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Ashe County Schools Focus and Goals

Prioritizing face-to-face learning for all students K-12
Preparing students to live their best lives
Alignment to CDC recommendations and latest guidance of DHHS related to health and safety measures
Alignment to CDC recommendations and latest guidance related to health and safety measures based upon the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit (K-12)
Collaboration with local and state public health experts
Interventions and academic support for students to address learning gaps
Focus on mental health and successful transition back to in-person learning

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Ashe County Communication

Ashe County schools will continue to use Connect 5 calls as a district
Schools will use Remind App, Canvas and email to communicate
Continued reflection at the school and district level on communication strategies in order to enhance communication efforts for the 2023-2024 school year
Continued communication with local and state health officials if needed

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ESSER Funding and Impact on Ashe Schools

ESSER I- CARES Act (The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)

ESSER II CRRSA (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act)

ESSERIII ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021)

ESSER Funding will allow our district to provide resources for:

Building and facilities air quality improvement
Water bottle filling stations for improved sanitation
Learning improvements including summer camp and tutoring with evidence based interventions
Educational technology-one-to-one home to school devices and community hotspots
Lead Innovator of Student Success at Ashe County High School
Lead Innovator of STEM at the elementary level
K-6 Math Coordinator
Ashe Learning Academy at ACHS to help students with unit recovery
NC Ed Corp Tutors with data to measure effectiveness
Health and safety to include social, emotional, mental and physical
Continued research based materials and technology resources that improve student learning

ESESSER I must be spent by September 30, 2022, ESSER II by September 30, 2023 and ESSER III by September 30, 2024

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Possible Switch to Remote Learning

Ashe County Schools has a plan in place for the event of it becoming necessary to close a school or the district
Such decisions will be made in accordance with state and local health officials and our local board of education
We currently have 1:1 technology in place for student learning along with ongoing use of online learning through the LMS Canvas (grades 3-12)
If a need arises, we will continue to partner with the community to provide hotspots for Internet access

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Health and Safety Measures

In-Person Learning

What to Expect the School Day to Look Like

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Learning Spaces and Building Capacity

Return to in-person learning for all students at all grade levels
Visitors will be allowed in our buildings but will follow protocol directed by the district and school
Continued daily cleaning protocols in accordance with the CDC and Ashe County Schools Safety and Maintenance Department

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Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Continue to emphasize hand hygiene-washing hands and using sanitizer-wash with soap and water for 20 seconds and sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol
Provide adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene
Encourage staff and students to not come to school if sick
Clean frequently touched surfaces
Clean surfaces prioritizing high-touch surfaces

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Arriving at School

Students are expected to bring their school-issued, fully charged device and any other necessary instructional materials

Students are expected to participate in a blend of traditional and digital learning activities

Students are expected to engage, participate, complete work and master content standards in each class

Visitors will be allowed in buildings as long as they follow school guidelines and protocol

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Actions to Accelerate Learning

Core elements for acceleration of learning moving forward:

Build off of strong practices from the past two years
Ensure that all students experience high quality grade level teaching and learning that meets their needs
Provide small group work or tutoring when a student needs additional support with grade level or off grade level learning within or beyond the school day.
Provide vetted and effective after school tutoring when students need additional support
Provide summer programming that helps students bridge learning gaps

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Student Technology

Provide devices for all students:

Kindergarten- 2nd grade – Chrome Tablets (with touch capabilities)
3rd-12th grade - Chromebooks
Provide all teachers with laptops
3rd-12th grade will continue to use Canvas as their Learning Management System

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Social and Emotional Learning

Supports and learning opportunities for students and staff:

●SEL screener (Panorama) for all students to identify student social-emotional strengths and identify those who may need additional support with social-emotional skills and competencies. By administering a screener to all students, we can design instruction or interventions that build on students’ strengths while building their skills in other areas - before behavior problems occur.

●Responsive Classroom: Elevate teaching social and emotional skills and integrate into academic content

●How we work together as adults to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive school environment is as important as our individual contribution or competence.

●Counselors at each school will assist in coordinating and leading comprehensive mental health programs and resources.

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Recess and Enrichment

Recess will continue to be held outdoors as long as weather permits.
Use of playground equipment will be allowed.

During inclement weather students will be assigned to indoor spaces for recess.
Students will attend their enrichment classes by moving from classroom to classroom

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Field Trips, Gatherings, and Visitors

●Field trips will be allowed.

●Field trip guidelines may change throughout the year to ensure safety protocols are followed

●All indoor and outdoor gatherings are subject to state and local capacity guidelines.

●Visitors will be allowed during the school day.

Health and safety measures must be adhered to by all visitors, staff, and students

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Student Transportation

Transportation will continue to be provided for all eligible Ashe County students. We will continue to follow mandated safety guidelines.
All bus drivers will be trained on safety protocols

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Questions?

Contact:

Ashe County Schools

336-246-7175

*Please visit the Ashe County Schools

District website and your assigned

school website for updates

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