Protocols for the 2021-2022 School Year (Updated March 2, 2022)
For the 2021-22 school year, the Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District is planning for a full in-person return to school on Wednesday, September 8th, providing a full academic program and a wide range of extracurricular and athletic offerings for all students.
As of today, the district continues to partner with the Fulton County Department of Health and Montgomery County Department of Health as we plan the district’s reopening efforts based on the recommended guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Our priority is to have all students attend in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. The district will employ a layered mitigation approach, including strategies ranging from masking and social distancing, to facilities cleaning and hygiene, to contact tracing and quarantining, to HVAC (ventilation) and the provision of food services, to surveillance testing and vaccination access. As a public institution, we must consider everyone in the community and minimize the risk for our students and staff. By individually doing our part to keep everyone safe and healthy, we will ensure the academic, social, and emotional growth of our students.
Over the past year, we have learned how to manage the virus effectively by using layers of mitigation aimed to prevent infection and transmission in our schools. This layered mitigation plan is a measured approach based on the transmission or rate of infections, ranging from Low Community Transmission – Moderate Community Transmission – Substantial Community Transmission – High Community Transmission (see chart below). It is important to understand that this is a fluid document and whenever possible and appropriate, adjustments to mitigation strategies will be made according to the most current data available and in coordination with DOH. These are challenging times and we are all similarly focused on the best interest of our students, staff, and families.
Communication and Notifications:
The Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District will continue to keep our community updated on items related to COVID-19 news, health information, and guidance from New York State.
No changes will be made to how we communicate to staff and/or families that may have a child that is determined to be a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case within the school. Impacted families and staff will always be notified as soon as possible.
Remote Only Learning Model not Offered:
The district will not be offering a remote-only option. If families do not want to send their children to school for in-person learning, their option is to home instruct their children. For more information on home instruction visit the following link.
The following links can be accessed to review county transmission rates.
The chart below describes the mitigation protocols we will utilize in each area of focus. This layered mitigation strategy is fluid and may be adjusted as conditions warrant.
Mitigation Protocol
We will use CDC County Transmission Levels in addition to local data to determine our level of mitigation protocol. All data that is being used to make these determinations will be shared on the district webpage.
Here is a quick reference to the mitigation protocols. Click on the link to go to that section:
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Indicator of Transmission
- Social Distancing (indoors)
- Lunch in the cafeteria
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Facemasks (indoors)
- Facemasks (outdoors) including recess and physical education
- Transportation
- Staying Home when sick (staff and students)
- Hygiene: Handwashing/ Hand Sanitizer, and Respiratory Etiquette
- Cleaning and Disinfection
- Ventilation and Air Quality
- Contact Tracing, Quarantine, and Return to School/Work Protocol
- Random COVID-19 Surveillance/ Screening Testing (Staff and Students)
- Daily Screening
- Indoor Physical Education
- Performing Arts
- Interscholastic Athletics – mask-wearing
- Extra-curricular activities or clubs (indoors)
- School Use of Facilities
- Visitors to Buildings during the school day
- Surveillance COVID-19 Testing for High-Risk Sports
Mitigation Strategy -Area of Focus
Low Transmission
Moderate Transmission
Substantial Transmission
High Transmission
Low Transmission: Encourage all eligible to consider-not mandated
Moderate Transmission: Encourage all eligible to consider-not mandated
Substantial Transmission: Encourage all eligible to consider-not mandated
High Transmission: Encourage all eligible to consider-not mandated
Low Transmission: Total new cases totaling 100,000 persons in past ten days (0 -9.99)
Testing results that are positive for the past 7 days (0-4.99%)
Moderate Transmission: Total new cases totaling 100,000 persons in past ten days (10 – 49.99)
Testing results that are positive for the past 7 days (5 7.99%)
Substantial Transmission: Total new cases totaling 100,000 persons in past ten days (50 – 99.99)
Testing results that are positive for the past 7 days (8 9.99%)
High Transmission: Total new cases totaling 100,000 persons in past ten days (greater than 100)
Testing results that are positive for the past 7 days (greater than 10%)
Low Transmission: Minimum of 3’- 6’ with masks optional
Moderate Transmission: Minimum of 3’- 6’ with masks optional
Substantial Transmission: Minimum of 3’- 6’ with masks optional
High Transmission: Minimum of 3’- 6’ with masks optional
Low Transmission: Minimum of 3’ – 6′ of social distancing; masks optional
Moderate Transmission: Minimum of 3’ – 6′ of social distancing; masks optional
Substantial Transmission: Minimum of 3’ – 6′ of social distancing; masks optional
High Transmission: Minimum of 3’ – 6′ of social distancing; masked optional
(Commissioner’s Determination on the requirement of Indoor Masking)
Low Transmission: Optional for all.
Moderate Transmission: Optional for all.
Substantial Transmission: Optional for all.
High Transmission: Optional for all.
- Transportation
Low Transmission: Masks Optional
Moderate Transmission: Masks Optional
Substantial Transmission: Masks Optional
High Transmission: Masks Optional
- Staying Home when sick (staff and students) Low/Medium/Substantial/High Transmission: Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any illness (cough, fever, loss of taste and smell, cold/flu symptoms, etc.) and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms do not resolve after 48hrs. A person may be asked to provide a doctor’s note to return to school.
Low Transmission: Expected and Encouraged
Moderate Transmission: Expected and Encouraged
Substantial Transmission: Expected and Encouraged
High Transmission: Expected and Encouraged
Low Transmission: Daily Routine Cleaning. Enhanced Disinfection of High-Touch Surfaces (School Buildings and Buses)
Moderate Transmission: Daily Routine Cleaning. Enhanced Disinfection of High-Touch Surfaces (School Buildings and Buses)
Substantial Transmission: Daily Routine Cleaning. Enhanced Disinfection of Moderate and High-touch Surfaces (School Buildings and Buses)
High Transmission: Daily Routine Cleaning. Enhanced Disinfection of Moderate and High-touch Surfaces (School Buildings and Buses)
Low Transmission: Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors)
Moderate Transmission: Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors)
Substantial Transmission: Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors)
High Transmission: Increased fresh air circulation (mechanical, open windows, open doors)
Low/Moderate/Substantial/High Transmission:
The district will follow guidelines released by the Fulton & Montgomery County Health Department. The OESJ CSD will work closely with the county health departments when a student tests positive for COVID-19 and is required to isolate.
While the latest state guidance makes the mask requirement optional, the following health and safety protocols remain in place:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving. For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.
- If a student has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, it is highly recommended they wear a mask for a full 10 days following that exposure.
- State and local health officials continue to recommend testing for COVID-19 following possible exposure. COVID-19 tests are available at school to anyone who wants one. If you need a test, please contact the main office at the elementary school or the jr./sr. high school.
- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, until tested and/or isolate for five days. If your student has symptoms and you aren’t sure what to do, please contact the school nurse.
All OESJ CSD unvaccinated staff will be tested on a weekly basis beginning Tuesday, October 12.
OESJ has COVID-19 test kits available for all families upon request.
Low Transmission: Compliance with applicable school protocols
Moderate Transmission: Compliance with applicable school protocols
Substantial Transmission: Limited Use of Facilities Allowed. All groups ensure compliance with applicable school protocols.
High Transmission: Limited Use of Facilities Allowed. All groups ensure compliance with applicable school protocols.
Low Transmission: Sign-in and screening. Visitors will be admitted by appointment only.
Ex. meeting with: teacher, principal, counselor, outside providers/vendors, facilities repair, etc.
Moderate Transmission: Sign-in and screening. Visitors will be admitted by appointment only.
Ex. meeting with: teacher, principal, counselor, outside providers/vendors, facilities repair, etc.
Substantial Transmission: Sign-in and screening. Visitors will be admitted by appointment only.
Ex. meeting with: teacher, principal, counselor, facilities repair, outside providers/vendor, etc.
High Transmission: Sign-in and screening. Visitors will be admitted by appointment only.
Ex. meeting with: teacher, principal, counselor, outside providers/vendors, facilities repair, etc.
Indoor/Outdoor Athletics:
Indoor/Outdoor Athletics
- bring your own water bottle (water will be available but community use of water will not be permitted) – clearly label all water bottles and other personal items
- students should wear their own appropriate workout clothing (do not share clothing)
- individual clothing/towels should be washed and cleaned after every workout immediately upon returning home
- frequent hand washing is highly encouraged
Locker-Rooms
- a limited number of athletes in the locker rooms at one time
- frequent hand washing is highly encouraged