T IO N NT ER I . O EN AN IB I SEMPER L CA W STAT E M IR NI A GI DE PA RT M OF A COVID-19 • Re-entry to Recovery Guidance T VIRGIN ES WEST V I T OF E D U School Re-entry Scenarios Safer at School/ Safer at Home Blended Learning Delivery Models &/or Students will attend school four days with one day of remote learning or some similar configuration determined by the county. On the remote days, the building will be rigorously sanitized. (Preferred elementary school scenario to best meet developmental needs.) or Students may attend schools a limited number of days. Class sizes may be limited and/or creative scheduling implemented to minimize student mobility in the school. All students will be engaged in learning five days a week through a blended learning model. Full Remote Delivery If an outbreak occurs and a stay at home order is issued, all students will complete school assignments remotely five days a week. This will require the teacher and students to communicate daily and develop a process for monitoring, reviewing and/or grading of student engagement activities. The West Virginia Department of Education has convened an Advisory Council that consists of more than 40 collaborative partners. Working within nine focus areas, the Council is informing guidance that will assist counties as they develop their re-entry and recovery plans and strategies for fall 2020 and beyond. Nine Focus Areas Instruction/Learning Physical & Social/ Emotional Wellness Safe Schools & Transportation Finance Career Technical Education (CTE) Child Nutrition Extracurricular/ Extended Activities Special Education Technology Revised 061020 Considerations for School Re-entry » Until access to a vaccination or treatment is available to students and staff, the school day may not look the same as it has in the past. » While under a State of Emergency, WVDE and school districts will follow the Governor’s and State Health Officials’ guidelines. » If the State of Emergency is lifted, WVDE and school districts will make decisions based on the data regarding COVID-19 in individual districts/regions in conjunction with State Health Officials’ recommendations. » School systems should consider the following: • Limit visitors permitted in the school. • Elementary students stay in core groups within designated classrooms for instruction, and related arts. • Develop protocols for masks, handwashing, social distancing, etc. • Evaluate athletic/physical activities, related arts and large gatherings on school time/property. • Field trips should follow safety protocols and should be limited to maximize learning. • Utilize outdoor classrooms when appropriate. • Examine regional closings and/or single school closings rather than statewide closures. • Utilize nurses to monitor the health of students, staff and facilities. » Apply varying social distancing guidelines by student populations (for example: medically fragile students, young children). » Strongly encourage counties to begin the school year earlier in the event of a resurgence of the virus. » Capture remote learning days as instructional days requiring meaningful student engagement which is monitored, reviewed and/or graded in a timely manner. » Define flexibilities for students who cannot attend daily and implement remote learning. » Every county/school must develop a remote learning contingency plan in the event the county/ school has to transition to a remote environment due to a resurgence of COVID. » Consider expanding virtual school course offerings through local policies or through a partnership with West Virginia Virtual Schools, being mindful of the technology and broadband equity and access limitations. » To create a safe environment for students, employees and families, additional protocols are under advisement and will be provided in the coming weeks. • Daily screening for symptoms in students and staff. • Consider masks when students are outside of core groups and cannot social distance. This includes while they are riding on school buses. O T IO N NT EN ER I . M IR AN IB I SEMPER L CA M OF NI A GI DE PA RT STAT E T VIRGIN ES WEST V I A W Additional detailed guidance will be provided for district decision making at wvde.us/reentry. T OF E D U