1/21/21 Health Update

Posted Date: 01/21/2021

Yellow Phase:

          West Elk has returned from Winter Break with quite a bit of success! Currently, we have no positive cases at West Elk and only three students quarantining due to being close contacts outside of school. For most districts across the state, hybrid learning platforms have become familiar and some still have not had students in their buildings at all this year. West Elk has kept strong in offering face to face learning the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year! What a substantial accomplishment for the Patriot Community! West Elk has recently utilized a modified quarantine exemption protocol and continued mask requirements to keep students and teachers in the building. USD 282 has been one of very few districts in Kansas to do this. 

West Elk plans to remain in Yellow Phase. Discussion of Phase status will take place at the next upcoming Board of Education meeting, which is to be held on February 8th. In Yellow Phase, masks are required when teachers or students are unable to keep a 6 feet distance anywhere, at any time on campus. These health safety measures will allow both faculty and students to remain in school through modified quarantine if they become a close contact to a positive case inside the school.

COVID-19 Vaccine: 

The state announced in a press release that Phase II of the Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution began yesterday, January 20th. School employees, emergency responders, and those 65+ years of age will be able to receive the Covid-19 Vaccine, Moderna. Elk County Health Department received 100 doses today, January 21st. These will be spread out among the qualified groups. School personnel are being offered the vaccine at no-charge and on a voluntary basis. The vaccine is administered in 2 doses, 28 days apart. After receiving the 2nd dose, the staff member will be exempt from quarantine if they are a close contact.