Preliminary Plan for Reopening Schools East Greenbush Central - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Preliminary Plan for Reopening Schools

East Greenbush Central School District July 29, 2020

Staffjng Considerations

• Hire more teachers

○ The number of teachers (90) required to meet the ratios is cost prohibitive

• Assign teachers differently

○ SED regulations - mandated services vs. non-mandated services (e.g., Physical Education is mandated at elementary level) ○ Certifications - incidental teaching can only occur 10 hours per week and district must demonstrate attempt to hire certified teachers ○ The number of additional teachers needed for classrooms exceeds the number of special area teachers available setting aside other considerations: 76 required/68.9 available ○ Contractual considerations - Preparation Time

• Assign Teaching Assistants to cover classes

○ Teaching assistants work under the supervision of teachers, ensure compliance ○ Full-time teaching assistants not mandated to special education - 29 TAs available ○ 90-29, Still need 61 teachers

Space Considerations

• Even if we had the staffing to cover the additional class sections, we do not have

sufficient space to ensure equity of instruction for all levels, K-12

• Relocating 5th grade to Goff Middle School would free up 14 classrooms at elementary

buildings, but it requires 28 classrooms at Goff

○ Displaces two grade levels 7-12, thus decreasing amount of in-person instruction days at 7-12 level every day ■ Half days are difficult for Transportation - 3-tier model (76 square miles) would mean longer bus routes which encroach on available instructional time and contractual days ■ Challenge of cleaning/disinfecting of rooms in between sessions on the same day ○ Some elementary students would not attend their neighborhood schools ○ Still leaves elementary buildings 25 rooms short ○ So 4th grade would need to be moved out as well, which further impacts in-person instruction days at 6-12 level

Introduction

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Greenbush CSD has been developing plans to safely reopen schools in the fall. In order to ensure the planning would be comprehensive, three potential scenarios were discussed: 1. In-person return to school 2. Hybrid model with a combination of remote and in-person school 3. Extension of full-time remote learning

Development of Reopening Plans

• District created Reopening Task Force with representation of all stakeholders
• Regular Task Force meetings and Administrative meetings
• Weekly meeting with Rensselaer County Health Department
• Review of CDC, NYSED, NYSDOH guidance
• Review of school reopening plans from other states
• Surveys sent to parents:

○ Digital Access ○ Transportation ○ Child Care

Timeline

• June 8 - Reopening Task Force begins to meet
• July 16 - SED issues guidance to reopen NYS schools
• July 27 - Share preliminary reopening plan with school community
• July 29 - Present preliminary reopening plan at BOE Meeting
• July 31 - Submit plans to SED
• Aug. 1-7 - Governor Cuomo announces determination on reopening schools
• Aug. 5 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session
• Aug. 13 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session
• Sept. 8 - Scheduled first day of school for K-12 students

Schools in Capital Region can reopen if: 1) Region is in Phase IV of reopening 2) Daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using 14-day average

Alignment with BOE Goals

#1

Achieve Academic Excellence

#3

Positive Collaborative Relationships and Communication with Families

#4

Cultivate a Progressive, Innovative and Safe Environment

#2

Deliver Educational, Human and Fiscal Resources

EGCSD Hybrid Reopening Plan

Hybrid Plan Proposal

• Reduce class size (50%) to enable physical distancing in schools

○ Group A attends in-person school for a full day on Mondays and Thursdays ○ Group B attends in-person school for a full day on Tuesdays and Fridays

• All students will receive live virtual instruction on Wednesdays

○ Teachers report to their assigned classrooms and provide live virtual instruction using classroom technology ○ Teachers at all levels may assign students to smaller groups to differentiate and personalize learning ○ Periodically, teachers/staff will be provided time for collaboration and professional

• development. These dates/times will be announced ahead of time.
• On the two days that students are not in school or receiving live instruction they would

work on assignments and projects remotely

• Efforts to keep siblings on the same schedule will be made

Hybrid Plan Schedule

Group Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Group A In-Person Remote Live Virtual Instruction In-Person Remote Group B Remote In-Person Live Virtual Instruction Remote In-Person Students with disabilities in full day special classes In-Person In-Person Live Virtual Instruction In-Person In-Person

= students in school = students learning remotely from home

Benefits of Hybrid Plan

1. Equity for all K-12 students 2. Returns all students to their home school while adhering to social distancing regulations 3. Preserves essential programs a. Special Education b. Academic Intervention Services c. Related Services (OT, PT, Speech Therapy) d. Art, Music, Physical Education 4. Smaller in-person class size allows for more personalized instruction 5. All electives, honors, AP and college-credit courses would be offered

Health and Safety

• Face coverings worn at all times by all individuals on school buses and inside schools

(except when eating/drinking, small breaks or instruction as indicated by teacher).

• Students will be spread out in classrooms (6’ minimum) and given a designated space

(desk/table), marked off with floor tape.

• No sharing school supplies (pens, pencils, etc.).
• Spaced out seating in cafeteria.
• PE classes would be held outside.
• Rigorous and ongoing cleaning and disinfecting.
• Custodial staff will provide deep cleanings in evenings. Alternative schedules and
• utside assistance being considered.
• Temperature checks performed prior to entering the school building.
• All staff complete electronic health screening daily.
• Families will be provided an electronic health screening tool to perform at home each

morning.

• Strict attendance logs, and sign in/out sheets to enable contact tracing.

Health and Safety

• Visitor policy will strictly limit entrance to schools to parents, outside groups, vendors.
• Open windows and doors (without compromising safety) to increase fresh air in buildings

and classrooms.

• HVAC system being evaluated and adjusted to ensure proper filtering and increase fresh

air into building.

• Face coverings MUST be worn on the bus at all times by all individuals.
• Students will be separated on buses as much as practical, sitting one per seat and

against the window.

• Household members may be assigned the same seat on the bus.
• Windows and roof hatches will be opened to facilitate more fresh air on the buses.
• School buses will operate on a staggered schedule to avoid large groups of students in

contact with each other and to ensure management of on site procedures (temp checks)

• Training videos will be shared with staff and families on topics of social distancing, how

to wear a mask, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, symptoms of COVID-19.

• Health signage will be posted in schools and on buses.

Health and Safety

Teaching and Learning

• All K-12 students guaranteed in person time with their teachers and social

interaction with some of their peers.

• Addresses social distancing requirements within space constraints.
• Provides quality, consistency and equity for all students.

○ Three days of live instruction from teachers (2 in-person at school and 1 virtually on Wednesdays) ○ Two remote learning days

• Smaller in-person class sizes will allow

for more personalized instruction.

Teaching and Learning

• In-person and remote instruction will complement each other.
• All electives, honors, AP and college-credit courses would be offered during

both in-person and remote instructional periods.

• Attendance will be taken for both in-person and remote instructional days.
• Grading shall be based upon student improvement, achievement, and

participation in classroom discussions and activities regardless of the instructional delivery model.

• Report Cards with student progress will be provided to parents.

Special Education

• Students with Disabilities who require highly specialized program, such as an

all-day special class will attend in-person instruction 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

○ K-2: Communication Skills, Language Concepts, Transitions ○ 3-5: Communication Skills, Language Concepts, Transitions ○ 6-8: Academic Skills, Life Skills, Transitions ○ 9-12: Academic Skills, Life Skills, CTAEP, Operation Graduation

• Students with Disabilities who participate in less restrictive programming such

as integrated co-teaching, consultant teacher services, and a period of the special class will follow the same hybrid model as their general education peers, supported by their special education teacher/case manager daily.

• Why aren’t special education students attending in person 5 days?

○ Teaching independent use of instructional technology

Special Education

• On Wednesdays (Live Virtual Instruction) there will be a strong emphasis on

scaffolded instruction, as well as guided practice, in the use of instructional technology to effectively support students’ ability to transition between in-person and remote learning environments.

• Related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling) will be scheduled and prioritized
• n students’ in-person days. Individual scheduling and planning will occur in

accordance with each child’s IEP.

• Individualized determinations will be made through the CPSE/CSE committees

whether and to what extent compensatory services are to be provided for any student with a disability who may have experienced a loss of skill(s) during the previous school closure.

Bilingual Education

• Afford all English Language Learners the opportunity for full and equal

participation whether it be through an in-person, remote, or hybrid model of instruction.

• All ELLs will be provided with necessary support to close the potential learning

loss that may have been a result of the school closure due to COVID-19.

• Create ELL screening process.
• Expand outreach efforts to ELL families.
• ELL service providers will work to increase their real time instruction using this

hybrid approach.

Digital Equity and Access

• Chromebooks supplied by the district to all students in grades 2-12.

○ Where practicable, provide devices for K-1 students whose family cannot provide one.

• Pinpoint the locations where our students live that do not have internet access

and, if possible, develop a plan to remediate that need.

• Identify which students do not have a device

to use in learning and develop a plan to address the need where possible.

• Provide professional development to teachers

and staff.

Transportation

• Face coverings MUST be worn on the bus at all times by all individuals

(approved medical exemptions only).

• Students will be separated on buses as much as possible, sitting one per

assigned seat and nearest to the window.

• Household members may share the same seat on the bus.
• Windows/roof hatches will be opened

to facilitate more fresh air on the buses.

• School buses would drop off and pick up

students at school using a staggered schedule to avoid large groups of students in contact with each other.

• All buses will be cleaned between routes.

Facilities

• Schools will follow DOH hygiene/cleaning practices.
• Rigorous and ongoing cleaning and disinfecting.
• Display CDC-provided signage; teach proper hand washing and appropriate

face covering placement (nose and mouth).

• Custodial staff will provide thorough cleaning and disinfecting where required

each evening, as needed during the day and on Saturdays when students are not in school.

• Open windows and doors (without compromising safety) to increase fresh air in

buildings and classrooms.

• Assess and optimize HVAC system to improve air quality within school spaces.
• Designation of isolation room in each school for students who may be

demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms and need to go home.

• Continue suspension of community group use of indoor school facilities.

Nutrition

• All students will have access to school meals (both in-person days and remote days)
• In-Person Meal Service:

○ All students/staff will wear face coverings in the serving line. ○ Face coverings may be removed when a student is seated to eat. ○ All students will wash hands before coming to lunch. Hand sanitizer will be available. ○ Social distancing will be maintained in serving lines and in cafeterias. ○ Kitchen service lines and lunch tables/seats will be disinfected between each class. ○ Exhaust fans and windows will be on and open to add increased ventilation.

• Remote Lunch Service:

○ Families may order meals online in advance each week. ○ To-go-meals will only be available for parent pick-up (unless special arrangements are made in advance). Meals can be provided at childcare sites. ○ All meals will be recorded in the Point of Sale system on the day of service. ○ Meals will be accounted for by using a student roster and production records.

Staffjng/Human Resources

• All employees submit daily health screening form before reporting to work.
• All employees wear face coverings in school buildings.
• Create new COVID-19 Coordinator position.

○ Liaison between administrators, Department of Health and community. ○ Coordinate reopening activities to ensure compliance.

• Fully implement the district’s APPR plan.
• Allow medically vulnerable individuals to participate in educational activities, and when

appropriate, accommodate their specific needs including providing accommodations, leaves of absence and remote assignments consistent with all state and federal requirements.

Employee Health Screening Tool

Social and Emotional Needs

• Universal Screening to identify students who are most at risk based on pre-

and post-school closure social, emotional and behavioral presentation.

○ Develop interventions to provide support to students.

• Offer staff professional development on topics of social and emotional health.
• Create list of resources/tools for staff.
• Develop parent communications to help prepare students for school

reopening.

• Develop resource directory for school-based mental health resources and

providers.

Child Care

• Full return to in-person instruction for all children is not possible at this time

due to safety guidelines, space considerations and staffing requirements . The district recognizes that safe, reliable childcare is needed by our families.

• GCC offering Before and After School Care at school for in-person days.
• The district is working with licensed childcare providers including GCC and the

YMCA to ensure affordable full day child care is accessible within the community.

Return to School Concerns

• Families who have concerns regarding their child returning to in-person

learning are encouraged to contact the student's principal to discuss those concerns and to develop plans to accommodate these students.

Next Steps

• July 29 - Present preliminary reopening plan at BOE Meeting
• July 31 - Submit plans to SED
• Aug. 1-7 - Governor Cuomo announces determination on reopening schools
• Aug. 5 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session
• Aug. 13 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session
• Sept. 8 - Scheduled first day of school for K-12 students

Schools in Capital Region can reopen if: 1) Region is in Phase IV of reopening 2) Daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using 14-day average

Questions?