Dear Parents,
The surge in Covid-positive cases, particularly the Delta Variant, is concerning as we complete our first week of school.
The health and wellness of our students, staff and families is our first priority, and it is important to me that you are informed and aware of our District's current status.
The number of Covid-19 positive cases in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District within the first two days of school is higher than any week during the 2020-2021 school year. In fact, it's more than double. At last count, there were 49 positive student cases reported during the first two days of school. During the 2020-2021 school year, the highest weekly total for student positive cases was 17.
In order for us to remain in-person for school and to allow our students to continue to participate in extra-curricular activities, all of us must be diligent in our efforts to reduce spread of Covid-19.It is extremely important that every member of our school district, including our students, follow all of our safety protocols as outlined in our return to school guide, which is available atwww.starkvillesd.com/covid19, to reduce spread of Covid-19 and mitigate risks associated with this virus.
All of us share a personal responsibility to keep each member of our Jacket family safe. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, vaccinations are our best defense against the spread of Covid-10. Our school district urges all employees and students above the age of 12 with parent persmission to be fully vacinated.
Oktibbeha County Regional Medical Center hosts a walk-in vaccination clinic every Friday from 8 am until 12 pm. Appointments are also available at OCH, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS & Kroger or check with your healthcare provider/pharmacy. Visit covidvaccine.umc.edu to schedule your vaccine at the Oktibbeha County Health Department.
Case Reporting
Our schools report the number of Covid-positive cases for staff and staffs, along with the number of staff and students who are quarantined, to the Missississippi Department of Health weekly.
The District will be sharing this information on our Covid dashboard at www.starkvilledsd.com/covid19. The first report will be issued on Tuesday, August 17, for the first full week of school, which is August 9-13.
High Level/Close Contact Exposure
Clarification of Close Contact Definition & Notification to Parents
Per MSDH guidance, in the K-12 indoor classroom setting, unvaccinated individuals within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student do NOT have to quarantine if both students were wearing masks. This means parents will NOT receive a close contact exposure letter notifying you that your child has been exposed to a Covid-positive case and should quarantine. However, this does NOT apply to the cafeteria setting. Parents will be notified of a close contact exposure in a cafeteria setting. For example, if Child A tests positive for Covid, parents of students who sit within six feet of Child A in a cafeteria setting will be notified.
Low Level Exposure
If another student, teacher, and/or staff member in your child's classroom tests positive for Covid, your child may receive a low level exposure notification notifying you of the Covid-positive case.
Please understand our school nurses and staff members are overwhelmed with the start of school. We are working as quickly and efficiently as possible, prioritizing high level/close contact exposure.
Virtual Learning Policy
A first reading of the District's proposed virtual learning policy was held during the SOCSD Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday evening.
The school board is now seeking public comment regarding the proposed policy and virtual learning guidelines prior to the second reading during the regular monthly meeting on September 14. Click on the link below to review the policy and guidelines.
Proposed Policy IAC Virtual Learning Days
Guidelines for Virtual Learning
Comments on the proposed policies may be emailed to the school board at schoolboard@starkvillesd.com.
Per the Mississippi Department of Education and State Board of Education policy, districts that offer a virtual option for individual students must adopt local board-approved policies that include the criteria for students to participate in virtual learning, requirements for equipment, connectivity, attendance and student conduct, and assurances of equal access and non-discrimination and the delivery of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities.
The MDE is also requiring all students who take part in virtual learning to take statewide assessments on campus.
The SBE’s proposed policies will allow districts to provide schoolwide or districtwide virtual learning days in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather emergencies or an epidemic prevailing in the district.However, districts must ensure any virtual learning days include actual teaching for a minimum of 330 minutes, as state law requires. Districts are required to provide a minimum of 180 days of instruction.
The SBE provided districts withbroad flexibility in the 2020-21 school yearto help manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Districts were allowed to meet the 180-day teaching requirement through traditional, virtual or a hybrid of in-person and distance learning. The SBE voted in April to end the pandemic-related flexibilities.
Please understand a shift to virtual learning will look vastly different this year for students, teachers and parents.
As we enter week two, please help us reduce spread and self-monitor your children as a precaution. Please do not send your child to school if they are sick. Continue to wear a mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene regularly, andavoid large social gatherings.For questions about symptoms or whether you should report to school, please refer to our decision-making flow chart found athttps://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/flowchart.
Our school district is fully committedto doing our part to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and families.I sincerely appreciate your continued support of these efforts to help us stay safe together.
Sincerely,
Eddie Peasant