IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
***recent edits in blue***
We all agree on the importance of in-person learning. The PPS District Leadership Team is committed to doing whatever is necessary in an attempt to keep our doors open and students in the classroom. We are evaluating new data on a daily basis and looking to the Oklahoma State and Canadian County Departments of Health (OSDH and CCHD) for direction and guidance. We have received updated guidance in regards to quarantining individuals who have been identified as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case. As such:

Effective Sunday, August 29, 2021, individuals deemed to be a CLOSE CONTACT TO A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE ARE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE.
As you can see in the COVID-19 Dashboard above, our positive cases continue to rise. As we track this data, we are finding that multiple students who have been exposed and recommended for quarantine are later testing positive or showing symptoms and choosing not to test. We understand COVID-19 is a public health crisis. We are responding to the crisis by increasing our mitigation efforts:

IN THE CLASSROOM
  • Everyone is encouraged to WEAR A MASK-- both staff and students are STRONGLY encouraged to wear a face-covering correctly over both nose and mouth.
  • All eligible individuals are encouraged to GET VACCINATED-- the Science shows that vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract COVID-19 and when they do they have a MUCH lower risk of hospitalization or death.
  • Seating charts are required in all classes-- in an effort to be more specific when quarantining students, early childhood and elementary students are required to remain in their small group throughout the day. This limits exposure and allows a smaller number of quarantined students for each positive case.
  • Every effort to social distance-- teachers will separate groups of desks as much as possible, eliminate whole class carpet time, and keep students in the same small group as much as possible. This limits exposure and allows a smaller number of quarantined students for each positive case.
QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
 
A household member has tested positive for COVID-19. The student will quarantine for 10 days from the initial date of contact. 
           
Exceptions include: the student is fully vaccinated, has provided documentation to school officials, OR the student has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days and has provided documentation to school officials, AND agrees to wear a face-covering that meets the CDC guidelines for ten days following the initial date of contact to the household individual.
 
A student is exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD will quarantine for 10 days from the date of exposure
 
Exceptions include: the student is fully vaccinated and has provided documentation to school officials OR the student has been consistently wearing a mask correctly over their mouth and nose and will continue to do so OR student has recovered from COVID-19 within the last 90 days and has provided documentation to school officials OR the student provides Piedmont Schools with a negative COVID test that was performed by a medical professional 5 to 7 days after the determined date of exposure. The student may return to school on day 8.
 
A student who has been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual (inside or outside the household) and displays ANY symptoms of COVID-19 will quarantine for ten days from the initial date of contact.
 
Exceptions include: the student is fully vaccinated, has provided documentation, AND presents a negative test result performed by a medical professional to school officials.
 
The student is symptomatic, presenting with one or more symptoms from column A or three or more symptoms from column B on the CDC approved list (See Page 7 on assessing symptomatic persons for COVID-19) will quarantine until a negative test is provided OR 10 days have passed since exposure. 
 
Exceptions include: the student quarantines for ten days or provides a negative test result performed by a medical professional to school officials.