www.florencek12.org 2020 BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDANCE PLAN 2 Florence City Schools Florence City Schools 2020 Back to School Guidance Plan The leadership of Florence City Schools (FCS) takes pride in always keeping the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff a top priority in the school system. This Back to School Guidance Plan has been designed to give our stakeholders insight into the opening of campuses in August of 2020. Decisions made with-in this plan used the most up-to-date information available through the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), and other federal and state guidelines. FCS would like to thank our students, parents, faculty, and staff for their patience and understanding during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Through your support and assistance, the Falcon Family remains strong. Communications As we all have learned since March, 2020 when COVID-19 entered into our community, adjustments to normal life may be needed from time to time. The FCS Back to School Guidance Plan must also remain open for future changes. To stay up-to-date on any possible modifications to the FCS Back to School www.florencek12.org Guidance Plan, we urge everyone to follow our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and visit www.florencek12.org. FCS will also communicate future changes through email, school newsletters, local media, community partners, and phone calls. 3 Back to School Guidance Plan Contents Traditional School 04 Guidance Plan Calendar 06 Health Services 08 Back to School Dates to Remember Procedures to Stay Safe Campus Operations Florence Virtual School 14 Florence Virtual School 16 K-6 Virtual School 17 7-12 Virtual School Educating the Falcons Online A Glimpse into K-6 Virtual School The Benefits of 7-12 Virtual School Faculty and Staff 18 Operations and Resources Guidance for Faculty and Staff Published July 30, 2020 www.florencek12.org 4 Florence City Schools Guidance Plan Calendar Dates to Remember In June, 2020, the Florence City Schools Board of Education amended the 2020-2021 Student Calendar. The school board adjusted the start date of school for students to August 20th, while also creating six (6) E-Learning Days for on-campus students. FCS students will receive assignments for the E-Learning Days which will be completed while at home. Faculty and staff will report to campus to use the E-Learning Days for professional development and planning. Mission Empower students to explore, create, challenge, innovate and lead. www.florencek12.org 5 Back to School Guidance Plan FCS Open House Dates Each campus has planned an open house for their schools. These look slightly different than previous years and will be held virtually. More information will be communicated to stakeholders of each school as these dates approach. • W.C. Handy ECDC / Sunday, August 9th • Forest Hills Elem. / Sunday, August 16th • Harlan Elem. / Thursday, August 13th • Weeden Elem. / Sunday, August 16th • Hibbett Int. / Monday, August 10th • Middle School / Thursday, August 13th • Freshman Center / Wednesday, August 12th • High School / Wednesday, August 12th Class Schedules and Supply Lists Pre-K through Elementary Class Schedules / August 10, 2020 Supply Lists / July, 2020 Intermediate and Middle School Class Schedules / August 10, 2020 Supply Lists / July, 2020 Freshman Center and High School Class Schedules / August 10, 2020 Supply Lists / July, 2020 www.florencek12.org Florence City Schools 6 Health Services 01 Screening for COVID-19 Under the guidance of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Florence City Schools has established the following procedures to maximize efforts to keep our campuses safe from COVID-19 outbreaks. We ask parents/guardians, students, faculty, and staff to assist us by following the provided procedures. Home Screening - A student should not report to school for the following reasons: • one or more symptoms of COVID-19 (including a 100.4 fever or higher) • exposure to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days (CDC Exposure Guidance) • received a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, even if they are symptom free - Any COVID-19 symptoms, exposures, or positive COVID-19 tests for students or staff 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. - A clearance note from a health care provider or ADPH will be required for students and employees with COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, or positive diagnosis to return to school. School Screening - While at school, any student who exhibits symptoms such as, but not limited to: congestion, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, will be sent to the school nurse and isolated. The school nurse and FCS will follow ADPH guidelines. - If a student has a temperature or responds in the affirmative to any of the aforementioned statements, the student will be sent home for the parent/guardian to seek further medical attention. If the student does record a fever, the student cannot return until which time the ADPH allows for return to campus after a fever. - Florence City Schools plans to deploy technology to assist in health screenings for adults and students. This technology could include thermal imaging cameras to detect personal temperatures from a distance. - Students and visitors who are symptomatic, have had an exposure to someone positive to COVID-19 within the last 14 days, or who have received a COVID-19 positive diagnosis within the last 14 days, will be sent home. - A clearance note from the ADPH will be required for students and employees with COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, or positive diagnosis to return to school. www.florencek12.org Back to School Guidance Plan 02 7 Campus Procedures In addition to the screening procedures, Florence City Schools has compiled a list of best practices for our campuses These are designed to ensure the health and well-being of our stakeholders when they return to campus. This list may be modified as new ADPH guidelines are released. - Following the guidance of Governor Ivey’s amended State Health Order released on July 29, 2020, any adult or child in 2nd grade or above, shall wear a face covering. FCS stakeholders should expect the 2020-2021 school year to begin with a face-covering requirement for all students and staff unless an exception is made due to a medical condition or disability that prevents him or her from wearing a facial covering. Families should plan to provide a face covering for their children to use on a daily basis and meets the FCS dress code requirements. For students in Kindergarten and 1st grade, masks will also be a requirement during times of transition such as leaving a classroom, morning drop-off, and afternoon pick-up. - Social distancing practices to maintain six feet of separation between persons of different households will be implemented, where practical, to the greatest extent possible. - Space seating/desks at least 3-6 feet apart when feasible. - FCS will turn desks to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other), or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart. - FCS will teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence among students and staff. - If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer). - FCS will encourage staff and students to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. - If soap and water are not readily available following a cough or sneeze, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer). - Upon the recommendations of the CDC and ADPH, the FCS custodial staff has developed an increased cleaning and disinfection schedule. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., playground equipment, door handles, sink handles) within the school and on school buses at least daily or between use as much as possible. - Cleaning products should not be used near children, and staff should ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children or themselves from inhaling toxic fumes. www.florencek12.org 8 Florence City Schools Back to School Campus Doors Open August 20th To our students and parents, Welcome Back to School! A few changes might be noticed as you return to campus. We want you to know Florence City Schools (FCS) has worked diligently to keep the safety and well-being of our students and staff a top priority. The following procedures have been established with the most up-to-date information available through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), and the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). These procedures are subject to change through-out the 2020-2021 school year. Absentee Learning • Absentee Learning will be used when students are at home sick for an extended period of time. • With Absentee Learning, students will be able to stay connected with their class(es) through their school’s Learning Management System. • Schoology and Canvas are learning management systems. Schoology is utilized by K-6 students and Canvas is utilized by students in grades 7-12. • Learning materials and assignments will be posted in Schoology or Canvas by the student’s teacher(s). Students may also have face-to-face collaboration with other students and teachers utilizing online services used by FCS. Campus Visitors • Access to visitors will be very limited, especially at the beginning of the school year, on all Florence City Schools campuses. • At this time, there will be NO visitors for students during lunch. • Visitors are subject to a health screening by school personnel before entry is allowed; visitors must wear a mask before entering a building. www.florencek12.org 9 Back to School Guidance Plan Signage and Wayfinding • Informational signs that promote everyday screening and protection, while also describing how to stop the spread of germs will be placed in highly visible locations (e.g., school entrances, restrooms). School Procedures • Each school campus will have its own morning drop-off procedure. Your school will be providing you with information as to how that will look different this year. This will also include different procedures for breakfast at all locations. Transitions/Class Changes • K-4 schools will limit class transitions by having specialty teachers, rather than students, move between rooms. This will include everything except for Special Education, Physical Education, and individualized instruction. • 5-6 classes will transition teachers between classrooms for core subjects. Students will change classrooms for Physical Education and Encore classes. • 7-12 schools will continue with class changes as needed. However, students will be instructed on individual campus procedures to observe social distancing guidelines to the greatest extent possible. School Issued Lockers • Each school will release information regarding locker usage and procedures. Assemblies • No campus events will be scheduled that cannot meet the recommended social distancing and/or health guidelines set-forth by the CDC and the ADPH will not be allowed. www.florencek12.org 10 Florence City Schools Back to School Campus Doors Open August 20th Traditional Option to Virtual Option • Following the guidance of the ALSDE, any student who starts the school year in traditional school may transfer to virtual school at any time. • Florence City Schools asks parents/guardians to contact their school administration or guidance counselor for assistance in making this transition. Falcon Athletics • All athletic teams, band, and cheer will follow guidance as applicable during meetings, practices, transportation, competition, and other organized activities provided by the AHSAA, ADPH, ALSDE and Florence City Schools. • Only Essential Personnel should be directly involved on sidelines or clubbased practices, meetings, and competitions. • AHSAA 2020 Fall Sports Rules Modifications (July 23,2020) • AHSAA Best Practices Return to Play for Fall 2020 (July 23,2020) • FCS Athletics Department (www.florencek12.org/FCSAthletics) www.florencek12.org 11 Back to School Guidance Plan Bus Transportation • Buses will resume routes on August 20th. • Following the guidance of Governor Ivey’s amended State Health Order released on July 29, 2020, a face covering must be worn by any person riding on a school bus. This facial-covering requirement is subject to exceptions such as any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents him or her from wearing a facial covering. • ECCO Ride will provide symptom signage for students and parents to aid in home screening before boarding the bus. • Drivers will receive training from ECCO Ride on signs and symptoms of COVID-19. • Once boarded, students who show signs of COVID-19 will be moved to a seat by themselves, issued a mask, and the school will be notified. • Hand sanitizer will be available for both the bus driver and students. • The bus drivers will be wearing face coverings and gloves. • If a driver tests positive for COVID-19 they will be removed from service, and the bus will be sanitized. • Between morning and afternoon routes, each bus will be thoroughly cleaned and special attention will be paid to high touch areas such as railings and backs of seats. • Students will be asked to load back to front, and unload front to back. • Students will be assigned seats based on loading and unloading, and social distance intervals will be marked on the aisle. • Air Conditioners on buses will be utilized to maintain airflow during routes. • Buses will be ventilated when not in use, and sanitized after completing morning and afternoon routes, paying close attention to high touch areas. www.florencek12.org Florence City Schools 12 Back to School Campus Doors Open August 20th Cafeteria Florence City Schools is pleased to announce each student in PK-12 will eat for free during the 2020-2021 school year. In July, our Child Nutrition Program was awarded a National School Lunch Program grant to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students. There will be ala carte items available during the lunch hour for students in K-12 at an extra cost to the students. They can receive additional information from the individual campuses when school opens. Breakfast • PK students will be served breakfast in their classroom. • K-6 students will go directly to their designated area after arrival at school in the morning. Teachers pick-up breakfast meals each morning and deliver them to individual classrooms for students. • 7-12 students will be able to pick-up a breakfast meal from the cafeteria and move to a designated area or classroom to eat. Lunch • PK students will be served lunch in their classroom. • K-6 students will be served lunch in the cafeteria and then return to their classroom to eat. • 7-12 students will be served lunch in the cafeteria and eat in their classroom or designated area. www.florencek12.org Back to School Guidance Plan 13 Remote Learning Florence City Schools has developed guidance plans to assist parents and students in the event a campus or the entire school system has to switch to Remote Learning due to infectious disease or disaster. • Teachers will be responsible for continuing standards-based, quality instruction for their students through Schoology (K-6) /Canvas (7-12). • The classroom teacher will provide students and parents a weekly schedule identifying dates and times when whole group instruction, small group instruction, and interactive meetings will occur. • Students, parents, and classroom teachers will communicate with one another via Schoology/Canvas, email, text messages, and/or telephone relating to instruction and other school related inquires. • Classroom teachers will provide daily academic support to students during normal school hours. • K-12 students will be issued daily lessons and assignments in assigned courses. • Physical education classes will be delivered daily and online using Schoology/ Canvas. • Art, Music, Encore classes, FAFA, counseling, and library lessons will occur virtually via Schoology at designated times according to a teacher communicated schedule. • Choir and band lessons will occur virtually via Canvas at designated times according to a teacher communicated schedule. • District assessments and classroom testing will be administered online at designated times throughout the closure. • Each classroom teacher is expected to follow all IEP, 504, and ELL accommodations for instruction and assignments. www.florencek12.org 14 Florence City Schools Florence Virtual School 01 Florence Virtual School is education that uses technology to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the teacher and working remotely. Florence City Schools (FCS) understands parent’s and students’ concerns and the unknowns the COVID-19 pandemic has created. As the beginning of the fall semester approaches, FCS is in constant communication with the ALSDE and is making plans for students to return to school campuses on August 20, 2020. As we all prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, we want to take the opportunity to remind parents and students of the virtual school programs FCS has available for our students. In addition to the award-winning traditional classroom opportunities for K-12, we also offer our students the FCS K-12 Virtual School. FCS has utilized a virtual platform www.florencek12.org for seven years in grades seven to twelve as a pioneer of virtual learning in the state of Alabama. In early summer, FCS announced plans for our K-6 virtual pathways. Under the FCS K-6 Virtual School program, parents have many options tailored for their child’s specific needs. Those options range from a completely independent virtual learning experience to onsite interactive lessons and hands-on opportunities. The FCS 7-12 Virtual School will continue using the same procedures as it has in the past, providing students with opportunities to participate in high-quality instruction on a flexible schedule. 15 Back to School Guidance Plan Florence Virtual School 1 Tuition Free There is no cost to students to participate in FCS Virtual School. 2 Support FCS Virtual School utilizes our own teaching staff to support students. 3 1:1 Devices Students in virtual school are provided with a device to assist in their learning experience. FCS K-6 Virtual School FCS 7-12 Virtual School Students in grades K-6 are provided with four tailored Pathways to meet their specific goals, preferences, and instructional needs via Schoology. Students in grades 7-12 are provided with a wide array of course offerings via Canvas allowing everything from full virtual school to only one virtual course. Students who participate in Florence Virtual School can only transfer back to on campus learning at the end of a nine-week grading period after consulting with school administration. www.florencek12.org 16 Florence City Schools Florence Virtual School About K-6 Virtual School Florence City Schools has designed four virtual Pathways from which to choose for parents and students of K-6 schools in order to fit their current needs. Once enrolled in Florence Virtual School, parents are allowed to change Pathways if they desire more or less interaction with teaching staff. If you are already a registered FCS student wishing to enroll visit our FCS Virtual School website. Virtual Special Education Services • • • Students who choose the virtual option will continue to receive special education and related services as determined appropriate by the student’s IEP team. Students with a 504 Plan will continue to receive appropriate accomodations per the student’s 504 plan. Students receiving direct gifted services, virtual learning activities will be facilitated by the Gifted Specialist. www.florencek12.org 17 Back to School Guidance Plan About 7-12 Virtual School The Florence 7-12 Virtual School was created in 2013, with the realization students needed alternative paths to meet the needs within their schedules and for graduation. After studying many virtual platforms, Florence City Schools made the decision to have our teachers design and instruct our courses based on the Alabama Courses of Study. We have Florence teachers teaching Florence students with Florence curriculum. Florence City Schools wants to meet the needs of our students and our families. In order to meet the needs of a diverse population, we think out of the box. Florence 7-12 Virtual School is a very important piece of that. Not only is it a platform that allows students to be successful within itself, but it also lets them expand upon the other opportunities that we provide them. With a vast number of course offerings and a broad range of curricular pathways, Florence City Schools encourages students and parents to begin “Charting Your Course” early. Diploma distinctions, Dual Enrollment, Early college, and two-year Associate Degrees are just a few of the many options available to students. Links are available below. Florence Middle School Florence Freshman Center Florence High School Technology Support Pacing 100% of lessons provided through an online learning management system. FCS will provide assistance to families of students participating in virtual school. Virtual School students have freedom to work at their own pace with benchmarks. Classes Clubs Participation In addition to core subjects, students have the opportunity to take part in electives. Students may participate in extra-curricular activities and athletics on-campus. Florence Virtual School is strictly voluntary for students. www.florencek12.org 18 Florence City Schools Faculty and Staff Operations and Resources During this unprecedented time in our nation’s history, Florence City Schools remains committed to the well-being and safety of our faculty and staff with necessary resources, to the fullest extent possible. Campus principals will be available to answer further questions concerning each school’s plans. With guidance from the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama State Department of Education, we are providing a list of guiding principles to help with the transition back to school. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate in contacting your immediate supervisor or campus principal. • All faculty need to take the 360 COVID Training Course and turn in the completion certificate to your principal or immediate supervisor by August 14, 2020. • Each member of the Falcon Family will be given two washable face coverings, access to hand sanitizer, soap, and sanitizing supplies. • Prior to arriving for work, we ask you check your temperature. If you have a fever (100.4 or higher), contact your supervisor immediately and follow instructions before returning to work. • If you notice an increase of symptoms as described by the ADPH related to COVID-19, contact your principal or supervisor immediately and follow ADPH instructions before returning to work. • ADPH defines direct exposure to COVID-19 as contact closer than 6 feet, for more than 15 minutes, with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you have had direct exposure with someone, contact your immediate supervisor for instructions. • Florence City Schools will follow ADPH guidelines if a faculty or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19. www.florencek12.org Back to School Guidance Plan 19 Operations and Resources Florence City Schools will make available to our employees applicable leaves provided by Federal law and local school board policies. First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) • Provides Emergency Paid or Prorated Paid Sick Leave up to 80-hours for employees subject to quarantine/isolation order, caring for an individual subject to an order, or caring for a son or daughter for which childcare is not available. • Emergency FMLA Expansion Act temporarily expands FMLA to provide an additional period of paid or unpaid leave for parents who have experienced a loss of childcare. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) • Provides up to 12-weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month rolling look back period measured backwards, to employees who have at least 12-months of service and have worked a minimum of 1,250-hours during that period. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Provides that employers make reasonable accommodation to the known disability of an employee if the accommodation would not impose an undue hardship on the employer’s business operations. Sick Leave • Utilized for absences due to personal illness or attendance upon an ill member of the employee’s immediate family. Personal Leave • Granted on a first submitted basis. No more than 10% of a school’s certified or support staff may take personal leave concurrently. Other Unpaid Leave • Defined as leave approved by the FCS School Board for substantial hardship or extraordinary circumstances. Faculty and staff must notify the Florence City Schools Business Office at the Central Office to request leave per the First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). www.florencek12.org