Allen East Releases Back-to-School COVID Protocols for 2021-2022 School Year

Unfortunately, as we head into the 2021-2022 school year, COVID is still with us and creating concerns.

All the below protocols will be followed as we open the school year, but could change with mandates ordered from the Governor, Ohio Department of Health and/or the Allen County Health Department. The key is everyone must be flexible again this year.

Allen East will keep parents aware of any changes as soon as they occur.

Mask Protocol:

There will be no mask mandates at Allen East during the 2021-2022 school year for staff or students.

Mask wearing will be optional for staff and students.

Cleaning Protocol:

There was major success during the 2020-2021 school year with having a low incidence of influenza. To help mitigate the spread of the flu and COVID-19, Allen East will once again be cleaning desks and surfaces regularly this school year.

Health Checks:

Allen East will be isolating students who exhibit symptoms of COVID and/or influenza this year.

Students who have a fever at school or exhibit symptoms of COVID will be isolated and sent home as promptly as possible. Please do not send your child to school if they have a fever of 100.5 or higher or have symptoms of COVID. Students can return to school 24 hours after the fever is gone without the assistance of medication. Please call the school nurse, Mr. David Pryer, if you have questions when a student should return to school or not attend school.

COVID-19 Vaccine:

Allen East has no plans to require any staff and/or students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to attend school. Allen East believes it is a personal decision of staff members and parents of children if they want to receive a vaccine. Allen East is staying neutral on the topic of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Isolation and Quarantine:

If a staff member or student contracts COVID-19, they must be isolated until the health department gives the all clear to return to school. Allen East will once again contact trace to determine who was exposed to a COVID positive individual at school. If it is determined your child was exposed to a COVID positive individual at school, the school will call the parent and inform them. It will be a joint decision made by the parent and school if the exposed child can remain in school. If the exposed child is showing no symptoms of COVID, they will be permitted to remain in school. Any child or staff member exposed who elects to stay at school will be required to submit to health checks by the school nurse. Students and staff who are exposed to COVID outside of school, will be able to stay in school if they show no
symptoms of COVID and submit to health checks by the school nurse. Any staff member and/or student who exhibits any signs of COVID when exposed will be required to be quarantined.

Student Cohorts and Mandatory Seating Charts:

Unlike last year, there are no plans to make students stay in mandatory cohorts this year. Students will be free to play with all their friends at recess and not be required to keep the same seat in class and in the cafeteria the entire school year.

The 2020-2021 school year was a huge success in that the school with the help of staff, students and parents, was able to remain open five days a week with very few interruptions. For the 2021-2022 school year to once again be successful, the school is asking parents to be patient and flexible. It is imperative
that parents do not send students to school who are sick or showing symptoms of COVID. The school understands it is very difficult to find child care for children and it is easier at times to medicate a child and send them to school with symptoms. To protect the school and community, please do not send a child to school sick.

Allen East has a very valuable asset in our nurse Mr. David Pryer. Please do not hesitate to call him if you have concerns or questions regarding your child.