Plan components for more in-person instruction

Plan Components for a Return to More In-person Instruction

Beginning April 12. 2021

Eastchester Union Free School District

General K-12 Elements

Three to six feet of social distancing maintained
Three-sided polycarbonate shields affixed to each student desk and in any other area where six feet of distancing cannot be maintained
Face coverings must be worn by all
Staff will have multiple opportunities to receive the vaccine
Surveillance Testing - 5% of all in-person students and staff per week; conducted by school nursing staff
Remote learning option remains in place through June 2021
Families must elect either fully in-person or fully remote option for their children

Elementary Elements- Grades K-5

Timetable - Model to begin April 12, subject to change based upon unforeseen circumstances.
Fully Remote option will remain available

For those choosing a fully remote model, we will continue to have dedicated teachers in place to provide this option.
Families with students already accessing this model who elect to remain fully remote will likely maintain the same teacher. However there is a possibility that some children in this model may need to be reassigned to another fully remote classroom as we seek to balance all remote and in-person class sizes.
Families wishing to have students move from fully remote to fully in-person learning will need to change teachers and be assigned to a fully in-person classroom. Students wishing to move from hybrid instruction to fully remote will also need to change teachers.

In-Person instructional model - Four days per week, with Wednesdays remaining Virtual - For those choosing the fully in-person model, the intent is to provide an educational experience focused on one cohort of students within the classroom as much as possible, while providing a flexible structure that attends to the specific needs of diverse learners and allows necessary access to the classroom via streaming.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will feature regular classroom instruction.
Wednesdays - Guided reading, virtual instruction and personalized learning support will be provided to students.
Class sizes - We anticipate class sizes will range between 18 and 25 students. In a few isolated cases it could be possible that class sizes may reach 28 or 29 students.
Teacher assignments- We have been able to keep children who are currently in the hybrid classroom with their current teacher when transitioning to the four day per week in-person model.
Classroom environment, configuration and distancing

All extraneous furniture and materials will be removed from the classroom to maximize the amount of distance between student desks.
Distance between students within classrooms will vary depending upon classroom square footage and the number of students within a grade choosing in-person instruction. We anticipate the range of distance between students to be between three and four and a half feet, with the distance between desks to be between one and two and half feet. Once we know which families have selected in-person or fully remote instruction, we will be able to move classrooms as necessary to match classroom square footage to the number of students to maximize distance. Here are some photos to illustrate the ranges listed above (barriers not shown.)
Desks will be forward facing and in rows by default, with each desk having an affixed, three-sided polycarbonate shield. For purposes of visibility, it may be necessary in some classrooms for desks to be in a configuration other than rows facing forward.
Student movement and group interaction will be restricted within the classroom. Students will need to generally remain at their desks and young children will not be able to sit on the floor on carpet squares alongside their desks as they can do currently. While this is not an arrangement that we prefer from an instructional point of view, it is being implemented in order to maximize social distancing and safety as we attempt to get students into the building for more in-person instruction.
Lunch Procedure- Students will eat lunch in the classroom while seated at desks and behind their polycarbonate barriers. Students will be encouraged not to socialize while unmasked. Students in alternating rows will eat in two shifts of about 15 minutes each. The students who are eating will be unmasked, while students in the adjacent row will be masked, thus maintaining a minimum six foot distance between unmasked students.

Lunch Service- As we have seen throughout the first semester, very few students at the elementary level had been purchasing lunch at school, leading to a previous decision to suspend lunch service for the second semester. This decision will remain in place for the remainder of the school year. As is our current practice, the district will always continue to provide free lunch to students who qualify.
Hallway procedures and recess

Routines will be established, whenever possible, to release students into hallways gradually or in shifts.
We will continue to cohort students at recess as much as possible. Outdoor spaces will be utilized throughout the day to the maximum extent possible.

Arrival and dismissal

ezScrn and temperature checking - Because we will be doubling the volume of students at arrival and dismissal, IT IS VITAL that families use the ezScrn app EVERY DAY. Manual temperature monitoring is a slow process that is difficult to do accurately depending upon the ambient outdoor temperature. Using ezScrn helps ensure that arrival lines keep moving at a reasonable pace while helping ensure the safety of all building occupants.
At Waverly it is anticipated that arrival will need to be staggered and elongated. Families will be provided with and asked to abide by an arrival window. We anticipate being able to start instruction at approximately the same time as we do currently. We do not anticipate significant changes to the dismissal time; however, parents are encouraged to arrive early as parking will be limited.
At Anne Hutchinson and Greenvale we do not anticipate the need to stagger arrival or dismissal times; however, this is dependent upon all families using the ezScrn app every day.

Busing - Busing will continue to be offered. We anticipate a maximum of two students per seat in most cases, with up to 44 students being on a bus. Face coverings must be worn by all occupants. Windows will be opened and hand sanitizer provided. Assigned seats and seating charts will be used in the event contact tracing should be required. There could be some changes to bus schedules, and such information will be available the week of April 5.
Contact tracing protocols - Current contract tracing protocols remain in place per the Westchester County Department of Health. We anticipate a potential increase in the number of individuals needing to quarantine when a COVID positive case is reported. When a COVID positive case is identified, if the entire classroom must quarantine, the teacher will conduct fully remote instruction for the entire class during the quarantine period.
Attendance and Live Streaming- Beginning April 12 and continuing through June 25, the focus of four day per week elementary hybrid classrooms will be on classroom instruction. General live streaming of elementary classroom instruction will not continue.

Streaming for quarantined students- Live streaming for class meetings and core instruction in language arts, math, science and social studies, etc. will be provided to students who are required to quarantine due to exposure or diagnosis of COVID-19, whether such exposure occurred inside or outside of the school setting.
Voluntary Travel- Streaming will not be provided for quarantines resulting from international or other travel restrictions which may be in place, as this is purely elective.
Students who are home sick for one or two days will not stream into classrooms. Rather, work will be provided for parents or siblings to pick up from the office or will be delivered via Google Classroom, as done in previous years.
Students who are out of school for an extended period of time due to a non-COVID related issue will be eligible to receive at-home tutoring for one hour per day.

Students with special needs will continue to receive programs and services provided according to their Individual Education Plans. There will be minimal change to programs or services for students with IEPs.
Physical Education - Elementary gymnasiums will be maintained for Physical Education, especially in light of the fact that movement within the classroom is being restricted to maximize distancing.
Surveillance testing and thresholds:

Testing is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of April 19 with a schedule and protocol to be developed at each school for students and staff to be tested by a school nurse. Approximately 5% of students (about 20 students) and staff (about 5 staff) will be tested (about 20% per month.)
Rapid tests will be used, with results being available within about 15 minutes. This test involves a nasal swab that does not go above the nostril. If a student or staff member tests positive with the rapid test, they must immediately quarantine and get a PCR test. If the PCR test is negative, the individual may return to school. If positive, they must quarantine.
Upon request, a parent may elect (on the consent form) to be present with their child during the COVID rapid test. A protocol will be created to make it as easy as possible for parents who desire to remain with children to do so via drive-up, tents or other means.
COVID positive rates will be monitored and compared week to week, as well as compared to infection rates in the larger community. No standardized threshold rates have yet been established by health officials, so we will be applying common sense to the data as we see it over time. If we see trends in rates spiking, we will reserve the option to move back to the hybrid or fully remote models until we see a stabilization.

Ventilation- Fresh air ventilation is a key mitigation strategy. Last summer we contracted with an outside team of mechanical engineers to review and optimize our systems. Some of our classrooms require the opening of windows to maintain ventilation. This has been more uncomfortable in the winter months, but with the arrival of warmer weather in April, the issue of comfort will not be as significant. We do not anticipate the need to add additional air filtration to our schools at this time to accommodate the move to more in-person instruction. However, given that many portions of our school do not have air conditioning, increased student density and the use of face coverings may make individuals more susceptible to issues relative to extreme heat as we progress toward May and June. Under circumstances relating to extreme heat, the district will consider the possibility that it may be prudent to cancel or relocate classes.

Secondary Elements- Grades 6-12

Timetable- Model to begin on April 12, subject to change in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Fully Remote option will remain available

For those choosing a fully remote model, we will continue to provide this option in the same way it is currently provided under the hybrid model. Teachers will continue to stream all classroom instruction for fully remote students to access at home.
Wednesdays provide an opportunity for fully remote students to receive personalized learning support from their teachers on a weekly basis and to assist students in maintaining a vital connection to the school community.
The district will require that all families make a firm election of either the fully remote or in-person instructional models and commit to this model for the remainder of the school year.

In-Person instructional model- Four days per week, with Wednesdays remaining Virtual - For those choosing the fully in-person model the intent is to provide an outstanding educational experience for a fixed cohort of both classroom-based and fully remote learners. This model will look much like the current hybrid model except that in-person instruction will be available for four days per week.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will feature regular classroom instruction as well as streaming of classroom instruction.
Wednesdays will provide personalized learning support time for fully remote students, as well as support time and specialized virtual experiences for in-person learners.
After school help sessions will be available for all in-person learners.
Class sizes - We anticipate classroom sizes will range between 18 and 27 students.
Classroom environment, configuration and distancing

All extraneous furniture and materials will be removed from the classroom to maximize the amount of distance between student desks.
Distance between students within classrooms will vary depending upon classroom square footage and the number of students within a grade choosing in-person instruction. We anticipate the range of distance between students to be between three and four and a half feet, with the distance between desks to be between one and two and a half feet. Once we know which families have selected in-person or fully remote instruction, we will be able to move classrooms as necessary to match classroom square footage to the number of students to maximize distance. Here are some photos to illustrate the ranges listed above (barriers not shown.)
Desks will be forward facing and in rows by default, with each desk having an affixed, three-sided polycarbonate shield. For purposes of visibility, it may be necessary in some classrooms for desks to be in a configuration other than rows facing forward.
Student movement and group interaction will be restricted within the classroom. While this is not an arrangement that we prefer from an instructional point of view, it is being implemented in order to maximize social distancing and safety as we attempt to get students into the building for more in-person instruction
Lunch Procedure- Students will eat in the cafeteria or additional designated indoor spaces (e.g. gym, library, etc.) which may in some cases require polycarbonate barriers. Juniors and Seniors may continue to have an open campus lunch option.

Lunch Service- As we have seen throughout the first semester, a reduction in the number of students purchasing lunch led to a previous decision to suspend lunch service for the second semester, and this situation will continue throughout the remainder of this school year. As is our current practice, the district will continue to provide free lunch to students who qualify.
Hallway procedures

Routines will be established whenever possible to release students into hallways gradually or in shifts.
Lockers will not be available per our current procedure.

Arrival and dismissal

ezScrn and temperature checking - Because we will be doubling the volume of students at arrival and dismissal, IT IS VITAL that families use the ezScrn app EVERY DAY. Manual temperature monitoring is a slow process that is difficult to do accurately depending upon the ambient outdoor temperature. Using ezScrn helps ensure that arrival lines keep moving at a reasonable pace while helping ensure safety for all building occupants.
We do not anticipate the need to stagger arrival or dismissal times; however, this is dependent upon all families using the ezScrn app every day.

Busing - Busing will continue to be offered. We anticipate a maximum of two students per seat in most cases, with up to 44 students being on a bus. Face coverings must be worn by all occupants. Windows will be opened and hand sanitizer provided. Assigned seating and seating charts will be used in the event contact tracing should be required. Information regarding any changes to bus schedules will be made available to families the week of April 5.
Contact tracing protocols- Current contract tracing protocols remain in place per the Westchester County Department of Health. With students being seated closer than six feet apart, we anticipate that more students may need to quarantine when a COVID positive case is reported.
Quarantined students- When a COVID positive case is identified, if the entire classroom must quarantine, the teacher will conduct fully remote instruction for the entire class from during the quarantine period. When individuals or a small group of students are quarantined, they will be able to live stream into the classroom, similar to fully remote students.
Absent students- Students with absences related to illness will be able to access instruction through live streaming. NOTE: Students must commit to either the in-person or fully remote model. In-person students should not stream into the classroom as a matter of occasional convenience or preference, but only in circumstances which prevent them from being able to attend live instruction.
Students with special needs will continue to receive programs and services according to their Individual Education Plans. There will be no change to programs or services for students with IEPs.
Surveillance testing and thresholds:

A schedule and protocol will be developed at each school for students and staff to be tested by a school nurse. On one day per week, approximately 5% of students (about 80 students in grades 6-8) and staff (about 8 staff) will be tested (about 20% per month.) Testing will be split into three days given the larger number that must be tested.
Rapid tests will be used, with results being available within about 15 minutes. This test involves a nasal swab that does not go above the nostril. If a student or staff member tests positive with the rapid test, they must immediately quarantine and get a PCR test. If the PCR test is negative, the individual may return to school. If positive, they must quarantine.
Upon request, a parent may elect (on the consent form) to be present with their child during the COVID rapid test. A protocol will be created to make it as easy as possible for parents to directly enter and exit the building.
COVID positive rates will be monitored and compared week to week, as well as compared to infection rates in the larger community. No standardized threshold rates have yet been established by health officials, so we will be applying common sense to the data as we see it over time. If we see trends in rates spiking, we will reserve the option to move back to the hybrid or fully remote models until we see a stabilization.

Ventilation- Fresh air ventilation is a key mitigation strategy. Last summer we contracted with an outside team of mechanical engineers to review and optimize our systems.Some of our classrooms require the opening of windows to maintain ventilation. This has been more uncomfortable in the winter months, but with the arrival of warmer weather in April the issue of comfort will not be as significant. We do not anticipate the need to add additional air filtration to our schools at this time to accommodate the move to more in-person instruction. However, given that many portions of our school do not have air conditioning, increased student density and the use of face coverings may make individuals more susceptible to issues relative to extreme heat as we progress toward May and June. Under circumstances relating to extreme heat, the district will consider the possibility that it may be prudent to cancel or relocate classes.