Frequently Asked Questions

We know that the holidays are a time when families may choose to gather and there is a possibility for increased transmission of COVID-19. As a proactive step, we are moving to a remote learning environment for the week following both scheduled breaks. Although the scheduled time for remote learning is not enough time to complete a full 14 day quarantine, it is plenty time for families to identify whether or not any possible positive contacts may have occurred over the break, and to begin a quarantine period before potentially posing a risk to the building. In the majority of the cases that have occurred in the district, individuals have reported that symptoms developed within a week of confirmed positive contact with a case.

We recognize that for many of our students who are educated in self contained special education programs such as our Life Skills, Multiple Disability Support and Autistic Support classrooms, remote learning does not represent a viable option for the type of instructional activities and therapies that they require. In addition, unlike our general education population, students in these programs spend the majority of their time in one classroom, only moving to other parts of the building for planned activities. We believe that continuing to offer in-person programming for these students would provide them with the services that they require without adding the additional risk of exposure that might occur with students who switch classes and move throughout the buildings in our general education programs.

While all Wilson School District students will be participating in remote learning the week of 11/30/2020-12/4/2020, our Food Services Department will be offering two pick-up locations for students to receive meals on Wednesday December 2. Meal pick up will include 5 days worth of breakfast and lunch (include a half gallon of milk per student).

Pick-up at Lower House AND Cornwall Terrace will be between 7 am and 7:45 am on Wednesday, December 2. Meals are available to all children under the age of 18. To receive this food, we are asking all families to sign-up, so we can plan accordingly. Please use this form to sign up for the December 2 pick-up.

On December 9, we will resume our normal pick-up for our remote students at Cornwall Terrace only. Please use this sign up form for both the December 9 and December 16 pick-up. Please note that there will be no pick up on December 23 due to the Winter Break.

Our nurses are available to provide consultation and assistance while students are learning remotely. You can review the services that are available at this link. In addition, you can schedule a virtual call to discuss any questions you may have about COVID or other illnesses/ symptoms. Please use this link to schedule your appointment. We are asking that if your student would receive a positive COVID test result prior to returning to in-person instruction on Monday, December 7 that you contact your building nurse to make them aware so that we can accurately track their quarantine and return to school date.

The short-term closures are based on the school size. Since releasing the communication on Saturday we have received updated information that changed our closing metrics because our elementary schools are now classified as medium-sized buildings. The metrics we will now be using are as follows:

• Wilson Elementary and Wilson Middle Schools (medium size building with 500-900 students enrolled both in-person and virtual): 4-6 confirmed COVID-19 cases within a rolling 14 day window at an individual school results in a 3-7 day closure.

• Wilson High School (large-size building with 900+ students enrolled both in-person and virtual): 6-10 confirmed COVID-19 cases within a rolling 14 day window at an individual school results in a 3-7 days closure.

Previously, the DOH had provided recommendations and guidelines for schools based on community transmission within counties. The newly issued guidance mandates intermittent school closures based on the number of positive COVID-19 cases within a 14 day rolling window and in relation to the size of the school building population. Our district, as well as 99 percent of districts across the state, signed the attestation form to comply with these new requirements.

Yes, these metrics were developed by the PA DOE and PA DOH and will be what we are using going forward, until we are otherwise directed by the Department of Health.

When building closure is required, the school must suspend all in-person instruction in that building. Therefore, none of our students will be present during the mandated short-term closure.

According to the mandate, building size is based on the number of students who would be attending school in the building if not for the pandemic. Building size should not be based on the number of the students in the building when the case occurs or at the time of temporary closure.

Yes, if case investigations, contact tracing, and cleaning and disinfecting can be accomplished in a faster time frame, the length of closure time may be shortened.

The case count for a school building would include any individual (students or staff) with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 who was physically present in the school setting while infectious, including but not limited to, instruction, work, sports, or extracurricular activities.

The case count resets after the period that the school building is closed consistent with the DOH/PDE guidance on recommended procedures following a case of COVID-19 in a school building. This closure allows time for case investigations, contact tracing, and cleaning and disinfecting to be accomplished prior to the building reopening. In other words, the rolling 14-day period restarts with the first new case – after the school building reopens.

Yes - the Department of Health has adopted the CDC’s revised guidelines for quarantine following a close contact to a positive case, and we are continuing to follow their recommendations as part of our protocol. The quarantine timeline has been revised to 10 days as long as the individual continues to be asymptomatic, and does not utilize any fever reducing medications. The quarantine timeline could be reduced to 7 days if the individual receives a negative test result after the 5th day following exposure. Individuals should continue to monitor for symptoms for the full 14 days of the incubation period.

The District will be complying with the Recommendations for Pre-K to 12 Schools Following the Identification of a Case(s) of COVID-19, which provides guidance when a school building will need to close for a short period of time in the event of cases of COVID-19. The number of cases that triggers a short-term closure varies based on the size of the building. We track cases through our District COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard represents a running snapshot of active cases over the past 14 days in the district, not a cumulative total of the positive cases here in Wilson SD. Cases in the past have been recorded based on the notification date, but this has caused some confusion about the timelines for potential exposure. Following the Thanksgiving break, and in alignment with the new PDE/DOH decision making guides for schools, the district will be reporting cases based on the symptom onset date, or date of positive test result. This will give a more accurate picture of the number of active cases in any individual building, and allow the leadership to make decisions about short term remote shifts based on the state’s guidance. Therefore, the dashboard will reflect the following data:

• Cases reported on date of symptom onset or positive test date, not notification date

• Multiple cases in one household reported as one case

• Dashboard reports a 14 day rolling snapshot of current active cases

• Only positive cases that result in potential exposure in a building, or that result from exposure in a building are reported.

Our Health and Safety Plan has utilized the Berks IU’s Staying Safe Protocol (updated 11/23/2020) document as a decision making tool for all of the COVID related scenarios that have come up this school year. This guide indicates that students and staff who travel outside of the state may return to work or school unless otherwise mandated to quarantine by the PA Department of Health. On November 25, 2020, the PA Department of Health updated the new orders for a mandated quarantine period that applies to anyone traveling outside of the Commonwealth of PA. While the enforcement of and compliance with this mandate is left up to the individual, it’s our obligation to notify families of this expectation in accordance with our Health and Safety Plan. You can read more about the PA Department of Health Travel Restrictions on the DOH website: www.health.pa.gov

Currently, our School Board approved plan is that Elementary (K-5) receive in-person instruction daily. The plan also allows for the ability to transition to a hybrid schedule for K-5 instruction based on DOH/CDC guidance. For grades 6-12, students will attend school on a hybrid schedule, rotating between virtual and in-person instruction in order to reduce class sizes. The current recommended hybrid schedule is for Group "A" to attend school in-person on Monday/ Thursday and Group "B" to attend school on Tuesday/ Friday. Wednesday would be a full virtual learning day where students would receive synchronous instruction from their teacher. The plan also allows the District to transition back to full, in-person instruction based on DOH/CDC guidance. Students receiving special education services could be scheduled for additional in-person days of instruction based on the programs and supports outlined in their IEPs.

Please refer to the CDC website for current guidance on reopening schools. We review this information on a daily basis and review our plan to reflect their guidance.

Secondary times: Building doors open at 7:30 am; school day starts at 8:00 am. Dismissal for secondary will be at 2:20 pm for walkers/ drivers and 2:30 pm for bus riders.

Elementary times: Building doors open at 8:20 am. Dismissal for elementary will be at 3:25 pm. (Kindergarten hours are 8:30-11:35 am for the AM session and 12:40 pm-3:25 pm for the PM session)

In our current plan, in-person learning will be offered 5 days/ week for students in grades K-5. This will be accomplished by smaller class sizes allowing for proper social distancing. Students in grades 6-12 will attend school in a hybrid model. The student population will be divided into two groups-- A and B-- allowing us to reduce the total population in our secondary buildings to allow for proper social distancing. Group A will attend school on Monday/ Thursday and Group B will attend school on Tuesday/ Friday. Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all students featuring synchronous instruction by the teacher. Secondary students who are on their learn-at-home days will be expected to engage in learning activities during regular school hours.

The full-time virtual option is offered through the Wilson Remote Learning.

It is our belief that in-person learning to the highest degree possible and practical is the “gold” standard of education to address both the social-emotional and academic needs of our students. To that end, we consulted with a wide variety of stakeholder groups in the development of our plan. We relied heavily on the input of our local medical professionals to determine how our plan could provide a safe environment for students and staff while maximizing the amount of face-to-face instruction our students receive.

The 2020-2021 Student Information Update is now open on Skyward Family access. It is important that all families log into Family Access to complete all the necessary information that your child needs to start the school year. Please make sure that you double check your child’s medical information and update it if anything has changed from last school year. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that all information is complete and current in Skyward as this is how we will communicate important information to you throughout the school year. We have posted a screencast under the 20-21 Student Passwords and Schedules announcement on the homepage that will walk you through the process.

Yes! Our plan was designed to provide our families with choice. For our planning purposes and to ensure that we are properly staffed for both in-person and remote learning, parents/guardians are required to elect either the in-person or remote learning model for their child(ren). If a parent does not complete the form, their child(ren) will be automatically placed into the "traditional" In-person Learning Model. Enrollment in the In-Person Model or Remote Learning Model (Wilson Remote Learning) will be for one semester. We are asking parents to commit to an option by July 31, 2020. This information is critical to our planning process.

The Wilson Remote Learning features Wilson educators teaching our Wilson curriculum. Students will be on the same pace as their peers who are attending in-person classes. For details about this option, visit our Wilson Remote Learning Website.

All students will be issued a device. Students will utilize their home internet connection to use these devices. If a student does not have access to high speed internet at home, the District will assist families in securing it. Families who need assistance with internet access should contact chedeb@wilsonsd.org.

Secondary students in grades 6-12 will be split alphabetically . Students with last names A-K will attend school on Monday/ Thursday; students with last names L-Z will attend school on Tuesday/ Friday. All students will participate in remote learning on Wednesdays. Consideration will be given for students who reside in the same households, but have different last names to attend school on the same days.

English Learners (ELs) will receive services to develop language skills during synchronous (live) and asynchronous (without live instruction) portions of the remote or hybrid learning models.

The COVID-19 global pandemic caused a significant disruption with students returning with varying degrees of mastered skills and learning needs. As a result, all students in all learning models will be assessed at the start of the year, utilizing a combination of assessment tools to fully understand each student’s individualized needs. Marking period percentages will revert back to the traditional guidelines.

The Wilson School District provides most supplies for students. However, teachers may request that students secure certain items specific to their grade level. That information is communicated directly by the teacher.

In order to protect our staff and students, we are reducing the number of in-person or large scale meetings and school events until we receive guidance from the state that it is safe.

Field trips will not be taken until local and state health guidelines have determined it is safe to do so. Virtual field trips will be utilized as an alternative when appropriate to the learning objective.

We are currently developing a plan for those activities.

Extracurricular, club activities and athletics are an important part of a student’s experience in school. If these activities take place, they will follow the District's approved Health and Safety Plan.

Decisions regarding these activities will be based on guidance from the state, local health professionals, the PIAA and the Governor.

WSD is shifting to a half day Kindergarten model for the 2020-2021 school year. There will be a morning and an afternoon session meeting in-person 5 days/ week.

We believe the benefits to be:

A more developmentally appropriate start to a challenging first year in school. The emotional needs of the learner can be more readily addressed through very small class sizes. Wearing their mask is reduced to a half day. The academic program would remain intact. Playtime, a full 40 minute special, recess, and lunchtime would be eliminated (grab-and-go lunches will be available). Kindergarten students would not need to work virtually in either green or yellow health phases because they would attend school each day.

• • The times for Kindergarten will be as follows:

    • AM will be 8:50 am- 11:35 am

    • PM will be 12:40 pm- 3:25 pm

• • The times for Kindergarten will be as follows:

    • AM will be 8:50 am- 11:35 am

    • PM will be 12:40 pm- 3:25 pm

Morning

• • 8:50-9:10 Morning Meeting/Calendar

  • 9:10-9:30 Special

  • 9:30-10:00 Math

  • 10:00-10:10 hand washing

  • 10:10-10:50 Language arts/reading/phonics

  • 10:50-11:10 Hand washing and small groups

  • 11:10-11:30 Language arts/writing/phonics

  • Hand washing and pack up

Afternoon

• • 12:40-1:00 Class Meeting/Calendar

  • 1:00-1:20 Language arts/writing/phonic

  • 1:20-1:40 Hand washing and small groups

  • 1:40-2:20 Language arts/reading/phonics

  • 2:20-2:30 Hand washing

  • 2:30-3:00 Math

  • 3:00-3:20 Special

  • Hand washing and pack up

• • Phonics, read aloud/mini lesson, independent reading

  • Science and social studies integration

• • First trimester will focus on:

    • Phonics

    • Introduction to writing

    • Science

    • Social studies integration

• • Numbers sense and games

• • Handwashing, mask wearing

  • Community building

  • Communication skills

  • Apples/pumpkin integration

Families will receive a letter with their section assignment in the mail during the first week in August.

Our questionnaire indicated that we were exploring options for bussing students to Berkshire Heights and we asked whether families would be interested in this option if it could be arranged.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate the many parents who replied that they have interest. There is not space at Berkshire Heights for all of the students. More importantly, with the new stricter guidelines issued last week from the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html), we cannot have students from multiple buildings co-mingling for childcare at another school.

Our leadership team has spent hours on looking at ways to follow guidelines and offer some type of care option to families. This would require individual elementary school space for the reasons mentioned above. We do not have the space to accommodate care and provide for the small class sizes in all grades that our community is expecting. The team is unable to formulate a safe and viable plan for mid-day childcare, therefore, Wilson cannot offer a care option for your Kindergarten child at this time.

Our principals are working on scheduling new student tours, including incoming Kindergarten students. This will be scheduled through each elementary school with information provided in the packet students will receive prior to the start of school. Teachers will offer orientation information in their virtual Meet the Teacher presentations.

As part of the Health and Safety plan development, the Wilson School District has created a task force comprised of special education teachers, administrators and specialists to ensure that our students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans are provided their educational services in compliance with all state and federal safety guidelines related to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. We are committed to providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) pursuant to each child’s IEP, regardless of how the school day looks during the various state phases. In some situations, this may mean that students receiving special education services would be offered programming in-person on a daily basis, while others may have the opportunity to receive instruction and intervention through a combination of in-person and virtual services, or on a personalized schedule. The IEP team make the final determination for each student.

The IEP team will determine if services will be provided in-person or remotely based on the individual student’s needs. If in-person services best meet the needs of the student, the student’s in-person time may be extended.

Individual Education Plans will be reviewed at the beginning of the school year to ensure they meet the needs of the child (based on delivery of programming), which will include the need for support from a 1:1 paraprofessional. Those supports would be provided during the in-person portion of a student's schedule.

IEPs will be reviewed at the beginning of the school year to determine the best method of delivery. Special Education programming will be delivered both in-person and remote based on student need and safety precautions.

PPE has been purchased to support students. Assistive technology will be determined based on student need. Our staff is currently investigating all options to ensure that our students are able to appropriately access the educational environment.

Refer to the StayingSAFE document for a comprehensive overview of protocols and procedures.

The district will follow CDC and PA Dept of Health Guidelines and Protocols for Quarantine and Isolation. For each case, we will work directly with our contact at the Department of Health to determine the necessary next steps.

Employees and students must quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms for 10-14 days if they:

Tested positive of COVID-19

OR

Had close contact with someone who has tested positive of COVID-19

The guidance defines “close contact” as being within 6 feet of an individual with symptoms for more than 15 minutes.

Suspected having COVID-19?

Employees should contact Human Resources Director, Brad Hahn, immediately if they experience any of the above and do not report to work. Contact tracing will be initiated in collaboration with local health officials.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) must call the school nurse and/or the principal to inform them. This information will then be reported to the Wilson School District Pandemic Coordinator who will receive guidance from the Department of Health, so contact tracing can take place.

In the event that a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the building principal will inform the Pandemic Coordinator. According guidance from the PDE, the areas of the school used by a sick person will be closed. These areas will not be used until after proper cleaning and disinfection procedures have been completed. We will wait at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting; and if 24 hours are not possible, we will wait as long as it is possible. Principals will relocate classes during this time period. The area will be opened for use once it has been appropriately disinfected.

These protocols will be updated based on the most current guidance from the CDC/PA DOH.

Attendance Expectations/ Procedures

As we continue to navigate through the beginning of this year, it is important to update parents and students on our attendance practices. We would like to further clarify our expectations for students attending classes in both a hybrid and/or remote setting. Please review the following procedures so you can best communicate with the building office in situations where you child will not be in school.

Hybrid Students

Students in a Hybrid Model must be present in school on the “in” day (link to schedule) to be considered present. A student who does not come into school on their “in” day will be considered absent regardless if they remote in during those days. Students that are well enough to remote in are encouraged to, but it will not replace the absence code from the district.

Illness – Hybrid and Remote Students

Students will be marked absent for illness. Students who will be absent should follow normal procedures including calling the building office to report the absence prior to school and providing a note for the absence when they return or send an email with a copy of the excuse note attached.

Late to School/Class for Students

Students who do not remote in/attend each period will be considered absent or cutting class. Students are expected to remote into their classes for attendance check-ins and to get their work for the day on their “out” or remote days.

Quarantining – Hybrid and Remote Students

Students who are required to quarantine for precaution or possible exposure and who are willing and able to learn remotely may do so and shall be marked in Skyward with an “O-Q” code. This code identifies that the child is under quarantine. Parents will be responsible to provide documentation of the need to quarantine. If the quarantining student is ill, please follow the illness procedures above.

Technology Issues

Technology issues will happen during remote learning. In the event that internet access is not available or technology issues occur, students are responsible for contacting the building or their individual teachers to inform them of the situation.

All staff and students will be screened upon entering the building. We are also asking families to check their temperatures at home every day before coming to school.

Per the order of the Governor of Pennsylvania, all students and staff must wear face coverings while in our school buildings. Students and staff will be provided with disposable masks if they arrive at the building without one.

Students will be wearing masks at all times indoors, except during teacher directed breaks that will be based on age/developmental levels. There will be agreed upon times by level for breaks to occur.

Masks or Face Coverings are defined as a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is wrapped around the lower face, and can be made of a variety of types of materials such as cotton, linen, or synthetic fabric, etc. The function of a face covering is to prevent the spread of airborne water droplets in the area immediately surrounding the student or staff member. (Masks with exhalation vents are not acceptable as they do not provide the proper protection). While procedural and surgical masks intended for health care providers and first responders, such as N95 respirators, would meet these requirements, these specialized masks should be reserved for appropriate occupational and health care settings.

Masks must meet the standards of our dress code policy (no words or symbols that are obscene, profane, sexually explicit, or otherwise improper).

Classroom preparation and sanitization will be significant and frequent. All buildings will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly on a daily basis. Any unnecessary furniture and other items currently in classrooms will be removed and stored. Classrooms will access to cleaning supplies.

The custodial staff will continue to clean with Rejuvnal, Suprox, QT3 and QT-TB, all are approved for Covid 19. The kill time for these products are from 3 to 5 minutes. Viridis is a spray- on surface sanitizer and disinfectant that kills Covid 19 and continues to kill for up to 21 days. It is organic, alcohol free and triclosan free, non-toxic, odorless and safe for humans. It is good for both interior and exterior applications and will withstand up to a quarter of an inch rainfall event. This product is to be used on all hard surfaces and frequently touched points such as desks, door handles, bathroom fixtures etc.

Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the schools. Regular hand washing will be incorporated into the school day. Signage displaying correct sneezing/coughing methods and handwashing protocols will be displayed in all bathrooms, hallways, and classrooms.

We surveyed families a few weeks ago and asked if you would be using our busing services to transport your child to and from school this year. Based on the results of that survey, we have worked to reduce the total number of students on our buses to an average of 24 or less, which allows us to observe social distancing. Thank you to all of the families who have opted to transport their student this year. This has helped us tremendously! If you are able to transport your student and did not indicate that through the survey, please contact our transportation department at 610.670.0180 x1220 so we can make that adjustment to our schedule.

If you DID elect to utilize Wilson’s transportation services for the 2020-2021 school year, please note that you will not be receiving postcards from our transportation department regarding your bus assignment. Our Transportation Department now offers parent(s)/guardian(s) a way to find information about their child's District provided transportation using the on-line “InfoFinder i” system. Click this link and once you are in the system, fill in your address (St, Dr, Rd, Ln, Ave, Blvd) and zip code. Select school and grade using the drop down menu provided and then select “search.” This system replaces the postcards that were mailed annually and enables us to provide real-time information about bus schedules for all district families.

The InfoFinder System will be LIVE on Friday, August 21 at noon, so you will be able to access your student’s transportation information at that time.

We are asking our families to please be patient with us this school year as we have numerous changes we are processing on a daily basis to our transportation schedule. The InfoFinder system is updated on a daily basis and always includes the most recent information regarding bus schedules.

Thank you again for all your support and cooperation as we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Each building has a mental health team consisting of school psychologist(s), school counselors and social worker(s). Families are encouraged to reach out to the building team for support. Additional questions or concerns can be addressed to Dr. Andy Hoffert, Director of Student Services.

How will students eat lunch?

For our Elementary Students, both lunch and breakfast will be served in the classroom

• • Breakfast can be picked up as students enter the building and taken to their classroom to eat.

  • Lunch will be ordered in the classroom when attendance is taken in the morning and then delivered to the room at lunchtime.

  • Purchasing meals:

    • For both breakfast and lunch: any meals purchased will be applied to the student’s balance or account via the roster taken at the breakfast kiosk or in the classroom.

    • Meals can be paid for by sending an envelope of money or a check with your child, sending money or a check to the food service office, or paying online.

    • Free or reduced lunch benefits apply to both breakfast and lunch purchases. For details, click here.

For our Middle School and High School Students: Breakfast will be served in the classroom and lunch will be served in the cafeteria

• • Breakfast can be picked up as students enter the building and taken to their classroom.

  • Lunch will be eaten in the cafeteria, with social distancing measures in place.

  • Cafeteria staff will have carts of a la carte items (drinks, snacks, etc) available for purchase in the lunch rooms.

  • Purchasing meals:

    • Breakfast will be applied to the student’s account (the cafeteria worker will take down student’s name and apply the meal to POS system back in cafeteria)

    • Lunch will be applied to the student’s account by checking out the POS system in the cafeteria

    • Meals can be paid for by sending an envelope of money or a check with your child, sending money or a check to the food service office, or paying online.

    • Free or reduced lunch benefits apply to both breakfast and lunch purchases. For details, click here.

Will meals be available on off-days for our hybrid students?

• Students will be able to pick up breakfast and lunch for the next day(s) in the cafeteria prior to leaving school on the day that they are attending in person classes. (Ex. If your student is on the “A” schedule and in school on Monday/ Thursday, they will be able to pick up 2 days of meals on Monday after school and 1 day of meals on Thursday after school).

• The meals will be applied to the student’s account through the POS system or by utilizing the class roster.

Will meals be available for our students choosing remote/ virtual learning?

Yes! We will have a weekly pick up of 5 days worth of breakfast and lunch (including a half gallon of milk/ student) on Wednesdays from 7 am-8 am at Southern Middle School (3100 Iroquois Avenue, Sinking Spring). These meals are available to all students participating in the virtual or remote learning options in the Wilson School District. A weekly sign up form to receive these meals will be available on the menu page of our website.

If you receive free or reduced lunch benefits, they will apply to these meals. Families who are not eligible for free or reduced benefits, are able to purchase these meals by paying online. To see if you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you can contact our Food Service Office at 610.670.0180 x1147

How can I become eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch?

If your income changed since the last school year, you may be eligible for free or reduced lunch. Please click here for details regarding how to apply. You can also call our office for more information.

Drills will be scheduled and practiced to allow for social distancing, while still maintaining the required frequency. For example, classes could be staggered to practice an intruder/security drill (i.e. ALICE).

We will be providing filter changes to exceed normal operating guidelines to ensure that all ventilation systems are operating at maximum capacity. In addition, our facilities staff will work to increase air exchange across all buildings. Facilities staff has been directed to run systems 24/7 to consistently bring in outside air flow. We will also be encouraging using outdoor spaces as much as possible.

Each school will stagger arrivals/dismissals as appropriate for the school, given the size of the student population and the building configuration. Doors will open at 8:20 am at elementary schools and at 730 am at secondary schools to provide additional time for student arrival. Where possible, multiple entrances and exit points will be utilized. Designated spots for bus pick-up and drop-off will also be assigned.

To reduce visitors in the buildings, guests will only be permitted with prior approval from the building principal. Non-essential visitors will not be permitted until further notice.

Our current plan is to operate this program, following state and local safety guidelines.

Students will not be permitted to share materials in the classroom. Materials that are typically shared by students have been removed from classrooms.

Students will keep their backpacks and other personal items with them throughout the school day in the secondary level. In middle school, students will be able to leave some items (jacket, lunch bag, etc.) in their 1st period classroom. In elementary, students will keep their items with them at their individual desks.

Official class size guidelines will not change, however, in our hybrid model for grades 6-12, approximately half of the students attend on a given day, which reduces the class size to half of the class’ normal enrollment. This allows for more space to physically distance and maintains small cohorts of students to attend school at a time which limits the number of students interacting at once in a building and on a bus. At the elementary level (K-5), we will be keeping class sizes at an average of 18 and keeping students together with their class throughout the school day. All classrooms will be set up to allow for a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing for all students and staff.

Desks and tables will be arranged to allow for a 6-foot distance in all directions, facing the same direction when possible. Students will sit only on one side of tables. Students will remain seated as much as possible to limit movement inside the classroom and assigned seating will be used. Classroom doors will remain open, and mechanical systems will be scheduled to take in more outside air.

There will be modified bell schedule to reduce the number of students in our hallways as they change classes. During passing periods safety precautions will be taken including hallway directional signage, no use of lockers, and social distancing.

For grades K-5, students will be kept in one classroom to the greatest extent possible. For grades 6-12, class sizes will be reduced as a result of the hybrid model. Students will change rooms, but bell schedules will be altered to lower the number of students in hallways, etc. during transition times. When students change classes during passing periods safety precautions will be taken including hallway directional signage, no use of lockers, and social distancing.

Yes. However the students will go to recess with their class only. Playground equipment will also be disinfected frequently.

Cleanings and sanitization will be done more frequently. We are also working to diminish touch points as available. All water fountains will be replaced with bottle refilling stations. Students will be encouraged to bring their own water bottle to school.

Every classroom will be supplied with hand sanitizer or hand sanitization stations and disinfecting wipes.

Bus capacity will be lowered and masks are required. Assigned seating will be used to ensure appropriate social distancing. If there are siblings on the bus, we will assign a seat with a sibling. Drivers and bus monitors will wear PPE and perform regular hand hygiene. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily, in between AM and PM routes. Families will be asked if they plan to use transportation in an effort to reduce the number of students on the bus.

No. Parents are required to check students’ temperatures at home before they board the bus. Drivers and monitors check their own temperatures prior to starting the runs, and will wear PPE and perform regular hand hygiene. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily, in between routes. Students riding Special Education transportation that are staffed with monitors will have temperature screenings conducted prior to boarding.

Employees are required to self-monitor at home for symptoms (fever of 100.0 or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, the new loss of taste or smell) related to COVID-19 before arriving at work. All staff will be temperature-checked upon arrival at school. If employees exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, they should contact their physician. Employees who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should inform their supervisor and contact Human Resources for guidance and next steps.

If an employee feels sick at school, we have designated the school nurse as the person to be responsible for responding to any presumed positive cases of COVID-19. They should call the nurse's phone immediately to discuss the situation and symptoms they are experiencing. If the nurse is unavailable, they should contact the school principal or supervisor. Employees must quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms for 10-14 days per the return to school guidance if they:

• • Tested positive of COVID-19

  • Had close contact (within 6 feet of a person for more than 10 minutes) with someone who has tested positive of COVID-19 or is presumed positive.

  • Return to work will be a 14 day quarantine with no symptoms or a negative test result. All employees must be released to work by the Director of Human Resources.

For additional information, please refer to the most recent guidance from PA Department of Health.

The District provides a Employee Assistance Program through Inroads. Details about this program are available through the HR Department.

No. In both the hybrid and fully on-line learning models, all staff are expected to work onsite in the school buildings.

Yes-- we are hiring additional long term substitute teachers as well as increasing our pool of substitutes.

Substitute teaches will be monitored following the same protocols being used for staff and students, including self-monitoring and temperature checks upon arrival.