COVID-19 Dashboard

Updates

Protocols for Using Antigen Tests for Return to School

1. 3/9/2022 Masking Update
2. 2/16/22  New Guidance on Masks and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) from Maine CDCand State Education Leader

RSU 21 COVID-19 INFORMATION

RSU 21 COVID-19 RSU 21 COVID Comprehensive Response Plan General News Bulletin

RSU 21 COVID-19 vaccine clinic update and recent COVID numbers in our schools

RSU 21’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students who are 5-11 years old

RSU 21 COVID vaccine clinic dates for 5-11 year old students announced 

RSU 21 Announces 92 Percent Vaccination Rate For Employees In 6 Schools

Recognizing COVID symptoms and more info from our school nurses

COVID-19 Return to School Plan & Guidelines for 2021-2022

RSU 21 Clearance for Return to Sport/Activity following COVID-19 Illness/Diagnosis

COVID INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OF MAINE:

Standard Operating Procedures for Schools, 2021-22

Please fill out the consent form with permission to perform a COVID-19 pooled test for each of your students per school. This process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone.

1. Click on the appropriate link to access the online consent form. 

   Minors (<18 years of Age) (https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent)

   Adults (> 18 years of Age) https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/invite-by-code
   
   Please note: Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days should wait to complete this form until they are 90 day past the positive test date. Please notify your school nurse.

    

2. Enter the access code below for your school: 

   Kennebunk Elementary School Access Code - VD61ZN

   Kennebunkport Consolidated School Access Code - NJKFVG

   Mildred L. Day School Access Code - C23BG8

   Sea Road School Access Code - 0R2MF0

   Middle School of the Kennebunks Access Code - 4BGUJT

   Kennebunk High School Access Code - SF4J5Z

    

3. Enter your child’s information, and you’re done!

ESSER Complete Application
ESSERF I Grant Award Notification 
ESSERF II Grant Award Notification 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About the 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Mar 15, 2022

Masking/Pooled Testing 

Q1: When will masks become optional for students and Staff regardless of vaccination status? 
A: Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 

Q2: Will students and staff have the individual choice to wear a mask? 
A: Yes, beginning March 9th, students and staff may choose to wear a mask. The school department will not tolerate teasing, bullying, or harassment of students or staff who make either choice, to wear a mask or not to wear a mask. 

Q3: Am I allowed to require my entire class of students to wear a mask when in my classroom? 
A: No.  Students and staff may choose to wear a mask.

Q4: Can parents request that staff members wear masks with their children?
A: No.  Students and staff may choose to wear a mask.

Q5: Can staff request that other adults wear masks around them?
A: No.  Students and staff may choose to wear a mask.

Q6: Is masking required for extracurricular activities? 
A: No.  Masking will be optional for all school-sponsored events. 

Q7: Will the district continue with pooled testing? 
A: Yes.  At this time, pooled testing will continue. 

Q8: Do pre-k students have the choice of optional masking as well? 
A: Yes. Pre-k students have the choice of optional masking. 

Q9: What is our responsibility if a parent asks us to make sure their child wears the mask, but the student doesn’t want to when they get to school? 
A: Parents are welcome to create an awareness of their preferences with our instructional faculty, but our teachers, ed techs, bus drivers, coaches and administrators can not assume the responsibility of enforcing parents’ preferences on an individual basis. 

Q10: Can parents change their masking preference for their student if their circumstances change?
A:  Yes. 

Q11: What are the masking guidelines for student transportation? 
A: Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs. The school department will no longer require masks on buses, vans, and other school department vehicles in which more than one person travels on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 

Q12: Do we need to continue using seating charts on buses? 
A: The transportation department may assign seats as needed, or is practicable, on school department vehicles. Drivers and bus aides will not be responsible for creating segregated buses with “masked” and “unmasked” students. Medically fragile students may have a designated seating area; health accommodations involving a mask will  be addressed through the 504 process. 

Q13: Will we be able to have kids go on different buses (e.g. go home with a friend, ride to the library, etc)?
A: Not at this time.

Contract Tracing and Data Points 

Q14: What data points should the district consider to determine the levels of the virus within the community? 
A: We have asked the Maine CDC if they have identified any state-wide or community-specific thresholds for case counts, absence rates (as a percentage), viral loads in wastewater, etc. Because one size doesn’t fit all, the CDC left that work to individual communities, using the federal CDC heat maps as a cornerstone, along with the aforementioned factors. 

Q15: Will this lead to us going back to contact tracing since our school will no longer be universally masking and potentially lead to more students being in and out of quarantines again? 
A: The Maine CDC no longer recommends the practice, and told a group of Superintendents that at “this stage of the pandemic” the strategy is neither feasible nor impactful. 

Q16: How will masking requirements for students who return from quarantined be managed? 
A: Students who are returning from quarantine are required to mask days 6-10, per Maine CDC. School nurses will be the point of contact for families in this situation. 

Q17: Will the district continue to document positive COVID cases? 
A: Yes. 

Q18: Will we continue to provide notification to families about positive cases? 
A: We will continue to notify the public of school-based cases for the foreseeable future via school-based email and/or the RSU 21 COVID-19 Dashboard.

Q19: What are the recommendations for student spacing within the classroom? 
A: There is a recommended 3 feet spacing in schools where feasible. 

Q20: Will our gyms and after school events have ANY capacity limits while indoors? 
A: We will maintain the recommended minimum 3ft spacing in our gyms/after school events.

Q21: Are there any restrictions on the playground with student spacing or the use of playground equipment? 
A: No. 

Q22: Do all students have to continue to face the same direction? 
A: No. This is not a requirement. 

Q23: Do we need to continue to use seating charts in the classroom? 
A: This is not a requirement, but RSU 21 will maintain its practice of having seating charts through April 2022. 
 

School Procedures 

Q24: Will volunteers and guests be allowed back into the buildings? Do they have to be vaccinated? 
A: Volunteers and guests are welcomed in our schools in a designated area of the school. The district will reevaluate this plan at the end of April and make a decision about allowing volunteers and guests back in the building. 

Q25: Will IEP/parent meetings continue to be remote or in-person? 
A: Hybrid IEP/parent meetings are likely for the time being. In many cases, a pandemic notwithstanding, remote IEPs have worked well for families. 

Q26: Will we host school assemblies or whole school activities? 
A: The district has not  begun to phase these activities back in, including traditional end-of-year gatherings, events, and activities. On May 1, the district will determine whether there is an increase/decrease of positive cases in the school prior to allowing scheduling school assemblies and/or whole school activities.

Q27: Can students be placed in different groups while in the classroom? 
A: Group activities in the classroom are permissible. We will not group students by masked and unmasked. 

Q28: Will students be excused for COVID close contacts without symptoms? 
A: Guidelines for close contacts are included in Maine’s SOP for COVID-19 cases. We will continue to use this as a guide. 

Q29: Will we continue with Google Classroom? 
A: Yes, RSU 21 will continue to make Google Classroom available for students and staff. 

Q30: Will water fountains be open for student use? 
A: The district will determine whether there is an increase/decrease of positive cases in the schools prior to opening the fountains for student use. Additionally, fountains will need to be cleaned, serviced, and have extensive testing prior to reopening. This work will be completed based on the capacity of our maintenance staff and vendor partners. 

Q31: Will the district continue to use student desk shields? 
A: No, unless required by 504 or IEP 

Q32: Are field trips allowed? 
A: On May 1, The district will determine whether there is an increase/decrease of positive cases in the schools prior to approving field trips.

Q33: Can students share materials within the classroom? 
A: Yes. 

Q34: Are we allowed to share food in the classroom? 
A: Yes. We will return to pre COVID expectations and it will be at teacher discretion. 

Q35: Can we bring carpets into the classroom to set up meeting areas? 
A: Yes. 

Q36: Can we do events with other schools in our district? 
A: On a space-available basis. 

Q37: What are the requirements for singing and playing musical instruments? 
A: These activities will continue with masks being optional.

 

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