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GPPSS Return to Face to Face Instruction for GPPSS Traditional Presentation

September 25, 2020

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This is a revised document that is subject to change based on feedback, further governmental guidance and new information on local COVID-19 data
Young 5-5th grade students are the focus of this plan
Specific plans for 6th-12th graders will be provided in the coming weeks
This plan does not replace, but coincides with, the updated plan for return to instruction for students with IEPs
This plan applies to all GP Traditional Students
OneGP Virtual students will continue to receive instruction in a virtual environment

Please Note the Following:

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Following both the staff and community town halls administration reviewed all feedback received and made the following changes to the initial plan:

Changed the days the students attend F2F instruction to better accommodate child care needs for families
The new schedule described in this plan indicates Cohort A will attend school M-Th and every other W, while Cohort B will attend T-F and every other W
Commits to the concept that an earlier transition to F2F for our students new to a building beyond 5th grade (meaning 6th and 9th graders) will be included in the 6th-12th grade return to F2F plan

Significant Revisions:

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At the 9/14 Board of Education meeting President Margaret Weertz directed administration to provide a detailed plan to return students to school in a safe, face-to-face (F2F) environment.

Following this direction, administration reviewed the work of the GPPSS Reopening Task Force, our local safety data, and school reopening plans in other districts. This draft plan is the result of that work.

Charge from the Board of Education President:

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This plan recognizes that the charge from the BOE and the demand from our community is to maximize student/teacher F2F opportunities
F2F opportunities may differ for students based on their needs
While in Phase 4, GPPSS will use a hybrid approach to reduce class sizes and allow for social distancing opportunities
GPPSS will use a phased return that builds toward all students having a F2F opportunity
GPPSS phased approach will begin with our youngest and most at-risk learners
Building community, literacy, and numeracy will be our core focus in F2F instruction
According to the Governor’s Plan, when we reach Phase 5, GPPSS will accelerate the timeline and shift from hybrid to full time F2F instruction in the buildings

For the GPPSS Return to F2F Plan:

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Monday, October 12th - Young Five, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students return to F2F hybrid learning
Monday, October 19th - 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students return to F2F hybrid learning
Monday, November 9th - 6th-12th grade students return to F2F hybrid learning (more information to come)

Please note - this timeline is subject to change based on new information

*Families of students with IEPs-please review the Updated Special Education Return Plan 2020

Return to F2F Timeline (subject to change):

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Students divided, primarily by alphabet (allowing families to stay together), into two groups identified as Group A and Group B
Students attend school F2F, by group, using an every other day format

Cohort A: M - Th and every other W
Cohort B: T - F and every other W

Students would attend full days when they have a F2F day
School hours would start at 8:30 a.m. with school ending at 2:30 p.m. daily
On days when the students are not in F2F instruction they would have asynchronous learning opportunities
Students with IEP’s indicating “Resource Program” &/or ancillary “services” will receive in person programs and services according to the student’s Contingency Learning Plan (CLP), on days they are scheduled in the building

Hybrid Return to F2F Format for

Grades Young 5 - 4th Grade:

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School hours would start at 8:15 a.m. with school ending at 2:15 p.m. daily
Students divided, primarily by alphabet (allowing families to stay together), into two groups identified as Group A and Group B
Students attend full days, by group, when they have a F2F day
On days when the students are not in F2F instruction they would have asynchronous learning opportunities
Students with IEPs will receive in person programs and services according to the student’s Contingency Learning Plan (CLP), on days they are scheduled in the building

Hybrid Return to F2F Format for 5th Grade:

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All students & staff will wear masks except when eating/drinking/outside
Staff will be provided necessary, appropriate PPE (masks, shields, etc.)
Social distancing will be maintained using smaller class sizes (no greater than 15 students, with the average class size being 10 students)
Larger spaces will be used by students when possible
Students will work at individual work stations either at individual desks or at opposite ends of tables
Students will be provided a personal ‘foldable’ shield when at tables
Students will typically spend the day with only their cohort of students
Students will do activities together, lunch, recess, etc. as a cohort
Special education service providers will “push in” to support students in their cohort when possible, to maintain cohorts and minimize exposure

Y5 to 5th Grade Student Safety Precautions:

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Regular hand washing will occur with all students
Common touchpoints in bathrooms, etc. will be wiped down throughout the day
Each building will be thoroughly cleaned each evening
Building specific safety procedures (entry, exit, etc.) will be provided
Visitors will be restricted to main office for necessary visits only
No volunteers will be permitted at school
Food service will be provided directly to the classroom
Typically during recess students will be restricted from interacting with students outside of their cohort

Y5 to 5th Grade Student Safety Precautions (continued):

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Per directions from the Michigan Safe Schools Roadmap decisions regarding student and staff health precautions regarding positive cases or exposure to COVID-19 GPPSS will follow guidance and direction from WRESA and the Wayne County Health Department (photo links to document). The following two slides outline six specific scenarios provided by the county that will be used to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

School Response to COVID-19 Exposure:

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WRESA Safe Start Plan Section VI:

COVID-19 Scenarios Student/Staff Within School is: Confirmed COVID-19 Positive, Symptomatic Pending Test, Identified as Close Contact

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WRESA Safe Start Plan Section VI: COVID-19 Scenarios

Household Member of a Student/Staff Within School is:

COVID-19 Positive, Symptomatic Pending Test, Identified as Close Contact

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WTVS our local PBS station has created a short 30-second PSA for families highlighting how to conduct a daily home health screen for students.
WRESA has provided a daily home health screening checklist that also provides families guidance regarding how to conduct a daily health screening

Daily Health Screening for Students:

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Focus on building community, literacy and numeracy
Classroom teachers will use our typical outstanding learning practices with students
Due to lowered class sizes, teachers will be able to better individualize and support all learners
During teaming, teachers will rotate to classes whenever possible, not the students
GPPSS is partnering with The Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education to provide reduced-cost Kids Club Centers for remote learning for families needing childcare around F2F learning

Y5 to 5th Grade F2F Instructional Day:

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Y5-5th Grade Specials/Electives will be offered virtually on non-F2F days (focuses F2F time on building community, literacy and numeracy)
Students will have the opportunity to engage with material assigned/provided by the teacher on a F2F instructional day
Students will use technology based learning resources (Imagine/Freckle math, Lexia, etc.) to support learning
Amplify science will be primarily used with students in an asynchronous environment
Students, on a case by case basis, may be provided with additional in person supports, on an asynchronous day

Non - F2F Y5 to 5th Grade Instructional Day:

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If a current Young Five’s - 5th grade GP Traditional family is not ready to pivot using the timeline above, they will be provided an opportunity to enter OneGP Virtual. When entering OneGP Virtual the student will change to a different teacher from the one that they had in GP Traditional.

If a current family wants to be considered for a shift from OneGP Virtual to GP Traditional at this time they will have an opportunity to submit that request.

During the week of September 28th families will have an opportunity to request a change of placement between OneGP Virtual and GP Traditional.

This shift between programs is only available in grades Y5-5th grade.

Options for Grades Y5 - 5th Grade:

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The Role of Metrics in GPPSS Decision Making:

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provided guidance on September 16th regarding how schools should pivot when positive COVID-19 cases are identified (linked).

The matrix from that memo showing how various COVID-19 positive cases impact Risk Determination is on the next slide.

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September 16 MDHHS Matrix

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A virtual town hall was held with staff Tuesday, September 22 to review this plan and obtain feedback.
A livestreamed community town hall was held on Thursday, September 24. Community members posed questions in advance of or during the town hall via a link on the website. The town hall was livestreamed as is available for viewing on the website.
GPPSS will continue to listen to our staff and community as this plan is further developed and adjusted.

Feedback Steps Pursued: