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Return to Campus Guidebook for Families

(para traducir esta página al español, haga clic en "Traducir" en el parte superior de este página)

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 (CLICK HERE for Quarantine Academic Support)



>>CLICK HERE for PDF of the RCPS 2023-24 Return to Campus Guidebook.
>>HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para obtener el PDF de la Guía de Regreso al Campus de RCPS 2023-24 en español.











RCPS Reopening 2023-2024
Return to Campus Guidebook for Families


INTRODUCTION
The health and safety of students and staff remain the top priority of Rockdale County Public Schools as we transition back to school buildings.  We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 data in our community and will make changes, as necessary.  We believe that closely following the recommended guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale (GNR) regional public health department will reduce the spread of illness.  However, it will take the efforts of all parents, students, staff, and community members to wear a mask or face covering, and wash hands frequently. Together, we will stay healthy and thrive!

Mask/Face Covering
A mask or face covering is encouraged while on the bus and indoors. The Superintendent will determine if masks shall be required or optional for students and staff based on local health data and will communicate mask protocols with families and staff as needed. Parents will always have the ability to opt their children out of a mask requirement as required by law.

Hand Sanitizer Stations
Self-serve hand sanitizing stations will be placed on buses and in high traffic areas in all schools and offices.

Personal Health
All students and staff are expected to stay home when sick.  Schools and offices will follow all recommended guidelines from public health to reduce the spread of all illness.

Signage
Appropriate signage will be placed throughout campus to remind students and staff of health and safety protocols.

Cleaning
Cleaning protocols will be adjusted as needed to follow all recommendations from public health.


DAILY OPERATIONS
•  In-person, five-days-a-week learning is the default option for RCPS students. Families were able to apply for the virtual learning option for 2023-2024 during the application period in Spring 2023. Students are required to remain in their chosen learner option for the designated period of time (grades K-12 for 18 weeks). For extenuating circumstances, RCPS has an appellate process for parents who wish to change their student’s option from virtual to in-person prior to the end of the designated period of time.
•  All visitors will need to have an appointment, when at all possible.
•  The Superintendent will determine if masks shall be required or optional for students and staff based on local health data and will communicate mask protocols with families and staff as needed. Parents will always have the ability to opt their children out of a mask requirement as required by law.
•  Please check with your school for school-specific protocols and schedule details.



TRANSPORTATION
•  When possible, windows or ventilation will be opened to increase air flow inside the bus during routes.
•  Buses will be sanitized regularly.


SCHOOL MEALS
•  Student meal protocols will be addressed by each school.
•  All safety and sanitization procedures will be followed.


CLEANING PROTOCOLS
•  Custodial services will follow all cleaning protocols recommended by the CDC and the local health department.
•  High touch points such as doorway areas, tables, hallway walls, restroom areas, and others will be cleaned.
•  Restrooms will be checked and touch points will be cleaned.  
•  Clorox 360 or similar cleaning machines will be deployed in all main traffic areas and will service all schools thoroughly.  Machines will be immediately deployed to areas that may be compromised by reported illness.
•  Teachers and staff will have approved cleaning supplies to help clean high touch surfaces throughout the day in classroom and office spaces.


PERSONAL HEALTH
•  Parents must monitor the health of their children  and keep sick children at home.  This includes checking your student’s temperature and monitoring for other possible symptoms of COVID-19 daily.
•  Staff must monitor their own health and stay home when sick.  
•  For description of COVID-19 symptoms, visit
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
•  Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 (symptomatic or asymptomatic) must remain at home for the length of time recommended by the Public Health Department.
•  Clinic Aides are trained to identify the symptoms of COVID-19 and will immediately isolate students with these symptoms. Parents will be required to pick up sick children immediately from school.  In the event a parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact for the student will be called.  Students who leave school with symptoms should be tested for COVID-19 and may return with a negative test result, fever free for at least 24 hours and feeling well, or after 5 days if not tested. Students with a positive test result may return 5 days after the test.
•  Reliable COVID-19 information and resources can be found on the following websites:
www.cdc.gov and www.gnrhealth.com
•  Parents, students, staff, and visitors shall not enter any RCPS building with symptoms of COVID-19, having been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or having tested positive for COVID-19 without the appropriate isolation period.  Anyone who knowingly violates this protocol may be subject to disciplinary action.


NOTIFICATION
•  Parents and staff must report positive cases to the school upon receiving test results.




Thank you for following these protocols!  
#InThisTogether #DoYourPart

Rockdale County Public Schools
www.rockdaleschools.org/covid