The following outline details proposed COVID Health and Safety Protocols for the 2021-2022 school year. (These are subject to change based on COVID numbers in the future.)

Proposed COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols

• Face coverings are not required for any student or staff member. However, masks may be worn by those who feel more comfortable doing so.

• Face coverings are not required in any educational space or activity including athletics, etc.

• Masks are supported if individuals choose or need to wear them and we will support this choice.

COVID Vaccination Not Mandatory

• The COVID vaccination will not be required for staff or students.

• Information about vaccination clinics will continue to be provided for students, families and staff members.

• If a staff member or student is immunocompromised and they are also unable to receive the COVID vaccine, there will be a process for them to request an accommodation. For example, if a teacher who is immunocompromised and has a condition such as severe allergy, which makes them unable to receive the vaccine, that teacher may have the option to ask their students to wear masks while in the classroom with them. This will enable the educator to continue to teach in person.

Quarantines Discontinued

• Routine quarantine of healthy/non-symptomatic students and staff will be discontinued.

• Should a student or staff member test positive for COVID, or show symptoms commonly associated with COVID, they will be required to follow current Isolation protocols.

• The person in Isolation may discontinue Isolation and return if they receive a negative COVID test after day 5 from onset of symptoms, and no longer have signs of illness.

Physical Distancing

• Students and Staff will be encouraged to physically distance when possible, but social distancing will not be a requirement.

Visitors in WEPS/Facilities Permitted

• In the 2021-2022 school year, visitors without any signs of illness will be permitted in schools as they were pre-COVID. Face coverings are not required for visitors, however, they may wear one if they are more comfortable doing so.

Field Trips Resume

• Field Trips will resume in 2021-2022.

• All students will be required to follow trip guidelines from WEPS.

Athletics and Activities Resume as Normal

• Athletics and activities will resume normal processes in 2021-2022 in partnership with CHSAA and governing bodies.

• All students will be required to follow trip/activity guidelines from CHSAA if they are different from WEPS.

Facilities Use

• Facilities use will resume as normal in 2021-2022.

Hand Hygiene

• WEPS will continue to require good hand hygiene. Students will be reminded to wash hands with soap and water frequently, after using the restroom, before meals, ect., and will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer where appropriate.

Disinfection

• Touchpoints (i.e. doorknobs, light switches, etc) will continue to be disinfected throughout all buildings on a daily basis.

• School buses will continue to be disinfected daily.

• Teachers and staff will continue to have access to disinfectant supplies, including disinfecting spray and disinfecting wipes, to clean high-touch areas regularly if desired.

• For the safety of all students, staff and families, WEPS will comply with current Public Health rules or mandates.

In addition to the protocols listed above, WEPS will continue to encourage families to keep students at home when showing symptoms of illness. Attached is an at home COVID-19 symptom screening tool for parents and staff.

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Thank you for your ongoing patience and partnership as we navigate through the COVID pandemic. We look forward to an outstanding 2021-2022 school year and are excited for activities to resume to normal

Vaccine Exemptions

Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year (7/1/2021), the process of submitting a nonmedical exemption will change. There will be two ways to submit a nonmedical exemption.

• Submit the Certificate of nonmedical exemption WITH a signature from an immunizing provider in Colorado who is a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine, advanced practice nurse, delegated physician’s assistant, or pharmacist Form.

OR

• Submit the Certificate of nonmedical exemption received upon the completion of CDPHE’s Online Immunization Education Module. Storyline 360 (link to online education module)

  • Online Immunization Education Module

    • In order to successfully move through this Online Module and obtain the Certificate, you must review the “Technical Guidance and Troubleshooting Document”

    • We do not recommend using a mobile device to complete the course and form.

    • The Online Immunization Education Module is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It can take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

    • At the completion of the module, you will be able to complete an electronic form to obtain a Certificate of nonmedical exemption. You can complete this form for more than one child without having to retake the course.

    • IMPORTANT: Certificates of Nonmedical Exemption expire each year on June 30th. If you submit a Certificate of nonmedical exemption on or before June 30th, it will not be valid for the upcoming school year unless you submit the Certificate during early registration.

• Per Colorado Revised Statutes 25-4-2403, immunizing providers who sign the Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption must submit nonmedical exemption data to CIIS

• Parents of students in preschool or child care must submit nonmedical exemptions at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age. These exemptions expire when the next vaccines are due or when the child enrolls in kindergarten.

• Parents of students in grades K-12 claiming a nonmedical exemption must submit one annually. Nonmedical exemptions expire June 30th each year. If you submit a Certificate of nonmedical exemption on or before June 30th, it will not be valid for the upcoming school year unless you submit the exemption during early registration.