USD 297 St Francis Community Schools COVID-19 Plan for the 2020-2021 School Year
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*Subject to change after expiration of 20-59 or County Commissioner/BOE action* |
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| Phase 1- School in Regular Session | Phase 2- Significant Covid Cases in the Community | Phase 3-General shut-down order for all schools | |
| In-Person School in Session | Yes | Yes, but will coordinate with county health officials to determine best options for cleaning. If a delay in the school year is recommended, then we will coordinate with the BOE to make those arrangements. | No. A decision as to whether to pause the school year or resume education virtually will be made by the BOE after consultation with Mr. Penka and building principals. |
| Optional Remote Learning | Yes, for those who have requested Remote Learning for health reasons. | Yes, esp. for those that have health issues, have covid, or have been quarantined for an extended time. | Maybe. If education continues under a general shut-down order, Remote Learning will be available for all students. If it is deemed necessary to simply shut down for a relatively short period of time, the school year could be extended and no remote learning would take place during the shut-down. |
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What will remote learning look like? |
Elementary: Any student who does remote learning will be virtually sitting in the classroom, when applicable. Remote learning is only for extended time periods and must be set up in advance. This is not the packet learning that was offered last spring, but instead a way for kids to attend real school via computer if their health is an issue. The remote learning students will hear the same lessons and be required to do the same assignments and tests as everyone else. Students working through Remote learning are required to get 6 hours of learning time per day for a total of 30 hours throughout the week. It is only for those that truly need it. Once the Remote learning option is chosen for a student, the option to return to in-person instruction will not be available until the end of the semester. Any learning materials needed for the student at home will need to be picked up from the school office on a weekly basis. Attendance will be kept by the classroom teacher on a daily basis. If the student is not in regular attendance, truancy policies will be in effect. Learning logs will need to be kept at home and turned into the building principal via email (draile@usd297.org), or in the school office weekly. If you feel your child will need to begin the year with remote learning, please contact administration as soon as possible. |
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| Jr/Sr High School: Any student who does remote learning will be attending most classes class virtually via computer. Classes wil be made available to all remote learners via Zoom. The teacher will take attendance for this learner in normal fashion. For classes that are not delivered via Zoom, remote learning materials will have been made and the activity/attendance log will be kept by the students and parents. Students working through Remote learning are required to get 6 hours of learning time per day for a total of 30 hours throughout the week. These learning/attendance logs will be turned into the building principal via email (dmorrow@usd297.org), fax (785-332-8177), or in person to the office. Once the Remote Learning option is chosen for a student, the option to return to in-person instruction will not be available until the end of the semester. The remote learner will hear the same lessons and be required to do the same assignments and tests as regular students. Parents who feel Remote Learning is necessary for a child need to contact administration as soon as possible. |
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| Masks | Masks are permissible and encouraged, but not required. In some special situations, masks may be required. | Yes, following the guidance given in EO 20-59. Exemptions are outlined in the order and will be honored by building principals. | N/A |
| Hygiene Measures | Students will be instructed how to wash hands and cover coughs or sneezes in their elbows. Good hand washing and hand hygiene with hand sanitizer will be required. Staff will be trained on covid symptoms to watch for. Rooms will be sanitized as per guidelines. | N/A | |
| Hand Sanitizer | Hand sanitizer is available at school entrance and in classrooms. Hand washing or hand sanitizing will be encouraged. | Hand sanitizer is available at school entrance and in classrooms. Hand washing or hand sanitizing will be encouraged. | N/A |
| Temperature Screening | Each student, staff member, and building visitor will have their temperature taken before entering the school building. If a student has a temperature above 100.4, they will be sent back home. | Each student, staff member, and building visitor will have their temperature taken before entering the school building. If a student has a temperature above 100.4, they will be sent back home. | N/A |
| If my child has a temperature but no other symptoms of covid, when can they come back to school? | |||
| After the child has been fever free for 24 hours without the help of medicine. If they have had other symptoms, please get evaluated before coming back. | |||
| If my child has other symptoms of covid but no temperature, should they stay home? | |||
| Yes! Some cases have only mild symptoms, like the loss of taste or smell and/or diarrhea. Typical symptoms include a fever (100.4 or higher), chills, muscle/body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea. A person may have only one but can have multiple symptoms. If a child is sent home with 2 covid symptoms they will fall under Covid exclusion guidelines unless they are seen by a doctor and diagnosed with another illness (strep, flu, sinus infection), or they receive a negative covid diagnosis. We can't make a child go to the doctor or get tested but if they don't they are excluded from school for 10 days or 24 hours symptom free whichever is longer. | |||
| How long do I have to stay out of school if I get covid? | |||
| If you test positive for covid, you will have to stay out until the Cheyenne County Health Department allows you to come back. It will be at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms. | |||
| Will my child's name be released if he/she calls in sick with covid? | |||
| Privacy will be respected. No names will be given, but those in the class will be told someone they have had close contact with is positive. | |||
| What happens if my child gets a temperature or has other symptoms while at school? | |||
| You will be called to come pick up your child. | |||
| What happens if someone in my child's class tests positive for covid? | |||
| If someone in your child's class tests positive, contact tracing may be performed by the Cheyenne County Health Department. If the contacted person begins to exhibit symptoms, then the county health department will be contacted and the child will be sent home. If a quarantine becomes necessary, the student will not be allowed to go to sports practices, activities, or games. If no symptoms are present, the student will be attend school as normal. | |||
| Will my teacher be quarantined if a student tests positive for covid? | |||
| No. A teacher will be treated in the same manner as a student. Should a quarantine be necessary for a teacher, a long-term substitute will be hired. | |||
| What cleaning will take place in my child's classroom if covid is identified? | |||
| Cleaning will occur immediately. All desks, lockers, computers, and workspaces will be thoroughly disinfected. | |||
| What happens if a family goes on a vacation? | |||
| We encourage all families to seriously consider the potential ramifications of visiting any counties or states with widespread community transmission of covid. All travelers are subject to the quarantine rules imposed by the state and, accordingly, will have to quarantine should they travel to states or areas listed by the state of Kansas as a high-risk area. | |||
| What happens if too many teachers get sick? | |||
| Because we understand the importance of educating our youth, we will continue to have school for as long as we possibly can. If too many teachers get sick, we may have to take a break from school and make up our time later in the school year. | |||
| Bus Regulations | All students will be required to sit with family members. | Same | N/A |
| Before School | Elementary: The school will not be open until 7:30. Students will get their temperature checked and then wait in the gym maintaining social distance until breakfast begins. If a student does not eat breakfast, it is recommended to come after 8:00. Jr/Sr High: The building will be open by 7:30. Students' temperatures will be checked as they come into the building or as they are found in the hallways or cafeteria. |
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| K-12 Mixed Grade Level Activities | Elementary: We will maintain group interactions involving only two grade levels (K/1, 2/3, 4/5) These groups will have WIN groups, recess, PE/Music, and lunch together. High school aides will be temp checked upon entry at the high school. Jr/Sr High: No change from normal. |
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| School Supplies | Elementary: Each child will be required to bring their own box of school supplies, such as pencils, markers, scissors, glue. Sharing of items will be highly discouraged. If any items are shared, they will have to disinfect each item after use. | ||
| High School classrooms | JH/HS will be allowed to move from classroom to classroom. | Same. | N/A |
| Classroom Cleaning | Classrooms will be cleaned as per recommended procedures on a daily basis. | Any classroom with a case will receive a deep cleaning before reentry is allowed. | The school may be shut down for a few weeks for a whole-school cleaning if the health dept. deems necessary. |
| Hallways | No change from normal | As normal | N/A |
| Water fountains/water bottles | Each student is encouraged to bring his own water bottle. The water bottle refill stations will be open to refill bottles. | ||
| Recess | Headstart students will have recess on their own playground. K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 students will have recess together. | N/A | |
| Bathroom cleaning | Bathrooms may be cleaned twice a day. | Bathrooms may be cleaned twice a day. | N/A |
| Lunch seating | Elementary: Students will eat in the lunch room. K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 students will each lunch together, spread out among the tables. Jr/Sr High: Students will be spread throughout the cafeteria for lunch seating. Assigned seats may be used if necessary. |
Elementary: Students will eat in the lunch room. K/1, 2/3, and 4/5 students will each lunch together, spread out among the tables. Jr/Sr High: Efforts will be made to maintain separation of kids in the lunch line, and students will be spread throughout the cafeteria for lunch seating. Assigned seats may be used if necessary. |
N/A |
| Cafeteria cleaning | The cafeteria (tables and chairs) will be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis after breakfast and lunch. The floors will be cleaned after lunch. | N/A | |
| Salad Bar | Elementary: Any additional food items that are not served from the kitchen, will be served by a staff member from the table in the cafeteria. Jr/Sr High: No change |
Elementary: Any additional food items that are not served from the kitchen, will be served by a staff member from the table in the cafeteria. Jr/Sr High: No change |
N/A |
| Locker Rooms | Locker rooms may be used as normal. | To space out number of students in a locker room, students may be asked to go change in groups. | N/A |
| Music/art/PE | Elementary: Students will be allowed to go to special classes. Teachers will be encouraged to space students out as much as possible, to clean equipment between classes, and to take their larger classes outside as much as possible. Masks will be worn in music. Jr/Sr High: Choir, Band, Art, PE, Shop classes, Plyometrics will function as normally as possible. |
Elementary: Students will be allowed to go to special classes. Those individual teachers will be encouraged to space students out as much as possible, to clean/spray disinfect equipment between classes, and to take their classes outside as much as possible. Masks will be worn in music and art, but will not be required during PE. Jr/Sr High: Choir, Band, Art, PE, Shop classes, Plyometrics will function as normally as possible. If social distancing is able to be maintained, no masks will be worn, as per the 20-59 guidelines. In addition, if strenuous activities or other activities making the wearing of masks imprudent are being performed, no masks will be required. If social distancing cannot be maintained, or if students are not exerting themselves in PE classes, then masks will be worn per the 20-59 guidelines. |
N/A |
| Library | Elementary: Library books can be checked out and taken home, as normal. Books will not be restocked on shelves for a few days to allow for any disinfecting. | Elementary: Library books can be checked out and taken home, as normal. Books will not be restocked on shelves for a few days to allow for any disinfecting. | N/A |
| Computer Lab | Elementary: The computer lab will be used as normal by classes. Headphones, keyboards, and mice will be disinfected before the class leaves the lab. | Elementary: The computer lab will be used as normal by classes. Headphones, keyboards, and mice will be disinfected before the class leaves the lab. | N/A |
| Enrollment Procedures | Elementary: Enrollment will be on August 4from 8:00-4:30. Tables will be spaced with 6 feet of distance between the staff and parents. Staff will wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be made available at the door. Jr/Sr High: No change from previous years |
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| Locker assignments | Lockers will be assigned per grade level, as usual. | ||
| Backpack policy | Elementary: Backpacks will allowed for each student in the classroom. All students will have assigned hooks in the classrooms. Jr/Sr High: Backpacks are allowed as normal. |
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| End of Day | Elementary: Kindergarten students will exit the building from the west door connected to their classroom. Grades 1, 2, & 4 will exit the building using the northwest doors. Grades 3 & 5 will exit the building using the center doors on the north side of the building. Grades K, 1, 2, & 4 bus students will exit the building from the southwest doors. Grades 3 & 5 bus students will exit the building from the center doors on the south side of the building. All parents are encouraged to pick their children up outside, and refrain from coming in the building at the end of the day. Jr/Sr High: No change in procedures |
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| Teachers get sick | If a teacher gets sick, they will take sick leave and leave sub plans. They may also leave recorded lessons in their sub plans to explain topics to the class, if they choose. If too many teachers get sick or are quarantined, we may need to take a break and adjust other holiday breaks, day length, etc. to make up the lost time. | ||
| Open House | Elementary: Back to School night will be on August 19 from 5:00-6:00. Jr/Sr High: The 6th grade orientation will be held on August 17 at 5:30. |
N/A | N/A |
| Calendar | The calendar may be adjusted to make up days due to covid, by adjusting holiday lengths. | ||
| Dances | Homecoming and prom dances will be allowed. Outside dates will be screened for Covid exposure and symptoms. It is possible a different venue will be used other than the high school cafeteria. | Homecoming and prom dances will be allowed, but no dates outside of Cheyenne County will be allowed. | N/A |
| Music Programs | Elementary: Music programs will be allowed. Jr/Sr High: Performances will proceed as usual. |
Elementary: Music programs will be allowed. Due to limited seating in the gym, masks will be required. Jr/Sr High: Same |
N/A |
| Shared Classroom Technology | Elementary: Teachers and/or students will disinfect computers, chromebooks, and ipads after use. Jr/Sr High: Students are encouraged to bring their own devices to mitigate the chances for infection. Chromebooks will be checked out to the same student each day to prevent multiple hands per day handling the same device. |
Elementary: Teachers and/or students will disinfect computers, chromebooks, and ipads after use. Jr/Sr High: Same |
Technology will be distributed, as needed, for Remote Learning. |
| Senior Trip |
Senior trips are planned by the senior class, class officers, and parents of class officers. |
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| Field Trips | Elementary: Field trips will be allowed. If a bus is needed, students will wear masks while riding. If the field trip is outside (dairy, Redimix, etc), masks may be taken off. Field trips indoors (Library, Post office, etc.), masks must be worn. The determination of the 5th grade Estes Park overnight field trip will be dependent upon the number of COVID cases in Cheyenne County and the Estes Park area. We will rely heavily on guidance from The YMCA in Estes Park and also the Cheyenne County Health Department. Jr/Sr High: Taking field trips will be contingent upon current Covid circumstances at the intended destination. |
Elementary: Field trips will be allowed, as advisable from the Cheyenne County Health Department. If a bus is needed, students will wear masks while riding. If the field trip is outside (Bird City Dairy, Redimix, etc), masks may be taken off. Field trips indoors (Library, Post office, etc.), masks must be worn. The determination of the 5th grade Estes Park overnight field trip will be dependent upon the number of COVID cases in Cheyenne County and the Estes Park area. We will rely heavily on guidance from The YMCA in Estes Park and also the Cheyenne County Health Department. | N/A |
| Sports | Currently, sports are scheduled to begin on the normal schedule all across the state of Kansas. Currently, at all home games fans and participants will follow the KSHSAA sport-specific guidelines. | ||
