Pulaski County Public Schools Tuesday announced to staff and faculty a list of measures that will be implemented concerning operations and procedures surrounding COVID-19. These measures, based off recommendations from the CDC and VDH, go into effect immediately.
“We’re pleased to be able to make these changes as we continue to move back to a more normal lifestyle after the many months of living under COVID,” Superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools Dr. Kevin Siers said. “Our students, staff, and faculty have done a tremendous job of keeping our students in the classroom as much or more than anyone in the surrounding communities. That’s a credit to them and the parents and community.”
Effective immediately, daily health checks will no longer be required. Staff members should report symptoms or a positive diagnosis directly to their immediate supervisor and use sick leave accordingly.
PCPS have begun planning to proceed with all normal end of the year activities, including prom/formal dances, graduation and performance ceremonies, fine arts performances, awards assemblies, club dinners, and other special activities normally associated with the end of the school year.
Dr. Siers went on to note that other school procedures associated with “regular times” would also be reinstated.
“We want our students to return to a normal lunchroom setting, including seating of their choice, allowing the use of water fountains, and allowing visitors into the schools and classrooms to go into effect as well,” Siers said. “The number of positive cases will no longer be tracked and parent notifications no longer need to be sent when there has been a positive case in a class. We will continue to notify parents if there is a confirmed outbreak in their child’s class. We will now be treating COVID in the same manner that we’ve always done with a flu diagnosis. Masks will be optional for all students, employees and visitors.”
In his message to the PCPS faculty and staff, Dr. Siers also thanked them for their hard work through COVID and encouraged them to get out and cheer on the Lady Cougar basketball team Friday, March 4, when they open the state playoffs against Sherando High School.