Covington Independent Public Schools looks forward to the start of the new school year on August 19, 2021. Team Covington is committed to in-person instruction, five days a week for the 2021-22 school year. The team developed this plan with our guiding principle at the forefront: The safety and well-being of our students, staff, families and community will always be our top priority. As we venture into another school year with COVID-19, we wanted to address some common questions and concerns regarding the upcoming school year. Please note: our reopening plan is a living document and is subject to change throughout the school year. We will update this document as needed.

Teaching and Learning

Team Covington believes that in-person learning is crucial to the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students. To that end, we will offer in-person classes five days a week to all students in K-12. Preschool students will attend in-person classes their regular four days a week. However, we know that some families will consider a virtual option for their children. Families can select the Bulldog Virtual Academy for students in grades 6-12. This program is completely online. Families can apply and find more information by clicking here. The deadline to apply is August 9, 2021.

Health and Safety Expectations

As stated above, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, families and community will always be our top priority. Covington will use the following layered prevention strategies:

• MASKS: The Centers for Disease Control recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination. The Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Department of Public Health, recommend and encourage students who are not vaccinated to wear masks during the school day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mask-wearing for all students during the school day, vaccinated or not. The Governor of Kentucky recommends the following:
  • School districts should require all unvaccinated students and unvaccinated adults to wear a mask when in classrooms and other indoor settings
  • School districts should require all students under 12 years of age to wear a mask when in classrooms and other indoor school settings
  • School districts wishing to optimize safety and minimize the risk of educational and athletic disruption should require all students and all adults to wear a mask in the classroom and other indoor school settings

Out of an abundance of caution, Team Covington requires that all K-12 students and staff wear masks in our buildings throughout the day regardless of vaccination status. This could change depending on state and local recommendations.

DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION: Per the Kentucky Department of Education, all students must wear masks on school buses at all times. Students riding TANK also must wear masks.

• VACCINATION: Team Covington will promote and offer vaccinations to students and staff (as available and recommended).
• PHYSICAL DISTANCING: To the extent possible, physical distancing for students and staff will be maintained.
• SCREENING/TESTING: Through Covington’s partnership with HealthPoint, COVID-19 testing will be available for students and staff members who display symptoms of the virus.
• VENTILATION: The district will continue to evaluate our current ventilation systems and make improvements as needed and as funds are available.
• HANDWASHING: Team Covington recommends that the district teach and practice handwashing with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• ISOLATION: Covington Schools will continue to encourage students and staff members who are ill to stay home. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate away from school for the required time period. It is expected that all staff and students report a positive COVID case immediately to their administration. In addition, the district recommends that anyone who is ill with COVID-like symptoms seeks proper medical attention and self-isolate for the required time period. The district will continue to work closely with school nurses when schools are made aware of a sick or exposed student or staff member.
• QUARANTINE AND CONTACT TRACING: The district will continue to follow the local health department’s guidance for contact tracing with individuals who have been in close contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. We will continue to work closely with the school nurse when schools are aware of a sick or exposed student or staff member. Seating charts will be maintained for contact tracing.
• CLEANING AND DISINFECTION: Team Covington will continue cleaning and disinfecting schools and offices with an emphasis on more frequent disinfecting of high-touch areas.

Athletics/Extra-Curricular Activities

All guidance in this document is applicable to athletics/extra-curricular activities and athletics governed by KHSAA must follow their requirements.