Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School
Re-opening Plan for September 2020
Introduction:
The safety and health of our students, our faculty, and our staff is paramount and
has been at the forefront of our planning. Our planning is designed to bring the most
students back to face-to-face education as possible, while providing additional
opportunities and improving upon the virtual learning systems that we adopted this past
spring. To allow our school district to safely reopen, there are a number of features,
contingencies, and safety protocols that we must plan for, and we have attempted to
outline this throughout our plan.
We understand that the situation around COVID-19 is ever-evolving, and as a
result, our plan will be forced to evolve with it. We, as a school district, cannot
anticipate the way that the disease will develop, nor can we fully anticipate the way that
it will affect our region, but through careful planning, hard work, and resilience, we have
put together a plan that allows our schools to have the flexibility to address these
concerns. This plan has been developed over weeks through the input of a number of
stakeholders and Warren Public Health. The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School is
committed to helping our students transition back to school in a positive way. We realize
that their social emotional health is our top priority followed by their academics. Our staff
will work collaboratively with each other and families to provide the best program we
can to ensure the most success for every child, whether they are participating in virtual
learning or in-person instruction. Our goal is to have every child back at school every
day at some point.
The Warrensburg Jr.- Sr. High School will utilize a blended model to ensure that
we are following social distancing guidelines outlined by the DOH and NYSED.
Students will be grouped in two groups, by last name and grade level (Group A and
Group B) and we will follow an A, A, B, B Schedule. Group A will attend school for two
days for in-person instruction and group B will be required to attend class virtually
during class time as indicated on their academic schedule. After two days, group B will
attend in-person instruction and group A will move to virtual learning for two days. This
schedule is a rotating schedule with no off days. (It will look like AA, BB, A, weekend,
A, BB,AA, weekend, BB, AA, B, etc.) This schedule allows us to accommodate for core
classes, electives, physical education, technology, the arts, health, family and consumer
science and every-other- day classes.

 Students that have been identified as not having internet access will attend
school every day and attend classes virtually from the library, gym and/or the
auditorium. All students will be supervised if at school and attending virtually.
Parents who wish to keep their child(ren) home and choose virtual learning will
have the option to do so. Students at home learning virtually will be required to log into
a live stream when their teacher is providing the lesson during the day. Attendance will
be mandatory, and failure to attend will result in an unexcused absence. We feel that
being in school as much as possible is the best way to provide instruction to students as
well as maintain and address their social emotional health needs on a regular basis.
Parents/students must make a 10 week commitment to virtual learning. Parents and
students may choose to opt back into in person instruction every 10 weeks. A form will
be posted on the District website for parents to indicate their choice of 100% virtual
learning.
We will be able to maintain social distance in classrooms; therefore, students will
not be required to wear face coverings during instruction. We will practice social
distancing in all other locations throughout the building as possible. Except during
instruction or due to medical reasons masks will be required to be used by students and
staff.
Should school need to close at any point in the school year, we will utilize virtual
learning for all students and require them to log into live stream lessons throughout the
day with their teacher(s). Attendance will be mandatory and traditional grading will be
done.
Communication/Family and Community Engagement:
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School will provide an opportunity for all
stakeholders in our school community to review and comment on our opening plan and
provide feedback. Stakeholders included administrators, faculty, staff, students,
parents, Warren County Public Health, and collective bargaining units.If information is
needed in alternate languages, the district will provide this to families.
Social Media, the school website, text, e-mail, automated messages, signage,
online chats ​and newsletters will be utilized to provide information on an ongoing basis
about procedures and other relevant information necessary to ensure the safety of our
school community both prior to school starting in September as well as throughout the

 year, and any time a need or change in protocols or procedures arises. Signage will be
posted throughout the building to remind all parties of COVID-19 procedures and
visitors will be instructed on proper procedures when they enter the building.

Students will also be taught how to follow our new safety protocols safely and
correctly in all areas of the school building including hand washing, face coverings,
social distancing and respiratory hygiene. This teaching will take place the first week of
school.
All stakeholders will be informed that if they have questions regarding our safety
protocols or other COVID-19 information, they should direct these to the Building
Principal.
This document is subject to change due to the possibility of additional guidance,
changes in regulations, or executive orders.

Health and Safety:
Any and all discussions about how to safely and effectively reopen our schools
requires us to understand the how of safely reopening. For us to safely reopen, there
are four major areas that need to be considered – face coverings, social distancing,
hygiene, and screening – all of which will be covered throughout the course of this
planning document. As a baseline, we as a school district are required to maintain six
feet of distancing in most scenarios; wear appropriate face coverings and PPE while in
transit and when we cannot appropriately socially distance; we must maintain proper
hand hygiene, wear a face covering and adhere to the CDC’s and Department of
Health’s guidance as they relate to the cleaning and disinfection of our classrooms.
We will perform screening of all staff, students, and faculty members as they
enter, or prior to their entry into the building. In order for us to safely reopen, we need
to be able to achieve and maintain these requirements, and throughout the course of
this document we will explain and explore the process through which we will accomplish
these requirements.
● Social Distancing will occur in classrooms and all other areas of the building
where possible. If social distancing guidelines can not be followed in some
locations or when moving through the building face coverings will be required by
students and staff.

 ● The district will provide face coverings to any students, staff, or visitors that may
need one.
● The COVID- 19 Resource individual will be the School Nurse and/or the building
administrator
● Daily health checks will be required. Parents will be asked to check their child’s
temperature prior to coming to school and screen their child for any signs of
illness. The school will utilize an app for this purpose. If this is not possible,
paper copies will be provided to return upon arrival at school. Any students who
are unable to have this temperature check and/or health screening done at home
by a parent will have this completed upon arrival at school. All staff members will
be required to complete a daily health screening questionnaire as well upon
arrival at school. Any visitors or contractors that need to enter the building will be
required to complete a health screening and follow all health and safety
measures including practicing social distancing and/or face coverings.
● Any student or staff who exhibits signs of illness will be sent home. If it is
necessary for a student to wait for a parent to pick them up there will be an
isolation room in the health office for them to wait until the parent arrives.
● Staff will be trained to observe and monitor signs of illness that may be related to
COVID-19 and refer to the School Nurse.
● The School Nurse will monitor the daily health screenings once they are
completed.
● The school nurse and administration will work with our local health providers and
Department of Health for all reporting requirements as well as when it is safe for
students and/or staff to return to school.
● Visitors will be limited to only those individuals that are absolutely necessary for
them to enter. Signage will be provided as to expectations for social distancing
and face coverings, and a health screening will be completed prior to entrance
into the building.
● Proper hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene will be taught to students and there
will be scheduled times throughout the day to allow handwashing to occur such
as entrance to the building, after using shared objects, before and after eating,
after using the bathroom, after sneezing and coughing, blowing their nose and
after being outside. If there are times when hand washing is not possible, an
alcohol based sanitizer will be made available and students may use this under
the supervision of an adult. Tissues will be provided in the classroom and
common areas as well.
● Students will follow their assigned schedule, limit their time in the hallway and
follow the guidelines and signage in the building with regards to social distance
and traffic patterns to limit exposure.

 ● Time will be allowed in between classes to allow for disinfecting and transition
out of the room prior to a new class entering. Outside spaces will be utilized on
nice weather days when possible.
● Morning arrival time will utilize multiple entrances to allow for greater social
distancing. Arrival time will be 7:50 a.m. Students that arrive early are asked to
stay in their vehicles or on the buses until 7:50. If students are not on buses or in
vehicles they are asked to be socially distanced in front of the building and NOT
gather in groups. Grades 7/8 will enter the building in the cafeteria entrance,
grades 9/10 will enter in gym entrances and grade 11/12 will enter in the main
entrance.
● An adult will be present to supervise them entering the building and in the
designated areas. Students will wear a face covering while entering the building
and while in the hallway.
● Afternoon Dismissal will be staggered (2:55-HS Wing, 2:57-Jr. High Wing,
2:59-all others) and we will utilize different exits to maintain better social
distancing. Students will wear a face covering when dismissing as well. Students
in the senior high wing at the end of 9th period will exit the senior high exit at the
end of the hallway. Students in the junior high wing at the end of 9th period will
exit the junior high exit at the end of the hallway. All other students at the end of
9th period will exit out the main entrance.
● In the classroom, desks will be arranged facing the same direction six feet apart,
adhering to social distance guidelines. Students will not be required to wear face
coverings in the classrooms except when moving around the room, or anytime
social distancing cannot be practiced.
● There will be visual markings to identify adequate space for teachers to identify
social distance guidelines. Anytime a teacher is beyond this area, they will wear
a face covering. Students should each have their own school supplies with them
instead of sharing supplies. Any supplies that must be shared will be disinfected
after each use.
● Lockers will not be used in the hallways. Students will be able to carry backpacks
from class to class.
● Face coverings will be worn when students leave the classroom to use the
bathroom or for any other purpose. Bathrooms will be disinfected throughout the
day. Students will wash their hands following the use of the bathroom.
● Breakfast will be provided by our food service company in the classroom during
first period.
● Windows and doors in the classrooms and building will be open to improve
ventilation when it does not pose a safety risk.

 ● School assemblies, field trips, concerts or other large group gatherings will not
take place. Any events such as these will be done virtually.
● Parent or other necessary meetings will take place virtually. If this is not
possible, they will take place in a location that can utilize social distancing. All
health and safety measures and procedures, such as face coverings and health
screenings, will need to be followed for any individuals entering the building for
these meetings.
● Any students who are unable to wear a face covering due to medical or social
emotional needs must provide a medical note. The school will work with the
medical provider, parent, school nurse, and staff members to ensure the safety of
this child as well as others utilizing social distance practices throughout the day.
A health plan may be necessary if deemed by the health professionals.
● The school will work with Warren County Public Health in regards to any
necessary closures due to a confirmed case or increased cases of COVID-19.
The District will follow the direction of Warren County Public Health to allow
students or staff who have a positive screen or diagnosis of COVID-19 or
following a quarantine due to contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
● The school will follow all guidelines set forth by the CDC in regards to cleaning
and disinfecting the building and school grounds. Our District Director of
Facilities will coordinate these efforts and work with the Building Principal to
ensure that all requirements are being met daily and throughout the school year.
● Safety drills such as fire and lock down drills will take place during the year.
Students will be instructed as to the procedures to be followed in a real drill,
however to ensure the safety of students, a staggered schedule for exiting the
building will be utilized for fire drills and students will remain at their desks during
lockdown drills.
● Students will be able to use the water bottle filling stations only throughout the
day. Students will not be able to use the drinking fountains and are encouraged
to bring water bottles.
● The District will provide appropriate accommodations for students and staff who
are at high risk. These accommodations will be determined on a case by case
basis. The District will provide appropriate PPE for any person who does not
have their own.All afterschool programs will follow all guidelines for the school
day including appropriate social distancing and the use of face coverings at all
times.
● The Superintendent of Schools shall act as the designated COVID-19 safety
coordinator.
● Any Student or staff member who travels to a state on the NYS 14 day
quarantine list must remain out of school for 14 days after returning to NYS.

 Facilities:
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School will meet or exceed all expectations for
reopening as identified in the NYS Guidance Document and CDC requirements for
cleaning and disinfecting protocols. The Building Principal will work with the District
Director of Facilities to ensure all expectations are being met and addressing any
ongoing needs throughout the school year. Protocols will include but not limited to the
following: more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high risk and frequently touched
surfaces (i.e. desks, cafeteria tables) during enhanced movement from one room to
another and; more frequent cleaning and disinfection of restrooms depending on the
frequency of use.
It is anticipated that there will be no structural changes to the building and/or
classrooms involving temporary and/or removable partitions. Currently all changes will
include the removal or addition of desks and chairs to improve social distancing. The
building reopening plan is in compliance with our current building condition survey and
visual inspection.. Lead-In-Water testing will take place in accordance with NYS DOH
regulation 67-4. All hand sanitizer stations are in compliance with FCNYS 2020 Section
5705.5. There will be no change to the required number of water fountains and the
building ventilation will meet or exceed the current code requirements.

Child Nutrition:
All students in the Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School will have access to
breakfast and lunch daily. Students whose parents have elected to have their child(ren)
participate in virtual learning will be able to receive breakfast and lunch as well daily.
Families will be made aware of the availability of meals even when using virtual learning
through district communication efforts. Our food service provider will work with our
school nurse to protect students with food allergies.
Upon arrival, students will receive breakfast in their classrooms. Following
breakfast, proper hand hygiene will be done by all students.
Lunch will take place in the cafeteria, the gym and the library to ensure that
social distancing is practiced. Students will need to wear face coverings until they sit
down to eat or at any time there is a need for them to leave their tables during lunch
time. Directional markings will be used for traffic flow and increase social distancing. A
touch-free system will be used for purchasing, and there will be monitoring of the
number of students in line to avoid crowding when picking up lunches. Students will be

 supervised at all times by adults who will be wearing face coverings, and following
eating, hand hygiene will be practiced. All tables and other necessary surfaces will be
disinfected prior to the next group entering the cafeteria, the gym or the library.
The following students will eat in the listed locations: (subject to change)
Lunch #1 - 7/8 grades
7th grade - +/- 30 students - cafeteria
8th grade - +/-30 students - gym

Lunch #2 -9/10/11/12th grades
BOCES students will eat inside or outside from 10:45-11:00 then leave for
BOCES
9th grade- +/- 30 students- cafeteria
10th grade- +/- 30 students - gym
11th grade- +/- 25 students - cafeteria (some 11th graders - to BOCES)
12th grade- +/- 25 students - Library/Gym (some 12th graders - to
BOCES)
Transportation:
Students, drivers and aides will be provided specific training while riding the bus
and at bus stops on the proper use of PPE, social distancing and signs/symptoms of
COVID 19. Parents will be provided access to training materials for their informational
purposes and provide additional encouragement to their child(ren).
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School will encourage parents to transport their
children to school when possible, or if they live within walking distance, encourage
students to walk to school following a safe route.
Parents will be asked to do temperature checks and daily health screenings prior
to their child getting on the bus. Students and parents will be taught and asked to
practice social distancing at bus stops.

 When riding the bus, students will use social distance practices and bus seats
will act as natural barriers between students. Family members will sit together, and
students will wear face coverings. Drivers will wear a face covering at all times.
Weather permitting, windows will be slightly opened to allow better airflow on the bus.
Buses will be filled from back to front and unloaded from front to back.
Following each bus run, disinfecting and cleaning protocols will be completed
before students will load the bus for the afternoon trip.
As of now, field trips will not be allowed, therefore buses will not be used during
the day for any field trips.
Bus drivers and any bus aides will be required to perform a daily health
screening. The district will provide PPE to include face coverings and gloves if there is
any need for physical contact with a student (ie. helping a child use a seat belt). Hand
sanitizer will not be provided nor carried by students, drivers or aides as they are
combustible and a hazard. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the Jr. - Sr. High School
or bus garage.
If virtual learning becomes necessary, the district will provide transportation for
those requiring instruction out of the district as required by a student’s individual
education plan or to a private or parochial schools.
Students who do not have a mask will NOT be denied transportation. Extra masks will
be made available for anyone who does not have one. Any student with a disability
which would prevent them from wearing a mask will not be forced to do so or denied
transportation.
Social Emotional Well-Being:
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School realizes that our school community has
faced extremely challenging times and the need to provide an intentional and structured
social emotional program for our students is necessary upon our return to school.
The building principal, school counselors, school social worker, and school
psychologist will collaborate to strengthen our Multi-Tiered System of Support to help
ensure that student, family, and faculty/staff social-emotional needs are met. The
counseling department will continue to be visible, accessible, and available to help
students and staff debrief and adapt as we transition back to in-person schooling. The
counseling department will meet regularly to discuss student, family, and staff needs
and continue to develop plans to support the social-emotional well-being of our school

 community. Our Student Support Team/At Risk Team/Grade level teams (7/8th grade)
will meet regularly (weekly or every other week) to ensure that social-emotional needs
are addressed. Relationships with outside agencies will continue to be fostered.
Communication with families of available social-emotional supports will occur through
several platforms. Intervention provided will be culturally sensitive and trauma-informed.
Interventions provided may include but are not limited to: strategies to improve school
climate, support for teachers and staff, support during class meetings/homeroom,
individual counseling, and referrals to outside agencies when needed.
School Schedules:
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School plans to offer instruction using a blended
model for all students 7th - 12th grade. Parents who wish to keep their child(ren) home
and use remote learning will be provided with a device. Students at home will be
expected to log in to their classroom at the time the teacher is providing a lesson
throughout the day. Attendance will be mandatory, and all work will need to be
completed and submitted using grading outlined by the individual teachers.
If the school district is not able to accommodate any students, we would switch to
virtual learning for all students. Staff would continue to provide a schedule for students
to follow each day, and students would use virtual learning for all lessons during the day
with attendance being mandatory and traditional grading taking place.
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism:
Throughout the year, teachers will take attendance daily for each lesson using
E-School data. Even students who are using remote learning will be required to attend
at the same time other students are participating in the lesson at school. Attendance
will be mandatory for all students.
If a student of compulsory age is not attending, the teacher will first reach out to
the family to check in and try to engage the student. If this does not correct the
problem, our School Counselors and/or an administrator will try to connect and establish
a team meeting to discuss concerns, barriers to attendance and develop a plan for
improvement. Attendance will continue to be monitored and all efforts will be made by
the district to assist families, to the extent possible, with ways to improve engagement.
Failure to make any improvements or work with the district that leads to chronic
absenteeism may result in a report to Social Services if it is warranted. This will be a

 last resort as we understand the difficulties some students and families may be
experiencing, but perhaps necessary in some instances.
Technology and Connectivity:
The Warrensburg Central School District surveyed our families to find out who
had reliable high speed internet connection. There are currently a number of families
who live in rural areas that do not have access, therefore remote learning is a
challenge, if not impossible, for these students. If a parent chooses to have their child
not return to school for in person instruction or they are unable to due to medical
concerns, and also do not have internet access, we will work with the families to
develop a plan to provide instructional materials for them as well as a process for
recording attendance and grading. We will work with the community to provide
locations where internet access could be used if they are able to use these locations.
All students and staff will be provided with a device to use for remote learning by
the district if they are unable to attend due to closure during the year at any point.
Students and staff will be provided with a means to send information to the school for
printing needs, if necessary during this time.
Students who do not have access to high speed internet will be provided with
learning materials aligned to the NYS standards in paper format, if necessary.
Parents using remote learning will be able to contact our IT Staff for assistance
with device or troubleshooting needs during this period. Their contact information will be
shared with families as a resource.
Special Education:
Jr. Sr. High School – In order to ensure a free and appropriate education to
students with disabilities in grades 7-12 a blended model will be utilized with a rotating
two days in person instruction and two days distance learning. Specially designed
instruction will be developed to meet the needs of students in the general education
classroom, or in some cases in a special class for math and/or English language arts.
On days scheduled for distance learning, special education teachers will provide
specially designed instruction in collaboration with general education teachers and/or
using small virtual instruction groups to the greatest extent possible.
​

 Students in the 12:1:1 program at the Jr. Sr. High School will attend school daily in
order to receive intensive supports and specially designed instruction.
Programs and services will be documented on students IEPs which are
developed in collaboration with parents. Teachers and service providers will continue to
communicate as needed with parents via phone calls, emails, and various
communication applications. Requests for Committee on Special Education review
meetings will continue to be accepted and meetings scheduled accordingly. Virtual
meeting participation will be encouraged.
​

Jr. Sr. High School - Special education and related service providers will refer to
Individualized Education Programs for each student and ensure that the
accommodations, modifications and supplementary aids and services are in place in the
classroom. In the blended model, when students are engaging in distance learning from
home, the special education teacher in collaboration with the general education
teachers will provide accommodations, modifications and supplementary aids and
services to the greatest extent possible.
Bilingual Education and World Languages:
The district will follow its established plan to identify English Language Learners.
Students who enter the district and indicate a language other than English as their first
language will be screened via an individual interview. The individual interview will be
conducted in both English and the student’s home language by qualified personnel. If
the interview confirms that the student’s first language is other than English, the New
York State Identification Test for English Language Learners will be administered by
appropriately certified personnel. If any result less than Commanding is obtained, parent
will be notified of their child’s eligibility for services as an English Language Learner and
provided with an orientation. The child will be placed in an appropriate English as a New
Language Program.

Teaching and Learning:
The Warrensburg Jr. - Sr. High School will utilize a blended model to ensure that
we are following social distancing guidelines outlined by the DOH and NYSED.
Students will be grouped in two groups, by last name and grade level (Group A and
Group B) and we will follow an A, A, B, B Schedule. Group A will attend school for two
days for in-person instruction and group B will be required to attend class virtually

 during class time as indicated on their academic schedule. After two days, group B will
attend in-person instruction and group A will move to virtual learning for two days. This
schedule allows us to accommodate for core classes, electives, physical education,
technology, the arts, health, family and consumer science and every other day classes.
Students that have been identified as not having internet access will attend
school every day and attend classes virtually from the library, gym and/or the
auditorium. All students will be supervised if at school and attending virtually.
Parents may choose to keep their child(ren) home for remote learning. All
learning that takes place will be aligned to the NYS Standards. Students who
participate in virtual learning will be provided with the same instruction and experiences
during the year. If virtual learning becomes necessary during the year, the district will
provide devices for students and continue to provide the same learning experiences
aligned to the NYS Standards to all students on a daily basis. All families will be
provided with the information necessary to contact their child’s teacher as well as IT
support or any other staff needed throughout the school year whether in-person or
virtual learning instruction is being provided. A staff directory is on our school website
with email and phone numbers for all staff.
We realize that a great deal of instructional time was lost this past school year,
and students not only need time to adjust socially to school again, but we need to
determine what their academic needs are to customize our lessons and instruction
accordingly.
There will be designated time for teachers to meet with teachers from the
previous year to discuss curriculum and instruction as well as student strengths and
needs.
Screening and diagnostic testing will be completed for all students in Reading
and Math after the first month of school to allow time to acclimate back to the school
setting and become comfortable and familiar with their new classroom setting. This
data will then be analyzed and utilized to plan for instruction based on each student's
needs. Monitoring of progress will take place throughout the year, and individual
students can be referred to our grade level teams for individualized program planning, if
necessary. All information about student progress will be shared with their parents, via
progress reports and they will be part of any team meetings that take place for their
child.

 Teacher and Principal Evaluation System:
Our school district’s plan ensures that all teachers and principals will be
evaluated pursuant to our currently approved APPR plan, including any variance
applications approved by the Department.
Certification, Incidental Teaching, and Substitute Teaching:
All teachers in our school district shall hold valid and appropriate certificates for
their teaching assignments, except where otherwise allowable under the
Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or Education Law.