Ladue Schools Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP) 2021-22 School Year narrative:

The Ladue School District worked to create a “Return to Learn Plan” for 2020-21 that would not prevent disruption to instruction, which included a Tier system to allow the district to move between instructional tiers as the pandemic evolved and as directed by the CDC and local health agencies.

When the time came, it also provided a way to allow as many students to physically and safely return to in-person while also offering a virtual option for families. The district created a Medical Task Force, composed of local doctors and other medical experts, who provided invaluable advice and helped us navigate through the pandemic. In addition, we received public input through stakeholder surveys from both staff and families. COVID-19 updates were also included in every public Board of Education meeting since March 2020. School Health information was provided to the community through weekly updates on the district’s website under the COVID Data Dashboard.

To accommodate social distancing, our 2020 plan included starting the year one hundred percent in a virtual environment. As the COVID trends and transmission rates decreased the district gradually transitioned students back to in-person instruction beginning with our youngest learners.

The plan continued to be reviewed and adjusted throughout the school year based on current trends, data, federal and local health guidance as well as staff and community input. In addition, district administrators met with our Medical Task Force and worked with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health throughout the school year to ensure we were re-entering students at a safe pace. Based on the most current information, adjustments were made throughout the year to allow for more students to return in person each quarter and mitigation strategies began reducing in the later part of the school year. We made adjustments to the original plan as necessary and communicated to our parents and staff through emails, newsletter and video messages and social media.

Ladue Schools learned throughout the pandemic that every plan needed to be flexible and adjusted throughout the year. Based on what we have learned with our current local and national trends, and most importantly, what is happening in our school community, the Ladue School District will begin the 2021-22 school year under a traditional model (In-person instruction) with the following updated guidance and mitigation strategies as outlined by the CDC and St. Louis County Department of Public Health:

FACE COVERINGS:

• We continue to require masking indoors for all students and staff working with students following CDC and our local public health authority guidelines.
• Masks will be provided for all students and staff when needed.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING, QUARANTINING & ISOLATING:

• Social distance to the extent possible with barriers or rerouting when applicable or necessary.

SELF MONITOR AND HYGIENE PRACTICES:

• Ask staff, students and families to perform a daily symptoms checklist. If an individual is sick or demonstrating symptoms he/she will be asked to stay home.
• Continued education and practice of good hygiene and frequent hand washing consistent with CDC guidelines.
• Hand Santizer, hand washing stations and other supplies will be provided to staff and students.

UNIVERSAL CLEANING AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY FACILITIES:

• Continued efforts to increase sanitization practices consistent with CDC guidelines.
• Water fountains have been flushed and Water bottle refill stations will remain available.

VACCINATION EFFORTS:

• Ladue Schools has held a total of nine (9) vaccination events that have provided opportunities for our staff and eligible students to access all three EUA covid-19 vaccines. Approximately 85% of our staff are vaccinated and approximately 50% of our eligible students are vaccinated.

CONTINUITY of EDUCATIONAL SERVICES:

• A virtual school option available for all students.
• An alternative method of learning plan in place for students who are required to isolate or quarantine.
• For families that would still like to remain virtual, Launch (www.fueledbylaunch.com) is available.
• MOCAP has other approved providers (a list of state-approved vendors is available by visiting this link).
• The resource links to this information can also be found on the homepage of the district’s website.
• Accommodations as necessary or as mandated by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

The SRCSP and procedures listed above will be periodically reviewed and revised when necessary. Updates will be provided to the community via letters, social media, and public Board of Education meetings throughout the school year.