Plan for Reopening Schools
Plan for Reopening Schools
March 3, 2022
Board of Education
E. Anne Hayes, President
Cameron Trent, Vice President
Melissa Aruta - Cheryl Felice - Clyde Parker - Chris Picini
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Joseph Giani
Table of Contents
Wear a Mask - Wash your hands - Watch your distance
I. COMMUNICATION & PLAN DEVELOPMENT
South Country Central School District shares the overall goals for the 2021-22 school year with the NYS Education Department. These goals are to keep students and staff healthy and safe, be responsive to student needs, and maximize in-person teaching and learning.
Based on the Guidance from the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), the Suffolk County Department of Health (SCDOH), and the New York State Education Department (NYSED), and in reflecting on lessons learned during 2020-21 school year, the 2021-22 Reopening Plan has been developed. This document is a fluid document that will be updated as guidance changes.
Back to Top
II. REOPENING AT A GLANCE
- Schools will reopen for students on Wednesday, September 1, 2021
- Students will follow traditional in-person schedules, 5 days per week
- Remote Learning is available for students with a documented medical condition or where students who have otherwise struggled have excelled with remote learning
- The District will make available all co-curricular and interscholastic sports, grades 4-12
- The District has removed all Plexiglas Desk Barriers
- Face Coverings/Masks will be optional
- Remote Learning opportunities will be available when quarantining is required
Back to Top
III. HEALTH AND SAFETY
The health and safety of students, faculty and staff is our number one priority. Health and safety considerations will always come first in every decision and every action taken. Whether instruction is provided in-person or remotely, we recognize our role in educating and communicating with our learning community regarding preventive actions we take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will "practice, educate and remind" students about the new realities of keeping safe. Prevention will be accomplished by following the recommendations of health authorities in the following areas:
- Health Checks and Screening;
- Healthy Hygiene Practices;
- Social Distancing;
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cloth Face Coverings;
- Management of Ill Persons; and
- Cleaning and Disinfection.
Additionally, the district will continue to monitor the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (DOH), the Suffolk County Department of Health (SCDOH), and the New York State Department of Education (SED) websites to keep current with the latest COVID information and guidance.
A. COVID-19 Monitoring and Reporting
The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. Nurses and other trained staff will help to educate and screen for COVID-19 when students or adults in our schools display symptoms.
Families are expected to monitor their children for symptoms of COVID-19. Children with symptoms of COVID-19 must be kept home and should not board a school bus, or attend school or any school related function.
Faculty and Staff will complete the COVID-19 screening questionnaire before leaving for work each day. If any responses to the questionnaire are in the affirmative, the individual must report it to their supervisor immediately and may not report to work that day.
COVID-19 screening questionnaire
- Do you currently have of temperature greater than 100 degrees?
- Do you have a cough or shortness of breath that began within the past 14 days?
- In the past 14 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab (not a blood test)?
- In the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) with anyone who either tested positive for COVID-19 (not a blood test) or developed symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath)?
B. Health Checks and Screening
Students: Every student should have his/her temperature checked each day at home prior to leaving for school, boarding a school bus, or entering a school building. The student (or parent/guardian) must self-screen by answering the following screening questions at home:
COVID-19 screening questionnaire
- Do you currently have of temperature greater than 100 degrees?
- Do you have a cough or shortness of breath that began within the past 14 days?
- In the past 14 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab (not a blood test)?
- In the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) with anyone who either tested positive for COVID-19 (not a blood test) or developed symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath)?
If a temperature of greater than 100 degrees or if any of the questions are answered in the affirmative the student:
- Should not leave for school, board a school bus, or enter a school building.
- Should a student in this situation arrive at school, he/she will be sent to a designated isolation area prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home.
- The student/family must contact their primary health care provider for further assessment and, as warranted, follow local health department guidelines for 14-day quarantine (or as otherwise directed).
Faculty and Staff: Prior to reporting to their respective building each day, faculty and staff members will be required self-screen by completing a confidential electronic COVID-19 screening questionnaire. If any responses to the questions are in the affirmative, the individual must immediately report it to their supervisor, and may not report to work that day.
COVID-19 screening questionnaire
- Do you currently have of temperature greater than 100 degrees?
- Do you have a cough or shortness of breath that began within the past 14 days?
- In the past 14 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab (not a blood test)?
- In the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with anyone who either tested positive for COVID-19 (not a blood test) or developed symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath)?
Essential Visitors: Essential Visitors (e.g., contracted service providers) will be required to answer the following four questions on a COVID-19 screening questionnaire prior to entering a school building.
COVID-19 screening questionnaire
- Do you currently have of temperature greater than 100 degrees?
- Do you have a cough or shortness of breath that began within the past 14 days?
- In the past 14 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab (not a blood test)?
- In the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with anyone who either tested positive for COVID-19 (not a blood test) or developed symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath)?
If the visitor responds in the affirmative to any of the four items, he/she will be denied entry. Additionally, a temperature scanner will take a temperature reading of each essential visitor when entering the building each day. A monitor will record whether or not individuals display a temperature of 100 degrees or higher.
- Those who display such a temperature will be rechecked, using a hand-held temperature scanner, for a second and third temperature reading.
- The second and third reading will be taken no less than 10 minutes from the first reading by a second and third individual, using a second and third hand-held device
- If the second and third readings are both below a temperature of 100 degrees, the student will be permitted entry to school
- Those confirmed with a fever of 100.0 degrees or higher will be directed to the designated isolation area for parent/guardian pick-up. Parents/guardians will be provided with direction to contact a primary health care provider and should follow designated return protocol before the student re-enters the school.
- Those who display a temperature of below 95 degrees will be rescanned at entry to check scanning method and device accuracy.
C. Health Hygiene Practice
Hand-washing breaks will be included at schools throughout the day. Signs presenting proper handwashing techniques have been placed throughout district schools. Students will be reminded of proper hygiene and to wash hands:
- upon entering a school building and/or classroom;
- before and after using shared objects or surfaces;
- before and after eating meals or snacks;
- after using the bathroom;
- after sneezing, blowing a nose or coughing into hands;
- upon coming in from the outdoors;
- any time hands are visibly soiled.
Hand sanitizer will be available in cafeterias, classrooms and offices. When sinks are available hand-washing will be promoted as the first option. All staff and students will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene. Students and staff will also be authorized to carry personal-size bottles of sanitizer, whose contents should not exceed 8 ounces in volume. These should be secured when not in use.
D. Face Coverings/Masking
Face coverings/Masks that completely cover the nose and mouth will be optional for all employees, students and approved essential visitors. Face Coverings/Masks must be worn when returning from isolation on day 6 through 10.
The district recognizes families may wish to supply their children with their own face covering/mask. For the purpose of this reopening plan, acceptable face coverings/masks will include cloth-based or surgical masks that are fitted and worn in the manner designated by health authorities. Gaiter-style masks, bandanas, knitted masks and masks with one-way valves or vents shall not be permitted. Face coverings/masks may not contain messaging or designs that may disrupt the educational environment. Students who do not have their own face covering/mask will be provided one.
Faculty and staff will be provided two cloth-based face coverings/masks for their personal use and care. Faculty may also use alternate PPE in addition to the face covering/masks, such as a face shield, for instruction and interventions that require visualization of the mouth and lips. Face shields will be provided.
E. Social Distancing
While in school students, faculty, staff, and essential visitors will be asked to maintain a distance of 6-feet from each other. This request will pertain to all bathrooms, hallways, and common areas.
F. Management of Ill Persons
The School nurses assess students or adults who appear ill. If the school nurse is not available and there is no available medical director, the ill student and/or staff will be sent home.
Students: Any student with an oral temperature of 100.0°F degrees or above; or is exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive response to the questionnaire is to be sent home. The student is to be isolated in an isolation room which has been set aside in each building. A staff member wearing appropriate PPE is to remain with the student during that time. The parent will be contacted to pick up their child immediately and will be instructed to contact his/her physician. Parents will be asked to report any COVID-19 diagnosis to the Health Office as soon as possible. A record is to be kept of any staff or students that the ill child has encountered, in the event that there is a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and notification of those exposed needs to take place. A doctor’s note must be provided clearing the student to return to school. The isolation room is to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Any area used by the sick student must be closed off until proper disinfection and cleaning occurs. Administration will be notified of any student diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. Administration or designee will notify local health officials of any confirmed cases of COVID-19. They will follow the directives of the Department of Health on how to proceed with notifications of staff and families. Confidentiality will always be maintained while sharing any information as per the American Disabilities Act.
Adults: Any adult with an oral temperature of 100.0°F degrees or above; or is exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive response to the questionnaire is to be sent home or to an emergency health care facility immediately. They will be instructed to contact their health care provider for assessment and testing. Administration or designee will notify local health officials of any confirmed cases of COVID-19. Administration will follow the directives of the Department of Health on how to proceed.
G. New York State Department of Health Guidance
MASKING
Students, staff and teachers must wear masks on return to school during Days 6 – 10 of their isolation period.
NYSDOH recommends students, staff and teachers wear masks when:
- They feel more comfortable wearing a mask for personal reasons.
- They were in the same room within the school as someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer and were thus exposed or potentially exposed, when group contact tracing is used (see below).
- They are known to have been exposed to COVID-19 in any setting within the previous 10 days.
- They are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised and have discussed the need to mask with their healthcare provider(s).
Masks should be well-fitted and appropriately worn (to cover nose and mouth) and should conform to CDC guidelines for masks and respirators.
Masking is no longer required on school buses or vans. Individuals who are required to wear masks in school should wear masks on school transport.
School monitoring of masking compliance should focus on ensuring anyone returning from a new COVID-19 infection is appropriately wearing a well-fitting mask on days 6-10.
Masked and unmasked people will be working and learning alongside each other in schools. It is essential that schools establish “mask positive” environments so those who wear masks, whether by choice, expectation, or requirement, are not stigmatized, bullied, or made to feel uncomfortable, and likewise, those for whom masks have not been required or recommended are not stigmatized, bullied, or made to feel uncomfortable. Pursuant to the Dignity For All Students Act, students have the right to a school environment free from harassment and bullying. School officials should communicate mask policy changes to the local community to manage expectations. School officials also should communicate about and plan for a possible return to universal mask wearing should community burden increase.
Whenever persons are expected or required to wear masks, masks may be removed when eating, drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument. When masks are removed for these purposes, physical distancing of 6 or more feet should be maintained to the extent possible.
NYS aligns with the CDC definition of close contact in schools. In the school setting, with universal masking, a close contact was generally defined as less than 3 feet from an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. The exception allowing 3-feet of distance to determine exposure in schools does not apply to unmasked individuals, nor does it apply to teachers, staff, or other adults regardless of masking. This means that in settings where masks are not worn, anyone within a 6-foot radius of an infected person should be considered exposed. This “zone of exposure” does not mean schools should rearrange the physical footprint or space students six feet apart.
NOTIFICATIONS:
- To protect themselves and others and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the household and community, schools should notify through either group or individual level contact tracing affected school staff, students, and their parents/guardians whenever an individual either: Was in the same room as an infected individual and so was exposed or potentially exposed (i.e., in the same classroom as an infected individual for longer than 15 minutes), if schools are employing “group level contact tracing,” or
- Was identified as being exposed because they were a close contact of an infected individual if schools are employing “individual level contact tracing.”
Note: Group contract tracing, (e.g., classroom, school bus), in #1 above, is expected to alleviate the need for most classic (“individual”) contact tracing in schools. Criterion #2 above should be used if the school is conducting individual-level contact tracing to reduce the number of students affected by masking/testing and in some situations where there might have been exposures outside the classroom setting, such as non-classroom-based extracurricular activities.
NYSDOH recommends exposed or potentially exposed individuals follow NYSDOH Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for testing and masking.
H. CDC Definition of Close Contact
The CDC guidance document defines a close contact as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
I. Contact Tracing
The District will support contact tracing as outlined by the Suffolk County Department of Health, as well as associated isolation and quarantine efforts. In an effort to assist the State and local health departments in knowing who may have had contact at school with a confirmed case, district schools will:
- Keep accurate attendance records for students and staff
- Ensure that student schedules are up to date
- Keep an accurate log of visitors, including date, time and location visited
J. Cleaning and Disinfection
Schools: Custodial staff will utilize daily checklists for inspecting their assigned areas and will remain diligent in terms of the following:
- Regular cleaning and disinfection of all facilities using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19;
- More frequent cleaning and disinfection of high risk areas used by many individuals or frequently touched surfaces (e.g., desks, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, phones, keyboards, restroom fixtures);
- Cleaning of desks and cafeteria tables between successive uses by different individuals or cohorts;
- Paying particular and more frequent sanitary attention to handles, knobs, stairwell handrails, bathrooms, backs of chairs, desktops and other surfaces where hand contact is frequent;
- Monitoring soap/sanitizer dispensers regularly to ensure that they remain stocked.
- Each school will maintain a running record/log that includes the date, time and scope of cleaning and disinfection, as well as those responsible.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available in all classrooms, offices and cafeterias. Dispensers will contain 65% alcohol solution, which is appropriate for schools.
- Hand handwashing (for 20 seconds or more) is preferred over use of sanitizer and will be encouraged routinely.
- Age-appropriate signs reminding all individuals of the importance of and proper procedures for hand-washing and respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering mouth or nose with a tissue or shirtsleeve), will be placed in each classroom throughout the district.
- Administrators and teachers will train and assist students in assimilating proper protocol at the elementary level.
- An electrostatic sanitizing/disinfecting unit will continue to be utilized in each building.
- All classrooms will be equipped with a bin containing disinfectant, paper towels and PPE.
School Bathrooms: Bathrooms will routinely be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC recommendations.
School Buses: The District’s contracted transportation service provider is taking similar action to ensure the ongoing cleanliness of high contact areas on school buses.
Shared Classroom Material: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the District discourages the use of shared classroom materials. Every effort will be made to reduce the amount of materials, supplies and personal belongings going to and from school. The same consideration will be given to reducing student exposure to high-touch areas and shared resources at school. Schools will discourage sharing items among students and staff that are difficult to clean or disinfect. If supplies must be shared, students will wash their hands between uses.
Suspected or Confirmed Case of COVID-19: The area(s) used by an individual who is suspect or COVID-19 positive will be closed-off and outside doors and windows will be opened to the extent practicable to increase air circulation in the area. Custodial staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect the area(s).
K. Visitors and Volunteers
The District will restrict all school non-essential visits, volunteers, and activities involving outside groups until further notice. Presence in a school will be limited to assigned essential staff and students, with the following exceptions:
- Face Coverings/Masks are optional;
- District employees who must be on-site as part of their responsibilities to school;
- Outside vendors or contractors whose services are required for the safe provision of school services;
- Scheduled meetings with parents or guardians, which must be by appointment only. Such meetings should occur in a conference area that allows appropriate distancing, and is near the building entrance.
- To the extent possible, meetings should be conducted virtually, in an online format.
- All scheduled or unscheduled visitors must complete a temperature check and health screening questionnaire prior to being granted entry into any District school.
- Use of Outdoor Facilities: By authorized outside groups only. Groups must follow Department of Health (DOH) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and considerations for Youth Sports. Outside facility use only until further notice.
L. Reporting Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case
School staff will promptly report any illness of students or adults to the school nurse or the school principal. Students and adults who show signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home from school. Students and adults sent home with COVID-19 symptoms must have at a minimum documentation from a Health Care Provider and/or negative COVID-19 test results, before returning to school. If tested positive for COVID-19, a release from isolation, before returning to school.
All reports will be made in compliance with FERPA and Education Law. The District will follow local and state guidelines for reporting confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. The District designee will notify the pertinent health department(s) of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result for an individual who was present within school facilities, including students, faculty and staff, and visitors.
The District will adhere to the define metrics established by the state and local departments of health should the level of infection locally exceed that for the region as a whole. Should metrics demonstrate that the level of COVID-19 transmission increasing in our local learning community, more extensive mitigation or full closure will be considered.
Back to Top
IV. TEACHING AND LEARNING
Students are entitled to a free public education, even as we face the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. All students will have the opportunity to feel safe, engaged, and excited about their learning, whether in-person, remote, or some combination of the two. Teachers are the face of learning and at the heart of teaching and learning are the relationships that students have with their peers and their teachers. Students are searching for a return to their routines and a sense of normalcy, so every effort will be made to acknowledge the importance of setting a positive routine and welcoming environment that supports students during this unpredictable time.
A. In-Person Teaching and Learning
The South Country CSD is urging all Kindergarten through 12 students to return to full time, in person classes for this coming school year, as we know that learning happens best for students in a classroom with a teacher in front of them.
B. Remote Learning
Participation in Remote Learning must be deemed to in the best educational interest of the student. This can be where a documented medical condition has prohibited the safe return to in-person instruction or where students who have otherwise struggled have excelled with remote learning.
- The District will require documentation from a licensed medical physician attesting to the medical condition that prohibits the safe return.
- The District will examine student records to determine evidence of in-person struggling students who have excelled with remote learning.
- Participation in Remote Learning will require a school-year commitment for grades K-12, with strict daily attendance requirements.
- Remote Learning option will be offered through the NYS Distant Learning Consortium
- Mohawk Regional Information Center for grade K-6
- Genesee Valley BOCES for grades 7-12
Definitions
Streaming refers to any media content – live or recorded – delivered to computers and mobile devices via the internet and played back in real time.
Live instruction means an educational program delivered in a traditional classroom setting or by electronic means whereby the instructor and student have real-time visual and audio contact to carry out their essential tasks.
Live support means support for a lesson or program previously delivered in a traditional classroom setting or by electronic means whereby the instructor and student have real-time visual and audio contact to carry out their essential tasks.
Synchronous learning is interactive, two-way online or distance education that happens in real time with a teacher.
Asynchronous learning occurs virtually online and through prepared resources, without real-time teacher-led interaction.
Back to Top
V. SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Our learning community continues to face unprecedented challenges as we respond to the challenges of this global pandemic. These challenges also offer unprecedented opportunities to re-envision and renew the capacity of our schools and communities to be welcoming, supportive, inclusive, and equitable environments.
Social and emotional well-being of our students will be prioritized for as long as necessary to appropriately support student needs. Social and emotional needs of our faculty and staff will also be a priority before the return to school and on an ongoing basis.
The following considerations will assist in creating a welcoming and caring school community:
- The District Guidance Advisory Committee meets twice per year. The Guidance Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the district Teaching and Learning Committee. The Guidance Advisory Committee is comprised of families, members of the board of education, school building and district leaders, community-based service providers, teachers, certified school counselors, and other pupil personnel service providers, to inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan.
- The district has and will continue to provide resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral and emotional support services and programs. Counseling services are available to students and our student support staff can assist in referring families and staff to outside resources. Some local resources can be found here:
https://www.southcountry.org/Assets/Bellport_Middle_School_Links/032320_sccsd_mental_health_resources_(1).pdf?t=637205735084830000
Back to Top
VI. TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY
Technology knowledge and skills are vital for full participation in 21st Century life, work, and citizenship. Sufficient access to computing devices and the internet are essential for educational equity. The effective use of digital technology can assist educators in differentiating and personalizing learning; provide flexibility in scheduling and pace; and provide multiple entry points for students to engage in learning.
To address inequities of device and internet access, the District will assign and distribute a device (chrome book) to each student in grades kindergarten through grade twelve who attend our schools. To the extent practicable, hot spots will also be provided for families in need. Devices and hot spots will be for learning purposes only.
- Grade K through 5: Devices will remain in school, unless the classroom teacher authorizes the device to go home for assigned schoolwork.
- Grade 6 through 12: Devices will go class-to-class and home with the student
Back to Top
VII. SAFETY COORDINATORS
The Superintendent of Schools will designate a COVID-19 safety coordinator who will serve as resource person for continuous compliance the plans for reopening schools. The Superintendent of Schools will also designate one or more points of contact at the building level, who will oversee health-screening activities and serve as the main contacts for the identification of positive COVID-19 cases. These individuals will be responsible for communicating pertinent information to the COVID-19 Safety Coordinator and/or the Superintendent of Schools.
A. Points of Contact
Back to Top
VIII. REFERENCE/SOURCE
A. State Education Department Back to School Guidance
B. CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
C. American Academy of Pediatrics’COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools
D. CDC Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
Back to Top
IX. APPENDIX
Back to Top
r