South Atlanta News

Alpharetta Elementary School recently issued the following announcement.

COVID-19 continues to be a serious safety concern as staff and students return for the 2021-22 school year. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure a healthy learning and work environment, we will continue to take measures that mitigate risks in our district schools and facilities for students, employees, visitors, and others. The following outlines the current information and guidance regarding the district's response to COVID-19. Due to the nature of COVID-19, FCS guidelines are subject to change based on local data, and public health directives or guidance. 

Download a printable version of this information in PDF Format 

Prevention methods:

• FCS strongly encourages all employees and students (12 years and older) to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination is the leading public health measure for preventing COVID-19 infection. The following is a link to Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) on COVID-19 testing and vaccine information: COVID-19 Testing in Georgia | Georgia Department of Public Health and COVID Vaccine | Georgia Department of Public Health.
• Mask wearing is strongly recommended for all unvaccinated students and staff, except on FCS school buses where masks are required. If one is not fully vaccinated (14 days after second dose), wearing a mask/face covering in indoor public places remains strongly recommended. 
• Students and staff should continue to keep a physical (social) distance of 3-6 feet between themselves and others when possible.
• Staff and students should wash their hands frequently and cover their mouth/nose when coughing and/or sneezing.
• All students and staff who meet isolation/quarantine criteria must adhere to the district’s 10-day quarantine directive.
  • Individuals exhibiting symptoms while at school/work will be directed to leave or isolate until they can be picked-up.
  • Students and staff who have been fully vaccinated (14 days since the second shot in a 2-dose series or the single dose of the J&J vaccine) and symptom-free do not have to quarantine. Proof of vaccination will be needed.
  • Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months, fully recovered, and symptom-free do not have to quarantine. Proof of COVID-19 diagnosis will be needed.
• District facilities and schools should limit non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations with people who are not fully vaccinated.
• Before entering an FCS facility, all visitors must complete a Wellness Check screening. We will not conduct temperature checks for visitors.
• All athletes and band members will continue to be screened daily and coordinated in small groups, when possible, for contact tracing purposes. Temperature checks are not part of the protocols. FCS will open at full capacity for all athletic events/contests and concessions will be open. 

Reporting:

• As a reminder, if you are sick, please stay home.
• All FCS staff and students are required to report a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, a pending COVID-19 test result (regardless of the reason for testing), and  a direct contact with person who is COVID-19 positive.
• FCS student/parents must use the Parent Reporting Portal to make the COVID-19 report.
• FCS employees must use the Employee Reporting Portal (coming soon) to make the COVID-19 report.
• Reporting staff and students must wait for further guidance from the FCS Health Services Team, Talent Department, or public health officials after submitting a report. Do not report to work or school.
• Employees are not to report to work if they feel ill or have symptoms related to COVID-19.
• The FCS COVID-19 Response Team will case investigate all reports in consultation with public health officials. Staff and students are required to cooperate with response team/public health department nurses and respond truthfully to all questions.
• The district will update positive COVID-19 cases once a week on the FCS website.
• FCS will continue to utilize the Closing Matrix to switch to remote learning for classes, schools or clusters if warranted. This approach allows the district to review the impact of positive COVID-19 cases at the local level, minimizing the potential disruption on instruction. 

Facilities:

• High touch areas and personal workspaces should be cleaned and disinfected
• We have adjusted our HVAC systems to extend hours of operation to dilute possible contaminates. We are moving towards higher efficacy air filtration on all our HVAC systems.
• In addition, HVACs were adjusted to increase ventilation in accordance with CDC and industry recommendations, and MERV-13 filters, which are some of the highest EPA-rated air filters available, have been installed.
• Protective equipment such as clear acrylic partitions, enhanced cleaning products, safety signage, paper towel dispensers and hand sanitizer stations have been installed inside schools and administrative buildings for greater access.

 Original source can be found here.