Blended Learning FAQs

Blended Learning in the Orcutt Union School District

When will Blended Learning be offered in the Orcutt Union School District?

Our school reopening plan approved by our Board of Trustees on July 15, 2020 includes three instructional models - Distance Learning, Blended Learning, and In-Person Learning. Currently our district is only offering Distance Learning. Our Board will be meeting October 7, 2020 to discuss opening Blended Learning as an option for students, in addition to Distance Learning. This discussion will also include a plan for implementing Blended Learning, specifically how and when to do so in the safest possible manner.

What will the student’s schedules look like when campuses are open for Blended Learning?

Both the Distance Learning schedule and the Blended Learning schedules for each school are currently posted on our district website.

Why can’t OUSD bring all students back to campus full time?

In order to follow the physical distancing guidelines from the California Department of Public Health and the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, allowing six feet of space around every person on campus even in classrooms, OUSD cannot bring all 5,000 students back to campus at one time. Therefore we will be using a Blended Learning Schedule modeled after the current Distance Learning Schedule, with approximately 50% of students in classrooms.

If a family opts to remain in distance learning, will this affect their child’s enrollment status at his/her school?

No. Students who remain in distance learning will continue to be enrolled at their current school and considered part of the school community.

Will there be physical distancing in the classroom? What is the class size for in-person learning?

Yes, under the reopening requirements, there will be at least 6 feet of space between each student while in a classroom. Each class will have two cohorts, in order to ensure adequate physical distancing in each class, cohort sizes will be limited to:

• TK-Grade 3 - no more than 15 students per cohort

• Grades 4-6 - no more than 16 students per cohort

• Grades 7-12 - no more than 20 students per cohort

Will students have training on safety measures regarding COVID-19?

Yes, students will receive instruction for COVID-19 safety measures, such as wearing face coverings, social distancing, and handwashing.

What type of safety measures are available on campus?

We have purchased additional handwashing stations which will be available for students to use throughout the school day as well as during recess periods. Hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms for student and staff use. Students and staff will be utilizing one-way paths of travel to minimize exposure as they move about the campus. Frequently touched items such as door handles, light switches, restroom facilities, etc. will be sanitized throughout the day.

Staff will limit the use of shared instructional materials and disinfect between use as needed. Students have been provided their own instructional supplies and technology to prevent cross contamination.

Playground equipment will be off limits during this period to prevent cross contamination.

All of our campuses will remain closed outside of the school day due to COVID-19. This is to discourage groups congregating on campus and also to minimize potential contamination to surfaces such as door handles, play structures, and other areas. We fully anticipate reopening our campuses to the community once all state and county restrictions have been lifted related to COVID-19 and it is safe to do so.

Is the school office open?

Yes, school offices will be open to the public unless a required shutdown resumes. All school offices will be limited to one visitor at a time. Please wait outside socially distanced until your turn or call/email the school office.

Who is exempt from wearing face coverings?

Persons under 2 years of age and persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or a disability that prevents wearing a face covering are exempted by the CDPH.

• • Face coverings are required for 3rd grade students and older and required for all adults

  • Face coverings for TK-2 students are requested while at school

  • Face coverings for all ages are mandatory on the school bus where social distancing is limited

Will staff need to wear face coverings?

Yes, OUSD has provided staff with face coverings, and all staff will be required to wear them, unless exempted.

Will staff be regularly tested?

Yes, all school employees will be tested on a regular basis. Examples of testing frequency include testing all staff over a 2 month period, where 25% of staff are tested every two weeks, or 50% every month to rotate testing of all staff over time.

What measures should be taken when a student, teacher, or staff member has symptoms, is in contact with someone infected, or is diagnosed with COVID-19?

We will follow the CDPH Guidelines. Depending on the circumstance, a classroom, a classroom building, or a school may be required to shift back to distance learning to support a quarantine requirement from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.

What if a school or school-district reopens to in-person instruction, but the county later moves to a more restrictive tier?

Once schools are open, we will follow the CDPH Guidelines. Movement to a more restrictive tier does not automatically mean schools will close.

What are the criteria for closing a school?

Individual school closure is recommended based on the number of cases, the percentage of the teacher/students/staff who are positive for COVID-19, and following consultation with the Local Health Officer. Individual school closure may be appropriate when there are multiple cases in multiple cohorts at a school or when at least 5% of the total number of teachers/students/staff have cases within a 14-day period, depending on the size and physical layout of the school. The Local Health Officer may also determine school closure is warranted for other reasons, including results from a public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.

If a school is closed for in-person learning, when may it reopen?

Schools may typically reopen after 14 days and the following have occurred:

• Cleaning and disinfection

• Public health investigation

• Consultation with the local health department

What are the criteria for closing a school district?

A superintendent should close a school district if 25% or more of schools in a district have closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days, and in consultation with the local public health department.

What happens to student learning in the event of a classroom, school, or district closure?

If a classroom cohort or school needs to close, the students move to Distance Learning with their existing teacher until they can return back to campus.

Will I still be able to volunteer at the school or in my student’s classroom?

Visitors beyond the school office are not allowed at this time. At some point, we would like to have volunteers and will be monitoring safety regulations in order to welcome volunteers back to school. We are working together to prevent illness and reduce the number of people on campus for physical distancing and safety. There will be training to ensure volunteers are able to return once physical distancing regulations ease up.

My family is concerned about safety and prefer our student(s) continue in the Distance Learning program. How do I communicate this information to the school?

Please complete the survey that was sent through Parent Square to all families. The survey can also be accessed through our district website.

Is there a commitment required to continue in Distance Learning?

Yes, at this time we are asking families to commit to Distance Learning through Winter Break or through the remainder of the school year to minimize disruption and have continuity in the instructional program for students.

Will my student’s teacher change if I choose Blended Learning? What about Distance Learning?

There is a possibility that your student’s teacher will change as a result of the implementation of the Blended Learning model. Classes will need to be adjusted to cluster Blended Learning students together in classes and Distance Learning students together in classes. Some teachers may request to teach in one model over another. We will do our best to accommodate these requests and to make as few changes as possible. Your student’s school will work closely with you during this transition and will communicate with you about possible changes as soon as possible so you can make informed decisions.

Health and Safety

What measures will be implemented on campus to ensure the safety of staff and students?

The first step in ensuring the safety of staff and students is screening at home prior to coming to the school campus. Please see the screening question below for additional information.

All classrooms will be disinfected nightly, and all high-touch surfaces disinfected throughout the school day using electrostatic sprayers which spray a fine mist of disinfectant solution that is statically charged and then adheres to the surfaces in the room ensuring coverage. Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms will also be disinfected between AM and PM cohorts.

Handwashing stations have been purchased and will be placed at each school site for student and staff use in addition to sinks in classrooms and restrooms. Students will wash their hands regularly throughout the school day.

Student desks will be spaced so that students are 6 feet from each other in the classroom. Given the recommendations on cohort size and physical distancing in the classroom, approximately 50% of students will be present at one time.

Students in grades 3 and up will be required to wear face coverings and students in grades TK-2 are requested to wear them. All teachers and staff are expected to wear face coverings or a face shield with a drape at all times.

How will schools screen students and staff?

Prior to coming to school in the morning, it is necessary that the parent/guardian or staff conduct a daily health screening of their student or themselves. Any child/staff with a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection should not be present in school. The following are listed as the most common symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever with or without chills/rigors (100.4 degrees or greater);

• Cough;

• Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing;

• Fatigue;

• Muscle or body aches;

• Headache;

• New loss of taste or smell;

• Sore throat;

• Congestion or runny nose;

• Nausea or vomiting and/or;

• Diarrhea

Before school each day, parents/staff should complete the Health Screening Form in ParentSquare for their child/self. This form will ask you to indicate if your child/self has experienced any new COVID-19 symptoms. If the answer is “yes” to any of the questions, you will see a red stop sign. Please contact the school and keep your child home. If everything is good a green light will appear. In order to complete the form, families must have their ParentSquare account activated.

All staff members will be screened with a temperature check daily, and teachers will have no-touch thermometers in their classrooms to screen students as they enter the classroom for the first time that day.

What will happen if a student or staff member develops a fever or symptoms while on campus?

If a student or staff member develops any one of the following signs or symptoms while they are on campus, they will need to immediately put on a mask if they do not have one on, and they will isolate until they are sent home with instructions to reach out to their health care provider for instructions:

• Fever with or without chills/rigors (100.4 degrees or greater)

• Cough*

• Shortness of breath

• Nasal congestion/rhinorrhea (runny nose)*

• Sore throat

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea*

• Fatigue*

• New loss of taste/smell

• Headache*

• Muscle or body aches*

• Poor feeding or poor appetite*

* Disregard this symptom if school personnel are already aware of a chronic, pre-existing condition that causes the symptom. The nature of the presenting symptom (e.g., duration, intensity) must be consistent with the underlying chronic condition.

If my student is sent home with a fever or other symptoms, when can they return to school?

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has released the following information for return to school as of 11/13/20.

A student or staff member who exhibits one or more of the symptoms listed above, they can return to school if:

• 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

AND

• Fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication

AND

• Improving symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)

• When all these criteria are met a note from a healthcare provider is not needed

OR

• Obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location that comes back negative for COVID-19 and after 3 days of symptom improvement and no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

OR

• Obtain a medical professional’s note clearing student for return based on an alternative diagnosis

If the student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they may return to school if:

• 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

AND

• fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication

AND

• Improving symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)

Will parents, students, and staff be made aware if someone on campus tests positive for COVID-19?

Yes, the California Department of Public Health guidance states that schools should document/track incidents of possible exposure and notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any positive case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality, as required under FERPA and state law related to privacy of educational records.

Bus/Transportation Questions

Will bus transportation be provided?

While we hope to be able to offer bus transportation for students who need it, bus transportation will be limited. Available space will prioritize students with special needs. Other criteria for limited space will be determined by distance. We will be gathering information from families about who needs transportation in the coming weeks to determine which bus routes will be offered.

Will temperature checks and face coverings be required for the bus?

Bus drivers will be screening students as they enter the bus with a touchless thermometer. Any student who has a fever of 100.4 or higher, will not be allowed to board the bus and will need to return home.

Face coverings for all ages is mandatory on the school bus..

What other safety measures will be in place for student transportation to/from school?

When students are on board, vents and windows will be left open to maximize fresh air inside the bus. As the weather gets cooler, students will need to be sure to bring a jacket or sweater to keep warm on the bus as the windows will be open at all times.

Busses will be disinfected daily and high touch areas disinfected more frequently throughout the day.

Elementary School

When will my student be on campus for in-person instruction?

Daily schedules are available on our district website. Please check the schedule as it is different than the regular daily school schedule normally offered. TK/K students will be on campus daily for either an AM or PM session in-person. Students in grades 1-6 will be in-person two days/week for most of the day, leaving mid-day at lunch time.

How many students will be in my student’s class?

Each cohort of students will not exceed 15 students for grades TK/K through grade 3 and 16 students for grades 4-6.

Will classes still will be offered virtually at the elementary school?

Yes, Distance Learning will still be an option for students. We do ask families to commit for a period of time with Distance Learning in order to have consistency and continuity for families, students and for staff.

Will playgrounds be open during recess and lunch time?

The playground will be open and students will be encouraged to have play time outside during recess. During recess, students will remain with their cohort and not mix with other cohorts. There will be a designated space on the playground for each cohort. We are awaiting guidance on whether play structures and other playground equipment will be available for use.

Will my student eat lunch on campus?

The only students eating lunch on campus will be students in the Special Day Class programs. If afternoon transitional kindergarten/kindergarten students would like to come to school early to eat lunch before their session begins, there will be an eating area for them to do so. Other grades will have the option of picking up a lunch as they leave the campus.

Will Campus Connection be available?

At this time, we are not able to offer Campus Connection due to the requirement to have students remain in their cohort and not interact with other cohorts. As the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health issue new health orders and restrictions are scaled back, we will continue to re-evaluate our ability to offer childcare before/after school.

Junior High School

What will the schedule look like at junior high school?

Students will be in-person, two days per week for four periods (English, Math, History, Science). Other courses will be offered on the student’s Distance Learning days (PE, Elective). Detailed schedules can be found on our school district website.

Will students be moving class to class?

No, students will not be moving class to class. They will remain with the same cohort during instruction, in the same classroom. Teachers will move among classrooms to minimize interaction between students.

Which classes will still be offered virtually at junior high school? Will my student have the same teachers they have now for Distance Learning? What about for Blended Learning?

Yes, Distance Learning will remain an option for students at the junior high school level. There is a chance your student’s schedule/teachers will change to accommodate scheduling requests.

Will my student eat lunch on campus?

Yes, junior high school students will eat lunch on campus in designated eating areas. Every effort will be made to minimize interaction among students where practicable.

Will there be junior high sports or dances?

No, there will not be junior high sports or dances at this time.

High School

What will the schedule look like at the high school? Will students be moving class to class?

Students will have in-person instruction two days per week for three periods a day. Please refer to the district website for more detailed information on schedules. Yes, students will be moving class to class at this time.

Will my student eat lunch on campus?

Yes, lunch will be offered at the high school.

Will athletics/sports be allowed?

At this time, only athletic conditioning is permitted under the current Santa Barbara County Public Health Department health orders for fall sports. Students should work closely with their coaches and the athletic director for more information on what the schedule is and what type of activities are allowable.

I have heard there are restrictions on band/choir courses. What will those classes look like?

There are restrictions on band/choir activities under the current health orders due to the nature of these courses. The classes will still meet; however, they will not be allowed to sing or play instruments for in-person sessions. Of course these activities can still happen virtually.

Special Education Services

How will Special Education Services be offered to qualifying students?

Special Education Services will be offered in accordance with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Families should work with the student’s case manager for scheduling services and the educational program.