A Day at Daniel Axford Elementary Covid-19 Edition 2020-21

School Essential Agreements

Our DA students will start the year learning about routines and expectations. Students will learn our school Essential Agreements and explore what it means to Be Principled, Be Caring, and to Be Safe. With support of all staff, the students at DA will strive to create a learning environment where everyone can perform their best. This focus on behavior and the learning culture at DA is part of our proactive behavior support system, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). It is well known that schools are successful when they help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. For this to happen, it is imperative that we have a safe environment that is supportive and conducive for growth. By setting forth clear social and behavioral expectations, it is our goal to create this atmosphere for the learning of all students.

We will connect our school essential agreements to the additional safety routines and procedures developed to keep us safe during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

The foundation of PBIS at Daniel Axford are the building-wide Essential Agreements:

● Be Principled ● Be Caring ● Be Safe

First Week of School: There have been some schedule changes to help ease into the new safety procedures, cleaning protocols, and transportation for this school year: ● During the first two weeks of school, students will be split by alphabet and will only attend school for two days each week: ○ Week 1 ■ Students with the last name beginning with letters A-L will report to school on Monday, August 31, and Wednesday, September 2. ■ Students with the last name beginning with letters M-Z will report to school on Tuesday, September 1, and Thursday, September 3. ○ Week 2 ■ Students with the last name beginning with letters A-L will report to school on Tuesday, September 8, and Thursday, September 10. ■ Students with the last name beginning with letters M-Z will report to school on Wednesday, September 9, and Friday, September 11.

Health Check The novel coronavirus, a worldwide pandemic, calls for us, now more than ever, to work together to ensure the health and safety of our community. We need your help, support, and encouragement as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times. Temperature Check Please perform daily temperature checks on your child(ren) to screen for a fever before leaving for school. Fever is defined by the CDC as a temperature over 100 ℉ or 38 ℃. If your child(ren) has a fever, please keep them at home until they are fever free without medication. If needed, the district may screen your child for a fever. Symptom Check Check your child(ren) for signs of illness daily. Check for the following: ● Fever or chills ● Shortness of breath, rapid or difficulty breathing ● Cough ● Fatigue ● Muscle or body ache ● Headache ● New loss of taste or smell ● Sore throat ● Congestion ● Runny nose ● Nausea or vomiting ● Diarrhea ● Flushed cheeks

If your child has any of these symptoms, please keep them home until they are symptom free. Please see additional details in our Return to Learn Family Pledge linked below. We are counting on you! Thank you!!

Return to Learn Family Pledge

Masks Masks are required for all students at Daniel Axford. We understand that this may be challenging. We are planning to teach, remind, and reteach students on the correct way to wear a mask. We understand the age of our students and will work to help them with their masks. We will also be looking for many opportunities to give students a mask break outdoors. ● Masks must be worn by all students in classrooms, on the bus, hallways, bathrooms, and common areas ● Masks can be cloth, gaiter, homemade ● Masks need to be dress code compliant. ○ must not materially and substantially disrupt the school learning environment

Please help us at school by having fun with it! Students will respond the way we respond. Per the “MI Safe Schools: Michigan 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap” Policy Manual, it is required that facial coverings must always be worn by PreK-12 students except while eating. Any student who is unable to medically tolerate a facial covering or who is incapacitated or unable to remove the facial covering without assistance, must not wear one." In order to properly document the medical condition that precludes wearing a facial covering, your student’s physician or physician’s assistant must complete the following form: Mask Form

School Visitors, Volunteers and Guests

Guidance from the MI Return to School Roadmap indicates the school has to restrict access to the building from visitors, volunteers, and family members. Unfortunately, family members or other guests will not be not allowed in the school building except under extenuating circumstances determined by district officials this year.

This will be challenging for us at DA! We truly value the support from our parents, volunteers, and other guests. Know that we value you and hope we can open our doors to you soon!

This will also create a challenging year for our PTO! Our PTO has some great ideas on how to support our school and families through these challenging times. Please watch for future communications from the PTO.

Student Arrival at School:

Student Drop Off: Student drop off will begin at 9:15am. Parents/guardians in the drop off line will let students out of vehicles along the curb. For student safety, it is important that students exit from the curb side (passenger side) of the vehicle. Students should be wearing their mask prior to exiting the vehicle. Students will enter the building and walk directly to their classrooms after being dropped off. Staff will be available to direct students to their classrooms.

If you choose to park when dropping off your child, please be aware that all students and parents must wear a mask when on school grounds during arrival and dismissal. After parking, please walk your student to the crosswalk while carefully social distancing from other students arriving at school. Parents/guardians will not be able to cross the crosswalk. Students will cross the crosswalk under the guidance of our crossing guard. When entering the building, students will go directly to class. We will have staff available in the building to ensure students find their classroom safely.

Bus: Students arriving on the bus will be released off the bus one bus at a time. Students will head directly into the school. Students will exit the bus wearing masks. The students will be directed to their classroom by staff.

Entering the building: ● Students should make sure that their mask is on at all times and are maintaining 3-6 ft apart from others ● Students will learn and pay attention to traffic flow signs and routines ■ Students will stay to the right of the hall following arrows marked on the carpet ■ Upon arrival both stairwells will be open for students to go upstairs (During the school day the stairs will be one way)

Entering the classroom: ● Students should go directly into their classrooms. ● Teachers will guide students to their desks and provide direction on use of lockers. ● Students should maintain 3-6 ft. between others ● Students will order breakfast & lunch during this time ● https://oxfordschools.nutrislice.com/menu/

Classroom Hygiene: Teachers will teach students proper hand washing techniques

Cleaning: Desks and frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected at least every 4 hours.

Supplies: Students will not share personal school supplies that they bring in to school. In classrooms and on the playground, staff will limit the sharing of supplies. Supplies like playground equipment (balls, jump ropes) and games will be disinfected between cohorts of students. (Playground structures are disinfected by school staff once per day)

Toys and games: Toys and games will be disinfected after each day or stored for at least 48 hours before being brought back out for student use.

Lockers: Many classrooms have lockers or cubbies. Teachers will assign a color or symbol to every locker. To minimize the proximity and number of students, students will access their lockers according to their color or symbol. This will reduce the number of students at lockers and in the hall.

Desks: In all instances, students will be at least 3 feet away from other students when sitting at their desks.

Interactions:Students will play and interact in their classroom. Students will learn about spacing and social distancing. Students working in small groups(2-3 students) will learn about maintaining 3-6 feet of social distance. Interactions with Teacher: Teachers and staff will attempt to keep 3-6 feet social distancing from students as much as possible. This may be very challenging in lower elementary classrooms. When students are nervous, anxious or scared, staff will reassure and comfort students. This may involve getting closer than 3-6 feet, holding your child’s hand, or giving them a hug. Please communicate with your child’s teacher if you would prefer staff to stay 3-6 feet from your child even when they may need comforting and reassurance. We want to be sure we are meeting the needs of our students, but also respecting the preferences of our students and families.

Restroom use: ○ Classroom teachers will teach students routines and expectations for the school bathrooms. ● Some classrooms have bathrooms in the classrooms. ● Other classrooms will take a bathroom break as a class throughout the day. ● Students will wear masks in the bathroom. ● If there is not available space, students will pay attention to social distancing stickers and wait for space to open ● Students will wash hands thoroughly with soap and water Water: ○ All drinking fountains will be closed ○ All bottle filling stations will remain open ● Students can bring a reusable water bottle ● Maintain 3-6 ft. apart from others ● Pay attention to social distancing stickers and wait your turn to fill your water bottle

Specials Classes ● Spanish ○ Students will have Spanish 4 times each week ○ Tables and any shared supplies will be disinfected between each class ● Music ○ Students have Music one day each week for 30 minutes ○ Tables and any shared supplies will be disinfected between each class ● Art ○ Most grade levels have Art every other week for 60 minutes. DK is once per week for 30 minutes. ○ Our Art classes will meet in the cafeteria this year ○ Tables and shared supplies will be disinfected between classes ● Physical Education ○ Students will have PE twice per week for a total of 60 minutes ○ PE will be outside as much as possible. Please be sure to look at the weather each day and your child dress appropriately for being outdoors. ○ Shared supplies will be disinfected between each class ● Library ○ Students will go to the library once each week for a Read Aloud and book checkout ○ Students will check out one library book each week

Lunch: ○ Students will eat lunch in their classroom. ○ Teachers will have procedures and routines to address student food allergies. ○ Students will wash hands prior to taking off masks and eating ○ Students will remove masks while eating ○ When students are done eating, they should put their mask back on Snack ○ Students may have a snack in their classroom. Some classes will have a morning snack, others will be in the afternoon, depending on the time their class is scheduled for lunch. ○ Teachers will have procedures and routines to address student food allergies. ○ Students will wash hands prior to taking off masks and eating ○ Students will remove masks while eating ○ When students are done eating, they should put their mask back on

Recess: ○ Students will stay with their classroom cohort during recess ○ Students will follow teachers directions for taking off masks and storing them during recess ○ Teachers will teach students recess expectations ○ Students will play during recess, doing their best to maintain 3-6 feet social distancing ○ At the end of recess, students will sanitize hands, then put masks back on

Dismissal: ● Staggered dismissal time for parent pick up students ○ K/DK students will begin the dismissal process at 3:35pm. ○ First grade students will begin coming to the parking lot at approximately 3:50pm. ○ All classroom teachers will bring students to the parking lot area. ○ Students will stay with their classroom teacher in their classroom cohort. ● Bus Riders: ○ Students will following DA staff to their assigned bus, ○ Students should follow directions of bus driver ○ Students should sit in assigned seat ○ Keep mask on at all times ● Parents/Guardians at Pickup: ○ Parents are encouraged to use the pick up line this year. Parents will wait in line as cars are loaded along the curb. Students will be called over from their classes as cars approach the front of the line. If you choose to park, please wear a mask when exiting your vehicle. Please wait for your child along the sidewalk in the parking lot. Please do not cross the crosswalk to get to the main sidewalk where classes are waiting. Our goal is to distance the adults at dismissal from the student body. ● Extended Day: ○ Students in Extended Day will be sent to the library for Extended Day. ○ Students should wear their mask to Extended Day ○ When arriving, students should check in with their Extended Day teacher.

Homework:

Students will have homework expectations in each grade level. Students will engage in online math practice, math homework pages, and daily reading expectations.

Remote Learning Expectations (Phases 1-3) Oxford Community Schools’ elementary schools will utilize the Remote/Distance Learning Plan when our region (Region 1) is in Phases 1-3 of the MI SAFE START PLAN. There may also be situations when a classroom, school, or the district will utilize the Remote/Distance Learning Plan if local conditions determine it is necessary. This decision will be made in consultation with the Oakland County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Haiku will be used by all elementary teachers to communicate weekly lesson plans through the weekly planner. The weekly planner will be posted by 5pm on Sundays in Haiku. A consistent template and layout will be used to assist students and parents with organization.

Elementary teachers will conduct one Zoom “orientation” session for families at the beginning of the Remote/Distance Learning Plan. The purpose of this orientation is to help families better understand how to navigate Haiku, what the expectations are, and how they can communicate with one another.

Student/Family Expectations:

Use Haiku to access the weekly planner and organize their work for the week. Students and families should contact teachers if there are questions or concerns.

● Attend synchronous (live) Zoom sessions (whole group and/or small group). ○ Students will be expected to attend 3 live sessions per week. The classroom teacher will set the days and times within the time window set for each grade. ○ Attendance of Zoom sessions will be logged by classroom teachers. ■ DK-1: 9:00-10:00 am ■ Grades 2-3: 10:00-11:00 am ● Complete asynchronous (recorded) lessons each week along with the assignments that accompany them. ○ Students will be assigned 3 math, 3 reading, and 3 writing recorded lessons each week. ○ Science and Social Studies lessons will be taught through independent practice.

During synchronous (live online instruction), please help your child(ren) to be ready for learning.

● Know their logins/passwords (create a small card as a visual reminder if needed) ● Ensure devices are fully charged ● Login a few minutes early ● Have all materials ready ● Limit distractions ● Establish a quiet area ● Do not eat or drink ● Keep other devices off during learning ● Dress appropriately for learning if attending a live video session ● Be respectful of others during learning ● Check learning plans at the beginning of each week on Haiku. Plans will be posted on Sunday’s by 5 pm. ● Help your child create a daily schedule in order to be successful in achieving the week’s learning plan. ● Complete daily assignments and turn in assignments on time. ● Contact teacher(s) for help if needed. ● Treat district-issued devices with care.

K-5 Special Education Remote Learning

Oxford Community Schools will make a good faith effort to the extent practicable, to provide equal access to alternative modes of instruction to students with disabilities within our Birth to three program, Early Childhood Special Education classrooms, K-12 special education and our adult special education program. In addition to general education opportunities, students with IEPs and their families will be provided with modified activities and materials to be utilized in the home setting.

● Good faith effort and to the extent practicable the district shall implement IEPs ● Focus on goals and objectives ● Individualized determinations ● Comply with guidance from USDOE and OCR ● Deliver instruction to all students ● Deliver related services to all students ● Complete annual reviews ● Consider Recovery Services Elementary Direct Instruction IEPs goals and objectives will be addressed via synchronous and/or asynchronous lessons.

Additional Information

Additional school and district information related to the safety and preparedness during the Covid -19 pandemic can be found:

● Daniel Axford Elementary: School Newsletter and Information ● Oxford Return to Learn & Covid Information ● COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan Phases 4-6 ● Official Board Approved COVID 19 Preparedness and Response Plan ● Remote Distance Learning Plan