Fayette County Public Schools has a "mask optional" policy in all district facilities and on school buses. Masks are still required in the health room. We encourage every family to weigh their personal circumstances before making a decision that meets their needs. 

When our community is in red, medical experts advise the proper use of face masks while indoors and/or in crowds. The mask should cover your nose and mouth.

In FCPS, we strongly recommend everyone wear a face mask while indoors whenever community levels are in the red. 

We want all of our families to know that we support your decision to make the choices that are best for you and your loved ones. Either way is OK!

To help reduce the risk, our employees, students, and families are encouraged to test for COVID-19 at home. FCPS has been provided with a number of take-home tests for staff and students. Distribution will be limited, and will be available through the school nurse.

If a student exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, school nurses and other staff are trained to administer a rapid COVID-19 test. A parent or guardian must be present when the test is administered. Since the student is being tested because they have symptoms, they will be sent home until their symptoms resolve, or they have an alternate diagnosis.

Positive cases of COVID-19 should be reported to the child's school. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people who test positive to:

• Stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home. 
• End isolation after five full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving. Seek medical attention if symptoms continue or are worsening.

Wear a well-fitting mask for five days after isolation ends when you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

Medical experts advise that vaccines are the best defense against serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19.

Children & youths

Vaccines for children aged 6 months through 17 years are available for free:

• Through University of Kentucky HealthCare between 1:30 and 5 p.m. weekdays. UK offers both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for children at the UK PharmacistCare Clinic, located at 245 Fountain Court off Man O'War Boulevard. Families may register up to five children for one appointment; a parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under age 18. For more information, call the UK PharmacistCare vaccination clinic at (859) 562-2018. You can register now.
• Through the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The health department offers the Moderna vaccine by same-day appointment in its Public Health Clinic at 650 Newtown Pike. Call (859) 288-2483 to schedule a time.

You can also make an appointment through your child’s pediatrician or your primary care physician.

Adults

Vaccines for people 18 or older are also available through UK and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. You can register online for UK or call (859) 288-2483 for the health department.

You can find statewide vaccine information at vaccines.gov or call (855) 598-2246.