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(Updated) FSPS to Offer up to 400 Vaccines for District Staff Members
UPDATE TO THE STORY (FEBRUARY 8, 2021)
150 FSPS Employees Receive COVID Vaccine Feb. 8
Early February 5, FSPS was notified that 100 vaccines would be available for its employees from 7 to 9 a.m. on Monday Feb. 8. Using the sign-up process used for the clinic held Jan. 22, the district activated a link to a form that allowed any FSPS employee to register for a spot in the schedule. Simultaneously, the district was advised that 50 additional vaccines would be available during that time.
Approximately 150 FSPS employees participated in the clinic held this morning. An estimated 43% (or 65) of the participants are teachers who work in a classroom. Another 28% (42) of the available vaccinations were distributed to FSPS educators and employees who have direct student contact including Counselors, Media Specialists, Paraprofessionals, Assistant Principals, Principals and Substitutes. Approximately 27 (or 18%) employees of the Child Nutrition, Facilities including building custodians, and Transportation Departments received the vaccines, as well as several secretaries, social workers and SPICE after-school care providers. Remaining vaccines were administered to administrative support employees and one school board member.
In a previous vaccination clinic held for 400 FSPS staff members on Jan. 22, approximately half (or 200) of the vaccine recipients are teachers who work in a classroom. Another 100 (approximate) of the available vaccinations were distributed to FSPS educators and employees who have direct student contact including Counselors, Media Specialists, Paraprofessionals, Assistant Principals, Principals and Substitutes. Approximately 40 employees of the Child Nutrition, Facilities including building custodians, and Transportation Departments received the vaccines, as well as approximately 25 secretaries, social workers and SPICE after-school care providers. The remaining 35 participants represent employees and volunteers with administrative and governance responsibilities. Vaccines were administered to 10 district leaders including the superintendent, executive council members and three school board members. Several directors as well as other business office, human resources and contract personnel working in and around schools received the remaining doses. District administrators and school board members visit schools regularly.
Update to the story (January 25, 2021)
Fort Smith Public Schools depends upon all job classifications as integral parts of the education team. Approximately half (or 200) of the participants at the event are teachers who work in a classroom. Another 100 (approximate) of the available vaccinations were distributed to FSPS educators and employees who have direct student contact including Counselors, Media Specialists, Paraprofessionals, Assistant Principals, Principals and Substitutes. Approximately 40 employees of the Child Nutrition, Facilities including building custodians, and Transportation Departments received the vaccines, as well as approximately 25 secretaries, social workers and SPICE after-school care providers. The remaining 35 participants represent employees and volunteers with administrative and governance responsibilities. Vaccines were administered to 10 district leaders including the superintendent, executive council members and three school board members. Several directors as well as other business office, human resources and contract personnel working in and around schools received the remaining doses. District administrators and school board members visit schools regularly.
FSPS opened a form to receive names from all eligible staff groups. After 400 submissions, names were placed on a waiting list. Due to cancellations from the original 400, all on the waiting list were able to be accommodated. As stated in the prior question, this opportunity was open to all classifications of employees.
Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled as vaccines become available through local providers. Staff members who were not able to participate in the January 22 event may wait for future district-organized vaccination clinics to receive their vaccination, or schedule a vaccination appointment through a local provider. We are aware of approximately 45 more vaccinations that have been provided to Phase 1B educators and education employees through pharmacies, and we anticipate there are several more employees who have already accessed vaccines through different sources. We are working to determine how many additional vaccines that we will need from this point.
Today, 400 FSPS staff members are receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Phase 1B vaccination rollout. This vaccination opportunity is in partnership with local healthcare providers. #FSPSProud
Pictured from left to right: Tracy Newhart, Parker Center K-12 Literacy Coordinator; Patrick Hanson, Northside JROTC; Laurah Brown, Ramsey Social Studies Teacher; Makaela Swinney, Pike Elementary Interventionist Paraprofessional; Karen Vicens, Northside High School Graduation Coach; and Aaron Batey, Woods Elementary P.E. teacher.
Press Release
As a part of the Phase 1B vaccination rollout, in partnership with local healthcare providers, Fort Smith Public Schools, is offering up to 400 district staff members including substitutes, hourly and contract employees a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Ben Geren Park Tornado Shelter, 7200 Zero Street in Fort Smith. District staff interested in participating should sign up using an online form sent to their email address to secure an appointment. The first 400 registrants will receive an email from FSPS Human Resources or FSPS Communications confirming the time that you should arrive at Ben Geren Tornado Shelter. This clinic will not be able to accommodate anyone who does not have a confirmed appointment.
District and school administrative teams may be able to help cover classrooms for teachers who are scheduled to receive the vaccination on Friday. Check with your principal for assistance. Employees will be responsible for transportation to and from the Ben Geren Tornado Shelter. There is not a cost to employees associated with receiving the vaccine. Additional vaccination clinics will be scheduled as vaccinations become available through local providers. Staff members who are not able to participate in the January 22 event may wait for future district-organized vaccination clinics to receive their vaccination, or schedule a vaccination appointment through a local provider (see list below). We appreciate your patience as we plan and organize based on vaccine availability.
• If you receive a vaccination at this event and have an appointment scheduled with a local provider, please remember to cancel your vaccination appointment.
• Please do not register for this vaccination clinic if you have had a fever in the last 48 hours or believe that you may be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Staff members, if you have any questions about this information, please contact humanresources@fortsmithschools.org
You may contact these Phase 1B Participating Providers to make individual appointments:
Mercy Health Fort Smith
Anderson’s Discount Pharmacy
Baptist Health Fort Smith
Health Depot #2
MediSav Pharmacies
Coleman Pharmacy
Laws Drug Store
National Family Pharmacy
Prince Drug Store, Inc.
Health Depot #3