Smart Start Plan Smart Start Plan Clarifications -Following the - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Smart Start Plan Clarifications

• Following the CDC’s guidelines issued to date and in partnership with the Department of

Education and Early Development (DEED) and Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the KGBSD Smart Start 2020 team has developed a framework for how KGBSD schools can safely operate in low, medium, and high-risk environments. Under every scenario (low, medium, and high risk) educators will be ready to provide full, flexible learning opportunities for all students PreK -12.

Smart Start Plan

• Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District will reopen/restart school Pre-K through 12th grade

during the 2020-2021 school year. The Smart Start Plan allows us to start school based on the risk level of the community and state, and adjust learning at every risk level should there be a need based on COVID 19 cases.The different levels will determine what plan will be utilized to start school and continue school.

• The Smart Start plan presented is to aid in navigating the opening of district schools where employees,

students, and families feel safe and are provided with the best possible education.

• The mandates, recommendations and/or guidelines referenced in this plan are based on guidance from the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Education and Early Development (Alaska), Department of Health (Alaska) and local governments.

• It is expected that regular updates will be made to this plan up until the first day of school based on new

and updated information as it is received.

• The risk level we will start school in is still uncertain due to the quick changing nature of COVID-19

spread, and with over a month before the start of school. The determination is based on community cases as outlined in the (draft) Community Risk Indicators-Risk Levels- Mitigation Measures document that is being coordinated for stakeholder

• input. Available for public review at https://tinyurl.com/ktn-covid-risk.

and KGBSD School Board and Superintendent collaboration. IWe feel as though it’s imperative to keep families, students, staff, and the community aware of the most up to date information as we receive it. Naturally, when circumstances change we will need to adjust, but we are currently at a low risk situation and have begun planning accordingly. n

Risk Levels

Smart Start Low Risk

Smart Start Medium Smart Start Medium Risk Smart Start High Risk-All Distance Learning

When will school start for staff? August 25,2020 When will school start for students? September 8,2020

Timeline for Starting School

Where will my child attend school?

Preschool Students: 2 half-day sessions (morning and afternoon) Monday-Thursday at school sites and annexes, Fridays at home; Elementary Students (Kindergarten - 5th grade): Monday-Thursday at school sites and *annexes, Fridays at home with asynchronous learning activities; 6th* and 7th Grade Students at Schoenbar site: 3 days/week at school sites, 1 day/week working on asynchronous activities (at home or at an opt-in annex site (TBA), Fridays at home with asynchronous learning activities; *6th grade students currently enrolled at Fawn Mountain Elementary, Houghtaling Elementary, and Pt. Higgins *6th grade students currently enrolled at TSAS and KCS will remain with their current school. 8th*-12th Grade Students at Kayhi site: 2 days/week at school sites, 2 days/week working on asynchronous activities (at home or at an opt- in annex site (TBA), Fridays at home with asynchronous learning activities; Tribal Scholars will be on same capacity model as Kayhi. *8th grade students currently enrolled at KCS will remain with their current school. Revilla Middle School Students: 4 days at school site, Fridays at home with asynchronous learning activities; Revilla High School Students: Half-day sessions (morning and afternoon) 4 days/week at school site, with the other half of each of those days at home working on asynchronous activities, Fridays at home with asynchronous learning activities. Annex Buildings -Teachers will oversee the lesson planning for the students and work directly with the paraprofessional in a team teaching model.

Health and Safety Parent and Family Engagement Transportation Welcome Back Planning Wrap Around Support & Community Service Trauma Informed Practices and Social Emotional Needs

Conditions for Learning

Health a and S Safety

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Clear Humanity Shields will be provided to all certificated staff and other staff who provide instruction or would benefit from the use of a shield due to either comfort or the need to have their face more visible.

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Mask -Low Risk Recommended in classroom while social distancing; Required all other times. Medium Risk Level- Required at all times.

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In situations where a student is not able to wear a mask for medical reasons,

• ther precautions will be implemented.

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Social/Physical distancing--reduced class sizes

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Hand washing

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Hand sanitizer available

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Gloves will be available to staff and students as needed.

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Gowns or scrubs will be available to staff and students as needed.

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Cleaning of desks/chairs and other surfaces between change of students.

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Screening: Students, staff and parents are expected to answer “no” to screening questions each day.

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Deliberate cleaning and disinfection plan.

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Train and teach hygiene and other preventative measures to staff and students.

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Ventilation systems inspected and are all in full working order.

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In the event a person diagnosed with COVID-19 is determined to have been in the building and poses a risk to the community, we may consider closing that particular building for a short time (2-5 days) for cleaning and disinfection.

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Any staff or student who is confirmed positive for COVID-19 will be screened on an individual basis for return to school.

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Adjusted routines for transitions between classes at secondary

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Minimize transitions at elementary

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Minimize “mixing” as much as feasible

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Eliminate water fountains and have students use individual water bottles instead.

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Use of plexiglass in areas needed to increase the mitigation efforts of masks and distancing.

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Minimize sharing of manipulatives, instruments, tech devices, etc.

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Add signage to front entrances and throughout the sites to remind all of expectations: mask requirement, distancing, hand hygiene, etc.

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Non essential visitors and volunteers will be minimized or eliminated depending on risk status.

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Parents will be asked (whenever possible) to pick up children

• utside of the school building.

Parent a t and F Family E Engagement & t & T Transporta tati tion

Parent and Family Engagement

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Communication between district, schools and teachers will be timely and informative.

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Public Forums will be held to share updates and answer questions.

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Surveys will be used to determine specific needs related to scheduling and home schooling/distance delivery options.

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The district will reduce the number of platforms parents and students are asked to interact with.

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Training will be set up in August and September to help parents learn the distance learning tools implemented by teachers.

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These trainings will help parents navigate learning platforms and programs, communication tools, and understand the flow of learning from the classroom to the home and back to school.

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Information will be provided regularly to parents on how to support the home learning portion of the plan.

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The home learning activities/time will look much different than last spring as the core academics will be taught during the face to face time

Transportation

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By reducing capacity of students in buildings at one time, we will be providing for social/physical distancing on the buses.

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However, a full 6 feet may not always be possible.

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Students will be required to wear masks if in medium levels as specified by teacher.

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First Student employees will wear masks when riding on bus or assisting students on and off bus. Drivers may drive without masks for safety reasons.

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Parents who are able to transport their children to school are encouraged to do so.

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Parents will be asked to drop off/pick up their students

• utside the entry doors to reduce the number of people

mixing in the building.

Welcoming B Back P Planning & & C Community S Support a and S Servi vices

Welcoming B Back P Planning Community S Support a and S Services

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Given that students have not been in school for an extended time, particular attention will be paid to the introduction back to the school setting.

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For students who are transitioning (incoming Kindergarten students, 5th and 6th grades, 8th and 9th graders) we will be doing some specific activities to orient them to the new schools and/or annexes.

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KGBSD is working with agencies to consider collaborative support structures for students.

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KGBSD is working closely with public health, KEOC, district nurse to determine all collaborative responses to the pandemic.

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Work with local news outlets to advertise student supports, i.e. Food Program, Afterschool Activity.

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Collaborative efforts with tribal agencies.

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Developing protocols with city entities for additional childcare or after school programs.

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Collaborating with community special needs agencies to meet the needs of students with intensive special education needs.

Trauma In Informed P Practices a and S Social E Emotional N Needs

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Elementary, MS and HS Special Education students can receive additional face to face time (based

• n IEP).

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Staff training on trauma-informed practices.

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School counselors supported in strategies for outreach to students and families.

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Grant funding may be utilized to help meet unique social-emotional, special education, intensive, or health needs.

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Options for exceptional learners will be offered in conjunction with each individual’s plans

Interventions/Learning Gaps School Schedules-School Based Professional Development and Learning

Continuity of Learning-

Intervention/Learning Gaps At all levels, interventionists and other specialists will work with students who need additional support both in person and via distance learning. MAP Assessment will be given August/September (pushed out to be completed at home), December and in May. All other assessments will be announced when and if released by the state. School Schedules Will be announced by each principal. In order to be fully prepared we are adjusting our start date for students. Grades PreK-12 student start date will be September 8- Orientation. Professional Learning In preparation for reopening schools, KGBSD staff will receive professional development training in health and safety

• f all students, providing high-quality teaching and learning experiences, and supporting the needs of exceptional learners. The majority of the

training will occur during the first two weeks of the school calendar. Ongoing professional development will occur throughout the school year at the early release designated PD times. The additional days before the start of students will allow for a better connected school and home learning experience for all students as teachers experience training in blended learning and have time to prepare in advance to support the distance learning portion of the plan. Teachers will learn about blended learning, as well as about the platforms being implemented this fall. Training will include introductions to learning management platforms, content creation and curation tools, and communication tools. Teachers will also have a substantial amount of time to meet in district and site Professional Learning Communities to learn their new tools in more detail, and to work with colleagues on blended learning lesson planning. Friday will be a home learning day for all students to provide preparation and training time for staff, as well as time for cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What will student training (orientation) look like? Principals and staff will work on details by building.

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How will the now empty 6th grade classrooms be used at the elementary schools? They will be used by

• ther teachers to set up classes to allow distancing.

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When will we be notified what days our child will attend school sites? Principals return to work August 5 and will begin working on these details.

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How much interaction will 8th graders have with high schoolers? There should be no interaction as this will be a secured location within the building monitored by 8th grade teachers and administration.

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What happens if the school board does not approve this plan? The district continues to work on the plan.

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Will 6th grade students now start school at the middle school time as well? Schedules for each school are being determined by principals and will be communicated by school.

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Will students be in the same building all day or moved between buildings? Students will remain in the same building all day.

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Will buses deliver and pick up students at each site? Yes. We are working with First Student to plan the schedule.

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Is this plan the first two weeks of school or the whole year? This plan is for the duration of the pandemic

• r until safety and health guidance changes.

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Who will staff the annex buildings? This will be determined by the building principals and staff.

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Can students with special needs attend 4 days or even 5 days? Yes, special education teachers will be meeting with all parents to determine the best plan for students.

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Are elementary students required to participate in the annex sites? Yes; however, parents have the option to work with the building principals to address the desire to limit exposure and implement a blended learning plan. Students will not be penalized for attendance.

Connectivity Student Activities and Travel Based on ASAA Plan Considerations Related to Negotiated Agreements Federal Funding and Flexibility

Capacity of Learning

Co Connecti tivity ty Student A Activities a and Athletics: A : ASAA P Plan

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Our ability to deliver home/distant learning opportunities is dependent on access to both devices and the internet.

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Through a combination of funding sources, existing devices, and long term planning, we will be updating a K- 12th grade 1 to 1 program in August.

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Devices have been or will be deployed and/or checked out to students in August.

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For students with connectivity concerns, we are continuing to work with local providers and others to ensure access to the internet.

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ASAA will be providing guidance on ASAA sanctioned activities.

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Other district activities will be determined on a case by case basis.

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District related staff and student travel is restricted at green, yellow and red risk levels. NO out of state travel for students or staff.

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District related staff and student travel per approval in green risk level and only considered if both start and end locations of travel are at a Low Risk (Green) status for in- state travel.

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KGBSD Activities Director will communicate the expectations related to activities as we get closer to the

• pening of fall seasons.

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Currently some programs are engaging in summer activities per the ASAA guidelines and districted approved mitigation plans.

Considerations R Related t to Negotiated A Agreements Federal a and F Funding Fl Flexibility

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All negotiated agreements will be followed (MOA’s will be written in collaboration with KEA and other CBA’s)

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KGBSD is working closely with union leadership teams to coordinate SMART START efforts.

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Any contract deviations will be collaboratively agreed upon with union leadership.

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Union representation has been/will be part of the development of this SMART START plan.

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Regular meetings with leadership continue with increased coordination/communication/problem solving with union representative teams. —

Maintain compliance with federally funded programs

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Request waivers as needed to provide the best service in these programs.

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Collaborate with DEED departments in these areas to ensure our compliance and maximum flexibility where needed.

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Develop homeschooling/distance delivery

• ptions to create a wider array of choices for

students.

Frequently Asked Questions: Students and Start of School

Why can’t schools reopen at full capacity, five days per week?

• The state and CDC put forth guidelines for how schools function in a low, medium, and high risk situation.
• The Smart Start committee researched and factored in a number of things like square footage, numbers of students, numbers of

staff, etc. and found 50% capacity to be the most viable number to meet the CDC and state guidelines for low risk and medium risk requirements in Ketchikan School Buildings. To increase this capacity, we have been working to secure other sites (annexes) that will provide additional instruction and educational opportunity for students with health and safety measures in place.

• Due to the need for a blended learning solution should we have to change to a high risk level and to service students who are

engaged in a blended model at all risk levels, school administration, teachers and staff need time to collaborate and plan

• accordingly. This day will be Friday of each week.
• Friday provides teachers and staff time to check in with those students who are working online, as well as time to prepare

distance lessons moving forward or work with each other for planning purposes. This day will also provide Professional Development for staff that will be school based. In this time of transition, it is our responsibility as a district to provide educators with ongoing training that develops their skills to design and deliver effective online and blended learning

• pportunities to all students, including our most vulnerable populations.

Will my child have academic work to do on the days they are not at school?

• Yes, your child’s teacher(s) will be providing assignments via Canvas for your child to complete based on their schedule. These

assignments will be extensions of the work they are doing in class.

• During all scenarios teachers are expected to maintain a current and rigorous virtual classroom so that the district has the ability to pivot

if the scenario changes. What should I do if my student does not have access to a computer and/or internet?

• Please contact your principal at your school and let them know. KGBSD wants to ensure that all students have the technology to access

needed classes. Will assignments online be graded/required?

• Yes, assignments will be graded and required. Assignments that your child’s teacher provides will be based on information that they are

learning in class and it will be important for them to stay on top of assignments. Do students have to report to a zoom meeting on days that they are not at school?

• That is up to the teacher. Some teachers may create a “homeroom” zoom session to include those students who will not be at
• school. Otherwise, information will be provided during those days that students are in class.

What about our students with special needs? Those who don't type, non verbal, who need questions rephrased etc.?

• Special Education teachers will be working with students and families to provide services in accordance with student individual learning

plans.

Will there be training for parents about how to use Canvas?

• The principals are working plans to provide training for parents. Our goal is to ensure parents and students are able to access distance

learning easily. What will my kids do on the days they are not scheduled to attend school?

• Students will work on their distant learning assignments assigned to them by the teacher using Canvas.

Why do we need a day dedicated to PD on the low and medium risk plans? (Friday) Professional Development:

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It is our responsibility as a district to provide educators with ongoing training that develops their skills to design and deliver effective online and blended learning opportunities to all students, including our most vulnerable populations.

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The continuous PD will allow teachers to stay current with our technology needs and maintain the blended learning model as needed, so that we can pivot to any of the risk scenarios at any time.

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In low, medium, and high risk scenarios, teachers will plan, teach, and assess instruction in two different mediums: onsite and

• nline. During all scenarios teachers are expected to maintain a current and rigorous virtual classroom so that the district has

the ability to pivot if the scenario changes.

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Even in a “low or medium risk” scenario, teachers will be required to maintain active connection with, teach, and provide timely feedback to their students who are not in school on a given day. Why are other states opening at full capacity?

• The Smart Start Team and Continuity of Learning Team have researched many other states to study how they are opening. Limited

capacity, hygiene, static groups, CDC guidelines, state guidelines, state frameworks, etc. are guiding all reopen/restart plans.

Why can’t we run AM/PM schedules so we can get all 4 groups in the building each day? Transportation of students presents a major hurdle to this model. Since there cannot be overlap of students in the building (capacity limits), significant instructional time would be lost to transportation, as well as cleaning, sanitizing, and reorganizing between groups. Other buses in the community (tour buses) do not meet the safety specifications for pupil transportation. How many kids are expected in each class group? This depends on the whole classroom size, school by school. We have target 100% capacity between school classrooms and building annexes. How will they socially distance? Classroom teachers and principals are working on seating and spacing to accommodate appropriate distancing in the classrooms, and to facilitate movement in the buildings that maximizes distancing. Will Masks be required, and if a parent refuses to have their child wear one what will be the protocol? Based

• n the risk level, masks will be either recommended or required. We are encouraging parents to talk to us about their concerns

so we can support their needs. Will Temps be taken before entering the building as well as during the day? Yes. Where do they eat lunch? Students may eat their lunch in the classroom or in other designated areas that provide spacing depending on the grade level. This is being determined by each school building.

Who is the certificated teacher at the annex location in charge all day? This will be a building level decision that is based on available staff and school/annex needs or programming. What curriculum are they using at the annex? District and building curriculums that are currently used. If a child or teacher has symptoms or tests positive do all kids in that group’s family have to quarantine for 14 days and if so, will parents qualify for paid sick leave from their employer during that time? This will be determined by the Ketchikan Public Health Department and the District Nurse through a contact investigation. Who will notify you and how quickly? In some scenarios, public health may know of a positive case before the school district does, and will notify the district of any COVID exposure in district buildings. Building administrators or district nurse will notify any and all parents as information is known regarding exposure. Student and staff health information will be kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA. Check with your individual employer regarding their sick leave policies. Do you have a 100% online option? Yes, students have the option to remain enrolled in their schools and complete work entirely online. They can also enroll in Fast Track or Digital Academy for more options.

What are the next steps……

— School level parent

information meetings presented by the Principal and Staff regarding school based decisions & protocols.

— Activities and Athletics parent

information meetings will be held to review ASAA’s plan.

— Enrollment Forms to all Pre-

K to 12th grade students to determine enrollments at all KGBSD options.

— Smart Start Schedule — Online Learning Only (stay

enrolled at school)

— Fast Track or Digital Academy — Student Transportation needs

Additional Questions?

— Email Superintendent Lougee at

beth.lougee@k21schools.org

— Contact your Building Principal — Contact SPED Director Terri Crofcheck at

terri.crofcheck@k21schools.org