Hawthorn District 73 October 15, 2020 One District, One Mission - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

October 15, 2020

Hawthorn District 73

One District, One Mission

“Inspire all students to embrace learning

in an ever-changing world.”

Collaborative Efffort

District 73 Goals for Reopening Schools

• Prioritize health and safety
• Ensure a smooth transition back to in-person

schooling for all students, staff, and families.

• Prepare for multiple scenarios
• Remain nimble and fl

flexible, acting in accordance with guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department

• f Public Health, and Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention.

• Provide a remote learning option for families

uncomfortable sending their child(ren) to school for in-person learning.

• Promote collective responsibility and kindness

throughout the Hawthorn community.

Potential District 73 Return to In-Person Learning Plan

Foundational Understandings

• A 100% return to in-person learning will not occur until there is broad

access to a safe and effective vaccine, a highly effective treatment and/or when there are no new cases over a sustained period of time (Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan).

• Plans will be subject to change based on local health conditions and

revised guidance provided through ISBE, IDPH and LCHD.

• Families opting for remote learning will continue to have that option

throughout the pandemic.

• We will need to be prepared to move back and forth between remote,

hybrid and in-person based on local health conditions and staffing availability.

Tentative Phase-in Timeline

October 26: Early Childhood Students Return to Learning (Hybrid Model) November 9: Pre-K Students and K-2 Students in Self-Contained Special Education Return to Learning (Hybrid Model) November 12: Board Update (Hybrid Model Outlined for All K-2 Students and 3-8 Students in Self-Contained Special Education) November 30: All K-2 Students and 3-8 Students in Self-Contained Special Education Return to Learning (Hybrid Model) December 10: Board Update (Hybrid Model Outlined for All 3-8 Students) January 4: All 3-8 Grade Return to Learning (Hybrid Model)

Next Phase Planning

Metrics

• Virtual: All learning is remote for all learners as community spread is

substantial.

• Hybrid: Some learning can and should occur in-person based on

student need while minimizing risk as community spread is moderate.

• Full In-Person: All learning can occur in-person as community spread

is minimal. Decisions are made in consultation with the health department. Full in-person learning for all can only take place when restrictions are lifted (6 feet social distancing).

ISBE and IDPH Guidance

| Planning | Instruction Recommendations | Health and Safety Protocols |

• Districts must prepare for an alternative structure to in-person learning for

students with elevated health risks.

• Districts must plan for a return to remote instruction pending a resurgence of

the virus.

• Districts must follow IDPH guidelines for Phase 4. These include:

○ Requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks; ○ Prohibiting more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space; ○ Requiring that social distancing (6 feet) be observed, including on buses; ○ Requiring that schools conduct symptom screenings, or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and ○ Requiring an increase in schoolwide cleaning and disinfection.

District 73 Recommended Learning Models

Full Remote Learning

• Continue with current schedule
• Attend all school days remotely with current teacher(s)

Hybrid Learning

• Continue with current schedule
• Attend two school days per week in-person with current teacher(s)
• Attend three school days per week remotely with current

teacher(s) Students participating in hybrid learning are assigned to one of two

• cohorts. Each cohort attends school on different days to limit the

number of in-person students on campus.

District 73 Remote and Hybrid Learning

• All students continue learning with their current teacher(s) and peers.
• All students continue to follow their current instructional schedule.
• Remote learners continue to use Zoom to access live streamed instruction.
• Hybrid learners attend school in-person two days, and remotely use Zoom

to access live streamed instruction three days during a typical school week. ○ In grades K-2, students attend school in-person on either M/T or Th/F. ○ In early childhood and pre-kindergarten, students attend school in-person on either M/W or T/F.

• Classroom communities, robust instruction, and access to special

programs or services are maintained for both remote and hybrid learners.

• Teachers use instructional practices that mirror those in full remote learning

to maintain social distancing to the greatest extent possible, avoid sharing materials, and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

• Class sizes are dependent upon student enrollment numbers and

square footage per classroom, with an estimated maximum of 9-15 students per class.

• Classroom seating will be configured with maximum allowable space

(6 feet) in between students.

• Some classes may be moved to larger rooms or settings to

accommodate the number of students per class.

• Operational adjustments include:

○ Enhanced health and safety protocols ○ Enhanced schoolwide cleaning and disinfecting protocols ○ Preventative procedural changes

District 73 Hybrid Learning

Hybrid Learning Remote Learning Delivery Model

10 min Staggered Arrival & Health/Wellness Transition 15 min. Class Meeting /Large Group Time Synchronous (Live Streaming) 45 min Choice Time Asynchronous (SeeSaw) 5 min Health/Wellness Break 15 min Snack Time Synchronous (Live Streaming) 5 min Health/Wellness Break 20 min Small Group Time Synchronous (Live Streaming) 5 min Health/Wellness Break 20 min. Gross Motor Time Asynchronous (SeeSaw) 10 min. Health/Wellness & Staggered Dismissal Transition

Morning Meeting 30 minutes English Language Arts 40 minutes ELA Groups 30 minutes ELA Pods 20 minutes Math 40 minutes Math Groups 30 minutes Math Pods 20 minutes Science or Social Studies 30 minutes Art, Music, or Second Step 30 minutes Physical Education 30 minutes

• Students follow their current schedule with their current teacher(s).
• Instructional supports and services are provided within our EC, Pre-K, and

K-2 self-contained classrooms to the greatest extent possible.

• While on campus, students in K-2 self-contained special education classes

participate remotely in any general education classes.

• Pending the approval of plans to transition additional students and

programs on-campus, students may participate in general education classes in-person.

• Breaks provide time for additional health and safety measures.
• Teachers use instructional plans practices that mirror those in full remote

learning to maintain social distancing, avoid sharing materials, and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

EC and PreK K-2 Self-Contained Special Education Remote Learners Art and music activities are delivered asynchronously and/or synchronously throughout the day (status quo). Gross motor activities are delivered asynchronously (status quo). Art, Music, and P.E. are delivered synchronously (status quo). In-Person Learners Art and music activities are delivered in-person throughout the day. Gross motor activities are delivered in-person; students participate either outdoors or in the gym. 11/9 - Art, Music, and P.E. are delivered synchronously (status quo) while students are on campus. Students may join their homeroom classes for in-person instruction, pending approval of future transition plans.

• Completion of a COVID-19 self-screener is required for all staff and students prior

to arriving at school or District offices.

• Verification of self-certification for all staff and students is completed prior to entry

into any facility.

• Face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals while inside district

schools and facilities.

• PPE supplies, including masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant are

provided to staff.

• Social distancing is required as much as possible in all areas.
• No gatherings of 50 or more individuals in one space.
• Buses adhere to 6 feet social distancing.

• Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups are not

permitted on campus.

• All essential visitors (bus drivers, contractors, district administration, etc.) complete

a Symptoms Screening Survey upon arrival. Accurate records of all visitors are maintained for contact tracing purposes.

• Essential visitors to facilities have restricted access.
• Multiple safety training modules were completed by staff.
• All facilities have an isolated waiting room reserved for individuals demonstrating

COVID-19 symptoms during the course of the school day.

Student and Stafff Arrival Procedures

All stafff and parents/guardians of students are required to complete a COVID-19 screener daily prior to attending school/work. Completion of this screener certifies that the individual staff member or student does not have a fever over 100.4 degrees without fever reducing medication, or any of the following conditions related to COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache

SLIDE UNDER DEVELOPMENT - checking with legal, discussing logistics

• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Student or Staff Illness

• Provide frequent and targeted communication with staff and families to inform them
• f school expectations and ways to promote behaviors that reduce the spread of

Covid-19.

• Inform staff/families of when to stay home from school/work:

○ Any staff or student who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay home. ○ Staff and students who recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19 must stay home and monitor their health. ○ Staff and students must stay home if showing any signs or symptoms of illness. ○ If a student or staff member undergoes testing for COVID-19, they must remain home until results are obtained.

• Report possible cases to the school nurse or administrator where the individual

attends school or works to initiate contact tracing: ○ Nurses will collect symptom reports when absences are reported.

• Students or staff returning from illness are required to check in with the school nurse

following quarantine and before returning to the classroom.

Student or Staff Illness

• If a staff member or student is found to test positive, we will follow IDPH

guidance regarding quarantine requirements and the potential closure of a school.

• Lake County Department of Health and/or District 73 will contact those who

had contact (staff and students) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 infection. According to the CDC, close contact means the individual was within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes: ○ If close contact has been determined, staff and students are required to isolate at home and monitor symptoms for 14 days.

• Individuals determined to not have close contact with the person who is sick

can return to school.

Quarantine Procedures

• ISBE and IDPH do NOT require complete school closures due to a positive

COVID-19 test.

• ISBE and IDPH have mandated that “any individual who has had close contact

with someone testing positive for COVID-19 must self-quarantine for 14 days.” ○ Entire classrooms and bus routes of students could all be impacted.

• If an individual student is required to quarantine, they will transition to full remote

learning if physically able during the quarantine period. Those days are not counted as absences.

• If a classroom or multiple classrooms are required to quarantine due to a positive

test, they will transition to full remote learning if physically able during the quarantine period. Those days are not counted as absences: ○ Teachers and paraprofessionals that are required to quarantine in this scenario will facilitate full remote learning with their classes without loss of days, if they are physically able.

Adapted from Robbins-Schwartz

• Bulk purchases of sanitizer, disinfectant, and PPE have been completed this

summer.

• Increased daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been instituted at all

facilities, with an emphasis on repeated cleaning of high-touch/high-traffic areas (including bathrooms).

• Custodial teams will have a dedicated employee in each building continuously

disinfecting high touch areas.

• Any area of a school or district facility used by an individual who is ill will be closed

until proper cleaning and disinfection procedures have been completed.

• Each school has created a Return to Learn subcommittee comprised of

administration, staff, and parents.

• Each subcommittee is charged with:

○ Coordinating student and staff travel during the school day to minimize contact.

○ Establishing restroom procedures to limit the number of students transitioning in the hallway and in restrooms at one time. ○

Developing building-specific strategies to prevent clusters of 50 or more people from gathering in one location during the school day. ○ Defining building-specific arrival and dismissal procedures. ○ Locating spaces for breakfast or lunch that limit gatherings to less than 50 and planning for allergy precautions. ○ Developing plans to virtually host parent/guardian events such as Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Classroom seating will be configured with 6 feet in between students; all desks

are facing the same direction.

• Schedules provide for minimal student movement throughout the day. The

number of students allowed in a hallway at one time is limited.

• Time is devoted to hand washing and sanitizing throughout the day.
• Borrowing or sharing of items is restricted.
• Parents are encouraged to send their child(ren) with a full water bottle each
• day. School teams will provide a safe process for students to refill bottles.
• The use of lockers or hooks are modified. A combination of individual storage

bins and lockers are used.

• Social distancing signage and markings are being added to all facilities.
• Plexiglass barriers have been added to greeting counters and desks in all

school offices.

• Administrative offices, staff lounges, and staff workspaces have properly

distanced seating with physical barriers, as needed.

• Outdoor Recess (Elementary)

○ Face masks will be required at recess ○ A supervised mask free zone will be provided for those students needing a mask break ○ Building remote learning teams will provide a schedule for the use of playground equipment. ○ Students remain with their classroom peers. ○ Students sanitize hands before and after recess.

• Field trips are not permitted.
• Crisis Drills

○ Bus, fire, tornado, and intruder drills are scheduled. Updated procedures will be put into place been to ensure social distancing and other safety measures are in place.

• At this time, the USDA has provided an extended waiver and all

meal fees are waived for all students until June 30, 2021.

• Food pickups and delivery will continue.
• For those in attendance, meal choices will be limited to provide

efficient and safe distribution to all students

• Breakfast and lunch will be “Grab and Go “and students will

take food to an assigned seat in the designated eating area.

• For early childhood and pre-kindergarten students, a snack is

eaten in the classroom.

• Students must wash hands or sanitize prior to food

consumption.

• Parents provide the district with an intent to register for the

bus or transport their children to school.

• After each bus route, Lakeside is responsible for disinfecting

the bus.

• Bus drivers are supplied with masks for students who board

the bus without one.

• Students are assigned a bus seat to ensure 6 feet of social

distancing.

• Revised procedures for drop-off and pick-up are forthcoming

for students who are walking to school or arriving via car.

Student devices will be distributed at a 1:1 ratio. As students return to the building, the technology department will work with families to provide protocols for transporting, charging, and bringing a district-issued device to school for in-person learning. Technology staff continues to help families and students via phone, email, and in-person support.

Preparing Your Child for Hybrid Learning

• Speak with your child about:

○ Frequent hand washing and sanitizing at school. ○ Maintaining social distance from friends, teachers, and other staff members at school. ○ Wearing a mask on the bus and at school.

• Consider wearing a mask at home with your child to model and practice.
• Our Safe at School Video is shared with families in our Return to Learning

Family Handbook to support preparedness. ○ Hand washing ○ Social distancing ○ Mask etiquette ○ Taking a child’s temperature

Hybrid Staffi ffing

• The Human Resources Department will continue to evaluate

requests for accommodations.

• Human Resources will work with building principals to staff

in-person classrooms with a co-facilitator in instances where the classroom teacher is working remotely due to an approved medical necessity.

Stafff Professional Development

Professional Development

• Student-centered, engaging experiences that ensure high levels of

learning for both in-person and remote learners.

• Continue relevant and rigorous instruction for all students while

maintaining social distance for in-person learners.

• Effectively use digital tools to support in-person and remote learners.

Proposed Timeline of Next Steps

October 16: Superintendent shares the approved plan with parents of students in EC, Pre-K and K-2 self-contained special education programs via a letter detailing models offered; parent enrollment window opens for the hybrid or full remote learning option. October 20: Parent enrollment window closes October 26: Early Childhood Students Return to Learning (Hybrid Model) Thursday, October 29: Remote Learning Planning Day for EC, Pre-K and K-2 Self-Contained Staff Thursday, October 29: Student non attendance day for students enrolled in EC, Pre-K and K-2 self-contained special education November 9: Pre-K Students and K-2 Students in Self-Contained Special Education Return to Learning (Hybrid Model) November 12: Board Update (Hybrid Model Outlined for All K-2 Students and 3-8 Students in Self-Contained Special Education)

Questions

Preparing Your Child for Hybrid Learning

Additional information will be shared with participating students and families following registration for hybrid learning. ○ How to transport your district-issued device to and from school (K-2 self-contained special education) ○ Specific directions for safe student drop off and pick up at the start and end of the school day ○ Your hybrid and remote learning calendar

• PALS Safe Center, Before and After School Care Programs

○ D73 is closing its facilities to all outside groups this year, with the exception of our before and after school partners: PALS. ○ PALS is restricted to essential activities and areas of our schools. ○ PALS is required to submit written commitment to adhering to the same safety procedures we will be implementing during the school day.

Return to Learning Metrics

• IDPH & The Northern Illinois Health Department Consortium have

developed and released metrics to support and drive school decisions.

• These metrics identify mild, moderate, and substantial community

spread parameters, and align those parameters with instructional model recommendations for schools.

Local Metrics

Other local factors that may impact decision making include:

• Success in each phase.
• Number of students who are reporting or exhibiting Covid-like

symptoms on a daily and weekly basis, and are in isolation or quarantine status.

• Number of staff who are reporting or exhibiting Covid-like

symptoms on a daily and weekly basis, and are in isolation or quarantine status.

• Diagnostic testing turn around rate, and access to testing.
• Ability to secure substitute teachers.
• Ability to transport students to and from school.

Other Considerations

• Who is successful and safe around us? What are they doing?
• What additional information does the Director of the Lake

County Health Department share with us each week regarding the data?

Potential Learning Models

• Remote (Virtual) Learning - Due to public health concerns, students and

staff are required to participate in Remote Learning.

• Hybrid Learning - Schools employ a hybrid approach to teaching and

learning, with students participating in both at-home and on-campus learning.

• Elementary art and music staff travel to students’ homerooms to limit

movement throughout the school.

• Students travel to and from P.E. or Gross Motor Play to access our gyms

and outdoor areas. Face coverings may be removed if classes move

• utside and all individuals are able to maintain 6 feet of social distance at

all times.

• Teachers use instructional plans practices that mirror those in full remote

learning to maintain social distancing to the greatest extent possible, avoid sharing materials, and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

• Schedules and structures are subject to change in response to needs that

arise during the course of the upcoming school year.

• The Special Education Department has contacted all parents of students with

medical plans where changes may be needed to address steps to minimize chances

• f infection to their child.
• The Special Education Department has verified that IEPs address educational and

health services if a doctor determines it is not safe for a student to attend school or if remote learning is implemented districtwide.

• Instructional Special Education Classrooms:

○ Social distancing may not be possible in all programs. ○ A variety of PPE options are available if needed to accommodate the potential for differing or increased needs in the classroom. ○ Special education minutes are primarily provided by specialists within the general education classroom to limit contact between students in different classes. ○ Care will be taken to generate transition plans for students to safely travel through the building if specific services are needed outside of the general education setting.

• In-person special education evaluations have resumed.

• Elementary art, music, and library staff travel to students’ classrooms to limit student

movement throughout the school.

• Middle school students may travel to encore courses; cohort options are pending

student enrollment and related staffing for on-campus instruction.

• Students travel to and from P.E. to access our gyms and outdoor areas. Middle school

locker rooms are closed; students will not change clothes for P.E. class.

• The number of individuals traveling through hallways at any one time is limited to the

greatest extent possible.

• Face coverings may be removed if classes move outside and all individuals are able

to maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.

• Teachers employ instructional plans and practices to reduce student contact and

restrict the sharing of materials, as well as to maintain social distancing to the greatest extent possible. NOTE ABOUT CONTINUING REMOTE INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES?

• Schedules and structures are subject to change in response to needs that arise

during the course of the upcoming school year.

• Our choir and instrumental music classes are highly valued by students,

staff, and parents. We are assessing ways to safely facilitate this instruction.

• Music education includes multiple practices, such as responding,

creating, and connecting; part of our work involves the exploration of

• ptions for addressing performance standards.
• Our choir and instrumental music classes are subject to high student

enrollment; part of our work assesses the viability of social distancing and limiting the number of students participating in instruction at any one time.

• Additional information regarding choir and instrumental music classes will

be shared once it is available.

• An effort will be made to virtually facilitate extracurricular

activities after the school day, so that students enrolled in

• n-campus learning and our Virtual Learning Academy may

participate.

• We are awaiting guidance from IHSA and IESA prior to

determining next steps regarding interscholastic sports at the middle school level. ISBE and IDPH guidance must be followed for any interscholastic sports.

• In accordance with SEDOL protocols, all students and staff will

have temperature checks each day upon entry to the Powers building and upon leaving to transition into a Hawthorn building.

• Adults will complete self-certification symptom screener.
• Use of isolated waiting room for individuals demonstrating

COVID-19 symptoms during the course of the school day.

• Clear face masks will be provided by SEDOL to Hawthorn staff

that work with students in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.

• Related service staff will be assigned to pods to reduce contact

with all students in the building.

• Our choir and instrumental music classes are highly valued by students,

staff, and parents. We are assessing ways to safely facilitate this instruction.

• Music education includes multiple practices, such as responding,

creating, and connecting; part of our work involves the exploration of

• ptions for addressing performance standards.
• Our choir and instrumental music classes are subject to high student

enrollment; part of our work assesses the viability of social distancing and limiting the number of students participating in instruction at any one time.

• Additional information regarding choir and instrumental music classes will

be shared once it is available.

• Small groups with a blend across the week of in-person and

remote learning

• Two full-days of in-person and three days remote
• Regardless of in-person or remote, students will continue to

follow their current instructional schedule

• Continue offering a full remote learning option for families
• Maintain classroom cohesion through continued use of Zoom

for both in-person and remote students