HOPE — The Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. has released a draft of its reopening plan.
The draft includes the recommendation that masks be optional for both students and staff in most situations. However, they are required on school buses due to a current federal mandate. Students and staff are also required to wear a mask if visiting the health office.
When possible, classrooms will be set up with 3 feet of spacing between desks, the draft states. Staff will also “continue to encourage students to maintain at least 3 feet of social distancing when on campus.”
Both students and staff are required to report any known positive cases of COVID-19. Contact tracing will be conducted for individuals who have been within 6 feet of a positive case for over 15 minutes over a 24-hour timespan.
“Each close contact identified will be notified personally,” the draft states. “FRHC will not require every close contact to quarantine. A quarantine may be required if the person is known to have direct contact with the positive case or the district’s positivity rate increases rapidly.”
The school corporation also plans to suspend temperature checks. However, the draft adds that parents should continue screening their children prior to sending them to school, and individuals who are sick should stay home and report “any COVID related symptoms” to the district nurse, Lori Kistler.
Among other things, the draft also states that lockers will be used by students in grades 7 through 12, and visitors will be allowed in school buildings. However, individuals who are sick or experiencing COVID-related symptoms should not enter.
“FRHC administration will adjust guidelines as needed based on any changes related to COVID-19,” the draft states.
When asked about virtual options, Superintendent Shawn Price said that, “Inquiries regarding virtual instruction should be directed to each building for consideration.”
