COVID-19 Communications 2021-22

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Effective immediately, face coverings will no longer be required for students while riding HSSD school buses and other district-related transportation. This change reflects the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance published last week.

Our partners at Lamers have been informed of the change and we are grateful for their continued support of our students’ safety.

Dear HSSD Families,

As we enter into 2022 I am writing to share some updates and reminders in response to recent changes to CDC COVID-19 guidelines and new recommendations from local health care leaders. At the Board of Education meeting Monday, January 10, the administrative leadership team provided a report on COVID-19 case data in the District and in the county, current COVID-19 testing challenges, as well as updates to our protocols since winter break. Please review a summary of that report below.

Rapid Antigen (at home) Tests Allowed for Positive Results

In response to feedback from our local health care leaders that testing resources are in increasingly short supply at the moment, HSSD is accepting positive test results from rapid antigen (at home) tests. We are no longer having students or staff get a follow up PCR (laboratory) test when a rapid test indicates a COVID-19 positive result. Confirmation of a PCR test will still be required in situations where proof of a negative test is needed. 

New CDC COVID-19 Isolation Procedures

As communicated Monday, January 3, we have adopted the new CDC guidelines for isolation for when an individual tests positive. This means that the day of a positive COVID-19 test is Day 0, and the individual can return to school on day 6 as long as symptoms have resolved or are improving. In addition, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in public for days 6-10.

Contact Tracing and Notification Changes

With the contagious nature of the Omicron variant, we have adapted our notification procedures to notify all families in a classroom with a positive case, rather than just notifying families of close contacts. This has resulted in an increase of notifications being emailed each night. This is particularly the case at Bay Port where some families may be receiving more than one notification on the same day. That said, we have received feedback from recipients that the notification emails are important to them and we will continue to keep families informed regarding a positive case in their child’s classroom. As an additional public notification resource, the HSSD COVID-19 dashboard is updated on a daily basis with student and staff positive case and quarantine data for all eight schools.

COVID-19 Hotline Volume is High

We are grateful that our families and staff continue to use the HSSD COVID-19 Hotline as a resource. Our current call rate is three times greater than the week before winter break. To cope with increased call volume, we are currently working to onboard new hotline staff. In the meantime, hotline response times may be slightly delayed, especially during our busiest time in the morning on school days. We continue to monitor the hotline seven days a week and will respond to all questions and calls at our earliest opportunity. 

Increasing Trend of Positive Cases in HSSD

Since January 1, we have observed an increase in the number of students who have tested positive for COVID-19. Staff positive cases have dropped after a slight initial increase. We are monitoring positive case counts and investigating potentially linked cases on a daily basis. We will be evaluating whether additional safety measures such as temporary mask requirements or classroom quarantines are necessary based on thresholds we shared at the December 13 Board of Education meeting:

• When there are five (5) linked positive cases in a classroom/school setting, we may temporarily quarantine the class to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• If there is over a 3% positivity rate in an individual school, we may impose a two-week mask requirement to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Please continue to visit the HSSD COVID-19 website for more information and call the HSSD COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) to leave a message with test results or to ask a question of our school nurses.

As we look to Monday, and the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us be inspired by his powerful words of truth: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

Together,

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

As we look ahead to the upcoming winter break, I am writing to share timely information. At the Monday, December 13, 2021 Board of Education meeting, I presented a COVID-19 response update from the district administrative team that included results from the recent K-6 mask requirement survey and a related position on a transition date for the current K-6 mask requirement.

In response, the Board endorsed a position that masks will be strongly recommended, but no longer required, for all K-12 students, staff, and visitors beginning Monday, January 3, 2022. Bus transportation is the exception as federal requirements continue to require masking for all.

Districts throughout Northeast Wisconsin have adapted their COVID-19 protocols this school year in response to related factors, including district COVID-19 data and community feedback. In HSSD, the number of positive cases among students and staff reported to the district hotline has declined since Thanksgiving and has remained relatively steady since. While the recent K-6 mask requirement survey indicates support for a change in protocols sooner than originally planned, we continue to monitor county and district data on a daily basis to inform decisions. As we have throughout the last 20 months of the pandemic, we will adapt and adjust as conditions change.

COVID-19 Vaccinations, Testing, and Positive Case Notification

For information and updates regarding vaccination access, COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and notification of COVID-19 positive cases in school, please access the HSSD COVID-19 website.

It remains critically important to maintain a collective commitment to monitor students for COVID-19 related symptoms daily, to stay home when ill, and to report COVID-19 related absences and test results to the HSSD hotline. To sustain the approach outlined above, your support and cooperation is essential. 

HSSD COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) 

The hotline remains your first stop for any COVID-19 related questions. Please continue to use this helpful resource to ask questions and to report any COVID-19 test results. If students or staff are experiencing any symptoms, please call the hotline before considering whether to report to school or work. 

As we bring closure to 2021, I extend my personal appreciation for your ongoing engagement and advocacy on behalf of your children and our learning community. Please accept my best wishes for a restful, safe, and rejuvenating winter break.

Together,

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Dear Howard-Suamico School District Families and Staff,

At the most recent Board of Education meeting November 15, 2021, the board received its regular report from the administrative leadership regarding the district’s COVID-19 response, positive cases and quarantine data, and safety protocols. As noted in the report and in Superintendent LaCroix’s email dated November 4, the current plan is for the temporary face coverings requirement for students, staff, and visitors in grades K-6 to remain in effect until the end of the semester, January 21, 2022.

The Board of Education is asking all HSSD families and staff to participate in a survey to evaluate public support for this face coverings requirement. The board will use information from this survey to evaluate the current K-6 face coverings timeline and whether changes should be considered.

To measure changes in opinion over time, questions within are aligned to prior surveys conducted during the last 20 months.

This brief survey contains a demographics section and four questions related to the district’s COVID-19 response. The survey will be open from November 22 through December 2, 2021 at 4 p.m. It is being conducted by the Donovan Group, an independent third party. All responses are anonymous. Click here to complete the survey.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Please accept our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely, 

Howard-Suamico School District Board of Education

Garry Sievert, President
Teresa Ford, Vice-President
Jason Potts, Clerk
Scott Jandrin, Treasurer/Deputy Clerk
Christina Amtmann, Director
Greg Klimek, Director
Vanessa Moran, Director

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

As the first quarter comes to a close, I am writing today as a follow up to the October 14 communication to families and staff that included the following information:

• Face coverings will continue to be required for all K-6 students, staff, visitors, and bus riders. The current deadline for review of this practice is November 4. We do anticipate a likely extension beyond the holidays into January; more information to follow when a decision is made.

In alignment with an update provided at the most recent Board of Education meeting, the face coverings requirement for all K-6 students, staff, and visitors is being extended until the end of the first semester, January 21, 2022. There is no change for students and staff in grades 7-12 at this time; face coverings continue to be recommended, but not required.

This decision is based on the following factors: 

• COVID-19 vaccine availability for children ages 5-11: The CDC announced November 2 its approval for COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. A number of professional groups added their support Tuesday for childhood vaccination, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society. This is an important milestone for families who choose this additional measure of protection against COVID-19 infection and spread. Local health care providers have indicated they anticipate vaccine appointment availability for children in the coming days. The Green Bay Press-Gazette published a guide for where to get COVID-19 vaccines for children in the Green Bay area. Assuming access as anticipated, both vaccinations plus a two week period following the second vaccination potentially could be completed by winter break. If you have questions regarding the vaccine, please contact your child’s pediatrician to make an informed decision for your family.
   
• Lack of COVID-19 spread within HSSD elementary schools: Compared to September before the K-6 mask requirement, HSSD observed a significant drop in the number of COVID-19 cases in our schools in October. The number of cases of suspected spread at school has also declined significantly. Put simply, the K-6 mask requirement is having its intended effect in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our classrooms even while the prevalence of the virus in our community remains high.
   
• Initial downward trend in community COVID-19 cases: The increasing number of daily COVID-19 cases reported in Brown County that began in July peaked in late October and has started to decline. This is welcome news, even though the daily case rate remains above a critical level, as does the seven-day average of new cases reported on the HSSD dashboard. As we enter the cold and flu season, we remain hopeful that the trend in new cases will stay on its downward trajectory and will fall below a critical level in the coming weeks.
   
• Post-holiday COVID-19 spread: There was a significant spike in COVID-19 cases in Brown County last year during the holiday season with the daily case rate more than doubling from December 26, 2020 to January 9, 2021. The number of HSSD students who reported positive COVID-19 results also doubled during that time frame. In light of this history, it is prudent and advisable that we maintain a face coverings requirement for our students in grades K-6 for a brief period of time following winter break until January 21.

On-site COVID-19 Testing at HSSD District Office: As a reminder (see October 27 communication), HSSD is pleased to support free COVID-19 testing for students and staff at the District Office in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Prevea Health. 

Health insurance is not required to be tested. Appointments can be scheduled by clicking here to sign up using Veribook, an online scheduling system provided by Prevea Health. Walk-in appointments are available, however, additional time will be needed to provide all parent, student, or staff demographic information to the nurse.

HSSD COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) remains your first stop for any COVID-19 related questions. Please continue to use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report any COVID-19 test results. If students or staff are experiencing any symptoms, please call the hotline before considering whether to report to school or work. For other information and updates, please remember to access the HSSD COVID-19 website.

As we look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday, the recent data trending and availability of vaccinations for K-6 students compels me to feel grateful. While challenged by the length and magnitude of this ordeal, our HSSD team remains strongly committed to our kids and community. Vital work remains as we muster the energy to focus on supporting unfinished learning and our students’ social and emotional well-being. We need your help. Please continue assisting our efforts through your parental care and interventions at home. Working together, we can make a meaningful difference. As always, I extend thankfulness for your perseverance, patience, and kindness.
 

Together,

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

We are aware of a service interruption to the HSSD COVID-19 Hotline that began Friday evening, October 29. Our service provider is working to resolve the issue. We regret the inconvenience.

In the meantime, please use the temporary number below to access the HSSD COVID-19 hotline until further notice. We will notify you when the regular hotline is once again in service.

Temporary HSSD COVID-19 hotline number: 920-662-7860.

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Howard-Suamico School District is pleased to announce that free COVID-19 testing for students and staff will be available beginning November 1, 2021 at the District Office in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Prevea Health. Health insurance is not required to be tested. 

COVID-19 Testing

Two tests will be performed: an antigen (rapid) test and a PCR test. Tests will be sent to Madison daily to be processed. PCR results are expected to be returned within 2-3 days. Results will be emailed directly to patients through COVID Connect, the DHS testing platform. Questions about test results can be directed to 1-866-419-6988. Individual test results should continue to be reported to the HSSD COVID Hotline: 920-662-7233. 

Instructions and Testing Process 

1. Please park in the main lot of the District Office in front of the building.
2. Call 920-662-7857 to notify the nurse you have arrived.
3. Wait in your vehicle until you are waved into the building. 
4. Enter the conference room door to the left of the main entrance. Do not enter the main doors of the District Office.

Scheduling an Appointment

Appointments can be scheduled by clicking here to sign up using Veribook, an online scheduling system provided by Prevea Health. 

Walk-in appointments are available, however, additional time will be needed to provide all parent, student or staff demographic information to the nurse. Please remain in your vehicle and call 920-662-7857 to notify the nurse you have arrived. 

Appointment Availability: November 12 - December 2, 2021

• Tuesday, November 2:  11 a.m. -  2 p.m.
• Thursday, November 4: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 9: 11 a.m. -  2 p.m.
• Thursday, November 11: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Sunday, November 14: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 16: 11 a.m. -  2 p.m.
• Thursday, November 18: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 23: 11 a.m. -  2 p.m.
• Sunday, November 28: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
• Tuesday, November 30: 11 a.m. -  2 p.m. 
• Thursday, December 2: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Appointment Availability: Effective December 6, 2021

• Monday: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Tuesday: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
• Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Thursday: 3 p.,m. - 7 p.m. 
• Friday: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• Every Other Sunday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Please note: insured staff and dependents may still schedule appointments at the onsite Prevea clinic at Bay Port High School. 

As in the past, individuals experiencing symptoms should contact the HSSD COVID hotline at 920-662-7233 for guidance. 

HSSD is monitoring progress related to the accessibility of a vaccine for children ages 5-11. We will communicate more information once it is available. 

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Following the October 11 Board of Education meeting, updates to the HSSD COVID-19 exposure and quarantine protocols have been posted on the district website. A notable change includes a new provision that allows students and staff in grades K-12 who are close contacts with a COVID-19 positive individual at school to remain at school and avoid quarantine provided they have no COVID-19 related symptoms. 

Therefore, effective immediately, students and staff who are presently under quarantine restrictions based on close contact at school - and remain symptom free - are able to resume normal school activities regardless of vaccination status. However, students and staff who are presently under quarantine restrictions based on close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual at home must complete the remainder of their current quarantine.

Please view the protocol documents for further details for close contact individuals who are exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms.

This change is based on the following factors: 

• COVID-19 vaccine: Contact tracing of COVID-19 positive cases in grades 7-12 since the beginning of the school year have identified an increasing proportion of students who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Lack of COVID-19 spread within HSSD secondary schools: We have not observed cases of spread of COVID-19 among secondary students or staff in a classroom setting this school year. There have been a limited number of cases spread from student to student in an extracurricular setting at Bay View and Bay Port, and a moderate number of cases spread from student to student in a community setting.

• Concern regarding number of students missing school due to quarantine: Principals, teaching staff, parents, and students have expressed concern regarding the number of students absent and number of school days missed due to district-mandated quarantine.

• Family partnerships: We acknowledge the shift in practice from a district-directed quarantine to a more flexible partnership with families. However, it is critical for the success of this approach that our families support our efforts by keeping sick children home from school and by providing timely and accurate information in response to contact tracing inquiries.

The following COVID-19 safety and communication practices remain in place:

• HSSD will continue to contact trace COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff and will notify close contacts of those positive cases.

• Face coverings will continue to be required for all K-6 students, staff, visitors, and bus riders. The current deadline for review of this practice is November 4. We do anticipate a likely extension beyond the holidays into January; more information to follow when a decision is made.

• COVID-19 vaccination is currently available for students ages 12 and up. HSSD will communicate updates when vaccines are made available for students ages 5-11, which is anticipated in November.

• Classrooms and school facilities are cleaned on a daily basis.

• HSSD will continue to update its COVID-19 dashboard daily on weekdays with district and local data.

• The district COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) remains your first stop for any COVID-19 related questions or updates. Please continue to use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report any COVID-19 test results. If students or staff are experiencing any symptoms, please call the hotline before considering whether to report to school or work.

District administration monitors HSSD and local COVID-19 data daily to inform decisions. The ability to proceed with this revised quarantine approach depends on family support and limited spread within school settings. With the onset of fall and winter, time will tell if this is sustainable. Therefore, we again need to be prepared to adapt and adjust if conditions change. In the meantime, please accept my appreciation for your ongoing patience, perseverance, and positive support.

Together,

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Due to increasing positive COVID-19 cases among elementary students as well as significant increases in the number of students in quarantine at those grade levels, all Howard-Suamico School District students and staff in grades K-6 will be required to wear face coverings at school beginning Monday, September 20. This temporary requirement will remain in place for the remainder of the first quarter, until Thursday, November 4.

At this time, a face covering requirement rather than recommendation at our K-6 schools better supports our goal of keeping students learning in-person at school. 

This decision is based on the following factors, presented to the Board of Education and monitored daily by district administration: 

• HSSD COVID-19 case trends: As of today, September 17, 2021, HSSD has 33 students reporting positive COVID-19 test results and 457 students in quarantine due to close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual at school. Last year at this time there were 19 positive cases reported and 75 students in quarantine.
   
• Classroom closures: As of today, September 17, 2021 six HSSD classrooms have been closed due to COVID-19 exposure at school with students and staff shifting to temporary virtual learning. That equals the total for the entire month of September last year.
   
• New CDC quarantine guidance: Updated CDC quarantine guidance allows for less strict contact tracing when exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual happens in a fully-masked environment at school. A fully-masked environment will allow HSSD to quarantine far fewer students, and keep more students learning in school in-person if an individual at school tests positive for COVID-19.
   
• A COVID-19 vaccine is not yet approved for children ages 5-11.

Face coverings will be provided for students as needed and a request form for face covering exemptions based on medical needs can be initiated at this link.

Reminder: HSSD COVID-19 Hotline

The district COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) received more than 500 calls since the start of the school year. The hotline is monitored seven days a week. Please continue to use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report any COVID-19 test results.

District administration monitors HSSD and local COVID-19 data daily to inform decisions. Thank you in advance for your understanding, support, and attention to the above details.

Together,
 

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
920-662-8103
damilacr@hssdschools.org

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

Thank you for attending our Open House events on Tuesday evening! Please view important reminders below as we prepare our students to return to school beginning next Wednesday, September 1.

HSSD COVID-19 Hotline

The district COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) remains available to families and employees and is staffed weekdays throughout August. The hotline will once again be monitored seven days a week once the school year begins. Please use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report any COVID-19 test results.

Did you know? If you call the COVID-19 hotline with questions about a student or staff member staying home due to illness, the contact tracing team will notify the school on your behalf - no need to make a second call to the attendance line.

Feeling Sick?

Staff and students: please stay home from school if you are feeling sick. Call the COVID-19 hotline, or for a detailed list of major and minor symptoms related to COVID-19 to guide your decision-making, visit the HSSD website COVID-19 hotline and protocols page. The district will no longer be using the Frontline App for daily symptom checks for students or staff.

COVID-19 Positive Cases Notification Updates 

New this year, HSSD will be updating the website COVID-19 dashboard daily on weekdays with student and staff COVID-19 case and quarantine data sorted by school. These daily website updates will replace the evening notification emails sent to families and staff last year when there was a COVID-19 case reported in a building. If a student or staff member is determined to be a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case at school, those family and staff notifications will continue to be made directly by phone through our contact tracing team.

Face Coverings Recommended

As communicated August 10, the district continues to recommend face coverings for all students, staff, and visitors at school. Face coverings are required on busses. We will closely monitor conditions as the 2021-22 school year begins. 

Thank you in advance for your support, cooperation, and attention to the above details. 

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

With three weeks remaining in summer break, I am writing to provide an update regarding our return to school in the fall. 

In my last email sent June 29, I highlighted topics of timely importance for fall planning. Today’s update includes a new document, The HSSD COVID-19 Operations Plan, that provides further details and answers common questions we have received during our planning process this summer. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the details included in the plan and on our COVID-19 website.

Face Coverings: Recommended 

Based on the recent increase of COVID-19 cases in Brown County - and related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the HSSD Medical Health Advisory Team - HSSD continues to recommend that all staff, students, and visitors wear face coverings/masks beginning September 1. HSSD will continue to monitor community spread of COVID-19 and may require face coverings/masks at any time before or after this date.

HSSD COVID-19 Hotline

The district COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) remains available to families and staff this summer and is staffed weekdays throughout August. The hotline will once again be monitored seven days a week once the school year begins. Please use this helpful resource to ask questions on behalf of your students and family and to report COVID-19 testing results.

Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful final few weeks of summer.

With Unity,

Damian LaCroix
Superintendent
damilacr@hssdschools.org
920-662-8103