September 2020Restart Plan

Franklin Township Public Schools

History and Purpose

• Franklin Township Public Schools began to envision what our return in the 2020-2021 school year would look like before the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.

• Using guidance from the CDC and other health organizations, district nurses investigated options for screening and best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• The Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds set out to ensure that the district was well stocked with PPE and cleaning supplies.

• The Superintendent and senior staff read the re-opening plans of schools in the US and abroad to learn more about their procedures.

• The Superintendent formed a committee of district supervisors, senior leadership and key staff members including the leadership of the three district staff associations and tasked the group to come up with research questions in key areas. These areas would ultimately mimic the Areas of Concern which were included in the Restart and Recovery Plan from the NJ Department of Education.

History and Purpose

• The members of Franklin Township Public Schools Restart Committee spoke to their peers and the groups that they represented to gain insight on concerns from all stakeholders. Student families were asked to complete a survey on their thoughts about the 2020-2021 school year as well and those responses were also considered during the creation of the district’s restart plan.

• Sub-groups were created to focus on the key areas of the plan and to develop actionable objectives that spoke to the questions raised under each area of the plan.

• Following the release of the NJDOE guidance, other members joined the team, specifically the Board of Education President; a parent teacher organization representative and several secondary students. These members of the team were able to add different perspectives to the discussion and helped to enrich the plan.

01

02

03

04

▪ Reviewed

Guidance

▪ Surveyed

Stakeholders

▪ Formed Restart

Committee

Developed

questions in key

areas which

coincided with

Critical Areas of

Operation (COA).

▪ Create Restart

Plan

▪ Approve &

Communicate

▪ Revise as

Necessary

▪ Created sub-

committees and

formulated actionable

objectives which fit

within the CAO.

▪ Determined

responsible persons

and needed resources.

Creation of the Restart Plan.What was our process.

?? ?

Key Area – Scheduling In-school & Remote Learning

▪ Distancing requirements and building capacity mandates class size.

▪ In each classroom, the student population will be split into a Blue Team and a Gold Team,

and each team will attend in-person classes on alternate weeks.

▪ In consideration of family scheduling, students in the same household will be placed on the

same team.*

▪ In consideration of teacher planning, most students learn virtually on Fridays.

▪ Students with more unique learning needs may attend school more frequently.

▪ Parents/Guardians may also request that their child learn exclusively in a remote setting.

Key Advantage - The schedule allows the district to pivot to a full remote learning

environment if it becomes necessary and if possible a full in-person schedule.

*Every effort will be made at the beginning of the process, to place all students living in the same household on the same team,

parents/guardians will be encouraged to reach out to their principals if adjustments need to be made.

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningHigh School Schedule

▪ In order to provide continuity for our high school students:

▪ During in school and remote learning, students in FHS will maintain a typical

schedule.

▪ Students in Grades 9-12 while in school will operate under the rotating drop

schedule.

▪ During remote learning weeks, FHS students will maintain that same

schedule with a combination of asynchronous activities and synchronous

check-ins.

▪ Seniors at FHS will be advised about the opportunity to utilize “Option II”

activities.*

*Option Two is an alternative route to earning credits toward graduation. It allows FHS Grade 12 students to

obtain credit for learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom environment.

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningMiddle School Schedule

▪ In order to provide continuity for our middle school students:

▪ During in school and remote learning, students at both FMS campuses will

receive science, social studies, elective classes in a rotating semester format.

▪ During in-person learning, students will follow their schedule meeting with

teachers for all subjects.

▪ During remote learning weeks, students will maintain that same schedule with a

combination of asynchronous activities and synchronous check-ins.

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningElementary Schedules (K-5)

▪ During in-person learning:

▪ Students in grades K-5 will have classes in Language Arts Literacy; Mathematics; Science

or Social Studies each day.

▪ Special Area subjects will be offered daily on a rotating basis.

▪ There will also be an intervention/enrichment period built into the daily schedule.

▪ During remote learning:

▪ Students will focus on their electives and extend their core subject learning through

asynchronous lessons, activities, projects, and supplemental platforms, such as

iReady, Achieve3000 and others.

▪ There will be required daily check-ins for students to support their social emotional

needs.

▪ A developmentally appropriate learning management tool, Seesaw, will be used in

conjunction with Google to maximize K-5 student learning in the remote environment.

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningElementary Schedules (Pre-K)

▪ During in-person learning:

▪ Students in Pre-K will continue to follow the High Scope curriculum.

▪ Special Area subjects will be offered daily on a rotating basis.

▪ Pre-K teachers will continue to track student progress utilizing the GOLD Platform.

▪ During remote learning:

▪ Students will focus on extension activities utilizing Pre-K learning kits sent home

regularly.

▪ There will be regular check-ins for students to support their social emotional needs.

▪ A developmentally appropriate curricular support and family engagement tool,

ReadyRosie, will be used in conjunction with the High Scope Curriculum to maximize

student learning in the remote environment.

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningWhat does a typical week look like for BLUE TEAM students?

Sample Two-Week Student Schedule - BLUE TEAM – Without Holidays

Blue Team

Week #1

FHS Middle School Elementary Blue Team

Week #2

FHS Middle School Elementary

Monday In School

Follow Rotating

Drop Block

Schedule

In School

Follow their

assigned

Schedule

In School

Focus on core

subjects with a

special and/or

intervention/

enrichment period

Monday Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible - work

can be

accomplished

asynchronous

Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever

extent possible

- work can be

accomplished

asynchronous

Students will

focus on their

electives and

extend their

core subject

learning

through

asynchronous

lessons,

activities,

projects, and

supplemental

platforms .

Tuesday Tuesday

Wednesday Wednesday

Thursday Thursday

Friday Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible - work can

be accomplished

asynchronous

Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible - work

can be

accomplished

asynchronou

Students will focus on

their electives and

extend their core

subject learning

through asynchronous

lessons, activities,

projects, and

supplemental

platforms .

Friday

Scheduling: In-school & Remote LearningWhat does a typical week look like for GOLD TEAM students?

Sample Two-Week Student Schedule - GOLD TEAM – No Holidays

Gold Team

Week #1

FHS Middle School Elementary Gold Team

Week #2

FHS Middle School Elementary

Monday Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible -

work can be

accomplished

asynchronous

Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible -

work can be

accomplished

asynchronous

Students will

focus on their

electives and

extend their

core subject

learning

through

asynchronous

lessons,

activities,

projects, and

supplemental

platforms .

Monday In School

Follow Rotating

Drop Block

Schedule

In School

Follow their

assigned

Schedule

In School Focus on

core subjects with a

special

and/or

intervention/enrichme

nt period

Tuesday Tuesday

Wednesday Wednesday

Thursday Thursday

Friday Friday Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible - work

can be

accomplished

asynchronous

Remote Day

Following

Schedule to

whatever extent

possible - work

can be

accomplished

asynchronou

Students will

focus on their electives

and extend their core

subject learning through

asynchronous lessons,

activities, projects, and

supplemental platforms .

Fully Remote Program Option PK-12

While nothing can replace the value of in-person learning, some families may need to elect a Fully Remote Program Option (FRPO).

● The FRPO will consist mainly of learning activities aligned with NJ Student Learning Standards that for the most part, can be accomplished asynchronously.

● The learning activities will keep pace with those being taught in the hybrid model.

● Students whose families select the FRPO will be expected to check in daily with their assigned teacher for attendance purposes and, at the elementary level, to participate in Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

● Students participating in the FRPO will be supported regularly by certified teachers via scheduled check-ins.

Selecting the Fully Remote Program Option

More detailed procedures for families to request participation in FRPO will be forthcoming during the week of August 3rd.

Confirmation of the student’s participation in FRPO and any other pertinent information about the student’s program of learning will be provided to the student’s family by the principal. This confirmation will occur as soon as possible, but may take up to three school days.

Families who request FRPO will have the ability to transfer into the Hybrid Model at any point during the school year by requesting the change following procedures communicated by the building principal. Please note: the district will require up to 30 days to make the change from FRPO back to the Hybrid Model.

Key Area – Program/Instruction/Field Trips

• The Academic Program will remain aligned to the NJ DOE Learning Standards.

• Lessons will be structured so that remote learning extends and supports instruction.

• Opportunities for additional support for remote learners at the secondary level will

be provided during teacher office hours and at the elementary level through virtual

check-ins.

• Student assessment opportunities will continue and be built into the in-person

schedule at all levels.

• All field trips will be virtual and continue to be aligned to the curriculum unless

authorized by the appropriate authorities.

Key Area – Safety/Health

• Staff and student families will be asked to self monitor and report information as appropriate.

• Staff and students will be screened upon arrival to school with a temperature scanner.

• A temperature above 100 degrees F will result in isolation and further screening from district nurses.

• A confirmed case of elevated temperature and/or other symptoms will result in:

• Staff leaving the campus;

• Students being kept in an isolated area until they are picked up from school.

• Staff and students will be required so show medical documentation before they return to school or

be required to quarantine for 14 days and be symptom free before returning.

• Information on individuals who test positive for Covid-19 will be shared with the appropriate health

department. The lead nurse will coordinate contact tracing efforts with that agency.

• Staff and students who had contact with an individual who has tested positive will be notified in a manner

that respects the privacy of that individual.

Key Area – Buildings/Supplies

• Number of individuals in the building will be reduced:

• Blue and Gold Teams will allow for approximately half the students to be present in the building.

• There will be no visitors allowed in the building during school hours except for those approved by the

administration (e.g., maintenance worker, emergency responder, etc).

• All indoor afterschool district events, e.g., parent teacher conferences, back to school nights, will be

virtual.

• There will be no indoor facility use by groups outside the district.

•Classrooms will be set up to encourage physical distancing and hand cleaning.

● Desks will be placed in rows, allowing for recommended space between students.

● Where an activity, such as testing or related services requires closer contact,

personal protective equipment and/or barriers will be utilized.

● Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations will be made available.

Key Area – Buildings/Supplies

• Face coverings will be utilized when and where appropriate.

• All staff will be required to wear a face covering. If a staff member is medically unable to wear a

face covering they should speak to the human resources department.

• All students will be required to wear a face covering. If a student is unable to wear a face covering,

his/her parent/guardian may submit a physician’s note to explain why the student is unable to wear

a face covering.

• The district will provide a face covering for students and staff who are not wearing a face covering.

• Movement in the building will encourage physical distancing:

• Signs in the hallway and classrooms will reinforce morning messages and Positive Behavior in

School (PBIS) expectations.

• Students will remain with their team and cohort group for larger activities, e.g., lunch, recess,

arrival and dismissal.

• Access to nurse’s office and main office will be limited and controlled, e.g., students escorted to

the office one-at-a time

Key Area – Transportation

The district will continue to offer courtesy bussing but will decrease the

amount of students who utilize district provided bus transportation by:

• Assigning students to a Blue or Gold Team.

• Publicizing the ability to waive transportation by completing the state

approved waiver. This waiver is available through the Genesis Parent Portal.

• Eliminating in person field trips and late buses.

• Families will continue to transport student athletes home from practices and

will need to pick up athletes after competitions.

Key Area – Transportation

The district will require that a face covering must be worn by all students, who are able to

do so,upon entering the bus.

The district will ensure that every school bus, either district-owned or contracted, will be

cleaned and disinfected before and after each bus route.

The district will increase social distancing of bus riders:

• By establishing protocols for boarding and unloading the bus which provide physical distance

between students.

• By ensuring, through loading procedures in the morning and the assignment of seats in the

afternoon, that the first student on the bus is the last to exit.

Key Area – Meals

● Breakfast will be provided as a prepackaged meal via a cart and eaten in the

classroom.

● Desks will be wiped down following breakfast.

● Lunches will be provided in the cafeteria:

○ Hand sanitizing will be required.

○ Food service workers will serve meals, students will not touch the food

during service.

○ Students will be seated 6 feet away from one another.

○ Students will have the same lunch period as their cohort group.

○ The cafeteria will be thoroughly cleaned following lunch periods.

● For remote learners meals will be distributed on Fridays at four campus

locations and at strategically located bus stops (pending USDA approval).

Key Area – Extracurricular Activities and Athletics

After-school Extracurricular activities district-wide will be offered in a virtual

format to students during the remote learning portion of their hybrid schedule.

Elementary Morning clubs will be offered during in-person days with restrictions.

High School athletics in Franklin Township Public Schools will operate under the

applicable guidelines and jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

Middle School sports will resume, to the extent possible, under guidelines

comparable to those issued by the NJSIAA.

Key Area – Child-CARE

In addition to a partnership with the Greater Somerset YMCA the district’s

before and after CARE program provider, the district has been in contact with

local faith based organizations to inquire about additional space which the

YMCA could use to provide additional day-care options to families at a

reasonable cost during remote learning.

Key Area – Climate/Culture

The proposed hybrid schedule for the 2020-2021 school year will allow for Social

Emotional Learning while students are present in school by use of Morning

Meeting time at the elementary level and counseling at the secondary level.

School Culture and Climate initiatives include the Positive Behavior in Schools

(PBIS) framework at all levels. Schools at all levels will use PBIS expectations,

reinforcement and rewards to encompass the new demands that our students

will face when they return to school.

Key Area – Staffing

● All teaching staff members are expected to report to school for in person

instruction when school is in session, the building is open and students are

assigned to report.

● Secondary teachers who are providing instruction to students in the

classroom will follow their normal schedule.

● Elementary teachers in all disciplines will have the opportunity to provide

instruction to students in the classroom.

● Teachers who are not providing in person instruction in the classroom will

be expected to utilize their time checking in and providing support to their

students who are learning remotely. In addition they will be expected

whenever possible to assist in helping to promote health and safety

throughout the building.

Teachers who are not assigned to teach in person on a given day will be asked

Key Area – Guidance/Regulations

• The district will stay abreast of all changes in regulations and

recommendations from local, state and federal agencies

including the NJ Department of Education.

• This new information and any changes to the Restart Plan will

be communicated to staff and student families as soon as

practicable.

Approval

• Franklin Township BOE approved Plan – July 23, 2020

• Plan was submitted to the Executive County Superintendent.

• Supplements to the Plan are added and approved as required.

Communication

• Presentation shared with staff July 22 and 23, 2020.

• Plan posted on district website July 27, 2020.

• Email open for questions reopen@franklinboe.org

• Call-in Townhall Meeting – on August 4, 2020 from 6-7:30 pm. Submit questions here.

• School-specific presentations begin the week of August 24, 2020.

Implementation & Adjustment

• Acquisition of Supplies: personal protection equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, temperature scanners.

• Preparation of Buildings: rearrangement of desks, distance markings in halls, reminder signs.

• Protocols refined and adjusted as feedback is obtained and guidelines change.

Next steps for the Restart Plan?

What are our next steps?

1. Refine protocols and obtain supplies.

2. Communicate protocols and expectations to staff and student families.

3. Monitor feedback as well as health and governmental guidelines.

4. Re-open for students (K-12) on Tuesday, September 8, 2020

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Opportunities to Ask Questions

Email reopen@franklinboe.org

Attend our Town Hall Meeting 6:00pm - 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

Please submit your questions or provide feedback by Monday, August 3, 2020 at 9 am via this form.