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Clarification:

Arapahoe-Holbrook Public School District continues to focus on in-person education for our students.  The reason for the recent requirement for masks is to prevent the need for other educational options like a Hybrid Model or Remote learning.  We see remote learning as a last resort for students to receive an education.  Therefore AHPS is not providing a remote learning option for school-aged children unless the child has a medical diagnosis that qualifies as a Section 504 medical issue.

If parents/guardians do not wish or permit their child to wear a mask while attending school, optioning out, home schooling or enrollment in an online public or private school are options.  We provide an excellent education in Arapahoe and continue to work on improving but we also understand if you feel another option is best for your child.

In Discussion with the SW Health Department, staff who tested positive did not have direct contact with anyone in the district with exception of one individual who's parents were notified. Since staff have been required to wear masks and the use of sneeze guards in the classroom we have done our best to protect our students. With the increased risk, the requirement for everyone to wear masks is an important safety measure. The health department will contact anyone who has been identified as having direct contact.

Thanks and stay well,

Dr. Griffith

COVID-19 NOTICE

Today, October 8, 2020, Arapahoe-Holbrook Public School has three staff members with confirmed cases of COVID-19, a fourth staff member who has symptoms and is in quarantine and a fifth who had direct contact in the building and has been quarantined.  We also have a number of students who are quarantined due to direct contact who have been or who are currently quarantined.

The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department has set the Risk Dial for Furnas County in the Orange/High Risk category due to the increase in cases.  Based on this information and for the best interest of our students and staff, the following will be implemented.

EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020:

1. ALL K-12 STUDENTS AND ALL STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACEMASKS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

• Facemasks are required while riding in school transportation.
• The school has masks for those who do not bring their own.
• Masks must be worn properly over the mouth and nose except during an aerobic activity. 
• Layered cloth facemasks are preferred but disposal masks are acceptable. 
• Face shields may be worn in addition to facemasks but not as a replacement for a facemask.

2. VISITORS to the building will be LIMITED to ESSENTIAL NEEDS AND ONLY WITH PRIOR NOTICE.
3. NO SPECTATORS will be permitted for INDOOR ACTIVITIES.
4. Masks for spectators are not required for outdoor activities but are strongly encouraged.  Social distancing is required.
5. No concessions will be available for any event.
6. Workers, coaches, managers and players MUST WEAR MASKS WHILE ON THE SIDELINE.

We know our students interact with their friends and others outside of school but the role of district leadership is to provide a safe environment for learning while they are our in our care.

We thank you for your cooperation.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr. Perez or Dr. Griffith

Here is the recent news release and Risk Dial information from our health department.

NEWS RELEASE

October 5, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Myra Stoney, Health Director, director@swhealth.ne.gov, 308-345-4223

 COVID-19 Community Risk Dial Moved to Orange

The COVID-19 Community Risk Dial for the week of October 5th is orange, meaning residents of southwest Nebraska have a high risk of contracting COVID-19.  The risk level was raised due to an increase in community spread across several counties and higher demand on the healthcare system.

Moving to orange, Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) strongly recommends everyone wear a mask in public and wash hands and surfaces often. Limit travel and work from home when possible. High-risk and vulnerable individuals should avoid public places.

SWNPHD had 63 new cases of COVID-19 reported September 29th to October 5th at noon.  A breakout by county includes:  Chase – 11; Dundy -1; Frontier – 3; Furnas –10; Hitchcock -9; Keith – 6; Perkins – 1; Red Willow – 22, and no cases this week reported in Hayes County.  This brings the totals for the health district to 289 cases with 190 cases recovered.  Many of these recent cases are related to outbreaks in Red Willow County and Chase County and are a result of direct contact with a positive COVID-19 person.

“The higher numbers of cases and deaths in the last few weeks highlights the importance of separating those who are sick from the rest of the public,” states Melissa Propp, RN Public Health Nurse.  “Please stay home if you have any symptoms--don’t wait until you feel ‘sick enough’ to stay home.  It doesn’t take severe symptoms to pass it on; if you have mild symptoms you still spread the virus, and you may spread it to someone who cares for a vulnerable person.”

SWNPHD recommends anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 get tested and stay home while waiting for results.  COVID-19 symptoms may include one or more:  loss of taste or smell, “sinus infection-like symptoms”, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fever, loss of appetite,  diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, muscle aches, head ache, chills and shaking.  Anyone waiting for COVID-19 test results is required to self-isolate, so that no one else is exposed while they are waiting. 

• If the test is negative, then self-isolation is over once all the symptoms are better.
• If the test is positive, then isolation continues at least 10 days and until public health officials confirm the person is no longer contagious.

After someone tests positive and self-isolates at home, anyone else who lives in the home is required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

• If the sick person can isolate away from others in the home, then quarantine is 14 days from their last contact with the sick person.
• If the sick person cannot be separate from others in the home, then quarantine is 14 days after the sick person is recovered and released from isolation.

COVID-19 information is available at CDC.gov and swhealth.ne.gov.  You can also follow SWNPHD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SWNPHD serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties.  SWNPHD is located at 404 West 10th St (1 block north of Arby’s) in McCook.                              

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To be inline with the recent guidance from the Nebraska Health Department and the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, the COVID-19 message for Arapahoe-Holbrook Public Schools has been updated. Here is a link to the updated message.

AHPS COVID-19 Message Sept 29, 2020 

SWNPHD September 28 Case Update

Based on the recent Southwest Nebraska Public Heath Department (SWNPHD)  Directed Health Measure (DHM) dated September 21, 2020, the Arapahoe-Holbrook Publlic School District is legally required to follow the SWNPHD Guiltiness. 

DHM September 21, 2020

These guidelines are based on the SWNPHD Risk Dial located.  Information on the risk dial is found on their website at the following link:

Link to COVID-19 and Risk Dial

Guidelines for our home volleyball and football games.

Junior high and high school volleyball -- HERE

Junior high and high school football -- HERE