Frequently Asked Questions

All Students

• Mask

• A labeled reusable water bottle (dishwasher safe and with a closing lid)

• School supplies (textbooks, learning materials, laptop/ipad/braillenote/chargers, braille writer, etc).

• Medications (which will go to our nurses in the health center)

Suggested Packing List for Residential Students

• At least 5 sets of Clothes (pants, shirts, socks, underclothes).

• Pajamas

• Warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves

• Swim suit

• PE clothes, including tennis shoes

• Toiletry items (deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap/body wash, shampoo, comb/brush, feminine hygiene products).

• Snacks (which will go in your students assigned snack drawer)

If any student shows that they have any of the symptoms listed in our daily health check at any point, a designated WSSB staff member will escort the student to the health center to isolate from other students. At that time, the nurse will review records and contact the family to ensure that the symptoms are not attributed with another condition. Students with suspected COVID symptoms not associated with another condition will be sent home for the day.

The student may return to school if they only have one of the following class B symptoms that resolves within 24 hours :

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle or body ache

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea (defined as 2 or more loose stool in 24 hours)

For all class A symptoms listed below or multiple class B symptoms (listed above), the student must remain out of school for 10 days from start of symptoms and 24 hours symptom free or have negative COVID test and 24 hours symptom free. Class A symptoms include:

• Fever (defined as 100.4 or above)

• Cough

• Loss of taste and/or smell

• Shortness of breath

In all cases where a student is excluded from school due to a suspected COVID symptom, it is recommended you contact your student's health care provider to determine if a COVID test is recommended.

If a positive COVID case and is identified at the school, a notification will be made to staff and families. All close contacts to the positive COVID case will be notified and information will be provided regarding quarantine guidelines. Close contact is defined as an individual that spends an accumulated total time of greater than 15 minutes within less than 6 feet of an infected person within a 24 hour period.

Starting April 12, all classes will be provided in-person with their teachers and staff members. There will be periods throughout the day or week where students may have a study hall. During this time, students will complete assigned coursework, participate in independent learning using study.com, or be provided recovery IEP service areas.

Students in the school building must wear masks at all times. Students may remove their masks when they are eating and drinking. If students need a mask break, they can take off their masks outdoors if they are by themselves or at least 6 feet from others.

Some students may have a mask break if they are assigned to access their instructor via Zoom and they are in a private enclosed room.

While in the cottage, students will need to wear their masks in common areas but will remove them while eating and maintain at least 6 foot distance between others.

A cloth mask:

• covers your mouth and nose

• Fits securely on the sides of your face and chin

• Made of two or more layers of tightly woven fabric with ties or straps that go around your head or behind your ears

A cloth mask should not:

• Have an exhalation valve or vent

• Be a single layer bandana or gaiter

Remote learning will remain an option for some of our students. Some classes may not be available through live-stream Zoom after spring break. These classes include art, fitness, and music classes.

Some students have shown that remote learning has been a positive educational experience, but for many WSSB students, it hasn't been effective at fully meeting their needs. While remote-learning will continue to be available for any student/family who opts for this learning mode, alternative placement options should be made available for consideration, if appropriate, including those within a student's home district. Each situation will be handled individually with each student/family.

Our goal is to have all students learning in-person at WSSB so that we can provide the intensive services and supports our students need to be successful.