Good News Friday

Although masks are optional, we encourage wearing masks to Ribbon Cutting/Open House.

COVID-19 PROTOCOL DETAILS

Dear Spartan Family,

As we approach our first week of school, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) are highly recommending that unvaccinated individuals wear masks while in school buildings. As the CDC, Governor of Ohio, and ODH are not mandating that masks be worn, Wayne Local Schools will also not require masks for students and staff. Masking will be a parent/guardian choice. We encourage parents/guardians and staff to talk with their physician or another healthcare provider to make an educated decision regarding masking and what is best for you, your child, and your family.

Our ultimate goal is to keep students in-person, at school, five days a week for the entirety of the 2021/22 school year. I intend to focus on this goal as I consider any recommendation to the Board of Education regarding the masking of students and staff in our schools.

I've been in correspondence with other area superintendents who currently have students back in-person. Those districts have seen an increase in both COVID-19 cases and required quarantines among students and staff members.

There are currently two ways to avoid being quarantined and remain in school when exposure to COVID 19 has likely occurred: 1. being vaccinated or 2. wearing a mask. Not being vaccinated or choosing to not wear a mask has potential consequences for staying in school without interruption.

Our decision to not require masks is subject to change if there should be any new mandates or information from the State of Ohio or the Warren County Health Department.

One segment of our district that is not exempt from masking is school transportation. All students and adults who ride or operate a school bus to and from school, including field trips and extracurricular activities, must wear a mask. The Centers for Disease Control has mandated that passengers on public transportation must be masked. For purposes of this mandate, the CDC does define public school buses as public transportation. Our bus drivers and aides will be masked along with any student riding a school bus.

We will be posting a COVID-19 Dashboard that lists positive COVID cases and quarantines among staff and students to our website. We will make every effort to have the dashboard updated every week.

Mask Use:
· At this time, mask-wearing will be optional for the 2021/22 school year.

· Masks will be required on school transportation, whether vaccinated or not, until further notice.

Key Takeaways:
· The CDC recommends universal indoor masking, regardless of vaccination status.

· The CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccination Notification:
Students or staff may voluntarily submit their COVID-19 vaccination status to the School Nurse Jennifer Royalty at jroyalty@wayne-local.com.

These guidelines will be evaluated on a regular basis alongside the COVID-19 numbers within our community.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

ELEMENTARY ARRIVAL PROCEDURES:

8:30 am Breakfast doors open

8:35 am Doors open for all students

8:40 am School day begins

Staff Members and Crossing Guards will be assisting parents and students during arrival and dismissal.

See below picture for a visual diagram.

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade:

Enter in the old elementary driveway closest to the construction fence (ignore the arrows indicating that it is an exit).

Pull up to the crosswalk (rounding the driveway to the right) that leads to the main front doors of the elementary. After dropping off your child, pull up to the corner. Parents will then be turning right onto Spartan Way (new boulevard) when directed by a staff member to exit the campus.

If you have a sibling in an upper grade, they may use this parking lot.

Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade:

Enter the Jr./Sr. High Parking lot (old Middle School parking lot) and proceed past the front main doors to drop off children to the sidewalk on the right. Students will continue on the sidewalk to the crossing guard and will cross over to the elementary school with staff assistance. Turn left at the corner of the building to Spartan Way (new boulevard) to exit.

Sixth Grade:

Enter in the old elementary driveway closest to the construction fence (ignore the arrows indicating that it is an exit).

Pull up to the crosswalk that leads to the main front doors of the elementary. After dropping off your child, pull up to the corner. Parents will then be turning right onto Spartan Way (new boulevard) when directed by a staff member to exit the campus.

Elementary Dismissal Procedures:

3:25 pm Walkers and Car riders leave the building

3:32 pm Buses leave

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Dismissal:

Same procedures as used for arrival. Stay in your car! Drive up to the crosswalk and we will bring your child to you. Stop at the end of the parking lot, turn right on to Spartan Way (new boulevard) to exit the campus.

Second through Fifth Grade:

Use the same Jr./Sr. High entrance as arrival (Old Middle School parking lot) and pull into the parking lot. With assistance, students will be walking over to the parking lot to be picked up. Parents may pull into a vacant spot or form a line. Be cautious backing out of a parking spot to check for children. Turn left at the corner of the building to Spartan Way (new boulevard) to exit.

Sixth Grade:

Use the same entrance as the AM arrival procedures (old elementary exit). Pull up to the corner and wait for your students to exit the building using the main crosswalk.

JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Jr./Sr. High Arrival Procedures:

7:10 am Doors open; students must report to Middle School Gym until dismissed at 7:15

7:25 am School day begins

Parent drop off for this year will be in front of the main entrance to the Jr/Sr High School (Old middle school entrance). Parents will enter the lot via the front entrance nearest the park. They will drive into the unloading zone in front of the building and will pull up as directed, keeping your child in the car until instructed to unload. This will help get more cars through the parking lot in a quicker time frame. Parents will then be turning left onto Spartan Way (new boulevard) when directed by a staff member and then will turn onto Dayton Rd.

Student drivers with PARKING PASSES ONLY, will enter on Spartan Way (new boulevard) and continue all the way back to the student parking lot. Enter the building using the sidewalks.

Students who are walking will use the sidewalk to go to the crosswalk if crossing Dayton Rd.

Jr./Sr. High Dismissal Procedures:

2:28 pm School day ends

2:35 pm Buses depart campus

Parent pick up for this year will be in front of the main entrance to the Jr/Sr High School (Old middle school entrance). Parents will enter the lot via the front entrance nearest the park. They will drive into the loading area to pick up their student and will be directed to exit, turning left onto Spartan Way (new boulevard) when directed by a staff member and then will turn onto Dayton Rd.

Student drivers will be dismissed from the student lot AFTER the buses are dismissed. They will exit out Spartan Way (new boulevard) when directed by a staff member and then will turn onto Dayton Rd.

Students who are walking will use the sidewalk to go to the crosswalk if crossing Dayton Rd.

The USDA has announced that the National School Breakfast and Lunch program will continue to be free for all students during the 2021-22 school year. This means that students will not be charged for breakfast and lunch “Class A” meals. Extra/ala carte items will be available for purchase.

However, we encourage all families to complete a free and reduced application form if you feel you might qualify. Approved applications determine eligibility for your child’s schools fees to be waived, child’s P-EBT cards, and any additional state and federal program benefits that you may qualify for.

Please click on the following link: F/R Application Form for a free and reduced application. The application may be returned to any building office or emailed to jdworetsky@wayne-local.com.