Pocahontas County Schools Re-Entry Plan 2020-2021
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Pocahontas County Schools Re-Entry Plan 2020-2021 Revised: November 17, 2020 August 11, 2020 Page | 1 Table of Contents Superintendent’s Message/Overview Page 3 Overview Page 3 Focus Areas Page 4 Face Covering Protocols/Temperature Checks Page 4 Re-Entry Plans Page 5 General Information for each Plan Pages 6-7 Safe Schools and Facilities Pages 7-8 Physical, Social-Emotional, and Mental Wellness Pages 9-11 Protecting Vulnerable Populations Page 11-12 Instruction & Learning Pages 12-13 Child Nutrition Pages 13-14 Transportation Pages 14-16 Communication Page 16-17 Professional Learning (Before/During Reentry) Pages 17 Informational Chart/Frequently Asked Questions Pages 18-21 Color Coded Map Page 22 Page | 2 From Superintendent Beam As we embark on this journey to provide the best quality education possible to our students while keeping their safety (and the safety of our employees) as the most important component of this process, we have designed the following re-entry plan for our staff and students. Although far from perfect, we have asked the input of more than 80 employees, health care providers, and board members to provide guidance in creating this plan. As a fluid document, we will monitor the effectiveness of this plan and make necessary alterations when necessary, but not without the approval of the Pocahontas County Board of Education. Our end goal is to get all of our students back to school five days a week as soon as it is safe to do so. Terrence C. Beam, Superintendent Overview The Pocahontas County Board of Education, in consultation with the West Virginia Department of Education, has developed a guide for reopening schools in Pocahontas County in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. As Pocahontas County Schools (PCS) prepares for re-entry to school, it is critical to be prepared for change as the year unfolds. This document is built upon the guidance and recommendations of the Pocahontas County Health Department and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). It is designed with the health and safety of students and staff as the priority as schools begin to reopen and deliver instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. As impacts of the COVID-19 may evolve, the Pocahontas County Health Department, WVDE, and the CDC will continue to provide updated guidance and recommendations to PCS on navigating the academic, social, and emotional effects on students and employees. As statewide and local COVID-19 public health needs change over time, it is critical for Pocahontas County Schools to plan for a variety of learning scenarios for the 2020-2021 school year. PCS will consider the following possible re-entry plans and the nine focus areas as we prepare to reopen. Page | 3 Focus Areas 1. Safe Schools & Facilities 2. Health, Social-Emotional, & Mental Wellness 3. Instruction/Learning 4. Special Education 5. Career Technical Education (CTE) 6. Technology 7. Child Nutrition 8. Finance 9. Transportation/Extracurricular/Extended Activities Current Face Covering Protocols/Temperature Checks Face coverings are required of all students and staff when they cannot socially distance from others. • Staff members must be wearing a face covering when they enter the building. They must also have their temperature read upon first entering the building. • All K-12 students must wear a face covering both on the bus and in the schools unless they can provide a medical statement from a certified health care provider stating the reason the student cannot wear a face covering. Students will also have their temperature checked daily when entering the school. • Unless medically waived, all students ages 9 and above are required to wear face coverings in all public places at all times. Exceptions to this requirement is health reasons and actively eating or drinking. (This is by order of the Governor) This would include riding the bus and in classroom settings. It is our preference to emphasize safety over comfort. • Any student who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition (documented by a medical health provider), including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition, or disability, and students who would be unable to remove a mask without assistance are not required to wear face coverings. Individuals who are communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired or who has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication, are not required to wear a mask; however, individuals should consider using another type of face covering such as a plastic face shield, for example. Page | 4 Re-Entry Plans Plan A (4 day Face-to-Face Instruction) Students will be required to attend school four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) for face-to-face instruction beginning on November 5 unless they are enrolled in virtual school. Parents need to understand that, in some cases, social distancing of six feet apart may not be possible due to the number of students attending. In those cases, face coverings will be required at all times other than eating meals. While eating meals, students will remain six feet apart. Wednesdays will continue to be deep- cleaning and remote learning days at this time. Plan B (Virtual Learning) Parents may choose to keep their children home for five days of virtual instruction. PCS will provide the virtual instruction option for students to follow. It is our intent to use our county teachers to deliver the virtual learning instruction, not necessarily the child’s homeroom teacher, but a teacher in our school system. Parents who choose this option are asked to commit to this virtual option for a nine week period if their child is in elementary or middle school. High school students are asked to commit for one full semester due to grading requirements. After that time elapses, students may continue to receive virtual instruction or may choose to participate in Plan A or B if virtual instruction is no longer preferred. We will allow virtual students to return at any time to face-to-face instruction if they are having problems academically with virtual instruction. Plan C (Remote Learning) Remote learning may occur if the Governor and/or County Health Department directs a school system to close down and all students would be getting instruction from home. In that scenario, employees would report to work and instruct students from their own classrooms. Food service would still be available to students through much the same process as of the spring of 2020. Additional Information: • As part of our blending and distance learning approach, PCS will attempt to provide computer devices to all students and staff as part of a USDA Grant that we are pursuing. PCS is also planning on expanding the number of WIFI hotspots in our county to help promote distance/virtual learning. Page | 5 General Information and Scheduling for Each Plan Scheduling for Plan A (Face-to-Face 4 days) • Least restrictive plan with social distancing required. • School facilities are open; all students in attendance • Traditional instruction with preparation for Blended and/or Distance Learning. • Meals provided. Scheduling for Plan B (Virtual) • Students are learning through virtual instruction. Classes will be arranged for each child by grade level to allow limited numbers of students as the law requires. • Instruction will be provided by our local teachers or through a West Virginia Virtual Schools instructor. • Meals are provided for pickup at designated sites. Scheduling for Plan C (Remote) • Facilities are closed for students. • Remote Learning instruction plan will be used for all students and staff. • Teachers will be on duty at school, preparing remote lessons and assisting students via internet and/or by phone. • Meals will be provided for pickup at designated sites. Within the School Day Scheduling Changes • Minimize opportunities for close contact and risk of exposure. o Daily temperature screening will be conducted at each school upon entrance to the buildings. o Students will be asked COVID-19 screening questions daily. o Entry/Dismissal, bell schedule adapted. o Cafeteria limited to 50% capacity. o Staggered recess times in smaller groups. o No field trips. o Assemblies closed for full capacity. o Visitors are limited. o Students in Pre-K through 5th grade will stay in homeroom class all day. Teachers move, not students. Page | 6 o Staff and Students will follow current face covering protocols. o Social distancing behaviors continue as recommended by state and local health authorities, such as removing groupings of desks and creating hallway floor stickers. o Hand sanitizer will be provided for student and staff use. o Food service employees will wear face coverings at all times, to the greatest extent possible. o School buses will be cleaned before every run. o Signage will be located throughout the buildings to remind students to social distance. o Minimize opportunities for close contact and risk of exposure o School facilities are open with as much social distancing as possible o Limit density of people in school facilities to no more than 50% maximum occupancy o Enhanced health and cleaning protocols o Meals will continue to be provided for all five 5 days to all students, regardless of what option they choose o Employees may bring their children to school in order to allow them to catch a bus running to a different location. No school for students every Wednesday to allow for thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the facilities and for preparing Blending Learning instruction. Teachers are available for assistance with assignments via phone or Teams. Safe Schools and Facilities Cleaning & Hygiene • Adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors will be provided (e.g., paper towels, tissues, soap and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) for safe use by staff and older children.