Frequently Asked Questions
Health/Safety Considerations
1. Is a student who tests positive in School-Based Brick & Mortar moved to the SchoolBased Distance Learning model?
a. The student will remain with their original class and receive teacher support while
at home.
2. What is the protocol for the student to return to campus?
a. The Department of Health will follow CDC guidelines to discontinue quarantine
and return to school.
3. Do all students in a classroom with a positive case need to get tested?
a. Per CDC guidelines, testing is not required. The local Department of Health will
provide guidance for return to school in collaboration with school nurses.
4. Will there be desk shield barriers?
a. Desk shields will be provided in all PK-5 and in all K-12 ESE self-contained
classrooms.
5. Will desks be separated in the classroom?
a. Per the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC guidelines desks will be
separated 3 to 6 feet where possible.
6. Will the district somehow set up rapid testing sites for students/staff?
a. No. The local Department of Health and Flagler Health+ are the lead agencies for
COVID-19 testing.
7. When do we close a classroom/school?
a. The Department of Health determines this by looking at numbers as well as
transmission characteristics. They look for clusters within a school setting and
the nature of those exposed, such as younger students. They also look at what’s
happening in the surrounding community. There are many factors taken into
consideration when they consider a closure of any kind.
8. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, will all teachers/students in that child's seven
classes be sent home to quarantine?
a. Per CDC guidelines, only those with close personal contact to the student must
quarantine. CDC defines close personal contact as being within 6 feet of a
positive individual for 15 minutes without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
9. Will quarantined students/teachers be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test
before returning to school?
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 a. Per CDC guidelines, testing is not required. The local Department of Health will
provide guidance for return to school in collaboration with school nurses.
10. How will quarantined students continue their education while home awaiting clearance to
return to school?
a. The student will remain with their original class and receive teacher support while
at home.
11. What precautions are schools taking to avoid an outbreak?
a. Return to School protocols can be found by visiting
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/reopening-plan/#protocols

12. If a member of a student's household tests positive for Covid-19, will the student be
asked to quarantine for 14 days at home? How is learning affected for this student?
a. Yes, the student will need to quarantine for 14 days at home. The student will
remain with their original class and receive teacher support while at home.
13. If a teacher or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, who will be asked to quarantine
for 14 days?
a. Per CDC guidelines, only those with close personal contact to the person who
tests positive must quarantine. CDC defines close personal contact as being
within 6 feet of a positive individual for 15 minutes without PPE.
14. What precautions are being taken for our medically fragile students?
a. School nurses will work with the school staff, family and student’s physician on
student specific needs.
15. Are face masks/face shields going to be required at any point during the day for
students/staff?
a. Masks will be required on school busses, during arrival until temperature checks
are complete, during hallway transitions and during dismissal. Masks will be
utilized when individuals are unable to social distance.
16. What are the limitations for volunteers/visitors to the school?
a. Visitor and volunteer access to campus will be restricted. Visitors and volunteers
must be on official school business by appointment to enter. Visitors and
volunteers are subject to COVID screening/clearance before entry.
17. How will Meet the Teacher be conducted? How will Kindergarten orientation be
conducted?
a. Meet the teacher opportunities will be conducted online this year. Large group
gatherings will be restricted until further notice.
b. Each school will determine how they will conduct Kindergarten orientation
following CDC guidelines.

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 18. How will open house/curriculum chat be conducted?
a. Open house/curriculum chats will be conducted online this year. Large group
gatherings will be restricted until further notice.

19. Will each classroom be sanitized between periods?
a. No. All frequently touched surfaces will be treated with an anti-microbial coating
capable of killing viruses for up to 90 days. Frequently touched surfaces would
include door handles, sink handles, playground equipment, desktops, reception
countertops and other surfaces as needed.
20. In some programs (PE, Band, Music, etc.) where social distancing is a challenge, what
strategies are being used for health and safety?
a. Teachers will continue to teach appropriate health and safety protocols, such as
social distancing and hand hygiene. While participating in physical activities,
masks will not be worn based on guidance from the CDC.
21. When will students have their temperature checked?
a. Upon arrival at morning Extended Day
b. Prior to the student removing their mask to eat breakfast
c. By the teacher upon arrival in their first class of each day
d. If late arrival, checked in the front office before the student reports to class
22. When taking the arrival temperature what is the temperature level threshold?
a. CDC guidance determines fever at greater than 100.4 degrees is above the
threshold.
23. What is the definition of an elementary cohort? An elementary cohort is one classroom
of students with one teacher. Students do not mix with other cohorts except for the
following exceptions: ESE services and RtI Interventions.
24. What health and safety protocols will be in place during lunch?
a. Handwashing will be encouraged before and after lunch.
b. Hand sanitizer will be available before and after lunch.
c. Masks will be worn when not eating.
d. Tables will be separated 3 to 6 feet where possible.
e. Alternative seating areas will be utilized to promote social distancing.
f. Additional strategies may be in place to support health and safety.

Educational Considerations
1. What does school-based distance learning look like?
Instruction, assignments and assessments are completed through an online
platform with a certified teacher. The calendar matches the brick & mortar
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 calendar with a daily schedule that includes a specific time designated for each
course. School-Based Distance Learning school hours match brick & mortar
school hours. Live and/or pre-recorded lessons will be provided daily by the
teacher. Attendance is recorded daily. Engagement is monitored daily via
interaction with the teacher and completion of assignments. School staff will
provide advisement to a different instructional model when a student does not
demonstrate adequate progress in distance learning.
2. How will teachers provide instruction in the School-Based Distance Learning model?
a. There are two models for instructional delivery. The principal will decide the
model that works best for each course.
i. Simultaneous Instruction
1. School-Based Distance Learning students are assigned to a SchoolBased Brick & Mortar class
2. Teacher serves both student groups simultaneously
3. Lessons are delivered live from the classroom through Schoology
4. School-Based Distance Learners engage live or via the chat with
the teacher and their peers
ii. Distance Learning Cohort
1. School-Based Distance Learning students are grouped together as a
class
2. Teacher is scheduled to serve the distance learning students
independent of brick and mortar classes.
3. Elementary Teachers – assigned to a cohort of distance learners
4. Secondary Teachers – assigned a period during the day to serve a
cohort of distance learners
3. If I elect School-Based Brick & Mortar now, can we switch to School-Based Distance
Learning at any time?
a. Yes. There may be a delay in service due to adjusting teachers/platforms. This
may also cause a loss in course offerings. There would be a commitment through
the end of the nine weeks period.
4. If I elect for School-Based Distance Learning, can we return to School-Based Brick &
Mortar at any time?
a. The School-Based Distance Learning commitment is for the first nine weeks in
order to align with the grading period.
5. If I sign-up now for School-Based Distance Learning, will there be an option to reapply
for 2nd quarter?
a. Yes. Students can reapply for the second quarter based on a review of student
engagement and student performance. At this time, the Executive Order allows
for this option through the end of the first semester.

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 6. If I elect School-Based Distance Learning for my children, will my child be required to
be present and online at certain times during the day?
a. Yes. Students will have daily lessons from their teachers to include live, recorded,
and/or conferencing and in secondary this may include discussion boards. Daily
engagement will be required.
b. The most flexible environment is St. Johns Virtual School (SJVS). SJVS includes
a semester commitment.
7. Will all courses be available through Option 2- School-Based Distance Learning?
a. Every effort will be made to offer all courses through School-Based Distance
Learning including standard, honors, and electives. However, there may be some
non-core courses that we cannot offer due to necessary software, hardware or lab
equipment that students cannot access outside of the classroom. Students will be
contacted if there is a need to change a course.
8. On the School-Based Distance Learning registration form, it mentions having a teacher
assigned. Does this mean that our middle school children will have only one teacher for
all subjects? Will they not have any interaction with the teachers at their brick and
mortar school that they would return to later in the year if circumstances get better?
a. No. A certified teacher will be assigned for each course. Our goal is a teacher
from the school site would be assigned but it may be a teacher from another
District school teaching the course. There is no guarantee they will keep the same
teacher as they move from School-Based Distance Learning to Brick & Mortar.
9. If I choose School-Based Distance Learning, how will that effect those students who are
not zoned for their high school but are attending after being admitted into an academy?
Does this have any bearing, and will that student be placed in their zoned school?
a. With an understanding of the unique and challenging circumstances of reopening
the 2020-2021 (brick and mortar) school year, Career Academy students who are
not planning to return to the school site, whether zoned for their current school or
not zoned for their current school, will not be removed nor rezoned from
their Career Academy for the 2020-2021 school year. This plan will be reevaluated for the 2021-2022 school year.
b. At this time, we do not know if distance learning will be an option for the
academy courses. This will be determined once the enrollment has been
determined based on the completed surveys for School-Based Distance
Learning. Students may have to choose a different elective if distance learning
and/or virtual options are not available for their Career Academy course(s).
c. Due to the progression of Career Academy coursework, students will not be
enrolled in academy courses after the school year begins unless transferring from
the same course (for example, if coming from another school district or if they are
enrolled in the course through distance learning or a virtual program). At the
beginning of the following school year 2021-2022, students may enroll in the next
course in their sequence if returning to the school site.
10. What is the platform for School-Based Distance Learning?
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 a. Schoology along with curriculum resource tools (online textbooks and other
online programs)

11. What would a typical week look like for school-based distance learning?
a. Each week will reflect School-Based Brick & Mortar. Students will engage in
lessons and assessments on the same schedule as their School-Based Brick &
Mortar peers.
12. Is School-Based Distance Learning available for elementary?
a. Yes. School-Based Distance Learning is available to students in grades K-5.
13. Will ESE students be able to attend in a “physical” classroom (five days a week)?
a. Yes, unless there is a local or State Department of Health or Executive Order that
requires us to close a school.
14. How will students have recess?
a. Students will have recess in School-Based Brick & Mortar. Adjustments will be
made based on local Department of Health and CDC recommendations, facilities,
number of students, etc.
15. If I choose St. Johns Virtual School (SJVS), can we return to School-Based Brick &
Mortar in six months? Or after the 2020-2021 school year ends?
a. With SJVS, there is a semester commitment. Your child could return at the end of
the first semester. Once second semester has started, we would recommend he/she
stay for the remainder of the semester.
16. If my high school senior chooses the St. Johns Virtual School option, will they still
qualify for Bright Futures?
a. Yes, as long as they meet the required criteria.
17. If you sign up School-Based Distance Learning, can you also take classes via Florida
Virtual School?
a. Yes. Please work with your child’s school counselor.
18. Will my child be placed in a gifted/blended School-Based Distance Learning class if they
have an Educational Plan (EP)?
a. Students with EP goals will be served by a certified teacher. In School-Based
Brick & Mortar or School-Based Distance Learning, this may or may not be
accomplished through a gifted/blended class.
19. Will hard copy instructional materials be used in addition to digital resources in SchoolBased Distance Learning?
a. Yes. Hard copy materials may include textbooks, work texts, and/or packets.
20. What will be my child’s schedule in School-Based Distance Learning?
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 a. There will be a designated time for each course that will reflect the School-Based
Brick & Mortar calendar and daily schedule.
21. If I elect School-Based Distance Learning, can my child come to campus each day for a
related arts or Academy course?
a. Please work with your child’s school to discuss potential options based on their
schedule.
22. Will the attendance policy be changed?
a. No. Attendance policies apply for both students in School-Based Brick & Mortar
and students in School-Based Distance Learning.
23. Will there be a School-Based Distance Learning option for VPK?
a. The Early Childhood department is working on options for School-Based
Distance Learning. Please contact Brian McElhone at
Brian.McElhone@stjohns.k12.fl.us
24. If an ESE student elects School-Based Distance Learning, how will services be provided?
a. The case manager and family will develop appropriate supports for the student in
School-Based Distance Learning.
25. If a student moves from School-Based Distance Learning to School-Based Brick &
Mortar, will the student keep the same teacher?
a. Every effort will be made, however, there is no guarantee the student will keep
the same teacher.

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 Operational Considerations
1. Will students doing the School-Based Distance Learning option be able to play school
sports and do school extra-curricular activities?
a. Yes. It is our intention to continue to offer extra-curricular and interscholastic
athletic opportunities. We are currently working with all our Athletic Directors
and district staff with sport specific planning considerations that address this
matter in alignment with guidance from the FHSAA, local Department of Health,
and CDC recommendations. St. Johns Virtual School and Home Education
students currently participate in athletics and we will continue to follow FHSAA
guidelines.

2. How will students be grouped in Extended Day?
a. Students may be assigned to a specific group to make a cohort. A cohort may sit
together for activities. Masks must be worn or social distancing observed when
cohorts combine.
3. Will laptops be provided for School-Based Distance Learning for those who do not have
them?
a. Yes, we will provide devices when requested.

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