instruction in a manner in which it adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies for early childhood care and education programs and elementary and secondary schools to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Applicable Law

CDC Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order on January 29, 2021 requiring the wearing of masks by people on public transportation conveyances or on the premises of transportation hubs to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. School buses are considered “public transportation.”

CDC’s Public Health Order

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an exception to the close contact definition for indoor K-12 settings:

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In indoor K-12 settings, a student who is within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student is not considered a close contact as long as both students are wearing masks and the school has other prevention strategies in place. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in indoor K-12 settings.

Close Contacts & Quarantines

• Assuming that students are at least 3-6 feet apart and GCPS has other health mitigation measures in place:
• COVID positive student stays home.
• Other students are not considered a close contact and likely will not have to quarantine.
• Regardless of physical distance, fully vaccinated students will not need to quarantine unless they are showing COVID symptoms.

COVID + Student

What Does This Mean?

Health Mitigation Measures To Begin The 21-22 School Year:

Masks Required for Adults and Students (Senate Bill 1303)

Physical Distancing To Greatest Extent Possible

Ventilation Improvements

Promotion of and Coordination of Additional Vaccine Clinics

COVID Protocols

Frequent reminders of COVID symptoms & reasons to stay home

Health Mitigation Measures

Factors That May Lead To Changes in Health Mitigation Measures:

• CDC Guidance - Senate Bill 1303
• General Assembly Action
• Governor or Health Commissioner Order
• General Conditions In Our Community
• Changes (positive or negative) to Community Transmission Trends
• Staffing
• Greater availability of vaccine to additional age groups
• Any unforeseen or unpredicted circumstances

Future Decision-Making

#Optimism