In today's newsletter, Bethel Public School Superintendent Christine Carver said that together with the Department of Health, she plans to reassess the hybrid models at both BMS and Johnson prior to Thanksgiving.
"Based on trends in data, we are not optimistic that we will be able to immediately switch back to full in-person learning. We are most concerned about the impact of holiday celebrations on the spread," she said.
Bethel Public Schools COVID-19 FAQs
Did the district get additional funding to cover expenses related to COVID-19? Is funding only provided if we stay in an in-person model?
I have been asked if district funding is tied to maintaining an in-person model and if we moved to hybrid or remote, would funding be reduced or removed? The answer is no. In addition to our normal appropriations, the Bethel Public Schools received two additional grants, CARES funding and CRF (Corona Relief Funding). The total amount of those appropriations is approximately $789,000. The funding was allocated to support schools in implementing the mitigation strategies, but if we were to shift models, it would not result in any loss of funding. In general, the funds help to support purchasing PPE, cleaning, enhancing ventilation systems, staffing to enhance social distancing and other mitigation measures. Decisions regarding the implementation of learning models (in-person, hybrid or full) are only made based on the safety and health of our students and staff.
How are we notified about a positive case?
If there is a positive exposure in a school, we notify everyone in the district (via email). If your child was a direct contact (less than 6 ft, more than 15 minutes, with or without a mask) you would be called (by school staff) personally to be informed. If the exposure is in a classroom, we would call the whole class. For all other cases, it would be specific to the situation. Families would be called only if there was direct contact.
How do you contact trace?
In contact tracing, first we identify the dates of exposure. We trace the positive individual by looking at every interaction the person had (within the school, on bus and/or extracurricular) two days prior to the date of the positive test OR when the person was symptomatic. As an example, based on timing, an individual could be symptomatic on a Monday, if you go back two days (Saturday and Sunday) there might not be any effect in the schools.
Through that process, we identify who are direct contacts (less than 6 ft, more than 15 minutes, with or without a mask) and ask them to quarantine for 14 days. In a situation where the exposure is in a classroom, typically, in an abundance of caution, the whole class is asked to quarantine.
If I am anxious about the new rise in cases and want to switch my child to distance learning, can I do so for a shorter period of time?
Last time you asked us to remain on distance learning for the entire semester or trimester…. Yes. We understand and can be flexible. Please call your child’s administrator to discuss what you are thinking and you collaboratively develop a plan as to the length of the switch.
Why can’t I elect just to go back to hybrid?
It is very complex for staff to manage three different learning models simultaneously. If we had an emergency or had to contact trace, it is very difficult to know who is where and when. It is also very difficult for planning instruction.
Out of State Travel:
Any individual who travels to a state on the travel advisory must present verification of submission of the travel health form to the Department of Public Health and a negative PCR test result prior to readmittance to school. The form and the negative PCR test result can be submitted to your child’s school nurse. Once they have reviewed all of the information, you will be notified when your child can return to school.
COVID Testing:
We are finding that it is becoming more routine that pediatricians are ordering COVID tests as a rule out diagnosis. In addition, we are also finding that some families are choosing to test for their own peace of mind, regardless of exposure. Those families should notify the health office that their child was tested and remain in quarantine until they have a negative result. In either case, children will not be permitted to attend school for in-person learning, but may participate in Distance Learning