PECULIAR, Mo. — The Raymore-Peculiar School District credits its COVID-19 safety protocols for the low number of virus cases connected to its schools.
“We don’t have any evidence yet of it being transmitted at school,” Michele Stidham, communications director for Ray-Pec Schools, said. “We’re really proud that the protocols that we have in place seem to be really helping us stay in school.”
The district has 11 protocol categories that range from general health and hygiene to bus transportation and recess. In addition to detailing symptoms that would require a student to stay at home, the protocols also outline what steps are taken if someone presents with COVID-19 symptoms at school – wear a mask, isolate and be picked up by parents.
On Monday, the district reported that two students at Ray-Pec High School and one at Raymore Elementary School tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The district's COVID-19 dashboard – last updated Sept. 11 – shows that 0.29% of the district population is quarantined due to school exposure. Overall, the quarantine rate is 1.27% and 0.12% are considered to have an active COVID-19 diagnosis.
Officials said four weeks of hybrid-style learning for its nearly 4,500 students has provided precious guidance into proper COVID-19 safety protocols.
“Whether it’s masks, distancing, eating lunch in classrooms as opposed to the cafeteria, I think staff and students are so excited to be back in school they’ll do whatever it takes to stay in school,” Stidham said.
The school district’s COVID-19 statistics are updated weekly.
Working alongside local health officials, the Cass County Health Department said in a statement to 41Action News, "communications happen daily" to identify positive cases and prevent on campus exposure.
