2021-2022: COVID Plan & Tracker

New masking policies effective Jan. 10, 2022

• Indoor masking during the school day (except when eating or drinking) will be mandatory at both buildings regardless of vaccination status for two weeks of school through Friday, Jan. 21. (Masking will be mandatory with some flexibility at "Shrek Jr. The Musical" production rehearsals after school and strongly recommended at all other indoor after-school activities.)
• Starting weekly on Monday, Jan. 24, and for the following seven weeks until Spring Break, our masking policy will be based on this threshold:
  • If the district receives notice of 20 or more positive student cases in a week (Monday-Friday), indoor masking during the school day (except when eating or drinking) may become mandatory district-wide or may become mandatory at one particular building for the next two weeks.
  • If the district does not receive notice of 20 or more positive student cases in a week, then masking will be optional for all in both buildings.
  • We established our threshold percentage by studying formulas used by neighboring school districts and looking at our past data–from when the pandemic was at its worst to when we had our lowest numbers of cases reported. We selected the threshold based upon this data as well as our enrollment (1,048 students), vaccination percentages, and class sizes.

In connection with these masking changes, the district has modified its quarantine and isolation rules after consulting the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and with guidance from the federal CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Modifications to the Ottawa Hills quarantine/isolation policies

COVID-19 positive (regardless of vaccination status):

• If you test positive, you are out of school for 5 days.
• If you are symptom free and without a fever after those 5 days, you may return to school. If you have questions about your return date, please call the school nurse.
• Upon return to school, you will wear a mask for 5 days.
• You do not need a COVID-19 test to return to school.

COVID-19 exposure (regardless of vaccination status):

• If you are exposed to COVID-19 in the home but are fully vaccinated, you now must quarantine for 5 days WITH THE OPTION of returning after 3 days with a negative Rapid Antigen Test and no symptoms. Upon return, you must continue to wear a mask for 5 additional school days, even if masking becomes optional at school. (Modified Jan. 14, 2022; effective Jan. 18, 2022)
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated (which is defined by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department as receiving 2 doses of the vaccine and less than 6 months from when you are Booster eligible) and show no COVID symptoms, you may return to school immediately but must wear a mask for 5 days.
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for 5 days.
  • Upon return to school, you will wear a mask for 5 days.
  • You do not need a COVID-19 test to return to school.

Revised Nov. 4, 2021

• Mask wearing remains mandatory inside only during the school day for all students, teachers, staff, and building visitors through Dec. 22.
• Starting Monday, Jan. 10 (following Winter Break), masks will be OPTIONAL INSIDE during the school day and at after-school events (performances, sports, etc.) for all students, teachers, staff, and building visitors.

Masking

• Students: Students will be required to wear a mask inside the school and when on a school bus for events, field trips, etc. Masks are optional when in the lunchroom or gym, outside at recess, or participating in outdoor activities.
• Adults: Masks are optional for all vaccinated teachers, staff, and other adults both indoors and outdoors. Masks are required indoors for all other unvaccinated adults.
• Masking is required indoors (except when eating lunch) for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors regardless of vaccination status . When riding on a school bus, masks are required. (Revised Sept. 2, 2021)

Social Distancing: As best as possible, there should be 3 feet between students in the classroom and when assembled in larger groups.

Lunch & Recess: The Elementary School will continue with last year’s lunch and recess schedule, which allowed smaller numbers of students to be inside and outside at the same time.

Handwashing Protocols: Washing hands more often during the day and keeping hand sanitizer available in all learning areas will continue.

Ventilation: When possible, windows will be kept open to allow for fresh air to circulate. All classrooms may use filtered box fans daily during school hours.

Cleaning Protocols: Extended cleaning of all classroom surfaces and learning areas will continue. Rooms will be cleaned daily with the Clorox Total 360 cleaning machine to disinfect all areas.

New masking policies effective Jan. 10, 2022

• Indoor masking during the school day (except when eating or drinking) will be mandatory at both buildings regardless of vaccination status for two weeks of school through Friday, Jan. 21. (Masking will be mandatory with some flexibility at "Shrek Jr. The Musical" production rehearsals after school and strongly recommended at all other indoor after-school activities.)
• Starting weekly on Monday, Jan. 24, and for the following seven weeks until Spring Break, our masking policy will be based on this threshold:
  • If the district receives notice of 20 or more positive student cases in a week (Monday-Friday), indoor masking during the school day (except when eating or drinking) may become mandatory district-wide or may become mandatory at one particular building for the next two weeks.
  • If the district does not receive notice of 20 or more positive student cases in a week, then masking will be optional for all in both buildings.
  • We established our threshold percentage by studying formulas used by neighboring school districts and looking at our past data–from when the pandemic was at its worst to when we had our lowest numbers of cases reported. We selected the threshold based upon this data as well as our enrollment (1,048 students), vaccination percentages, and class sizes.

In connection with these masking changes, the district has modified its quarantine and isolation rules after consulting the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and with guidance from the federal CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Modifications to the Ottawa Hills quarantine/isolation policies

COVID-19 positive (regardless of vaccination status):

• If you test positive, you are out of school for 5 days.
• If you are symptom free and without a fever after those 5 days, you may return to school. If you have questions about your return date, please call the school nurse.
• Upon return to school, you will wear a mask for 5 days.
• You do not need a COVID-19 test to return to school.

COVID-19 exposure (regardless of vaccination status):

• If you are exposed to COVID-19 in the home but are fully vaccinated, you now must quarantine for 5 days WITH THE OPTION of returning after 3 days with a negative Rapid Antigen Test and no symptoms. Upon return, you must continue to wear a mask for 5 additional school days, even if masking becomes optional at school. (Modified Jan. 14, 2022; effective Jan. 18, 2022)
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and you are fully vaccinated (which is defined by the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department as receiving 2 doses of the vaccine and less than 6 months from when you are Booster eligible) and show no COVID symptoms, you may return to school immediately but must wear a mask for 5 days.
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for 5 days.
  • Upon return to school, you will wear a mask for 5 days.
  • You do not need a COVID-19 test to return to school.

Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Starting Monday (Nov. 8), masks are OPTIONAL INSIDE during the school day and at after-school events (performances, sports, etc.) for all students, teachers, staff, and building visitors. Mask wearing is still strongly recommended and remains mandatory on school buses due to a state law that remains in place.

Masking

• Students and adults: Masks will be optional for all vaccinated students, teachers, staff, and other adults both indoors and outdoors. When riding on a school bus, masks are required.
• For those who are not vaccinated, masking is strongly recommended at all times when indoors.
• For those who are not vaccinated, masks are required at all times when indoors. This applies to students, teachers, staff, and all building visitors. (Revised Aug. 26, 2021)
• Masking is required indoors (except when eating lunch) for all students, staff, teachers, and visitors regardless of vaccination status . When riding on a school bus, masks are required. (Revised Sept. 2, 2021)

Social Distancing: As best as possible, there should be 3 feet between students in the classroom and when assembled in larger groups.

Lunch & Recess: The regular lunch schedule/routine will be in place for all students and staff.

Handwashing Protocols: Washing hands more often during the day and keeping hand sanitizer available in all learning areas will continue.

Ventilation: When possible, windows will be kept open to allow for fresh air to circulate. All classrooms may use filtered box fans daily during school hours.

Cleaning Protocols: Extended cleaning of all classroom surfaces and learning areas will continue. Rooms will be cleaned daily with the Clorox Total 360 cleaning machine to disinfect all areas.