Effective April 28, 2022
The North Little Rock School District is mindful of the evolving need for measures to respond to
the COVID-19 pandemic or other health concerns. In consideration of the recommendations
issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arkansas Department of Health,
and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board is adopting this
resolution for all students and employees of the North Little Rock School District.
The North Little Rock School District will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its variants and will consider any additional relevant guidance including, but not limited to, that from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Health and will evaluate this resolution on an as-needed basis as determined by the Board.
Please click on this link to see our COVID-19 Data Report, which is updated daily.
STAFF/STUDENTS
Until further action of the Board, it is recommended that masks or face coverings will be optional for all staff members and students in the North Little Rock School District.
Exceptions are as follows:
● Any student or staff member that tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to wear a
mask for the duration of isolation after returning to school/work for a total of 10 days
from the onset of symptoms or test date if asymptomatic per the guidance from the
Center for Disease Control and Arkansas Department of Health.
● In-home close contacts to a positive case are required to wear a mask for 10 days if they
are in a school building.
● A nurse or trained designee may have a student or staff member wear a mask if
symptomatic until they can leave the building.
● Immunocompromised or students/staff that are at high risk for severe disease are
encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.
Mitigations that will remain in place:
● Respiratory etiquette
● Good handwashing techniques
● Social distancing when possible
● Continued utilization of water bottle filling stations
● Banned usage of rugs in classrooms
Isolation
All positive COVID-19 employees and students above the age of 5 will isolate 5 days from onset of symptoms. The student or employee may return on day 6 as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours, symptoms are improving, and are able to consistently and correctly wear a mask while at school.
Any extensions of isolation will be determined by the nurse or the Point of Contact (POC).
Quarantines
In school close contacts or community close contacts are not required to quarantine unless they are symptomatic.
If there is a positive case in the home of a student or staff member, quarantine is not required unless symptomatic. Although, in this scenario, the parent may choose to quarantine siblings or other in-home residents per the guidance of the ADH and CDC for 5 days from the positive’s completion of isolation which equals 10 days of quarantine. If a parent makes this decision, absences will be excused as long as there is proof of the positive’s test results.
Symptomatic students or staff will be quarantined at the discretion of the nurse until a negative test is provided, an alternate diagnosis is provided by a physician or 5 days of quarantine is completed.
All staff or students pending COVID-19 test results are to remain in quarantine until a negative test can be provided.
Contact Tracing
In school contact tracing will take place only for Pre-K and Special Needs classrooms.
The requirements for Pre-K are somewhat different due to the fact that these students are ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines and at times are unable to properly wear a mask.
Positive Pre-K students will be required to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
Pre-K students who come into close contact with someone at school or at home with COVID-19 will quarantine at least 5 full days from the last close contact with the person with COVID-19 or from the in-home positive’s test date. Pre-K students without symptoms can end quarantine after 5 full days and return to school on day 6 if they are able to consistently and correctly wear a mask while at school.
The exception to Pre-K quarantines is a student that has turned 5 and has been fully vaccinated.
Special Need Student isolation will be at least 5 days. Isolation and exposure quarantines will be at the discretion of the nurse and parent/guardian collaboration.
ALTERNATIVE POLICY FOR USE WHEN THE DISTRICT HAS MORE THAN 30 CASES
PER 10K FOR A CONSECUTIVE 7-DAY PERIOD:
If at anytime the district acquires 30 cases per 10k for a consecutive 7-day period, all staff and
students in Pre-K through the 12th grade shall be required to wear a mask or face covering.
● While attending school or a school function in any school building, indoor facility, or
other indoor area of a school campus, and
● When riding in school-provided transportation. All masks and face coverings must cover
the nose and mouth of the student.
Students shall wear masks and face coverings at all times while indoors except for the following:
● Students may remove masks and face coverings for eating or drinking;
● Students may remove masks and face coverings when appropriate social distancing
measures are in place as determined by a teacher or school administrator;
● Students may remove masks and face coverings on a case-by-case basis for specific
instructional needs and other activities, as determined by a teacher or school
administrator; Students may be exempted from this policy by the school principal due to
a documented medical condition of the student; and
● Students may be exempted from this policy due to special individualized needs as
determined by the Executive Director of Special Services or Executive Director of Student Services.
Students who do not wear an approved face covering when required will be subject to discipline in accordance with rules set forth by the building principal and the NLRSD School Board.
Employees who do not wear an approved face covering when required at school or at a school
function under this resolution shall be subject to the terms of their NLRSD contract and state
laws regarding the evaluation of employee contracts.
Visitors who do not wear an approved face covering when required will be asked to leave
NLRSD property and facilities immediately.
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Tonya Green, the District Point of Contact, at greent@nlrsd.org.