2020 COVID-19 RE-Entry Information Fayetteville City Schools appreciates your support and patience as we continue to take steps to support our students, families, community and employees. It is our intent to continue to plan and communicate with all stakeholders as necessary shifts occur.  As state and local conditions and policies change, plans may be adjusted.  In an effort to develop the most effective strategies, Fayetteville City Schools has obtained feedback from parents, local health officials, state officials, and national organizations (ex: CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics).  We will be implementing a staggered schedule for all schools and students for the first week (August 3 - August 6) to limit the number of students in buildings each day, orient students to new protocols, and prepare for distance learning routines. Academics  Fayetteville City Schools will return to school for the first day of classes on August 3, 2020 with a staggered schedule for all grade levels.  The health and safety of our students and employees, the academic instruction to help our students continue to learn, and our students’ social and emotional wellbeing will be our priorities.  If your family chooses a totally virtual learning option, please see the soon to be released Virtual Learning Academy Guide. Classroom Procedures  All school buildings will be opened at 7:00 AM  Hand sanitizer will be provided if at all possible and usage will be encouraged.  Teachers and staff will encourage good hygiene, including hand washing before and after classes/ activities.  Desks and tables will be sanitized as frequently as possible.  Desks will be spread out as much as possible. Custodial Service  Cleaning practices will be enhanced to include more frequent and deeper cleaning.  Each school will use an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer nightly to disinfect all classrooms and common areas. School Nutrition & Cafeterias  All cafeteria personnel will wear plastic face shields or masks and gloves while preparing and serving food.  All tables will be disinfected before and after meals and between lunches.  Students will be encouraged to use good distancing practices. Staggered Schedules Fayetteville City Schools will follow a staggered schedule for the first week (August 3 – August 6) to limit the number of students in the building each day, orient students to new protocols, and prepare for distance learning procedures. Students will attend on the following days, depending on grade level.     Monday, August 3: grades 4th , 5th, and 9th Tuesday, August 4: grades 3rd, 6th, and 10th Wednesday, August 5: grades 2nd, 7th, and 11th Thursday, August 6: grades 1st, 8th, and 12th  Friday, August 7: All grades attend  Prek and Kindergarten will follow phase in schedule which will be communicated to parents. Transportation  Bus service will continue to be provided, but out of an abundance of caution, we encourage parents/guardians to transport whenever possible.  If siblings ride the same bus, they will sit together.  Assigned seating will be enforced, and masks will be required on buses (masks provided if necessary).  Buses will be cleaned daily with a disinfectant. Virtual Learning Academy Guidelines/ Expectations This option will be available for students/families with concerns related to the ongoing pandemic. Student coursework and instruction will be delivered via electronic means, but FCS staff will be available to provide academic support. It is important to note that some class offerings may be limited for some courses due to availability of online selections. Families who select the virtual learning option will receive a packet detailing the program specifics. Students choosing this option will be required to use the school issued Chromebook at the cost of $25.00 nonrefundable fee. 1. Parents and students should understand that by choosing virtual learning the student must remain in virtual courses through the end of the 1st Nine Weeks. Transitions from the Virtual Learning Academy to traditional/in person learning classes can only occur at the end of each nine weeks. 2. Parents and students should understand that the student will be responsible for participating in classroom assessments and all TNReady testing as required by the state department. 3. Parents and students should understand that by opting for the Virtual Learning Academy, the student may still attend school sponsored activities. 4. Parents and students should understand that the student will be accountable for both attendance and course grades during virtual learning through measures such as assignment completion, login time, online discussions, virtual class meetings, etc. 5. Parents and students should understand by filling out the waiver they agree to follow the rules and regulations of the Virtual Learning Academy Guide for the 2020-21 year. Visitors on Campus  Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, and in the best interest of students, visitors will be discouraged from entering school buildings without an appointment. Parents/guardians needing to speak to a teacher or administrator can make an appointment via email or phone call.  Anyone admitted into the buildings will be screened for temperature and health and will be required to wear a mask while in the building (will be provided if needed).  Until further notice, parents/guardians will not be allowed to eat breakfast or lunch with their students, and parents/guardians will not be allowed to walk their students to the classrooms.  When parents/guardians check students out, those adults will use the buzzer system at the front door. Refer to specific school protocol for further details. Health Precautions  All teachers and staff will have their temperatures checked daily.  Student desks and classrooms will be arranged to maximize physical space and improve distancing.  Classroom desks/tables will be sanitized between classes, as often as possible during the day, and each night.  Efforts will be made to limit communal supplies.  Students and staff are encouraged to wear masks, especially during group activities and any situation where safe distance cannot be maintained.  Masks will be encouraged but not required in the building for teachers and students; however, the administration and teacher reserve the right to require masks in specific situations. Fayetteville City Schools COVID-19 Management Protocols According to the CDC, the following are symptoms of COVID-19            Fever (100.4 F or higher) or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.  Temperature checks will occur for every student and adult entering the buildings daily until further notice.  Confidentiality will be maintained in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA), and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).  Protocol 1- Indirect COVID-19 contact or individual exhibits symptoms or fever based on screening o Individual must quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours or until symptom free  Protocol 2- Individual tests COVID-19 positive o Individual must quarantine for 14 days  Protocol 3- Individual has direct contact* with a COVID-19 positive individual. o Individual quarantines for 14 days *Direct contact is defined as being within six feet of a COVID-19 positive person for ten minutes or more Due to changing circumstances with COVID-19, the school system reserves the right to adjust protocol as needed 2020-21 COVID-19 Re-entry Protocol Minimal Spread County Active Case Rate <0.5% <172 Active Cases Conventional   Traditional/In person classroom/ schedule District Virtual Learning Academy Moderate Spread County Active Case Rate 0.5%-1.0% 173-343 Active Cases Substantial Spread County Active Case Rate >1.0% >344 Active Cases Hybrid Remote     Modified scheduling (combination of on-site and Virtual Learning Academy) District Virtual Learning Academy Safety & Health Considerations Safety & Health Considerations Implement mitigation strategies including, but not limited to:  Clean and disinfect frequently throughout day  Review and reinforce handwashing and hygiene practices  Daily temperature checks  Strategic student group movement  Encourage social distancing practices when possible  Masks recommended but not required for all faculty, staff and students Implementation of intensive mitigation strategies in addition to those currently in place including, but not limited to:     Deep cleaning/ disinfecting spaces and surfaces As much as possible, limit movement of students in the building Limited after school activities Masks are highly recommended for all at all times. No students in school buildings District Virtual Learning Academy Safety & Health Considerations   No large gatherings Masks are required for all personnel in close-contact spaces Lincoln County Population – 34,366 *Due to changing circumstances with COVID-19, Fayetteville City Schools reserves the right to adjust above protocol as needed