COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies

What are the COVID-19 mitigation measures for this school year?   

• In every school, at least 3ft distancing will be maintained in most settings, with exceptions of specialty education settings such as HS science labs. 
• Masking is required while indoors for all students, staff, and visitors in all district buildings for grades K-12.
• Ventilation systems allow us to maximize fresh air intake throughout all buildings. 
• HEPA filters will be used in all cafeterias and nurses’ offices. 
• Teachers are encouraged to use outdoor spaces as often as possible (weather permitting). 
• Frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged throughout the day.  

 

What will be the average distance between students during lunch periods?  

We will maintain at least 3ft distancing during lunch periods.

 

Can the district compare our data with the data of a district that does not have a masking requirement? 

Yes, that is possible, but the results will not be useful in that any differences in rates of positivity or number of students having to quarantine would need to be further refined to being caused (or not) by a contact in school (as opposed to, say, a contact over the weekend).  That level of detail is not provided by a school district to outside entities (such as another district). 

 

What is the process to pursue an exemption from the masking requirement for students and staff? 

A ‘Request for Exemption from Mask Mandate’ form is available for students and staff who need accommodations. Please contact your principal or school nurse. Your principal or school nurse can provide you with this specific form, which needs to be completed and signed by a doctor, licensed physician, or medical practitioner, indicating a student or staff cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition.

 

What is the process to pursue an exemption from the masking requirement for parents/guardians and visitors?

If temporarily requesting an exemption from the masking requirements (e.g., attending one game), the district will accept a signed note from a doctor, licensed physician, or medical practitioner, indicating that the individual cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition. For more frequent attendance from a parent/guardian or visitor, the district requires the individual to complete the ‘Request for Exemption from Mask Mandate’ form. Your principal or school nurse can provide you with this specific form, which needs to be completed and signed by a doctor, licensed physician, or medical practitioner, indicating a parent/guardian or visitor cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition.

 

Since the extent of the science you presented to justify this mandate was "due to the delta variant," please explain how the county and district is identifying said variant, as the only test that does that is by genomic sequencing - something that is not done at our county hospitals or at county testing sites.   

The district is following the recommendations of the Montco Office of Public Health (OPH) and is not aware of how they conduct their identification process. 

 

When will the district’s new masking requirements end? 

In Grades K-6, the masking requirements will be revisited when students in these grades are able to get the vaccine (if they want it) AND if/when the Montco OPH revises its recommendations.  In Grades 7-12, the masking requirements will be revisited if/when the Montco OPH revises its recommendations. 

  

What is the process to pursue an exemption from the masking requirement? 

The district will accept a doctor’s note, signed by a licensed physician or medical practitioner, indicating a student, staff member OR parent/guardian (e.g., at a sporting event) cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition. 

 

Has the district received any funds from any outside groups, companies, organizations, or government or NGO agencies to promote the use of masks or other mitigation strategies in the district? 

No. 

 

As masks have not been proven to stop the spread of viruses, their use was only authorized under the Emergency Use Authorization Act. Any EAU authorized device, such as a mask, requires informed consent with the right of refusal. Should you approve this rule, will you be providing that informed consent to all parents as required by law? If not, why not?? 

A school district has the legal right to require masks in order to pursue the joint goals of maximizing student and staff safety and of maximizing the number of students who can engage in in-person learning. 

 

Will you be providing the peer-reviewed scientific data you are using to establish this mask rule? If not, why not? 

The district is relying on the expertise of the CDC and the Montco OPH. 

 

What is the legal justification the district is using to implement universal masking, an EUA authorized product which is only enforceable during a declared emergency - which we are not currently under? 

See above-the district has the legal right to enact this mitigation strategy. 

 

What will happen if/when students refuse to wear their masks?  

A student who arrives at school without wearing a mask will be welcomed into the building and discreetly provided with a mask by a staff member. If the student refuses the mask, the staff member will gently and quietly remind the student about the school rules for wearing a mask and prompt the student a second time. If, after further discussion with the student, the student continues refusing to wear a mask, the staff member will direct the student to report to the principal’s office. The principal will discuss with the student the importance of following school rules and will offer the student a mask. If the student continues to refuse the mask, the principal may address the student's misconduct with a disciplinary response, such as the examples included below. In all cases, a student who refuses to wear a mask will not be permitted to remain in their classroom. 

• Behavioral contract (informal) 
• Counseling 
• Loss of privileges 
• Parent contact  
• Student Conference 
• Warning 

COVID Case Count Monitoring

How do students/staff report a positive case?

If Wissahickon students or staff test positive or are exposed to a positive COVID case, please complete a report to notify our Nursing Department by clicking the links below:

• Close Contact Report: https://forms.gle/LH89nLpiJv57bjjF9
• Positive COVID-19 Report: https://forms.gle/CVyTPuG9ru9toDHr5 

 

What is the criteria for a positive case count?

• On Campus: An on-campus positive case is defined as a student or staff who was physically on campus during the 48-hour infectious period. Student/staff attendance is reviewed, and “close contacts” are informed individually. After close contacts are informed, families are notified via email about an on-campus positive case within their classroom (elementary) and school (secondary), and the case is reported on the district’s COVID-19 Monitoring Dashboard.
   
• Off Campus: An off-campus positive case is defined as a student or staff who was not physically on campus during the 48-hour infectious period.Off-campus positive cases are reported on the district’s COVID-19 Monitoring Dashboard.
   
• Dashboard dates for on-campus positive cases MAY NOT match with the dates of the email notification from the school due to differences in when a case is "official" (e.g., sometimes it is the date of the test administration, sometimes it is the onset of symptoms). 

 

How does the district monitor the positive COVID-19 cases reported in its schools?

Click here to view the district's COVID-19 Monitoring Dashboard

This dashboard is updated daily (Monday through Friday on instructional days) to share information about the positive cases of COVID-19 reported to Wissahickon School District by the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH) for individuals who attend or work in WSD.  

The information presented in this dashboard does not mean that an individual contracted COVID-19 at a District school/building or event. We work in cooperation with MCOPH to provide notification, contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine information to affected individuals. If you do not hear directly from your student's school or MCOPH, it is because you are not considered at risk due to these cases. To ensure patient privacy, the district will not provide any further information regarding affected individuals.  

The purpose of this information is intended to be one source of information, among many, that the district will consider when making decisions about its instructional programs. The CDC and PADOE recommendations will NOT automatically trigger a change in the program; rather, they will be considered along with more district-specific and locally derived input provided by the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH). The district continues to follow the guidance of MCOPH and PA DOH in responding to positive cases, which includes protocols for contact tracing, cleaning, and ventilation. 

Click here: Montgomery County Office of Public Health Data Hub for Positivity and Incidence Rates 

 

 

What are the threshold(s) that would automatically trigger a school, classroom, or cohort to shut down?

There is no automatic trigger or threshold for closing a school (or classroom) in terms of raw number of cases.  While it is true that a large number of unrelated cases might cause a shutdown due to the inability to safely or practicably operate the school/classroom, it is much more likely that school/classroom closures will result if it’s determined that there is a likelihood of transmission of the virus in the school/classroom.  The Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH) is consulted in any such situation, and can either assist with that determination or make it themselves.  It is important to remember that a large number of cases does NOT necessarily mean there was in-school transmission.  For example, the cases could be totally unrelated, the result of weekend activities rather than any time spent in school.  If it is determined that the possibility of school transmission exists, this will be communicated and appropriate action (e.g., temporary closure) will be taken.

Close Contacts, Contact Tracing, Quarantine, and Communication

What are the expectations for quarantining/testing after returning from travel? 

We will follow the guidance of the PADOH and Monto OPH; this information will be updated on our website throughout the year.

 

What is the current definition of “close contact?”  

“Close contact” is still within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more, or if there’s a household contact.  NEW:  For students only, per the Montco OPH, there is now an exception in that “close contact” excludes students if both were masked and no closer than three feet.  

Will the district continue with contact tracing?  

• Yes, we will continue with contact tracing, per Monto OPH, and will communicate total new cases at the end of each week (by school).  
• For any students who are identified as being in “close contact” with someone who is deemed to be a positive case, their families will be notified immediately. 

 

If my child is in “close contact” with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result, will my child be required to quarantine?  

We will follow guidance from Montco OPH regarding COVID-19 School Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines.  It should be noted that vaccinated people who are close contacts but who do not have symptoms do not have to quarantine. 

 

When do siblings in the same household need to quarantine?

Siblings: Our nurses work closely with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health to conduct thorough contact tracing with each family. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health shares this infographic about who is a close contact. Families will be contacted via the normal contact tracing process if quarantining is necessary. 

• Scenario A: one child is identified and contacted by the school as a close contact and needs to quarantine and there’s a younger sibling in the household.
  • Answer: The younger sibling does not need to quarantine. The only person who has to quarantine is the close contact person.
• Scenario B: one child tests positive for COVID and there’s a younger sibling in the household.
  • Answer: The younger sibling does need to quarantine, because they would be considered a close contact to a positive case.

Does the new “student close contact exception” (not considered a close contact if 3 feet or more apart and both students were masked) apply if one of the two people is a staff member? 

No. Per Montco OPH, the exclusion only applies to students.  Also, any time a student is determined to be a “close contact,” either too close for 15+ minutes for this exception to apply or, for example, at lunch when both students are unmasked, then the quarantining requirements will be initiated. 

 

What will the expectations be of the siblings of a student who's been exposed?

There are many factors to consider when a family has a positive case. For example, who is vaccinated in the household; can the positive case isolate from the rest of the household; etc. Our nurses work closely with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health to conduct thorough contact tracing with each family. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health shares this infographic about who is a close contact. Families will be contacted via the normal contact tracing process if quarantining is necessary.  Please check with your building principal or nurse for details about a specific situation.

 

If my child is required to quarantine, will they be able to join class virtually?  

Our instructional model this year is 100% in-person only, so students will not be able to join class virtually when they are not able to come to school. As during previous school years, if a student needs to be absent from school, they will be provided with schoolwork to complete during their absence. 

 

What is the mode of instruction this year when a student is out on quarantine? 

Same as last year for K-5 (teachers will provide work to be done while at home, the same as any other year when a student must be out for any reason).  In Grades 6-12 this year, we are not having our teachers teach to both a screen and in-person students (i.e. no hybrid option this year).  That degrades the teaching and learning for students who are in-person, and isn’t terribly effective for those at home, either. Also, videotaping a lesson when students are in the room, learning in-person, will restrict the teacher in terms of what can be done in the classroom that day with those in-person students, which was the same major drawback we encountered with the hybrid model last year.  As a result, work will be provided to the students to be done at home while they are out (again, like any other year for an extended absence), and students can communicate with teachers via email or Schoology for questions about assignments or other class plans while they are out. A more specific answer could well depend on the grade level of the student, so please contact the building principal for more details. 

 

How will families be notified about an exposure? 

The school sends email via Infinite Campus to inform families and staff of positive COVID case of a person who was on-campus during the 48-hour infectious period: 

• ELEMENTARY (BB, LG, SC, SG): families of the affected classroom will receive an email once the contact tracing is complete and close contacts are notified. Then, school-wide, families will receive a general email about a positive case in their building.   
• SECONDARY (WMS, WHS): school-wide, families and staff will receive an email once the contact tracing is complete and close contacts are notified.  

Families are notified as soon as the contact tracing process is complete. Contact tracing needs to be done first so that those who need to quarantine find out first, as a matter of courtesy. Below, a table for the communication procedure throughout the district. 

	Communication Procedure
Step 1	Contact tracing to identify close contacts; close contacts are notified and directed to follow MCOPH COVID-19 School Isolation & Quarantine Guidance.
Step 2	The school sends email via Infinite Campus to inform families and staff of positive COVID case of a person who was on-campus during the 48-hour infectious period:  ELEMENTARY (BB, LG, SC, SG): families of the affected classroom will receive an email once the contact tracing is complete and close contacts are notified. Then, school-wide, families will receive a general email about a positive case in their building.    SECONDARY (WMS, WHS): school-wide, families and staff will receive an email once the contact tracing is complete and close contacts are notified.
Step 3	Each day, the website dashboard is updated with the new case counts for each school.   Link to WSD COVID dashboard: https://www.wsdweb.org/2021-22/covid19-resources-information

2021-2022 Instructional Programs

For the 2021-2022 school year, students and their families chose one (1) of the following instructional program options: In-Person Option OR Wissahickon Virtual Academy (WVA) Option.  Students and their families will have ONE (1) opportunity in January to change their program selection. 

Click here to review the 2021-2022 instructional program plan summary that compares the in-person option and the Wissahickon Virtual Academy (WVA) option.

In-Person Experience (e.g., Classroom, Events, and Volunteers)

Will volunteers be permitted this year?  

Out of an abundance of caution, volunteers will be very limited this year; principals will manage the participation of school volunteers on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your principal for more information about any specific volunteer involvement. 

 

Will students return to sitting on the carpet area and work in small groups at the kidney-shaped tables in the classroom?  

Yes, students will be permitted to sit on the carpet area and work in small groups at the kidney-shaped tables in classrooms. We look forward to returning to these elements of our instructional practices; however, teachers will ensure that they are not gathering in these areas for longer than 15-minute time intervals. 

 

Will parent/teacher conferences be in-person or virtual? What about Back-to-School Night (BTSN) events?  

We received positive feedback from families about access to virtual parent/teacher conferences and our virtual BTSN events. At the time of this publication, our goal is to offer in-person and virtual options to accommodate families’ needs; however, please understand the option for in-person conferences and BTSN events may be eliminated in response to updated guidance from Montco OPH throughout the year. Again, information about these events will be communicated to families as event plans are determined. 

 

Will school events be in-person or virtual (e.g., assemblies, chorus/band/instrumental concerts, school plays)?  

School events will be determined on a case-by-case basis as we move through the school year. Information about these events will be communicated to students and families as event plans are determined.  

Athletics, Performing Arts, and Extra-Curricular Activities

What are the plans for band and chorus lessons?

• Band lessons (i.e., wind instruments) must maintain 6ft distancing during in-person practice without masking while using wind instruments. When wind instruments are not being used, masks must be worn in accordance with the district’s mask expectations. 
• Effective September 2021, the following health and safety protocols are established for singing while indoors:
  • Masks required
  • Distancing required - must maintain at least 6ft distancing indoors
  • Maximum of 50 minutes
  • Weather permitting, singing while outdoors is encouraged and 6ft distancing is required.

What are the plans for athletics; will athletes need to be tested? 

• High School Athletics: 
  • We will continue to follow guidance and updates from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH), Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and the Suburban One League (SOL).
  • Testing for athletes is not a requirement at this time.  
  • Masks will be required during all indoor activities (team meetings; locker room visits; weight lifting sessions; and all indoor workouts, practices and competitions). 

 

Will Middle School sports take place as usual this year? 

Currently, we are planning for Middle School interscholastic sports. 

 

Will extracurricular activities such as drama, chorus and band take place as usual this year in Middle School and WHS? 

Our MS and HS administrators are working with their school teams to establish plans for our performing arts programs.  Outdoor spaces will be used as much as possible and COVID-19 safety measures will be followed. Concerts/productions will be held this year – these events may be held indoors, outdoors, or virtually (if warranted due to COVID constraints). The chart below provides a brief update of the status of our performing arts programs. Several factors must be considered when determining whether our concerts/productions will be indoors, outdoors, or virtually (e.g., distancing requirements on stage; distancing requirements for the audience; weather during various seasons). Specific information about practices, auditions, and concerts/productions will be communicated directly by the schools. 

 

Performing Arts Program	Option of Student Participation		Status of Event
WMS Chorus	Yes		Winter concert will most likely be virtual. The format of spring concert is TBD.
WMS Band	Yes		Concert will be scheduled for indoors or virtual.
WMS Strings	Yes		Concert will be scheduled for indoors or virtual.
WMS Drama	Yes		Exploring the possibility of outdoor production.
WHS Chorus	Yes		September concert will be scheduled for outdoors or virtual.  The format of concerts later in the year is TBD.
WHS Band	Yes		Concert will be scheduled for indoors or virtual.
WHS Strings	Yes		Concert currently scheduled for indoors.
WHS Drama	Yes		Fall production is currently scheduled as an indoor event.  The format of spring musical is TBD.

Staff Vaccine Program

What kind of test will be used when testing unvaccinated staff members 2x/week? 

The district will be using the BinaxNOW rapid test. 

 

Will the district reimburse unvaccinated employees if they have to pay for a re-test related to a false-positive district-administered test result? 

Yes. 

 

How was it determined to test unvaccinated staff members 2x/week? 

Two times per week was determined to be a good balance between the inconvenience/time required to administer a testing regime and the value of knowing if there are any positive cases in the building. 

 

If an unvaccinated employee tests positive, when can they return? 

 Same as any other situation involving a positive test result (click here for the Montco OPH COVID-19 School Isolation and Quarantine Guide.) 

 

Will the district offer the same number of sick days to an unvaccinated employee who tests positive that are being offered to vaccinated employees, when the unvaccinated employee cannot be vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons? 

No.  The additional sick days are only available to vaccinated employees.