August 27, 20-21 Message from McDaniel | Updated Contact Tracing Protocols
OKCPS Families and Staff,
District leaders continue to evaluate our health and safety measures to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our students in the classroom. This week, OKCPS reported 356 positive COVID-19 cases with students and 53 positive COVID-19 cases with staff members.
Changes to Contact Tracing
Starting Monday, August 30th, OKCPS will require any unvaccinated close contact to stay home for 10 calendar days. Staff and students will be asked for proof of vaccination if they are exposed by a positive case and vaccinated students or staff members who are exposed will be allowed to attend school or come to work as long as they are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms of COVID-19.
Schools and parents have a duty under state law (63 O.S. § 1-505) to keep students home when they are in isolation or quarantine. These students should remain away from school facilities and activities until their period of isolation or quarantine has ended. Isolation and quarantine are determined by the Oklahoma State Department of Health or – within Oklahoma County or Tulsa County – by their respective county health departments.
Please review this chart to help understand the expectations for what to do if a staff member or student tests positive or is exposed to COVID-19.
Reminders
- DO NOT come to school or work if you are sick.
- DO NOT come to school or work if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19.
- DO NOT come to school or work if you or someone in your household is waiting on COVID-19 test results or has tested positive for COVID-19, unless the student has had COVID in the last 90 days or they are fully vaccinated AND has no COVID-19 like symptoms.
- DO NOT come to school or work if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are within your required isolation period.
- DO NOT come to school or work if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. *Exception: If a staff member or student has been identified as a close contact, is fully vaccinated and presents no symptoms, quarantine is not required.
The health and safety of our students, their families and OKCPS staff members is a top priority and the district is taking all measures necessary to do so to the best of our ability. We must work together to keep ourselves and one another healthy and safe.
Thank you for your continued patience and support of OKCPS and as we work through this together.
Dr. Sean McDaniel, Superintendent