FALL 2020 RESTART: PREPARING FOR SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC

Prioritizing Safety            Maximizing In-Person Instruction         Promoting Social-Emotional Well-Being

UPDATED 5/27/2021

Reopening our P-12 Schools

Dear Parents, Students, and Staff:

Mamaroneck School District’s reopening plans, which appear below, also have been posted on the District website; they are accessible through a link on our homepage and directly on each of our six school building sites. Fundamental to our plans is the interest to maximize in-person learning, provide a robust educational program for all students and attend to our students’ social-emotional needs. Our reopening strategies cover every detail of the educational experience, including reopening and ongoing safety protocols, curriculum, student schedules for learning at each level (elementary, middle and high school), mental health, tech equity for all students, communications, and facilities.  Many of our protocols will be revised and expanded as we fine-tune operation procedures, practices, and policies.

The planning process over the past several months has been extensive, with the health and safety of our students, staff and families being our top priority. Stakeholders from every facet of our school community, including administrators, teachers, custodians, parents, students, community members, community partners, local health department officials and the Mamaroneck Teachers Association, have offered valuable feedback, which we worked to incorporate.

While we long for the day when we can safely have all of our students back in our buildings full time, we do recognize and understand the uncertainty that exists for parents around sending their children to school. We know that the learning environments in the fall will differ from what we used to consider “normal” learning, but we are working ambitiously and optimistically to make sure students and staff feel safe returning to our school campuses and that we continue to deliver the high quality of education Mamaroneck is known for and values.

Respectfully,

Dr. Robert I. Shaps
Superintendent of Schools

Introduction

On Monday, July 13, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York may follow plans to reopen for in-person schooling in September if COVID-19 infection rates stay at 5% or lower in a given region.  

Determinations will be made by region about opening and closing schools as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. If a region is in Phase 4 and has a daily infection rate of 5% or lower over a 14-day average, schools in that region could hold in-person instruction. If daily infection rates exceed 9% over a seven-day average, however, schools in that region will not reopen. Similarly, should a region see such an average after reopening, schools in that region will also be directed to close.

While districts have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction,  we have determined based on social distancing guidelines that we are unable to reopen schools under a full enrollment in-person model. Therefore, we have developed reopening plans for a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning as well as a full remote learning model.

The plan outlined here is for the reopening of schools in the Mamaroneck Union Free School District for the 2020-21 school year, following the building closure related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan includes procedures that will be followed in the following schools:

Central School - https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/central-school

Chatsworth Avenue School -https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/chatsworth-avenue-school

Mamaroneck Avenue School -https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/mamaroneck-avenue-school

Murray Avenue School - https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/murray-avenue-school

Hommocks Middle School - https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/hommocks-middle-school

Mamaroneck High School - https://www.mamkschools.org/schools/mamaroneck-high-school

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

Given the uncertainty of the public health crisis, it is possible that we may need to alternate between in-person and remote learning throughout the year due to recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from the Governor. The level of infection, the spread of the virus and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision making as we move to open our schools.

Dr. Nora Mazzone, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, will serve as the district’s COVID-19 Coordinator. Dr. Mazzone will work closely with the Westchester County Department of Health, District Physician Dr. Ann Engelland, Nursing Supervisor Ms. Dina Murphy and administrators to serve as a central contact for schools and stakeholders, families, staff and other school community members. Dr. Mazzone  will ensure the district is in compliance and follows the best practices per federal, state, and local guidelines.  

Contact Information:

Mamaroneck UFSD                                                                                                                                               District COVID-19 Coordinator                                                                                                                            Email:Nmazzone@mamkschools.org                                                                                                                     Office Phone: 914 -220 -3161

Content Outline

• Communication/Family and Community Engagement
• Health & Safety  

• Health checks
• Health screening
• Social distancing, face coverings & PPE (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)
• Infection control strategies
• Management of ill persons, contact tracing and monitoring
• Health hygiene
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Vulnerable populations/accommodations  
• Visitors on campus
• School safety drills

• Facilities 
• Child Nutrition

• Meals onsite
• Meals offsite/remote

• Transportation

• School bus staff
• Transportation protocols

• Social Emotional Well-Being
• School Schedules
• School Activities

• Extracurriculars
• Childcare

• Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
• Technology and Connectivity
• Teaching and Learning

• In-person Instruction  
• Remote/Hybrid Instruction  

• Special Education  
• Bilingual Education and World Languages
• Staff

• Teacher and Principal Evaluation System
• Certification, Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching

Communication/Family and Community Engagement

School Reopening Communication Protocols

The Mamaroneck Union Free School District’s (MUFSD) communications plan specific to fall 2020 school reopening during the pandemic was developed in alignment with the District’s mission to prioritize safety, maximize in-person instruction for the most robust learning possible (whether in-person or remote), and attend to the social-emotional needs and well-being of all students. The District engaged various stakeholders in the schools and community to develop its school reopening plans following closure in March, 2020 due to COVID-19.  Stakeholders included: administrators, teachers, custodians, parents, students, community members, community partners, local health department officials and the Mamaroneck Teachers Association.

The District convened 75 parents, teachers, students and administrators on planning teams to work in partnership with Stanford University's Design Lab to envision the future using design principles and plan for three potential scenarios in September: Open Campuses, Hybrid and Extended Learning. The teams went from examining the larger picture (thinking about the future) to more substantive plans relative to areas of focus: issues around developing school schedules, prioritizing health and safety, and understanding what needed to be considered around school climate and culture, in addition to the social-emotional well-being and learning of students who have been isolated over a four or five month period and will require extra support upon return this fall. They also discussed the need to design, test, and revise prototypes and models in advance of reopening.

As part of the school reopening planning process, surveys were generated to gather feedback from both parents and teachers regarding their experience with remote learning in Spring, 2020, and the feedback was used to inform the plans for September. Additional surveys around families’ needs for district-supplied tech devices (with equity in learning among the student body remaining an ongoing priority), as well as a survey regarding plans to return to school for in-person learning, are planned for early August.

Throughout the spring and summer, MUFSD provided regular, ongoing communications and updates -- including letters from the Superintendent, District emails, Zoom virtual forums/meetings coordinated and publicized with administrators,  and social media postings -- as new information became available. Additionally, the Board of Education held several summer meetings and work sessions in which follow-up communications around the fall planning process was disseminated.

MUFSD is committed to frequent ongoing communications through multiple platforms between the time school reopening plans are submitted to the State (July 31) and into the fall.  The District has developed a Fall 2020 Restart web page dedicated to all information pertaining to its reopening plan and protocols required for a safe reopening in September. As another form of community engagement, the District also created and publicized a “Community Suggestion Box” in which nearly 100 comments and questions have been collected to date.

All information on the district website can be translated into native home languages using the Google translate feature on the District website.

This school reopening plan is available to all stakeholders via the district website and will be updated throughout the school year, as necessary, to respond to local circumstances. During the school year, the District will communicate all necessary information to district staff, students, parents/guardians, visitors and education partners and vendors. The district will use its existing communication channels – including email, website, the district app, and social media,  as well as appropriate signage and training opportunities -- to support the dissemination of consistent messaging regarding new protocols and procedures, expectations, social distancing requirements, proper wearing of face coverings and proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and other requirements and options related to school operations throughout the pandemic.

The district will use existing internal and external communications channels (including automated phone calling, texts, emails and social media) to notify staff, students and families/caregivers about in-person, remote and hybrid school schedules with as much advance notice as possible. Existing engagement and communication protocols with parents regarding the provision of special education services for their children will be followed.

Protocols for Communication with Parents of Students with Disabilities

Communication with parents of students with disabilities, will be conducted in their preferred language and mode of communication.  Each service provider will contact parents of students on their caseload in order to delineate how the needs identified on the Individualized Education Plan will be addressed.  Our goal is to provide services as closely aligned to the IEP developed to the extent possible, reasonable, and appropriate, given the nature of the school structure which was in place at that time.  When schools return to the full time traditional environment as prior to the COVID19 crisis, all IEP mandates will be addressed as written on the IEP as it stands. In addition, the district will make every effort to ensure that communication to parents/legal guardians is in their preferred language and mode of communication.

Protocols for Training Students and Families on Health and Safety Practices

The district is committed to ensuring that all of its students and their families  are taught and re-taught new expectations related to all public health policies and protocols. As part of this continuous training, the district will assess the best approach to communicating the information for each students’ age group and will provide frequent opportunities for students to review these policies and protocols. This targeted education will help ensure that all students and their families know what is expected of them as they successfully return to the school setting. These trainings will cover:

• Hand hygiene:

• All staff and families will be provided informational training on the symptoms, procedures, and preventative measures related to COVID19. This includes hand washing and  hygiene practices.
• Staff training will be offered in a virtual presentation format and available on the District website and for parents and students.
• As the information on COVID-19 changes and evolves the District will provide updates.
• The District Medical Director will also provide links to critical free webinars and information for families and staff.
• Daily instruction for students will incorporate routines devoted to hand hygiene procedures.

• Face Coverings: (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)

• All staff and families will be provided informational training on the symptoms, procedures, and preventative measures related to COVID19. This includes hand washing, proper mask donning and doffing, hand and respiratory hygiene.
• Staff training will be offered in a virtual presentation format.
• As the information on COVID-19 changes and evolves the District will provide updates.
• The District Medical Director will also provide links to critical free webinars and information for families and staff.
• Daily instruction will incorporate routines and instruction devoted to face covering procedures.  For example, students will receive instruction on how to put on and take off masks, when, and for what reason to wear a face covering.  Adults will model and scaffold to monitor proficiency and independence.  

• Social distancing

• All staff and families will be provided informational training on social distancing measures to take within the school and broader community.
• As the information on COVID-19 changes and evolves the District will provide updates.
• The District Medical Director will also provide links to critical free webinars and information for families and staff.
• Daily instruction will incorporate routines and instruction devoted to strategies and behaviors which reinforce an understanding of the reason for social distancing and ways to maintain it.

• Respiratory hygiene

• All staff and families will be provided informational training on the symptoms, procedures, and preventative measures related to COVID19.
• Training will be posted on the District website for parents and students.
• As the information on COVID-19 changes and evolves the District will provide updates.
• The District Medical Director will also provide links to critical free webinars and information for families and staff.
• Daily instruction will incorporate routines and instruction devoted to appropriate respiratory hygiene.  

• Identifying symptoms 

• All staff and families will be provided informational training on the symptoms, procedures, and preventative measures related to COVID19.
• The District’s Office of Human Resources will incorporate video, virtual, and written materials into mandated training for all staff prior to their first day of entering the school facilities.
•  All information will be provided in the parents’ preferred language and medium.
• Prior to students entering school each day, parents will be required to complete a wellness check application electronically for each of their children.
•  All students and staff will participate in a temperature assessment prior to entering a school building.  
• A student or staff member with temperatures greater than 100.0 and/or who exhibit any such history or symptoms will not be permitted to attend school and will be immediately sent home upon arrival.  Therefore, it is essential that emergency pick up in E-School Data be updated and accurate so that a parent/guardian or emergency contact  is available with very short notice.
• Staff are also required to complete an identical wellness check prior to entering their building.  
• There will be designated points of entry for all students and staff.  No one with the exception of employees and students will be allowed to enter the building.

The district will create and deploy signage throughout the district to address public health protections surrounding COVID-19. Signage will address protocols and recommendations in the following areas:

• Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Acceptable face coverings and requirements related to their wear (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)
• Hand washing
• Adherence to social distancing instructions
• Symptoms/prevention of COVID-19

Please refer to Mamaroneck UFSD District Referencing Guide for Health Screening regarding any questions related to cases of suspected, presumptive or confirmed cases of Covid-19

Containment Safety Measures:

In the event that a student or staff member is sick or symptomatic, notification to exposed individuals will occur pursuant to the state’s contact tracing protocols as implemented by the local health department.

School Closures:

The district may choose to modify operations in one or more schools prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. In such situations, the district will consult with the District Physician, Dr. Ann Engelland, Nursing Coordinator,  Dina Murphy, the Superintendent of Schools, and local health authorities (CDC and DOH) and follow their directives, considering local,county and regional data.  

The decision as to which operations will cease or move to a full remote platform will be ultimately decided by the Superintendent of Schools after collaboration with the CDC and DOH and appropriate contact tracing measures have been conducted.

Health & Safety

Mamaroneck’s  reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).  As guidelines continue to change, we will adjust accordingly. For example, as of May, 2021, we have taken down all plastic desk shields.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the MUFSD COVID-19 safety coordinator, Ms. Bari Suman,  at BSuman@mamkschools.org or 220-3161.  Updated information and resources will be provided through the district website.

Health checks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Coronavirus symptoms was used to develop these resources.

The Mamaroneck UFSD will implement the following practices to conduct daily mandated health screening.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Coronavirus symptoms was used to support the  development of these resources.

Health screening

Prior to students entering school, parents are required to complete a wellness check for each of their children.  A wellness check includes a history of COVID exposure, travel and symptoms as well as  temperature assessment and review of potential CoVid symptoms including cough, fever, body aches, chills, fatigue,sore throat, nausea/vomiting, new onset loss of taste and/or smell, headache, diarrhea and others as the data evolve.

Anyone with temperatures greater than 100.0 and/or who exhibit any such history or symptoms will not be permitted to attend school and will be isolated and sent home .  Therefore, it is essential that emergency pick up in E-School Data be updated and accurate so that a parent/guardian or emergency contact  is available with very short notice.

Devices will be available to take the temperature of those entering the building.  However, we have asked all students and staff to check and monitor for symptoms at home in advance of coming to school. All students and staff must complete a COVID-19 Daily Health Screening prior to entering school buildings; students are required to display the “green screen” for admittance. Social distancing markers will be used to ensure that those waiting their turn are appropriately distant from one another.  

Each school nurse’s office shall have a separate area that will be utilized to isolate a sick student or staff member. There will be an alternate space identified for well students and/or staff who need to utilize the nurse’s office to obtain medications and nursing treatment, but are otherwise well.  The District has acquired all essential PPE and equipment needed for the school nurse to address potential medical scenarios.

Staff are also required to complete a wellness check prior to entering their building.  As with students, a wellness check will include a history of Covid exposure, travel and symptoms as well as  temperature assessment and review of potential Covid symptoms including cough, fever, body aches, chills, fatigue,sore throat, nausea/vomiting, new onset loss of taste and/or smell, headache, diarrhea and others as the data evolve.

Anyone with temperatures greater than 100.0 and/or who exhibit any such history or symptoms will not be permitted to work and will be immediately sent home upon arrival.  

Staff and families will be directed to notify the school principal/nurses office should they develop any of the symptoms of COVID19 or have had direct contact with a person who develops symptoms.

Social distancing, face coverings & PPE

The district has developed a plan with policies and procedures for maintaining social distancing of all students, faculty, and staff when on school facilities, grounds and transportation.

Six-foot distancing will be enforced whenever possible.

Strategies to support social distancing will include, but not be limited to:

• Increasing the space between desks.
• Desks facing in the same direction (rather than facing each other) to reduce transmission caused from virus-containing droplets (e.g., from talking, coughing, sneezing).
• Signage
• Directional arrows
• Supervised hallway movement

In addition to social distancing, proper face coverings must be worn in common areas such as hallways or school buses. (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)  For those medically unable to wear face coverings, other protection such as face shields will be provided as potential alternatives.

Additionally, when accommodating students with special health care needs or  disabilities who may require direct contact (e.g. assisting with toileting or ambulation, hand over hand instruction, speech therapy for articulation), or conducting health assessments or screenings (e.g. taking temperature), appropriate face coverings and other high intensity personal protective equipment protection will be available and utilized.

Face Coverings

Students, staff and visitors to our schools will be expected to wear face coverings indoors, including on the school bus. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one.

All school personnel and students are encouraged to bring their own face masks to school and must wear face covering/mask while inside school property or a school bus. Face coverings will be available for those who do not have them upon arrival. Cloth or medical grade masks must be worn by all students from Pre-K-12th grade, and all teachers, staff and adult visitors.  All masks must cover both the mouth and nose. Gaiters, fleece masks and bandanas are not acceptable mask coverings.  (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)

Employees may also use alternate PPE i.e. face shields or coverings that are transparent at or around the mouth for therapies or interventions that require visualization of the movement of the lips and or mouth, eg. speech therapy. These alternate coverings may also be used for certain students , e.g. hearing impaired, that benefit from being able to  see more of the Staff’s face.  

Infection control strategies

Infection control will include reduction of class-size, availability of alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer, and social distancing at points of congregation.

Social distancing will be maintained with one-way hallways and/or floor markings.  NYSED guidance on square footage per person will be maintained in classrooms.  The District’s  plans are based on our architect’s recommendations.  

• The District will not acquire additional space.
•  The District will not alter or acquire additional space.
•  The District will not expand its space.
• The District will not use tents for additional space.

Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures

• The District will maintain the number of fixtures required by the building code.
• The District will maintain the number of drinking fountains required.
• The District will ensure barriers or social distancing between the toilets and the sinks.
• The District will use touch-free paper towels.
• Appropriate signage will be installed.

Ventilation

• The District will maintain adequate, code required mechanical ventilation.
• The District will run HVAC units to provide continuous introduction of fresh air.
• The District has consulted with its engineers regarding the optimal filtration system.

New Technology for Air Purification

• The District will install needlepoint bipolar ionization units.

Management of ill persons, contact tracing and monitoring

The district requires students, faculty, or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day to report to the nurse’s office. If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students must wait at least 6 feet apart. The district has designated areas to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID- 19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff. Both areas will be supervised by an adult and have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies.

• Central School - a separate room will be used as an isolation room, the current room will be used as a treatment/medication area  
• Chatsworth Avenue School - screens will separate any student requiring isolation, the current room will be used as a treatment/medication area
• Mamaroneck Avenue School - a separate room will be used as an isolation room, the current room will be used as a treatment/medication area
• Murray Avenue School -  a separate room will be used as an isolation room, the current room will be used as a treatment/medication area
• Hommocks Middle School -  screens will separate any student requiring isolation, the current room will be used as a treatment/medication area
• Mamaroneck High School - exam room one will be used as an isolation room, the other rooms will be used as treatment/medication  areas

PPE requirements for school health office staff caring for sick individuals includes both standard and transmission-based precautions. In areas with moderate to substantial community transmission, eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) should be added. When caring for a suspect or confirmed individual with COVID-19, gloves, a gown, eye protection, and a fit-tested N-95 respirator will be used, if available. If an N-95 respirator is not available, a surgical face mask and face shield will be used.

School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms, and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes). Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions.

Disposable items will be used as much as possible (e.g., disposable pillow protectors, disposable thermometers, disposable thermometer sheaths or probes, disposable otoscope specula).

Aerosol Generating Procedures

Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection.

Treatments such as nebulized medication treatments will be administered only in a life threatening situation.  All students with asthma will be encouraged to have their providers supply spacer devices.

Cleaning of the room will occur between use and cleaning of the equipment should be done following manufacturer’s instructions after each use.  

Contact Tracing

The district will notify the local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the district. The District will encourage students, families, and staff to cooperate with the State and County Contact Tracing Program for the benefit of everyone in the district and the wider community.

Should a COVID positive case emerge in the schools, the District will consult with the local health department to determine the extent of containment warranted and measures to be taken, including potential notification of those in the school community as allowed by  federal and state laws and regulations.

School Closures

The district will follow the most recent legal recommendations and medical developments to determine whether a change in school structure is warranted.

The district will collaborate with the local health department to determine the parameters, conditions or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in the school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level. The District will consult District Physician, Dr. Ann Engelland and Westchester County Department of Health when making such decisions. School administrators should consider closing school if infection rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. Schools may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases.

Health hygiene

The district will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education in hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the school (e.g., entrances, restrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, auditorium, custodial staff areas) and regular messaging will be shared with the school community. Signage will be used to remind individuals to:

1. Stay home if they feel sick.
2. Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others or in accordance with any stricter policy implemented by the school.
3. Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.
4. Adhere to social distancing instructions.
5. Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19.
6. Follow hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
7. Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Hand Hygiene

Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices.  

• Wash hands routinely with soap (any kind) and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Dry hands completely after washing. Use paper towels to dry hands if available instead of a hand dryer if they are available.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used.

Hand washing should occur:

• Before and after eating (e.g. snacks and lunch).
• After going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting.
• After using a tissue.
• Before and after using shared materials.
• Before and after putting on or taking off face masks.
• After coming in from the outdoors.
• Anytime hands are visibly soiled.

Respiratory Hygiene

The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets and aerosols produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the district will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.

Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices.

• Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately.  
• If you don’t have a tissue when sneezing or coughing, sneeze into your elbow.
• Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
• Face coverings are protective. Wearing a face covering will keep the respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air. (As per NYSDOH, newly-updated guidelines -- released 6/7/21 -- wearing of masks is not required outside; masks, however, continue to be required inside.)

Cleaning and disinfecting

The district will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be distinguished include

• Bathrooms
• Athletic training rooms, locker rooms
• Health offices, isolation rooms
• Administrative offices (main office, reception area)
• Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.)
• Breakrooms
• Cafeterias/Kitchens
• Computer labs
• Science labs
• Classrooms
• Maintenance offices and work areas
• Bus Garage
• Libraries
• Large meeting areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums, music rooms)
• Playgrounds (cleaning only)
• Outdoor seating areas (plastic or metal)

Students, faculty, and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and such information will be provided to parents and/or legal guardians on ways to reinforce this at home.

The district will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school, as follows:

• For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.
• For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.
• Accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer will be made.

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This will include desks and cafeteria tables. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.  

The district will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.  

For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.                      

Vulnerable populations/accommodations

We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness or live with a person who is at an increased risk.  Whenever possible, it is our goal that these individuals safely participate in educational (students) or professional (staff) activities.  In order to be considered for an accommodation, students and staff at increased risk for COVID-19 illness will submit medical documentation to the District.  The District Medical Director and District Counsel will be consulted for any requests for accommodations to ensure that the request is medically necessary and that the request adheres to applicable law and regulation.  The Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Personnel will coordinate staff requests and oversee the implementation of any approved accommodation plan.  The District Nursing Coordinator will be responsible for student requests and the implementation of any approved accommodation plan.

Visitors on campus

No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses, except for the safety and well-being of students, without prior and specific approval of the building principal. Parents/guardians will report to the front door and not go beyond unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. Essential medical personnel entering  facilities will be required to wear face coverings and will be restricted in access to unnecessary parts of the school buildings. Any other approved visitors must follow all safety protocols as listed above.

School safety drills

The district will conduct fire (evacuation) drills and lockdown drills as required by education law and regulation and the fire code without exceptions. Schools must continue to conduct mandatory fire and lockdown drills according to the existing statutory schedule. Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies.

The District will conduct required school safety drills ensuring that they are done with both cohorts of students.    Social distancing will be maintained during the exiting of the building, while waiting to re-enter, when re-entering the building or when required to lock down in place.

Evacuation Drills

The schools’ fire safety plans will be updated to reflect the requirements for social distancing during evacuation drills.

Lockdown drills  will be conducted.  Masks will be required to be worn to minimize the risk of   spreading infection.

Students will be instructed that in an actual emergency getting to safety must be the first priority.

Evacuation drills will be conducted at different times during the day when different groups of students are present.

The School District will take great care to ensure that all students are receiving instruction in emergency procedures, and are participating in evacuation  drills while they are in attendance in-person.

Lockdown Drills

The District will conduct lockdown drills in classroom settings while using masks.

The District will ensure that all students are receiving instruction in emergency procedures and are participating in lockdown drills while they are in attendance in-person.

The District will conduct lockdown drills in the classrooms without hiding or sheltering and will provide an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom in an actual emergency situation.

Students will be instructed that in an actual emergency getting to safety must be the first priority.

Facilities

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the district, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.

The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens (and are automatically released by the fire alarm system), will remain unchanged.

The district plans to meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”

Upon reopening, the district plans to increase ventilation, to the greatest extent possible.   Water systems will be flushed in buildings that have been unoccupied.

The District is installing needlepoint bipolar ionization units on all air handlers.

The District will limit all classroom occupancy to enable six foot distancing.

The District will not use temporary quarters.

The District will not use tents.

The District will meet or exceed the building code

The District will provide cups at each drinking fountain to eliminate the likelihood of contact with students’ mouths.

The District will run its HVAC mechanical systems at least two hours longer at the beginning and ending of each school day if not 24/7.

Child Nutrition

School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely.

For information about how meal information will be communicated, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Meals onsite

For students onsite, meals will be provided while maintaining appropriate social distancing between students. Students do not need to wear face coverings when seated and eating so long as they are appropriately socially distanced.  

The district will ensure social distancing between individuals while eating in the school cafeteria. If not feasible, meals may be served in alternate areas (e.g., classrooms) or in staggered meal periods to ensure social distancing and proper cleaning and disinfection between students.

The sharing of food and beverages (e.g., buffet style meals, snacks) is prohibited, unless individuals are members of the same household. Adequate space will be reserved for students, faculty, and staff to observe social distancing while eating meals.

District Child Nutrition Protocol

Food will be distributed to students daily.  Students attending the morning sessions will receive lunch for that day and breakfast for the next when they leave each day before noon.  Students attending the afternoon sessions will receive breakfast and lunch for the following day when they leave each day.  The District will continue to use a grab and go system.  Students will not be eating on school grounds.  Students with allergies will receive appropriate meals.

Students will not be eating on school property

Meals offsite/remote

Meals will be distributed as they were in the spring with once a day pick up of both breakfast and lunch.

Transportation

The district will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines. Students and school staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated) and should maintain appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable.  

Students who are able will be required to wear masks and social distance on the bus to the extent practicable; however, students whose physical or mental health would be impaired are not required to wear a face covering, but must be appropriately socially distanced. Members of the same household may be seated within 6 feet of each other. Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses.

All buses that are used every day by districts and contract carriers will be cleaned/ disinfected once a day. High contact surfaces will be wiped down after the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) run depending upon the disinfection schedule.  

School buses shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or district. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.  

Wheelchair school buses will configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of 6 feet.

Whether school is in session remotely or otherwise, pupil transportation will be provided to nonpublic, parochial, private, charter schools or students whose Individualized Education Plans have placed them out of district whose schools are meeting in in-person sessions.

All students are entitled to transportation by the district to the extent required by law. Transportation departments do not have the ability or the right to deny transportation for children who are in foster care, homeless or attend private or charter schools. Parents who may have missed the due date to request out of district transportation due to a reasonable excuse may file a 310 appeal with the Commissioner of Education.

School Bus Staff

School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics are required to perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they will notify their employer as per the reporting policies and seek medical attention.  

School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield.  

Transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics and cleaners) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.  

Transportation departments/carriers will need to provide Personal Protective Equipment such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages.  

Drivers, monitors and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child must wear gloves.

Transportation Protocols

The number of students on each bus will likely be reduced as we expect most schools (nonpublic) to reduce attendance by 50% each day.  Further, we expect many parents to opt out of transportation.

Buses will be cleaned and disinfected between the morning and afternoon runs.

When temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, school buses should transport passengers with roof hatches or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.

Bus drivers and attendants will wear masks and gloves.  Bus drivers will be instructed to wash their hands with soap and water before and after all bus runs.

Students will maintain appropriate distance when embarking and disembarking the bus.  Loading and unloading locations will be staggered.  Buses will be loaded back to front and unloaded front to back.

Bus routing will be done based on school schedules.  The District will continue to meet its transportation obligations.  Families accessing public transit will be reminded  to wear masks and practice social distancing.

For more information about training protocol for students and staff and how transportation information will be communicated, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Social Emotional Well-Being

We recognize that the social emotional well-being of our students and staff during these challenging times is critically important. The district has made available resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instructions. This has done this by:

1. A district-wide Crisis Team composed of guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and outside mental health agencies (LMCC, Bereavement Center of Westchester, Community Resource Center, and Larchmont Friends of the Family) was established prior to school closure in March 2020. It will continue to meet weekly to share information, develop programs, generate referrals, and serves as a bridge that provides a range of support between the school district  and Larchmont- Mamaroneck Community.  
2. Prior to school opening, an outreach to students and families will be conducted for the purpose of obtaining a measure of the social-emotional health of our students.  
3. Guidance counselors, psychologists, and social workers will work together to identify vulnerable students and provide multi-level tiers of support including but not limited to, daily check-ins, formalized counseling sessions, referrals to outside agencies and the Committee on Special Education.
4. Social workers will monitor a phone and email hotline established for families to reach out for support 24/7 In any potential area of insecurity (home, financial, food, and mental health).  The social worker will respond to each call, conduct a preliminary assessment of need and make appropriate follow up recommendations for support needed.
5. At the secondary level, advisory groups will convene on a weekly basis.  These groups, run by teachers and mental health providers, will provide opportunities to assess, monitor, and support social-emotional learning and a sense of connections and community for students.

The district has established an advisory council that involves shared decision-making and is comprised of families, students, members of the board of education, school building and/or district/charter leaders, community-based service providers, teachers, certified school counselors, and other pupil personnel service providers. The advisory council will inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan. This program plan has been reviewed and will be updated weekly in order to meet current needs.

The district addresses professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on how to talk with and support students during and after the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as provide support for developing coping and resilience skills for students, faculty, and staff.

During the two days prior to students returning to school, staff will engage in mandated professional development that will include information on the potentially traumatic impact of COVID19 on students, including depression, loss of motivation, fear, anxiety,and social isolation.  Teachers will learn how to recognize students and colleagues in distress and strategies for how to support them.  This training will be provided virtually through collaboration with outside mental health agencies.

School Schedules

Beginning April 8, 2021, we pivoted to a full in-person learning model structure, while continuing to offer full remote learning (our “Remote Academy”) for families selecting that option. The full in-person school schedule mirrored our traditional school schedule.

The district’s aim has been to develop schedules that maximize student time in school while maintaining all protocols for safety and social distancing. Although the NYS guidance documents call for districts to develop plans for three scenarios (in-person, hybrid, remote learning), we have determined that our student population density within the square footage of our school buildings precludes us from providing in-person schooling for all students simultaneously until social distancing and masking requirements are lifted. For this reason, the following schedules are devised for hybrid (33-50% of the student body attends school at a time) and remote learning (all students learn at home) scencarios. Refer to the July 30 Reopening Presentation to the Board of Education for more information.

Elementary School Hybrid Learning Schedule

In this hybrid model, elementary classes are divided in half into “A” and “B” learning pods of approximately 10-13 students. Each pod attends school for half of each day Monday through Friday and learns at home for the other half of each day.

For example, the chart above illustrates the “B” pod schedule in which students participate in “specials” (Art, Music, Physical Education, Library) remotely in the morning and also complete work that their teacher has assigned to them in school the previous day.

After eating lunch at home, students in the “B” pod go to school for the afternoon, arriving at 12:35 p.m. for a 2-hour, 25-minute learning block. During this time, their teacher builds community; provides small group instruction; conducts assessments in Reading, Writing, and Math; and enhances children’s Digital Literacy Skills.

Masking and social distancing are maintained by all adults and children throughout the in-school sessions of the hybrid learning plan.

Elementary School Remote Option (within the Hybrid Model)

Sample Elementary Remote Model

 If the district is compelled to implement a full remote learning plan, the above schedule maps out the daily progression of synchronous and asynchronous lessons.

In this model, each classroom teacher orchestrates daily learning activities for her full class of approximately 22-26 children. The plan calls for each day to begin with a synchronous whole-class morning meeting to frame the day’s learning and foster interconnectedness.

In the next block from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m., the teacher will plan and facilitate a combination of synchronous and asynchronous lessons for the whole class, small groups, and individual children as needed.

Children will have lunch on their own remotely (with the potential for social interaction via virtual gatherings organized by parents/caregivers) followed by an afternoon learning session from 12:35 - 2:00 p.m. This block, too, will be subdivided by the teacher into synchronous and asynchronous whole group, small group, and 1:1 lessons and conferences.

A “special” (Art, Music, Physical Education, or Library) class will be provided synchronously for each class in either the morning or afternoon session.

The remote learning plan for each day concludes with a synchronous “wrap-up” whole-class meeting from 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. in which the teacher facilitates a sharing of the day’s learning and/or lays the groundwork for assignments to be completed at home.

Classroom teachers are available for “office hours” from 3:00 -3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays; specialists hold office hours from 3:00-3:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Middle School Hybrid Learning Schedule

In this hybrid model, all middle school classes are divided in half into “1” and “2” learning pods of approximately 12 students. Each pod attends school for half of each day, alternating between the morning and afternoon, and learns remotely at home in the other half of each day.

The chart above shows the schedule for sixth graders in the “1” pod. These children come to school on Monday morning and participate in the following classes: English Language Arts, Math, Advisory, and Science.

Students following this schedule leave the building and travel home for lunch, then participate in the following classes remotely during the afternoon: World Language, Unified Arts, and Social Studies. The installation of webcams in every middle school classroom will enable students learning remotely to engage interactively with their teacher and peers in learning pod 2 in the classroom.

The following day, students in learning pod 1 start their day by learning remotely at home (ELA, Math, Call-Back, Science), eat lunch at home, then come to school for the afternoon session in which they have Language, UA, and Social Studies.

In this manner, over the course of two days, every child experiences every course in-person for one session and remotely for one session; teachers advance the curriculum at its usual pace. Masking and social distancing are maintained by all adults and children throughout the in-school sessions of the hybrid learning plan.

The inclusion of an Advisory period is an enhancement to the Hommocks program in 2020-21. In this model, every faculty member is assigned a small group of students to advise. Students benefit from supportive, small-group guidance to process issues such as social/emotional well-being, self-management of learning, digital and media literacy, anti-racism, current events, and other topics of interest and importance to the group.

Middle School Remote Option (within the Hybrid Format)

Middle School Remote Learning Schedule

If the district is compelled to implement a full remote learning plan, the above schedule maps out the daily progression of synchronous lessons. Teachers will launch each lesson with a whole-group session (e.g., mini-lesson, demonstration, discussion), then have the opportunity to split the class into breakout groups and/or individual practice sessions that they will monitor and facilitate before reconvening for whole-group closure.

The instructional day will begin at 8:00 am and end at 2:56 pm. This model comprises a nine period schedule in which classes meet every day for 44 minutes. This plan builds on positive feedback from students, teachers, and parents about the alternating schedule implemented during remote learning in the spring of 2020.

This remote learning plan also incorporates the Advisory model described in the hybrid model, enabling children to have regular contact with a familiar, trusted adult in addition to supportive, structured interactions with peers.

High School Hybrid Learning Schedule

The priority for the high school remote learning plan is to maximize daily in-person student attendance while maintaining the highest level of health and safety. In order to maintain students’ robust schedules and a sense of normalcy, planners have sought to preserve class choices and electives while minimizing student movement within school buildings.

Based on student enrollment and room-by-room analysis of space with social distancing guidelines, it is apparent that one third (33%) of students may safely be in school simultaneously. The above schedule reflects this ratio.

Each high school class is divided into thirds (“A,” “B,” and “C” groups). Each group attends school for a half day of classes two or three times a week, totalling five half days out of ten school days. Additionally, every student attends school every Wednesday (see schedule below) for an Advisory session and a combination of office hours, independent study, and club meetings.

Student and faculty feedback from remote learning in spring of 2020 led to the development of the flexible Wednesday schedule that enables students to pursue extra support as well as enrichment opportunities, maintain their affiliation in clubs and extracurricular activities, and to participate in the Advisory program.

The inclusion of an Advisory period is an enhancement to the high school program in 2020-21. In this model, faculty members are assigned small groups of students to advise. Students benefit from supportive guidance and peer interactions to process issues such as social/emotional well-being, self-management of learning, digital and media literacy, anti-racism, current events, college search and application processes, and other topics of interest and importance to the group.

If the hybrid plan is in effect successfully for a period of time and it is apparent that students and faculty are able to navigate through the schedule safely with masking and social distancing, then it is possible that student attendance will be increased to 50% in keeping with the district goal to maximize in-person content to the extent practicable. The following schedule illustrates a high school hybrid model with 50% student occupancy at any given time. Each student attends for four half-days a week and a Wednesday Advisory session.

High School Remote Option (within the Hybrid Format)

High School Remote Learning Schedule

If the district is compelled to implement a full remote learning plan, the above schedule maps out the daily progression of synchronous lessons. Teachers will launch each lesson with a whole-group session (e.g., mini-lesson, demonstration, discussion), then have the opportunity to split the class into breakout groups and/or individual practice sessions that they will monitor and facilitate before reconvening for whole-group closure.

The instructional day will begin at 8:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. This model comprises an eight period schedule in which classes meet every day for 40 minutes. This plan builds on positive feedback from students, teachers, and parents about the existing hybrid/remote schedule implemented for the 2020-2021 school year.

This remote learning plan also incorporates the Advisory model described in the hybrid model, enabling students to have regular contact with a familiar, trusted adult in addition to supportive, structured interactions with peers.

For information about how school schedule information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Fall 2020 Restart Strategy page of the Mamaroneck UFSD website https://www.mamkschools.org/district/fall-2020-planning-updates and/or download the MamkSchools app.

School Activities

Extracurriculars

To the extent possible, principals will consider whether extracurricular activities will operate as virtual activities or in-person during the school day. Attention will be paid to organize and maintain activities that can be implemented virtually and facilitated by district staff or individuals or organizations appointed by the Mamaroneck UFSD. District administrators will work in collaboration with the PTA, New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club, and the Larchmont Mamaroneck STEM Alliance to provide extracurricular activities that provide stimulating outlets for children while meeting health and safety guidelines.

Childcare

A written plan is in place for before and aftercare programs run by the district.  

Policies regarding before and aftercare programs include social distancing, PPE usage, cleaning and disinfection requirements, as well as risk of COVID-19 transmission. Protocols in how to maintain cohorts, if applicable, or group members of the same household will be considered.

Before and after school childcare programs will continue to be run by the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle.  This organization is subject to oversight by the Office of Children and Family Services.

Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

Elementary School

• Hybrid: Teachers will take attendance as they traditionally do during in-person instruction each day.
• Remote: Teachers will take attendance during synchronous instruction.

Middle School and High School

• Hybrid: When students are present for in-person instruction, teachers will take attendance as they do traditionally. When students are attending class remotely, teachers will take attendance by viewing who is logged in to the online learning platform at the time of the class.
• Remote: Teachers will take attendance during synchronous instruction.

Teachers  at all levels will record attendance daily in eSchoolData, the District’s Student Information System.

At each of the six district schools, reports will be run periodically from eSchoolData to monitor for chronic absenteeism. (Students who have missed 10% or more days of school.)

Technology and Connectivity

The District is committed to ensure that all students have suitable tech devices, access to high-speed internet, and ongoing technology support to enable them to participate independently and successfully in remote learning from home.

During the first week in August 2020, the District will survey families and ask parents or guardians if they wish to request use of a District-issued device for each enrolled student or opt out and use a personal device. The survey will also ask parents or guardians if they require the district to provide a wifi hotspot device for access to the internet for remote learning purposes. Eligibility  for a district-issued wifi hotspot will be limited to families who qualify for the School Lunch Program.

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the learning standards through various formative and summative assessments hosted in our learning management system or administered in person and/or using online resources, including but not limited to cumulative projects and portfolios, end-of-unit assessments, scheduled and impromptu quizzes, exit tickets, online polls, submitted homework and coursework, and recorded or documented performance tasks. If there is a time period where all or some students do not have devices and high-speed internet access, paper equivalents of both the aforementioned instructional and assessment materials will be made available to all students. Assignments would be collected and graded on paper similar to online submissions.

Teaching and Learning

The school calendar includes two Superintendent’s Conference Days for professional development  before students arrive at school. Acknowledging the challenges that our teachers and staff have faced this spring delivering remote instruction, the district will focus these in-service days on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health and technology integration along with other priority curriculum topics.

As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing routines at developmentally appropriate levels.  

Assessing student learning gaps or areas of need will be critical. Formative assessment to assess student understanding of concepts and mastery of skills will be foundational practice across the system in the opening weeks of school.  

Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.  

The District has one PreK special education class and a Universal PreK Program run by the Guidance Center of Westchester who will both follow the health and safety protocols established by MUFSD.

For information relating to teaching and learning in BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the BOCES website.

In-person Instruction

While the NYS guidelines call for districts to develop plans for full reopening with in-person instruction, the student population density in all six Mamaroneck school buildings precludes the district from providing 100% in-person instruction with social distancing guidelines applied.  Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will need to be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart. Accommodating a six-foot radius around students will necessitate the identification of additional rooms and common-area spaces that can be converted into classrooms.

We have determined that square footage and current staffing levels are insufficient to accommodate the expanded number of supervised classrooms needed to ensure social distancing. For this reason, the district’s reopening plan focuses on hybrid and remote learning plans; reopening at 100% simultaneous student occupancy is not feasible.

Remote/Hybrid Instruction

Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, our district has developed two instructional models: a hybrid approach in which students attend school for a portion of each week and a fully remote plan in which all students learn at home.

All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

In order to foster connectedness between and among students and teachers, all plans at all levels of the system (elementary, middle, high) ensure that students are directly engaged with faculty and peers in experiential learning each day.

For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.

For information about how remote/hybrid instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Special Education

The District’s goal is to support access to instruction and modifications necessary for each student to progress on their IEP goals.   Depending on the instructional structure in place ( in-person, remote, or hybrid), the services which are designed to provide that access and growth may change in delivery style, frequency, and durations.  However, consistent alignment to the general education plan will assure that FAPE is provided regardless of instructional structure.    

All students had an annual review and a program for 20/21 was documented on their IEP.  Parents were participants in the annual reviews and have received a finalized IEP for next year already.  The services on the IEP were developed for in-person instruction.

At the beginning of the 20/21 school year, each special education teacher and related service provider will contact parents of students on their caseloads (in their preferred language) and describe the ways in which these programs will be delivered.  This communication will take place irregardless of  instructional structure in place and will place a priority on in-person and synchronous instruction to the degree possible when considering the parents’ preferences and degree of disability of the students.

At the onset of the school year, the Student Support Services Administrative team will hold virtual meetings with all service providers to review the expectation for provision of services, engagement of parents, assessment, and progress monitoring.  

Bilingual Education and World Languages

The director of Dual language and ENL programs will meet with all ENL teachers to review the guidelines set forth by the state in regards to the ELL identification process, progress monitoring and parent communication.

A staggered schedule will be created for English as a New Language (ENL)  teachers to be able to complete the English Language Learner (ELL)  identification process with students. One of our larger spaces will be utilized to ensure that all the social distancing guidelines are met.

All of our ELLs will continue to receive their mandated services via in-person teaching as well as remotely to ensure that their full units of study are met.

The middle and high school will run an alternating A/B schedule.  In order for us to best meet the needs of our entering and emerging ELL students we will schedule them to attend in person instruction every day.

At the elementary level we are focusing on an AM/PM schedule which allows all students to be in school every day.  Here entering and emerging ELL students will meet in person with their ENL teacher and will get follow up support virtually to ensure their units of study are met.

For information about regular communication and engagement with parents/guardians of English-language learners, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.

Staff

Teacher and Principal Evaluation System

All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the district’s approved Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) plan under Education Law §3012-d.  Should the District be required to return to full-time remote learning or face other conditions that compromise the implementation of the District’s approved APPR plan, then the District will engage in a collective bargaining process with the Mamaroneck Teachers’ Association and the Association of School Administrators to ensure that a fair and rigorous evaluation of professional practice that accounts for current circumstances is in place.  

Certification, Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching

All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certification for teaching assignments, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching, limited substitute service) or education law.  The Office of Human Resources will continue to monitor the certification status of all teachers and will coordinate with the Regional Certification Officer and/or the New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives regarding any issues with the certification status of individual teachers.