KENTUCKY — Two major Kentucky school districts — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) — are welcoming students back for the first day of school Wednesday. While the COVID-19 landscape looks different compared to a year ago, both districts have implemented familiar policies.

Students and staff in both districts are required to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status. The requirement comes as COVID-19 cases rise and the delta variant spreads. 

Both school districts are located in "red" counties, which indicates a high rate of COVID-19 spread, according to state data.

The precautions don't stop at masks, however. Last week, JCPS outlined other health and safety steps it's taking, like: 

• Custodial staff at each school will conduct cleanings overnight while disinfectant sprayers will be used throughout the day to sanitize high contact surfaces
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout school buildings
• Classrooms will be set up with desks facing the same way and students in assigned seats with 3 feet of separation as much as possible. Students will also be assigned seats in the cafeteria to help with contact tracing if there are positive cases
• Schools are encouraged to use other areas of the building and campus, such as the gym, classrooms or outside, when possible, to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at the same time
• In hallways and other common areas, students are encouraged to keep moving and allow space between each other

FCPS laid out similar policies for the new school year:

• Physical distancing of at least 3 feet to the greatest extent possible indoors and 6 feet outdoors and other setting where masks aren't worn
• An emphasis on hand washing and healthy habits
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols
• Health and daily health screenings by families and employees
• "Strict adherence" to contanct tracing and quarantine protocols when a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19

As your student, and others across the Commonwealth, return to school, check out our Back to School section on the web and app for everything you need to know.