Reopening SchoolsPhase-In Plan

August 18, 2020

OVERVIEW / WHY

● During the Governing Board meeting on August 11, staff was directed to bring a Phased-In model to reopen the schools when it is deemed safe according to health benchmarks set forth by ADHS and MCDPH.

● The charge has been to merge academic needs of students, health/safety of all stakeholders and find a balance to best serve our entire community.

● Solicited and received feedback in various ways throughout this process.

BENCHMARKS

BENCHMARKS

As provided by Arizona Department of Health (ADE):

(page 5 of ‘Covid-19 Safely Return to In-person Instruction)

Community spread levels as determined by Arizona Department of Health and corresponding models of instruction and mitigation strategies.

BENCHMARKS

Source: Maricopa County Health Benchmarks, 08/14/2020

ADE DELIVERY MODELS

In-personFull-time on Campus

Hybrid - Phased ApproachCombination of In-Person and Online Instruction

OnlineVirtual Instruction with Onsite Support Services

COMMITMENTS

● Ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and families.● Provide a high-quality education for all students.● Ensure the social and emotional wellbeing of our students, staff, and

families.● Offer choices based on what is best for our students academically and for

their health and wellness, which includes both in-person and online learning options.

● Provide support to students who experience a disruption in their learning due to sickness or future closures.

● Create a plan that is flexible that could be modified as circumstances change.

PHASE-INDELIVERY MODEL CHOICES

OPTION A OPTION B In-Person Hybrid Online Instruction Campus Classroom/Online GPS Global Academy

A: Return to on-campus 2 days/week, with safety precautions in place with intent to phase back to full-time 5 days/week attendance

B: Online Instruction utilizing GPS Global Academy Teachers

ON-CAMPUS ATTENDANCE

Delivery Model● 2 days/week on campus● Alpha Sort Cohorts● Safety precautions in place● General and Special Education Students

Special Education Student Cohorts● Intended specifically for Level C (60% or more in

self-contained classroom on schedule)● 4 days/week (M/T/Th/F)● Specialized Designed Instruction and Services

HYBRID: SCHOOL CAMPUS

All Grade Levels● Two (2) days in person, Two (2) days independent learning, One (1) day

online instruction (On-site learning support remains available for internet access.)

● Approx 50% of students on campus each day allowing for social distancing● Accommodations and support services provided● Special areas/Elective classes● Desks/tables facing one direction in rows, when possible● Scheduled classroom visitors only● Hand washing/sanitizing multiple times each day● Students report to classroom upon arrival to campus● Controlled student movement throughout the campus● Support during disruption periods● Individual student supplies when possible, other items sanitized as needed

HYBRID: HEALTH PROTOCOLS

● Parent Attestation form, parents will screen students for symptoms daily● District protocols in place for staff screenings● Student management in the Health Office based on symptoms per CDC

guidelines● Health Office to track ill students and reassess before return to campus● Age-appropriate education on good hygiene including what constitutes

“close-contact” ● Teaching staff educated on Signs and Symptoms to help identify students● Notification (staff and parents) of positive contacts: Student/Staff Letter ● Face coverings, per Maricopa County Department of Health guidelines● PPE for staff working in classrooms who request it (N-95 masks and/or face shields)● Plexiglass shields provided where needed to further protect staff

HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Flow Chart for Possible COVID

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GALBkHV7FC2DFwhu_lCKj6rCC7nuyjkiHcv1TMmZwbc/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1GALBkHV7FC2DFwhu_lCKj6rCC7nuyjkiHcv1TMmZwbc/edit?usp=sharing

HYBRID: ELEMENTARY CAMPUS

Elementary Specific

● Transportation provided at normal start and stop times at all schools● Students eat in cafeteria with reduced capacity ● Limited number of students on playground● Playground equipment sanitized twice daily● Students attend specials the two days they are in person (unless an art week)● Controlled movement of students, arms length between students● VIK provided at 27 locations with structured door side drop-off/pick up● Amanecer Preschool, Building Blocks, & K-Prep are provided with door side

drop-off/pick-up

ELEMENTARY SCHEDULE

Elem Modified Schedule

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fD1Za6kKPCCwVVlHvff6Gqj39PaU4bIjkGLejVU3kdE/edit?usp=sharinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fD1Za6kKPCCwVVlHvff6Gqj39PaU4bIjkGLejVU3kdE/edit?usp=sharing

Onsite Support During Online Days

Onsite Learning Support

● Elementary Campuses - During School Hours ○ JH & HS - Drop in for internet access ONLY

● 30 students maximum per day● Internet Access● Supervision Provided by Support Staff● No Specialized In-Person Services Provided During Off-Campus

Days

HYBRID: SECONDARY CAMPUS

Secondary Specific● Transportation provided to and from schools at normal start and stop times● Staggered release schedule for passing periods and directed hallway flow

patterns● Reduced usage of large common areas (gym, auditorium, lecture hall, library)● Virtual assemblies● Reduced cafeteria seating with other locations open for lunch● Phased approach to athletics● Modified performing arts practices● Field trips determined on month by month basis● Partial-day option remains

SECONDARY SCHEDULES

HS Modified In-Person Schedule

JH Modified In-Person Schedule

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PN6AUTTpsEUzVr992_qXDObG7HFK5qOPuTCOuSn4msU/edithttps://docs.google.com/document/d/11oimvpsZ410Jore2Zgc7RX0f3VHHRovaAvLot2Jiymk/edit

EMPLOYEES

● Teachers○ Appropriately certified placements for In-Person and Online Options

● Support Staff○ Have been placed in positions that allow them to work and continue

to be paid.○ Some positions are being evaluated for furlough as there is not an

opportunity for remote or onsite work

EMPLOYEES

● Staffing Assignments, Adjustments and Costs○ Staff Survey: which helped place our most susceptible Personnel to Global○ We continue to determine the need for staffing changes

● Reporting of identified COVID cases w/ employee○ Guidelines established and forms created

● Faculty and staff training prior to students arriving on campus○ Training for identification of signs and symptoms of COVID ○ Mitigation best practices ○ Health and Safety protocols/procedure

EMPLOYEES

● Return to work precautions and procedures○ Personal protective equipment (PPE), including distribution of N-95 face coverings

and face shields, as appropriate and requested○ Hand sanitizer in every classroom○ Cleaning solutions provided for daily spot cleaning of high traffic surfaces (door

handles, light switches, desks, etc.)○ Classrooms sanitized daily○ Deep cleaning every third day at a minimum○ District health protocols for reporting and returning to work○ Notification of positive contacts

● Return to work support○ Employee Assistance Program for all staff members○ Regular communication and check-ins with vulnerable staff○ Training for use of online platform and supplemental resources○ Instructional technology support dedicated to virtual learning

DISTRICT OPERATIONS - TRANSPORTATION

● Time on buses minimized with new routes created● Air circulation maximized with 100% make-up air● Buses sanitized twice a day - once after morning runs and again at the end of the

day. ● Bus surfaces cleaned daily in addition to the sanitization● Face coverings provided to students who do not have one● Hand sanitizer available from drivers and/or bus monitors● Social distancing possible with decreased numbers of students on busses● Parents encouraged to have siblings seated together.

Campus Mitigation Strategies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQOIBOwbCQM

CLEANING AND SANITIZATION

● Cleaning protocols and materials ■ Materials & processes standardized throughout the district started in

February, 2018■ All building managers trained on cleaning expectations, new sanitization

protocols along with the ordering of new equipment to facilitate cleaning and sanitization - equipment due end of August/early September

■ High use areas cleaned more frequently (bathrooms, auditoriums, multipurpose)

■ Trident Cordless handheld and backpack sprayers purchased for schools and bus fleet with sanitizing liquid available in the District warehouse - equipment ordered and due end of August/early September.

● Hand sanitizers available throughout buildings in classrooms and in circulation areas● In classroom surface cleaning materials available in each classroom● Deployment of additional five (5) member custodial work team on an as needed basis

COMMUNICATION

● Regular updates provided to parents, families and employees via email and district website.

● Regularly communicate and monitor developments with local authorities, employees, and families regarding cases, exposures, and any updates to policies and procedures.

● Age-appropriate signage on good hygiene and best practices displayed throughout all campuses.

● Video library of best practices provided for students and families.● Training videos regarding policies and best practices provided for

employees.

PARTNERSHIP FOR SUCCESS

MITIGATION SUMMARY

● Health protocols & communications● Sanitization and cleaning procedures● Hand-washing/Sanitization● Face covering policy● Daily health assessment● Campus modifications ● Staff awareness training● Student/Parent awareness resources● Physical distancing recommendations

PARENT EXPECTATIONS

● Daily student health assessment● Encourage siblings to sit together on

busses● Face covering policy● Acknowledgement form● www.gilbertschools.net/healthservices

POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS & RECOMMENDATIONS

● Staff assessment to determine on-site return status (8/19 - 8/21)

● Parent Selection of 1st Semester Delivery Model Choice (8/21 - 8/24)○ In-Person Hybrid ○ GPS Global Academy

● Start of School Preparations (8/25 - 9/4)○ Student Enrollment and Scheduling○ Staff Reassignments

● First Day of In-Person Hybrid Classes (9/8)....full in-person implementation starting on 9/21 as long as the benchmarks remain in the green.

QUESTIONS?