District Reopening Plan
Argonia USD 359 District Plan
for
Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
PART I.
Describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:
- Universal and correct wearing of masks.
Policy allows but does not require the wearing of masks except in district vehicles where masks are required as per federal regulations.
- Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).
District facilities enable all PreK – 6th grade students to be in cohort groups and all 7th-12th grade students to remain social distanced.
- Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
All students are educated in handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
- Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.
District facilities are cleaned regularly with high-touch areas cleaned more often. HVAC systems have been updated within the last three years and meet all ventilation standards.
- Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.
- Diagnostic and screening testing.
The school administers diagnostic and screening tests as provided by the State of Kansas. Anyone put in quarantine due to being in close contact will be offered the option of daily testing during the quarantine period.
If they choose testing, students are still unable to ride the bus, and they will need to show up to school no earlier than the first bell after all the other students have started first period. The school nurse will then administer a rapid test; if negative, they are treated as if they are not in quarantine the rest of that day but do have to wear a mask whenever they are unable to social distance; if positive, the school nurse will then administer a PCR test and the student would be sent home awaiting results. The school would then contact Sumner County Health Dept. and begin the process of contact tracing, etc. for the prior 48 hours.
If testing is refused, the student must quarantine at home for the number of days required by the Sumner County Health Department and remote into their classes; remote students are still considered in attendance but are not eligible to participate in or attend school events. Students who do not remote in are considered to be an unexcused absence.
- Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.
The district provided the opportunity for all employees to be vaccinated on-site.
- Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.
Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety are written into individual IEP plans as needed.
- Coordination with State and local health officials.
In addition to conducting contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine procedures in collaboration with the Sumner County Health Department, the district maintains ongoing communication with the Health Department regarding students or staff showing symptoms or having confirmed Covid cases.
PART II.
Describe how the district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:
- Services to address students’ academic needs
In addition to daily, in-class instruction for all preK-12 students, the district provides additional reading and mathematics assistance to students performing below grade level.
- Students’ and staff social, emotional, mental health
The district employs a full-time social worker who works with all students and staff.
- Other needs, which may include student health and food services.
The district provides breakfast and lunch for all students which meet or exceed current nutritional requirements. Nursing services are available for student health needs.
