COVID-19 In-Person Learning Matrix
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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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83 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 82 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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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.
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.
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Marlene Helm
Read the acting superintendent's May 4 letter to families (click photo); the translations are archived below.
May 4, 2021
Dear FCPS families:
With just two Tuesdays left in the school year, COVID-19 cases in our community are holding steady. The current 7-day average of new cases in Fayette County is 37, keeping us in orange on the FCPS In-Person Learning Matrix. After an uptick last week, positive COVID-19 cases among students and staff are down to 41 in the past week, and the number of individuals placed into quarantine due to possible exposure is at a three-week low of 430.
We remain on track to complete the school year in person and celebrate our Class of 2021 in Rupp Arena.
During our meeting today with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, we talked at length about the evolving guidance regarding outdoor mask use from the governor, Kentucky Department of Education, and Centers for Disease Control. In the end, we determined that our current mask protocols will remain in place for the rest of the school year. That means all students and adults (with the exception of those who have a medical exemption or ARC-determined exemption) are required to wear masks while on school property.
Many of our schools already allow students to be outdoors without masks as long as they are with their cohort. CDC guidance remains clear that those who are not fully vaccinated (which includes most of our students) should continue wearing a mask. We will revisit these guidelines for summer activities.
In closing, I want to make families, students and employees aware of another COVID-19 vaccination opportunity at one of our schools. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at STEAM Academy, located at 1555 Georgetown Road. To register, visit kyvax.wildhealth.com. Stakeholders are also invited to sign up for appointments at Bryan Station, Frederick Douglass, Henry Clay, Lafayette, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Tates Creek high schools on May 18.
Keep up the great work, and let’s finish the school year strong!
Sincerely,
Marlene Helm,
acting superintendent of
Fayette County Public Schools
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Contact us
For questions about the matrix or content on this webpage, please email district spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall.
