- Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
- COVID-19 & FNSBSD
FNSBSD & COVID
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The district is committed to providing and maintaining healthy environments for students to learn and for staff to work and teach. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines to maintain the health and well-being of everyone within our schools. In addition to steps which we can take together, each person and family is encouraged to follow their medical providers advice on vaccinations, illness precautions and response.
Considering the CDC’s guidance, schools will use a “layered approach” to keep schools open for in-person learning this school year. Layers of mitigation include: practicing and teaching hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, following daily cleaning protocols, 3-feet of social distancing when possible, following local vaccination and positive case rate, and initiating a screening and rapid testing program.
2021-22 Operational Guidelines
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Academic Models
FNSBSD is committed to in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year. Review your school’s schedule as start and end times have changed.
For students that want a remote learning option or additional flexibility, eLearning or BEST homeschool are available. All models provide students a robust and supportive educational experience.
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Cleaning and Disinfecting
Regular cleaning will occur on buses, in schools, and at administrative offices. Classrooms will be cleaned daily.
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Face Coverings
Masks are not required in district buildings. By Federal requirement, masks must be worn on school buses.
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Handwashing/Hand Sanitizing
Hand sanitizer will be available in all schools. Frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing will be encouraged throughout the school day.
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Meals
Free breakfast and lunch will be available for students. Meals will be served and eaten in cafeterias and other school settings at the school’s discretion.
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Parent Responsibilities
Parents must ensure the daily health of their students. Children showing any symptoms of illness or a fever (100°F or higher) should not be sent to school. Please follow the Wellness Check for Students & Staff.
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Reporting and Communication
Parents are encouraged to notify schools if their student is a confirmed COVID-19 positive case. Schools will communicate modifications to activities or classrooms if needed.
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School Visitors
All school visitors, including parents, should not enter the building if they are feeling sick.
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Special Education Services
Special education and extended learning services will be provided in-person at the student's home school.
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Student Activities
Indoor and outdoor sports and extracurricular activities will be available for students and spectators. You can find more information on the student activities webpage.
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Testing & Screening
The district has two types of rapid testing available:
- Antigen Testing - best used for non-symptomatic persons as a screening tool
- PCR Testing - best used for symptomatic or close contact persons as a rapid test
Tests may be accessed through:
- Beacon locations: Administrative Center, North Pole High, West Valley High
- School nurse
- Requesting an at-home test
Testing can be scheduled or requested at www.k12northstar.org/COVID.
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Transportation
Students must register for the bus before riding. Due to federal regulations, all riders must wear face coverings on school buses as they are considered a part of public transportation. Face coverings will be available for students if they do not have one.
Resources
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- Alaska COVID-19 Info Hub: Includes cases, hospital, testing, and vaccine dashboards.
- COVID-19 School Health EHCO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) for Parents: Scroll to the bottom of the page, click on FY22 Public Health ECHOs, then click on FY22 Pop Up ECHOS and Special Health Events.
- COVID-19 Fairbanks Testing Locations (PDF)
- Immunization and vaccination clinics through local providers
- Learning Options: In-person, e-Learning, and BEST Homeschool
- Alaska COVID-19 Info Hub: Includes cases, hospital, testing, and vaccine dashboards.
Remember to:
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Be Cautious
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Make healthy choices
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Avoid people who are sick
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Be thoughtful about activities
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Consider getting vaccinated
Be Courteous
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Respect others’ health privacy
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Cover your coughs & sneezes
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Stay home if you are sick
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Use COVID screening and testing
Be Clean
- Wash your hands often
- Use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your face
- Disinfect high touch surfaces
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