2021-2022 Pioneer Technology Center
COVID-19 Monitoring and Prevention Plan
Overview and Purpose
- In response to the current situation in our state related to COVID-19, PTC has developed this guide to help students and parents understand the school’s approach to providing a safe learning environment for the 2021-2022 School Year.
- The purpose of this guide is to provide answers and expectations if alternate schedules or distance learning are warranted due to the local spread of COVID-19.
- Our continued goal this school year is to limit exposure to COVID-19 while providing quality educational opportunities and maintaining our high standard of academic rigor.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the leading prevention strategy to protect individuals from COVID-19 disease and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States are safe, proven effective, and widely accessible in the U.S. at no cost. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer and Moderna or a single dose of Johnson and Johnson. People who are fully vaccinated are at low risk of symptomatic or severe infection, and a growing body of evidence suggests that people who are fully vaccinated are less likely to have an asymptomatic infection or transmit the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. Therefore, a fully vaccinated, person with no COVID-like symptoms is not expected to quarantine if exposed to a positive case.
PTC encourages individuals who are not fully vaccinated to wear face coverings to protect others as well as themselves. Consistent and correct face coverings used by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Although fully vaccinated persons do not generally need to wear face coverings, CDC recommends continued masking and physical distancing for people with weakened immune systems. Recent legislation, Senate Bill 658 prohibits PTC from mandating face coverings, however, face coverings are recommended.
Regulatory Guidance
Senate Bill 658 States:
(With the exception of a State of Emergency and communication with the Local Health Department)
A. A board of education of a public school district or a technology school district, the board of regents of an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, the governing board of a private postsecondary educational institution, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the State Board of Education or the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall not:
- Require a vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution;
- Require a vaccine passport as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution; or
- Implement a mask mandate for students who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Oklahoma State Department of Health
State Law empowers the State Health Department with the exclusive authority to issue an isolation or quarantine order. (State Health Officials have not issued explicit rules or guidelines for schools on quarantines and are not expected to routinely issue quarantine orders that will affect school operations)
- Without a health department order, the district can encourage but not require students identified as close contacts to self-quarantine.
- Schools can recommend/encourage quarantine based on close contact within the facility. (Outside the facility, the Health Department will recommend the quarantine)
- A school, superintendent, teacher, or other official in charge can exclude a student from school and school activities who shows COVID-19 symptoms even if they haven’t tested positive or been identified as a close contact through the state’s administrative rules, which allow the school to exclude any student suffering from or exhibiting the following symptoms:
- fever alone, 100 degrees Fahrenheit;
- sore throat or tonsillitis;
- any eruption of the skin, or rash;
- any nasal discharge accompanied by fever;
- a severe cough, producing phlegm; or
- any inflammation of the eyes or lids.
Disruption of Instruction
In the event of a school disruption to instruction, PTC may adopt an adjusted schedule and/or calendar according to Oklahoma State Department of Education and/or the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education guidelines in an effort to adhere to public health guidance. Students will be accountable to meet online/remote curriculum, attendance, participation, and academic requirements for their program. (See the quick reference chart at the end of this page)
A/B Schedule, Blended, and Distance Schedule
Pioneer Technology Center will begin the school year with traditional, in-person classes starting August 13th. PTC may implement an alternate A/B schedule (blended learning) or distance learning schedule depending upon a resurgence of COVID-19 or any other unforeseen emergency. During more severe disruption of instruction, Pioneer Technology Center may elect to incorporate additional learning strategies which deviate from the traditional CareerTech delivery model.
- A/B Schedule – Half of the student population reports to school each day, while the remaining half participates in distance learning at home. In this approach, the student population alternates days of in-person attendance. With blended learning, students must attend during their in-person instruction days and will participate in online/remote learning on the remaining days. In-Person days will be dedicated to skills focus. Online/Remote learning activities will focus primarily on knowledge of the industry and theory associated with the skills being taught.
- An alternate schedule may be implemented on a program-by-program basis.
Group | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
A | class | online | class | online | makeup |
B | online | class | online | class | or online |
- Distance Learning (done remotely but as a continuation of learning that normally would take place on-site) This delivery method plan may be deployed in an emergency, such as a resurgence of COVID-19 or another circumstance in which students cannot attend in person. With distance learning, students may schedule access to campus for lab/skill development on a rotational basis.
- Distance learning may be implemented on a program-by-program basis.
- Virtual instruction is limited to students who are under an order of quarantine or isolation.
Instruction
- Traditional instruction will focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with trade/instructional areas.
- Teachers will be responsible for the education of all students regardless of instructional delivery method.
- In an alternate schedule instructional (A/B Schedule) environment, teachers will continue with a normal routine while recording important concepts during the day to upload to the Learning Management System (LMS). Skills attainment is the focus during on-campus instructional time.
- In a distance learning environment, teachers will provide instruction through online curriculum and resources. Students will have the opportunity to schedule access to campus for skill development on a rotational basis.
- Teachers will post at least one assignment/activity to their LMS daily regardless of instructional delivery method.
- Seating charts will be utilized for students during on campus classroom activities.
- Social distancing will be observed where applicable and protective equipment encouraged when in proximity to others.
Student Expectations
- Students must maintain attendance and meet all regulations of Pioneer Technology Center.
- During an A/B schedule, students must attend in-person on scheduled days, and complete assignments on virtual/remote days of instruction. (See student handbook for the attendance policy.)
- Students will be required to complete all assignments provided in their learning platform(s).
- Students are expected to log into the appropriate learning platform(s), check for assigned coursework, and complete assignments daily.
- Virtual assignments should be submitted digitally by the due dates indicated by the program instructor.
- Students should communicate with their instructor as the primary point of contact.
Grades for Student Work
- Expectations for academic integrity and integrity remain the same. Student work will be graded during any disruption to instruction, alternate schedule, or distance learning that occurs during the 2021-2022 school year.
Health Screening COVID-19
- Parents, please assist in ensuring your child does not attend PTC if they have been exposed to COVID-19, exhibit a fever, or are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
- Students, guests, and clients who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter the facility (See Assessing Symptomatic Persons for COVID-19 below).
- Assurance Statement: By accessing a PTC facility, you assure that you are symptom-free
Assessing Symptomatic Persons for COVID-19:
People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
*Congestion OR Runny Nose
*Muscle/Body Aches
*Fatigue
*Chills
*Nausea
*Loss of Taste or Smell
*Elevated temperature (Less than 100F)
*New Onset of Severe Headache
*Diarrhea
Bus Transportation
- Face coverings are recommended and available for the bus driver and anyone riding the bus.
- Students will observe social distancing requirements while on the bus, if possible.
- Family members will be encouraged to sit together to maximize space for other students.
- Windows open, weather permitting.
- After each bus route is complete, the bus will be sanitized.
- Hand sanitizer is available for students touching common surfaces.
Classroom Protocols
- Face coverings are recommended and available where social distancing can not be maintained.
- If a student has a temperature of 100 degrees or greater, PTC will notify the high school, parents/guardians, and send the student home.
- All workstations and high-touch areas will be disinfected after each class.
- Seating charts will be utilized for students during on-campus classroom activities.
- In the event of a disruption of instruction, Pioneer Technology Center may utilize additional learning strategies which deviate from the traditional CareerTech delivery model.
- Program-specific protocols will be addressed by the classroom instructor.
- Additional protocols may be added as necessary.
Full-Time Protocols
- Assurance Statement: By accessing a PTC classroom, you assure that you are symptom-free and do not have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater.
- If a staff member or student begins exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day, they will be isolated, sent home immediately, and encouraged to be tested.
- Students displaying symptoms of illness will be isolated until arrangements for pick-up can be made.
- Quarantine is recommended for students who have had close contact exposure to COVID-19.
- If a student or employee has a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the student or employee should remain at home until the individual has been free of fever for twenty-four (24) hours without fever-reducing medication.
Close Contact Tracing/Quarantine/Isolation Guidelines
Quarantine Guidelines (Contacts to a positive COVID case) PTC recommends any student/staff to quarantine if identified as a close contact with someone who has COVID-19, unless fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms.
- What counts as close contact?
- Within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes cumulatively.
- Provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19.
- Had direct physical contact with the person (touched, hugged, or kissed them.)
- Shared eating or drinking utensils.
- Exposure to respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing.
Student Quarantine/Isolation Process (Positive for COVID-19)
- Students will be placed on distance learning for the duration of their quarantine/isolation.
- Documentation must be provided for absences due to isolation. The documentation will be evaluated by an Instructional Director concerning PTC’s attendance policy.
- All online instructional requirements must still be completed during any quarantine/isolation.
- Official communication that a positive COVID-19 case has been identified on campus will be sent to impacted individuals.
- Contact tracing procedures developed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health will be utilized.
Existing law provides that anyone with a communicable disease is prohibited from attending a private or public school, and Oklahoma State Department of Health rules acknowledge that an important part of a school health program is the prevention and control of communicable diseases. It is the duty of the parent or guardian, and the school, to exclude such person until the period of isolation or quarantine ordered for the case expires, or until permission has been given by local health officers. See 63 O.S. § 1-507.
Culture of Safety and Hygiene
- School officials recommend face coverings in an effort to provide a safe learning environment in accordance with any applicable state law and/or local regulation.
- PTC promotes a culture of good hygiene practices. Students will be reminded of coughing/sneezing etiquette, keeping hands away from the face, and effectively washing their hands.
- Signage is placed around the campus to promote proper hygiene and highlight strategies to reduce exposure to COVID-19.
School Cleaning Practices
- The PTC faculty, staff, and administration ensure high-touch surfaces are disinfected as often to control the spread of viruses.
- Student computers and workstations will be disinfected after each class session.
- Hand sanitizer will be available to all students.
How to Communicate with Teachers
- Teachers will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. M - F to assist students with issues or concerns.
- PTC staff contact information can be found on the PTC website pioneertech.edu/our-team.
Worksite Learning/Clinicals
- Work-based learning and clinical rotations are available to students with the appropriate protective equipment as required at the assigned work site.
- Due to the nature of some programs and clinical/work-based learning, appropriate vaccination/health assessment may be required by the assigned worksite in order for students to participate.
Computer Access
- During a disruption to instruction, if a computer is needed to complete PTC coursework, please communicate with the instructor of the program enrolled. PTC is working to make computer technology available for students needing a device.
Student Services
- Guidance and Counseling requests can be made through PTC Counselor, Lori Evans, Lorie@pioneertech.edu, 580-718-4313
- Students with special needs can request accommodations or modifications to the curriculum by contacting Carol Lynes, Caroll@pioneertech.edu or 580-718-4298
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the PTC Full-Time Programs Administrative Team.
- Kahle Goff – Executive Director, Full Time Programs Kahleg@pioneertech.edu or 580-718-4297
- Kendra Keelin – Instructional Director Kendrak@pioneertech.edu or 580-718-4359
- Dr. Ryan Burkett – Instructional Director Ryanb@pioneertech.edu or 580-718-4227
These guidelines are subject to change as new information is available.
Pioneer Technology Center offers career and technical education training opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex/gender, age, religion, disability or veteran status. Training is available in the areas of Architecture & Construction; Business, Management & Administration; Health Science; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Manufacturing; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics. All individuals wishing to enroll in a full-time training program must provide evidence satisfying the program minimum academic requirements or undergo a free assessment to evaluate his/her skill level in the areas of reading, mathematics, and writing. The assessment process also includes an interest inventory. Inquiries concerning the application of this policy should be made to Karl Lynes or Pam Dickerson, Co – Compliance Officers/Title IX Coordinators at (866) 612-4782 or at 2101 N. Ash, Ponca City, Oklahoma.