PRINTABLE PDF OF SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN

“Better Together:” Working to ensure equity for all.

Schenectady City School District

Fall 2020 School Reopening Plan

Introduction

On Monday, July 13, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York can follow plans to reopen for in-person schooling in September if COVID-19 infection rates stay at 5% or lower in a given region. The first day of instruction will be September 8, 2020 for all students.

Determinations will be made by region about opening and closing of school facilities as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. If a region is in Phase 4 and has a daily infection rate of 5% or lower over a 14-day average, schools in that region could hold in-person instruction. If daily infection rates exceed 9% over a seven-day average, however, school facilities in that region would not reopen, but instruction will still commence. Similarly, should a region see such an average after reopening, school facilities in that region would also be directed to close, but instruction would continue virtually.

While districts have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction, Schenectady City School District is also planning for virtual learning as well as for a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and virtual learning. Parents will always have the choice to remain in the remote learning model. Parents will be asked to confirm their participation in either a completely virtual school or a hybrid model on a quarterly basis as we move through the 2020-21 School year. Specific deadlines for each quarter of the school year will be adhered to in order to ensure adequate staffing, planning and preparation.

The plan outlined here is for the reopening of schools in the Schenectady City School District for the 2020-21 school year, following the building closure related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan includes culturally responsive and equity-based procedures that will be followed in the following schools:
Elementary Schools

Hamilton
Howe
William C. Keane
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lincoln
Paige
Pleasant Valley
Van Corlaer
Woodlawn
I’m Yates
Jesse T. Zoller

Middle Schools

Central Park
Mont Pleasant
Oneida

High School

SHS Main Campus
Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy (SCLA)

Central Office

Washington Irving Educational Center (WIEC
Fulton School

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. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

It is possible that we may need to alternate between hybrid and virtual learning throughout the year due to recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from the Governor. The level of infection, the spread of the virus and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision making as we move to open our schools.

Ms. Andrea Tote-Freeman, District Director of Pupil Personnel Services, will serve as the district’s COVID-19 Coordinator. Ms. Tote-Freeman will work closely with building leaders, school nurses, other members of the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff, and our local health department to ensure the district is operating from an equity lens in complying with, and following the best practices per state and federal guidelines. The PPS office will serve as a central point of contact for COVID related concerns from school staff, families, and community stakeholders. The office of Pupil Personnel Services can be reached through “Let’s Talk” on the school district website.

Ms. Sara Schneller, Acting District Director of Planning and Accountability, will serve as the district’s school choice coordinator. The Office of Planning & Accountability, using an equity lens, will work closely with families, staff and other school community members to ensure that families opting to participate in a completely virtual school are enrolled and connected with their grade-level teachers. The Office of Planning and Accountability will also serve as the point of contact for families to notify their intent to participate in virtual school on a quarterly basis. The office of Planning & Accountability can be reached through “Let’s Talk” on the school district website.

Acknowledgement

This plan was developed in consultation with both internal and external stakeholders. The district received over 2,300 responses to surveys sent to students, parents and caregivers; teachers and other staff, and; community members. A total of 1,570 parents, caregivers, and students (85.3% parents or caregivers, and 13.6% students) took the survey. There was representation from varying levels, 54% elementary, 37.4% middle, and 46.4% high school. The racial makeup of this group was 54.4% white, 31.8% Black or African American, and 7.8% Asian. 79% of participants identified as female.

A total of 750 staff members took the survey. A majority of participants, 62.8% represented elementary level, 19.2% high school, and 18% middle level. The racial makeup of this group was 91% white, 6.2% Black or African American, and 2.6% Asian. 83.5% identified as female and 15.4% as male.

In addition, 273 internal and external stakeholders participated in one of ten focus groups offered at varying times during the weeks of July 13 and July 20, 2020. The data received from the surveys and focus groups, along with the federal, state and local reopening guidance was analyzed by members of a Reopening Core Team. The Core Team comprised 25 school district employees including Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, Nurses, Operations & Maintenance Staff, Transportation Staff, Innovation & Technology Staff, Principals, Members of the Executive Leadership Team and Board Members. These partnerships are key to the success of the district’s plan. We are extremely grateful for the time and participation toward the creation of our plan, which is clearly “Better Together.”

Focus on Equity, Culturally Responsive Education and Anti-racism:

As a district striving to be culturally responsive and ensuring equity for all, our decisions have been informed by the recommendations as proposed by the NAACP:

Ten Equity Implications of the Coronavirus Outbreak in the United States

Racism and stigmatization have increased, particularly towards the Asian and Asian American populations.
Certain populations including immigrants, incarcerated people, people over 60 years old, people with disabilities, people with special health needs, and others are at an added risk of exposure and other implications.
Frontline workers face tough choices between abstaining from work or risking exposure.
Census and voting may be jeopardized as public outings continue to dwindle.
Coronavirus remediation will result in increased exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals.
Children and college students risk exposure in schools. If schools close, students may experience food or housing insecurities.
There is a lack of accessibility to testing kits.
Quarantine policies and practices are unfolding with a risk to human and civil rights.
The coronavirus has already been used to justify increased militarization and more restrictive immigration policies and practices.
Denial and misinformation on the crisis can worsen the outbreak.

Content Outline

Introduction
Acknowledgement
- Equity Implications
Family and Community Engagement
Health and Safety
Facilities
Child Nutrition
- Meals Onsite (Hybrid)
- Meals Offsite (Virtual)
Transportation
Social Emotional Well-Being
School Schedules
School Activities
- Extracurriculars
- Childcare
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
Technology and Connectivity
Teaching and Learning
- In-Person (Hybrid)Instruction
- Virtual Instruction
Special Education
Bilingual Education and World Languages
Staff
Teacher and Principal Evaluation System
Certification: Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching

Family and Community Engagement

As mentioned above, to help inform our reopening plan, the district has sought feedback and input from stakeholders, including administrators, staff, students, parents/caregivers of students, local health department officials and health care providers, employee unions and community groups. Engagement efforts included online surveys, virtual forums/meetings, “Let’s Talk” dialogues and individual conversations.

The district, using an equity lens, remains committed to communicating, all elements of this reopening plan to students, parents/caregivers, staff and visitors. The plan is available to all stakeholders via the district website at http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us/ and will be updated throughout the school year, as necessary, to respond to local circumstances. The link to the plan appears on the district's website homepage and each school’s homepage. Every effort has been made to ensure that the plan is accessible to all individuals in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.9 Level A/AA. The plan can also be translated into ten languages in addition to English via the translation feature available on the district website. Those languages include: Spanish, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian and Hindi. It can also be translated into any other language using the Google translate functionality from the language application on the website.

As part of its planning for the reopening of schools and the new academic year, the district has developed a plan for communicating all necessary information to internal and external stakeholders. The district will use its existing communication channels including: written, the SCSD website, email, automated phone calls, electronic newsletters, community locations & partners, and social media. Appropriate signage and training opportunities to support the dissemination of consistent messaging regarding new protocols and procedures, expectations, requirements and options related to school operations throughout the pandemic, all of which will have the option to be translated into other languages on the district website.

The district is committed to establishing and maintaining regular channels of communication and has reviewed and determined which methods have proven to be the most effective with our diverse school community. The district will regularly communicate news, requirements and updates related to reopening and in-person instruction. The information that we will share will be based on state guidance and information we received regarding school reopening garnered from surveys, focus groups and the school reopening core team.

In support of virtual learning, the district will continue its effort to make devices and Internet available to students and teachers who need them. The district will provide students and their families with multiple ways to contact schools and teachers during virtual learning, including email, telephone and through “Let’s Talk”.

The district will use existing internal and external communications channels to notify staff, students and families/caregivers about in-person, virtual and hybrid school schedules with as much advance notice as possible.

The district will follow its existing engagement and communication protocols with families regarding the provision of special education services and English as a new language (ENL) services for their child. In addition, the district will make every effort to ensure that communication to parents/caregivers is in their preferred language and mode of communication.

The district is committed to ensuring that all of its students and their families are continuously informed of new expectations related to all public health policies and protocols. As part of this continuous training, the district will assess the best approach to communicating the information for each student’s age group and will provide frequent opportunities for students to review these policies and protocols. This targeted education will help ensure that all students and their families know what is expected of them as they successfully return to the school. These trainings will include the following areas:

Hand hygiene: Proper hand-washing techniques and protocols
Proper face covering procedures: how to properly use PPE (personal protective equipment for example facial coverings & gloves)
Social distancing: Social Distancing also called “physical distancing” means keeping a six foot space between yourself and others. This will include training on potential cultural implications and strategies for tailoring communications and managing interactions.
Respiratory hygiene: The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the district will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.
Identifying symptoms: Symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school.

Signage
The district will create and deploy signage throughout the district to address public health protections surrounding COVID-19. Signage will address protocols and recommendations in the following areas:

Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Acceptable face coverings and requirements related to their wear
Proper hand washing
Adherence to social distancing instructions
Symptoms/prevention of COVID-19

In addition to signage, the district will encourage all students, staff and visitors through verbal and written communication to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance regarding the use of PPE through additional means such as the district website, social media posts, regular email communication and eNews reminders, as well as classroom and schoolwide reminders.

The district is committed to creating a learning environment that protects student and staff health, safety and privacy. Our district will operate under a standard procedure for addressing situations in which an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 or appears symptomatic. These procedures are outlined in the Health & Safety section of our reopening plan.

In the event that a student or staff member is sick or symptomatic, notification to exposed individuals will occur pursuant to the state’s contact tracing protocols as implemented by the local health department.

School Closures

The district is preparing for situations in which one or more school buildings need to close due to a significant number of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 or a considerable regional increase in COVID-19 cases.

The district may choose to modify operations in one or more schools prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. The district will consult our Medical Director, John Petrillo, DO, and the Schenectady County Department of Health when making such decisions. Information regarding closure will be communicated to staff, families, and students using multiple methods to include automated phone calls through “One Call Now”, the district website, email, text alerts, social media platforms and the local media. At any point if school closure is necessary, the district may switch to virtual instruction and it will be communicated as such.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to consider closing a school facility, within the district, if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. In this instance, instruction would continue virtually.

Health & Safety

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel supported, comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

The following protocols and procedures will be in place at all school facilities. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact our COVID-19 Coordinator, Andrea Tote-Freeman, by entering your inquiry in “Let’s Talk” on the homepage of our website or by calling the Pupil Personnel Services Office at 518-881-3412. The district has registered school nurses at each of our schools who will be trained in the proper protocols for interacting with individuals who may have COVID related symptoms. The school facilities have appropriate resources in the building to safely handle and respond to individuals who may become suspect of having COVID-19, including a designated space to quarantine students until they can be safely picked up by a parent or caregiver.

For more information about how health and safety protocols and training will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family & Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Health checks The district has developed resources to educate parents/caregivers and staff members regarding the careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school. New York Forward Pre-K to Grade 12 School Guidelines The resources include the requirement for any student or staff member with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection to stay home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Coronavirus symptoms has been used to develop these resources.

The Schenectady City School District will implement the following practices to conduct mandated health screening.

Students The district will request that every family who has a child attending the hybrid education program, which includes instruction on-site, to sign a Health and Safety Compact. The Compact will include the health screening requirements. By signing the Compact, the family is acknowledging their understanding of the health and safety protocols required for attendance in-person and their agreement to abide by those expectations.

As a preventative measure:

Whenever possible, the district recommends that the parent/caregiver prescreen and take their child’s temperature prior to going to school. Children with a temperature of 100°F or greater must be kept home.
Parents/caregivers will review the health screening questions with their children daily, which will be provided to them in their preferred language. If parents cannot affirm the health screening questions they will need to keep their children home. The district will periodically send home an attestation for parents/caregivers to sign and return to the school.
Anytime a parent/caregiver keeps their child(ren) home due to symptoms of illness they must contact the school nurse to discuss their concerns and create a plan of action. This plan may include a medical assessment prior to returning to school.
The district will check the student’s temperature prior to the student entering the bus and/or the school and may also review the health screening questions with students. If a student’s temperature is 100°F or greater, the student remains in a designated space area until a parent/caregiver picks them up or makes alternative arrangements.

If a student exhibits symptoms related to COVID-19 after they have been admitted to school, they will be escorted to the designated area to be screened in a confidential manner. The screening will be completed as quickly as possible to minimize time away from class. An adult shall provide supervision to the designated isolation area to ensure the occupants are following all protocols to prevent the spread of the virus. A parent or caregiver will be contacted to make arrangements for the student to go home and be medically assessed.

Staff

District staff will be required to check their own temperature prior to entering the work building. If their temperature is 100°F or greater, they may not enter the workplace.
District staff will be required to use their district issued swipe card to swipe into their designated work location. When they use their swipe card to enter the district, they will be affirming that they are able to enter the workplace based upon their answers to the health screening questions. These questions are posted at designated entrances. Staff are required to complete a video training prior to the first day of instruction.
The district will check the staff member’s temperature prior to the staff member entering the school building or district office. If a staff member’s temperature is 100°F or greater, the staff member will be directed to return home or remain in a designated area.

Visitors, Contractors and Vendors

Any individual who is not a student or staff member will have their temperature checked when they enter a district facility. If their temperature is 100°F or greater they will not be permitted to remain in the building.
Essential businesses which include contractors, community partners, or others performing ongoing services with the district will also be expected to check the temperatures of their employees at the start of each work day as well as attest to not having symptoms per CDC guidelines. This will not preclude the district from also asking these same questions.
Visitors will generally not be allowed in any school building at this time, but if visits are required, appointments need to be scheduled. Emergency personnel will not be required to schedule an appointment.
Visitors will also have their temperatures checked when they enter a school building or district office.
Visitors will also be asked to attest to not having symptoms per CDC guidelines. If their temperature is 100°F or greater they will not be permitted to remain in the building.

Screening

All staff who may perform temperature screenings will be trained as to the appropriate techniques, methods, and protocols to be followed.
Staff members conducting the screening will be offered a face shield, gown, and gloves. The face shield is not a substitution for the face covering, which also must be worn.
The district will monitor inventory supplies for all PPE to ensure supplies do not run out.
Each school will designate a staff member to review the incoming reports of screening. These reports will be maintained for one year unless required to be kept longer.
If an individual has a temperature of 100°F or greater, or cannot attest to the screening questions, the individual will be asked to leave and/or placed in a designated area to await a parent/caregiver.
Students who develop symptoms during the school day, or if their answers to the questionnaire change outside school hours, the school nurse must be notified and protocol will be enacted. Students should not home to school.
Staff who develop symptoms during the school day, or if their answers to the questionnaire change outside school hours, they must notify their supervisor and protocol will be enacted. Staff should not report to work
The district will provide frequent reminders and delivery methods to staff and parents/caregivers of the health screening protocol.
The district will work to ensure that confidentiality of screenings is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

Social distancing, face coverings & PPE

The district has developed a plan with policies and protocols for maintaining social distancing of all students, staff and visitors when on school facilities, grounds and transportation. This plan includes, but is not limited to:

directional arrows in hallways
stickers or other signage on the floor or walls, to illustrate the six feet of physical distancing
maximum capacity signage for smaller spaces based on 6 ft. requirement
signage in entrance, hallways, classrooms, offices, break rooms, bathrooms and all common areas informing staff and students about social distancing requirements and the need to wear a facial covering
ensure staff and students are provided with proper instruction as to social distancing requirements, proper hygiene and how to wear a facial covering

If physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained, proper face coverings must be worn in those areas, or those situations. In particular, individuals will be required to wear face coverings in common areas such as hallways or entrances and when traveling around the school, as contact with other individuals can be unexpected.

It is recognized that some students may have medical conditions which make it unsafe or unhealthy for them to wear the required face covering. In these situations, the student’s family will need to provide acceptable medical documentation to support the exemption. The request will be processed through the district’s Section 504 procedure, which is initiated with the school principal. As part of the review process, attempts will be made to ascertain if other supplemental PPE (personal protective equipment) and/or accommodations can be made to provide additional protection. Such accommodations may include, but not be limited to, permitting a face shield or providing a partition on the student’s desk.

The expectation will be that students and staff wear face coverings the entire time they are present in school. It is recognized that there are times when students and staff may be permitted to remove their face covering. These instances may include when the student or staff is eating or drinking, engaging in or participating in instruction, working at a desk, and for short breaks as directed by supervising staff, so long as they maintain appropriate social distance.

Face coverings will be provided to students and staff, if needed, at no cost. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth-based coverings and masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

An employee is allowed to wear their own acceptable face covering if they choose. It is recognized that some staff may have medical conditions which make it unsafe or unhealthy for them to wear the required face covering. In these situations, the staff member will need to provide acceptable medical documentation to support the exemption. The request will be processed through the district’s Office of Human Resources in accordance with ADA guidelines. As part of the review process, attempts shall be made to ascertain if there are other supplemental personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be used to provide additional protection. Such accommodations may include but not be limited to permitting a face shield or providing partitions at the staff’s work station.

Face coverings should not be placed on:

Anyone who is incapacitated, has trouble breathing, is unconscious or experiencing a medical emergency
Anyone granted an authorized accommodation
The district will instruct students, parents/guardians and staff, contractors and vendors on:
- The proper way to wear face coverings
- Washing hands before putting on and after removing their face covering
- The proper way to discard disposable face coverings

Infection control strategies

The infection control strategies will include polycarbonate, SED approved separators where there is interaction with visitors and guests, such as the main office of each school. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers will be in each classroom and other points of congregation.

Cafeterias and Gymnasiums - Spaces that are not traditionally used for classrooms but may now be used for instruction shall be set up to meet all code and social distancing requirements.

Facility Alterations and Acquisition

Alterations to the configuration of existing classrooms or spaces or the introduction of temporary and/or movable partitions will be used only after appropriate permission is obtained from the NYS Education department.

Space Expand

The district does not plan to expand its space beyond buildings it currently owns or leases at this time. Should that change, the appropriate approval will be obtained.

Tents for Additional Space

The district does not plan to use tents for additional space at this time. Should that change, the appropriate approval will be obtained.

Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures
Drinking Water Facilities: The district will reduce the number of drinking fountains available, in order to facilitate frequent cleaning. As required, the district shall maintain at least one water fountain for each one hundred occupants.

The water system will be flushed prior to students returning to school.

The district will close off bathroom stalls and sinks to the extent possible, and be code compliant to assist in maintaining social distancing in the bathroom.

If 6 ft cannot be maintained between bathroom sinks, the district will assess and determine if a partition is needed.

The district will disable any air dryers, and ensure that paper towels are available.

Ventilation

Where there is mechanical ventilation, the units will maintain at least 25% fresh air intake. In locations where there is only fresh air ventilation through windows, the window(s) will be opened at the optimal setting to increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g., opening windows and doors) while maintaining health and safety protocols, particularly for younger students.

The district will use the appropriate filters for each mechanical unit. Filters will be changed on a regular basis, which is the best course to improve the air quality.

^{New Technology for Air Purification}The district is not adding any new technology for air purification at this time.

Management of ill persons, contact tracing and monitoring

The district requires students or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day to report to the nurse’s office. If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students and staff must staff at least 6 feet apart. The district has designated areas to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID- 19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff. Both areas will be supervised by an adult and have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies.

The following locations have been identified for each building for students or staff with COVID-related symptoms to be isolated until arrangements can be made for them to leave the building.

School	Room Numbers
Central Park Middle School	109
Hamilton Elementary School	210A
Fulton Elementary School	Room across from Main Office
Howe Elementary School	Room 004
Keane Elementary School	Room across from Cafeteria
Lincoln Elementary School	Blocked space-lower hallway near side entrance
MLK Elementary School	C23
MP Middle School	Security Office near front door and nurse
Oneida Middle School	GO1B
Paige Elementary School	Parent conference room near front door
PV Elementary School	001
SCLA School	Band Room
SHS	D12A
Van Corlaer Elementary School	103
Washington Irving	110A
Woodlawn Elementary School	09F
Yates Elementary School	100 B
Zoller Elementary School	Room 100

PPE requirements for school health office staff caring for sick individuals includes both standard and transmission-based precautions. In areas with moderate to substantial community transmission, eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) should be added. When caring for a suspected or confirmed individual with COVID-19, gloves, a gown, eye protection, and a fit-tested N95 respirator will be used, if available. If an N95 respirator is not available, a surgical face mask and face shield will be used.

School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms, and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes). Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions.

Disposable items will be used as much as possible (e.g., disposable pillow protectors, disposable thermometers, disposable thermometer sheaths or probes, disposable otoscope specula).

Aerosol Generating Procedures

Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. The district requires the following PPE to be worn during AGPs: gloves, N95 or a surgical mask with face shield, eye protection and a gown. PPE will be used when: suctioning, administering nebulizer treatments, or using peak flow meters with students who have respiratory conditions.

Treatments such as nebulized medications and oral or tracheostomy suctioning will be conducted in a room separate from others with nursing personnel wearing appropriate PPE. For nebulizer treatments, if developmentally appropriate, the nurse will leave the room and return when the nebulizer treatment is finished.

Cleaning of the room will occur between each use and cleaning of the equipment will be done while following manufacturer’s instructions after each use.

If Students or Staff become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School

The district requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the health screening questions to be sent directly to a dedicated area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home. Students will be supervised in the area while awaiting transport home and will be separated by at least 6 feet. Students will be escorted from the area to their parent/caregiver. Students or staff will be referred to contact their healthcare provider and provided resources on COVID-19 testing.

Return to School after Illness

The district has established protocols and procedures, in consultation with the local health department(s), about the requirements for determining when individuals, particularly students, who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms can return to the in-person learning environment at school. This protocol includes:

Documentation from a health care provider following evaluation

Negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result

Symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation

If the student or staff is suspected of having COVID-19, and tests negative, they will need to provide documentation that they are cleared to return to school. The district will refer to NYSDOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and procedures for staff seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the student or staff member had proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

The district requires that individuals who were exposed to the COVID-19 virus must abide by their medical practitioner’s recommendations. The district will follow CDC and local health department guidelines. The discharge of an individual from quarantine and return to school will be conducted in coordination with the local health department.

COVID-19 Testing

In the event that a large-scale testing will need to be conducted at the school, the district administration will work with the following providers:

Schenectady County Department of Health

Hometown Health

Ellis Hospital

Contact Tracing

The district will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the district.

To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the district has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.

The district will be prepared to assist the Schenectady County Health Department with contact tracing by:

Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members
Ensuring student schedules are up to date
Keeping a log of any visitor or contractor, which includes date and time, and where in the school they visited

If or when an individual who was in a facility used or owned by the district for instruction of students is discovered to have COVID-19 the district’s COVID-19 Coordinator in consultation with the local health department, the district will do the following:

Immediately close the area affected
Investigate all movements and interaction of student/staff over the previous week
After 24 hours, arrange for thorough cleaning & disinfection of areas affected,
Work with NYSDOH to notify all potential contacts

Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff will not determine who is to be excluded from school without guidance and direction from the local health department.

For more information about how COVID-19 containment efforts will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

School Facility Closures

A closure refers to contingency plans, protocols, and procedures for decreasing the scale or scope of in- person education and/or closing the school facility. The district will collaborate with the local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in the school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level. The Superintendent will be notified by the Schenectady County Department of Health or other state or local officials regarding infection rates and/or other pertinent data. At a minimum:

School facilities will close if the regional infection rate rises over 9% after August 1st.
School facilities will close if the 7-day rolling average of the infection rate is above 9%.
School facilities in regions that are in Phase 4 will only reopen if the daily infection rate remains below 5% using a 14-day average, unless otherwise directed from the Schenectady County Health Department.
If the infection rate rises above 9%, school facilities will be directed to close and must remain closed until the 14-day average is below 5%.
Once school facilities open at Phase 4 below 5% for a 14-day rolling average, school facilities can remain open even if the rate continues to rise about 5% until it reaches 9% for the 7-day average.
The Superintendent may consider closing school facilities if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely.
The Superintendent may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. If infection rates are rising above 5%; consider modifying school facility operations for medically vulnerable students and staff if they are participating in in-person activities.
The district will consult with their medical director and/or the local department of health when making such decisions.
The Superintendent will determine which operations will be decreased, or ceased and which operations will be conducted remotely.

For more information about how school closure information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Health hygiene

The district will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education on hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the school (e.g., entrances, restrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, auditorium, custodial staff areas) and regular messaging will be shared with the school community. Signage will be used to remind individuals to:

Stay home if they feel sick.
Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others or in accordance with any stricter policy implemented by the school.
Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.
Adhere to social distancing instructions.
Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19.
Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Hand Hygiene

Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices.

Wash hands routinely with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Dry hands completely after washing. Use paper towels to dry hands instead of a hand dryer.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used.

Hand washing should occur:

Before and after eating or drinking.
After going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting.
After using a tissue.
Before and after using shared materials.
After coming in from the outdoors.
Anytime hands are visibly soiled.

Respiratory Hygiene

The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the district will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.

Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices.

Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately.
Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing; sneeze into your elbow if a tissue is not available.
Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will keep the respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air.

For more information about how hygiene information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Cleaning and disinfecting

The district will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and NYSDOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained including the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

Students and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and such information will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.

The district will provide and maintain,as follows:

For handwashing: soap, running water, and disposable paper towels.
For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This will include desks and cafeteria tables, which should be cleaned and disinfected between each individual’s use. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.

The district will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.

For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Vulnerable populations/accommodations

We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, live with a person who is at an increased risk, or simply do not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment. It is our goal that these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities. Each student or staff member situation will be assessed to determine what accommodations can be provided.

Visitors on campus

No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses without an appointment, except for emergency personnel. Parents/caregivers will report to the designated area, most likely the main entrance, but will not go beyond unless an administrator authorizes them to proceed into the building. Essential visitors to facilities will be required to wear face coverings and will be restricted in their access to our school facilities. Signages with instructions and requirements will be posted on the doors of all schools and office entrances. Visitors must follow all safety protocols as listed above and will be subject to temperature checks and health screening questions.

School safety drills

The district will conduct fire (evacuation) drills and lockdown drills as required by education law and regulation and the fire code without exceptions. Schools must continue to conduct mandatory fire and lockdown drills according to the existing statutory schedule. Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies.

In accordance with Fire Code Section 404, Schenectady City School District will maintain Fire Safety, Evacuation, and Lockdown Plans and these plans include how lockdown and evacuation drills are conducted. Methods to promote and provide for social distancing during the evacuation drills will be adhered to.
In accordance with Education Law § 807, SCSD will conduct eight (8) evacuation and four (4) lockdown drills during the school year. Drill procedures may be modified to minimize risk of spreading infection. Conducting drills is an important part of keeping students and staff safe in an emergency; however, steps will be taken to minimize the risk of spreading infection while conducting drills. As such, it may be necessary for schools to conduct drills in the school year using protocols that are different than they are used to.
Regardless of the modifications used when conducting a drill, students will be instructed that if it was an actual emergency that required evacuation or lockdown, the most imminent concern is to get to safety; maintaining social distancing in an actual emergency that requires evacuation or lockdown may not be possible and should not be the first priority.

The school district modifications to evacuation drill protocols may include, but are not limited to:

Conducting drills on a “staggered” schedule, where classrooms evacuate separately rather than all at once, and appropriate distance is kept between students to the evacuation site. Staggering, by classroom, minimizes contact of students in hallways, stairwells, and at the evacuation site. If conducting drills using a modified procedure, it is required that the drill be conducted with all students in the school building on that school day, it may be necessary to do so during a class period that is extended for this purpose.
In the hybrid schedule model, when students are attending class in-person, students will receive instruction in emergency procedures, and participate in drills while they are in attendance in-person.

Modifications to Lockdown Drills may include, but are not limited to:

Conduct lockdown drills in classroom settings while maintaining social distancing/using masks.
Conducting lockdown drills on a “staggered” schedule with smaller numbers of students present to maintain social distancing.
In the hybrid schedule model, when students are attending class in-person, students will receive instruction in emergency procedures, and participate in drills while they are in attendance in-person.
Conduct lockdown drills in classrooms without “hiding”/ “sheltering” but providing an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom.

Facilities

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, facilities will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and frequently touched spaces will be cleaned regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces.

The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens and are automatically released by the fire alarm system, will remain unchanged.

The district will meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Surveys and/or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”

Upon reopening, the district will increase ventilation, to the greatest extent possible. Water systems will be flushed in buildings that have been unoccupied.

HVAC filters will be changed on a regular basis to assist in maintaining quality air.
The district will close off toilet stalls to help facilitate social distancing, and ensure that the minimum number of operational toilet fixtures be maintained per NYS facilities code.
Drinking Water Facilities: The district will reduce the number of drinking fountains available, in order to facilitate frequent cleaning. One fountain is required for each one hundred occupants.
Maintain adequate ventilation natural or mechanical, as designed.

Child Nutrition

Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available to all students regardless of whether they are attending school virtually or hybrid.

Meals: Students Attending a Hybrid Schedule

Students in grades Pre-K through 12 will receive breakfast and lunch meals, in grab and go style, in reheatable containers to take and be eaten at home.

The sharing of food and beverages is prohibited. Sodexo, the food service provider, will follow all guidelines and protocols outlined by the district.

Drinking in the classroom

Students will be allowed to have a beverage on their desk in school.

Eating in Classrooms

Teachers must submit a plan to the school administration for approval.
All children must be 6 feet apart.
All children must be seated.
Food cannot be shared.

No Eating or Drinking is Allowed on the Bus

Friday Backpacks

Backpacks will be supplied to students at the grab and go Stations prior to dismissal. The location will be determined at each school, based upon entrance and dismissal plans for students who are bussed and those who walk or get a ride.

Meals: Students attending school virtually

Students who attend virtually will receive meals at designated locations each week. Families will be notified of schedule and locations.

Information on meal location will be communicated through written communication, on the district website, through email and eNews updates, automated phone calls and social media.

Transportation

Busing Guidelines

The district will work with all transportation vendors to conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines.

Students and school staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times and maintain appropriate social distancing, while on a school bus, including boarding and exiting.
Students who should not wear a face covering, as documented through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan, will not be required to wear a face covering, but must maintain appropriate social distancing.
Members of the same household are not required to socially distance themselves from one another and are encouraged to sit together on the bus.
Bus capacity will be reduced by 50% or more to allow for riders to socially distance.
Parents/caregivers are encouraged to drop off or walk students to school, when possible, to help reduce density on buses.
All bus employees must wear face coverings and rubber gloves.
Due to the flammability of hand sanitizer, it will not be permitted on the bus.
When temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, school buses will transport passengers with roof hatches or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.
Students who do not have their own face covering will be provided a face covering by transportation staff.
Face coverings will be distributed to students at the entrance of the bus, prior to boarding. The face covering must be worn during the entire ride.
There will be a seating chart for all students on the bus. Those picked up first will be seated at the back. When unloading the bus, students will leave from the front and maintain social distancing while exiting. Students who are dropped off first, on the trip from school, will be seated at the front of the bus.
Parents who may have missed the due date to request out of district transportation due to a reasonable excuse may file a 310 appeal with the Commissioner of Education.

The School Bus

Mandatory Requirements

All buses (conforming and non-conforming to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards, as well as type A, C or D) which are used every day by districts and contract carriers must be cleaned and disinfected once a day. High contact areas must be wiped down after the morning and afternoon run depending upon the schedule. (For example, some buses might be cleaned between the am and pm runs while other buses may be cleaned/disinfected after the pm run).
School buses shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or district. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants and students must not carry bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.
Wheelchair school buses must configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of 6 feet.

School Bus Drills

A minimum of three school bus drills shall be held in either a classroom or school bus setting. Social distancing guidelines must be followed. The first drill will be conducted during the first week of the fall term, the second between November 1st and December 31st and the third between March 1st and April 30th. Guidelines and details will be following.

For more information about training protocol for students and staff and how transportation information will be communicated, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of the district’s reopening plan.

Social Emotional Well-Being

We recognize that the social emotional well-being of our students and staff during these challenging times is critically important. The district will take an intentional and meaningful approach to ensuring the inclusion of culturally responsive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) across all aspects of operating strategies to support the well-being and success of students, staff and families. The district will ensure there are resources and referrals available that address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students and staff when school reopens for in-person instructions. This work will be aligned with the district's strategic plan and within a multi-tiered system of support framework (MTSS).

During the first month of school, teachers and staff will collaborate and focus on social emotional health and wellness. This will include: use of pre-designed lessons, community circles, the use of social emotional curriculum (CASEL approved and evidence based), and related services-counseling as needed. The use of a Universal Screener will assist the district in identifying both tier 1 SEL supports needed for a particular classroom, and students who may need more intensive support.

The district has established a school counseling “Advisory Council” that involves shared decision-making and is comprised of internal and external stakeholders. The advisory council will inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan. This program plan has been reviewed and updated to meet current needs with an equity lens.

The district will provide professional development opportunities for staff and families on how to talk with and support students during and after the pandemic, as well as how to develop coping and resilience skills.

Staff will be provided professional development opportunities and the resources required for providing social emotional and behavioral support to students through a lens of equity and as a means to address disproportionality.

School Schedules

For details on how school schedules will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan. There will be 2 options for school schedules. Parents/Guardians will decide which option is appropriate for their children. The options are:

Virtual School (all courses will be online)
Hybrid School (students will attend class person during the morning and then return home to access some online courses)

Below are tentative sample schedules for PreK, K-6, and Secondary 7-12. These tentative schedules will be the same for the virtual school or the hybrid school. Classes will be offered synchronously. Synchronous learning is defined as the kind of learning that happens in real time. This means that students and teachers interact in a specific virtual place, at a specific time. There may be some asynchronous assignments, projects, and classes. Asynchronous learning happens on your schedule and may include self-guided lesson modules, streaming video content, exchanges across learning management system discussion boards, individual and/or group projects or other types of learning experiences that may be self-guided at a student’s own pace.

Sample/Tentative Student Schedules:

Pre-Kindergarten

Grades K-4

8:00-8:15 - Homeroom

8:15-11:45 – Instruction (Literacy/Math/Age appropriate instruction)

11:45-noon – Dismissal

12-1:00 – Students travel home and eat lunch

1:00-1:35 – Virtual Special Class (Physical Education)

1:35-2:35 – Virtual Class with Classroom Teacher

8:00-8:15 – Homeroom

8:15-9:40 – Reading/Literacy Block

9:40-10:10 – Bathroom/Break

10:10-11:05 – Math

11:05-11:40 – Social Studies/Science/Intervention

11:45-noon – Dismissal

12-1:00 – Students travel home and eat lunch

1:00-1:35 – Virtual Special Class (Art, Music, Physical Education)

1:35-2:35 – Virtual Class with Classroom Teacher

Grades 5-6

8:30-8:45 – Homeroom

8:45-10:10 – Reading/Literacy Block

10:10-10:40 – Bathroom/Break

10:40-11:35 – Math

11:35-12:25 – Social Studies/Science/Intervention/Special

12:25-12:40 – Dismissal

12:40-1:40 – Students travel home and eat lunch

1:40-2:20 – Virtual Special Class (Art, Music, Physical Education)

2:20-3:20 – Virtual Class with Classroom Teacher

3:20-3:35 – Virtual Office Hours

Grades 7-12

8:30-8:45 – Homeroom

8:45-9:29 – Period 1

9:29 – 10:13 – Period 2

10:13-10:57 – Period 3

10:57-11:41 – Period 4

11:41-12:25 – Period 5

12:25-12:40 - Dismissal

12:40-1:40 – Students travel home and eat lunch

1:40-2:20 - Virtual Class

2:20-3:20 – Virtual Class

3:20-3:35 – Virtual Office Hours

Class sizes for the virtual school will be maximized (run at capacity) whenever possible. Class sizes for the hybrid schedule will be kept to smaller class sizes, to ensure social distancing. Whenever possible, students will remain with their cohort class and teachers will travel to the class.

Students attending the virtual school will be expected to attend classes every day, as if we were in session in person.

Students attending the hybrid schedule will be expected to attend classes every day, both in person and in the virtual classes in the afternoon. The aim is for attendance in the hybrid schedule to be five days/week for PreK-6 students. The district may have to adjust the days of in person attendance, if the number of parents/guardians requesting for their children to attend the hybrid schedule reaches a number in which class sizes would rise above a safe number for social distancing. In the event that this happens, the district will revise the plan and notify students and parents of the change.

8th and 9th grade students attending the Hybrid schedule will be expected to attend classes every day, both in person and in the virtual classes in the afternoon. The aim is for attendance in the hybrid schedule to be five days/week for 8th and 9th grade students. The district may have to adjust the days of in person attendance, if the number of students requesting to attend the hybrid schedule reaches a number in which class sizes would rise above a safe number for social distancing. In the event that this happens, the district will revise the plan and notify students and parents of the change.

7th, 10th, and 11th grade students attending the Hybrid schedule will attend in person on an every other week basis. Some 7th, 10th, and 11th grade hybrid schedule students will be assigned to Week A and the rest will be assigned to Week B. Week A students will attend in person on the designated Week A and then attend virtually on Week B. Week B students will attend virtually during Week A and in person Week B.

12th grade students attending the hybrid schedule will have options for alternating weeks OR Monday through Friday every week. 12th grade hybrid schedule students will be assigned to the every week or every other week model depending on the courses selected. Seniors will have the most scheduling options due to graduation requirements.

Students attending Self-Contained Special Educations programs will attend school five days per week and follow the schedules as outlined above.

School Activities

Extracurriculars

Interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities are an important aspect of our school community. It is a priority to offer and maintain as many offerings as possible to as many groups of students. A thorough examination of all extracurricular activities will be done to determine which can be conducted virtually. Interscholastic sports are postponed until mid-September at which time guidance will be provided by New York State.

Examples of ways extracurricular activities can be further explored, held and shared virtually include:

Music: Student performances can be recorded and combined with other student performances into a concert.
Art: Student created pieces are highlighted virtually and displayed through video or website.
Clubs: Can be led by the responsible advisor/staff member who can make determination about ability to continue virtually.
Author Visits/Artist in Residence: Presentation and break-out sessions can be led virtually by teacher/facilitator.
Team/Group Athletics: Coaches can set up virtual sessions in which students can workout together as a team.
Science/Social Studies Fair: Students can create their own project and the teacher creates a video for all to see.

Each activity and club will be reviewed and, if possible, designed to be offered in a virtual model.

Childcare

The district is currently working with community based organizations for before and after school childcare options that families and staff can contract with directly. We will update this information as these resources become available.

Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) provide services to families. If you are looking for child care, the CCR&R in Schenectady is a great place to start. A complete listing of CCR&Rs can be found on the OCFS website at https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/referralagencies.asp

Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

Teachers will collect and report daily teacher-student engagement or attendance, either while delivering instruction virtually or in the hybrid model. Schenectady CIty School District will be culturally responsive, creative and ensure equity when dealing with attendance concerns and developing interventions.

Building level teams will monitor and plan for ensuring students are regularly engaging in instruction. This work includes the regular review of attendance data to identify and intervene when students demonstrate patterns of absenteeism. The following areas will be addressed:

Root cause analysis of absenteeism
Identify intervention and supports needed
Family and community outreach
Review any usual absenteeism patterns at a particular school among both students and staff
Work with school nurses to alert local health officials about large increases in student and staff absenteeism, particularly if absences appear due to respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or the “flu,” which have symptoms similar to COVID-19).
Review attendance and sick leave policies-make modifications as necessary to ensure students and staff stay home when sick to prevent exposure and spread.
School policies and procedures will focus on the academic consequences of lost instructional time and address absences before students fall behind in school.
Parents will be notified when students do not attend school or participate in scheduled instruction.

Technology and Connectivity

The goal of the district for Fall 2020 is to provide each student with a device to achieve a 1-to-1 ratio as well as internet access for each household that does not have it.

With surveys and assistance from our teachers, Schenectady City Schools will identify students still needing devices and/or internet access. In addition, staff members who require technology to fulfill their roles, will be able to submit their requests to their supervisor/administrator. For these student and staff requests, technology can be delivered through coordinated drop-offs outside the home or scheduled pickups at predetermined locations that can allow for proper social distancing protocols.

When learning virtually, students will utilize the district-provided device, and district-provided internet access (if applicable), such as a mobile hotspot, to access digital content and curriculum entered into a district approved learning management system (i.e. Google Classroom or Seesaw). Lessons from teachers who are teaching within the classrooms, or operating virtually, will be streamed live (synchronously) using devices such as webcams and video platforms, such as Google Meet, to be viewed remotely by students. Teachers will be encouraged to record and make lessons available to students to also watch outside of scheduled class time.

For additional details regarding the Technology and Connectivity section of the Schenectady City Schools Reopening Plan, please refer to the below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document: Technology & Connectivity

Teaching and Learning

To the greatest extent possible, SCSD PreK-6th, 8th, 9th, and 12th grade students, students with disabilities, English Language Learners and students lacking permanent housing are prioritized for our hybrid learning model, unless a parent/caregiver chooses the virtual school setting.

The school calendar includes one staff development day before students arrive at school. The district will focus this day on providing support to staff in the areas of anti-racism, educational equity, social-emotional health and high quality instruction using technology. Additional technology-related professional development offerings will be provided throughout the month of August and the school year.

As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.

Assessing student learning gaps and areas of need will be critical, in order to ensure we continue to close the achievement and opportunity gaps. lt will be common practice to engage students in formative assessment before a unit of instruction to assess student understanding of prerequisite skills. Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive culturally responsive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study. Instructional Coaches and building level teacher leaders will be trained to help guide teachers through prioritizing cultural relevance, learning standards and curriculum decisions regarding the most essential units of study. These discussions will continue throughout the school year during PLCs, grade-level and vertical team meetings.

Our Prekindergarten Community Based Organizations will follow our continuity of learning plan and will follow the health and safety guidelines outlined in the NYSED guidance and required by NYSDOH. For information relating to teaching and learning for students attending BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the BOCES website: https://www.capitalregionboces.org/

Parents/caregivers will be contacted to designate their preference of either virtual or hybrid instruction.

Hybrid Instruction

Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our district has developed a learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.

Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart.

Accommodating a six-foot radius around students will necessitate the identification of additional rooms and common-area spaces that can be converted into classrooms. For in-person instruction all available staff and appropriate spaces will be used to follow the guidance on social distancing. Our schools will minimize the movement of students. To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts if/when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students. Whenever possible students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction and we will adhere to 12 feet between students when engaging in physical activity.

All students and teachers will have schedules to encourage synchronous learning to occur even during the afternoon periods of virtual instruction. Consideration has been given to prioritizing culturally relevant, hands-on and lab-based activities while students are onsite in school building. For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.

Teachers in both in-person and virtual classrooms will continue to practice research-based, culturally relevant, high-leverage practices which include, but are not limited to: scaffolding, academically productive talk, formative assessment and quality feedback. Virtual classrooms will be able to use various learning applications to engage students in quality learning activities. Students will be able to access videos, small group instruction, leveled and complex reading materials, and inquiry based instruction that is culturally relevant. Teachers will be encouraged to record and make lessons available to students to also watch outside of scheduled class time.

Hybrid information will be communicated to students and families by posting on the district website, social media platforms and community organizations; by using “One Call Now”; by e-news; by email, by phone calls from district and building level staff.

Virtual Instruction

Parents may opt into a complete virtual school setting. Synchronous instruction will occur in both the “core” subject areas, special-area and elective courses. All instruction will continue to use an equity lens and be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in person or virtual so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously. Virtual learning opportunities will include synchronous instruction, with teachers providing live instruction and lessons to students.

To ensure high-quality virtual learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform for Grade Prek-3, and a single platform for grades 4-12, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using these platforms with students.

Throughout the year, continued and ongoing professional development will be offered to all teachers and support staff, along with families. Professional development will include culturally relevant instructional strategies for teaching and learning in virtual and hybrid synchronous environments. While in-person students and staff will practice and prepare technology skills to be prepared for any possible school closure. Teachers who teach virtually will encourage students to join them for small group office hours or additional help. Regardless of whether a student is hybrid or virtual, they will participate in meaningful learning experiences such as; engaging with other students, online discussions, using technology to enhance formative assessment, viewing videos, and interacting with their teachers.

For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.

Virtual learning information will be communicated to students and families by posting on the district website, social media platforms and community organization; by using One Call Now; by e-news; by email, by phone calls from district and building level staff.

Special Education

In our plan, students with disabilities are prioritized for hybrid instruction at reduced capacity. Parents and guardians of our students with disabilities (SWD) will also have a choice between hybrid or complete virtual learning.

If parents choose virtual learning, programs and services will be documented as normal and continued communication with families will occur using their preferred mode of communication, which could be email. Teachers will continue to formatively assess in order to collect data to monitor student progress toward annual goals. Students will continue to have access to the necessary accommodations and modifications.

Continued collaboration will occur between the committees on preschool education/committees on special education and program providers. Consistent communication and expectations will occur to ensure that there is an understanding of the recommendations for education programs and IEPs for monitoring student progress.

Initial evaluations and reevaluations will be conducted in-person or remotely within required timelines. Committees on Special Education will review records to address any backlog of evaluations and who is due for reevaluation.

Special Education information will be communicated to students and families by posting on the district website and social media platforms; by using “One Call Now”; by e-news; by email, by phone calls from district and building level staff.

Bilingual Education and World Languages

Students that are English Language Learners (ELL) will be prioritized for in-person instruction. Parents of ELL students will still be able to choose between the hybrid model or virtual learning. Communication regarding our reopening plan will be provided to parents in their preferred language. The ELL screening, identification, placement, review and exit process will be completed within 30 days of the start of the school year for students that enrolled during the school closure (March - August 2020). After this 30-day period, identification of ELL students will occur within the normal 10 days of initial enrollment. Teachers of ELL students will continue to monitor student progress and identify gaps towards their English language proficiency and content areas.

In both hybrid and virtual instruction models , required instructional units of all study will be provided to all ELL students based on their most recently measured English language proficiency.

Bilingual Education and World Language information will be communicated to students and families by posting on the district website and social media platforms; by using One Call Now; by e-news; by email, by phone calls from district and building level staff and will be available in multiple languages.

Staff

Teacher and Principal Evaluation System

All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the district’s approved APPR plan. The district’s APPR plan has been developed in compliance with New York State Education Law 3012-d and the Commissioner’s Regulations. All other staff will be evaluated using the locally agreed upon evaluation system.

Certification, Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching

All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certificates for teaching assignment, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or education law.

The district will continue to employee substitute teachers to address its staffing needs keeping in mind the allowable amount of days given qualifications and assignment. The district will continue to work with its educational institution partners concerning educator preparation programs and ways in which student teachers and pupil personnel services interns may support classroom instruction.

Key References

State Education Department Issues Guidance to Reopen New York State Schools (July 16, 2020)
State Education Department Presents Framework of Guidance to Reopen New York State Schools (July 13, 2020)
Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, NYS Department of Health (July 13, 2020)

Additional References

Once finalized, reopening plans must be posted on the district’s website. By July 31, 2020, districts will need to complete a survey through the Portal, providing NYSED with:

A link to the public website where each school plan has been publicly posted
A set of mandatory assurances that the reopening plan includes all of the mandatory elements outlined in the NYSED guidance

NOTE: Information submitted through the Portal will not include detailed narratives or descriptions of specific actions to be taken by a school or district as part of their reopening Plan; those details must be articulated in the materials that are publicly posted on the school/district website.

Also by July 31, 2020, districts must complete a short companion Department of Health survey that includes a link to the publicly posted plan on the district/school website.

DISTRICT

CENTRAL PARK ZONE

MONT PLEASANT ZONE

ONEIDA ZONE

HIGH SCHOOL

ADULT ED