COVID-19 Information
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Health and safety remain the focus of Omaha Public Schools. We care deeply about our students, staff and families. Our district is in regular contact with public health officials, medical experts and the Nebraska Department of Education. Conditions may still change in the coming year, and that may require us to adjust some protocols. We will communicate updates directly to staff and families.
As one of the first large, urban school districts to return in person in 2020, the entire Omaha Public Schools community can be proud of our collective commitment to young people. Our data has shown that students need to be in class, connected and learning with one another. We can do it, together.
We will continue many health and safety protocols to maintain in-person learning. Enhanced disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, classrooms and shared materials will be part of our daily routine. Handwashing and hand sanitizing will frequently occur throughout the day. Schools may adjust traffic patterns to minimize crowds when possible. Our district will continue to partner with public health to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics and encourage anyone eligible to be vaccinated, in consultation with their doctor.
Additional specifics on our health and safety protocols are below:
COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies
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- Vaccines and face coverings
- Face coverings are optional for all students, staff and visitors inside district schools and offices.
- Staff and families should continuously monitor their health. If a student or staff member feels ill, they must stay home.
- Since early 2021, Omaha Public Schools has partnered with the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) to host more than 200 COVID-19 vaccination clinics with more clinics scheduled to come.
- Omaha Public Schools encourages everyone eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in consultation with their doctor.
- Enhanced disinfecting measures
- School campuses will undergo cleaning and sanitization procedures at least daily.
- Frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized with an EPA-approved disinfectant or sprayed with an ionizer at least daily.
- Shared materials, including computer labs and other hands-on resources, should be disinfected between uses.
- Student desks should be regularly wiped down with an EPA-approved disinfectant or sprayed with an ionizer.
- Hygiene
- Staff will work with students to teach and reinforce proper handwashing.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout schools, where permitted by the fire marshal.
- Staff will work with students on “respiratory etiquette,” like covering coughs and washing hands.
- Handwashing or sanitizing will be part of the routine when moving throughout the school, before and after mealtimes and more.
- Mealtimes
- Students will wash or sanitize hands before and after every meal.
- Staff will follow public health recommendations and food safety will be prioritized at all levels.
- Schools may adjust routines based on the needs of their location.
- Adjusted routines
- Schools may adjust traffic patterns based on the needs of their location.
- The use of shared materials should be limited when possible and disinfected between uses.
- Visitors to school
- Visits to schools must be planned in advance with school administrators.
- Hand sanitizer will be available near the main entrance.
- Isolation with symptoms or following a positive test
- Each school will have a designated, isolated location for students who show symptoms of COVID-19. Any staff working in the area will have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Families will be contacted immediately to pick up their student.
- Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will isolate at home for at least five days from the onset of symptoms.
- Vaccines and face coverings
FAQ
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What is Omaha Public Schools doing to protect staff and students?
Health and safety is our priority. We understand the importance of caring for the social and emotional wellbeing of our staff and students.
Enhanced disinfecting procedures will continue.
Our district will continue to partner with the Douglas County Health Department to host and promote awareness of COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Our district has partnered to host more than 200 vaccine clinics since spring 2021.
Face coverings are optional for all students, staff and visitors inside district schools and offices.
Handwashing will be part of the regular routine and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the school, where permitted by the fire marshal.
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Could face coverings be needed again in the future?
It is possible that future public health requirements or case clusters could require an individual classroom or school to temporarily wear face coverings again.
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Will visitors be allowed in schools?
Visitors will be allowed, but advance coordination with school leadership is needed. That includes community partners, volunteers, family members and guest speakers.
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Why might some school procedures look different?
Our district provided overarching guidelines and expectations to all schools. Schools will make decisions related to specific procedures based on their capacity and what works best in their school setting. Families who have questions should reach out to their school principal. Schools may not establish their own face covering procedures or protocols. Face coverings are optional inside Omaha Public Schools campuses.
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Will elementary schools be allowed to have classroom parties?
Classroom parties will be allowed, with special attention to health and safety. Teachers and principals should be mindful of the disruption to instructional time since March 2020.
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Could protocols change in the year to come?
Yes. We expect conditions to change and guidance to evolve. We are in regular contact with public health and medical partners. We will communicate any updates to staff and families.
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What should staff do if they are sick?
If a staff member or student is sick, they must stay home.
Staff should follow their absence notification process, to include submitting each day of their absence in Frontline (certified staff) or OPS Anywhere (classified staff).
Strict adherence to these guidelines protects other members of our community and allows in-person learning to proceed more successfully.
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When will COVID-19 restrictions end?
At this time, health officials do not know when COVID-19 will have less of an impact on our daily lives. As a district, our priority is student and staff health and safety and addressing teaching and learning after three disrupted school years. We will continue to work with state and local officials to make decisions that prioritize health and safety related COVID-19, as long as it is necessary.