Q: I am just not comfortable sending my student back to school. Can I enroll him/her in Virtual Learning?

A: Yes, any Pike County Schools student can enroll in Virtual Learning.

Q: Will each option offer the same classes?

A: Core classes will be available under both options. Available electives may differ between the traditional and virtual options.

Q: Can my child attend one class at school and do the rest of them through Virtual Learning?

A: No, we cannot allow students to attend classes at school during the day. You are either a virtual student or an in person student.

Q: How will Virtual Learning be different than NTI?

A: See Appendix A at the end of this document or click here.

Q: Under the Traditional School model, will elementary students be able to have recess?

A: Yes. Recess will be organized to emphasize social distancing. Hand washing will occur immediately before and after recess.

Q: What steps have you taken to ensure maximum social distancing in the schools?

A: Classrooms will be arranged and have non-essential furnishing removed to maximize social distancing to the extent feasible. Class sizes will be reduced when possible.

Q: What sanitization steps are being taken throughout the school day?

A: Keeping surfaces clean will be a team effort in Pike County Schools. Maintenance workers and school custodians will frequently clean high-touch surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings at the end of each day. All other staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean; Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classroom.

Q: What sanitization steps are being taken on school buses?

A: Buses will be sanitized after every day.

Q: Are visitors or volunteers allowed in school buildings?

A: Until further notice, parents, volunteers, and visitors will be limited. They will follow CDC guidelines while on campus. If you need to see someone at the school, you will need to contact the office to make an appointment.

Q: How will social distancing be enforced in hallways, at recess or lunchtime?

A: Schools will utilize classrooms and other areas of the building to spread students out.

Q: Will you be performing temperature checks before students enter the building?

A: No, We will not be taking the temperatures of every student and staff member before entering the building.

Mask FAQ

Q: Will students wear masks in classrooms?

A: Recommended that all students and staff wear masks when the Pike County Positivity Rate is in the Red or Orange unless they have a medical exception or disability that would prevent them from wearing a face covering. Mask will not be worn while eating, during outdoor classes or activities, and during PE class.

Q: What if my child comes to school without a mask?

A: Schools will have a supply of extra masks for those who forget or lose their mask. All students should have at least 3 or 4 masks that can be washed after use. Having extra masks will allow a student to wear one and carry a spare with them while having extras at home to wear and bring the following day, ensuring they always have access to clean masks.

Social Distancing FAQ

Q: How will students socially distance in a classroom?

A: Classroom layouts will be adapted to maximize distance and square foot usage, including removing all furnishing, decluttering rooms, and facing students uniformly, where feasible. Students will face one direction when possible. Social distancing of at least 3 feet will be implemented when possible.

Sanitizing Classrooms & Equipment FAQ

Q: What steps will be taken to ensure that surfaces are clean in classrooms?

A: Keeping surfaces clean will be a team effort in Pike County Schools. Maintenance workers and school custodians will clean frequently touched surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings after each day. All other staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean. Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classroom. Hand sanitizing stations will be placed around the school for easy access

Q: Will students be able to use playground equipment and drinking fountains?

A: Playground equipment use and drinking fountains will be permitted, with enhanced cleaning and sanitization.

Cafeteria Safety / Food Service FAQ

Q: Where will school meals be served?

A: A variety of meal service methods will be utilized based on the individual schools. Meal service methods may include:

• • Serving Grab and Go meals in the cafeteria

  • Serving Grab and Go meals in classrooms

  • Serving meals in other areas in the building

Q: Can my child still bring lunch from home?

A: Yes, students can bring lunch from home. How that looks will be on a school by school, classroom by classroom basis. There may be some restrictions on what you can bring in a lunch based on student allergies. Principals usually make the call on the site level as to what they allow and do not allow to be brought in per their wellness plan. Do not bring peanut butter or nut-based ingredients.

Students are also encouraged to bring personal water bottles.

Q: How early and how late could they possibly eat with the extended lunch periods? Will they be able to have snacks?

A: Lunch schedules will be created on a school-by-school basis. Snacks are allowed during the school day based on individual school policies. These policies and practices are being reevaluated at each school site.

Q: What steps can be taken to limit exposure in the school cafeteria?

A: Extra lunch periods, assigned seating, floor markings, and defined foot traffic patterns are practices that schools will be utilizing to limit exposure. Each school and age group will require a different combination of these solutions specific to that environment, and the students served. Meals will be served in a non-congregate setting that allows social distancing contact-tracing guidelines to be followed. Disposable containers and utensils will be used to serve Grab and Go meals. Share tables and any sharing of food will not be allowed.

Q: I’m enrolling in Virtual Learning, but my child needs breakfast or lunch. Can they still get this from school?

A: At this time students that what Breakfast or Lunch will need to their Home school to eat with other students during the breakfast and lunch times. No meals will be fixed to go.

Transportation Safety FAQ

Q: What steps will be taken to limit exposure on school buses?

A: Buses will be sprayed down with disinfectant cleaner each day. Masks will be optional on all bus use. Rosters of students on bus will be kept by bus driver.

Q: Will hand sanitizer be available for student use on buses?

A: Hand sanitizer will be provided on buses for students to use while loading.

Q: Will students be screened before boarding school buses?

A: Parents will be responsible for completing a daily student health assessment before they board the bus. Students should not board the bus if showing/experiencing any COVID symptoms.

Q: Will students be required to wear masks on school buses?

A: Mask will be optional