WPS REOPENING PLAN GLENN BRAND, Ed.D. GLENN BRAND, Ed.D. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AUGUST 12, 20 20
OVERVIEW ● The Commissioner of Education has requested that each school district submit a final plan that includes an overview of three learning models for school reopening. ● This ‘space’ that educational institutions finds themselves in right now across the country is is exceptionally complex and undergirded by a polarity of views and a multitude of approaches. ● In Massachusetts, in the absence of a singular specific direction at the state level, we are indeed witnessing different approaches connected to the work of reopening. ● The plan that follows represents one that I believe: ○ Prioritizes the health & well-being of our students and staff; ○ Aligns with the current health guidance and direction of state agencies; ○ Is flexible to respond to the possibility of changing conditions; ○ Is in the best interest of our students.
Current Plans for Surrounding Districts District Plan District Plan Burlington Hybrid Middleton Hybrid Danvers Hybrid Reading Hybrid Everett Start 100%Remote with Stoneham Hybrid staged-in return Hamilton-Wenham Hybrid Tewksbury Hybrid Ipswich Hybrid Topsfield Remote with in-person meeting and review Lexington Hybrid Triton Full remote with review every 4 weeks Malden Remote Wakefield Hybrid Marblehead Hybrid Waltham Full remote until 10/30 Tentative Plans Based Upon Melrose Hybrid Watertown Full remote until 10/22 Website Review Methuen Full remote through 10/30 Winthrop Hybrid
Re-Opening Planning in WPS
Re-Opening Planning in WPS
Health & Safety Planning
DESE Health Experts and Medical Community ● COVID-1 9 Command Center Medical Advisory Board ● Dr. Sandra Nelson, MD, Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital ● Dr. Lloyd Fisher, incoming President, Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics 8
Why Are We Considering Reopening In-Person? DESE - members of the Return to School Working Group, infectious disease physicians, pediatricians and other public health experts continue to hold consensus that at this time that in-person learning is both possible and preferred. Governor Baker ❖ Released a new framework on August 11 that analyzes COVID-19 spread rates and helps facilitate an understanding of areas of community concern ❖ According to Governor Baker in his August 11 press conference “… there should be no reason for any communities within the green or white zones to not open schools….” Local Health Advisor Views ❖ Based upon the current conditions locally, and the metrics, it is currently deemed appropriate to open. ❖ As of August 12 Wilmington has a total of six (6) cases placing us in the WHITE ZONE on the newly released DESE Guidance model. Cases include 2 at 20-25 yrs old; 1 at 30-40 yrs. old; 3 at 50-65.
Which U.S. States Meet Recommended Positivity Levels? Source: Johns Hopkins University - https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/testing-positivity
DESE GUIDANCE ON STATE METRICS & DETERMINATION OF LEARNING MODEL DESE Expectation for Learning Model New Color-Coded Metric* Average daily cases per RED Remote 100,000 is greater than 8 Hybrid Average daily cases per YELLOW 100,000 is between 4 - 8 OR Remote (if extenuating circumstances) Average daily cases per GREEN 100,000 is less than 4 Full-time in-person Fewer than 5 total cases over the past OR Hybrid (if extenuating circumstances) 14 days. Generally, this is for UNSHADED communities with small populations and very few cases. *Measured as a 14-day rolling average and will be reported weekly as part of the online DPH dashboard Source: DESE Guidance Released August 11,2020
DESE GUIDANCE ON STATE METRICS & LEARNING MODEL USED According to the DESE Guidance for Districts and Schools on Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Metrics: ● The DESE guidance was developed in consultation with their infectious disease physicians and other public health experts. ● While average daily cases per 100,000 over a two-week period is the metric that determines the color-coding for each community, districts and schools should also monitor whether cases are increasing or decreasing as compared to the prior period. ● In consultation with local boards of health, districts should consider whether additional metrics may indicate other concerning trends. “ It is our expectation that districts’ learning models will follow this color-coded metric unless there are extenuating circumstances identified after consultation with local boards of health. “
COVID-19 MONITORING • A safe return to in-person school environments will require a combination of health and safety steps. • Masks are amongst the most important single measure to contain the spread of Covid-19. • Testing, combined with contact tracing, quarantining and isolation also helps to control the spread of Covid-19. • Contact tracing for purposes of isolation and quarantine will be conducted by Wilmington Board of Health, with the help of the school district staff and families. • Local cases of Covid-19 are reported to the Wilmington Board of Health. • Weekly reporting of cases in Wilmington is provided by the Board of Health through website and social media postings.
COVID-19 MONITORING • Decisions on phases or regression of phases falls under the Governor and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Wilmington Board of Health continues to follow that guidance. • When there is suspected in-school transmission beyond one small cohort of students or staff, WPS school leaders will consult with the Wilmington Board of Health to discuss further steps, which could include: ▪ Making a decision to close school or part of school for extensive cleaning ▪ Making a decision to close school for a 14 day quarantine period • If the community as a whole is experiencing significant municipal outbreak the Superintendent will discuss with the Wilmington Board of Health to determine whether it is appropriate to close a specific school or the district as a whole. • Decisions will also be based upon the State/DESE Color-Coded monitoring system • Any decision to close a school or school district will require the Superintendent to consult with DESE prior to making that final decision.
THE CURRENT PLAN FOR HEALTH & SAFETY FOR ANY IN-PERSON LEARNING • Current DESE guidance is to aim for 6-feet physical distance between students, with no less than three feet. • Given the Center for Disease Control Guidance, our plan is to utilize 6-feet within classrooms. • DESE has established a requirement that masks/face coverings must be worn for all staff and all students Grades 2-12 - WPS is making it a requirement for all students to wear a mask on buses and while in our schools
UPDATE ON PPE ACQUISITION ● Recommendations from DESE in June urged districts to acquire approximately three (3) months supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ● The following items have been ordered and most have been received ● This list does not include separately acquired items for the transportation of students Pediatric Masks Adult Masks Clear Masks N95/KN95 Masks 18,ooo 59,100 900 100 Nitrile Gloves Barrier Gowns Safety Goggles Face Shields 7,500 400 130 560 Wipes Sanitization Hand Sanitizer Mobile Desk 2,056 Station Pumps Screens 600 500 90
HEATING & VENTILATION (HVAC) EVALUATION • It is clear that the proper operation of school facility HVAC systems is an important element of airflow and ventilation • This operation includes ensuring outdoor ventilation air is maintained at or above design minimum values • The standard to assess HVAC system is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1 Ventilation Requirements • The District has engaged a third-party consultant (BLW Engineers, Inc.) to conduct an evaluation of all eight (8) schools, along with the Office of Student Support Services, to determine whether HVAC system comply and identify any necessary remediation, repairs or upgrades • The full report is expected sometime the week of August 24 and will be made available to the Superintendent and Town Manager and publically available
WPS STAFF PLAN FOR COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
Planning for Instruction and WPS Reopening
PLANNING FOR ALL MODELS Continuum of Fall Reopening Models 1 2 3 In-person learning Return without with new safety Hybrid learning Remote learning restrictions requirements Students return in-person Students learn in-person with Students learn both in- Learning takes place remotely and restrictions are lifted new safety requirements person and remotely Our goal for fall: to get as Available in the event Available for individual many students as possible districts/schools are unable to students who cannot yet back into schools for in- bring all students back to return in-person and for all person learning – safely school despite best efforts, or students in the event of in case of COVID-19 related future closures due to COVID- circumstances 19 Across all three models all districts and schools need a plan for how special populations will receive necessary services and accommodations 20
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