While there are still many unknowns, returning to school will be different in August 2020.  School schedules have been changed, with a shorter school day for all students and students in middle and high schools attending on a A/B cohort schedule. The school day for students will be shorter and five hours long. Teachers will still follow district curriculum and award grades, however instruction will focus on essential competencies. Teachers will spend time at the beginning of the year to work on social and emotional skills for students, teach safety protocols and routines, and familiarize students and families with technology and software that will be used. At the high school level, students will take 3 classes per quarter with each class earning .5 credits in 9 weeks, instead of 6 classes/ semester which earn .5 credits each over 18 weeks. 

When feasible, distancing will be achieved by lowering the number of students in schools through cohorts (in a medium-high COVID-19 risk delivery model) and by reducing the number of accessible desks. The District will require all staff and students to wear face coverings to further reduce the risk of virus transmission. Conditions permitting, schools will allow classes to move to larger, open spaces or outdoors to increase distancing.

Yes. The District will require groups using district-managed facilities to comply with State and municipal guidance for social distancing and to limit the maximum numbers allowed in a given space.

For elementary, this means a cohort of students and staff limit movement and interaction with others to reduce the risk of transmission if someone in the school is exposed to COVID. This will help to protect staff and students. Specialists who normally travel will be assigned to a school and a grade level to further reduce interaction between schools. For example, an Art teacher will be assigned to a school and a grade level or grade span and work primarily as a generalist during that time. While they will teach some Art to those students, they will primarily support Reading, Math, and other subjects when not teaching Art. After a period, they may switch out with another specialist as deemed appropriate.

At middle school and high school, the “Cohort/Quarter” model is achieved primarily through block scheduling. By reducing the number of courses students take, we reduce their exposure and interaction. In the spring, parents and staff shared it was challenging to have up to six or more classes online. By reducing the number of classes, we also reduce the number of passing times and interactions within the school.

The District must be prepared for any possibility. However, changing to pre-pandemic schedules would require significant lead time and would be most likely to occur at a normal semester or quarter break.

The District has issued general guidance to principals to split cohorts alphabetically, (A-L) (M-Z). These lists will be cross-referenced, across schools and grade levels, to prioritize students in the same household are in the same cohorts. Principals may make adjustments based on family needs as well as single sites with unusual distributions of numbers for balancing needs.

Daily recess and exercise outdoors will remain an important part of the school day. Recess will look the same, but recess periods will be staggered to reduce the number of students on the playground(s) at any one time. Being outdoors will be encouraged for all classrooms, even beyond recess.

Similar to how device needs were addressed in the spring, if a device is needed for access for any student, regardless of the grade level, that need will be addressed. However, that may happen through the shared use of a device issued to a sibling or through a personal device already present in the home. It is important to distinguish between the 1-to-1 device initiative and the need for access to devices. The 1-to-1 initiative for grades 3-12 extends past the efforts put in place in response to COVID-19.

Staff will disinfect Chromebooks between each use. Each classroom will have a cleaning supplies kit  with equipment available. Chromebook sanitation will be done using disinfectant wipes or spray, or a solution of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent distilled water. Staff will wear personal protective equipment (masks and gloves) and wipe the devices using microfiber cloths or paper towels (spraying directly into the cloth, not devices).