8.4.21 APS to Launch 2021-2022 School Year Tomorrow with Comprehensive Health and Safety Protocols

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

 

Ian Smith, Executive Director
404-802-2855, office
404-603-6934, cell
ian.smith@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Seth Coleman, Director of Media Relations & Television Broadcast
404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

August 4, 2021

 

Atlanta Public Schools to Launch 2021-2022 School Year Tomorrow with Comprehensive Health and Safety Protocols

ATLANTA – Atlanta Public Schools will launch the 2021-2022 school year tomorrow (Thursday, August 5) focused on ensuring the health and safety of the district’s students and staff in schools and other buildings.

APSProtects is the district’s comprehensive COVID-19 health and mitigation strategy that encompasses six key safety protocols. More specific details on all of these protocols are available on the district’s Health Information page on the Atlanta Public Schools website:

  1. COVID-19 Surveillance Testing: Our district will continue to provide weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing in our schools and buildings. Learn more and sign up for our new more convenient e-consent form for parents at this link: https://studentapp.viralsolutionsga.com/consent.
  2. COVID-19 Vaccine: We continue to encourage everyone ages 12 years old or older to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is widely available throughout our community, and the Fulton County Board of Health has several options available as well, including mobile units. In addition, beginning August 9, APS will offer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible students in our middle and high schools and to all staff districtwide. These vaccines are being offered in partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health. Schools will notify parents and provide consent forms.
  3. #MaskUp: APS is implementing a Universal Mask Wearing protocol in all schools and buildings. Masks are required for all students and staff in all schools and buildings during the school and workday, as well as all indoor after-school activities, clubs, and programs.
  4. Immunizations: Don’t forget, Georgia state law requires all of our students to have a valid Certificate of Immunization on file with the district, and immunization requirements for students entering or transferring into the 11th grade have been revised.
  5. HealthCheck: APS has partnered with Stratum Health Solutions to secure HealthCheck, an online tool that helps safeguard the health of students via daily wellness check-ins. Daily health screenings and temperature assessments have been the norm since in-person instruction resumed in 2021. The HealthCheck screener simplifies the process for parents. Be sure you are using HealthCheck every day before sending your child to school. You can self-register for HealthCheck by clicking here.
  6. Quarantine Guidance: As part of the district’s Health and Safety Guidelines, APS has prepared Quarantine Protocols that include specific details on who needs to quarantine after exposure to a positive COVID-19 case and who doesn’t need to quarantine after exposure. These protocols also include information about what counts as a close contact.

For more information, visit the Health Information page on the Atlanta Public Schools website.

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About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 51,000 students across 87 schools and five programs. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 64 traditional schools, 19 charter schools, six partner schools, two alternative schools and five alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.