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BUCKEYE LOCAL SCHOOLS Fall 2020 Reopening Plan

Published August 4, 2020

Last updated: August 4, 2020

This plan was developed in collaboration with the Medina County Health Department.

The Buckeye Local Schools Reopening Committee has worked to develop this plan for the return of students in the fall. This committee was composed of parents, teachers, support staff, union representatives and administrators. Their input was critical to the development of this plan.

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Guiding Principles of Reopening

ples of Reopening

Protect the health and safety of students, parents, educators and the community.
Provide contingency plans which can be phased in fluidly and seamlessly as our evolving situation changes. We must provide flexibility to meet the needs of our learners in an environment they feel comfortable.
Prioritize student learning needs based on the critical Ohio Learning Standards as result of Covid-19. The core function of our school district is to develop both academic and social emotional competence in our students, especially during this unprecedented time.
We must continue to develop critical partnerships between the school district, parents/guardians and community members in this time of crisis. Regular, ongoing two-way communication is essential for all options to be effective, especially if a student is not finding success.

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CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAFETY, HEALTH AND PREVENTION

Personal prevention behaviors (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important ways to help lower the risk COVID-19 exposure and spread during school sessions and activities.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, as the state develops the capabilities to safely diagnose, treat and isolate individuals who contract COVD-19 and their contacts, it will continue the recovery phase of the pandemic and begin to resume previously restricted activities, including reopening schools. National and local conversations are now focused on how schools may reopen safely and effectively. Important considerations include:

1.) School reopening decisions should be based on regional COVID-19 statistics.

2.) Protective health and safety measures must be prioritized.

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3.) Creative modifications to the standard school environment and schedule may be necessary.

Any consideration for returning to school requires careful planning within the context of the local community. Local transmission rates are a key metric. The more transmission that is occurring within a community, the more difficult it is to restart or maintain in-person learning. Decisions will be made depending on the risk level in Medina County.

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Level 1

Students will receive in person daily instruction in the building with the Covid-19 Protocols in place as outlined below

Level 2

It is the intent of the BLSD that students will receive in-person daily instruction in the buildings with Covid-19 Protocols pending county input.

Level 3

Students will move to the remote learning model while on Level 3 and for a minimum of fourteen days after Medina County moves back to Level 1 or Level 2.

Level 4

All students will move to remote learning.

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SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Those students who receive individualized instruction in a small group classroom will be invited to an IEP meeting to determine the student's current needs. Decisions will be made in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and take into consideration a student’s IEP goals as well as the health and safety of students and staff.

Certified special education staff, related services staff and non-certified staff will:

Design and implement educational opportunities to address the needs of individual students with disabilities as identified in their IEP to be delivered through all methods of learning
Continue to collaborate with general education teachers to accommodate for the needs of students with disabilities within the general education curriculum

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FACIAL COVERINGS

Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
Per state mandate, all students and staff, K-12 will be required to wear masks or facial coverings while participating in any school sponsored activity on school premises, including the bus and athletic activities.
Scheduled mask breaks will be provided for students during the day in a safe, socially distant manner.
The exceptions for face covering requirements are for medical situations (physician’s order required) or other extenuating circumstances.

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SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL

The following guidelines will be followed per the Medina County Health Department:

If a student or staff member begins to show symptoms or has a temperature of over 100° F, they should be immediately separated from other students/staff members and be monitored by staff wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and while maintaining physical distance when possible and then sent home. Students with symptoms will be supervised in a designated area within the building separate from the clinic.
Custodial staff will immediately be notified where that student/staff member was and those areas will be thoroughly sanitized.
BLS will follow procedures in contacting the local Health Department and all procedures will be followed per Medina County Health Department.

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Upon a student or staff member being diagnosed with COVID-19, the Medina County Health Department will make notifications to parents and those affected and direct BLSD as to plans/steps which will need to be implemented by district staff.
If the sickness is not COVID-19, the student may not return until they are fever-free for 48 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. If sick persons had contact with someone confirmed or are probable to have COVID-19, they are required to complete isolation or quarantine procedures in coordination with the MCHD prior to returning to school.

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POTENTIAL CHANGE TO FULL REMOTE LEARNING

The following plan is based on options that allow Buckeye Local Schools to remain open. This is subject to change based on guidance from state and county officials. We will also look at student and staff attendance data, COVID-19 exposure and current logistical concerns in making changes to full remote learning.

The Buckeye Local Schools staff will communicate specific procedures in the event that a change to full remote learning is required. This will be communicated through school messenger and the district website. Parents should have a backup plan if this occurs with little notice.
Students who are quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure will be assigned to a remote learning schedule for the 14 days that they are not permitted to attend school.
In the event that an entire classroom is quarantined, these students participate in remote learning with their classroom teacher(s).
LINK TO SAMPLE FULL REMOTE SCHEDULE

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CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR

[The following dates remain tentative at this time. A final calendar will be released upon BLSB approval.]

To facilitate the proper transition back to school and allow for additional health and safety training of our students and staff, the following changes to the 2020-2021 school calendar are recommended:

August 17 – August 28

Training and Professional Development – Staff only

August 31 – September 3

If we are yellow or orange for at least two weeks prior to the start of school students in all buildings will return using a staggered schedule. Students will be grouped according to Group A and Group B.

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Group A Last Name Beginning with A - L (50% of the students) will attend on Monday, August 31 and Tuesday September 1.

Group B Last Name Beginning In M - Z (50% of the students) will attend on Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3.

September 4

Deep cleaning and fogging of all buildings

By implementing this staggered schedule, it will allow the district to do the following:

1.) Work with students to reinforce all proper health and safety practices

2.) Have fewer students in the building during the warmest time of the year

3.) Acclimate all students to Google Classroom and other platforms (should remote learning become necessary)

4.) Hand out student devices.

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September 8

All students and staff report

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to sending a student to school. Students with temperatures over 100°F should stay home. Provide a mask for your student to wear during the day. Students Wearing a mask is required throughout the day and on the bus. Maintain maximum physical distance from peers whenever possible. If you begin to feel any symptoms report it immediately to staff. Building differences as noted Students in grades 5-12 will clean desks and seats at the conclusion of each class.	Teachers/Assistants Ensure classroom setup of desks provides physical distancing for students of at least 3 feet. Wear a mask at all times Ensure students maintain physical distance whenever possible. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Eliminate shared classroom materials. Keep the classroom door open to maximize airflow and reduce the number of touches to door handles. Use supplies provided to spray desks, chairs, and any common materials needed before new students transition into the room, Custodians Make sure teachers are provided with all supplies needed daily including disinfectant and paper towels. Disinfect classrooms during teacher plan bell, during lunch, and after school. Administration Ensure classrooms are physically distanced. Ensure classrooms are disinfected between classes, during plan bells, lunch, and after school. Ensure supplies are readily available for custodians and teaching staff.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Hallways, Lockers and Common Areas

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Provide a mask for your student to wear Provide your student with a water bottle daily as water fountains will not be available for use. Students Wearing a mask is required for all students with the exception of medical conditions or special needs students or other approved situations that might impede the instructional process (phonics, ASL....) Report immediately to your classroom, upon arrival to school. Carry a water bottle as water fountains will not be available for use. Follow all signage in the hallways and common areas. When possible, stay to the right when traveling down hallways and using stairs. Carry all needed materials and device in backpack Lockers will not be utilized by students Building differences as noted Buckeye Elementary Schools When standing in hallways, students must stand on markings/dots on the floor to ensure safe social distancing.	Teachers/Assistants Supervise hallways and common areas to ensure students are reporting immediately to class and not congregating in hallways or common areas. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Custodians Disinfect common areas based on a schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, handrails, toilets, stalls, and sinks. Administration Ensure proper signage is installed in hallways and common areas. Ensure supplies are readily available for custodians. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and issue consequences to repeated expectation violators. Implement staggered dismissal times if necessary to maximize physical distancing and student safety. Building differences as noted Buckeye Elementary Schools Provide and monitor students in the entryways and hallways as well as during arrival and dismissal. When standing in the hallway or playground, ensure students are maintaining safe social distance by standing on floor markings/dots.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Dropoff, Pick Up, and Visitors

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to sending a student to school. Students with temperatures over 100°F should stay home. Provide a mask for your student to wear on the bus and while at school.. Limit visits to school to emergency situations only or by appointment. (No food deliveries) Conduct a personal health screening prior to coming to a school building and do not come if you are running a fever higher than 100^oor showing other symptoms Follow posted guidelines and read all signage whenever entering the building. Wearing a mask is required when entering the building. Students Wearing a mask is required on the bus and throughout the school day. Report directly to your assigned classroom/area upon arrival to school and do not congregate in the hallways or common areas.. Maintain maximum physical distance from peers whenever possible in hallways, common areas, offices, etc.	Teachers/Assistants Supervise arrival doors, hallways and common areas to ensure students are reporting immediately to assigned class and not congregating in hallways or common areas. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Custodians Disinfect common areas based on a schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, handrails, toilets, stalls, counters, and sinks. Ensure designated doors are propped open at arrival and dismissal. Ensure designated doors are closed after arrival and dismissal. Administration Ensure adequate supervision is available on bus lots, in parking lots, and in common areas of the building. Ensure proper signage is installed in hallways and common areas. Ensure supplies are readily available for custodians. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and issue consequences to repeated expectation violators. Ensure designated doors are propped open at arrival and dismissal. Ensure designated doors are closed after arrival and dismissal. Eliminate parent and community volunteers to ensure safety and health of students and staff. Implement staggered dropoff and dismissal times if necessary to maximize physical distancing and student safety.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Transportation

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to sending a student to school. Students with temperatures over 100°F should stay home. Provide a mask for your student to wear on the bus and while at school Students Maintain appropriate physical distances while at the bus stop, on bus lots, and while entering the building. Sit two per seat on the bus and sit in your assigned seat. Wear a mask while riding the bus. Remain seated, facing forward while riding the bus.	Drivers Wear a mask or face shield while students are on the bus. Provide reminders to students of bus expectations- 2 per seat, wearing masks, seated facing forward. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Ensure the bus is disinfected following outlined safety protocols. School/District Administration Reduce the number of transfers and overall time on buses for students. Monitor drop off and dismissal to ensure students do not congregate in groups. Provide consequences, including loss of privilege to ride the bus to those who violate rules. Develop a staggered schedule for school arrival and departure at the elementary schools so that students can safely social distance while coming in and out of the buildings.

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Meetings and Conferences

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations

Parents/Caregivers Unless it cannot be done, all meetings and conferences will be conducted remotely Conduct a personal health screening prior to coming to a school building and do not come if you are running a fever higher than 100^oor showing other symptoms. Students Participate in meetings as requested by parents/caregivers or school staff.	Teachers/Assistants When possible, attend meetings using video technology. Custodians Clean and disinfect conference rooms after meetings or provide materials for cleaning and disinfecting to take place. Administration Provide parents/caregivers with options for phone, or video conferencing and in person when the other options cannot be accomplished. Ensure physical distancing guidelines are followed as much as possible when in-person meetings are held. Ensure physical space used for meetings allows for distancing guidelines

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Health Services

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Conduct a student wellness check including temperature prior to sending a student to school. Students with temperatures over 100°F should stay home. Provide a mask for your student to wear on the bus and while at school.. Ensure contact information is up to date in the event the nurse or staff needs to contact home. Ensure there are multiple, pre-arranged methods of getting a student home from school should they become ill or exhibit symptoms. Students Use designated entrances and exits to the office. Following physical distancing protocols as much as possible when in office. Wearing a mask is required when in or moving around the clinic. Contact staff immediately if you begin to exhibit any symptoms.	Nurse Wear a mask when working individually with students. Ensure the workspace is kept clean and sanitized. Ensure physical distancing protocols are followed whenever possible. Isolate students who are showing symptoms to a separate area away from other students already in the clinic. Ensure the clinic is disinfected immediately following a student entering who is exhibiting symptoms. Ensure doors to the clinic are open to minimize use of door handles and to ensure maximum air flow to the area. Custodians Disinfect clinic based on schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, countertops, seating areas, restrooms, etc. Disinfect the isolation area after students who utilize the area have left the building. Administration Install barriers as needed to protect employees working in the nurse's office. Ensure proper signage is installed. Ensure regular cleaning and disinfecting takes place in the office area. Ensure seating areas are properly physically distanced. Ensure the student isolation area is properly supervised when in use.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Restrooms

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Provide a mask for your student to wear on the bus and throughout the school. Students Wearing a mask is required throughout the school and on the bus. Follow all signage in the hallways, common areas and restrooms. When possible, stay to the right when traveling down hallways to get to restrooms. Building differences as noted: Buckeye Elementary Schools Students should only use the right and left faucet. If all restroom stalls are in use, students wait on the floor markings outside the restroom entrance.	Teachers/Assistants Assist in supervision of restrooms, hallways, and common areas between classes. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Custodians Disinfect restrooms based on schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, toilets, stalls, and sinks. Administration Ensure proper signage is installed in hallways, common areas and restrooms. Ensure supplies are readily available for custodians. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and issue consequences to repeated expectation violators. Provide supervision of restrooms between classes to ensure limited numbers of students are in restrooms at the same time. Implement measures such as closing sinks or urinals when necessary to allow for appropriate physical distancing.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Lunches and Cafeteria

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Provide a mask for your student to wear while at school. Limit visits to school as much as possible including visits to drop off forgotten items. There will be no outside food delivery for your student for the safety of all students. No parent will be allowed to come into the school to have lunch with their student for the safety of all. Parents may make an appointment with staff for special circumstances. Students When possible, stay to the right when traveling down hallways. Wearing a mask is required when in line or moving around the cafeteria. Sit in designated seats. Follow guidelines for restroom use during lunch periods. If bringing a packed lunch, report immediately to your designated seating area. Follow physical distancing guidelines as much as possible when in line and in the serving areas.	Teachers/Assistants Supervise designated eating areas to ensure students are properly physically distanced at 6 feet apart when students are not wearing masks and are eating. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and report repeated expectation violators to the office. Wear a mask when circulating around designated eating areas. Monitor and issue passes for bathroom use during lunch time. Use staggered dismissal to ensure physical distancing at the end of lunch. Custodians Disinfect all table tops and seats before and after each lunch. Disinfect restrooms and common spaces between lunches. This includes but is not limited to door handles, handrails, toilets, stalls, and sinks. Cafeteria Staff Wear masks while serving food. Clean and disinfect serving areas and tables between lunches. Serve all food to students. (Students will not self-serve items as they have in the past.) Administration Ensure proper signage is installed in designated eating areas. Ensure enough seating is provided to ensure proper physical distancing and be practiced. Add additional seating areas on stage, outside, and in the practice/aux gym to ensure proper physical distancing. Ensure supplies are readily available for custodians. Provide reminders, issue warnings, contact parents/caregivers, and issue consequences to repeated expectation violators. Implement staggered dismissal times if necessary to maximize physical distancing and student safety.

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OPTION 1- STUDENTS IN-PERSON AND IN-BUILDINGS DAILY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Office

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Conduct a personal health screening prior to coming to a school building and do not come if you are running a fever higher than 100^oor showing other symptoms. Wearing a mask is required when entering, exiting, and moving around the office/building. In-person office visits should follow appropriate physical distancing protocols. Parents may make an appointment with staff for special circumstances. Students Use designated entrances and exits to the office. Following physical distancing protocols as much as possible when in office. Wearing a mask is required while in or moving around the office.	Teachers/Assistants Wearing a mask required when moving around the office area. Follow physical distancing protocols. Office Staff Monitor and control the number of people in the office at any one time. Ensure physical distancing guidelines are followed as much as possible when in-person meetings are held. Custodians Disinfect office based on schedule provided by school administration. This includes but is not limited to door handles, countertops, seating areas, restrooms, etc. Administration Install barriers to protect employees working in the main office. Eliminate community and parent volunteers to ensure safety of all students. Ensure proper signage is installed in the office and leading into the office. Ensure regular cleaning and disinfecting takes place in the office area. Ensure seating areas are properly physically distanced.

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OPTION 2- BUCKEYE VIRTUAL ACADEMY 100% ONLINE LEARNING SEMESTER COMMITMENT

Students participate in online learning with support:

Families choosing to remain at home to receive 100% full-time virtual learning will be able to access online courses
Students will have the opportunity to take grade-level appropriate courses provided through the online learning platform.
This option is no additional cost to families. Information will be distributed in August for families wishing to complete the enrollment process.
Depending on the number of participating students at each grade level, students may be assigned to a Buckeye Local School District teacher or another Ohio certified instructor (contracted through an Educational Service Center, for example). We cannot finalize that decision until we know how many families are interested in this option.
Each student choosing Option 2 (100% Virtual Learning Academy) will remain enrolled in the Buckeye Local School District.

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Students will be able to participate in district athletics and extra-curricular activities in accordance with the same eligibility and health guidelines required for all other students in our school district.
A one-semester commitment for the 2020-2021 school year (August-December 2020) is required. We anticipate in the current environment that the Virtual Learning Academy will also be offered for the second semester of the school year.
The online curriculum will meet the same curriculum standards as found in the Buckeye Schools, but it may not necessarily match the same pacing or activities that are delivered in school buildings.
Students will have access to courses in all core areas (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies). Courses include both Honors and AP in grades (9-12).
Students may have limited access to special area courses (K-8) and elective courses (9-12).
Grades earned in the online learning platform for high school credit will calculate in the student’s GPA.

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Remote Learning (If state or local regulations require a school closure, we would shift into remote learning.)

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations	Staff Expectations
Parents/Caregivers Monitor student progress on coursework. Developing a “school schedule” is recommended to keep routines in place for students while working from home. Communicate questions and concerns immediately to staff. Students Following a regular “school schedule” is recommended to help keep routines in place for students while working from home. Communicate questions and concerns immediately to teachers. Participate in virtual sessions with teachers as scheduled. Watch lessons provided by teachers and complete assignments according to timelines.	Teachers/Assistants Create lessons that are engaging for students using a variety of strategies. Be available for office hours. Use Google Classroom as the platform for all assignments, links to resources, etc. Grade work in a timely manner and provide feedback to students on assignments. Provide scheduled synchronous learning activities to students daily. Technology Department Provide help desk assistance when technology issues occur. Administration Ensure each student has a device at home. Monitor and assist teachers in the delivery of content for students. Implement appropriate grading procedures and work from home guidelines for teachers.

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OPTION 2- STUDENTS AT HOME DAILY

INDIVIDUAL ONLINE LEARNING WITH SUPPORT USING VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY (VLA)

Parents/Caregivers Monitor student progress on coursework. Developing a “school schedule” is recommended to keep routines in place for students while working from home. Communicate questions and concerns immediately to staff. Monitor and support student progress through an online curriculum with parent/caregiver access to the online platform and progress information. Students This option is different from what students experienced during remote learning last spring. It is recommended students follow a schedule to complete online learning, assignments, and assessments. The online curriculum will meet the same standards as our Buckeye Local Schools, but it will not necessarily match the same pacing or activities that are delivered in school buildings. Students will have access to courses in all core areas (English language arts, mathematics, sciences, and social studies) Students will not have access to specials courses (K-6) art, music and P.E. and elective courses (7-12), Students in grades 7-12 will not have access to their full schedule as planned this past spring. Communicate questions and concerns immediately to teachers.. Students will earn grades for their work. If state or local regulations require a school closure, students participating in this option will continue as scheduled, and will continue to use the online curriculum and platform. Students may continue to participate in after-school activities at their school building, including extra-curricular activities	Teachers Teachers will support students by assisting with use of the online platform, pacing, and providing feedback on assignments and assessments. Teachers will be available for support during office hours, Sessions will be available each morning and afternoon.. Teachers will grade work in a timely manner. Technology Department The district will provide a chromebook for each student to use at home; students will not be asked to share devices. The district will support families without wi-fi access. The district will provide help desk assistance when technology issues occur. Administration Ensure each student has a device at home. Monitor and assist teachers in the delivery of content for students. Implement appropriate grading procedures and work from home guidelines for teachers.

Student and Parent/Caregiver Expectations and Additional Information	Staff Expectations

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