Mask Wearing will be optional for students and staff for the 2021-2022 school year. It is strongly recommended that students and staff wear masks when social distancing can not be maintained. One should keep in mind that there are advantages of wearing masks. 

Under current revised guidance from the CDC and ADH, if both parties are wearing a mask it allows social distancing guidance to be three feet when masks are properly worn by both individuals. Current CDC guidelines also allow for the quarantining of individuals to be waived if both parties are properly wearing masks. Continued wearing  of  masks will prevent staff members from requiring quarantining, provided masks are being properly worn by both parties.  The reduction in quarantines will provide for a more consistent educational experience with fewer disruptions.

Hampton administration will continue to monitor the level of COVID cases in the community and reserves the right to adjust practices accordingly in compliance with DESE, CDC and AHD guidance. 

Hampton School District reserves the right to modify the optional component of mask wearing should the need arise due an serious increase in COVID-19 transmission in the community or the school district. The decision to modify mask requirements from optional to mandatory will be made in consultation with the POC, ADH and Hampton Board of Directors.

Hampton School District Guidelines for 2021-2022

Guidelines continue to focus on successful practices that result in onsite learning for students and limited disruptions. The continuation of these practices will ensure that students experience a school year with very limited interruptions. Some of these practices are listed below.

• Stay home when sick

• Universal and correct use of masks. When masks are worn, individuals and others are protected. Masks work best when everyone wears one. Hampton School District encourages the use of masks.

• Hampton School District will continue to clean and disinfect facilities with approved disinfectants.

• Increased air circulation/ventilation. When possible windows should be opened to allow in fresh air.

• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette. Hampton School District will promote good hand hygiene by providing adequate soap and hand sanitizer to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, protecting both students and staff. Students will be taught and encouraged to practice safe respiratory etiquette.

• Physical distancing. It is highly recommended that requirements for physical distancing be maintained. Physical distancing should be maximized to the greatest extent possible.

• Hampton School District will continue to follow CDC and ADH guidance and respond when positive cases are identified in combination with isolation and quarantine accordingly.

Masks/Face Coverings

Mask wearing will be on a voluntary basis. Mask wearing continues to be a very important and effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Mask wearing will allow the current social distancing guidance of six feet to be reduced to three feet when masks are properly worn by both individuals. Mask wearing also prevents the required 14 day quarantine of close contacts when both individuals are properly wearing masks.

Physical Distancing

CDC now recommends that, with universal masking, students should maintain a distance of at least 3 feet in classroom settings. The CDC still recommends social distancing of 6 feet between adults, as well as adults and students, in common areas, when masks can't be worn (such as while eating), during activities with increased inhalation like sports or band practice (which would preferably be held outside), and in community settings outside the classroom.

Use of Non-Classroom Spaces

1. When feasible and appropriate (for example, in physical education classes as weather permits), it is preferable for students to gather outside rather than inside because of the reduced risk of virus spread outdoors.

2. Hampton School District will continue to offer extracurricular activities consistent with ADH guidance for non-AAA extracurricular activities and with the guidance found on the AAA website for all AAA sponsored activities.

3. As is the case in typical years, Hampton School District will open facilities consistent with CDC and ADH policies. The operation of facilities will be consistent with ADH and AAA guidance for large and outdoor venues.

4. Hampton School District will modify or eliminate assemblies and other activities that bring large groupings of students and/or teachers and staff together if such events can not be held in such a manner consistent with CDC and ADH guidelines. If such events do occur, care will be taken to observe all possible mitigation strategies, such as masking, physical distancing, etc. to decrease the risk of virus spread at the event.

Hand Washing/Cleaning

Hampton School District will continue to provide hand sanitizer and/or hand washing stations with soap and water at each entrance. Soap and/or hand sanitizer will continue to be supplied in each bathroom and in each classroom. Students, teachers, staff, and campus visitors will be encouraged to sanitize and/or wash hands frequently.

Visits to Schools

Parents and other adults can visit schools by following the guidance listed below. During visits, parents and other visitors must follow the virus prevention and mitigation requirements of the school as well as the Hampton School District COVID policy for 2021-2022.

Screening

Hampton School District will continue to screen individuals who enter facilities by taking their temperature and utilizing appropriate questions. If an individual does not pass the screening, they will not be permitted into the building unless they fall under an exemption (i.e. they are a fully vaccinated close contact).

Responding to Positive COVID-19 Cases in a School

If an individual who has been in a school has tested positive for COVID-19, districts are required to continue to follow the established reporting processes and requirements for quarantine.  Hampton School District will continue to follow CDC and ADH guidance and respond when positive cases are identified in combination with isolation and quarantine according to CDC and ADH guidelines.

Close Contact Determination 

The definition of close contact in schools is evolving with the ongoing understanding of COVID-19, and individual scenarios will be determined in consultation with the district point of contact and the Arkansas Department of Health.

The CDC defines a close contact as an individual confirmed to have been within six feet for 15 cumulative minutes or longer within a 24-hour period during the infectious period of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19; however, additional factors like case/contact masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly masked), vaccination status, and prior infection status may affect this determination.

1. Under this updated guidance, proper mask wearing may now prevent individuals from

   being identified as close contacts in K-12 schools that continue to implement a mask

   requirement. This means that if both individuals involved in an exposure that occurs at

   school – the person diagnosed with COVID-19 and the person exposed to the positive

   case – were wearing masks correctly at the time of exposure, the individual exposed

   does not need to quarantine.

2. Exposed individuals should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home at the first sign of illness. They also should continue to wear a mask at all times to further reduce the

   likelihood of transmitting the virus. The person who tests positive for COVID-19 is still required to isolate at home.

Academics

Students enrolled in grades PK - 8th grade will participate in face-to-face instruction. No option for remote or blended learning for students will be provided unless the district pivots to AMI instruction for inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Students in grades 9 - 12 will participate in onsite learning and when appropriate remote learning through Arkansas Virtual and other established Virtual platforms.

Hampton Public Schools will follow the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) guidelines.  Hampton School District’s goal will be to provide as safe an experience as possible that includes a rich educational experience, with opportunities for social interaction and extracurricular activities while adhering to guidelines provided by the Arkansas Department of Health. 

The responses to the questions are subject to change.  We will continue to follow Arkansas Department of Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance.  The guidance has been changing on a regular basis and we will modify our plans accordingly.

Masks/Face Coverings

Mask wearing continues to be a very important and effective way to prevent the spread of the virus. Mask wearing will allow the social distancing guidance of six feet to be reduced to three feet when masks are properly worn by both individuals. Hampton School District strongly encourages the continued wearing of masks when appropriate social distancing can not be achieved.

Updated guidelines continue to focus on successful practices that resulted in onsite learning for students and limited disruptions throughout the year. The continuation of these practices will ensure that students experience a productive school year. Some of these practices are listed below.

• Stay home when sick

• Universal and correct use of masks. When masks are worn, individuals and others are

  protected. Masks work best when everyone wears one. Hampton School District strongly encourages the use of masks when appropriate physical distancing can not be maintained.

• Cleaning and disinfecting to maintain healthy facilities. Hampton School District is committed to continue to clean and disinfect surfaces on a regular and daily basis.

• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette. Hampton School District will promote good hand hygiene.  Handwashing and respiratory etiquette are essential to the reduction of transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, protecting both students and staff.

• Physical distancing. Requirements for physical distancing have been updated by CDC

  guidelines, depending on mask wearing decisions. Physical distancing should be

  maximized to the greatest extent possible. Hampton School District will follow ADH, CDC, and DESE guidance regarding physical distancing.

Public Comments on the proposed plan can be made by clicking on the following link: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQNEWUItHzBSpJMO4GwOGCkfiXK0abMVlsf8NTgalX8kCa1Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

In an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus within our staff nd student body, we are asking all parents/guardians of students who will be in attendance on-site, and all employees to notify our designated Point of Contact (POC) immediately when the following occurs:

• Someone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Someone in the household has been identified as a Close Contact to positive case of COVID-19 and is requiring quarantine and/or recommended to be tested for COVID-19.

• Students (attending on-site) and employees who are being tested for COVID-19. If a student/staff member has been tested for COVID-19 and is also symptomatic, the student/staff member should remain in quarantine pending results of their COVID-19 test.

Please call Jana Young at (870) 798-6110 or (870) 798-6133 or email information to Jana Young. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail. The phone numbers listed will forward to a cell phone after hours. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Together we can help keep our Hampton School District family safe, healthy, and ready to learn during this unique time.

Digital Learners must follow the same school attendance/absences guidelines as traditional students. In order for a digital/virtual student to be marked as present for the day, they must complete one of the following:

• Student completes an assignment for his/her class.

• Student communicates with each of his/her teachers at least once during that day. (Remind 101, Class DoJo, Google Classroom, phone call, email, in-person, text, etc.)

• Students that do not complete either of the previous tasks will be considered absent.

• All absent digital students are required to have a note (guardian/doctor).

• The time allowed to make up work missed is equal to the amount of time missed.

• It is the student's responsibility to arrange for all make-up work with his/her teacher.

Hampton School District students are responsible for their behavior via digital learning systems. The same behavior code in the HSD student handbooks will be followed. If a student is deemed as having an infraction of the behavior code, they can be assigned the same consequences as an onsite student which may include morning D-Hall, Saturday School, or ISS.

A student's behavior should conform to acceptable standards of conduct. Student's behavior should reflect self-respect, respect for authority, and consideration for the rights, feelings, and property of others.

Some prohibited behaviors that could result in disciplinary action include:

• Cyberbullying

• Use of obscene, degrading, or profane language (written, verbal, pictures, drawings, audio, video)

• Displaying pornography, nudity, or images of nudity.

• Handling or displaying weapons, including toy, or facsimile weapons.

• Any criminal or other illegal activity involving unlawful use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol.

• Sharing assignments and answers.

• Violations of the Board's/School's Acceptable Use Policy or Device Contract

Some consequences for violating school policies:

• Student conference with teacher.

• Parent/Student conference with teacher.

• Parent/Student conference with principal/superintendent

• OSS (unexcused absence; can not make up missed assignments)

Grading grades assigned to students for performance in a course shall reflect only the extent to which a student has achieved the expressed academic objectives of the course. Students will follow the same grading requirements, grading scale, and grading completion dates as the traditional students.

Hampton High School will have some student's digital learning provided through Virtual Arkansas. Virtual Arkansas has its own grading system and policy that can be accessed through the provider. Students will be provided information on the grading from Virtual Arkansas instructors as well.