FAQ

Questions and Answers from October 5, 2020 BOE Meeting

Questions about MMS/MHS Return to School

Question: Would the kids that are in full virtual cohort get full 41 mins per subject instruction or will the periods be shortened for cohort D as well? Will the all virtual day parallel the ABC days? Five and a half hours straight of 31 minute periods?

Answer. The class times/schedules will be the same for all cohorts since they are simultaneous classes.

Question: Could we go back full days at MMS/MHS and have them be dismissed for lunch as the seniors do, so that they have lunch?

Answer: We cannot offer full days at this time, and be able to provide the correct amount of social distancing and reduce exposure to the virus.

Question: As students change classes at MHS and MMS, who will be responsible for wiping down the shared equipment between classes including desks? Having students clean further cuts down on instructional time.

Answer: Classrooms will be provided with paper towels and sanitizing spray for students to wipe down their own desk and study areas.

Question: Has there been any research/thought to buying plexiglass dividers for desks so more kids can fit and they can go more than every three weeks?

Answer: As we see how this initial phase goes, we will consider other options that may allow us to bring more students in, depending on health conditions in the community.

Question about Elementary Hybrid program

Question: From the recap I read it sounds like a fairly large percentage of students have chosen the all remote route for the 5 elementary schools. I was wondering what is the total amount of kids across all 5 elementary schools that there is space for in-person while maintaining the 6-foot distancing guidelines? Secondly, what is the total amount of students across all 5 elementary schools that have chosen to do in-person learning as of now?

Answer: As of October 5 when the Elementary hybrid students returned to school, the breakdown was about 70% of students in-school, 30% remaining remote. It may vary by school, but with those numbers our administrators were able to maintain the 6-feet of required social distancing.

Questions about AP Chinese Testing for 9th Grade Students:

Questions: There were many questions about the possibility of 9th-grade students who have self-studied being able to take the AP test.

Answer: This question has been resolved … all high school students who wish to sit for the AP test will be accommodated.

Questions from the September 21, 2020 BOE Meeting

Q. If a child is sick and had chosen the hybrid can they then jump on to the virtual link?

1. If the child is home and not feeling well, they should be at home resting as they would for a sick day during the regular school day. If they are home because they must quarantine, they can join the remote class.

Q. Can students keep teachers if they choose remote?

1. The teacher has an AM in person - PM remote because of the number in class

2. Teacher as ½ in the AM ½ in the PM and each group then streams the other group

3. The teacher is remote, substitute in the classroom

4. Believe we can keep students and teachers together

Q. If a parent chooses to change their plan?

1. At this point, for scheduling purposes, we are asking parents to wait until December to make a change from remote to hybrid. A student can change from hybrid to remote at any time, if it is necessary for quarantining or other reasons.

Q. Why are you offering AM/PM daily vs longer days for only 2 days per week?

1. The overwhelming request from parents after the spring was to have their students in class each day. Our administrators agree that at the elementary level, especially, it is more important to have students in with teachers to work on the core subjects for a few hours a day. This is developmentally appropriate and provides the consistency young children need.

Q. Special populations at the MMS/MHS to get them in 10/5 as well??

1. It is likely that we will have special student populations be offered in-person instruction beginning on October 5th.

Q. There hasn't been a mention of 5th grade and their return to school. What is the plan and timeline for them? Thank you

1. We are actively working to get them in before November if possible. -

Q. Are there still concerns about the ventilation in the MMS??

1. We meet the DOE and DOH standards but the CDC guidelines are more stringent, and we are aiming to meet the ASHRAE standards. We are upgrading to MERV 13 filters where the equipment allows. We are adding, where feasible, bipolar ionization that gets us closer, or beyond, the standards.

Q. Air exchanges?

1. We have the ventilation and filtration systems working as though we are full occupancy. These units have been running all summer. Quality is as good as it has ever been.

Q. When will the bipolar units be ready and installed?

1. (325 total) 200 units in K-4 school in about a month

2. Clarification - all schools are in compliance - Washington will be the same as MMS/MHS but maybe sooner.

Q. What happens when a child is sick in a class, will all students be moved?

1. The classroom will be sanitized and students/parents would be notified of the next steps. Determination will be made in consultation with health care professionals and the local department of health.

Q. 2.5 hour in-person and 2.5 hours online for K-4. It is so hard for full-time workers (both parents) to provide rides. Other townships like Summit, Montville offer (5) days with (4) hours each day. Any possibility to adopt similar 4 hour/day, 5 days/week?

1. We cannot speak to other districts. Decisions are made based on the size of classrooms, staffing, and other factors. We are maximizing the amount of time in the school for the core subjects.

Q. How the streaming would take place with in-person vs fully remote students? How could a teacher give full attention to the fully remote kids?

1. The rooms will be set up in a way, using technology like smart boards and screens to bring all students “into the classroom.”

Q. Drinking fountains? Any old left? Do the new filters protect from any water problems?

1. We will be moving to all filling stations. No older water fountains will be used.

Q. Will there be extended care?

1. Extended care is available currently and working to see if it will be able to be extended when we begin hybrid

Q. Reasoning to bring younger students back before? Social distancing more difficult for them?

1. We are prioritizing them as they need to be in school and require teacher contact more than the older students who can manage online learning better with less guidance

Q. Nurse will take temperature during the day?

1. Nurses will perform random temperature tests during the day. They will be on call for teachers who may feel a student needs attention.

Q. How many teachers have returned?

1. We have worked with teachers to provide them with a comfort level for returning to school, and made accommodations where necessary so that they might teach remotely. We needed additional time to hire classroom substitutes who are supervising the classroom where there may be a remote teacher.

Q. Does the electronic form cover whether a student has out of town visitors or if a family member has traveled out of town. What is the protocol?

1. A family member who has traveled is considered a “contact of a contact” and that does not require quarantine by the student unless that other contact comes down with symptoms. The form does ask about student travel.