On March 13, 2020, students, staff, and families in Lee County and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia had their lives changed drastically. We all found ourselves adjusting to new routines, new habits, and new approaches to our everyday lives. Education was no exception.

Immediately after school divisions across Virginia shut down, our dedicated team of teachers, administrators, and staff began to consider and work on this Return-to-School Plan. This plan is the result of this hard work and feedback from our students, families, and staff.

This plan focuses on implementing an instructional program that is capable of operating as a total remote learning plan. Remote learning refers to the use of technology to learn virtually from somewhere other than a school. To support and further this effort, Lee County Public Schools (LCPS) and the Lee County School Board (School Board) have been working with the Lee County Board of Supervisors (BOS) and other elected officials to provide improved broadband access to the Lee County community at large.

The Return-to-School plan was developed using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Virginia Department of Education (DOE), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and consultation with the staff from the Lee-Norton-Wise-Scott (LENOWISCO) health department.

Portions of this plan will become permanent parts of our instructional plan for years to come as the education world moves more towards a combination of in-person and remote learning.

We hope you find this document to be a helpful resource. Should you have any questions about the contents of our plan, please contact your school or the School Board Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will School Start?

School will begin on August 20, 2020.

On August 24th, the LCPS School Board voted to move to all remote learning until September 4th, 2020.

On September 1, the LCPS School board voted to extend remote learning through 9/11/2020 and resume in person learning on 9/14/2020

Will Instruction be in School Buildings or Online?

Families and students may choose to do all remote learning or in-person learning or a combination. In any phase, both division and school administration will make every effort to allow students from families with children in multiple schools to attend in-person on the same days.

LCPS will operate on the same phase as determined by the Governor of Virginia. That is, if the Commonwealth is operating in Phase I, then LCPS will do the same.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is currently operating in Phase III.

Phases 0 and 1 - All learning will be remote

Phases II and III - In-person learning will for students in grades PK-7 will be Monday through Thursday and student in grades 8-12 will attend in-person in two groups with one group attending on Monday and Tuesday and the other group attending on Wednesday and Thursday at each school and remote learning will occur on Friday. Fridays will be utilized for targeted assistance and planning.

Beyond Phase III or "New Normal" - All students will return to school and LCPS will implement increased safety guidelines such as:

Social distancing
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Screening
Limited large gatherings
Athletics and Activities
Transportation
Increased Cleaning Disinfecting

Will Social Distancing be Required?

In Classrooms -

Classrooms and instructional spaces will be set up to ensure at least a 3 feet social distance when feasible.
For gym classes that take place indoors and when practical, all students and staff must remain at a 10 feet social distance during any exercise.
For outdoor activities and recess and when possible, no more than 50 students will be on the playground and surrounding area. A social distance of at least 10 feet should be maintained when physical activity is involved.
If social distancing is not possible, then face coverings should be used whether indoors or outdoors.
All elementary students will stay with the same group or cohort of their class during the day in the same classroom. If students need to change subjects, then the teachers will rotate classrooms instead of student cohorts.
Middle & High School students will change classes. Within each class, students will be distanced at 3 feet when feasible. When social distancing is not possible, face coverings should be used.

On Buses -

Transportation will be provided with one student per seat.
Students from the same household may sit in the same seat.
Face coverings will be required for the entire trip on the bus. Accommodations will be made for students with health conditions on an as needed basis and with appropriate social distancing.
Students will be assigned to sit with at least 3 feet apart consistent with American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines.
Students will only ride their one assigned bus.
In any phase, both Division and school administrations will make every effort to allow students from families with children in multiple schools to attend in-person on the same days.

Will Face Coverings be Required?

All staff will wear a face covering when a minimum social distance of 6 feet is not maintained from a student.
Students will be encouraged to wear a face covering when closer than 3 feet to another student, teacher, or staff member.
All students and staff will be supplied with two face coverings bearing their school’s logo.
If a condition exists that would prevent an individual from wearing a face covering, then the individual will not be expected to do so.

What Will be Different on School Buses?

Transportation will be provided with one student per seat.

Students from the same household may sit in the same seat.
Face coverings will be required for the entire trip on the bus. Accommodations will be made for students with health conditions on an as needed basis and with appropriate social distancing.
Students will be assigned to sit at least 3 feet apart consistent with American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines.
Students will only ride their one assigned bus.
In any phase, both division and school administration will make every effort to allow students from families with children in multiple schools to attend in-person on the same days.

I Drop My Child Off at School. Will Anything Change?

You may experience longer lines and wait times for drop off. All students will be health screened (temperature and symptoms) before entering school.

What Changes Will Students See in the Meal Services and at Water Fountains?

Breakfast and lunch will be provided to onsite and remote learning students beginning August 20.
Student name and/or PIN numbers will be required for each meal served.
Meals will be unitized (pre-prepared with all USDA required meal components).
No student will be permitted to self-serve any portion of a meal.
Drive thru/drive up meal service will be provided to remote learners at each school with a cafeteria. Since each school is different please contact the school for further information. To avoid excess food waste, please contact the school to let them know that your student will be participating. Please contact school with any special dietary restrictions.
A-block students(Monday/Tuesday) will receive three breakfasts and three lunches at the end of the day Tuesday for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. B-block students (Thursday/Friday) will receive three breakfasts and three lunches at the end of the day Friday for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
No meals will be served on Wednesday.

Water bottle fillers will be checked, cleaned, and sanitized throughout the school day; fountains will not be available without a bottle.

What Changes Will be Implemented in School Health Clinics?

1. Nurses will be wearing masks at each health office visit.

2. The student may be asked to wear a mask during the visit.

3. If a student presents with any symptoms of COVID-19 they will be put in isolation with supervision and a parent/guardian must pick the student up promptly.

4. Nebulizers are not recommended unless necessary due to the aerosol. Inhalers are preferred.

5. Any health procedures that can be done at home are recommended to be done at home to decrease healthy children being in contact with sick children.

6. Children that are sent home with COVID-19 symptoms must follow LCPS policy before returning to school.

What Changes Will be Implemented on Playgrounds and in PE Classes?

For gym classes that take place indoors and when practical, all students and staff must remain at a 10 feet social distance during any exercise.
For outdoor activities and recess and when possible, no more than 50 students will be on the playground and surrounding area. A social distance of at least 10 feet should be maintained when physical activity is involved.

What will happen to Dual Enrollment courses and other online courses?

Students can still enroll in these courses. Enrollment will occur in the same manner as before, but families may need to work with their school counselor to determine at home requirements. This is also true of courses with Virtual Virginia and other online resources. Please contact the school or school counselor if you have further questions.

How Will the Online Learning Option Work?

All teachers will use the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) or Google Classroom.
All PK-1 students will receive an iPad.
Students in grades 2-12 will be issued an individually-assigned Chromebook
The LMS will support Google Suite, Apple Education, Virtual Virginia, and other learning programs.
For those without internet access, lessons and activities can be uploaded to devices for students to access from home or delivered via LCPS jump drive.
Printed resources will also be available to students and families.

When will my child receive the chromebook or iPad?

Because of a supply chain issue due to increased demand for chromebooks, there may be significant delays in our shipment of chromebooks.

Returning high school students will keep their existing device.

Upcoming eighth grade students will receive a used chromebook to use until the shipment of new chromebooks arrives during the first full week of school. UPDATE - These devices have been rolled out. If your child did not receive his/her device, please contact your child's school.

5-8th grade students will receive used chromebooks from the school’s existing chromebook carts to use until the shipment of new chromebooks arrive.These chromebooks will be available during the first full week of school. UPDATE - These devices have been rolled out. If your child did not receive his/her device, please contact your child's school.

2nd - 4th grade students will wait until the shipment of new chromebooks arrive to receive a device. All remote work will be paper & pencil for these students until the chromebooks arrive.

Head Start, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students will be issued an iPad with a bumper case to use for remote learning and practice. While iPads are not experiencing as significant of a supply chain issue, we cannot guarantee that these devices will be ready to distribute by the first day of school. These students will also begin remote learning with paper & pencil assignments until the iPads are ready to distribute.

Will childcare be available for students on remote days?

LCPS will provide child care on Wednesdays and other designated remote learning days for employees of businesses that have been designated as “essential” by the governor’s most recent Executive Order. Anyone interested in this service needs to contact their school to determine the availability at that site.

Will Students Be Screened for COVID-19 Symptoms?

All students will be health screened each day (Temperature and Symptoms)

What Will Happen if Someone Tests Positive for COVID-19?

In the event that a student or staff member has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the school/office building may be closed for a period of two (2) to five (5) days after consultation with the local health department. If possible, only the impacted school/office building will be closed.

If a school needs to be closed, then remote learning for all students in that school will be utilized.

What Cleaning Enhancements are Being Implemented in Buildings?

Buses and vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected after morning and afternoon runs
Classrooms and materials will be cleaned and disinfected daily, with a deep clean twice a week (electrostatic sprayers)
Restrooms checked and cleaned throughout the school day
Water bottle fillers checked, cleaned, and sanitized throughout the school day; fountains will not be available without a bottle
Offices and hallways checked and cleaned throughout the school day
New cleaning materials and supplies that are EPA-certified disinfectants and that are used as directed with approved cleaning methods
New cleaning schedules
Increased accessibility to cleaning and disinfecting products and supplies for all faculty and staff
Additional hand sanitizing stations at each school
Extra cleaning and sanitizing will take place each Wednesday at all School Board buildings and on buses and other transport vehicles
All ventilation systems will be monitored to ensure proper operations and circulation of outdoor air will be increased as much as possible
Limited access to schools and School Board property to ensure better sanitation and cleaning

When will students and staff be allowed to return to work after testing positive for COVID-19?

A note from the employee’s or student’s healthcare provider is required to verify that the individual is healthy and able to return to work or school. The return-to-work or return-to-school note must be consistent with current CDC recommendations. Individuals may discontinue home isolation consistent with CDC, VDH, and local health department guidance and return to the school or worksite with the note when the following conditions have been realized.

a. At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset;

b. At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-

reducing medications (such as Tylenol, Acetaminophen, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.); and

c. Other symptoms have improved.

Will Back to School Events Still be Happening?

Traditional Open House / Orientation events will not be held. However, an opportunity for Kindergarten students to meet their teacher will be provided at each elementary school One parent/guardian (no siblings, please) may accompany the Kindergarten student for the school visit. Please contact the school to schedule an appointment. Kindergarten teacher visits can be scheduled after August 10th and before August 20th. Both in person and remote Kindergarten students may participate in this opportunity to meet their teacher.

Will Schools be Open All Year? Will These Procedures be in Place All Year?

The pandemic shifts rapidly and we don’t know what the rest of the school year may bring. If cases surge, schools may be ordered to close again, requiring all students to shift to remote learning. If the situation improves, we may be able to abandon some elements of this plan and return to more normal operating conditions. Our plan will follow the state’s phases as communicated by the Governor.

What Social and Emotional Resources will be in place as students return?

LCPS employs two Student Assistant Program (SAP) counselors who can assist students who are experiencing social and/or emotional difficulties. School counselors can also serve students who need additional support in these areas.

What if I Don't Have Access to the Internet?

Students who do not have internet access at home will have several options for delivery of instruction.

All students will be issued an LCPS device (Chromebook for grades 2-12, iPad for grades HS-1). These devices will allow for content to be downloaded while on campus and accessed offline.

Additionally, students will be able to utilize the school parking lots and additional sites (TBA) as hot spots to download and upload content.

Additionally, jump drives can be utilized and will be provided to remote learning students without internet who cannot travel to a hot spot to load content and deliver it to students.

Paper content will also be available to families if needed.

For families who may not have internet access and are interested in engaging online resources, Comcast is offering reduced cost or free internet service by calling 855-846-8376 or going to their webpage, www.internetessentials.com.

The Lee County School Board and Lee County Board of Supervisors are working to expand broadband (internet access) to everyone in Lee County. If you do not have access, then please call your school and let the staff know that you are interested in being contacted.

Where Can I Find Academic Resources?

Our website has a page with links to our most used academic resources. Click here to see our Academic Resources page.

What Do I Do if My Child's iPad or Chromebook is Damaged?

Use this form to report technology issues to our staff. LCPS Technology Help Ticket

If you do not have the ability to complete this form, please call your child's school and ask to speak with tech support. Please do not bring your device to the school building. Call and schedule a time for drop off if that is necessary. Many issues can be resolves remotely.

Do I Need to Monitor My Child's iPad Usage?

Yes. We always encourage parents to monitor their child's technology use. School iPads and Chromebooks cannot access the App Store and school safety filters are in place at home. It is still important that you are familiar with what your child is viewing online. If you find your child has accessed content you are concerned about, please let us know, (leecoitrts@lee.k12.va.us or 276-346-2107 x1033), so that we can ensure our filters are restricting all unsafe content.

Can I Disinfect my School Device? How?

We encourage regular cleaning of your iPad/laptop.

Ensure the device is turned off and unplug all cables.
Clean the iPad/laptop screen using a small amount of alcohol on a microfiber cloth.
Do not use disinfecting liquids directly on the screen, including but not limited to Clorox or alcohol wipes.
Clean the keyboard, including laptop keyboard, using alcohol on a cotton ball.

What if I have another question that is not addressed here?

Please contact us at reopen@lee.k12.va.us.

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