COVID Absence Protocols for WFPS Students: September 2, 2021
After receiving updated guidance from the ND Department of Health yesterday afternoon, we have updated our absence protocols for the 2021-22 school year.
Positive Case: Within School
AS A REMINDER: When the ND Department of Health (NDDoH) notifies the district of a positive case within a student or staff member, contact tracing is not completed by the district or by NDDoH. Rather, everyone in class with the positive case receives an exposure notice from the district. If a family wishes to keep their student home after receiving an exposure notice from the district, that can be accommodated through the district’s existing attendance policy. These voluntary absences associated with an exposure notice would be considered excused absences until the student falls within "chronically absent status,” which is less than 90% attendance. Once that point is reached, a student would begin the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) process at Tier 1. If attendance remained below 90%, the student could potentially move to the Tier 3 level. Any absence at the Tier 3 level not verified by a medical professional, regardless of reason, would be unexcused/truant and that absence would contribute towards violation of ND Century Code.
Positive Case: Outside of School
NEW INFORMATION: Since school is not the only place our students and staff spend time, it is possible that they could be exposed to a positive case outside of the school environment. When the district last spoke with the NDDoH on August 16 regarding contact tracing efforts, we were informed that the NDDoH would be contact tracing those cases identified outside of a school environment and providing letters to close contacts. They have recently changed their process to NOT include contact tracing beyond the household level. Therefore, West Fargo Public Schools will utilize the same attendance process as outlined above for students that were exposed to COVID-19 outside of the school environment. NDDoH letters will no longer be required to verify the absence for an offsite exposure.
WFPS STAFF: The absence protocols for staff are also being revised based on this updated guidance. We hope to have updated documentation for you no later than Friday afternoon.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate the ever-changing guidance and how it impacts our local protocols.