Scroll down for UPDATED DISTRICT OPERATION AND SAFETY PLAN

Dear USD 353 and Wellington Community,
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At Wednesday’s special BOE meeting, the board approved updates to our Safety and Operation plan.
The entire updated plan can be found on the USD 353 website. The BOE will review the plan
monthly and it will be updated and adjusted as situations and guidelines change. Below are the
changes to the plan:
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● Masks: If total numbers across the district are more than the following criteria in all 4
areas, face masks will be required while inside USD 353 facilities. If total numbers across
the district are less than the following criteria in all 4 areas, masking will be highly
recommended, but not required inside USD 353 facilities:
Community Gating Criteria = KDHE County Case Rate (Blue)
Student Absenteeism = Less than 3% absent
Daily Testing = Less than 50 students
Positive New Cases Per Week = Less than 4 cases
Additionally, students who are in quarantine within the school building and in the testing
program will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination or mask requirement
status, until the quarantine period is over.
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● Cohorting and Social Distancing: Social distancing will be enforced when possible,
however, cannot be guaranteed in every classroom or circumstance. When social
distancing is not possible, students will be grouped in small groups or cohorts of 5
students or less. When possible, schools will use social distancing strategies during lunch
periods.
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● School Day Adjustments: Ten minutes have been added to each day to ensure we meet
our required hours due to the temporary closure. New dismissal times are as follows:
○ Elementary Schools- 3:35pm
○ Wellington Middle School- 3:20pm
○ Wellington High School-3:15pm
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● KSHSAA: Students participating in KSHSAA activities that have tested positive for
Covid-19 will be required to have a doctor’s release to resume athletic activities. This
should be given to the athletic director and/or medical staff in the building. More
details on the plan for athletics and activities will be addressed in a separate
communication from our Athletic Director, Luke Smith.
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These changes will begin on Tuesday, September 7th. Current numbers indicate that
when school returns that masks will be required.

UPDATED 2021-2022 DISTRICT OPERATION AND SAFETY PLAN
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Thank you again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Adam Hatfield
Superintendent, USD 353