AAHS Return to School Plan

ABINGDON-AVON CUSD #276

Abingdon-Avon High School Return To School Plan 2020

REMOTE LEARNING DAYS

Remote Learning Day Plan

  • Illinois Learning Standards will be the basis of lessons and listed. 

  • Assignments/Content via Google Classroom

  • Teachers and staff will communicate with parents via Google Classroom and/or email.

  • Accessible Times:  

    • Teachers will schedule meeting times with students as needed.

    • Teachers will be accessible via e-mail from 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM on school attendance days, excluding lunch and preparation time. Teachers will respond within 24 hours of receiving e-mail contact.

  • Grading expectations will align to teacher expectations.  

  • Students are expected to attend sessions at specified times as indicated by teacher(s).

  • Parents/students will be required to complete the Attendance Link  for attendance daily by 9 pm.

  • All statutory curricular mandates and offerings (i.e. Constitution Test) will be met.

IN-PERSON LEARNING & REMOTE LEARNING (BLENDED LEARNING)

In-Person Learning Plan

  • Students who select remote instruction and wish to return to in-person learning,  must request to return prior to the last Monday of each month. 

  • The district will make all efforts to meet capacity requirements & social distancing.

  • The school building will be open to students at 7:50.  Please make arrangements for your student to arrive at their building no earlier than 7:50.  

  • Classes will begin at 8:10 am.  

  • Students will be released M-F @ 12:15 PM.

  • Students requesting a school lunch will receive a take home lunch and the next day's breakfast at dismissal. 

  • Students must arrive at school with the school-issued self certification badge, or they will be asked to certify their health status upon arrival.  

  • All students will have their temperature checked prior to entering the school building or boarding a school bus.  

Student Entrance into the Building/Leaving the Building

  • Non-bus riding students will remain in their cars until the doors open at 7:50 am. No congregating in the school parking lot before or after school is allowed. 

  • If you are dropping off your student, drop them off in front of the high school no earlier than 7:50 am.

  • Students entering the building in the mornings will enter through the west entrance on the front (North Side) of the building. 

  • Non-bus riding students may begin entering the building at 7:50 am.

  • Upon entering the building students will report directly to their first hour class.

  • If you are a bus riding student that arrives at the building before 7:50 am you will report to the auditorium to wait until 7:50 am to go to class.

  • Social distancing guidelines will be followed while entering/leaving the building. Spots will be painted on the sidewalk in front of the building  in order to follow the 6-foot social distancing guidelines. 

High Priority Return to School Students

  • District staff will be meeting, either virtually or in person, to address health concerns, learning needs, etc. on a case-by-case basis for students with 504 plans and/or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Students with Higher Risks when Exposed to Coronavirus (more vulnerable students)

  • District staff will be meeting, either virtually or in person, to address health concerns, learning needs, etc. related to student medical conditions, including:

    • Consider whether the student’s medical condition is conducive to in-person attendance or if needs would best be met remotely. 

    • Consider the student’s behavior and capacities to follow health protocols.

    • Number of students per classroom and ability to maintain 6-foot distance.

    • Nurse to meet with individual teachers and staff members to review health concerns for medically high-risk students.

CALENDAR SPECIFICS

2020-21 Calendar

  • High School students will start school on Tuesday October 6th.  

  • The district will follow the BOE approved school calendar.

  • Student Early Out Release M-F @ 12:15 pm.

  • Families can choose in-person instruction or remote learning.

    • If choosing Remote Learning, students may return to in-person learning .  

  • The District may need to utilize and institute 3 Remote Learning Planning Days as needed. 

INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

Instructional Best Practices

  • Small group instruction will be conducted in the same groups.  

  • Intervention groups will travel to intervention rooms with cleanings taking place of the spaces between uses.  

Special Education 

  • Adhere to timelines for annual IEP meetings and required evaluations.

  • IEP teams will meet to determine whether any amendments to students IEPs are necessary to address students’ current levels of performance and make individualized determinations regarding placement and services.

  • District staff will be meeting, either virtually or in person, to address health concerns, learning needs, etc. on a case-by-case basis for students with 504 plans and/or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Grading

  • Grades and assessments will be given for all students, regardless of modality of instruction (in-person and remote learning).  

  • Clear, updated policies around late work and participation vs. mastery of standards will be communicated by each teacher.

Technology

  • WiFi Hotspots may be available for remote students  if needed.  Contact building administrator.  

  • The district will continue to evaluate and survey community needs for internet access.

  • All students will be assigned a device.  

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS – IDPH GUIDANCE

Sick Student/Staff Procedures

  • Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 or who shows any signs or symptoms of illness needs to stay home. 

  • Families and staff should report possible cases to the school where the individual attends or works to initiate contact tracing.

  • The district will create and compile symptom reports when absences are reported.

  • 24 hours must elapse from resolution of fever without fever reducing medication and 10 days must pass after symptoms first appeared.

  • Those who had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected of having COVID-19 infection need to isolate at home and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. 

  • Students or staff returning from illness related to COVID-19 need to call to check in with the school nurse or building administrator following quarantine.

  • The district will contact IDPH with any potential cases or symptoms.

  • Parents will self-certify each day (this means that before the child comes to school, they are symptom free and have no fever).  This self-certification will be communicated to the district through the student wearing of a district issued badge. 

  • The school nurse will take charge of any students or staff exhibiting symptoms while on school grounds.  

Face Coverings

  • Everyone must wear a face covering at all times on school grounds,  unless they are younger than 2 years of age; have trouble breathing; or are unconscious, incapacitated, have a doctor’s note or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times in school buildings even when social distancing is maintained. 

  • Face coverings do not need to be worn outside if social distance is maintained

  • Students are encouraged to have at minimum 5 face coverings (one for each day of the week). A clean face covering should be used each day.

Social Distancing

  • 6-foot physical distance from other persons will be maintained as much as possible in all areas.

  • Staff and students will abstain from physical contact, including, but not limited to, handshakes, high fives, etc.

  • To maintain social distancing in the morning, students may not arrive/be dropped off earlier than 7:50 A.M.

  • Students report directly to their first class of the day. No lockers will be used.

Symptom Screenings

  • Individuals who have a temperature greater than 100.4 F, or known symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) may not enter buildings.

  • Parents will check for symptoms before sending their student(s) to school (self-certify).

  • Nurse/staff will check students that exhibit symptoms during the school day.

SCHOOLWIDE CLEANING & DISINFECTION

Sanitation Procedures

  • Classrooms will have scheduled sanitation/disinfecting.

  • For classes that transition, seating areas will be disinfected between groups.   

  • Students may not share Chromebooks and/or supplies of any kind.  

  • Custodial crew will have a daily checklist.

Classrooms

  • Provide assigned seating for students and require students to remain in these seats to the greatest extent possible.

  • Desks will be rearranged so that there is a 6-foot distance in all directions between the desks and face desks in the same direction if possible.

  • Only individuals required for instruction will be allowed into classrooms.

  • Classrooms with tables will have sanitation guards placed between students.  

  • Students will not share or borrow items.

  • Classroom items will be sanitized as needed.

Driver’s Education

  • Allow only two students and one instructor per vehicle. 

  • Face coverings must be worn.

  • Prohibit eating and drinking in the vehicle. 

  • Open the windows whenever possible. 

  • Do not make any stops during the training that are not applicable to driver’s education.

  • Complete hand hygiene with soap and water or hand sanitizer, as appropriate, before and after driving and, at the minimum, upon completion. Hand sanitizer should be placed in each vehicle. 

  • Clean and disinfect the steering wheel, door handles, seat belt fastener, controls/dials that the driver would come in contact with, keys, etc. in between each behind-the-wheel session. 

Hallways, Lockers and Traffic Flow

  • Face coverings must be worn at all times.

  • Social distancing requirements and IDPH limitations on gathering sizes will be followed when possible.

  • Limit number of persons within hallways at any given time to the greatest extent possible. 

  • Limit required movement of students between classes. 

  • Floor markings will be used to delineate 6-foot distance between students in locations where they line up. 

  • The hallways will be marked showing which direction students will walk.

  • Lockers will not be used.  Backpacks will be allowed.  

  • Teachers will be in the hallways during transition times.  

  • No students will be allowed to congregate in hallways during transition times.  

Restrooms

  • Social distancing must be maintained in restroom areas.

  • Signs encouraging hand hygiene procedures will be posted. 

  • Signs will be posted indicating the maximum number of individuals allowed in the restroom at a time, for all buildings. 

  •  These restrictions must be followed by all individuals.  

Drinking Fountains

  • Students will be allowed to bring water bottles for filling stations.

  • If a student does not have a water bottle to fill, disposable cups will be available at water fountains for use.  

  • Students will maintain social distancing during water bottle refills at drinking fountains.   

Cafeteria/Food Service

 

  • Students requesting a school lunch will receive a take home lunch and the next day's breakfast at dismissal. 

  • No celebratory treats (i.e. Birthdays, Holidays, etc.) will be allowed. 

Visitors/External Groups

  • No visitors will be allowed in the buildings, without prior approval of the administration.  

  • Approved visitors will receive a health screening prior to entering the building and must follow all guidelines for social distancing and safety while in the building.  

  • Drop-off of students must occur outside of the building, as visitors will not be allowed inside.  

Admin. Offices

  • Social distancing guidelines will be adhered to in the office.  

  • Teachers and approved visitors only are allowed in the office.  

Student Transportation

  • All individuals on a bus must wear a face covering.

  • No more than 50 individuals should be on a bus at one time if possible.

  • Social distancing must be maintained to the greatest extent possible. 

  • Students must undergo symptom and temperature checks, which may include self-certification, before boarding a bus.

  • Drivers and monitors must wear approved and appropriate PPE.  The monitor will perform regular hand hygiene and symptom checks.

  • Sanitation will be completed as often as possible between routes. 

Physical Education, Gymnasiums, and Locker Rooms

  • No more than 50 may be in one space at any one time and social distancing of 6 feet will be maintained when possible.

  • Locker rooms will not be utilized, due to the inability to socially distance.  

  • Outdoor activities will be used when possible.

  • Shared equipment will be cleaned between each student's use and disinfected at the end of each class.

  • Hand hygiene at the start and end of each class period, after using equipment, or when hands are visibly dirty will be employed.

Medically Fragile, Behavioral, Developmental, or Emotionally Challenged 

  • Risk of infectious disease exposure may be much higher for staff providing care for medically fragile students.

  • Social distancing may not be possible in all situations.

  • Appropriate PPE will be used for continuous wear and during procedures along with hand washing when needed.

  • District will adhere to guidelines set forth by ISBE, IDPH, KWSE etc.  

  • District staff and leadership will be meeting, either virtually or in person, to address health concerns, learning needs, etc. on a case-by-case basis.

Related Services for Students (OT/PT, Speech, Social Work Services, etc.)

  • Virtual meetings may be utilized. 

  • Face coverings must be worn and social distance must be maintained at all times. 

  • District will adhere to guidelines set forth by ISBE, IDPH, KWSE, etc. 

Nurse’s Office

  • Social distancing will be maintained. 

  • A supervised quarantine space for students/staff who are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms and may be awaiting evaluation and/or pickup will be utilized.

  • Students exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms must wear a face covering.

  • Healthy students in need of  medical assistance will be treated in a separate, clean designated area.

Extracurriculars

  • Extracurricular activities will follow the IDPH requirements set forth for the school setting, which include social distancing, appropriate use of PPE, limiting the number of individuals in one space to 50 or fewer in Phase 4, and cleaning and disinfecting to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • Extra-curriculars begin at 3:45 (at the earliest).

    • Students must go home between school and the start of practice/games.

    • A practice shuttle will be provided.  

  • Crowd control measures will need to be analyzed by administration and coaches.  

  • Live stream events will be provided (when possible).

Auditorium and Multipurpose Rooms

  • Limit the number of individuals in one space to 50 or fewer.

  • Live stream events will be provided (when possible).

Career and Technical Education and Dual Credit

  • The District will follow GAVC guidelines.  

  • FACS will follow DELABAR guidelines.  

  • No coffee cart will be permitted. 

Field Trips

  • No field trips will be allowed until Phase 5.

ILLNESS & DIAGNOSES MONITORING

Tracking Process of Individuals Excluded from School

  • Parents need to check-in with the district nurse before their student returns to school (after being quarantined, out for a mandatory 10-day symptom period, testing positive for COVID-19).

  • Families need to report positive diagnoses or exposure when reporting absences.

  • All suspected cases or symptoms of illness will be referred to the school nurse.

  • The school will keep track of those students that have been removed from school for COVID symptoms, and make sure that all parameters are met in order to safely return to school.  

  • Confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the local health department by the school nurse or designee. 

  • The district will offer assistance to local health departments when contact tracing is needed after a confirmed case of COVID-19 is identified.

  • The district will inform the school community of outbreaks per local and state health department guidelines while maintaining student and staff confidentiality rights.

MENTAL HEALTH

COVID-19 Considerations on Mental Health

  • Utilize the District Crisis Management Team to provide support, as needed, to staff and students.

  • School social workers and guidance counselors will address issues on a case-by-case basis.  

COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES

Communication Plan

  • Signage will be utilized.  

  • Changes in plans will be communicated in a timely manner.