Canajoharie CSDReopening Preliminary Plan

Mission - Vision - ValuesVision-Every Learner, Together, World Ready

Mission-Every day in our school district we foster a relationship-based safe learning environment. We provide access for all students to fully participate in an educational process that incorporates skill development & academic achievement with classroom interests, talents, passions, & activities. We educate the whole child so they become

self-aware, critical thinkers, who are culturally & socially conscious adults.

Values - Accountability, Community Involvement, Creativity/Inquiry, Empathy, Engagement, Perseverance, Respect, and Transparency

Plan Concepts● Plan must revolve around:

○ NYSED Guidelines○ Department of Health Guidelines○ District Facilities○ Fiscal Constraints

● Other considerations:○ Transportation○ Food Service○ Maintenance ○ Staffing○ Getting students back into the building

● Topics that must be of high priority:○ Health and Safety○ Teaching and Learning○ Social-Emotional Needs○ Special Education ○ Bilingual Education and Multilingual Learners○ Digital Equity and Access

● There will be a new “norm” - things will be different● There will be no plan that will be perfect and meet everyone’s needs● This will be extremely fluid and spontaneous-we must be ready to change and alter as the year progresses● We will need everyone’s help - partnership between home and school to make this work

History and Preparation● January - COVID-19 enters US ● March - Schools were made aware of COVID-19 and to look at precautions on cleaning and disinfecting● March 12 - Schools were informed that there might be a closure to schools due to virus● March 14 - Superintendents meet with county health personnel on issue● March 16 - Montgomery County issued a state of emergency closing schools ● March 16 - District devises plan to issue technology, supplies and equipment to students● March 18 - NYS closes all schools due to COVID-19● Two week intervals began relating to closures ● Weekly videos and updates occur on website and social media● May 1 - Gov. Cuomo closes all schools for the remainder of the school year● June-July - Administration meets regularly to look at COVID-19 situation and possible ideas for reopening plans ● July 6 - Gov. Cuomo orders schools to develop reopening plans - with no guidance from the state or Dept of Health● July 13 - Gov. Cuomo and the NYSDOH issues guidance for reopening ● July 15 - CCSD COVID-19 Reopening Committee ● July 15 - Guidance from NYSED● July 16 - Plan Survey ● July 22 - 30 - Building Level Committees, Music Department, Nurses, Union and District Safety Committee ● July 27 - Technology Survey● July 28 - Webex ● July 29 - Reopening Committee ● July 31 - Submit Plan● August 1 -8 - Governor Cuomo makes final decision on reopening● August 10-31 - Follow Up Meetings / Prepare for Reopening

Topics to Cover

● Academics

● Social Emotional Well-Being

● Health and Safety

Academics

● Pre-K-6 Grade - Daily - In-Person● Grades 7-12 - Hybrid - In-Person and Remote Learning ● Life Skills and some specialized classes will resume In-Person daily as well - K-12 levels● PreK-5 - will begin school at 8:40am● Grades 6-12 - will begin at 8:10 am● Regular dismissal time for all● East Hill will open at 8:20 am each day● MS and High School will open at 7:50 am each day● Attendance will be taken each day for both in-person and remote learning ● Code of conduct is in full effect especially with a focus on COVID-19 guidelines● There will be two bus runs each day - Grades 6-12 - Regular time / PreK-5 - 8:00am● Concept:

○ Get our youngest students back to school on a daily basis○ Elevate number of students to start the day due to temperature checks and flow of students in building○ Grades 7-12 can better facilitate remote learning-but still get them back into the building○ PreK-5 need the daily interaction for fundamental learning

Academics - Pre-K-6

● Students will be located in both East Hill and Middle School buildings to ensure proper social distancing ● Additional classrooms will be utilized at each grade level ● Each grade level will have four/five sections with 10-16 students in each room● Teachers will rotate through each homeroom at each grade level (K-5)● Students will receive instruction in ELA/Writing, Science/Social Studies, Math, AIS, and special areas ● In K-5, each instructional area will receive approximately fifty (50) minutes for instruction daily.● In grade 6, students will follow a 9 period schedule. ● Students will also receive appropriate Special Education and ENL services● Students will receive approximately an hour for lunch and recess daily (K-5). ● Cohorts will remain together throughout the school day.

Academics - Pre-K-6

● Sample Schedule for PreK-5:

8:20-8:40 Breakfast/HR8:40-9:30 Art9:30-10:20 ELA10:20-11:10 Recess11:10-12:00 LUNCH12:00-12:50 Social/Science12:50-1:40 Math1:40-2:30 AIS2:30-3:00 Dismissal

● Sample Schedule for Grade 6:

Period 1: Business 6Period 2: ELAPeriod 3: SciencePeriod 4: STEMPeriod 5: LunchPeriod 6: MathPeriod 7: Social StudiesPeriod 8: Guided Study Period 9: Health/Physical Education

Academics - Grades 7-12

● Four Day Rotating Schedule Consisting of 50% of Grades 7-8 and 9-12 - all located at the high school● 1 day-In-person day of attendance ● 1 day-At home assignment day ● 2 days-Remote instruction day(s) ● 5th day will repeat the rotation● Schedule will be done with an A and B Day rotation● Calendars for each group will be developed to let students know group and day● In-person and remote days will be on a daily school schedule with 9 periods● Each group of students will be assigned a number to represent that group

○ Group 1 - 50%-Grades 7-8 / Group 2 - 50%-Grades 7-8○ Group 3 - 50%-Grades 9-12 / Groups 4 - 50%-Grades 9-12

● Students who have internet issues, CTE or P-Tech will be allowed to come into school daily ● Breakfast and lunch will be served daily and students will take home three days of breakfast and lunch when they

dismiss● Breakfast will be from 7:50-8:10 in the cafeteria, foyer area and homerooms to ensure proper social distancing ● Lunch will be located in the cafeteria, auditorium and foyer area to ensure proper social distancing

Academics - Grades 7-12

● Schedule - Grades 7-8 (Group 1 and 2) - Example:○ Monday-A Day: Group 1-In-Person / Group 2-At home assignment day○ Tuesday-A Day: Group 2-In-Person / Group 1-At home assignment○ Wednesday-A Day: Group 1 and 2-Remote Learning○ Thursday-A Day: Group 1 and 2-Remote Learning○ Friday-B Day: Repeat Rotation

● Schedule - Grades 9-12 (Group 3 and 4) - Example:○ Monday-A Day: Group 3 and 4 - Remote learning○ Tuesday-A Day: Groups 3 and 4 - Remote Learning○ Wednesday-A Day: Group 3-In-Person / Group 4-At home assignment ○ Thursday-A Day: Group 4-In-Person / Group 3-At home assignment ○ Friday-B Day: Repeat Rotation

● If there is a snow day - the day will be missed and the schedule will not alter

Social Emotional Well-Being

● As we embark on an unprecedented reopening, it is paramount that we not only have the students’ safety in mind but also their social and emotional well-being as well.

● The district is here to help support students who may be struggling with the ever changing situation and how COVID-19 may have affected their situation in and out of school

● Conscious discipline at the PreK-6 level and Restorative Practices in grades 7-12 will be utilized:○ Foundations for each program will be embedded into the classroom culture○ Both programs are preventative in nature with interventions that are responsive - not punitive

● Online and in-person supports will be provided to all students and staff. Building level student support teams will be utilized at each building to screen and develop individualized social-emotional support plans

● We will have the following Pupil Personnel Services Staff (PPS) available:○ School Counselors○ School Psychologist○ Social Worker○ Crisis Counselor (Family Counseling Center)○ Home Run Counselor (Berkshire Farms)

Social Emotional Well-Being

● The district will follow a tiered approach:● Tier 3: Individual students (<10%):

○ District PPS member assigned as Case manager to support referral to outside agencies including but not limited to: Home Run, Family Counseling Center, St. Mary’s Counseling Center, SPOA, etc.

○ Individual will be referred to the school social worker or the school psychologist○ Parent/Guardian contacted and plan developed to support student both in and out of school

● Tier 2: Small groups of students (10-25%)○ Referral made to PPS through the teacher, staff member, parent or administrator○ Targeted Counseling Groups for students referred to the PPS Team: Self-regulation, anxiety/fear○ Regular Check in/Check out procedures

● Tier 1: Whole Group (75-90%)○ East Hill: Direct social-emotional skill development via Conscious Discipline on a weekly basis ○ Middle School: Classroom-based social-emotional skills taught through Conscious ○ Discipline and Restorative Practices - HS - restorative concepts embedded within course curriculums

Health and Safety● The single most important goal of reopening is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff● Mrs. Alicia D’Ambrosio - East Hill Principal will be our COVID-19 Safety Coordinator ● We will have to be in partnership with both school and home to ensure we achieve our goal● All students, faculty, staff, and guests are required to wear face coverings upon entering the buildings ● Face coverings can only be removed if proper social distancing ● Students can remove masks during the school day when faculty and staff allow to ensure consistent

protocols● All faculty, staff and students will be given PPE if needed (can also use their own if approved)● Signage will be posted throughout our facilities for walking arrows, keeping 6 feet apart, seating in food

areas, proper hand washing and hygiene, and proper wearing and use of face coverings● Protocols for the following will be in place:

○ Signs of Illness in Students and Staff○ Correct Hand and Respiratory Hygiene○ Daily Temperature and COVID-19 Health Screenings○ How to keep proper social distancing ○ Students or Staff who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and return to school○ Confirmed Case of COVID-19 and return to school○ Cleaning and Disinfecting ○ Ventilation○ Food Service○ Transportation

Health and Safety● Protocols for Signs of Illness in Students and Staff:

○ Fever or chills (100 degrees or greater)○ Cough and shortness of breath/difficulty breathing○ Fatigue and muscle or body aches○ Headache○ New loss of taste or smell○ Sore throat, congestion or runny nose○ Nausea or vomiting○ Diarrhea

● Staff will be educated to observe students for signs of any:○ Flushed cheeks○ Rapid or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity)○ Fatigue, and/or irritability○ Frequent use of the bathroom

● If a student or staff member exhibits any of these signs with no other explanation for them, they will be sent to the school health office for an assessment

● If the school nurse determines that the student or staff member has symptoms indicative of the virus, they will be isolated from others and sent home immediately

● Such persons will then be referred to their healthcare provider to be cleared for return to school if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours

Health and Safety● Protocols for the correct hand and respiratory hygiene:

○ “How to wash your hands properly” signage and protocol are in the reopening plan○ Washing hands should occur prior to leaving home each day○ Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom, hallways, and in food areas○ Most all PreK-6 classrooms have a sink and hand washing will be done during the school day○ Wearing face coverings correctly is vital and students, faculty and staff will be trained○ Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue and if no tissue as the moment, sneeze into your elbow○ Students, faculty and staff must wash their hands after sneezing, coughing and going to the

bathroom○ Detailed information and “How To” are located in the Reopening Guide and there will be

video tutorials as well

Health and Safety● Protocol for Daily Temperature and COVID-19 Health Screenings:

○ Parents/Guardians are encouraged to take temperature of their child each day○ Students will have their temperature checked daily by a staff member with a thermal

thermometer prior to entering the bus ○ Students who do not take the bus will have their temperature checked before entering the

building by a staff member with a thermal thermometer○ Students will be randomly selected to take a screening questionnaire○ Faculty and staff are responsible for taking their temperature daily and filling out a daily

screening questionnaire upon coming to work - via google form○ All students, faculty and staff will be recorded and documented daily○ Students who arrive late to school must directly report to:

■ High School - Nurse Office■ East Hill and Middle School - Main Office

● Protocol for Visitors, Guests and Contractors:○ Must wear face coverings upon entering the building○ Must report to the main office for a health screening and sign-in○ Parents and guests are encouraged to conference with faculty and administration via online○ Visitors, Guests and Contractors must follow all social distancing protocols

Health and Safety● How to keep proper social distancing:

○ Classrooms:

■ Desks in all classrooms will be set up to comply with social distancing guidelines

■ Signage will be utilized to indicate where students can sit and stand to maintain social distancing○ Hallways:

■ Student travel times will be staggered to limit hallways congestion at all buildings.■ Signage will be posted in the hallways to guide the flow of throughout the building in a single direction

○ Cafeteria:■ Signage will be posted every to comply with social distancing guidelines every 6 feet in the cafeteria line.■ Students will be seated by cohort with 3 students per table following social distancing guidelines (Sit Here

signs)■ When eating, students will not be required to wear their face masks■ Students will be dismissed one at a time to dump their trays/garbage by the assigned staff.

○ Physical Education:■ Class size will be limited to ensure social distance guidelines of 12 feet.■ Outside spaces will be utilized as weather permits

○ Use of Facemasks:■ Students and staff will be expected to wear face masks while on district transportation, in district buildings

and on district property■ Face masks must be worn unless a student or staff member is following socially distant and directed by staff

and is eating or taking an assigned face mask break

●

Health and Safety● Protocol for Students or Staff who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and return to school:

○ The district requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be send directly to a dedicated isolation area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home

○ Students will be supervised in the isolation area while awaiting transport home and will be separated by at least 6 feet

○ Students will be escorted from their isolation area to their parent/guardian○ Students or staff will be referred to a healthcare provider and provided resources on

possible COVID-19 testing if necessary○ Students or staff can return after being symptom free from basic alignments but need to

have at least 24 hours of no fever without medication to return○ If symptoms persist after 24 hours, it is recommended to see their physician to be cleared

for return○ The district has established protocols and procedures, in consultation with the Montgomery

County Health Department, about the requirements for determining when individuals, particularly students, who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms cna return to the in-person learning environment at school.

○ The protocol includes:■ Documentation from a health care provider following evaluation■ Possible negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result■ Symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, release from isolation

Health and Safety● Protocol for a confirmed case of COVID-19 and return to school:

○ The district will notify the Montgomery County Health Department immediately upon being informed of a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result

○ The health department will begin with contact tracing○ To assist the health department with tracing the district has put in the following protocols

■ Keeping attendance records for students and staff on a daily basis■ Ensuring student schedules are up to date■ Keeping a log of any visitor which includes date, time and where they have visited■ Assisting the health department in obtaining contact information if needed and

making contact as well○ Confidentiality must be maintained during the process○ The district will follow the requirements set forth by the health department for cleaning,

disinfecting and possible school closure when a positive case is identified ○ Any positive cases must be quarantined for the recommended time and must be cleared by

the medical official and health department in order to return to school

Health and Safety● Protocol for Cleaning and Disinfecting per CDC Guidelines:

○ Cleaning and disinfecting will be done on a daily basis in all occupied building spaces and transportation vehicles and will include frequently touched areas such as:

■ Door knobs and handles■ Stair rails■ Classroom desks and chairs■ Lunchroom tables and chairs■ Countertops■ Handrails■ Light switches■ Handles on equipment ■ Push-buttons on vending machines and elevators■ Shared toys, remote controls, telephones and desktops■ Bus seats and handrails■ Bathroom fixtures

● Maintenance and transportation will be equipped with disinfecting sprayers and will be cleaning and disinfecting common areas during the school day

● The district is also hiring additional cleaning staff● Food service personnel will also be cleaning and disinfecting as well

Health and Safety● Ventilation:

○ The High School and the New North Wing in the elementary school are a VAV (Variable Air Volume) system with rooftop units that provide the air flow. The rooftop units will be monitored to keep outdoor air intake at the maximum capacity.

○ The middle school and remaining part of the elementary building's HVAC systems consist of unit ventilators or individual space rooftop units. The rooftop units will be monitored to keep outdoor air intake at the maximum capacity.

○ Classroom doors will be open during the school day○ Windows will be open when possible ○ Outside areas will be used for possible classroom lessons ○ Transportation - windows and hatches will be open for days 50 degrees or greater

Health and Safety● Food Service:● Protocol for Meals:

○ All students will receive breakfast and lunch daily while in attendance○ Any students who bring their meals to school must stay in their backpack and can only be taken out

when it is time for the student to travel to the food area○ Students in grades 7-12 will be given 3 days of breakfast and lunch for days they are not in-person ○ All students will have appropriate social distancing in each location○ There will be no sharing of food items at any time and all students will follow social distancing

guidelines while they eat○ All students must wear face coverings too and from the food areas, only taking them off while

eating○ All students will use the floor signs to ensure they are social distancing while waiting in line○ Students in grades PreK-6 will have designated seating areas with their cohorts for breakfast and

lunch○ All cafeteria employees will wear gloves and face coverings ○ Cafeteria, great room and classrooms will be used in East Hill and Middle School○ Cafeteria, foyer area, auditorium and classrooms will be used in the High School○ Meals for students who do not attend for a day of school can be picked up at the high school

between 11-12pm each day○ All food areas will be disinfected after each breakfast and lunch period

Health and Safety● Protocols for Transportation:

○ All students must wear face coverings when using district transportation ○ There will only be one student per seat, alternating by aisle and window seating in each row○ Temperature checks will be conducted as a student enters a vehicle○ A parent/guardian for grades PreK-6 must be present at the designated stop ○ If a student has a temperature of 100 degrees or more, the student will need to stay home. It

is encouraged that parents take their child’s temperature and assess their health before leaving their residence each day

○ Due to the limited capacity for each vehicle, students will only be transported to and from their designated residence each day. There will be no alternative pick-up or drop-off

○ Windows and roof hatches will be open when temperatures are 50 degrees or above. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately

○ All district drivers and staff will be wearing face shields and face coverings and gloves when they have direct contact with a student

○ All vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected each day they are used

Other● Interscholastic Athletics and Extracurricular Activities:

○ Currently the fall interscholastic athletic season will begin on September 21○ Changes and updates will be made as information is received ○ Other extracurricular activities will resume - information TBA

● CTE, P-Tech and Outside Placement Programs:○ Programs will be in session ○ P-Tech will run on an A and B day rotation ○ Detail will come from the guidance and PPS offices

● Fiscal Concerns:○ There will be a substantial cost associated with reopening ○ Hiring of additional staff○ Purchasing of supplies and equipment○ Transportation - additional runs○ Costs are not exact - possible $200,000-400,000 cost○ Use of Federal funds(?) and fund balance○ Impact on future budgets - state aid

● Technology:○ Full 1 to 1 implementation - K-12○ Internet hotspots available ○ Survey information crucial ○ Need to be ready for full remote at any time

Next Steps● Gather additional feedback● Reopening Committee● Administrative Meeting● Submit Plan

Any questions or comments please send to:

COVID19QandA@canjo.org