Weekly Update - March 2, 2022

City of Las Vegas sent this bulletin at 03/02/2022 08:00 AM PST

Weekly Update

March 2, 2022

Employee COVID Cases Lowest In Months

The COVID-19 case count among city employees is at its lowest point since before Thanksgiving. That’s terrific news! For the week ending Feb. 28, there were just two positive cases reported. This is down from four cases from the week before, and significantly down from the 130 cases reported during a single week in January. Since the pandemic first started, 1,174 city employees have contracted COVID-19.

Despite this encouraging trend in cases, we’re reminded that the pandemic continues to linger. It remains important that employees continue to follow sound health practices to slow the spread of disease. While masks are no longer required for most city employees, those who wish to wear one are certainly permitted to do so.

We also have this important reminder for those employees wanting to use Infectious Disease Leave (IDL) -- you must provide a note from a health care provider if you’ve used a home test kit. In other words, to be eligible for IDL, the city will only regard a test as positive once administered or verified by a health provider. Should you have questions, please touch base with the team in Human Resources.

It also remains vital that if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you stay home and consult your health care provider. Should you test positive for the coronavirus, please notify your supervisor right away, despite the expiration of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) or if you have exhausted your Infectious Disease Leave. Human Resources has a plan in place to make sure work areas are then disinfected and potential contacts are notified.

To view testing locations, visit https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/testing/.

Vaccination appointments are available statewide. To schedule an appointment in Southern Nevada:

Visit vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s/;
Call 800-401-0946.

For frequently asked questions and answers about COVID-19 infection and vaccines, visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov/vaccine.

If you have more questions about the vaccine, please visit https://www.immunizenevada.org/nv-covid-fighter for statewide information and https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/ for Southern Nevada information. You can also call 800-401-0946.

At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Every home in the United States is eligible to order four free COVID-19 home tests. Order your tests now at https://special.usps.com/testkits so you have them when you need them.

Health Plan of Nevada and Sierra Health and Life plan members may now obtain over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home testing kits in person at Sam's Club, Walmart or Rite Aid pharmacy counters, with no out-of-pocket costs when using your insurance identification cards. Up to eight test kits per member per 30 days are allowed. Learn more.

The Nevada Health Response website has been updated with locations for Nevadans to pick up at-home COVID-19 tests. Distribution sites will be added to this page as they arrive and are available for members of the community to walk in and pick up a test. The website will be updated weekly to show test kit availability.

Other testing resources: https://covidtests.gov.

Strong Start Academy Elementary School

An online interest form for the new Strong Start Academy Elementary School is now available at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/StrongStart. Those with children entering kindergarten, first or second grade should fill out the interest form that is available through Thursday, April 14.

The Las Vegas City Council approved a resolution to fund the new nonprofit charter school with a grant of up to $1 million. The new school, known as the Strong Start Academy Elementary School, is set to open in August offering kindergarten through second grade. The nonprofit was recently granted a charter by the Nevada State Public Charter School Authority. The school will be overseen by a nonprofit board designated by the City Council. The board, which currently has one vacancy, will designate an executive director.

The school will plan to add one grade level each year until it offers kindergarten through fifth grade. The student-to-teacher ratio will be 20:1 for all grade levels throughout the charter term (six years).

Year one of the school will have 180 students enrolled, and at capacity the school will have 360 students. If interest is greater than first-year capacity, a lottery will be held to determine who will be enrolled.

The educational model of the school is a dual-language immersion, bilingual education in English and Spanish.

The Strong Start Academy Elementary School will offer an equitable, high-quality and innovative educational school model to support the communities of Wards 1, 3 and 5. The communities that the school aims to serve are traditionally and significantly underserved populations with students attending one-star and two-star schools.

Individual Career Development Plans

By December 2022, the city will enhance employee development opportunities to foster the growth of city employees. One of the ways we're going to accomplish our thematic goal is through Individual Career Development Plans (ICDP) for employees seeking to create a personalized plan to narrow the knowledge and skills gap.

Human Resources Administrator Chrystal Harry outlines the ICDP in the video below. If you have any questions or would like to create an ICDP, please email ICDP@lasvegasnevada.gov.

Watch the Video

Jack Putnam

We have some sad news to share. City employee Jack Putnam passed away Feb. 21, 2022. He worked as a Senior Traffic Systems Technician with TEFO and had been with the city for 15 years. According to his team members, he had a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to lend a hand.

We know the family will appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Nevada Reading Week

Are you going to be a guest reader at our participating Pre-K locations, ReInvent Schools Las Vegas elementary schools and Safekey sites this Nevada Reading Week? If so, please send photos to socialmedia@lasvegasnevada.gov for a chance to be featured on the city's LinkedIn page.

March Training Opportunities

Learn some new computer skills for the job you have or start training for the job you want.

Learn More

City Hall Plumbing Maintenance Project

This coming Saturday, March 5, will be the last day Facilities staff will be replacing turn valve stops and break room faucets in City Hall. Water will be turned off on affected floors. Should you have questions, please reach out to Facilities Field Supervisor Sergio Melendez.

Upcoming Events

Employees Needed For Social Video

The social media team needs help with a quick video. If you’re available today, March 2, between 11 a.m. and noon, please meet them on the second-floor concourse of City Hall near Council Chambers. They need your smiling face for a special employee appreciation video. As always, please clear it with your supervisor in advance. We hope to see you there!

Employee Appreciation Day

Friday is Employee Appreciation Day, but we’ll be celebrating this important national observance this Thursday. The Employee Recognition Committee is excited to host an Employee Appreciation Event in the Now Café Thursday, March 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be snacks for employees to enjoy. It’s just one of the ways to let you know how much you’re appreciated for the job you do!

For Your Reading / Viewing Pleasure

Open for Business: The English Hotel

Read To Your Barber

Free "Little Libraries"

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