Prairie du Chien District updates COVID guidelines
By Ted Pennekamp
During its Committee of the Whole meeting on July 26, the Prairie du Chien School Board approved of its 2021-2022 COVID plan. That plan said masks were optional for staff and students in the buildings.
The COVID plan was revisited during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Aug. 23. According to the new plan, masks are optional for high school staff and students. However, masks are required for all B.A. Kennedy and Bluff View staff and students inside on student contact days and for co-curricular activities. Masks can be removed while outside.
There will be a weekly routine review of data. If the review shows the rate of transmission has been “high” for the communities in the Prairie du Chien School District (six or more new cases over a seven-day period), high school staff and students must wear a mask in high risk areas or during high risk activities. High risk areas/activities include: lunchroom (unless eating or drinking), food service, busses/transportation, small group work in classrooms, passing times, indoor physical education, music, weight room, indoor co-curricular activities, other activities as identified by the administration.
If an outbreak occurs in a school building (two or more unique positive cases within a school building), masks will be required at all times for all individuals in the building that had the outbreak for a minimum of 28 days. Other district mitigation protocols will be evaluated (closure of the building, closure of parts of the building, etc.).
The school district is looking to start the school year with face-to-face instruction for all students.
Masks are required by everyone on school busses and vans until Jan. 31, 2022 per federal law.
Virtual instruction
Students wishing to pursue full time virtual instruction will have that option via the Mighty River Virtual Academy. Students experiencing medically approved quarantine will have the option of temporary access to virtual instruction via the model appropriate for their grade level (virtual on demand or live virtual). During such times, the established virtual attendance policy will be followed.
Visitor policy,
field trips, gatherings
Visitor policy, field trips and gatherings need administrative approval and will need to follow protocols.
Notification of cases
Skylert notifications will continue when students or staff test positive for COVID.
Protecting students
and staff
The district will try to maintain a social distance of three feet.
Vaccinated people with no symptoms will not have to quarantine if they were in contact with a positive case. If a vaccinated person is symptomatic or tests positive, they will have to quarantine for at least 10 days and will need the approval of the school nurse to return. Individuals may take a COVID test on day seven or after. If the test is negative, the person may return.
Unvaccinated people who have exposure to a positive case, will need to quarantine for up to 10 days regardless of whether they are symptomatic or non-symptomatic. Non-symptomatic people may return on day 11. Individuals may take a test on day seven or after. If the test is negative, these individuals may return.
