Coronavirus Update
FCTC and the School District are working in collaboration with our local Department of Health to focus on steps to help stop or slow the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including Coronavirus (COVID-19).
***REMINDER: Please stay home if you are sick. Thank you for partnering with us to help protect the safety of all students and staff. Read more from St. Johns County School District…
August 2022
COVID-19 Update for Parents with children in St. Johns County Schools
A safe supportive learning environment based on the educational, social, mental health and wellbeing of our students is the top priority of the SJCSD.
We ask that you keep your child home if he/she has a fever, virus, or any other contagious disease, i.e., conjunctivitis, influenza, gastrointestinal infections, etc. Staying home can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Please refer to the St. Johns County School District Illness & Prevention Guidelines for guidance and recommendations. Absences due to COVID-19, will be treated as any other illness as described in the Student Code of Conduct.
There is no longer a dedicated district COVID hotline. All future COVID-related questions or concerns should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician.
The district will no longer post a COVID-19 Dashboard, please refer to the Florida Department of Health for county-by-county totals.
St. Johns County School District will no longer provide exposure notifications for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.
Students and staff will be treated as ill and can return to work/school when they feel better. Attendance will be handled in the normal manner.
June 16, 2022
Students or staff have to quarantine for five calendar days after first sign of COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test. That person can return after five days of quarantine if they are symptom free.
Students and Staff DO NOT need to get another COVID-19 test. Those who have been exposed and do not show any symptoms do not need to quarantine.
……….
March 8, 2022
Beginning March 21, 2022 when we return from Spring Break, we will also move the capacity for indoor events to 100% from 75%.
……….
August 24, 2021
Face masks or shields are required on FCTC campus for all visitors and employees for a 30-day period ending September 23, 2021
……….
August 23, 2021
Just as a reminder, as this uptick in COVID-19 continues, be mindful of people’s personal space. Please social distance when possible and limit close contact as much as possible. Remember that close contact is defined as 15 minutes of continuous contact within 6 feet.
Below is the link for COVID information on the school district website.
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/
……….
August 9, 2021
2021-22 School Year COVID-19 Symptomatic Decision Tree
……….
August 4, 2021
***REMINDER: Students MUST stay home from school when they are ill, awaiting COVID-19 test results, or if anyone in the household is COVID-19 positive. Thank you for partnering with us to help protect the safety of all students and staff. To report a positive case of COVID-19, please first call the Department of Health at (904) 506-6081 for guidance on next steps. Please contact your instructor and share this information.
……….
June 1, 2021
Beginning with summer programs on June 14 and going into the 2021-2022 school year, the SJCSD will transition to the following health and safety procedures:
- Face masks will be recommended, but optional in school and on SJCSD transportation
- Desk shields will no longer be a mandatory feature of all classrooms but will be used as appropriate when needed for health and safety protection or instructional/assessment purposes
- Temperature checks will no longer be a daily routine when students, staff or visitors arrive at school
- Enhanced sanitation practices will continue in our facilities to ensure clean, healthy schools
We will maintain these procedures barring any future emergency orders or crisis events. Again, thank you for your continued support this school year.
Thank you,
Donna Gary-Donovan and Chris Force
……….
May 14, 2021
I would like to thank every family associated with the SJC school district this year. This has been a unique and challenging school year. We are in the final four weeks of the year and your support has been critical to the success students have experienced. We still have numerous high stakes assessments to administer and feel that it is imperative that we maintain our expectations and way of work until the last day of school on June 10.
We are all fatigued from the experience of the pandemic and staff members have worked tirelessly to support children in our schools. Throughout this public health crisis, we have utilized guidance and recommendations of federal, state, and local public health agencies. As we continue to follow the guidance of the CDC, I would like to share our intent moving forward so that families are informed about the school health and safety protocols for this summer and next school year.
Beginning with summer programs on June 14 and going into the 2021-2022 school year, the SJCSD will transition to the following health and safety procedures:
· Face masks will be recommended, but optional in school and on SJCSD transportation
· Desk shields will no longer be a mandatory feature of all classrooms but will be used as appropriate when needed for health and safety protection or instructional/assessment purposes
· Temperature checks will no longer be a daily routine when students, staff or visitors arrive at school
· Enhanced sanitation practices will continue in our facilities to ensure clean, healthy schools
· Athletics, events, plays/performances, and dances will occur next school year. Protocols will be adjusted as we receive guidance from FHSAA and other state and local agencies.
We will maintain these procedures barring any future emergency orders or crisis events. Again, thank you for your continued support this school year.
Sincerely,
Tim Forson
……….
CDC Updates regarding Quarantine requirements after Vaccination 4/19/2021
Individuals who have been fully vaccinated – that is two weeks or more have passed since the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine or the first dose in a 1-dose vaccine series – will not be required to quarantine following exposure provided he/she does not develop new symptoms of COVID-19.
The Department of Health requests that we follow the current contract tracing protocol, regardless of vaccination status. They will contact exposed individuals to ensure no symptoms have developed, research his/her vaccination status in the state system and provide further COVID education, The DOH will determine if the individual is exempt from quarantine. The Health Services Department as well as the school nurses, will work diligently to assist students, parents and staff in this process.
……….
Visit Campus Safety and Security for a copy of FCTC’s Annual Security Report.
Alcoholic Beverages and Smoking Policy
First Coast Technical College is an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free campus. No alcoholic beverages or smoking are permitted on any FCTC facilities.
Coronavirus Update
……….
……….
Appropriate Times for Students on Camera
……….
FCTC Health Screenings Update August 20, 2020
With the beginning of school approaching, here is an update on entering campus.
- All students, staff and visitors will be greeted and directed when they enter the campus.
- When students arrive, they will be screened at their building by their instructor before sitting down in the classroom.
- Supervisors will screen their staff upon arrival to shift.
- Visitors with appointments will report to Building A to be screened by the receptionist.
- Any visitor without an appointment will report to Building A to be screened by the receptionist who will then check to see if the department is available to see them.
- Any student who needs to visit another building must have a Student Daily Admittance Form from their instructor.
……….
FCTC COVID -19 Continuity of Operations Plan
……….
COVID Expectations While on Campus 7.1.20
……….
……….
Hands-on Training During COVID -19
……….
June 17, 2020
Message to Students, we want to provide you with information on the CARES Act which is federal emergency financial assistance to post-secondary students.
Both on our website at FCTC.edu and attached to this email, you will find FAQ about eligibility, timelines and distribution of funds. Please review as soon as possible.
If your question is not answered in these FAQ’s, email [email protected]. Emails will be responded to within 48 business hours in the order in which they were received.
Thank you
CARES ACT FINANCIAL AID
……….
……….
Staff and Department Directory
……….
Visitor – Health Screening Entry Form 5.28.2020
……….
May 19, 2020
Due to the COVID crisis, Adult Education will offer online courses only for the summer 2020 term.
……….
Starting Monday, May 18th, the Test Center will be open to take the CASAS, TEAS, ESCO, Serve Safe and GED assessments. Click here for details.
……….
Procedure for FCTC Visitors: Curbside Health Screenings Due to COVID-19
……….
May 6, 2020
Students, we hope this message finds you well! We are planning a staged and staggered return to campus for hands-on training. Each program/teacher will communicate the plan for their students and how the return to lab/hands-on training will be handled.
Each student will be screened, temperature and health questions prior to admission from designated places while in the vehicle. Ratios of participants will be within the CDC guidelines. Sanitization of labs will occur between rotations.
Not all students will return at the same time or at all. We are prioritizing students based on the program requirements.
We are cautiously proceeding and will monitor for effectiveness and adjust as needed.
Students will wear a self-provided mask and follow the CDC guidelines for 6 feet of space social-distancing at all times on campus. If you are awaiting COVID-19 test results, do not return to campus and communicate with your instructor.
We look forward to seeing you!
Chris and Donna
……….
Facility Entrance Sign Screening Requirements 5.8.20
……….
Employee Responsibility Sheet During COVID-19 5.6.2020
……….
Student Responsibility Sheet 5.6.2020
……….
……….
April 17, 2020
Governor DeSantis announced today in a press conference at 4:30 PM that all districts will continue distance learning through the remainder of the school year. We remain committed and dedicated to helping our students attain success and finish strong in this virtual environment.
……….
……….
March 31, 2020
Online Learning will Continue through May 1…Per the Florida Department of Education, the St. Johns County School District will continue with online/remote learning through May 1. Any updates to this plan will be communicated to parents, students and the community. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility.
……….
March 18, 2020
Dear Students,
We hope you and your family are doing well. At First Coast Technical College, our first concern is for the health of our students and staff.
We continue to receive updates and recommendations from the Florida Department of Education. As of now students, in the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) which includes FCTC, will not return to school campuses until Wednesday, April 15th.
Most students will begin online learning on Monday, March 30th. Any adjustments to this plan will be relayed directly from SJCSD and posted on our websites at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us and www.fctc.edu. Licensure programs will communicate with you directly as to the changes in courses/programs.
If you have not opted into text messaging, we encourage you to do so by texting “YES” to 67587. This will only work for cell numbers attached to the contact information from your FOCUS student account.
Chris Force
Principal
……….
March 17, 2020
Dear SJCSD Parents and Guardians,
We continue to receive updates and recommendations from the Florida Department of Education. As of now, students in the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) will not return to school campuses until Wednesday, April 15. SJCSD employees will report to work on Monday, March 23 and students will begin online learning on Monday, March 30. Any adjustments to this plan will be relayed directly from the SJCSD and posted on our website at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us.
Teachers and staff will receive direction for work next week to include preparation and planning to ensure instructional continuity. We will be assisting teachers and school administration so that they can relay teaching methods, platforms and expectations to you and your child(ren). We will be releasing the instructional continuity plan on our website in the coming days and will provide further communication when it is available.
Tomorrow you will receive a call from our mass notification system to ask if you have a computer or tablet at home that has internet access. Please follow the prompts on your phone to answer this question. You should only respond once per household. This will let us know more about your child(ren)’s capability to access digital resources as we move more instruction online due to COVID-19.
If you have not opted into text messaging, we encourage you to do so by texting “Yes” to 67587. This will only work for cell numbers attached to your child(ren)’s parent/guardian contact information.
Thank you for continued support and patience as we work through COVID-19 as it relates to our students, staff and schools.
Sincerely,
Tim Forson
Superintendent
St. Johns County School District
……….
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians:
This afternoon we received information from Governor DeSantis and Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran regarding the impact of COVID-19 which continues to change rapidly. As a result, spring break has been extended one week and St. Johns County students will now return on March 30. All extracurricular activities, including high school athletics, are suspended until further notice. Additionally, state testing will be delayed. Our school district will use the extended break for deep cleaning and sanitizing our school facilities.
I appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through the challenges of COVID-19. I will continue to communicate new information as it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Tim Forson
Superintendent
……….
Posted on March 3, 2020
The District is working in collaboration with the local Department of Health to focus on steps to help stop or slow the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including Coronavirus (COVID-19). Steps currently in place include:
- Information sharing through day-to-day reporting by school nurses to Epidemiology of all students identified with “influenza-like” illness.
- Encouraging parents to keep sick children home.
- Students who become sick at school or arrive at school sick are sent home as soon as possible.
- Encouraging hand washing often.
- Encouraging respiratory etiquette (appropriately covering coughs and sneezes).
- Increased cleaning by custodial staff of frequently touched surfaces (light switches, doorknobs, counters, etc.), as well as all school buses.
- Monitoring for changes in usual absenteeism patterns.
While there are two confirmed positive cases in Florida, the majority of respiratory illnesses are not Coronavirus. Should there be a confirmed case of Coronavirus in our community, local health officials will provide guidance for any school dismissals. Recommendations will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the most up to date information about Coronavirus and the specific impacts on the community.
……….
Coronavirus Statement
Posted on February 26, 2020
The St. Johns County School District and the local Department of Health are working together to follow the recommended guidelines of the CDC regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This guidance offers specific steps for school staff, parents, and students to take during the current low-risk conditions, as well as for more severe conditions. It is recommended, that based on current conditions, students and staff with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (i.e., any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
The CDC emphasizes washing hands, respiratory etiquette and staying home when sick:
- Practice good hand hygiene. Students and staff members should wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Practice respiratory etiquette. Illnesses can spread from person to person in the droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it is important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
- Stay home if you are sick. Keeping sick students home means decreasing the spread of germs to others.
For further information visit the Florida Department of Health website or the CDC’s COVID-19 web page.
