From Safer-at-Home to Now
On March 13, 2020 Wisconsin Schools were closed “indefinitely” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School facilities in Wisconsin remained ordered closed until June 30, 2020. In the fall of 2020, several school districts in the state reopened their facilities while others continued to use a virtual learning environment. The School District of Arcadia reopened facilities with full, PK-12 in-person instruction while also offering a parent elected remote option. Many other school districts in Trempealeau County reopened facilities with similar educational options and others employed some type of modified schedules. Wisconsin schools, including the School District of Arcadia, that reopened facilities complied with the state and local mask mandates and implemented several other safety measures. On June 1, 2021, the School District of Arcadia implemented a mask optional policy for staff, students, and visitors, while still compling with the federal mandate for masks to be worn on transportation. The School District of Arcadia continued with a mask-optional policy throughout the 2021-2022 school year.
Fall Attendance Plan
The School District of Arcadia will be holding in-person instruction for PK-12 students five days per week during the 2023-2024 school year. If, for some reason, conditions warrant changes, any changes that would need to occur will be based on health orders from national, state, and local health professionals, but will be made locally based on the needs of students, staff, families, and the community.
Masks
Mask or other face-coverings for students, staff. and visitors are optional. The wearing of masks will remain optional unless a public emergency health order is put in place that would require the school district to comply.
Health and Safety Measures
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the following health and safety measures will be put in place across the district
- Access to hand-sanitizing and hand-washing
- Continued cleaning and disinfecting measures
- Information for at-home screening for symptoms
- Access to masks
At-Home Screening for Symptoms
Staff and students are expected to self monitor for any COVID-like symptoms prior to coming to school. Staff and students should stay home and contact their health care provider if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms that cannot be explained by other causes (such as seasonal allergies).
Exclusion from School Staff or Students with Symptoms
Staff and students exhibiting COVID-like symptoms at school will be assessed by school health personnel and may be sent home. School health personnel may recommend that staff or students seek testing before returning to school.
Close Contacts
A person is considered a close contact when they (1) had direct physical contact (e.g., hug, kiss, handshake) with an individual who tested positive for COVID or any variants; (2) were within 3 feet of the person for more than 15 minutes; or (3) had contact with the person’s respiratory secretions. Any student or staff member who is determined to be a close contact of a COVID positive person will be notified by school health personnel of the exposure and advised of current district health recommendations.
Quarantine
The district is not requiring close contacts to quarantine. However, school health personnel may recommend a quarantine time frame based upon risk assessment following consultation with staff, students and families.
Ongoing Back-to-School Plan Review
This plan has been created based on the current understanding about COVID and the health of our community at this point in time. As the health conditions of our community evolve, we will continue to review our plan. As adjustments need to be made, we will communicate with our families as quickly as we are able.
Ongoing Communication
Additional district and school-specific information will continue to be shared throughout the school year. We may use social media, our messenger system, or our website to update information as needed: www.arcadia.k12.wi.us
We appreciate the opportunity to work together to ensure that we keep our schools healthy and safe! Thank you for your partnership and support.
School District of Arcadia Back-to-School Educational Plan
