Communication/Family and Community Engagement

To help inform our reopening plan, the District sought feedback and input from stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents/guardians of students, local health department officials and health care providers, employee unions and community groups. Engagement efforts included online surveys, committee meetings and one-on-one conversations. In total, more than 180 community stakeholders participated in ten reopening subcommittees. These stakeholders represented all levels and all five of our school buildings, every department, and every curricular area. Over 2,000 parents responded to the District reopening survey.

The District remains committed to communicating all elements of this reopening plan to students, parents and guardians, staff and visitors. The plan is available to all stakeholders via the District website at https://sites.google.com/hauppauge.k12.ny.us/reopening and will be updated throughout the school year, as necessary, to respond to local circumstances. The link to the plan appears on the website homepage and is available on the District's school reopening website. Every effort has been made to ensure that the plan is accessible to all individuals in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level A/AA. The plan can also be translated into other languages on the reopening website.

As part of its planning for the reopening of schools and the new academic year, the District has developed a plan for communicating all necessary information to District staff, students, parents/guardians, visitors, education partners and vendors. The District will use its existing communication channels, including electronic, hard-copy print, and live/recorded messaging. In addition to all communication modalities referenced, the District will use appropriate signage and training opportunities to support the dissemination of consistent messaging regarding new protocols and procedures, expectations, requirements and options related to school operations throughout the pandemic.

The District is committed to establishing and maintaining regular channels of communication and has reviewed and determined which methods have proven to be the most effective in communications with our school community. The District will communicate regularly with students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff regarding news, requirements and updates related to reopening and in-person instruction, including social distancing requirements, proper wearing of face coverings and proper hand and respiratory hygiene. More specifically, the District will communicate using its student management system, Infinite Campus. Through Infinite Campus, the District can send phone, email, inbox, and text messages to all registered users (over 6,000 parents/guardians). The District will also employ the use of its website and social media accounts (over 3,000 Facebook followers) and electronic sign (located at a prominent intersection in the District) to disseminate information. The District, and its individual schools, will utilize recorded video messages to communicate detailed information in a manner that is digestible to all stakeholders (for example, High School Principal’s YouTube Channel). The District will also utilize Google Classroom to communicate with students. In addition to specific course Google Classrooms, each building has a Classroom that was used successfully to communicate with students during the school closure of the 2019-20 school year. The District publication, Horizons, will also be utilized to communicate important information regarding protocols and procedures. Horizons is published weekly in electronic format and in paper once per quarter. The information that we will share will be based on state guidance and recommendations of the CDC, NYSDOH, Suffolk County DOH, and NYSED, in addition to District reopening committees.

In support of remote learning, the District will make computer devices available to students and teachers. The District has purchased enough devices so that every student and teacher will have a school-issued device in the 2020-21 school year. The District will provide students and their families with multiple ways to contact schools and teachers during remote learning, including email and phone, as well as communication through the Google Suite of Tools (Google Meet, Google Classroom, etc).

The District will use existing internal and external communications channels to notify staff, students and families/caregivers about in-person, remote and hybrid school schedules with as much advance notice as possible. Information about in-person, remote, and hybrid school schedules will be provided to staff, students, and parents/guardians through the student management system, Infinite Campus. Information will be sent via email, text message, phone call, and parent portal inbox message. Student schedules will be viewable on the Infinite Campus parent portal. This information will be shared on its typical timeline in the week prior to school starting.

The District will follow its existing engagement and communication protocols with parents regarding the provision of special education services for their child. The Director and Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services, as well as all special education teachers and providers, will work to ensure parents/guardians of students with disabilities receive meaningful engagement in their preferred language.

In addition, the District will make every effort to ensure that communication to parents/legal guardians is in their preferred language and mode of communication. The Director of World Languages, Instructional Technology, and ENL, as well as all ENL teachers and providers, will work to ensure parents/guardians of students who are considered English language learners receive meaningful engagement in their preferred language.

The District is committed to ensuring that all of its students and their families are taught and re-taught new expectations related to all public health policies and protocols. As part of this continuous training, the District will assess the best approach to communicating the information for each students’ age group and will provide frequent opportunities for students to review these policies and protocols. This targeted education will help ensure that all students and their families know what is expected of them as they successfully return to the school setting. Staff members will receive training in the topics below through the Global Compliance Network (GCN). These trainings and direct student instruction will cover hand hygiene, face coverings, social distancing, respiratory hygiene and symptom identification.

Hand Hygiene

All students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be educated regarding hand hygiene protocols. Time and supplies for regular hand-washing will be built into all in-person school days. In addition, hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all rooms throughout the District. Education and training will be provided surrounding hand hygiene, for example, the CDC’s Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign and materials.

Face Coverings

All students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be educated regarding proper face coverings, how to safely wear and remove face coverings, and determining when face coverings are required. Information, like the CDC’s How to Wear and Remove Face Coverings, will be disseminated. Specific instruction will be provided pertaining to the proper way to wear face coverings, washing hands before putting on and after removing face coverings, and the proper way to discard disposable face coverings. Students, staff, and visitors will be expected to wear face coverings indoors and outside, including while riding on school buses, at any time six-foot social distancing is not possible.

Social Distancing

All students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be educated regarding social distancing. Education about methods of social distancing (for example, staying two arm’s lengths apart, following directional arrows in hallways, adhering to capacity limits in rooms) will be delivered using direct instruction and electronic communication.

Respiratory Hygiene

All students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be educated regarding respiratory hygiene. Students, staff, and visitors will be directed to carry out the following respiratory hygiene procedures:

• Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue.

• Throw away any used tissues immediately.

• If a tissue is not available, sneeze or cough into your elbow.

• Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.

• Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will prevent respiratory droplets from being widely dispersed into the air.

Identifying Symptoms

All students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be educated in identifying the symptoms of the Coronavirus. More specifically, all stakeholders will be educated on the CDC list of Coronavirus symptoms. Additionally, all students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be required to report Coronavirus symptoms. All stakeholders will be informed and reminded that the onset of any symptoms must be reported to the school nurse in the respective school building. Health questionnaires and temperature checks will be required. Parents/guardians will be informed and reminded of these requirements through phone call, email, and text message.

The District will create and deploy signage throughout the District to address public health protections surrounding COVID-19. Signage will address protocols and recommendations in the following areas:

• Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Acceptable face coverings and requirements related to their wear

• Hand washing

• Adherence to social distancing instructions

• Symptoms/prevention of COVID-19

In addition to signage, the District will encourage all students, faculty, staff and visitors through verbal and written communication to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH guidance regarding the use of PPE through additional means such as targeted and regular reminders sent via verbal announcements in schools for students and phone, email and text message reminders for parents/guardians.

The District is committed to creating a learning environment that protects student and staff health, safety and privacy. Our District will operate under a standard procedure for addressing situations in which an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 or appears symptomatic. These procedures are outlined in the Health and Safety section of our reopening plan.

In the event that a student or staff member is sick or symptomatic, notification to exposed individuals will occur pursuant to the state’s contact tracing protocols as implemented by the local health department. The District will not notify the wider community unless specifically directed to do so by local health officials. Information about the protocols and safety measures regarding containment, as well as notification, will be shared with the community and all stakeholders through this plan and on the District website.

School Closures

The District is preparing for situations in which one or more school buildings need to close due to a significant number of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 or a considerable regional increase in COVID-19 cases.

The District will collaborate with the Suffolk County DOH and the District physician to assess early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level. The District will monitor the Suffolk County COVID-19 infection rate, student, faculty, and staff reports of infection and/or symptoms, and daily attendance to make decisions regarding potential school closure. The District may choose to modify operations in one or more schools prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. The District will consult the Suffolk County DOH and the District physician when making such decisions.

School building administrators will communicate with each other regularly and, if needed, will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. Whenever possible, school closures will be limited to the affected school building(s). In the event that a school closure is necessary, instruction and related services will be delivered remotely according to the District plan.

If necessary, orderly closure of any school building(s) will be accomplished through coordinated efforts amongst key personnel and effective communication. Students, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians will be informed using electronic communication (recorded message, email, and text message) to ensure timely delivery of information.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The health and safety of our students, staff and families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

The following protocols and procedures will be in place in all District school buildings for the 2020-21 school year. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact our COVID-19 safety coordinator at tasmanj@hauppauge.k12.ny.us or 631-761-8218.

For more information about how health and safety protocols and trainings will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the HPS Reopening Website at https://sites.google.com/hauppauge.k12.ny.us/hps-opening-website.

Health Checks

The District has compiled resources to educate parents/guardians and staff members regarding the careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school. Any student or staff member with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection may not come to school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics list of Coronavirus symptoms were used to develop these protocols. American Academy of Pediatrics

The Hauppauge UFSD will utilize a two-step daily health screening (detailed below).

Step 1: Daily Temperature Screening

All students, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors will be required to screen their body temperatures daily by using the Safe Check Temperature Sensor located at the designated building entrances. Face coverings and social distancing will be required while waiting for and passing through the temperature sensor. The following entry protocols will be followed:

Each person will scan their arm using the Safe Check Temperature Sensor immediately upon arriving at the building. After reading the results, the appropriate action outlined below must be followed:

• Below limit of 100.0F - permitted to enter the building

• Over limit of 100.0F or higher - not permitted to enter building; wait in the designated area for fifteen-minutes and rescan

• Second reading below limit of 100.0F - permitted to enter the building

• Second reading over limit of 100.0F - not permitted to enter building; staff members must notify supervisor by phone and contact the Personnel office at (631) 761-8218

Per NYSDOH, schools are prohibited from keeping records of student, faculty, staff, and visitor health data (e.g., the specific temperature data of an individual), but are permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening (e.g., pass/fail, cleared/not cleared). School nurses will review the incoming reports of screening by staff and parents/guardians and attest that they are complete. The nurse will also be the contact for staff or students if they later experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Step 2: Screening Questionnaire

Staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors are required to complete a daily health screening questionnaire before entering any District facility. Health questionnaires will also be required periodically for students. As part of the health questionnaire, students, parents, staff, vendors, and visitors will be asked to attest to the statements below. All responses will be confidential.

• I have not knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19; I have not tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;

• I have not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0°F in the past 14 days: and/or

• I have not traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days.

Social distancing, face coverings & PPE

The District has developed a plan with policies and procedures for maintaining social distancing of all students, faculty, and staff when on school facilities, grounds and transportation.

All students and adults in the school will be required to wear appropriate face coverings at all times except when masking would endanger breathing or the mental health of an individual. Face coverings must be worn when entering or exiting a building, traveling through the hallways, riding on buses, while in the restrooms, while riding in elevators, when moving around a classroom, or any areas/situations where physical distancing is not possible. The District will have an adequate supply of face coverings on hand if any student or staff member needs a replacement.

Exceptions to the face covering requirement include:

• those who are medically unable to tolerate a face covering;

• during meals; and

• as teacher directed provided that physical distancing can be maintained.

Because students and staff will need to be prepared to wear a face covering if another person unexpectedly cannot socially distance, they will be required to wear a face covering in all common areas (e.g., entrances and exits) and when traveling around the school. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth-based coverings and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school, so there may be periods of time when masks are not worn.

Guidance suggests there are circumstances where a mask is not appropriate (detailed below). In these circumstances, a mask will not be permitted.

• children younger than 2 years old

• students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction

• anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

• anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance

The District will instruct students, parents/guardians and staff, contractors and vendors on:

• the proper way to wear face coverings

• washing hands before putting on and after removing their face covering

• proper way to discard disposable face coverings

Training will be provided to District staff using the Global Compliance Network. Teachers will then instruct students on all aspects of health and safety related to face coverings. Signage related to social distancing and face coverings will be posted throughout all District buildings.

Infection Control Strategies

Healthy hygiene practices will be taught and re-taught in school for both students and staff. The Global Compliance Network and CDC videos will be utilized to demonstrate best practices in hand and respiratory hygiene to the school community. Details regarding hand and respiratory hygiene are provided below.

Hand Hygiene

Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices.

• Wash hands routinely with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Dry hands completely after washing. Use paper towels to dry hands if available.

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used.

Hand washing should occur:

• before and after eating (e.g. snacks and lunch).

• after going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting.

• after using a tissue.

• before and after using shared materials.

• before and after putting on or taking off face masks.

• after coming in from the outdoors.

• anytime hands are visibly soiled.

Respiratory Hygiene

The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the District will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.

Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices.

• Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately.

• If a tissue is not available when sneezing or coughing, sneeze into your elbow.

• Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.

• Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will keep the respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air.

In addition to education regarding hand and respiratory hygiene, signage will be posted throughout the buildings reminding individuals to:

• stay home if they feel sick

• over their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering

• properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE

• adhere to physical distancing instructions

• report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19

• follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection guidelines

• follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

Cleaning and disinfecting

The District will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.

The District will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use. Additional details of the cleaning regimen are available in the Facilities section of this plan.

If Students or Staff become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School

The District requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area. Students will be supervised in the isolation area while awaiting transport home and will be separated by at least 6 feet. Students will be escorted from the isolation area to their parent/guardian. Students or staff will be referred to a healthcare provider and provided resources on COVID-19 testing.

School staff will be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. Our schools will notify the parent/guardian if their child shows any of the following symptoms and recommend the child be referred for immediate follow up with a healthcare provider:

• Fever

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Neck pain

• Rash

• Bloodshot eyes

• Feeling extra tired

Schools will call for emergency transport (911) for any student or staff member showing the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing

• Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away

• new confusion

• inability to wake or stay awake

• bluish lips or face

• severe abdominal pain

Management of ill persons, contact tracing and monitoring

The District requires students, faculty, or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day to report to the nurse’s office. If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students must wait at least 6 feet apart. The District has designated areas to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID- 19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff. Both areas will be supervised by an adult and have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies.

PPE requirements for school health office staff caring for sick individuals includes both standard and transmission-based precautions. In areas with moderate to substantial community transmission, eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) should be added. When caring for a suspect or confirmed individual with COVID-19, gloves, a gown, eye protection, and a fit-tested N-95 respirator will be used, if available. If an N-95 respirator is not available, a surgical face mask and face shield will be used.

School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms, and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes). Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions. Disposable items will be used as much as possible.

Return to School After Illness

The District will follow CDC and Suffolk County Department of Health guidance for allowing a student or staff member to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19:Suffolk County Department of Health; Center for Disease Control.

If a person is not diagnosed by a healthcare provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) with COVID-19 they can return to school:

• Once there is no fever, without the use of fever reducing medicines, and they have felt well for 24 hours.

• If they have been diagnosed with another condition and have a healthcare provider written note stating they are clear to return to school.

If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test or their symptoms or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until:

• It has been at least ten days since the individual first had symptoms.

• It has been at least three days since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); and

• It has been at least three days since the individual’s symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.

• Return to school will be coordinated with the local health department.

The CDC provides specific guidance for individuals who are on home isolation regarding when the isolation may end. CDC recommends 14 days of quarantine after exposure based on the time it may take to develop illness if infected. Thus, it is possible that a person known to be infected could leave isolation earlier than a person who is quarantined because of the possibility they are infected.

COVID-19 Testing

In the event that a large-scale testing will need to be conducted at the school, the District administration will work cooperatively with the Suffolk County Department of Health.

Contact Tracing

The District will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the District.

To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the District has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.

The District will assist with contact tracing by:

• Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members

• Ensuring student schedules are up-to-date

• Keeping a log of any visitor which includes date and time, and where in the school they visited

• Assisting the local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training, and tools provided through the NYS Contact Tracing Program

School Closures

The District will collaborate with the local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level. If necessary, the District, in concert with the Suffolk County Department of Health, will monitor positive cases and infestation rates and will make decisions regarding full or partial school closure.

For more information about how school closure information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section.

Vulnerable populations/accommodations

We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, live with a person who is at an increased risk, or simply do not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment. It is our goal that these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities. Where appropriate, the District will work to accommodate the circumstances of vulnerable individuals. Various options may be discussed with individual families/employees.

Visitors

No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses, except for the safety and well-being of students. Parents/guardians will report to the front entrance of the building and may not be able to go beyond unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. Essential visitors to facilities will be required to complete a health questionnaire, have their temperature checked and must wear face coverings. All visitors will be restricted in their access to our school buildings.

School safety drills

The District will conduct fire (evacuation) drills and lockdown drills as required by education law and regulation and the fire code without exceptions. Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies. When possible, these drills will be conducted on a staggered schedule for increased social distancing.

Facilities

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the District, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.

The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens (and are automatically released by the fire alarm system), will remain unchanged.

The District plans to meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”

Upon reopening, the District plans to increase ventilation to the greatest extent possible. Water systems will be flushed in buildings that have been unoccupied.

Building Capacity

Building capacity for all students and staff is based upon six foot social distancing and requirement of masks for all.

• To address spacing for each building, some classes will be relocated. As an example, if the room is sized at 770 square feet, only 22 people (students and teachers/staff combined) will be allowed in the room. Non-essential furniture and materials will be removed from the classrooms.

• The buildings will utilize and repurpose large spaces as classrooms, including but not limited to the gymnasiums, cafeteria, special area classrooms, auditoriums, and libraries.
  

Building Operations and Cleaning Procedures

Custodial staff will follow CDC and DOH guidelines regarding cleaning and sanitization. A log will be kept documenting the day/time each area is cleaned.

• Custodial staff will receive professional development/refresher training on best cleaning protocols and practices.

• High touch surfaces/high risk areas will be cleaned frequently throughout the day (tables, door knobs, light switches, bathrooms, nurses office, etc.).

• Classrooms and workspaces will receive daily cleaning following the school day.

• High traffic/highly touched surfaces will receive cleaning/disinfection multiple times daily.

• Disinfectant wipes and/or disinfectant spray and towels will be supplied to staff.

• Bathroom hand dryers and water fountains will be disabled in all buildings. Water filling stations will be maintained and paper towels will be used in place of the hand dryers.

• For each building, HVAC systems will be serviced, cleaned, and filters will be replaced regularly. A log is kept to record when all services have been started and completed.

• Doors and windows will be open when possible to increase ventilation.

• The District will utilize CDC and DOH recommendations and flyers. Signage will be posted in all kitchen/bathroom sinks and doors, classrooms, office spaces, hallways, entrances.

Child Nutrition

Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast (HS only) and lunch will be provided in school for students each day on a “Grab and Go” model, in which lunches will be delivered to classes or designated areas.

• All Department of Health meal handling guidelines will be followed.

• Families will be encouraged to prepare and send in their own lunches in disposable paper bags.

• Free and reduced lunches will be available to all families who qualify.

• Parent/Students are encouraged to pre-order and prepay their meals to avoid handling cash.

• Hand hygiene will be emphasized and students will wash hands before and after eating.

• Students will not be permitted to share food or beverages at any time.

• National School Lunch Program guidelines will be followed, as well as communicated with all families.
  

Eating Locations/Periods

In the elementary schools, Middle School and High School, students will eat lunch in the classroom or designated area, where they will be socially distanced. “Grab and Go” meals will be delivered to the classroom or designated area.

Allergy Free Areas

Allergy free areas will be established for students with allergies within the classroom. Allergy free spaces will be identified within each of the buildings in any location where meals are served.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols as per the CDC will be followed in any area that is used for food service.

Remote Learning - Meals

The District will coordinate with the families on distance learning to opt-in to meal pick up options.

Transportation

The District will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines. Any student with a temperature of 100.0F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection should not report to school via bus or parent direct transportation. Please refer to the Health and Safety section of this plan for additional guidance surrounding health screening.

Parent Direct Transportation

Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses.

• Parents/legal guardians will not be permitted to enter the physical building.

• Security guards and staff will be stationed at all buildings.

Bus Transportation

• Students and school bus staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated)

• Students whose physical or mental health would be impaired by wearing a face covering are not required to do so. Students must be appropriately socially distanced, but will not be denied transportation.

• Students will maintain appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable.

• School buses will be equipped with acceptable face coverings in the event a student does not have one.

• Buses will be loaded back to front and will disembark from front to back, to provide adequate social distancing procedures.

• Students will sit with one student per seat at designated seat locations.

• All buses that are used every day by Districts and contract carriers will be cleaned and disinfected at the completion of the morning and afternoon routes every day. High contact areas will be wiped down after each bus run in the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) run, depending upon the disinfection schedule.

• School buses shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or District. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.

• When temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, school buses will transport passengers with roof hatches or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.

• Wheelchair school buses will configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of 6 feet.

• Whether school is in session remotely or otherwise, pupil transportation will be provided to nonpublic, parochial, private, charter schools or students whose Individualized Education Plans have placed them out of the District whose schools are meeting in in-person sessions.

School Bus Staff

School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics are required to perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they will notify their employer as per the reporting policies and seek medical attention.

• School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield.

• Transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

• Transportation staff members will be provided Personal Protective Equipment such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses, as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations, such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages.

• Transportation departments/carriers will need to provide Personal Protective Equipment, such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses, as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages.

• Drivers, monitors and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child must wear gloves.

Social Emotional Well-Being

We recognize that the social emotional well-being of our students and staff during these challenging times is critically important. The District has made available resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instruction. This work is led by the mental health staff of the District, which includes school counselors, psychologists, and social workers, some complement of which work out of each of our school buildings.

The District will continue to provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on how to talk with and support students during and after the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as provide support for developing coping and resilience skills for students, faculty, and staff. This is addressed through the District's comprehensive professional development plan, which includes dedicated conference days for the entire faculty and staff, as well as more targeted offerings for specific subgroups of the faculty and staff. Robust professional development in the area of social and emotional well-being is offered through the OTIS for Educators platform, through TEQ. All staff are active on this platform and are required to engage in development.

SEL has been a District focus for many years and continues to hold a place at the forefront of our work. As part of our reopening efforts, a dedicated SEL reopening subcommittee was formed, including representation from all stakeholder groups. The District has healthy existing relationships with SEL partners, which include the Ei Collaborative, Choose Love, and Effective School Solutions. These partnerships will continue to undergird the District's work in the area of social and emotional literacy for all stakeholders.

School Schedules

Each of our three levels (elementary, middle, and high school) have developed schedules that are safe, adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols, and are developmentally appropriate. All schedules are designed with in-person instruction in mind, but are fluid enough to transition easily to a hybrid and/or distance learning model, if needed. All schedules provide 100 percent of students the opportunity to attend school on-site every day. Parents who do not want to send their child(ren) in-person will have the ability to select a distance learning option.

Elementary Schedule

In many cases, elementary class sizes in Hauppauge are such that an entire elementary class can safely fit within their assigned classroom. In some grade levels, if all students attend in-person, overflow rooms may be needed. If an overflow classroom is necessary, students who rotate to the overflow classroom would remain connected to their class and teacher through the use of technology.

Structure and consistency are key elements to the 2020-21 elementary schedule. Whether school is in-person or on distance learning and whether an individual student is attending in-school or from home, students and parents will have a time block schedule they can expect to follow for the duration of the year. A sample daily elementary schedule is included on the following page.

The consistency of the elementary schedule will be critical for students learning from home. When a student is not able to attend school in-person, the student can “join” his or her class through Google Meet throughout the day for specific portions of instruction. In the sample schedule, during the Mathematics Block, a student at home would be viewing the live introduction to the lesson for approximately twenty minutes. The student would then work independently (off camera) for approximately twenty-five minutes and would then rejoin the live class for approximately fifteen minutes for the closure of the lesson. Actual times and minutes will vary based on teacher discretion, individual lesson requirements, and student needs.

The schedule below is an elementary schedule for the 2020-21 school year, which would be followed whether in-person or on distance learning. Below the sample schedule is a sample of the distance learning schedule for one of the academic blocks indicating time students would be connecting with their class “live" and time students would be completing independent practice.

Middle School

Hauppauge Middle School will follow its traditional nine-period day for the 2020-21 school year. The Middle School will utilize cohorting to minimize contact and sharing of desks. Under this cohorting model, students will remain in one classroom for the majority of their classes. Students may travel to other locations in the building for isolated courses, physical education, music, etc. Depending on the size of the in-person population within each cohort, a small number of students may rotate to an overflow room a maximum of one day per week. If an overflow classroom is necessary, students who rotate to the overflow classroom would remain connected to their class and teacher through the use of technology. Students outside the classroom (overflow or home) will have the opportunity to view live portions of each class each day through the use of Google Meet.

High School

Hauppauge High School will utilize a block schedule for the 2020-21 school year. This design will reduce transitions in hallways and provide increased instructional time per class meeting, which will be beneficial in a hybrid situation. While school is in-session, students outside the classroom (overflow or home) will have the opportunity to view live portions of each class each day through the use of Google Meet. The block rotation is designed so that students who attend career and technical education programs at Eastern Suffolk BOCES can still attend their programs and their academic courses at the High School. A sample iteration of the high school schedule is included below, which takes the traditional nine-period day and spreads it out over two days.

School Activities

Extracurricular Activities

At the time of writing this plan, interscholastic sports are not permitted in New York State. Additional information about interscholastic sports will be added once further guidance is provided.

Extracurricular activities will not be offered upon school reopening. The District believes in the value of extracurricular activities and will work to offer activities when it can be done so safely.

Childcare

A written plan is in place for before and aftercare programs run by the District.

Before and aftercare programs must adhere to social distancing, PPE usage, cleaning and disinfection requirements. Efforts to maintain cohorts, if applicable, or group members of the same household will be considered.

Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

While in a remote or hybrid schedule, students will receive live instruction with their teacher(s) daily. All teachers and students will have school-issued devices, and live instruction will be delivered through Google Meet. Attendance will be taken in all Google Meets using the attendance extension and will be logged to collect and report daily teacher-student engagement.

Technology and Connectivity

All students and staff members will be equipped with an iPad and/or a Chromebook. Regarding high-speed internet access, families and staff members will be surveyed and given access should the need exist. The District has partnered with three bandwidth providers to assist students in need (Altice, T-Mobile, and Kajeet). Additionally, the District has completed a BrightBytes data survey from all stakeholders that has given provided data to indicate the District's access to wifi is in excellent condition. Nonetheless, the District will support families that need or develop a need for wifi support.

All students will be provided with equal access to learning whether onsite, distance learning, or hybrid. The District has invested in a myriad of tools that allow for participation and collaboration, with the goal of mastering content, whether we are onsite, distance learning, or hybrid.

Teaching and Learning

Acknowledging the challenges COVID-19 has presented to our organization, the District will focus our Superintendent’s Conference Days prior to the start of school on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health and technology integration.

A portion of these conference days will be utilized for student and staff orientation. Teachers will be afforded time to test technology hardware and software tools that help facilitate classroom workflow and communication with students (Google MEET, Google Classroom, etc.).

This time will also allow students who will be on distance learning to meet with their new teacher, practice the use of technology, and begin to establish the relationship necessary for a successful school year.

As school begins, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.

If the District is required by the Governor or the NYS Education Department to limit the number of students onsite on any given day, priority will be given to special education students and English language learners as required by NYS reopening guidelines.

Given our extended closure in the 2019-20 school year, assessing student learning gaps will be more critical now than ever before. Teachers will utilize formative assessments to assess student understanding of pre-requisite skills in order to inform instruction. Acknowledging that the typical content in a grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.

All grading practices will remain intact, as these practices are designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.

For information relating to teaching and learning in BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the BOCES website at www.esboces.org.

The District is prepared to offer all students the opportunity to attend school onsite five days per week. Parents/guardians who do not want their child(ren) to attend school in-person may opt in to remote instruction, instead of attending onsite. Information about how to opt in to remote learning will be provided to all parents/guardians prior to the start of school.

In-person Instruction

Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Classroom layouts will be determined using the calculator suggested within the NYS Guidance document. The district will strive for a six-foot radius around all students (desks) within the classroom. In the event that six feet is not possible, the district will employ other mitigation measures to adhere to safety guidelines (masks worn, desk sneeze guards).

The district has also identified additional rooms and common-area spaces that can be converted into classrooms. Whether students are in their assigned classroom or are in designated overflow spaces, they will be engaged with their teacher and their class through the use of technology. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

Our schools will minimize the movement of students. This potentially means having students eat lunch in their classrooms instead of the cafeteria and eliminating assemblies, field trips and other large-group activities. Subjects like art and music may be pushed into the classroom. Whenever possible, students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction. We will adhere to 12 feet between students when engaging in physical activity.

To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts if/when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students.

Remote/Hybrid Instruction

Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our district has developed a learning model and schedule that easily converts to a fully remote environment if necessary.

As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in-person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.

Remote learning opportunities for students will include an emphasis on synchronous instruction on a predictable schedule. Teachers will ensure that their students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis. To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will continue to standardize the use of Google Tools (MEET, Classroom, Drive, etc.) as our single online learning platform.

Whether onsite, remote, or in a hybrid situation, all grading practices will remain intact, as these practices are designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.

Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.

Special Education

Students will be provided with FAPE consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students with disabilities and those providing special education services. Programs and services that are outlined in the IEP will be delivered as follows:

• Open- in-person: Students will continue to receive the programs and related services outlined in the IEP with the use of masks and social distancing.

• Remote: Students with Disabilities will be provided with equitable access to participate in the continuity of learning to the greatest extent possible. Our special education staff (which includes special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, social workers, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and board certified behavior analysts) provide special education services, using a variety of different strategies and online platforms based on an individual student’s needs. Distance Learning includes tools, such as instructional videos, online access to educational programs, virtual live sessions, parent consultation, and additional resources located on Google Classroom and other digital platforms. Students will continue to receive the support services that are outlined in the IEP.

• Hybrid: Students will receive their special education program in-person, as well as through remote learning as outlined above.
  

There will be clear documentation of the amount of instruction and services the student will be provided during the COVID-19 Pandemic (including dates, times, and duration). Programs and services will be documented through the use of Infinite Campus to track attendance. Related service providers will be tracking attendance through the use of the IEP Direct log note. All students will continue to receive their IEP progress notes throughout the school year, as well as report cards. Teachers will maintain regular communication with parents through email and telephone conversations.

Clear, ongoing, and shared communication and collaboration will be implemented between preschool special education/committees on special education and program providers across all settings where students are served to ensure equitable access to special education programs and services and the continued offer of FAPE. There will be ongoing and consistent communication and collaboration with parents and families to ensure that students continue to be provided FAPE consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students and their service providers.

The District will ensure parents of students with disabilities have their legal right to be informed regarding the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and the provision of FAPE to their child. Whether special education programs and services are provided in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model, effective communication between personnel and parents includes the following:

• • Working collaboratively and creatively to help ensure there is an understanding of the school’s efforts to provide services consistent with the recommendations on the IEP and monitor students progress; and

  • Communicating with parents in their preferred language or mode of communication and documenting outreach efforts.

  • Parents are full team members on the committee of special education and committee on preschool education. A parent’s knowledge of their child’s strengths, abilities, and needs is critical in designing effective programming and services to meet the student’s individual needs during this unprecedented time.

  • Parents have a legal right to be informed regarding identification, evaluation, educational placement, and provision of services. Please refer to the NYSED Procedural Safeguards Notice July 2017 at www.nysed.gov.

  • Whether services are provided in-person, remote, or through a hybrid model, we will continue to address students’ individual needs in the event of potential intermittent or extended school closure.

  • We encourage families to remain in close contact and communicate with your child’s special education teacher, related service providers, building principal, and CSE chairperson to ensure your child continues to participate and progress in the general education curriculum and make progress towards achieving individualized goals.

  • For those students who are receiving special education programs and services through BOCES or an approved school-age program at a private school, we continue to remain in close contact with all educational agencies regarding the planned activities, nature, and delivery of instruction and related services to identify shared resources, materials, and technology available as appropriate.

  • If you have any question or concerns regarding your child’s individualized education plan or service delivery, please reach out to the Pupil Personnel Services office.

All accommodations, modifications and supplementary aids and services that are outlined in the IEP will be provided to ensure that students with disabilities have equity, access and support needed to progress in the general education curriculum in consideration of a student's unique disability related needs. In the event that school is closed or needs to transition to a hybrid model, the District will continue to provide the necessary accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and services to the greatest extent possible.

All students that require assistive technology as outlined in the IEP will be provided with those resources. The District is working to ensure students have access to working technology and any accompanying programs.

Students will continue to receive Behavior Intervention Services at home as long as schools remain open. In the event that instruction needs to be provided remotely, these services will continue remotely.

Office of Pupil Personnel and Student Support Services
Hauppauge Public Schools

Rebecca Bilski, Director of Pupil Personnel and Student Support Services
631.761.8343

Norell Young, Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel and Student Support Services
631.870.5774

Bilingual Education and World Languages

All students who enrolled during the 2019-20 school year, as well as those who enrolled over the summer, will be screened within the first 20 days of enrollment, which is better than the guidance given from the state. Staff members will be paid to prepare the necessary paperwork and processes to ensure that this comes to fruition. Once the school year starts, we have sufficient staffing that allows for flexibility to ensure that this takes place in a timely manner.

All ENL FTEs (staffing) for the 2020-21 school year were based on students' instructional units for the 2019-20 school year. This was achieved by using student’s most recent NYSESLAT or NYSITELL scores.

Staff

Teacher and Principal Evaluation System

All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the District's approved APPR plan, continuing to implement our NYS approved APPR plan for the 2020-2021 school year. In the case of remote learning, administrators will determine an appropriate procedure for conducting formal observations of teaching staff.

Certification, Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching

All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certificates for teaching assignment, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or education law.