Official websites use .gov endstream endobj 237 0 obj <>stream Fall 2021: BW Be Safe | Baldwin Wallace University ACE: Grades 6-12 are moving to remote learning Aug. 3-Sept. 13. He said that President Joe Bidens announcement late last week requiring employers with more than 100 employees to ensure their employees get vaccinated or tested weekly. Both schools offered extraordinary compensation for teachers and staff last year ahead of the holidays. If an athlete has moderate to severe COVID-19 illness, it is very important to consult with the athletes healthcare provider prior to return to play. Starting Thursday through Sept. 6, students and staff wear a cloth mask over their nose and mouth while indoors at Round Elementary, superintendent Chuck Hughes said in a statement. The delta variant is infecting Alabamas schools while the state struggles to boost its vaccination rate. Allison Shelley for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action. Implementation of screening testing may also be considered for facilities in areas with a high COVID-19 Community Level for: Schools and ECE programs serving students who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19, such as those with moderate or severe immunocompromise or complex medical conditions, may consider implementing screening testing at a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level. High 76F. Going through this process has given me ample opportunity to consider how painful it would be to close your childs school for two weeks, said Tyler. Masks are not recommended for children under ages 2 years and younger, or for people with some disabilities. As the number of quarantining students rises, some districts that resisted requiring masks are moving to mandate them. In Baldwin County, a Back-to-School will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas Fitness Center in Fairhope. At the same time, only 5.2% of children ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated in Alabama, and Fisher said he is worried it will. We are probably going to see quite a few groups of children having to drop back for a week at a time to some form of remote or virtual learning, Hassig said. Baldwin Democrats urge schools to require COVID masks; superintendent The board recognizes the challenging work environment as we move forward in providing face-to-face learning, Tyler said. An August 19 school board meeting allowed both sides of the contentious debate to speak about the pros and cons of having children wearing face masks, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers. %%EOF As much as I dont like masks, I am convinced we are right in requiring them. Low 47F. All rights reserved (About Us). What happened next made her even more concerned. It was very difficult to get it passed just once for employees, said Beverly Sims, an AEA District director who represents Madison County Schools. Students at Magnolia Elementary School in Trussville wear masks as they are greeted by staff and teachers on the first day of school in 2020. A suspected outbreak of COVID-19 in a school and ECE facility is defined as at least three confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 who meet the criteria for a facility-associated case, with onset dates or positive test results within 14 days of each other AND no likely known epidemiologic link to a case outside of the school setting. DHS recommends everyone ages 2 years and older, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a well-fitting mask in the following situations and settings: Children and staff that are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness are encouraged to talk to a doctor about the need to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator at school. Schools that planned for a fully in-person school year, though, are without options they had last year. HVM6W4 @v(t=:H2-l{|~xuC46I!YE38%tO- 5g i. unywhM I will let parents know that before we make any decisions.. Lawmakers, earlier this year, approved legislation aimed at filling the estimated 3,000 open math and science teacher positions in 6-12 grade classrooms. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com. At least 129 children in Alabama have developed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome of Childhood (MIS-C). A Michigan school districthas canceled classes for the rest of the week after students have been quarantinedfor flu-like symptoms, officials said. Leeds City Schools was the beneficiary of support from NBA Hall of Fame basketball player and 1981 graduate Charles Barkley who, in May, gave $1,000 for each school employee within the district. But it will mainly have an impact on the retention of teachers in that district.. In Selma, Alabama, superintendent Avis Williams said when students are quarantining, teachers will have to teach remote and in-person students at once. Botetourt County Public Schools All students, staff, teachers and visitors to any of the district's schools will be required to wear a mask, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information to reduce COVID-19 disease is provided to keep all people as safe as possible from being sick. Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler, in a letter to parents on Thursday, said that COVID-19 numbers have been going in the wrong direction for the districts schools to warrant rescinding a mask mandate policy that was put into place in late July. The school district is funding the extended leave program itself and budgeted $25,000 in additional costs out of the General Fund to maintain the program, according to Michelle Eller, the districts superintendent. This is why CDC recommends mask use for 10 days, even with shortened isolation or quarantine. Orange County, Florida a large district centered around Orlando where a small number of students have already quarantined is taking another common approach: treating quarantines like regular sick days, despite the fact that students might miss longer stretches. The district is also hiring 10 part-time teachers to host live video sessions for elementary schoolers stuck at home and plans to contract with a virtual tutoring company to help older students. The school board during the pandemic gave the superintendent the power to change policy when she sees fit rather than having to wait for board approval. Official website of the State of Wisconsin. Gulf Shores, the only city school system in Baldwin County, is currently offering 10 additional sick days. It is very important that persons who have COVID-19 isolate for a minimum of 5 days away from members of their household, use a separate bathroom, not prepare food, use disposable utensils, and wear a well-fitting mask if they have to go into common areas of the house. It wont be the same interactive experience as it was last year, she said. If that trend continues, the superintendent said that she may recommend that students and staff wear masks inside schools rather than require them after the Thanksgiving break. Theyre really wanting to be in school, she said. The Baldwin County School District will continue to provide opportunities for students age 12 and older, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The online COVID-19 case report card should only be used to report individual COVID-19 cases. Tyler authorized a mandatory mask-mandate for students in grades 2 and above in late July, and he has said that his goal is to prevent a school from closing because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Until they create a plan, whats most likely to happen is a default to, the student is just home without resources and supports.. The Baldwin County School System includes 44 schools and over 31,000 students. The Baldwin County School Board holds a public hearing into the school district's COVID-19 protocols including a mask mandate on Thursday, August 19, 2021, in Loxley, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). School nurses no longer need to report these to public health unless they personally administer or proctor a COVID-19 test. The latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say masked students should be partially exempt from typical quarantine rules. This page will be updated with the most recent data as frequently as possible. But others are being sent home with only paper packets or are receiving no instruction at all a worrying indication that many students could face another year of stop-and-start learning. POCKETS: No pockets on pants, skirts, or shorts except those made into the side seams of the garment, with the exception of back pockets. If we increase and go back to substantial, then the masks will come back on. The total cost was $275,000, according to Leeds Superintendent John Moore. Through Wednesday, 65.3% of Michigan residents age 16 or older had received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose, according to the state health department. COVID-19 vaccine further strengthens the immune response and helps the immune system fight off infection and keeps people from severe disease and out of hospitals. And her kindergartener was given worksheets that asked him to write his name and numbers skills he hasnt learned yet. Preventing and controlling COVID-19 in ECE programs poses unique challenges due to the nature of caring for infants and young children, which necessarily involves close contact between children and their caregivers. The underlying data is available for download below the US county map and has helped government agencies like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its nationwide efforts. Case numbers never got out of control, but have still gone way down since those first few weeks of school. In the second week of January, over 60 children are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama. Madison County Schools was even later, passing a $500 bonus in May. COVID-19 Coronavirus | Gulf Shores, AL - Official Website The Baldwin County School System, the states third largest, became the first known district in Alabama to dip into its local funds and spend $2.3 million for a second round of bonuses to teachers and staff. In all indoor settings in areas with a high COVID-19 Community Level, In health care settings, including school nurses offices, regardless of the current COVID-19 Community Level, For 10 days after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19. Surgical masks are a very good option due to layers and better filtering. And the countys three main hospitals had their intensive care units filled up last month as the delta variant spread through the Gulf Coast. Essential education reporting across America. Dothan City Schools, which is not planning another teacher bonus, voted in June to pay teachers 2.5% above the state minimum. zi/q)m v(o':?orqXn+ hrFXe Vb|*0#Dj Have your child evaluated by your healthcare provider if they are immunocompromised, suffer from severe symptoms, or if symptoms persist. In these circumstances, other prevention actions (such as improving ventilation) should be used to avoid transmission for 10 days after exposure. Some AEA representatives believe that the money could be better spent on boosting overall salaries. a severe illness requiring hospitalization. The emergency leave policy will expire June 30, 2022, Hill said. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. It is my greatest hope we will be able to remove the mask requirement by September 21. Published: Sep. 03, 2021, 4:38 p.m. 21. Thats a first for the local school system during this 2021-22 school term. Our administrators, teachers, and support staff have been continually adjusting to an ever changing set of guidelines and recommendations for three years and the frustration level is completely off the charts, he said. Timothy Tidmore, superintendent of Autauga County Schools, said his district was one of the first systems in Alabama to an extra 10 days of sick leave for any staff members who test positive until the end of the first semester, which concludes in December. In Baldwin Union schools on Long Island, New York, middle and high school students at home will be able to stream lessons online. Baldwin County School District announces mask requirement for all Elsewhere, parents are trying to avoid possible disruption on their own. There was a problem saving your notification. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). This pages tracks the history of coronavirus cases in Baldwin County, both recent andall-time. For the purposes of boosters and adherence to quarantine, CDC has stated that, when persons receive the booster dose, they are considered to have been boosted that same day. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title IX, Section 504 of the . This testing program is intended to help K-12 public, private and independent charter schools provide safe and healthy learning environments. Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support In-Person Learning, at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19, U.S. Department of Educations Disability Rights webpage, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The Baldwin County School District will continue to provide opportunities for students age 5 and older, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. But superintendent Shari Camhi says teachers wont be working as closely with the quarantining students. She said she felt that Baldwin County School leaders were reviewing the logistics of providing the leave to employees. Baldwin County GA schools requires COVID mask mandate | Macon Telegraph Alabama school COVID cases jump as some districts report highest number Moments later, the School Board voted unanimously on the bonuses. Others are adjusting expectations. Vaccinated people who are asymptomatic also dont need to quarantine after being exposed, the CDC says. We havent discussed additional bonuses, but I can see an opportunity for consideration should this school year continue to be as tough as it is now, said Moore. However, all close contacts should wear a well-fitting mask or respirator at all times indoors for 10 days after their last exposure. Many educators said that practice was untenable and ineffective last year. But other school systems, which do not have the financial means to provide extra compensation, are relying on outside help for support. 2J(I\%r|Q,|o|Wn=M]=~k}&EH|)g' The mask issue comes as hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise in Alabama over the latest surge of delta variant. Sanitizing hands before removing masks, prior to putting masks back on, and after putting masks back on are important measures to further reduce any potential transmission of the virus. There should be no other option but to support educators in all possible ways since they are on the frontlines going above and beyond to ensure student success during these dangerous times, said Amy Marlowe, the AEAs executive director. Winds light and variable. Thus far, no school has closed. Ryan Hollingsworth, executive director of the School Superintendents of Alabama, said the beginning of the school year has been by far, the most challenging for everyone association with education. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Alabama school district dishes out another teachers bonus The resources on this page aim to help decision-makers plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19 in K-12 schools. They kind of care about their own agenda, and what some of my mandates are (such as the mask mandate)., He added, My job is to keep the schools open. Schools might need to require masking in settings such as classrooms or during activities to protect students with immunocompromising conditions or other conditions that increase their risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local laws and policies. ^uu'.A(])i!zZ>J:~>Uhu{>I4j%m#^9^U[q"oZ!oR~7Q_A!m8dAkoy} xGGh:uTn64>Aa l#Va{mRecdH]Tg6"3k$ZA;s{==M=/03{#eSdQdH2W 0ORB)G1 We were just like, Thank god this is over, and then, wow were we wrong, she said. Tyler admits its been a close call on several occasions. While it is uncommon for children to die from either influenza or COVID-19, during this past year, no child in Alabama died from influenza, while, at least 16 children in Alabama have died of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant, can cause severe disease in children. Find help with housing, income, food, employment, health care, mental health concerns, safety at home, and morein multiple languages. Well be better prepared to do it this year because we had a lot of time to practice it last year, she said. 4/14 COVID-19 TESTING DIRECT PATIENT LINES. Less than a year later, the risks continue inside the classrooms for teachers and staff. Persons who are contacts to cases should follow the same recommendations for mask wearing and hand sanitizing. Some school districts are also offering additional compensation for teachers who complete training. King said she was appreciative of the districts decision to give out bonuses, but she is hopeful that a decision can be reached on the extended leave days. Alabama, like many states, had a teacher shortage in many disciplines before the pandemic. The teams arrival to Baldwin County marked the first time the federal government dispatched a healthcare team to assist an Alabama hospital during the pandemic. adopted teacher and staff bonuses last year ahead of Christmas, which approved $1,200 bonuses to full-time staff in March, Tyler authorized a mandatory mask-mandate for students in grades 2 and above in late July, he has said that his goal is to prevent a school from closing because of a COVID-19 outbreak. In other news, Charles Lee, assistant superintendent for general administration, provided an update on the number of covid-19 cases . What you need to know about masks, vaccines before school starts - WPXI which gave out $350 in bonus pay late last year. During COVID, we established a policy with a 10-day mandatory absence. Students at Midway Hills Primary School arrived excited to start a new year. I believe school boards will be looking at myriad ways to support and show appreciation for teachers who continue to teach class while also providing instruction for students needing to isolate and quarantine, said Sally Smith, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards. Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who were in close contact to someone with COVID-19 except in certain high-risk congregate settings (such as correctional facilities). Call 211 or 877-947-2211 to get referrals for thousands of services across Wisconsin. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. District officials, realizing the scope of the academic challenge ahead, are now strongly encouraging teachers to post assignments online. Baldwin County is committed to the safety of our residents and visitors. Cases at more than 1,800 schools. Other schools are not anticipating a second round of bonuses that are paid for out of local funds, though some school board members hope their administrators consider it. Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in ECE Programs. CDC data that tracked Pfizer vaccine trial participants for 100 days after their boosters suggests that positive effects of the shot may start as soon as seven days after getting boosted. Without any doubt, I know without the protections we currently have in place, we would have already closed many schools in our system, if not all. hmo0_n/R ~@*%]MZiIU_%H"p@BhD|oq2T54&2mC#fm&C`BBC2 *`R`7|>n3iGybb[/.v\-_tv?%ud$,^U,|Zn2)FZZ6 The BCSD COVID-19 Weekly Status Report will summarize the new positive cases each week within the student population who are attending school in-person as well as in the population of staff members who are working in-person at our schools or in the district office. We were semi-optimistic. In Baldwin County, there were 0 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 0 newly reported COVID-19 deaths on Feb 05, 2023. How Schools Can Support COVID-19 Vaccination. Stop the Spread of Rumors with Accurate Information on . Some eliminated virtual schooling or created a separate virtual academy; promised educators they wouldnt be teaching in-person students and remote students at the same time; and didnt hand out laptops and hotspots to students without their own technology. If a person has to be out with COVID for the required 10 days, that is an entire years worth of leave he or she will have to take at one time.. Tyler, in a statement to AL.com, said the district is examining the sick leave requirement with encouraging vaccinations among hesitant employees. The mission of the Baldwin County Commission is to provide customer-focused services to people who live, work and visit Baldwin County so they can enjoy a safe and thriving community and experience our unique heritage and natural resources. Join them to stay in the know with our free weekly newsletter. Stolen concrete truck leads to 60-mile chase along I-20, Former Wilco jail administrator indicted by grand jury, Employee helps makes cables used in his own rob, Owners passion for fashion fuels Js Fashion & More, CHILDRE, Phillip Ernest "Erny" Sep 16, 1961 - Jan 29, 2023, Trojan baseball looking for another long season, Shoplifting case leads to womans arrest on drug charge, Alex Murdaugh gets life in prison in murder of wife, son, Upcoming youth science fair at GCSU in need of judges. Tyler said that at the schools, infections are spreading and the situation has gotten concerning to the point where we have been very close to closing more than one school in our system. Staffing shortages are among the reasons he gave as to why schools might close. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. New COVID-19 school policies to take effect March 15 in Baldwin County Baldwin County Schools. COVID-19 Documents & Resources for Parents. Some districts are planning a return to simultaneous instruction if necessary. If persons exposed to COVID-19 in a household become symptomatic, they should be tested as soon as practical. COVID-19: Early Care and Education Programs. PANTS: Pants must be secured at the . For at least 10 days after developing symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19. Schools have had to temporarily close because the highly contagious variant is sweeping through counties and filling up hospitals. Alabama school boards from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley adopted teacher and staff bonuses last year ahead of Christmas, and billed them as extraordinary compensation or premium pay for work performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. ADPH has received questions from providers for guidance for doctors' offices on the use of results from testing performed within the home using home test kits to allow a return or continuation of children in schools. Both suspected and confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools and ECE facilities must be reported to the local or Tribal health department by law as soon as they are recognized. Keeping all educators, staff, and students in school buildings safe and healthy is a top priority. Assistant superintendent Daniela Simic hopes those new services will help, but acknowledged the district was caught off guard by the delta variant. On Wednesday, Michigan added 4,326 new COVID-19 cases and 38 deaths from the virus. If I have to do things to keep our schools open, then I am going to continue to do that.. While athletes can follow the five-day isolation, shorter isolation is for persons who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and improving by the fifth day of illness. Click here. Since last week,122 students at the school have been in quarantine, according to the release. But while Baldwin County Schools is being praised for the second round of the bonuses, representatives with the Alabama Education Association representing public school employees in Alabama are pushing for the school system to join others in the state in offering up to 10 additional days of extended COVID-19 leave or sick pay. The audience applauded, and board president JaNae Dawson credited the teachers for going to work every day to keep the schools open., She added, We have many parents, Im sure, who would be scrambling for day care or sitting services for younger children that might conflict with their job.. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. Language assistance is available. Other AEA representatives are skeptical that school boards, especially those hesitant over approving the initial round of bonuses when federal CARES Act funds were available for them, will consider another one. The employees continue to do a phenomenal job in implementing new learning environments for their school system, said Superintendent Eddie Tyler, who acknowledged the school system located in Alabamas fastest-growing county is continuing to see a decrease in the number of people who want to work in a part-time capacity, or as a substitute teacher. Superintendent gives COVID update | News | unionrecorder.com Well-trained math and science teachers are eligible to receive up to $15,000 in additional pay, if they decide to teach inside schools considered hard-to-staff. Confirmed cases topped out in the 50s before dropping down to the teens and single digits on a weekly basis. Latest trends. Covid-19 Dashboard BW's total campus population is 4,298 (898 full and part-time faculty and staff, 3,400 full, part-time and evening undergraduate and graduate students). Quarantines at Hartland Consolidated Schools in Livingston County also led district officials to impose a mask mandate for one of its elementary schools. Monitoring & Reporting COVID-19 in Schools School nurses should continue to report school COVID-19 outbreaks and outbreaks of any kind using the Communicable Disease Report Card and selecting Outbreak as the Reportable Disease/Health Condition. Baldwin Community Schools in Lake County announced on its Facebook page Wednesday that "many students are being quarantined with primarily flu-like symptoms." The district said one student. See a showcase of all DHS webinars for local public health and school stakeholders. Persons exposed to COVID-19 in a household should be tested 5 days after exposure, even without symptoms. Schools and ECE programs should implement everyday strategies to prevent the spread of a variety of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. For more information, please contact the Programs DirectorAngela Sullivan, Ph.D., at covidALK12@uab.edu or visit COVID Testing in Alabama K12 Schools. I do not like what this virus is doing to our employees, our students, your families, and our communities.. In addition, the same hospital is the site where a refrigerated trailer was placed a little more than a week ago to serve as a makeshift morgue if needed. Baldwin County School System Superintendent Eddie Tyler (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). One of Alabamas largest school districts will continue with its mask mandate policy for another two weeks beyond Labor Day weekend. Preventing and controlling COVID-19 in ECE programs poses unique challenges due to the nature of caring for infants and young children, which necessarily involves close contact between children and their caregivers. Get the answers here, with data on cases and infection rates. Alabama's COVID-19 Schools K-12 Dashboard Updates are . Follow new cases found each day and the number of cases and deaths in Baldwin County, Alabama. Parents address Baldwin County School board about COVID protocols Baldwin Countys vaccinations have gone up in recent weeks, but only slightly more than half of the countys overall population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Jefferson County, Colorado, Letia Frandina changed her plan to enroll her children in a charter school after it announced masks wouldnt be required for the whole school day and that it didnt plan to offer live virtual instruction to students in quarantine.