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About the matrix
When conditions warrant, Fayette County Public Schools will offer traditional, on-campus, in-person instruction for all students whose families choose that option. We will implement significant health and safety procedures to meet guidelines set by federal, state, and local health officials to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread. Since the number of students in the building is determined by family preference, social distancing will be implemented as much as possible, but will not be possible in all situations.
To determine the appropriate mode of instruction, district leaders have developed a COVID-19 In-Person Learning Matrix. This tool, which builds on the state’s color-coded incidence rate map, includes five stages based on the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Fayette County.
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133 cases or more: Stage 5, purple, substantial risk: All schools are closed. Students are not physically attending school and are completing coursework through Non-Traditional Instruction/ Differentiated Distance Learning (NTI/2DL).
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84 to 132 cases: Stage 4, red, significant risk: FCPS will consider moving to remote learning with targeted services provided for students who need extra support. Based on FCPS transition factors and the COVID-19 In-Person Learning MATRIX, a graduated in-person learning model will be considered.
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34 to 83 cases: Stage 3, orange, moderate, but increasing risk: Schools are open for graduated in-person learning. Short-term closures may occur for virus-affected classrooms or buildings because of transition factors. These closures will be communicated by the school and district.
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3.3 to 33 cases: Stage 2, yellow, minimal risk: Schools are open for in-person learning. However, short-term closures may occur for virus-affected classrooms or buildings. These short-term closures may be affected by one or more transition factors and will be communicated to families by the school and the district.
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3.3 cases or less: Stage 1, green, low risk: All schools are open. Curriculum delivered on campus via face-to-face instruction, with blended learning strategies that integrate digital resources. FCPS will monitor and be prepared to respond to identification of COVID-19 positive tests that affect staff members or students. We might enact additional health and safety guidelines in consultation with the county’s health department.
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In addition, district leaders will consider orders from the governor, student and staff absences, isolations and quarantines, operations and support considerations, community vs. institutional spread, community trends, and vaccine uptake when determining the appropriate mode of instruction. Data will be tracked daily, and decisions for the next two-week period will be announced each Tuesday.
Regardless of the in-person learning stage, we will provide remote learning five days a week for students whose families prefer that option.
Download a two-page PDF explaining the COVID-19 Matrix:
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Marlene Helm
Read the acting superintendent's Jan. 19 letter to families (click photo); see translations archived below
Jan. 19, 2021
Dear Fayette County Public Schools families:
Bluebirds may be the first sign of spring, but it was the sight of a bright yellow school bus in my rear view mirror that brought me joy this morning. I am certain the bus driver thought I was crazy when we came to a red light and I rolled down my window to give him a thumbs up.
With cautious optimism, I’m encouraged to share that community efforts to rein in COVID-19 cases following the holidays appear to be working. During our weekly data review with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, health officials shared that while still high, new cases of the virus are trending down.
Other metrics we reviewed showed:
- The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases is 197 today, compared with 235 a week ago.
- Between Jan. 12 and Jan. 18, 132 students and 38 staff were diagnosed with COVID-19.
- The 170 students and employees who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week are spread throughout 48 of our 68 elementary, middle and high schools, which would have resulted in significant classroom quarantines and school closures.
- So far this month, 343 students and 123 staff members have tested positive for the virus. This number is especially troubling when you consider that 305 students and 72 staff had COVID-19 during the entire month of December.
- Current cases in the community are not the result of institutional spread within assisted living centers or detention facilities.
- FCPS employees began receiving the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccinations today thanks to a partnership with the University of Kentucky. Our staff is very excited about this opportunity and we believe a high percentage of our team members will participate.
Although I wish this were not the case, our FCPS COVID-19 In-Person Learning Matrix data indicates that in addition to our previously announced remote learning for the week of Jan. 25-29, we need to continue with remote learning Feb. 1-5, 2021. While disappointed, we simply cannot compromise on the health and safety of our staff and students. We are committed to providing face-to-face instruction as soon as it is safe; please remember that families will also have the option of remote instruction for their children.
We will continue to review the data every day. If the numbers decline over the next two weeks the way they did this past week, we will be back in school during February. Please encourage everyone you know to take precautions to stop the spread so we can make that happen!
Sincerely,
Marlene Helm,
Fayette County Public Schools acting superintendent
Archive of COVID-19 Matrix letters to families
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For questions about the matrix or content on this webpage, please email district spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall.
