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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
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Updated: January 25, 2022
In order to better inform parents, students, and staff of the current situation of the district and how best to prepare for situations, the district will use three levels so that everyone can plan and prepare for what to expect. Please note that the district could move quickly to Level 3 with little to no notice depending on the situation.
The district will update its Safe Return To In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP) as needed throughout the year. Check back for the most current update.
For those needing the plan translated into other languages, please use the translation setting on the website. Click on the "Translate Language" to choose your desired language. If you need additional assistance, please contact the special services department at 417-724-6260.
Current Situational Level: Level 1 (Green Level)
Updated January 3, 2022
The district will consistently review the following in determining the current situational level of the district:
- Current district infection rates and potential for exposure
- Current community vaccination rates
- Current student and staff vaccination rates
- Guidance from the CDC, DESE, Missouri Department of Health, our legal counsel as well as other appropriate agencies
Level 1: (Green Level)
- School activities will be as normal as possible
- Social distancing will be used when possible
- Masks are optional in all situations for students and staff (unless mandated by state or federal order). The district may require visitors to use masks.
- Cleaning and sanitizing is a priority for the safety of all students and staff.
- Visitors to buildings will be restricted or limited
- Hand washing/hand sanitizer will be available and frequently encouraged
Level 2: (Yellow Level)
- Classes will either take place in person, not at all, or online if allowed by state.
- Restrictions on school activities may be in place
- Capacity and attendance limits may be established for events or school activities
- Masks may be required for students and staff in all buildings for all students (kindergarten-12th grade) and any adults at all school activities on or off campus upon a vote by the board of education or unless authorized in the board approved guidelines.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing are a priority for the safety of all students and staff.
- No visitors in buildings (includes parents)
- Hand washing/hand sanitizer will be available and frequently encouraged
Level 3: (Red Level)
- Classes will not be in session in person. Online learning will take place if allowed by state.
- School buildings will be closed to students. Staff will still work from school to administer online classes. If any situation changes in the “Red Level” where it is not safe for staff to work from school, this will be adjusted to allow staff to work remotely.
- Health screenings will occur prior to entering buildings. Social distancing will be mandatory.
- All activities will be canceled or rescheduled
- Re-entry plan will be determined for safe return to school
Additional 2021-22 Plan Details
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Overview
NPS has taken steps to prepare for the health, wellness, and safety for students and staff participating in summer school. This guide is a living document and will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Please see the information below for a set of general guidelines and expectations. Decisions will be made in coordination with local and state guidelines.
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Transportation
- Students will be separated on the bus where feasible, but social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
- Buses will have a hand sanitizer.
- Bus drivers have been properly trained in COVID safety measures.
- Parents are encouraged to pick up/drop off their students if possible to decrease the number of students on the school bus.
- Buses will be cleaned and disinfected daily.
- Masks will depend on situational level or state/federal mandate.
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Arrival/Dismissal
- Students should not be dropped off earlier than necessary before their scheduled start time unless they are attending XLT.
- Parent drop off will be car-lane only to reduce the number of people entering the building.
- Students will use hand sanitizer or hand washing upon arrival into classrooms.
- Use of the car line for student pick-up or bus is encouraged. In-person parent pick-up will be allowed outside the building.
- For K-6th, walkers will be dismissed from the building/walked to crosswalk by a staff member (in buildings where walkers are permitted).
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Breakfast and Lunch
- Lunch will be in cafeterias with social distancing where feasible.
- Hand washing/hand sanitizer will be available before and after lunch.
- Social distancing/seating could be more restricted based on situational level.
- Food service workers will follow strict sanitization protocols.
- Visitors will not be allowed in lunchrooms
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Classrooms
- Students will be encouraged to maintain appropriate distance from each other in the school and taught good hygiene practices.
- Personal water bottles will be encouraged. The district has installed water bottle filling stations.
- There will be built in time during the day for frequent hand washing and sanitizing.
- Students and staff will be observed for illness prior to starting class or the school day. Those experiencing symptoms will be referred to the nurse.
- Various COVID prevention measures may be used depending on the situational level.
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Visitors
- Please note that when the term "visitor(s)" is used, that includes parents/guardians or anyone who is not an employee or student at the school.
- These visitor procedures are set to provide the highest level of safety for our students and staff.
- These procedures will be followed during school hours. Visitors are allowed in buildings during school hours. Extra-curricular activity procedures will be determined by the situational level of the building.
- Masks are required by all visitors during the school day and will be provided for all visitors.
- Visitors should check in at the front office behind the secure glass window.
- No lunch visitors.
- Screening procedures will be used for those entering buildings, which can include temperature screenings.
- Hand washing/hand sanitizer will be available.
- In addition to these safety measures, school board policy KK will continue to be implemented.
Please note from policy KK the following: The superintendent or designee has the discretion to prohibit a parent/guardian or other relative from, for example, eating lunch with a student, attending class parties or field trips or pulling a student out of class if such a visit could interfere with the education program or be disruptive; if one of the parents/guardians objects; if there is a current dispute regarding custody or visitation of the student; or if district employees are uncertain as to whether a person may legally have contact with a student.
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Volunteers
- All volunteers need to be pre-approved through district procedures.
- Approved volunteers will follow district staff procedures for masking.
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Cleaning/Hygiene/Respiratory Etiquette
- Regular disinfecting will occur with COVID and EPA approved products.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers are installed in every classroom and at most exterior doors.
- Students and staff will use hand sanitizer or hand washing frequently.
- The district will use additional equipment and cleaning procedures across the district. These include the UVC light machine, fogging machines (uses HOCl from Pure and Clean) and air purifiers.
- UVC light machines will be used regularly in all buildings.
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Health Services (Nurse's Office)
- When to Quarantine: School nurse will be able to educate parents, students and staff on CDC recommendations of when to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19
- Health office procedures
- School nurses will keep students and staff informed of COVID safety best practices.
- If you have medication for your child, please schedule a time with the school nurse to drop it off.
- Parents and students are expected to self-screen at home prior to students entering the building.
- Students or staff demonstrating symptoms will be referred for physician evaluation. Prior to returning to school, consult a school nurse or provide documentation from a physician.
- Pending supply availability, free COVID testing may be offered to students/staff with symptoms; parental consent required.
- Procedures on how many days students or staff must be excluded if positive or showing COVID-19 symptoms will follow best practices (ex: CDC, DESE, MSBA, etc) and/or the guidance of our local health department.
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PPE (Personal Protective Equipment, i.e. masking)
- Masks will be optional but recommended unless voted on by the board.
- The board of education will vote before masking is implemented.
- Masks are allowed for all students and staff.
- A mask will be required and provided for any student or staff presenting to the health office with COVID-type symptoms as determined by the school nurse.
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Travel Guidelines & Restrictions
- The district recommends following CDC guidelines on international travel and quarantine regulations.
- Fully vaccinated guidelines
- International Travel Guidelines
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Action Plan if Confirmed Case
- Parents of COVID-19 positive students must contact the building nurse to discuss the exclusion process. Parents should also contact the building nurse prior to students returning to school. CDC guidelines (defined as isolating).
- We will not do district-wide notifications for positive or presumptive positive cases. The responsibility of notifications of exposure and the authority to quarantine those exposed to COVID-19 falls to the health department. The district will follow the health department’s plan for the quarantining of those exposed.
- If the health department quarantines a student or staff member exposed to COVID-19, the district may offer a Test to Stay option if the student or staff member was exposed in a school setting.
- If the health department does not quarantine a student exposed to COVID-19, it will be the guardian’s choice to exclude their student from school.
- If a student stays home due to COVID-19 exposure, the district will follow DESE attendance regulations.
- The district reserves the right to request documentation for verification of exposure.
- The district has a legal obligation not to violate HIPAA guidelines and rules, and will follow those rules in all notifications.
- The district will address the infected space using proven practices (UVC Light Machine, air purification and HOCL Foggers) for designated time.
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Social and Emotional Health of Students and Staff
Nixa Public Schools partners with Burrell Behavioral Health to provide onsite services to students. The district also provides other services through the counseling staff and school psychologist and their programs. The district hired social workers for the 2021-22 school year to assist in various situations. In addition, the district provides resources to staff through our insurance with various resources to meet their needs.
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Did or Will Your Child Receive The Covid-19 Vaccine? Read This!
If your child received the COVID-19 vaccine away from an on-site school clinic, please fill out the form below so we can make sure and update your child's health records. If your child does not have accurate vaccination records on file, they will have to quarantine in the event of international travel or exposure to COVID.
CLICK HERE to fill out the form for the first vaccine. We will follow up with you when your second dose is scheduled to fill out another form and load a copy of the vaccination card.
Vaccine Locations
Students ages 5 years of age or older are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. As of this writing, the following options are available for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for student ages 5 and above. Students 18+ can receive the Moderna or J&J vaccines.:
- Alps Pharmacy in Nixa.
- Walgreens: Click here to schedule
- Mercy can be scheduled by clicking HERE.
- CoxHealth appointments here or call 417-269-1300.
- Vaccinefinder.org and search for Pfizer only
- Jordan Valley have walk-in vaccine appointments available at main clinic
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Daily Health Assessment
Review this daily health assessment to see if your child should stay home and/or be tested for COVID-19 or provide a doctor's note.
Revise esta evaluación de salud diaria para ver si su hijo debe quedarse en casa y / o hacerse la prueba de COVID-19 o proporcionar una nota del médico.
COVID-19 Testing Information
Listed below is a list of local organizations who are providing both rapid and non-rapid COVID-19 testing.
The district will require testing for any of the following COVID-19 symptoms. Please contact the building nurse directly with any questions due to a medical condition that may exhibit these symptoms. You can find their contact information HERE.
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue (tired and unwell)
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Hy-Vee
COVID-19 Testing
Hy-Vee is offering COVID-19 testing outside of select Hy-Vee pharmacy locations using a drive-thru testing process. All patients must register ahead of time in order to receive a test voucher and select a testing site and appointment time.
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Christian County COVID Clinic
Click here to register for a COVID-19 test.
Note: Every individual, including children, MUST be registered for their own account, in their own name. Otherwise, your test may not be processed.
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John's RX
A couple things to note about John's RX testing:1. This is a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing with results in 10 minutes2. Tests are $125/test. At this time we are not able to bill insurance for the testing. *Laboratory testing is not a covered pharmacy benefit.*3. We are trying our best to make this contactless, so all tests are administered inside people's cars in the parking lot.If anyone has additional questions about the procedure, you can view their website www.johnsrx.com/covid-19. -
GoHealth Urgent Care
What Type of Testing is Available?
Although we utilize the PCR and Rapid Diagnostic, Abbott ID Now testing methods at GoHealth Urgent Care, there are other COVID-19 testing options available to individuals across the country. We know it's hard to decide which option is the best for you or a family member, so we've put together a simple chart laying out the details of each test type.
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Ozark Valley Medical Clinic
WE OFFER COVID TESTING AT ALL 3
OZARK VALLEY MEDICAL CLINICSPlease see individual clinics business hours.
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CVS Health
Ways we are making COVID-19 testing accessible
Since we launched our first pilot drive-up test site in the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy® store in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts in mid-March we have completed nearly nine million tests and counting as of December.
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Walgreens
Contactless COVID-19 Testing for Ages 3+
No cost to you with most insurance or government assistance*Walgreens is offering no-cost, contactless COVID-19 testing for patients age 3 and up at select locations in partnership with the PWNHealth provider network.* Use the map below to find rapid diagnostic and diagnostic lab tests near you. -
Alps Pharmacy
Scheduling opens: Saturday, December 19thFirst appointments available: Monday, December 21stScheduling can be found on at, www.alpspharmacy.com.There will be a widget on the front page to lead to the scheduling portal. If someone is in a bind before then, Alps can take care of emergencies ahead of time.The cash price for the rapid test is $99, and for the antibody test is $49. Same-day results, an invoice will be provided for anyone interested in submitting the charge to insurance for reimbursement.
COVID-19 Updates FAQs
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2021-22 Attendance
- Nixa High School attendance policy: At this time the high school will follow the normal attendance protocols/policies in place prior to 20-21 (as listed in the high school handbook), with the exception of official quarantines, which will be exempted from the total number of absences considered for finals exemptions. However if the administration and/or Board of Education determine that the attendance policy/incentives will be rescinded during the school year due to serious public health concerns (worsening pandemic event, etc.) all students will be subject to taking final exams.
- Nixa Junior High attendance policy: The junior high will follow the pre 20-21 district attendance protocol (as listed in the junior high handbook), with the exception of official quarantines being exempted from the number of absences.
- Elementary and Intermediate schools attendance policy: Schools will follow the pre 20-21 district attendance protocol, with the exception of official quarantines being exempted from the number of absences.
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Mask Accommodation Forms for Students
If you would like to request an accommodation for your child that would adjust the masking requirements for students, please download BOTH forms below and return them to the Special Services Department at 301 S. Main St. or drop them to your child's building
Mask Accommodation Form Request for Students (parent/guardian fills out) PDF
Mask Accoommdation Form For Professional Treating Student PDF
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Can a student wear a face shield instead of a cloth covering?
Since face shields have not been shown to be effective without a face covering (mask), then a face shield would be an accommodation that would be needed to be approved through the accommodation request form. For students in special services, you can ask your child's process coordinator as well.
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Plan Approval and Public Feedback Dates
Initial Plan Approval: August 10, 2020
Plan reviewed and revised as needed monthly for the 2020-21 school year on minor changes.
Safety Plans Were Publically Addressed At The Following Meetings:
- Nov. 12, 2020: Adoption of Christian County Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Jan. 14, 2021: COVID leave plan for staff
- May 20, 2021: Adoption of summer school plans which revised and updated plans approved at August 10, 2020 meeting
- July 22, 2021: Adoption of 2021-22 school plan
- August 9, 2021: Review of 2021-22 school plan
- January 3, 2022: Review of 2021-22 school plan
Parent surveys were conducted in the following months:
- May 2020
- July 2020
- March 2021
- August 2021
- December 2021
Staff surveys were conducted in the following months:
- July 2020
- March 2021
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Appropriate Accommodations For Children With Disabilities
Accommodations will be provided in accordance with a student's Individual Education Plan.