Dear LTSA Families,
We hope you all had a healthy and happy holiday season! We are excited to get started, however, we are monitoring this Omicron surge very closely as the numbers are on the rise and it has infected not only the un-vaccinated but also the vaccinated and boosted people. I tested positive for the virus on December 29th. I have both vaccination shots plus I received my booster shot over Thanksgiving. The virus displays first as cedar fever symptoms, runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat and then the symptoms build into what feels like the flu with high fever, body aches and congestion. For an unvaccinated person this can mean possible hospitalization. I was contagious up to two days before my symptoms started. I had been wearing a mask inside every building and washing my hands as often as possible. However, there are indications that the only mask that the Omicron cannot get through is the KN95, if worn correctly. I am giving you these details to let you know how contagious this new variant is. Our team has returned today for Teacher In Service via zoom as we have more members of our team not feeling well.
Middle and High School Students: Due to my in-person absence this week, and other staff members displaying possible symptoms, we have decided to delay our start date of in-person on campus learning until Monday, January 10th for Middle and High School Students (as they are the greater population of vaccinated students). Middle and High School students will need to check their Google Classrooms for asynchronous assignments this week on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Monday, January 10th we will begin COVID testing at 8:00 am for all Middle and High School Students. As before, on testing day, please use the drive through for testing and then park and stay in your vehicle until a staff member informs you of test results.
If your student begins to have any of the COVID symptoms or Cedar Fever symptoms during the week, they will need to test again in order to stay at school. This will be the only way that we will be able to tell the difference between Cedar Fever and COVID.
Elementary Students - due to current staff symptoms, Elementary will return to on campus learning on Monday, January 17th. Elementary students will have Zoom Classes this week beginning with a K-5 Zoom Orientation Meeting on Wednesday at 1 pm and Zoom Classes on Thursday as well as the week of January 10th. Some of these classes will be live on Zoom and some classes will be asynchronous. Stay tuned for grade level detailed instructions from your teachers. Click here for our Elementary Distance Learning Schedule (this is a living document, and subject to changes.) If you need technology for your student please let us know by noon on Tuesday January 4th, and we will have it ready for you on Wednesday, January 5th. You can drive through and pick up between 9:30-11:30
Topic: K-5 Zoom Orientation
Time: Jan 5, 2022 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84276010680?pwd=TzIwM0U3WmlwdVlVdXRmVGYwaFRUQT09
Upon return to campus all students should wear KN95 masks, or double masks (cloth over surgical to improve the fit) in order to provide adequate protection.
CDC Guidelines: As you know LTSA follows the CDC guidelines and currently they are recommending 5 days quarantine if you test positive for the COVID and 10 days if you have tested positive with symptoms unless you have been fever free without the use of medications and your symptoms are improving, then you can wear a mask for the last 5 days. However, you will need to “test to stay” to go back to classes at LTSA.
Community/Family Commitment: We know that distance learning for families is difficult but with our continued commitment of following the risk based guidelines we hope we can keep each other safe and healthy. Please follow the local health guidelines, for example, wearing a mask inside public spaces even if you are vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, get vaccinated and boosted. We need to keep everyone healthy so that our teachers and students can come to school everyday. Austin is currently in Stage 4 and expected to be in Stage 5 tomorrow. Remember that the decisions you and your family make will have a direct impact on our ability to continue with in-person learning.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Best Regards,
Kori
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