https://epschoolsri.org/news/

RETURN TO LEARN PLAN

East Providence Public Schools

2021-2022

Message to the Community:

Welcome back! We are excited to have all students back in school all day, everyday. In the pages ahead we have outlined the East Providence School Department’s plan for reopening schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Prioritizing health and safety and student learning is and always has been the main objective of the plan over the last two years. The plan took into account guidelines provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. We are confident we have a safe and thoughtful plan that has taken into account the needs of our students, staff and community. We will continue to monitor guidance and make changes as appropriate. All students will be back in school in person to start the 2021-2022 school year.

Core Beliefs:

• HEALTH AND SAFETY: All decisions will be made with the health and safety of students and staff first and foremost.

• EQUITY: All students will get what they need to be successful.

• COLLABORATION: Systems in place for all stakeholder groups to have a voice in the decision making process.

• INNOVATION: Being able to eliminate traditional barriers and implement solutions that are student centered.

• RESILIENCE: Keeping a growth mindset in order to support the successful return of all students and staff.

Return Scenarios:

East Providence School Department has carefully examined our ability to open schools safely. Pre-K-5 will be able to maintain stable groups throughout the day to the extent possible. We will also ensure that stable groups remain 6 feet apart throughout the day. Middle and High school will operate on a regular schedule while maintaining 3 feet of distance from each other as much as possible in classrooms.

Full in Person Return

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

MONDAY-FRIDAY:

All students in school in secure groups of 30 (including adults).

*School hours: 8:40 am- 3:00 pm

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

MONDAY-FRIDAY

All students in school in person

*School hours: 7:45 am-2:15pm

HIGH SCHOOL

MONDAY - FRIDAY

All students in person

*School hours: 7:25 am-1:45 pm

Wednesday 7:25-12:30

Distance Learning Alternate Option:

There will be no distance learning option this year. Quarantined students will have access to work posted on Google Classroom. If an entire class is quarantined, learning will be synchronous.

Health & Safety:

Face Coverings:

• Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors in all school buildings.

• Masks should be cleaned on a regular basis.

• District Mask Policy: EPSD-Mask-Policy-2021-PendingApproval.pdf

• Executive Order: Face Mask Executive Order

Vaccinations:

• It is strongly recommended that all staff and students 12 and older be vaccinated.

• Vaccinated individuals will not need to quarantine in the case of exposure.

• Proof of student vaccination can be submitted to the school nurse.

• School Clinics Details below:

• East Providence High School (new venue, please remember to update staff’s access)

  • Location: East Providence HS

  • Date/time: 9/13/21, 5 to 8PM

  • Max capacity: 108

  • Registration link: https://www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/6012059569 (QR Code attached)

• Martin Middle School

  • Location: Martin Middle School

  • Date/Time: 9/15/21, 5 to 8PM

  • Max capacity: 108

  • Registration link: https://www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/9515296001 (QR Code attached)

• Riverside Middle School

  • Location: Riverside Middle School

  • Date/time: 9/17/21, 5 to 8PM

  • Max capacity: 108

  • Registration link: https://www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/2659505109 (QR Code attached)

Quarantining:

• Students and staff that are exposed to a positive covid case will be required to quarantine based on RIDOH guidance.

• Unvaccinated students/staff will quarantine for seven days if exposed to a positive Covid case.

Dining in all schools:

HIGH SCHOOL

Dining in the cafeteria. It is recommended students sit with the same group of students to the extent possible.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dining in the cafeteria. Students will be assigned a table.

ELEMENTARY

Students will eat in classrooms in order to maintain distance between pods.

Classroom Layout/Spacing:

• Assign classrooms in ways that minimize distance and traffic.

• Maintain 3 ft distance whenever possible.

• Assigned seating in each classroom.

• Seating charts will be kept up to date at all times.

• Students can move between classrooms, consistent traffic patterns should be established.

• School staff will travel between groups.

Recess Procedure:

• Stable groups remain consistent during recess/outdoor play.

• Hand washing/sanitizing is to be done before and after each outdoor play period.

• If more than one stable group is outdoors, 6 feet must be maintained between groups and the total number of people outdoors may not exceed the State maximum group size.

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Community and Family Events:

• In person community events will resume to the extent possible. It is required that all individuals wear a mask in school buildings.

Visitors:

• Visitors to the building will be allowed at principal discretion. All visitors must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.

Response to ill students:

Any students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 before the school day begins should stay home. If a student develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school, the child should be taken to the school nurse and the isolation room immediately. Each school will have a designated isolation area. Parents/guardians should be notified to pick up the student within the hour. Parents/guardians should seek medical advice for the student within 48 hours and schedule a COVID-19 test as needed. If the test result is positive, individuals must complete a period of isolation as directed by RIDOH.

Symptomatic students will not be permitted to return to school until documentation from a medical provider indicates testing was negative and there are no other restrictions, there is no evidence of illness restricting attendance, or it is documented that the individual is no longer contagious. EPSD will implement the COVID-19 quarantine procedures as outlined by the RIDOH.

Daily Covid Screening:

All parents will be required to complete a self-attestation form quarterly. By signing the form parents agree to screen their child for symptoms daily and keep them home if they present with any symptoms. The form will be accessible online. No students should enter the building if they are ill.

Faculty and staff will complete a Google form quarterly. The form is mandatory for all staff. By submitting the form you agree to screen for symptoms daily and not report to work if symptoms present. No faculty or staff should enter the building if they are ill.

Hygiene:

• Hand washing opportunities will be provided for students at regular intervals

• Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms

• Desks will be wiped down if the group of students in a classroom changes

• A regular cleaning schedule will be implemented and monitored in each building

• Signs regarding health and safety will be posted throughout the building

• Training on health and safety issues will be provided to all students and staff

Teaching and Learning:

Instruction:

• Teachers will maintain a Google Classroom site. If a student is quarantined, work will be available to them in Google Classroom. If an entire classroom is quarantined, live instruction will take place.

• Students will participate in a beginning, middle and end of year assessment using i-Ready to establish a baseline and assess progress. A variety of formative and summative assessments will be used throughout the year.

• Small group intervention and inclusion will take place.

Communication:

• Regular communication with parents regarding both health and safety and academics will occur

• Multiple ways of communicating with families will be encouraged

Social Emotional Supports:

Focus on student and staff social emotional needs:

• Focus on:

  • Establishing relationships with students

  • Establishing rituals and routines

  • Establishing relationships with parents

  • Completing daily check-ins

  • Reentry survey and a wellness screener

  • Embedding social emotional/wellness lessons into curriculum

  • SEL screener

  • Additional Social Worker support

Operations:

Busing:

• At this time buses will be allowed to operate at full capacity. Windows will need to remain open, masks are to be worn at all times (excluding students with health related issues), and hand sanitizer will be given. Buses will be wiped down after each run with full sanitizing at the end of each day.

• Students will remain in stable pods. This will allow for seating charts and attendance to be enforced.

• Appeals will not be approved at the beginning of the school year. However, we will monitor the bus capacity daily, and allow it if at all possible, as soon as possible. Parents/guardians will need to provide alternate modes of transportation to get their students to and from school, if they are not eligible for transportation. Please review mileage restrictions on the district web page under Family Information > Transportation.

Technology:

• All students will have a device that is taken home on a daily basis

• Students must bring their device to school in provided sleeve and fully charged

• District software will be maximized to support instruction

This plan continues to be a work in progress and is subject to revisions and changes as needed. District and school officials continue to monitor the latest research and guidance from the Center for Disease Control, the Rhode island Department of Health, the Rhode Island Department of Education and a variety of other sources.

Updated: August 20, 2021 The following link will bring you to this "live" document that is subject to change: https://epschoolsri.org/news/

New this year:

Parent/Guardian will be required to screen their child every morning for COVID symptoms and complete a quarterly attestation. DAILY skyward reporting is no longer required.

Students with any ONE COVID symptom must be kept home/will be sent home and require a negative PCR test prior to returning to in person learning. (K-12 testing: 1-844-857-1814)

HEALTHY BACKPACKING:

Please pack your child an extra clean face mask in a ziplock bag in the event your child soils their face mask during the school day.

Please pack your child a water bottle each day. Hydration is key to feeling well.

HEALTHY HABITS COUNT

EAT, SLEEP and PLAY well.

Talk to your child every day.

STAY INFORMED

Health guidelines may change at any time. Please remain attentive to all school communications.

REACH OUT at ANY TIME!: Nurse Maria 383-0908 or 435-7836 or mfazioli@epschoolsri.com or via Dojo (Nurse Maria)

Happy Birthday to Our Amazing School Community Members!

September Birthdays

Prudence McVeigh (9/1)

Guilherme Falci (9/2)

Zachariah Weigner (9/2)

Robert Calheta, Jr. (9/3)

Moromolaoluwa Olubode (9/8)

Lara Buscaglia (9/9)

Nathaniel Diaz (9/9)

Ethan Morimoto-Todorov (9/11)

Josh'Lynn Perry (9/13)

Kaydence Whalen (9/17)

Abdullah Karadag (9/21)

Preston icholas (9/21)

Andre Britto (9/24)

Archie Diaz (9/24)

Eli Hernandez (9/24)

Averley Whalen (9/24)

William Andrade (9/26)

Sophia Resende (9/29)

Adela Rudolph (9/30)

Ms. Grilo (9/5)

Mrs. Victoria (9/5)

Ms. Lardner (9/10)

Mrs. Kiendra (9/11)

Mrs. McAloon (9/14)

Mrs. Simmons (9/18)