- Sevier County School System
- 2021-2022 Reopening Protocols
Reopening Protocols for 2021-2022
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The following guidelines have been created based on current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) guidance, have been evaluated and approved by two local physicians and the Sevier County Health Department, and have been reviewed by system legal counsel to ensure adherence to state educational statutes. They may be altered to adhere to changing community conditions and updated guidance from medical authorities.
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Staggered Start
- In order to acquaint students with changes in procedures and protocols as school resumes, Sevier County Schools will begin the 2021-22 school year with 2 staggered start days on Monday and Tuesday, August 16 and 17.
- Students with last names beginning with A-M will attend Monday, August 16.
- Students with last names beginning with N-Z will attend Tuesday, August 17.
- Parents in households with multiple last names are encouraged to contact the principals at their children’s schools to assist in making arrangements for home supervision on these days.
- Kindergarten staggered start days will proceed as planned.
- All other students will attend regularly beginning Wednesday, August 18.
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Remote Learning
- Governor Lee’s order allowing distance learning in regular schools has been rescinded, meaning that remote learning is no longer allowable in the format utilized during the 2020-21 school year.
- Though we are currently exploring the possibility of opening a virtual school, we are not offering enrollment in one at this time.
- Parents who have students with a documented medical condition that places them at greater risk should contact their child’s principal or central office to get information about temporary homebound placement.
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Masks
Masks are strongly recommended when social distancing is not possible, but not required.
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Transportation
- Parents who have the option to transport their children to school are encouraged to do so to reduce ridership and provide for additional social distancing.
- Drivers will continue to utilize assigned seating to assist with contact tracing.
- Bus sanitation routines prior to every run will continue.
- Masks and hand sanitizer will be available on buses per request.
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Isolation/Quarantine
- Isolations and quarantines for students or staff members who have been exposed to COVID or found to be COVID-positive will follow CDC and state guidelines.
- Students who are placed in quarantine or isolation may continue to complete classwork through remote learning for the duration of their absence from school per a new state statute.
- Isolation and quarantine periods for unvaccinated individuals remain unchanged based on guidelines from the CDC/TDH which were utilized at the end of the last school year including the 6 feet/15 minutes rule for “close contact.”
- Those who are vaccinated or those who have had COVID in the last 90 days do not need to quarantine or isolate unless they develop symptoms regardless of exposure.
- Contact tracing will be conducted in conjunction with the health department, with the system again assisting with information and communication as needed.
- In order to expedite their return to school when quarantined, students with parent consent and staff members will be able to receive a COVID test at any school location with a nearly 24 hour turnaround for results.
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Health Screenings
- All-inclusive temperature checks/screenings upon entry are suspended due to changed CDC and TDH guidance.
- Students and staff who self-report or who have observable symptoms will be referred to the clinic, where they will be screened by the nurse.
- Orders for isolation/quarantine will be communicated based on observable symptoms/exposure according to TDH guidelines.
- A designated space for students who are symptomatic or being sent home for symptoms or quarantine/isolation will be maintained.
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COVID Testing and Telemed
- COVID testing will be available on all school campuses for those who wish to hasten their return to school/work.
- Parents must sign consent forms for testing to occur and will be able to do so on pickup for those students who are symptomatic or by appointment for those who have been quarantined.
- Students with parental consent or staff members who are symptomatic will be able to test the day symptoms are discovered and may return to school the day after a negative test result is returned as long as they remain symptom free for at least 24 hours.
- Those who are quarantined as a result of close contact may test as soon as day 6 after exposure (per CDC and TDH guidance) and may return to school day 8 after a negative test result is returned, as long as they have no symptoms.
- Testing for illnesses like strep and flu are available with parent consent through telemed to help in ruling out COVID as a source of symptoms and to return students and staff to school as quickly as possible.
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Vaccinations
- While vaccination is encouraged, it will NOT be made a requirement for participating in any school-related activities.
- Parents may make their own determination in regard to what is best for their children when considering COVID vaccinations.
- Religious or medical exemption for all other mandated vaccinations can be obtained with the appropriate documentation.
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Social Distancing
- While the school system will strive to maintain 6 feet of space for social distancing, the currently recommended 3 feet will serve as a minimum where at all practicable.
- Adults are still recommended to maintain 6 feet between themselves and others.
- Social distancing will be maintained where practicable, with facility layouts and procedures continuing to focus on 3/6 feet of distance.
- Shields will be utilized in areas where space limits social distancing
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Gatherings
- School events like orientations, open house nights, etc. will occur in-person, but will be designed to allow for limits on attendance and to promote social distancing; consideration will be given to holding such events by grade level at different times or on different dates to restrict crowd size and in outdoor venues where possible to provide ample space.
- Likewise, school assemblies will be held by grade level or other subgroups to allow for social distancing in gyms, auditoriums, etc.
- Parent/teacher conferences may resume in-person, but large gatherings will be avoided in favor of small group meetings in classrooms or conference rooms.
- Bus duty or indoor mass gatherings will provide as much social distancing as practicable; students should use alternating seats or spaces.
- Restrictions on playgrounds and outdoor activities are lifted.
- Guidelines for sports and like events (games, meets, concerts, etc.) will be determined based on TSSAA and state guidance.
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Visitors to schools
- While parents may now visit offices to drop off or retrieve materials, schools will still limit access to entry areas away from classrooms or cafeterias to avoid unnecessary exposure as well as to comply with confidentiality requirements.
- Meetings should still be limited to essential personnel with social distancing where practicable
- 4-H, Hunter’s Safety, military recruiters, college and university representatives, and other like parties may return to buildings while observing social distancing and other system protocols; such individuals should be limited to small group interactions with outdoor spaces utilized when available.
- Community organizations (Junior League, AAU, etc.) which utilize school facilities outside of school hours will be allowed to do so with proper facilities usage agreements and proof of insurance pending their adherence to school safety and sanitation protocols.
- Principals may use their own discretion to admit other visitors (guest speakers, etc.) bearing in mind that visitor business should be essential and after informing the visitors of social distancing and other safety expectations.
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Sanitation and Hygiene
- Widespread use of hand sanitizer, hand washing, and other hygienic practices will continue.
- Janitorial staff will continue to utilize routines which focus on high traffic areas and surfaces, restrooms, offices, clinics, etc.
- Electrostatic sprayers will continue to be utilized in all locations daily or more frequently when needed.
- Shared materials will continue to be used sparingly and with sanitation procedures utilized between use
- Student access to water fountains will still be suspended in favor of utilizing individual bottles and bottle fill stations to avoid potential contamination.
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Meal Service
- Breakfasts and lunches will be offered in cafeterias.
- Second-chance or mid-morning breakfasts are strongly encouraged.
- Lunch menus will return to the customary monthly rotation of hot items.
- Hand hygiene will remain a part of meal service.
- Meal schedules and cafeteria layouts should be optimized to provide social distancing where at all practicable (limits on numbers, staggered seating, etc.).
- When physical constraints make social distancing impossible, students should eat in peer groups, and seating charts should be utilized to assist in contact tracing when necessary.
- Microwaves may be utilized for student meals in cafeterias. (not applicable in all school locations).
- Janitorial staff members should be trained to work in concert with kitchen staff members to prioritize lunchroom sanitation during meal service hours (tables, serving areas, trash, microwaves, etc.)
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Field Trips
- Field trips may resume, but should be limited in scope and duration as much as possible and must have a strict basis in state learning objectives to be considered valid for board approval.
- The Eugene W. Huskey Environmental Center may resume operation with sanitation and social distancing protocols in place.
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Foreign Exchange Students
- Foreign exchange placements will remain suspended at this time.
Important Documents
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Guidelines Expectations for Google Accounts and Chromebooks
20212022 Guidelines Expectations for Google Accounts Chromebooks.pdf 93.03 KB (Last Modified on August 5, 2021) -
Guidelines & Expectations for Google Accounts and Chromebooks - Translated Version
Translated 20212022 Guidelines and expectations for google accounts.pdf 210.09 KB (Last Modified on August 5, 2021) -
Google Accounts & Chromebooks Acceptable Use & Responsibility Agreement
20212022 Google Accounts Chromebook Acceptable Use Responsibility Agreement.pdf 148.11 KB (Last Modified on August 5, 2021)
