Reopening Plan  Franklin County Schools will reopen on August 20, 2020, for traditional (face-to-face) instruction at each facility. Local and state health guidelines will be followed during the Covid-19 Pandemic to ensure the safety of students and staff. It is important to note that the reopening of schools is contingent upon new information from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Governor Kay Ivey’s office, and the Alabama State Department of Education.   Things to Note  1. The school system will offer traditional, on-campus instruction during the 2020-2021 school year. The school system will also offer a remote learning plan for those students that don’t feel safe returning to school at this time. The remote learning plan, if chosen, will be in 9-week increments. Students will not be allowed to weave in and out of in-person instruction and remote learning. The remote learning plan will also be used for students who test positive for Covid-19, students who are quarantined, or students that are not in the traditional classroom setting for reasons deemed necessary by the Franklin County Board of Education. 2. Students will not be required to wear masks but are encouraged to do so. If the wearing of masks becomes a mandate from the ALSDE or local government officials, masks will be provided and guideline-following will be expected. 3. Employees will not be required to wear masks but are encouraged to do so. 4. Daily cleaning protocols will be implemented and documented at all schools and on all buses. 5. Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. Scheduling, social distancing, and enhanced sanitizing protocols will be followed. 6. Students will have P.E. time. Scheduling, social distancing, and enhanced sanitizing protocols will be followed. 7. We will not take every child’s temperature to start the school day. The screening process begins at home with parents checking their children for symptoms of sickness, as well as fever. 8. Athletics will continue as outlined by the AHSAA. Social distancing guidelines and safety protocols are being practiced in all of our athletic departments at this time. Guidance for fans attending sporting events will be announced before the competition begins. Limited interaction with other people, in close proximity, will help mitigate the spread of the virus. 9. Schools will limit non-school personnel from entering the buildings and interacting with our students. Parents and guardians are encouraged to conduct school business via phone or email. For the time being, the Franklin County School System will restrict the following: ❖ Visitors for lunch with your children ❖ Class Parties ❖ Meet the Teacher ❖ Festivals/Plays ❖ Face-to-Face Conference with Teachers/Administrators ❖ Any other interaction deemed necessary by the administration 10. Registration dates for traditional learning and for remote learning will be announced by each individual school. We hope these restrictions are short-lived, but they are necessary for the health and safety of our students. Remote Learning Plan  The first priority of the Franklin County School System is the safe return of students to the brick and mortar setting. However, we understand the concerns of parents and guardians who do not feel safe sending their children to school during this pandemic. The Franklin County School System will offer a remote learning option for students who do not return to traditional on-campus learning. Each student who chooses the remote learning option will have to register for this option through their local school. The remote learning option is a rigorous, meticulous, paced, standards-based learning option that requires a willingness to work independently. Virtual components, as well as paper/pencil assignments, are included in the remote learning plan. The remote learning plan will also be used for students who test positive for Covid-19, who are under quarantine, or who are not in the traditional classroom for reasons deemed necessary by the Franklin County Board of Education. Requirements for Remote Learn Plan ● Parent Signature ● 9-week commitment (Not allowed to weave in and out of remote learning to traditional) ● Completion of assignments (Virtual and pencil/paper) ● Following a syllabus/schedule that accompanies the remote learning plan ● Testing ● Turning in assignments at predetermined dates ● Corresponding with the remote learning facilitator by phone or email ● Access to the internet along with an electronic device that will connect to the internet, such as a computer, Chromebook, etc. ● Students who test positive for Covid-19, have been quarantined and/or any other reasons deemed necessary by the Franklin County Board of Education, the remote learning 9-week increment requirement will be waived. Direct Telephone Numbers for Remote Learning Facilitators  (256) 331-2161 Belgreen High School (256) 331-2162 East Franklin Jr High School (256) 331-2163 Phil Campbell Elementary School (256) 331-2164 Phil Campbell High School (256) 331-2165 Red Bay Elementary School (256) 331-2166 Red Bay High School (256) 331-2167 Tharptown Elementary School (256) 331-2168 Tharptown High School (256) 331-2169 Vina High School Special Education Remote Learning Plan  During remote learning, our special education staff (which includes special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists) will provide special education services using a variety of strategies and platforms based on the individual student’s needs. Our vision is to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with state and federal guidelines, through a variety of developmentally appropriate and accessible learning opportunities. Remote learning will include tools such as instructional videos, online access to educational programs, parent consultation, and additional resources. Special education staff will collaborate with families to determine which services are needed during remote learning. In addition, special education staff will collaborate regularly with general education teachers in order for students to access the general education curriculum with the modifications and accommodations in the students’ individualized education plan (IEP).   Parent/Guardian and Student Contract  For Remote Learning on School-Issued Chromebooks  ● Students without internet-capable computers at home will be issued a Chromebook or other tablet device to use during remote learning. ● Willful, deliberate, or habitual damages to computers will cause Franklin County Schools to charge the student/parent the full cost of the replacement of the device or the repairs. Additionally, such cases may be turned over to the local/county police department. ● Each device will be equipped with tracking capabilities in the event a device is lost or stolen. ● All network traffic from each computer is logged. It is not to be considered a personal device. The Franklin County School District is able to monitor all activity on each computer being used. ● All computers reported stolen must be reported, as soon as possible, to the school administration. A police report is required within 48 hours. If not, the student/parent is held responsible for the full payment of the replacement. ● All damage incidents will be investigated by school administrators. ● Parents/Students are responsible for full device replacement in the event the tablet cannot be repaired or found. The typical cost is approximately $279.00. I have read and understood that I am responsible for the laptop/tablet device. Parent/Guardian Printed Name: _____________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________ Student Printed Name: ____________________________________________________________ Student Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ______________   Remote Learning WiFi Locations    *Parking is available and students should remain in their vehicles to  complete assignments to comply with social distancing.      Belgreen Softball Complex  Blue Springs Fire Department  Burnout Fire Department  East Franklin Fire Department  Frankfort Fire Department  Frog Pond Fire Department  Hodges Equestrian Park (pending approval)  Phil Campbell- Franklin County Schools Annex  Pleasant Site Fire Department  Red Bay Water Park  Tharptown Fire Department  Union Community Center  Vina Fire Department/Community Center    **Because of limited availability in our area, Franklin County Schools  cannot guarantee internet service in all areas. If coverage is unavailable  in one area, it is the parent/student’s responsibility to seek internet  service in order to complete remote learning virtual assignments.     Child Nutrition Program      Traditional Plan Students All students will be served breakfast and lunch each day. Breakfast will be served in the classroom and lunch will be served in the cafeteria. The Franklin County Schools’ Child Nutrition Program has developed and will implement a strategic safety plan for meal service. This includes but not limited to, scheduling, enhanced cleaning practices, and social distancing. Remote Learning Plan Students Breakfast and lunch will be available for pick-up each school day to all students who are participating in remote learning. Drive-thru times for meal pick-up are tentatively set for 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. but are subject to change, based on individual schools’ child nutrition programs. Each school will announce meal pick-up times at a later date.   Transportation Plan  It is ​strongly encouraged​ that students be transported to and from school in personal vehicles. Buses will be sanitized after all routes have been completed in the morning and afternoon. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of an electrostatic sprayer, disinfectant sprays, disinfecting wipes to sanitize handrails, seats, and windows. Each bus will have a hand sanitizer station, and each student will utilize this station as they enter and exit the bus. In order to meet social distancing guidelines between the driver and students, the first row of seats on the bus will remain unoccupied. ● Students will fill the seats beginning with the back, moving toward the front. Members of the same household must sit together, either on the same seat or seats that are consecutively grouped together. ● A zero-tolerance policy on discipline issues and seating arrangements will be enforced. Bus drivers and students are not required to wear masks while on the bus. However, this may change if the state or ALSDE mandates mask-wearing. Bus drivers and students may wear masks. Weather permitting, the buses will travel with windows and roof hatches open. Bus routes may change. Morning pick-ups and afternoon drop-offs may change if social distancing guidelines on the bus cannot be maintained. We will not be able to determine these changes until we know our number of actual bus riders. ● Morning bus riders’ drop-off at the schools will be at 7:35 a.m. ● Morning car riders’ drop-off at the schools will be 8:00 a.m., until further notice ● Afternoon bus riders may begin departing at 2:35 p.m., until further notice ● Afternoon car riders will depart from each campus at 3:00 p.m., until further notice Health & Wellness The health and safety of our students, staff, families, and community are of utmost importance. The Franklin County School System is implementing safety and wellness measures for our students and staff. We will follow the current orders/guidelines issued by: ● Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) ● Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ● Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Screening for Covid-19 ● Home Screening – Very Important! A student or staff member should ​stay home​ if they: 1. have one or more symptoms​: fever over 100 degrees, chills, new onset of cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea 2. have been exposed to someone with COVID 19 in the last 14 days 3. have received a positive diagnosis of COVID 19, even if they are without symptoms Any COVID 19 symptoms, exposures, or positive COVID 19 tests must be reported to the school nurse and principal. In the case of a staff member, the report should be made to their direct supervisor. ADPH guidance will be followed.​ A Clearance note from a healthcare provider will be required for all students and employees with COVID 19 symptoms, exposures, or positive diagnosis to return to school. ● School Staff will visually check students for symptoms at building entry and throughout the school day. Students and staff who have had an exposure to someone positive with COVID 19 in the last 14 days, or who have received a Covid-19 positive diagnosis in the last 14 days will be ​sent home​. ADPH guidelines will be followed. ​A clearance note from a healthcare provider will be required for students and employees with COVID 19 symptoms, exposures, or positive diagnoses in order to return to school. In addition, students and staff must be fever free for 48 hours without fever-reducing medication before they return to school. ​ requent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged. F Students and staff who become sick at school will be​ ​sent home​. If the student does not have a face covering, a disposable mask will be placed on the student until they are able to leave the building. The student will wait in a designated area under adult supervision until they are able to leave. Parents should have a plan in place to have their child picked up from school within 30 minutes of the time they are contacted. Parents should provide current phone numbers to the school. ADPH guidelines will be followed. ● Training Students and staff will be trained on personal hygiene best practices to include proper handwashing techniques, proper use of hand sanitizers, and covering cough as well as signs and symptoms of COVID 19. Staff members will be trained to recognize and report signs of COVID 19. Water Fountains The water fountains will remain on, only for filling water bottles. Students should bring a water bottle from home labeled with his/her name. Blended Learning Plan & Schedule  The blended learning plan will combine face-to-face instruction with remote instruction. The blended learning schedule is detailed below. ● Monday - No students on campus ● Tuesday - Female students on campus ● Wednesday - Female students on campus ● Thursday - Male students on campus ● Friday - Male students on campus *This plan will ​only​ be implemented in instances where it is recommended by the Alabama Department of Public Health and/or the Alabama Department of Education.