In Person Learning
We're excited to welcome many of our Liberty Hills students back for face-to-face instruction! The measures and protocols outlined on this page will help you know what to expect as your child returns to learn in person.
COVID-19 Procedures and Protocols
Health Behaviors and Protective Measures
Hand Washing and Hygiene
In keeping with guidelines from health officials, hand washing is the preferred method to disinfect hands. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Scheduled hand washing will take place before lunch and after recess. Beyond these times, additional hand washing opportunities are available to classes in keeping with a set schedule so that we can maintain social distancing and not overwhelm our bathroom usage. Grade levels will be designated to specific bathrooms to help us avoid over crowding. This hand washing schedule is by grade level; individual grade level teams will need to think through how they might organize their classes within their time frame to not overcrowd the bathrooms. Teachers are welcome to utilize the sinks in their classrooms for hand washing if they would prefer. The important principle is that hand washing should be a frequent part of our students' daily schedules.
As with students, teachers and other school employees should wash their hands frequently as well.
Students are encouraged to avoid touching their faces.
Hand Sanitizer
When time and circumstances do not allow for hand washing or if students and employees do not have ready access to soap and water, use of a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol is an appropriate alternative.
Hand sanitizer spray bottles have been procured for every classroom.
Students should sanitize their hands before and after use of shared learning materials (i.e. math manipulatives, classroom library books, etc.).
Children under 6 years old should be supervised when they use hand sanitizer.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Each school will receive a district-provided startup package of PPE equipment. For details on the contents of this startup package, refer to the K-12 PPE Supply List. Beyond the equipment listed here, all employees will receive a face shield provided by the district.
Employees that provide care for and supervise students who display COVID-19 symptoms should wear gloves, a cloth or disposable face mask, and a face shield. Care should be taken to not touch one's face and to sanitize thoroughly after interacting with the student.
Face Coverings (Masks and Shields)
The subject of masks and face coverings has become a rather emotionally charged and politicized topic. Regardless, it is our responsibility to uphold the health guidelines and requirements we have been given from our state and local health officials. By executive order from the governor and under the direction of the Utah County Health Department, all employees and students are expected to wear a mask or face covering on the bus, in common areas, during transition times, classrooms, when arriving and dismissing from school, and where social distancing is not feasible. The district "Return to Learn" plan notes that occasional allowances may be made for a student to remove his/her mask under the discretion of the teacher or another school employee with appropriate social distancing. We will not default to such exceptions but rather prioritize mask wearing throughout the school as outlined. We respectfully request our patrons' full support of this practice so we can work together as a school and community to help our students have a safe and learning-focused return to school.
There will be times when it is appropriate for students to remove their face masks or coverings (i.e. lunch, physical activity, recess). Students will be directed by a teacher or a member of the school staff when it is appropriate to remove masks.
Health department officials have determined that masks can be left inside the classroom on the students' desks before students leave for lunch and recess. Upon leaving the classroom, students will need to socially distance in the hallway and while washing hands.
Masks will not be worn when students engage in physical education activities. They may be left inside a classroom or in another designated area where masks won't be intermixed.
All masks and face coverings should follow dress code guidelines. There should not be inappropriate pictures or words on a mask or face covering.
By order of the governor, a cloth face covering must be used that covers both the mouth and nose. A plastic face shield is not presently approved as a substitute for a face mask. However, face shields are authorized for use during times of speech instruction and early literacy instruction so that students can see correct mouth formation, tongue position, etc. Teachers are able to pull masks down or remove masks and wear a face shield while they are directly teaching the sounds. An exception can also be made for spelling assessments in which view of the teachers' mouth during oral pronunciation helps the students accurately hear the word they are asked to write. Masks should be repositioned as soon as teachers have finished teaching the sound.
If a student shows up at school without a mask, the school will provide the student with a disposable mask so he/she won’t miss out on important classroom instruction. Families, due to a limited inventory of disposable masks, please make every effort to send your child to school with a mask.
We will contact the parents/guardians of students who refuse to wear masks. In the event of continued refusal, a child may be sent home from school for the day.
Students will receive one (1) school-provided breakaway lanyard as a way to keep one's mask on his/her person.
Cloth masks should be washed frequently.
The District recognizes that some students may have disabilities or other health conditions that make it medically inadvisable or otherwise inappropriate to wear a face mask or other face covering. In light of these facts, two exemption forms have been developed for students needing an exemption to the mask expectation—one for students with disabilities (IEP or 504) and the other for students with a health condition—temporary or permanent—that prevents them from wearing a mask. If a parent seeks an exemption, a medical professional signature is required. The forms were developed in partnership with the UCHD and will be in use by Nebo and Provo districts as well.
Assigned Seating (Buses, Classrooms, Lunchroom)
Students will sit in assigned seats on the bus, in the classroom, and in the lunchroom to facilitate contact tracing. Students should not be allowed to self-select seating without teacher knowledge and teacher approval of where a child is seated.
Teachers must maintain a record of all student seating assignments. In the event of a possible COVID-19 exposure, these records will be used to facilitate contact tracing.
Signage
Posters showing symptoms prohibiting entrance into the school will be displayed on the doors of all district facilities.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Staff and students are asked to stay home if they feel sick.
Parents should monitor their children each morning and should not send them to school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
Chills or fever greater than 100.4 degrees
Cough
Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Muscle or body aches
Can’t smell/loss of sense of smell or taste
Additional symptoms that can be manifest in cases of COVID-19:
Congestion or runny nose
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Students and employees should not attend school if they have exhibited any of the above symptoms within the last 48 hours. Families should contact their child's healthcare provider for guidance if their child exhibits any symptoms of COVID-16, particularly those primary symptoms noted above. Healthcare providers will provide families with further instructions on how to receive care and if COVID-19 testing would be recommended.
If staff or students display symptoms of illness at school, they will be screened in keeping with steps outlined in the UCHD COVID-19 Screening Flow Chart. Students will first be given a reasonable period of time to rest (10-15 minutes) to determine if symptoms subside. If the child still feels or exhibits symptoms after this rest period, parents will be contacted to pick up the child from school. In certain cases, students may need to be sent home right away as outlined in the flow chart. If life threatening symptoms are apparent, we will call 911.
Note: If a child has a chronic health condition that results in the frequent display of some of the above symptoms (i.e. shortness of breath for a student with asthma or a runny nose and congestion for a student with allergies), parents may provide the school with a letter from their child's healthcare provider explaining that the symptoms are directly associated with the child's ongoing health condition. With this letter on file, a child will not need to be sent home for those particular symptoms, thus reducing a child's time away from school.
In certain situations a child that has symptoms associated with COVID-19 may not be tested even if the family seeks to have testing completed. In these situations, the child should not return to school until he/she has none of the above named symptoms for at least 48 hours without the aide of medicines. If symptoms worsen, families would do well to contact their care provider again to determine if testing would be allowed.
In certain situations a child my exhibit COVID-19 symptoms for which a family seeks testing, only to find out that the test result is negative. While it is reassuring to know that the symptoms may not be due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, parents should still pause before sending a child to school that might have symptoms as a result of a cold or other respiratory virus. Technically speaking, students that are ill with a cold and could actively spread the virus to others should not attend school. In situations where symptoms are ongoing and are related to a chronic condition (such as seasonal allergies), we ask parents to provide the school with a note from the child's care provider as explained in the previous paragraph.
We certainly do not want our students to be out of school for any longer than is necessary, but we also do not want to bring germs into the school. Our ability to maintain a healthy school environment will require a joint effort between families and school personnel to ensure children are sent to school healthy and ready to learn. While your children are in our care, we will be careful to follow health protocols and sanitizing procedures to minimize their exposure to health risk factors.
Students and employees showing COVID symptoms should not return to school or work until they are symptom free for at least 48 hours and have followed any criteria communicated to them by the local health department or their health care provider, including any recommendation for COVID-19 testing.
Students and employees should quarantine for two weeks if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Any individual that tests positive for COVID-19 needs to self-isolate at home according to instructions that will be communicated by the Utah County Health Department.
Employees should communicate with their immediate supervisor if they are unable to perform their essential functions in person. School employees should consult ASD Rules and Regulations 4162 to determine if their particular condition warrants special accommodation.
Monitoring Guidelines
All employees should be mindful of self, students’ and co-workers' health and safety.
We will implement certain measures to determine if students, staff members, and visitors have exhibited symptoms sometime in the last 48 hours.
Students will be asked at the beginning of every school day if they are exhibiting any symptoms or if they have come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. At some point in the midday, students will again be asked if they are showing any symptoms.
Substitute teachers, visitors entering the school for a required meeting, and volunteers will be directly questioned if they have displayed any COVID-19 related symptoms in the past 48 hours.
Staff members will follow-up on incidents of student absenteeism.
Parents should obtain a doctor’s note and send it to school if their child exhibits symptoms for another reason (allergies, etc.). This is a requirement to allow a student to remain at school. Without such a note, all children exhibiting any one of the above noted COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home.
If a child displays COVID-19 symptoms at school, we will follow the protocols outlined on the district's COVID-19 Screening Flowchart. If necessary, school officials may contact their assigned school nurse or the Utah County Health Department at 801-851-4357.
Ideally, temperature checks and rechecks will be completed by the same adult using the same thermometer device.
High Risk Individuals
As per protocol, the health department will notify the parents of students, teachers, or employees who are at higher risk in the event of possible COVID-19 exposure and provide guidance on how long individuals should quarantine, how to check for symptoms, and when to consider testing. To carry out such communication, the school's Point Of Contact (POC) will provide a list of names to the health department of students, teachers, or employees who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 who are known to have come into close contact with the person who tested positive. In order to collect this information, a form as been created to collect the names of high risk individuals. Employees or parents of children that fall in this category should complete this form by clicking the link below:
If a parent chooses to keep a child at home because the child is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, the teacher assigned to the child will work with the family to support the child through our online learning plan. Students will access the district-created curriculum as the primary learning tool at home, with weekly support and follow-up from the child's teacher at Liberty Hills. For more information on this learning option, please review our Online Learning procedures.
Student Illness
Students who are sick should not go to school. This is a good idea for any illness, not just during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to return to school, the UCHD has instructed us that students must be fever-free for 48 hours without the aid of medicines and not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms. If COVID-19 symptoms are present that are due to another condition (i.e. seasonal allergies, asthma, etc.), a doctor's note is required which indicates that the symptoms are associated with a non-COVID-19 related condition.
Parents, please ensure we have your most up-to-date contact information in Skyward.
Attendance
Attendance is an important part of learning and will be taken. However, in order to accommodate individual circumstances and to ensure we do not encourage attendance when it is not advisable, no student will be penalized for absences.
Student Accommodations
School staff will provide reasonable accommodations to meet individual student learning needs, while considering the health and safety needs of others.
We will continue to support the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in students' Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. We will work closely with the Alpine School District Special Education Department to ensure that we are able to provide needed services within the constraints of our current time schedule and in keeping with current health practices.
Incidents of COVID-19 Exposure
We will work directly with the Utah County Health Department in the event that a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19. County health officials will make decisions on a case by case basis. If an individual school, a cluster, or the entire district is forced to close, teachers and students will shift to 100 percent online instruction.
Positive COVID-19 Cases
Students, teachers, or staff who test positive for COVD-19 will not be allowed to attend school.
In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school setting:
Students, teachers, and staff who were wearing a mask and were able to physical distance are not considered exposed.
Students, teachers, and staff who were not able to physical distance will be considered exposed and will be required to be quarantined.
In-School Quarantine Location
Each school is responsible to identify a quarantine area for students who are sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Students will remain in the area, supervised by an employee, until a parent can pick them up. Our quarantine location will be the front entry area to the library.
We will follow the steps of the UCHD COVID-19 Screening Flow Chart to determine how long a child must remain in the quarantine area and if they are to be sent home.
When it is necessary to quarantine or exclude students due to COVID-19 symptoms, we will take care to explain the process and take measured steps to avoid stigma with all students.
Contact Tracing
School nurses will be the school's health department contact person for assistance with contact tracing.
While investigating the exposure, health department officials will ask:
Were all individuals masked?
Were individuals socially distanced to the maximum extent possible?
Health department officials will notify the parents of students, teachers, or employees who are at higher risk in the event of possible COVID-19 exposure and provide guidance on how long individuals should quarantine, how to check for symptoms, and when to consider testing.
The school's Point Of Contact (POC) will notify any other eligible students or students’ parents, teachers, or employees who may have been exposed to the person who tested positive. The POC will provide guidance on how long they should quarantine, how to check for symptoms, and when to consider testing.
Quarantine
School Exposures
On Thursday, December 17, 2020, Governor Herbert announced that quarantine guidelines for students at Utah schools will change effective January 1, 2021. Under the new procedures, students who had a close contact with another person who tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to stay in the classroom, so long as all parties involved were wearing masks at the time of the contact. In sharing this change, Governor Herbert referred to data that show classrooms are a low-risk environment for COVID-19 transmission.
Please take note that the change noted in the previous paragraph does not apply to exposure situations outside of school (i.e. family exposures at home, social events, extracurricular activities, etc.). Its scope is limited to school exposures. The Also, this revised protocol does not apply to students, teachers, staff, or settings that are exempt from the State Public Health Order on masks in schools.
Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 must continue to watch for symptoms. If employees or students get symptoms, they should isolate at home and call their healthcare provider.
Exposures Outside of School AND Outside of Home
Sometimes exposure take place outside of school and outside the home, such as at a community event or an extended family gathering. If it is known that an exposure outside of school AND outside of home occurred, individuals must still quarantine but have the options of completing a 7-day test and return option as outlined in the latest state guidelines.
If an individual chooses to not get tested, they can end quarantine 10 days after the last time they were around the person with COVID-19.
Exposures in the Home (Living with someone with COVID-19)
Individuals who live with someone who is known to be COVID-19 positive must quarantine for 10 days, even if they are tested and their test result is negative. This is according to the latest Utah state and county health department quarantine guidelines.
Self-Isolation
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will need to self-isolate at home according to instructions given to them by a representative of the Utah County Health Department.
Returning to School
Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Our custodial team will follow specific cleaning protocols for locations that were frequented by someone infected with COVID-19. When possible, these locations will be closed for a full 24 hours and the air circulation in these areas will be increased. When necessary, classes can be relocated to other learning areas. Additional details on cleaning after COVID-19 exposures can be found in the section below entitled "Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting."
Outbreaks and School Closure
Will the school have to close if there is a COVID-19 exposure?
As per guidelines from the health department, the following closures will take place when positive case counts reach the following levels over a two week period:
3 positive cases per classroom
15 positive cases for the whole school
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
How should the building be cleaned after a positive case of COVID-19?
Touch points will be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected regularly in keeping with district custodial cleaning guidelines.
Only industry approved cleaning solutions that are effective and safe will be used for facility sanitation and touch point cleaning. Use of cleaning chemicals in all facilities is in accordance with OSHA guidelines and other government regulations.
Cleaning
As per our usual custodial practices, regular cleaning will take place to remove dust, debris, and dirt from surfaces, furnishings, and floors.
Sanitizing
Daily cleaning and sanitizing will occur at each Alpine facility following district health and safety guidelines. Physical facilities team members will provide continued guidance and support for schools.
Teachers are asked to help sanitize their rooms at the end of each school day by cleaning desktops and touch points with a school-provided sanitizing spray.
A sanitizing regimen will be worked into our existing end-of-day routines with students (3 Steps Before We're Out the Door). Only teachers should control the sanitizing spray bottle, but the solution is safe for students to wipe with a paper towel.
Disinfecting
Members of our custodial team will deeply disinfect each classroom at least weekly using an industry-standard disinfectant solution.
Employee Considerations
Teachers will sick days in accordance with updated rules and regulations. All employees are eligible for the benefits outlined in the updated district policy (see Policy 4162).
School Considerations
Back-to-School Night
Preschool Students
Our Inclusion Preschool class will hold its Back-to-School event on the evening of Monday, August 24, from 5:00-6:30pm. Our Foundations Preschool class will communicate details about its separate meet-the-teacher event at a future date. Specific details are forthcoming and will be communicated with our preschool patrons.
Kindergarten and 1-6 Grade Students
An in person Back-to-School Night will take place on Monday, August 17, 2020 for students Kindergarten and 1-6 grade students that will return to school for face-to-face instruction. The Back-to-School night will follow an open house format. Teachers will introduce students to their classrooms and provide a general overview of certain class procedures.
To ensure the experience is as safe and worry free as possible for our students, teachers, and guests, we ask all employees and families to adhere to the following guidelines:
Arrive at the Back-to-School night event on a staggered schedule based on the first letter of your family's last name. This will help us maintain social distancing and limit the flow of persons coming into the school at any given time. You can view this schedule by clicking the following link: In Person Learning Back-to-School Night Schedule
All employees, students, and family members must wear masks.
Hand sanitizer will be available at each teacher’s door. Individuals should sanitize before entering the classroom.
For items that need to be signed or filled out, teachers will have “clean” and “used” pens containers.
Please limit your classroom visits to your current-year teachers only. Students should not visit the classrooms of previous teachers.
We encourage families to socialize outside the building with appropriate social distancing. Please do not congregate in hallways or other areas of the school.
The PTA will have a table located outside the school where patrons can join the PTA and purchase school shirts, masks, vinyl stickers, and other items.
School Schedule
Preschool
Foundations Preschool Sessions:
Session 1: 8:45-10:15am
Session 2: 10:45am-12:15pm
Session 3: 1:00-2:30pm
Inclusion Preschool Sessions:
AM Session: 8:45-11:00am
PM Session: 12:00-2:15pm
Kindergarten
AM Kindergarten Session: 9:15am - 11:30am
PM Kindergarten Session: 12:15pm - 2:30pm
Grades 1-6
AM Track: 8:00am - 1:15pm
PM Track: 9:15am - 2:30pm
Master Schedule (Teacher Access Only)
Teachers can view their assigned times for speciality classes, lunch, recess, and other assigned duties by accessing the 2020-2021 Master Schedule.
Transportation to School
Bus Transport
Bus transportation will continue to be provided for families that live east of the Jordan River. For details on bus stops and pickup times, visit the district’s Bus Stops & Boundaries webpage.
Face masks or face coverings are required at all times for students and adults while riding a bus.
Drivers will sanitize their buses multiple times each day.
Car Drop-Off and Carpooling
If a child is riding in a vehicle with only family members, mask wearing is not necessary. However, if students will be participating in a carpool, we strongly encourage all individuals in the car to wear masks.
Walking/Biking
Mask wearing is not necessary if a child is walking or biking to school alone or with family members.
If walking with other students outside of one's own family, students should wear a mask if social distancing is not possible and if the student is not engaged in strenuous physical activity. If biking, skateboarding, scootering, or roller blading to school, students should not wear masks.
Student Arrival and Dismissal
Student Arrival
Entering the Building
AM Track students should NOT arrive at school earlier than 7:30am, as supervision is not provided before this time. PM Track students should NOT arrive earlier than 8:50am, as supervision is not available to these students before this time.
Upon arriving at school, students will continue to enter the building through the northwest doors (at the front of the school closest to the gym). As outside temperatures and weather conditions permit, these doors will be propped open so that students will not have to touch the door handles.
Students that will eat breakfast at school should first wash their hands in the restrooms located near the lunchroom. They can then enter the lunchroom and follow our breakfast procedures (see School Meals section for more detail on breakfast procedures).
Students that ate breakfast at home will simply walk through the building and exit the school through the southeast doors (again, these doors will also be propped open as outside temperatures and weather conditions permit).
All students must wear masks prior to entering the school, even if they are going to proceed directly to the playground.
Students will play outside prior to the start of the school day. Masks do not need to be worn when students are playing. Students should still maintain physical distancing and must keep track of their personal masks (students may place their masks in their schoolbags or on their school provided mask lanyard).
When the bell rings, students will line up in an area designated for their class and put on their masks. If students do not have a mask, they will be given a disposable mask prior to entering the school for their learning. (Aides and teachers on duty should keep a stash of disposable masks on hand in their supervision bags to be able to distribute masks to students that need them.)
If hand washing is not feasible, hand sanitizer will be provided to students as they enter the school building.
Teachers should stagger their entry into the school so as to not cause too much congestion.
Inclement Weather and Winter Mornings
In cases of inclement weather and in the winter when mornings are too cold and dark, it is necessary to keep students indoors instead of sending students out to the playground. When such circumstances occur, students will enter the school as outlined above and proceed to the hallway area directly outside their classrooms. Students will sit on the floor with masks on (teachers will provide clear guidance as to where students will sit).
Masks must be worm at all times.
Students are welcome to engage in a quiet activity, such as reading, but should not engage in play activities or rough housing.
Aides and teachers completing supervision duties will walk the hallways to monitor students.
Teachers are welcome to provide students with a basket of books from their classroom libraries.
Student Dismissal
In an effort to avoid an excess of congestion, students will be released in groups at two different times as outlined below:
Bus riders will be dismissed 5 mins before the bell.
Car riders, walkers, and bike riders will be dismissed at the bell.
All students and employees must wear masks.
Students should exit the building through the exterior doors closest to their classroom, even if this door is further away from where they will board a bus or be picked up.
As outside temperatures and weather conditions permit, doors will be propped open to minimize student contact with the doors.
To avoid undue congestion, siblings should not pick up younger siblings at their classrooms. Parents should establish a meeting location outside the school where older siblings can meet up with younger siblings.
All doors will be thoroughly disinfected at the end of each school day.
Parents/guardians picking up students should follow our drop-off zone procedures as outlined in our school handbook.
Instruction and Student Support
Classroom Instruction
A face covering (mask or face shield) must be worn at all times.
Teachers and students should make every effort to not touch their faces and to minimize contact with others.
Hand sanitizer should be used before and after using shared materials (i.e. math manipulatives, classroom books, shared art supplies, etc.).
Learning Supplies
Students will maintain their own sets of general learning materials and art supplies, including such items as crayons, scissors, pencils, etc. In some instances, these items have already been procured by teachers through the use of their individual supply funds. Please check with your child's teacher to more fully understand which items might be helpful to bring from home. NOTE: THE ITEMS ON THIS LIST WILL BE USED DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY. THEY MAY BE BROUGHT FROM HOME ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, OTHERWISE, THEY WILL BE FURNISHED BY THE SCHOOL.
Regular sized pencil box
Coloring medium (crayons or colored pencils)
Pencils
Personal pencil sharpener (check with your child's teacher if there are any class restrictions about personal pencil sharpener use in his/her class).
Dry erase marker
Dry erase cloth
Headphones (These are an optional item, as headphones will be furnished by the school. However, if your child would prefer his/her own pair to avoid the use of shared headphones, they are welcome to being a pair. It should be noted, however, that shared school headphones will be sanitized after each use.).
We would also welcome donations of such items as hand sanitizer, disinfecting cleaning wipes (i.e. Clorox wipes), and Kleenex.
A Note About Hand Sanitizers: Any donated hand sanitizer should be approved for public use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge of hand sanitizer production, and some sanitizers that have made their way into the consumer market are toxic by reason that they contain methanol, a “toxic alcohol”, as an active ingredient, which can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed. The FDA maintains a list of hand sanitizers consumers should NOT use. Please ensure that any donated sanitizing products are NOT on this list. Most commercially available alcohol-based hand sanitizers or rubs contain either ethanol or isopropanol as active ingredients, which are safe for exterior use for sanitizing hands.
Other classroom supplies, such as tools for specific art media, computers, science equipment, and classroom books will need to be shared by multiple students. We recognize this poses and additional point-of-contact risk, so we will be sure to clean and sanitize supplies in a safe and responsible manner.
Seating Arrangements
Desks will be spread out as much as possible in classrooms. All desks should face the same direction. When tables are used, all chairs/students should face the front of the room. If necessary, extra furniture should be removed from the room to maximize the space in the classroom. Students should be appropriately spaced (6 feet apart) to the maximum extent possible.
Distributing Materials
All persons distributing materials to students must sanitize their hands prior to passing out items.
Students should promptly place items in their backpacks so as to avoid being open and exposed.
Quarantine of Received Materials from Home
When homework, reading logs, or books go home with students, they will need to be quarantined for a period of 72 hours upon their return to school. To appropriately quarantine materials, place items in a sealed bag or plastic container that can be sealed and wait the required amount of time before accessing the items.
Teachers should designate a quarantine location in their classrooms for materials that are brought back to school.
Items should be collected and stored at the beginning of the school day (AM track time for AM students and right at 9:15am for PM track students).
Instruction During Times of Student Quarantine
In keeping with current guidelines form the health department, any student that has been a close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e. being within 6 feet of a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 for fifteen minutes or more) will need to quarantine for a 14-day period of time, not attend school, and not participate in extracurricular activities. At times this may mean that students who are attending school for face-to-face instruction may need to remain at home for a period of time. Details of how classroom instruction will continue during periods of quarantine are outlined in our "COVID-19 Procedures and Protocols" section and can be accessed by clicking here.
Seating at Kivas/Carpets and Working in Collaborative Groups
Students may sit at kivas and class carpet areas so long as reasonable efforts are made to physically distance to the maximum extend possible and if all participants are masked. Similarly, students may spend brief moments of time together engaged in collaborative work with peers so long as all participants are masked and social distancing is observed to the maximum extent possible. In any situation in which students are brought together for a joint learning task, every effort should be made to limit direct participation in such activities to 15 minutes or less.
Specialty Instruction
We will offer our students four specialty class offerings each week, including Computers, Engineering, Library, and a new Wellness Education class.
Library
Mrs. Morley will visit classrooms rather than having students visit the library. The classroom teacher will continue to be present in the classroom with the librarian. All present individuals must wear masks.
Students are encouraged to reserve books through the Alexandria computer system (Mrs. Morley will share instructions on how to do this). She will bring reserved books with her during her class visit. For students that did not reserve books, Mrs. Morley will bring a variety of age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction texts that students can check out.
The check out process will take place in the regular classroom prior to the end of Mrs. Morley's library visit.
Additional check out times will be available in the library on a limited basis with teacher approval. A hall pass will be required for such visits to the library.
All books will be quarantined for 72 hours after being returned to the school.
Computers and Engineering
Our Computer and Engineering teachers will complete some specialty instruction in teachers' regular education classrooms and some instruction in our engineering room and computer lab. Our specialty teachers will create a rotating monthly schedule for all classes that will ensure proper disinfecting can take place in our specialty rooms and with all specialty equipment before use by another class.
Our Computer and Engineering specialty classes provide our teachers' with preparation time, meaning that general education teachers will not be present in the course of specialty instruction.
Wellness Education
Due to restrictions with the lunchroom/gym time availability, our Wellness Education activities will take place both outside and in a regular classroom depending on the nature of the lesson and the activity students will engage in.
Each class is scheduled to attend PE one time every other week.
Students will not be required to wear masks during physical education activities. Masks will be worn during moments of instruction when physical exertion is not taking place.
Individual Education Plans (IEP) and 504 Plans
Students with disabilities who are served with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan will continue to receive services and supports. IEP teams and 504 teams will meet with parents to outline and determine the details of individual plans. Special education is about meeting the needs of the individual student. Our response to each individual student will include various options, in some cases including both online and in-person services as determined by the IEP team. Teams will meet to determine appropriate academic and behavioral support, accommodations and modifications, clarifying where and when specialized instruction warranted through the IEP will take place.
English learners
Students learning English as a new language will continue to receive English language acquisition instructional services and support for both in-person and online instruction. The Student Educational Equity Department team (SEE) will work closely with classroom teachers to ensure they have the resources they need to support students’ language acquisition and content knowledge development. Each school team in collaboration with the SEE team will determine appropriate accommodations and/or modifications to ensure students access the general education requirements and expectations.
Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers will be provided with a PPE safety pack, which includes a mask (if needed), gloves, hand sanitizer, a map of the school, and a copy of health guidelines and protocols.
We anticipate a dramatic increase in need for substitute teachers this year. If you are looking for a way to help us implement this plan successfully, working as a substitute teacher is a great way you can help our school continue operating in the coming weeks and months. Hours are flexible, and with 91 schools in the district and the need for hundreds of substitutes each day, there are plenty of opportunities for you to work as frequently as you’d like. Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking to work your way into a full-time teaching position, a retired teacher interested in getting back into the classroom, or anyone looking to make a positive contribution in the education of our students, we have a place for you! For more information, please visit https://ess.com/alpine/.
Grading and Assessment
Grading
When possible, digital work submissions are encouraged so as to minimize touch-points between students and teachers.
Teachers will continue to monitor and evaluate student learning progress. Progress will be reported using the Alpine School District Standards-based Report Card.
Due to the shortened daily school schedule, we will focus on teaching, assessing, supporting, and grading certain standards that are deemed to be essential.
Students should not grade one another's work if it involves the sharing of paper-based materials. Digital sharing is certainly allowed.
Teachers should take care to not touch their faces while grading student work.
For more information on the Standards-based Report Card, click here.
All assignments and grades will be entered in Skyward, the district's student information management system. For details on how to login to Skyward, click here.
Assessment
Students will participate in the following state, district, and school level assessments this school year:
State-level Assessments
RISE year-end assessments (English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science)
Kindergarten KEEP assessment (literacy and math)
Acadience (Grades K-3) basic reading skills assessment
District-level Assessments
Alpine School District Benchmark Assessment (ELA)
School-level Assessments
Acadience (Grades 4-6) basic reading skills assessment
Social and emotional wellness student and staff surveys
School Meals
Breakfast and lunch will be provided each school day in a “grab and go” format and will include hot lunch menu items that will be updated on the Nutrislice website once menus are finalized. We will utilize our cafeteria at Liberty Hills for all meals. Social distancing will be observed to the maximum extent possible. Specific eating areas for students with food allergies will continue to be designated.
General Protocols
Thanks to a temporary waiver from the USDA, free meals will be available to all students through December 2020 or until the funding is exhausted. There is no need to apply for this benefit, as all students that are a part of the Alpine School District are automatically eligible. As this free meal waiver period will expire in the near future, we recommend that families who think they may qualify for free or reduced meals to complete an application so there is no lapse in meal service when the waiver expires. You can access the application by clicking here.
Free meals are only available to enrolled students and are only at the student’s enrolled site. Meals may be purchased for adults or younger siblings at the full price of $3.85. A la carte options will not be available for purchase while the waiver is in place.
Once the free meal waiver expires, breakfast and lunch meal options will revert back to the district's established meal prices. Meals can be purchased for adults or other non-student persons at the full adult price of $3.85.
Note: Free and reduced lunch applications for online learners can still be submitted. To access the online free and reduced lunch application, click here.
Our school meal menus can be accessed by visiting https://alpineschools.nutrislice.com/menu/liberty-hills
Money can be added to your child's meal account through MyPayments Plus
Breakfast
Physical distancing will be observed in the cafeteria as outlined in our cafeteria setup up map. No more than 4 students should sit at a table so as to maintain appropriate distancing between students. Siblings are welcome to sit next to one another, but students should not sit directly next to friends.
Students should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before entering the cafeteria.
Students will keep their masks on while picking up their food items. It can be removed while students eat. Students will be responsible to keep track of their own masks.
Upon finishing breakfast, students should throw away all trash items and proceed directly to the playground through the southeast doors (located near Engineering and the sixth grade classrooms).
Lunch
All students will wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before entering the cafeteria.
Lunch will take place by grade level, with only one (1) grade level eating at a time.
Students will have 15 minutes to eat before they are excused to recess.
Physical distancing will be observed in the cafeteria as outlined in our cafeteria setup up map. Tables will be organized by shape and color, and each student will be assigned to a particular shape and color table so that we can facilitate contact tracing in the event that a student is COVID-19 positive. Under the direction and timing of the teacher, table assignments may periodically change to give students the opportunity to sit with other individuals.
Sharing of food items is not allowed.
All table and serving area surfaces will be sanitized between each grade level lunch period.
Home lunch students and school lunch students that have received their lunch should wait against the walls of the gym until sanitizing is complete. They will be instructed when they are allowed to sit down at the tables.
We will continue to maintain "Allergy Aware" tables for students with severe food allergies.
At the end of the lunch period, students should throw trash items away in the nearest trash can located to their table area and immediately exit the gym through the nearest door. These doors will be propped open to minimize contact, as well as the exterior doors to the playground.
Grades 1-6
School Lunch
School lunches will be served to students in a continuous flow. The moment students are done with hand washing, they will be permitted to go through the school lunch line to pick up their food items.
Students need to be in alphabetical order when entering the kitchen to pick up their food items.
The first student of every class is responsible for telling the nutritional services technician at the computer the name of their teacher.
Home Lunch
We strongly encourage our home lunch students to bring lunches that are packaged in bags and materials that are completely disposable so that everything can be thrown away at the end of the lunch period (i.e. brown paper bags). Lunches should remain in the child's backpack until it is time for lunch, at which time it can be removed and carried by the student to the lunchroom. Lunches should not be placed in the lunch wagon. However, class lunch wagons will be brought to the hallway area outside the lunchroom for after-lunch use as described below.
If a reusable lunchbox is used, it will need to remain in the child's backpack up until lunch time. The child will carry it on their person to the lunchroom. Following lunch, the lunchbox will be placed in a wagon specifically assigned to the child's teacher. Each teacher's wagon will be lined with a large plastic bag to minimize points of contact between lunchboxes and the wagon. However, be aware that any lunchbox or water bottle placed in the wagon will be in direct contact with other lunchboxes and water bottles. If a family would prefer to minimize possible contact between their child's lunchbox and other lunchboxes, please send your child with a plastic grocery bag (like the kind used at Walmart or Target) in which your child's lunchbox can be placed before it is put inside the class lunch wagon. At the end of the student's school day, the lunchbox will be brought home.
Kindergarten Students
Kindergarten students are welcome to receive a school lunch, but due to scheduling conflicts with our 1-6 students, Kindergarten students will need to eat the meal off-site.
AM Kindergarten Students: Students wanting a school lunch will receive it at the end of the school day and bring it home to eat.
PM Kindergarten Students: Students wanting a school lunch may pick one up at the school between 10:00-10:30am. The lunch will need to be eaten at home before the start of our PM session of Kindergarten at 12:15pm.
Recess
1-6 grade students will have one recess period in the course of the shortened school day. Kindergarten and preschool recess periods will be determined on a class-by-class basis.
During Recess
Recess will take place by grade level immediately following lunch, with only one (1) grade level playing at a time.
Masks do not need to be worn while outside, though students should make every effort to maintain physical distancing with peers. Games and play that involve close proximity or contact should be avoided.
Students are able to use slides, balls, swings, and other play equipment. Play equipment will not be sanitized, but will be cleaned as needed in keeping with existing cleanliness procedures. Students are welcome to bring their own simple play equipment from home (i.e. balls, jump ropes, etc.). These items should be stored in a child's backpack up until lunch, carried by the student to the lunchroom and held next to their person in the lunchroom, and then brought outside. After play, the equipment items should be immediately placed in the child's backpack.
The central set of bathrooms will continue to be used for restroom use during recess time. Students may not enter the school in groups for restroom use.
After Recess
Upon re-entering the school, students will sanitize or wash their hands.
Procedures for Inclement Weather and Poor Air Quality
In the event of inclement weather and poor air quality, students will walk the hallways of the school. Efforts should be made to maintain physical distancing with peers while walking.
Students will retrieve their masks prior to walking in the hallways.
Additional Considerations
Student Comportment
We continue to ask that our students hold to our Husky High 5 behavioral expectations. Now more than ever we need to be an understanding and respectful school community so that we can make the best of our learning experiences in these challenging and uncertain times.
Our traditional "Behavior Boot Camp" will be held first two weeks of school to reinforce behavioral expectations and procedures in areas through the school. Added to our explanations this year will be the specific COVID-19 implications and procedures outlined in this plan.
Water Bottles and Drinking Fountains
We strongly encourage students to utilize personal water bottles for drinking during the day. There are touchless water bottle refill stations throughout the school (our refill stations are located at the intersection of our second grade and Kindergarten classrooms, near the gym entrance by the faculty lounge, and inside the gymnasium near the kitchen doors). We feel this is the most sanitary way to get a drink and minimize a student's points-of-contact. If a sink is used to fill a water bottle, a designated adult must be the one to turn on the faucet or push the button in order to follow health and safety guidelines. Water bottles should be washed regularly and have a top that can be securely fastened.
Contrary to the practice in some locations of closing drinking fountains, the drinking fountains in Alpine School District schools will not be closed and can continue to be used for drinking purposes. Families should be aware, though, that shared drinking fountains serve as a point-of-contact between multiple individuals, which is an increased health risk factor. It is important, though, that students without a water bottle are able to access to drinking water throughout the school day. Drinking fountains will be sanitized regularly so as to mitigate their associated risk factors.
When water fountains are used by students, it is suggested that an adult supervise their usage. For this reason, teachers are encouraged to have students use classroom water fountains rather than hallway fountains as there can be more direct monitoring by an adult.
Snacks
Classes with a later lunch time are allowed to offer an optional morning snack. It does not need to be individually wrapped (i.e. pretzels from one big bag) so long as the teacher portions out the food items.
The teacher must be the only one to serve the food item. The teacher and students must all wash hands or sanitize prior to the snack being consumed. Snacks must be served in disposable cups or containers that can be thrown away after finishing the snack. Because masks will be removed to eat, a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing must be maintained between students (if need be, students may need to rotate through an area of the room designated for snack eating that allows for appropriate social distancing and sanitization). When weather permits, snacks can be distributed and eaten outside before 11:00am.
Walking in Hallways
As with driving, individuals walking in hallways should always remain on the right side. Floor signage will remind students about this direction of travel.
Individuals should take extra care to ensure they maintain appropriate physical distancing. Floor markers will serve as a visible reminder to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing.
Hall Passes
Students will not be allowed to be in the hallways without the express permission of their teacher. This ensures that teachers maintain an awareness of their students' needs at all times.
A uniform disposable paper hall pass will be used to ensure that all students can be in the hallways to go to the office, library, or another classroom. These passes will have common needs listed as pre-filled checkboxes to make it easier to fill out.
A hall pass will not be needed to utilize the bathroom. Each teacher will still need to give each child permission to use the bathroom and should have an in-class system for ensuring that no more than one boy or one girl uses the bathroom at the same time.
Emergency Drills
Monthly emergency drills will take place as outlined in our school emergency procedures. Masks will be worn when students exit the building and teachers will ensure classes are sufficiently distanced from one another in our evacuation areas.
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Vision and hearing screenings will be completed student-by-student and will not take place in a mass screening format.
Special Events and Extracurricular Activities
Weekly Kickoff Assemblies
As we opened Liberty Hills exactly one year ago, we started a tradition of beginning each week with a schoolwide Kickoff Assembly. All students, teachers, and staff members gather in the gymnasium for a school spirit-filled start to the week, birthday celebrations, announcements, and role plays. These weekly gatherings help us kickstart the week and feel united as a school.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to hold face-to-face Kickoff Assemblies. However, the tradition of our Kickoff Assemblies will continue, albeit in an online form. We will live stream weekly Kickoff Assemblies using Google Meet, and teachers will be able to present the stream in their classrooms using their digital projectors. Though apart, we can stay connected and united as a school.
Kickoff assemblies will begin at 9:30am on Monday mornings. The content of these virtual assemblies will be adjusted so that the assembly lasts no longer than 15 minutes.
The Google Meet link for each live stream session will only be accessible by Liberty Hills employees. This restriction is a safeguard to avoid public access of the link and the possibility of inappropriate content or langauge from unintended participants. However, as we want our online learners to stay connected with the school and the content of our Kickoff Assemblies, we will record each assembly and share a link to each uploaded recording with our online learners.
Birthdays
Birthday treats: Treats should be commercially packaged AND individually wrapped. They will be distributed at the end of class (Kindergarten) or before lunch (grades 1-6) and consumed during lunch or after school. Simple non-edibles (i.e. stickers, pencils) are allowed.
Birthday lunches: Some parents/guardians have a tradition of eating lunch with their children on their birthday. Due to our need to maintain physical distancing in the lunchroom, we are unable to accommodate guests in the cafeteria. Parents are certainly welcome to check their children out from school and eat lunch off site if desired.
Class Parties
Under the direction of the district, traditional class parties will not be held this year, as the activities and snacking associated with traditional parties are not in keeping with current health guidelines. If a modified class party is held inside, masks will need to be worn and 6 feet of physical distancing will need to be maintained to the maximum extent possible. If a snack is included as part of the modified party procedures, social distancing will need to be maintained as outlined in our "Snacks" procedure in the above Additional Considerations section.
Under the direction of the district, only one (1) parent volunteer is allowed per classroom to assist with a modified class party. Volunteers assisting with a class party will need to follow all procedures as outlined in the following Visitors and Volunteers section.
Field Trips
In light of our present circumstances, off-site field trips will not take place. Classes are encouraged to connect students with virtual learning experiences or outreach programs. We will continue to monitor health guidelines to know when traditional fields trips might resume and under what circumstances.
Clear Creek: The decision has been made that Clear Creek will not be available to attend until the state moves to the “Green” status. As many portions of the state are still under "yellow" status, is is likely that we will not be able to provide our students with a Clear Creek opportunity this year.
Book Fair
A virtual book fair will be held this year. Parents will be able to view titles online and order books directly over the Internet. Titles will be shipped directly to patrons' homes. A portion of the Book Fair proceeds will be given to our librarian for the procurement of more library books.
Special Events
Traditional school-wide events will not take place in a traditional manner if restrictions continue to be in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as we must avoid events that would bring many people into the school and strain already difficult efforts to appropriately maintain physical distancing.
We will evaluate school events as they come on a case-by-case basis in the course of the school year and determine if and how there is a way to modify these events in keeping with health guidelines and restrictions. This also applies to grade-level specific events, such as wax museums, Egyptian funerals, invention conventions, etc., as well as PTA sponsored events.
Halloween Festivities and Parade
Students are welcome to dress in Halloween costumes on the day of Halloween. Under the direction of the district, there will not be a traditional Halloween parade this year (a traditional parade is one in which parents visit the school and students parade through all the classrooms within the school). We are looking to options that may replace a traditional parade while still allowing students to showcase their costumes. Halloween parties, when held, will follow the guidelines in the above "Class Parties" section.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences (also referred to as Student Education Plan (SEP) Conferences in the Alpine School District) are held twice a year (October 7-8 and February 3-4).
Virtual conferences will be held for all students, both face-to-face and online students, so as to mitigate certain risk factors that would be present if we were to hold in person conferences.
More information will be sent on this information as we approach our first conference window in October.
Clubs and Extracurricular Activities (Sponsored by the PTA)
Will clubs and extracurricular events take place?
Being involved in a club or activity can be a great way for a student to feel connected at school, and even in the midst of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have the option of making after-school clubs and activities available to students. The decision to do so, however, must be carefully thought out so that risks inherent to the operation of a club or other activity are mitigated through careful planning and protocols.
At this point in time, there are a few activities that the school administration and PTA will be putting on hold due to the associated risks inherent with such activities, and it is our intent to not expose our students to these risk factors. These on-hold events include our school play, choir, arts night, talent show, and lego club (as traditionally held).
The constraints we face with COVID-19 provide us with opportunities to think about some of our traditional events differently and in a new light. Thanks to the continued support of our PTA, students will be able to participate in a virtual Reflections arts program. Our PTA is also planing to hold our annual Read-a-thon and Battle of the Books in formats that will hold to health and safety parameters. A virtual Lego Club is also being considered.
Who can participate in any available extracurricular events?
School clubs and extracurricular events are open to all Liberty Hills students, both online and in person learners. Please note that students who were exposed to COVID-19 may not attend after school clubs or other extra curricular activities, even if they test negative for COVID-19. According to standard quarantine practices, anytime someone has a close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e. being within 6 feet of a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 for fifteen minutes or more), that person should spend their entire 14-day quarantine period at home, not attend school, and not participate in extracurricular activities.
The PTA is also considering online club options that face-to-face and online learners could participate in together.
If needed, club enrollment will be limited at times so as to maintain appropriate social distancing among club participants.
In an effort to limit nonessential visitors and volunteers to the school campus, clubs directors may not bring unexpected volunteers, spouses, or other children with them to the club.
All club participants and volunteers must wear a face covering or mask when inside the building.
Club leaders must report to the office upon arriving at the school, where they will sign-in and receive a temperature check.
Club leaders must maintain a seating chart at all times so that students can be identified if contact tracing if necessary in the event of a possible COVID-19 exposure.
Visitors and Volunteers
Visitors and Guests
As we seek to mitigate risk factors that are associated with the spread of COVID-19, it is essential that we adhere to specific guidelines concerning guests and visitors in the school. Every person that comes into the school is a point-of-contact. The recommendation we have received from the state is to limit the points-of-contact within a building to only those persons that are critical for normal school operations. This would include our students, teachers, other school employees, and volunteers that are performing a key service or function within the school. At this point in time we are restricting school admittance to individuals that fall under these critical personnel categories.
Parents and guardians, please take note of the following changes, which have been made in an effort to hold to the health guidelines we have received:
At the start of the school year, parents will be permitted to walk children to the playground and to classrooms. However, under our normal year operations, parents will not be allowed to walk students to their classes or frequent our playgrounds.
If parents have an item to bring to a child (i.e. lunch, homework, water bottle, etc.), they should bring the item to the office and a school employee will deliver the item to the student.
At this point in time we are not facilitating parent/guardian guest attendance in our cafeteria.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to a time when we can return to our usual operations.
Frequenting the Office Area
The majority of our visitors will simply be stopping by the office to drop off a student or needed items or to pick up a child. Even though these visits are brief, we still ask that all visitors frequenting the office area adhere to the following health and safety protocols:
Do not enter the school if you are displaying any symptom(s) associated with COVID-19, if you have had contact with someone who has COVID-19, or if you are under a 14-day quarantine for possible COVID-19 exposure.
All visitors should sanitize their hands upon entering the school.
All persons entering the school building must wear a mask. Only those individuals wearing a mask will be admitted into the office area. Note: in the check-out process, it may be necessary for a visitor to briefly lower one's mask in order for our secretaries to make a positive identification of a person seeking to check out a student from school.
If a parent/guardian coming to check out a student has forgotten to wear a mask, he/she will be kindly invited to return to their vehicle and we will walk the child out to them.
All persons entering the school should observe 6 feet of physical distancing with other patrons or school personnel.
We will limit the number of persons in our office area to 10 persons at a given time (including school personnel) so as to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing. If we are already at capacity, some individuals may be asked to wait in the vestibule area until we are safely able to admit others into the office area.
Visitors must remain in the office area only. When needed, school personnel will direct visitors where to go for scheduled meetings.
Attendance for Required Meetings
We recognize that parents will have occasion to visit the school for required meetings, such as the review of a child's IEP or 504 plan, therapy services for preschool students, discussions with a teacher about a child's learning progress, or the completion of student assessments. We are happy to welcome visitors for these purposes. In addition to the above measures for frequenting the office area, additional health measures will be in place for guests that will be visiting the school for required meetings; we thank you for your adherence to these protocols:
All meetings with school personnel must be scheduled ahead of time. If a patron desires to meet with a teacher but the meeting is not schedule, the patron will be asked to contact the teacher to first make an appointment.
All visitors admitted into the school for a meeting will be required to have a COVID-19 symptoms check. These individuals will be questioned if they have displayed any symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the last 48 hours, if they have been around someone who has COVID-19, or if they have recently travel out of state or out of the country. If the answer is yes to any of these questions, individuals will be asked to reschedule their meeting at a future time or to complete the meeting virtually.
We request that families do everything possible to limit the presence of small children. We acknowledge, however, that such arrangements may not be possible. In such cases, ensure your child's hands are sanitized and please watch your child to ensure that he/she remains next to you at all times. Please note that our usual school provided toys will not be available as a diversion during IEP meetings, so you will want to plan accordingly.
Visitors should leave the school promptly when their visit is complete.
Checkout Procedures
When checking out a child from school, parents must complete our check-out form. There are two ways to do this:
Parents can use one of our provided Chromebook computers. These devices will be sanitized regularly.
Parents can access our checkout form using a shortened URL or QR code available in the front office and complete the form on their smartphone.
Our secretaries will confirm that the checkout form was submitted successfully.
Volunteers
We're grateful to volunteers that help us in our work to support student learning. In light of our present circumstances, we also need to minimize persons within a building to those that are essential to daily operations. In addition to the above measures for frequenting the office area, additional health measures will be in place for guests that will be volunteering in the school:
All volunteer work must be scheduled in advance.
Volunteers are not allowed to bring younger or older children with them so as to limit the number of non-essential personnel that are in the building.
All volunteers admitted into the school for volunteer work are required to have a COVID-19 symptoms check. These individuals will also be asked if they have displayed any symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the last 48 hours, if they have been around someone who has COVID-19, or if they have recently travel out of state or out of the country. If the answer is yes to any of these questions, individuals will be asked to reschedule their volunteer work at a future time.
There are two types of volunteerism that can take place in the school. Specific procedures for each volunteering format at outlined below:
Pull Out Volunteerism: Pull out volunteerism occurs when a volunteer works with students out in the hallway or in a tutoring room and meets with children one-on-one or in a small group setting. This is the preferred method of volunteering this year as it minimizes the points of contact that students have with outside individuals from the school. To facilitate contact tracing, volunteers must keep a log of the students they meet with during the course of their volunteer work and the locations in the building that they frequented (a contact log will be provided to all volunteers).
Push In Volunteerism: Push in volunteerism are supports in the class in which the volunteer works in the classroom along side the teacher. Obviously, this type of volunteerism can make it more difficult to contact trace, as the volunteer would need to recall those students that he/she was with for 15 minutes or more and within a 6 feet radius. If contact tracing is needed for a volunteer that worked with an entire class, teachers provide needed class lists and will help with the contact tracing effort.
All volunteers should return to the office when their volunteer work is complete. If they worked as pull out volunteers, the data from their volunteer log will be submitted as they check out using online volunteer check-out form. Volunteers should promptly leave the building after completing the online checkout process.
We recognize that parents and other community members may have a strong desire to volunteer in the school, but may feel anxious at the thought of impacting the students and school operations in the event they should contract COVID-19. We recognize these worries and are fully understanding if anyone would prefer to not volunteer in the school at this time. Those who wish to volunteer but feel anxious at the thought of coming into the school are welcome to contact their child's teacher directly to see if there are other ways they can provide volunteer support from home.
Attendance at PTA and School Community Council (SCC) Meetings
The PTA and SCC are valued organizations that give much to the school and help our students have successful and enriching learning experiences. In the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic, school are encouraged to minimize the number of persons in the building who are not employees or students. In keeping with this request, PTA and SCC meetings will take place virtually over Google Meet or Zoom sessions. Details of these meeting sessions throughout the year will be provided by each respective organization.
Do you still have questions? Post your questions using the form below it it can be added to our Q&A page.