?Rekindling ()ur Warrior Spirit? Lake George School District COVID-19 Proposed Reopening Plan We are committed to ongoing communication! You will have the opportunity to submit questions via email later in the presentation at: LGreopening@lkgeorge.org Please hold questions until the end of the presentation. We will do our best to answer questions at the end of the meeting. Questions that can’t be answered tonight will be shared, reviewed, and addressed when possible/applicable. Since the close of schools in March 2020, We have learned... There is no replacement for the value realized from in-person, educational experiences that occur at LGCSD. The teacher-student connection is essential to engagement, social emotional wellness and learning. Our schools provide our students with social and emotional well being. Our schools are an important centerpiece of our community. Our schools hold a crucial role in all that is associated with learning. Guiding Principles & Priorities: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Safety Connections Practice Preparedness Social Emotional Wellness Equity & Access Teaching & Learning Collaboration, Feedback, and Input Collaboration Building Level SDM (Shared Decision Making) K-12 Steering Committee Feedback Input Parent Survey Staff Survey K-12 Steering Committee BOCES Re-Entry Committees Parent Survey Staff Survey K-12 Steering Committee Proposed “Ease-in” Reopening A THREE PHASE PLAN Goal: Safely return to in person instruction through a gradual phase-in approach of bringing students into school and ultimately returning to in-person instruction for all students when possible. Phase I Orientation During this phase students will attend school in-person for one half day session depending on their cohort. “CONNECTIONS” September 8 & September 9 Elementary School Jr/Sr High School 9/8 9/9 Grades K-4 ½ Day In-Person Home Orientation Activities Grades 5-6 Home Orientation Activities ½ Day In-Person Grades 7-8 ½ Day In-Person Home Orientation Activities Grades 9 -12 Home Orientation Activities ½ Day In-Person Phase II “Prepare & Practice” September 10 through September 25 Focus on: Connecting, Communicating, Educating, Reinforcing Students will begin transitioning to an in-person model. 9/10 9/11 9/14 9/15 9/16 9/17 9/18 Targeted Students In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person Grades K-4 In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person Grade 5 In Person Remote In Person Remote In Person Remote In Person Grade 6 Remote In Person Remote In Person Remote In Person Remote Grades 7-8 In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person In Person Grades 9-10 In Person Remote In Person Remote In Person Remote In Person “Targeted” subgroups include, but are not limited to younger Grades In In students, English In language students in each building, special class Remote Remote Remote Remote 11-12 Person and disengaged Person students. Person learners, Phase III “Return” Beginning September 28 All students return to in-person learning daily if possible. In-Person Learning When can we return to In-Person Learning? What will In-Person Learning look like? State will allow school's to return to in-person instruction if: ○ Capital Region is in Phase 4 ○ Daily infection rate remains below 5% using a 14-day average ● Student schedules will closely resemble traditional schedules, but may include staggered times for transitions ● Attendance is required and recorded daily ● Upon reopening, the district will adhere to CDC guidance CDC Guidance Class size and configuration will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart Masks will be worn at all times except during lunch, scheduled mask breaks, when core of the activity prevents usage Temperature checks will be conducted daily upon entering the building Weekly screening forms No lockers/cubbies will be used Traffic patterns in hallways will be established Daily cleaning New Space Configurations J-Sr High School Classroom Reduced Capacity Jr- Sr HS Classroom Reduced Capacity New Space Con?gurations LGES Classroom Space Reduced Capaci ., .. "Wm 14? . ?1 3,159 van: . New Space Con?gurations ?9??er Jr? Sr High School Cafeteria Transportation The district will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines. ● Students will sit one to a seat. Members of the same household can be assigned to the same seat ● Students are required to sit in the same assigned seat everyday ● Face masks must be worn at all times on school buses (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated) ● Appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable ● Transportation will be provided to and from the same address five days/week. Schedules cannot vary day by day ● Buses will be cleaned and disinfected after the AM run and again after the PM run **Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses.** Child Nutrition School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely in compliance with the Child Nutrition Program requirements. Onsite Meals: ● Students will eat in the cafeteria or classroom based on a predetermined schedule. Students will maintain appropriate social distancing ● Masks can be removed when seated and eating, but are required while moving during mealtime ● The sharing of food and beverages is prohibited, unless individuals are members of the same household ● All students will wash their hands/use hand sanitizer prior to eating and prior to resuming classroom activities ● Existing procedures to protect students with food allergies will remain in place Off Site/Remote/Hybrid Meals: ● Meals will be delivered to students when parents/guardians request them when in Hybrid/Remote settings. Alternate Learning Models Flexibility will be needed… Communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may result in the need to limit the number of people in the classroom or school buildings and/or may prompt short or long-term school closures and result in the district transitioning to a hybrid learning model and a fully remote learning model. 100% Remote Learning Why would the district move to 100% Remote Learning? State Guidelines: ○ Capital Region is no longer in Phase 4 ○ What will Remote Learning look like? ● Students will be provided with daily/weekly schedules to outline times for instructional engagement, including teletherapy ● Remote learning opportunities will include a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, using Google Classroom ● Daily attendance will be taken ● Faculty/Staff will be expected to report to work in-person to deliver instruction/services Daily infection rate reaches 9% using a 7-day average District Specific Need Daily Instructional Engagement Expectations Grades K-6 Grades 7-12 Approximately 3 hours daily Approximately 4 hours daily **Additional support and opportunities as scheduled.** Hybrid Model Why would the district move to a Hybrid Model? What will a hybrid model look like? The hybrid model may be implemented due to NYSED or Governor mandate, mandated capacity requirement invoked, or Covid-related quarantine station (by school) ● ● Example Week ● A combination of in-person instruction and remote learning (as previously defined) developed to meet state guidance given or local needs Students will be provided with daily/weekly schedules to outline times for instruction ○ Every other day rotation of in-person and remote ○ Certain groups of students will be prioritized for daily in-person learning to the greatest extent possible Daily attendance will be taken Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Targeted Students K-12 In-Person In-Person In-Person In-Person In- Person Grades K-6 In-Person In-Person In-Person In-Person In-Person **Any reduction in the number of students able to attend daily will begin with the oldest students alternating daily between in person instruction and remote learning on an A/B day rotation. Grades 7-8 In-Person Remote In-Person Remote In-Person Grades 9-12 Remote In-Person Remote In-Person Remote The following week would have the opposite configuration for Grades 7-8 and 9-12 Across All Learning Models Safety Measures Health Checks Hygiene Cleaning Disinfecting Safety The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses using guidance from CDC, DoH, NYSED . Social distancing, face coverings & PPE LGCSD is requiring everyone to wear masks at all times with the exception of: ● ● ● Scheduled “mask - break” times When eating meals; or When the core of the activity prevents usage (a distance of 12 feet in all directions is maintained between individuals while participating in activities requires projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind *instrument, or aerobic activity-physical education DOH: “Face shields alone are not acceptable: face masks must be worn in addition to the face shield in school settings.” ● Masks will be provided to students and staff, if needed, at no cost. Acceptable masks for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth-based coverings and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose Face coverings should not be placed on: ● ● ● ● ● Children younger than 2 years old; Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction; Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; or Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance. Employees with healthcare provider documentation stating they are not medically able to tolerate masks will not be required to do so Instructions: The district will instruct students, parents/guardians and staff, contractors and vendors on: ● The proper way to wear face masks ● Washing hands before putting on & after removing their face masks ● Proper way to discard disposable face coverings ● The importance of routine cleaning of reusable face masks; and ● Face masks are for individual use only and should not be shared Health Checks The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses using guidance from CDC, DoH, NYSED . Health Screening for Students: Students will complete adult supervised daily temperature checks upon arrival: - Elementary School - Two thermometers at the entrance to clusters Jr./Sr, High School - Two thermometers each at the Main Entrance and Bus Entrance and one at the Gym Entrance Students w/ temperature over 100, or develop symptoms during or outside school hours with no other explanation for them, will be sent to the school health office for an assessment ● Screening questionnaire: Periodic health screenings will be conducted by parents/guardians on behalf of their children ● Tracing: The data collected & reviewed by LG staff ● Reminder: A district-wide alert every two weeks will remind staff and parents/guardians of the health screening mandate Health Screening for Staff: ● ● ● ● ● Temperature Checks: Staff will complete daily temperature checks Screening questionnaire: Staff will complete daily, prior to arrival at school Tracing: Results should be submitted and reviewed by LG staff https://covid.lkgeorge.org/login.php (accepted or denied entry) Staff members developing symptoms during or outside school hours with no other explanation for them should report to the school health office for an assessment by the school nurse. A district-wide alert every two weeks will remind staff and parents/guardians of the health screening policy Health Screening Vendors, Visitors/ Contractors ● ● ● Temperature checks and completion of the screening questionnaire will be completed at the main entrances prior to being allowed in the building Procedures: These procedures will be posted at each entrance Tracing: The data collected for contact tracing purposes includes name, phone, email, and whether you were allowed or denied entry Hygiene The district will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education in hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. using guidance from CDC, DoH, NYSED Signage: Signage will be used to remind individuals to: ● ● ● ● ● ● Stay home if they feel sick Cover their nose and mouth Adhere to social distancing instructions Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19 Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection rules Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette Respiratory Hygiene: The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Students and staff must: ● ● ● Hand Hygiene: Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices. ● ● ● ● Wash hands for at least 20 seconds Dry hands completely after washing Use paper towels to dry hands if available vs. hand dryer If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer -DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used Hand washing should occur: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue and discard tissue. If no tissue, use an elbow Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing Wear face coverings or protective gear- they work! . Before and after eating (e.g. snacks and lunch) After going to the restroom After using a tissue Before and after using shared materials Before and after putting on or taking off face masks After coming in from the outdoors Anytime hands are visibly soiled Cleaning and Disinfecting The district will complete the following to ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” posters. ● ● Learning spaces and cafeterias reorganized to allow for social distancing ● Installation of touch-free amenities, such as water-bottle refilling stations, soap, and paper towel dispensers, where feasible Cleaning and disinfection coordinated with the school schedule ● The district will complete the following to gear its facilities operations toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. Increased staffing allocated to school hours to ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities ● Facilities ● Adequate code-required ventilation will be maintained with the High-risk areas such as the nurse’s office, restrooms, and opening of windows and doors utilized to the greatest extent cafeteria will be given priority possible ● Cafeterias cleaned and disinfected between each group’s use ● Drinking fountains with no bottle filling station will be closed off ● High touch areas such as doors, light switches, desks, etc. ● Water lines will be flushed prior to the start of school cleaned and disinfected frequently each day ● NYSED approved physical barriers will be installed where six feet ● Cleaning and disinfection supplies provided to faculty and staff for shared and frequently touched surfaces of separation is not feasible Across All Learning Models Attendance & Engagement The district will follow the Board of Education Attendance Policy. Student attendance will be taken and recorded every day, regardless of instruction being provided remotely or in person. In addition to daily attendance, staff will monitor student engagement in learning. The district will communicate and use multiple interventions when students are not attending and/or engaging in learning. Grading Grading practices will be designed with the intent of staying consistent through the 2020-2021, regardless of any learning environment transitions that are needed. They will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content. These practices will be building level decisions and will be defined and shared by the principals in collaboration with the shared decision making bodies. Across All Learning Models Social Emotional Learning Special Education LGCSD recognizes that the social emotional well-being of our students and staff during these challenging times is critically important. Programs and services will be provided to students with disabilities following their individualized education programs and documented by case managers and service providers. The district has made available resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instructions. The district will utilize a combination of in-person, hybrid and remote services, with a priority and focus on those populations of students (including students with disabilities) who are most adversely impacted by remote learning to provide them in-person instruction, consistent with all relevant health and safety protocols and guidelines. The district and building level student support teams will identify and support students having difficulty with transitioning back into the school setting. LGCSD will use a consistent screening tool in the fall, winter and spring. Professional development will occur before students return for in person, remote or hybrid instruction and will be on-going throughout the school year. In the event of either temporary or longer-term school closure, remote instruction and teletherapy services will be provided following the IEPs to the greatest extent possible. Our district may not be able to provide all services in the same manner in a remote situation that they are typically able to provide in person, but will prioritize to “match” as closely as possible in collaboration with parents. Frequently Asked Questions ● What about athletics? Currently Interscholastic sports or activities are not permitted ○ ○ ● Will co-curricular and extra-curriculars activities occur? ○ ● Yes our physical space and staffing adheres to all guidelines with accommodations- But we have chosen to be cautious Are LGCSD students in grades 5&6 on the “target list: if requested? ○ ● All extracurricular activities/clubs and assembly programs will be suspended until a determination is made that indicates a safe return can be made to those activities for everyone involved including students and staff ● Re-assessed in Phase III Do our facilities meet NYS guidelines to support full re-entry? ○ ● NYSPHSAA has delayed the start of fall sports to Sept 21 and shared condensed seasons plan should fall sports not occur as planned District has reviewed roadmap for return to athletics from NYSPHSAA and guidance resources from NYSDOH, NFHS and CDC to begin preparations / accommodations when/if sports begin -Not included in NYSED Regs. Still determining Discussion Topic for BoE: Instruction for students who can not attend in person ● Virtual Participation ● Schedule : Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Questions Please submit questions to: LGreopening@lkgeorge.org We will do our best to answer questions during the meeting. Questions that can’t be answered tonight will be shared, reviewed, and addressed when possible/applicable. THANK YOU LGCSD Board of Education, Leadership Team, K-12 Reopening Steering Committee, SDM Teams, students, parents, faculty and staff, BOCES and our supportive community for your feedback, collaboration, flexibility and unwavering support!