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Polk County Public Schools is implementing numerous protocols to provide a safe and healthy environment for students and staff. Here’s a look at the measures we’re putting into place for the 2021-22 school year.

Plans and procedures are subject to change as state, local and CDC guidelines are updated.

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COVID-19 Dashboard

Polk County Public Schools has developed a COVID-19 data dashboard providing the most current information available on how the pandemic is impacting our schools.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Back-to-School Updates

Face coverings remain optional at this time for Polk County Public Schools. However, we strongly encourage the use of face coverings, which are recommended by the CDC and the Florida Department of Health.

We also recognize that many students remain ineligible for vaccination – particularly PreK – 5th grade students who not old enough to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. We want to partner with families who choose to have their students wear face coverings.

The district is requesting that families of students in grades PreK-5th grade notify their child’s teacher of their desire for their student to wear an approved face-covering where applicable.

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Health & Safety Protocols

BUSES

  • Buses will transport students at full capacity.
  • The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend wearing face coverings while riding the school bus. Face coverings are optional at this time.
  • Drivers will monitor their symptoms daily, and anyone with a fever or COVID-related symptoms must not report to work.
  • Parents and students are to monitor their symptoms each day. Students should not come to the bus stop if they are feeling ill.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers are installed on every bus, and students will use hand sanitizer as they enter and exit.
  • To minimize exposure, students will be loaded from rear to front, and unloaded from front to rear.
  • Students will be assigned seats, which will assist with contact tracing should an individual test positive for COVID-19.
  • Weather permitting, buses will travel with several windows open to allow fresh air to circulate.
  • School buses will be sanitized multiple times a day and A/C filters will be changed every 27-30 days.

CAFETERIAS

  • High-touch points such as the tray slide, milk box and keypad will be frequently sanitized.
  • Tables will be sanitized between lunch periods.
  • Cutlery and trays will be sanitized thoroughly.
  • Designated entrances and exits will control traffic flow and minimize exposure.
  • All condiments will be pre-portioned. No self-serve dispensers will be used.
  • There will be no self-service bars.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

  • PCPS will work closely with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County to notify school communities about a confirmed positive case.
  • A schoolwide notification will be sent when a positive case impacts a campus.
  • Individuals who have come into close contact exposure with a positive case (within six feet for 15 minutes or more) will also be notified by an automated telephone call.
  • Individuals who have come into close contact exposure with a positive case will receive specific instructions on what to do next (quarantine, isolate, monitor their symptoms, etc.).
  • Unvaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic (i.e.—has no symptoms) and identified as a close contact to a positive case will quarantine from school for a minimum of 7 days from the last date of contact. Students or staff may seek testing after 4 days and return early with proof of a negative test. (At-home tests are not accepted.) Please note that the total days of quarantine may be longer than seven days if the close contact exposure is someone in the household. If they develop symptoms during quarantine, they will follow the guidelines for individuals who have COVID-like symptoms outlined below.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals or individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, will not be required to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact as long as they do not develop symptoms. If the individual develops symptoms, they will follow the guidelines for individuals who have COVID-like symptoms outlined below.
  • Individuals who have COVID-like symptoms should stay home. They may return when one of the following criteria is met:
    1. 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or date of positive test result, the individual has no fever for 24 hours, and other symptoms are improving.
    2. The individual receives written permission to return to school from a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, or advanced registered nurse practitioner for a non-COVID related illness.
    3. The individual receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test and is asymptomatic (i.e.—has no symptoms). At-home tests are not accepted.
  • Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days. They may return to school after 10 days if they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and symptoms are improving. In addition, staff who test positive will require medical clearance to return.
  • Students who are quarantined will be able to work while at home. Lessons and assignments will be posted online for students to complete at their own pace. The district continues to explore other learning options for students who are quarantined. However, at this time, PCPS is not offering synchronous classes — virtual classes where instructors and students simultaneously participate in online lessons together.

Visit our health information page for a list of local testing sites as well as links to helpful resources.

ATHLETICS

  • Athletics will continue to be offered during the 2021-2022 school year.
  • The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend wearing face coverings. Face coverings are optional at this time.
  • Students and staff should check their symptoms daily. Anyone with a fever, or symptoms related to COVID-19, should not attend school or practice if they are feeling ill.
  • Outdoor event capacity will be 100%, indoor capacity will be limited to 75% at this time.
  • Middle school intramural/extramural activities will be permitted as long as athletic COVID mitigation guidelines are followed.
  • Elementary physical education will follow same protocols as last year. Face coverings are not required during PE and playground equipment can be utilized.
  • Pep rallies will not be conducted unless they can be held safely outdoors.

SCHOOLS & CLASSROOMS

  • The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend wearing face coverings. Face coverings are optional at this time.
  • Students, staff, and visitors will not be required to complete temperature screening upon arrival on campuses.
  • Students and staff should monitor their symptoms daily. Anyone with a fever or COVID-related symptoms should not come to school.
  • Students and staff will be reminded throughout the day to practice proper hygiene, and signage promoting proper hygiene will be posted on campuses.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout each campus.
  • Social distancing will be encouraged to the greatest extent possible in schools and classrooms.
  • Seating charts will be used to assist with social distancing as well as contact tracing efforts in the event of a positive case.
  • Students should avoid sharing devices and supplies.
  • Facilities will be cleaned thoroughly and regularly, and high-touch areas will be disinfected throughout the day.
  • Deep cleaning will take place when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • All classes and school clinics are being equipped with air purifiers featuring HEPA filtration.
  • Air conditioning filters will be changed frequently.
  • Small groups of students may be able to “dress-out” with administrative approval. These small groups of students should maintain social distance to the greatest extent possible in the locker room.

SCHOOL CLINICS

  • Clinic staff will wear personal protective equipment as appropriate when treating or screening individuals.
  • Isolation areas will be established to separate symptomatic individuals from standard clinic operations. While face coverings are optional, individuals with symptoms will be required to wear face coverings in the isolation area.

FACE COVERINGS

  • Face coverings are optional at this time. The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend wearing face coverings.
  • If worn, face coverings should cover both the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the face.
  • Face coverings must comply with general dress code and school uniform requirements.
  • Students and staff may wear face shields in addition to face coverings.

FIELD TRIPS & LARGE GATHERINGS

  • Given the wide range of activities, field trips and large group gatherings will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

VACCINATIONS

  • The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County recommend all eligible persons be vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • The Pfizer vaccine is available to those ages 12 and up.
  • Staff and students are considered fully vaccinated once two weeks have passed since their final vaccine dose.
  • Free vaccinations can be obtained through various entities, such as pharmacies like CVS and Publix and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. For more information, contact DOH-Polk’s Information Center at (863) 519-7911.

VOLUNTEERS/VISITORS

  • Volunteers who provide essential services to students and staff will be allowed on campus.
  • Volunteers and visitors will be advised that while face coverings are optional, the CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings.
  • Volunteers and visitors will continue to follow normal check-in procedures, including being entered into Raptor, the district’s visitor and volunteer check-in system.
  • Volunteers and visitors will track and log their movements while on campus.

FINE ARTS

  • The CDC and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County strongly recommend wearing face coverings. Although face coverings are optional at this time, the use of face coverings while singing is recommended.
  • Students and staff should check their symptoms daily. Anyone with a fever or symptoms related to COVID-19 should not attend school or practice if they are feeling ill.
  • Students will be socially distanced to the greatest extent possible in rehearsal and performance spaces.
  • The sharing of instruments, equipment and supplies will be limited and/or avoided.
  • Schools may employ other strategies to reduce the spread of illness, such as holding rehearsals outdoors when space and weather permits as well as the use of bell covers for all wind instruments.
  • Outdoor event capacity will be 100%, indoor capacity will be limited to 75% at this time.