Highlights of THE ROAD BACK:

Restart and Recovery Plan for Education

July 2020

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THE ROAD BACK: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education NJDOE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Plan presents guidance related to key subject areas:

1. Conditions for Learning
2. Leadership and Planning
3. Policy and Funding
4. Continuity of Learning

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CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING

• General Health and Safety Guidelines
• Classrooms, Testing and Therapy Rooms
• Transportation
• Student Flow, Entry, Exit and Common Areas
• Screening, PPE, and Responses to Those Presenting Symptoms
• Contact Tracing
• Facilities Cleaning Practices
• Meals
• Recess/Physical Education
• Extracurricular Activities and Use of Facilities Outside of School Hours

Other Considerations

• Social Emotional Learning and School Climate and Culture
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
• Wraparound Supports
• Food Service and Distribution
• Quality Child Care

LEADERSHIP & PLANNING/POLICY & FUNDING

• Board Policy
• Potential School Models
• Scheduling
• Staffing
• Athletics & Clubs

Resources may include:

• ESEA Emergency Relief Fund (CARES)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• State School Aid

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING

• Ensuring Delivery of Special Education and Related Services to Students with Disabilities
• Technology and Connectivity
• Curriculum, Instruction & Assessments
• Professional Learning
• Career and Technical Education

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Within the Plan,

There are “Anticipated Minimum Standards” - MUST DO & “Additional Considerations” - MAY DO

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From the Plan...

Districts should abide by the advice of local health officials to determine the safest course of action based on local circumstances, which will change as the public health landscape evolves. The health and safety of students and staff must remain the number one priority and guide all decisions at the local level.

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It is recommended that ALL school districts follow these standards for General Health and Safety...

1. Social Distancing in Classrooms to the Maximum Extent Possible.
1. Students seated at least 6 ft. apart
2. Windows open to allow for greater air circulation
3. If you cannot maintain social distancing, physical barriers should be in place
4. Turn all desks to one direction or students may all be distanced on one side of a table
2. School staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings unless it inhibits one’s health or you are under 2 yrs. old
3. Students are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and are required to do so when they can’t socially distance Acknowledgement: enforcing the use of face coverings may be impractical for young children or students with disabilities
4. Each school district must adopt clearing/disinfecting procedures
5. School districts are strongly encouraged to maintain social distancing on school buses or students must wear face coverings
6. School districts must adopt a policy for screening students and employees upon arrival for symptoms and history of exposure.

Classrooms, Testing and Therapy Rooms

• Socially distanced classrooms, face coverings or physical barriers
• Limited use of shared objects
• Adequate air circulation and ventilation - windows and doors open
• Hand sanitizing stations in classrooms, entrances and exits of buildings, lunchrooms and bathrooms
• Students should wash hands for at least 20 seconds repeatedly throughout the day
• Avoid close group learning activities like reading circles
• Larger rooms may be used as classrooms - gyms, cafeterias
• Keep classes together to avoid mixing between groups of children
• Outdoor learning if possible

Continued...

• Consider hybrid models of instruction to allow for proper social distancing with cohorts of students physically present in school, while others are home engaged in instruction through distance learning. It is not possible to adhere to the current recommended CDC/NJDOE requirements with all students present in school at the same time.
• Examples of hybrid models and structures are suggested in the Plan.

Transportation

• Socially distanced busing - 54 person bus only 11 seats, explore various configurations
• Face coverings if cannot socially distance
• Cleaning and disinfect buses between runs
• Board and leave bus in one order
• Stagger transportation times
• Open windows on bus
• Staff member to supervise on each bus
• Reconsider courtesy busing
• Increase parents’ awareness of the ability to waive transportation

Student Flow, Entry, Exit & Common Areas

• Designated location for student and staff health screenings
• Outward signage and designations of physical distancing when waiting to enter a building or require face coverings
• Stagger entrance and exit times; create one way routes
• Create student cohorts as an effective strategy to limit exposure and contact
• Limit commingling between classes and groups of students
• Minimize large group gatherings
• Limit number of students in hallways at one time for changing classes
• Consider schedule that limits access to lockers and hallways

Screening, PPE, & Response to Those with Symptoms

• Staff must visually check students for symptoms upon arrival and/or confirm with families that they have no symptoms
• Health checks must be conducted safely and respectfully in accordance with privacy laws and regulations
• Results must be documented when signs/symptoms are observed
• Screening policies must take into account students with disabilities and any required accommodations
• Those with symptoms must be isolated and health officials must be notified if someone tests positive
• Policy must be written to account for the above & staff will need training
• If a visitor refuses to wear a face covering for a non-medical reason, entry to the school may be denied

Contract Tracing & Facilities Cleaning Practices

Designation of a staff liaison to the local health department responsible for providing notifications and carrying out other components of the board’s contract tracing policy could help ensure that notifications are carried out in a prompt and efficient manner.

Develop a schedule for increased, routine cleaning and disinfection included in the district’s policy.

Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.

Consider using a PD day for staff to practice screening protocols with each other before applying to students.

Special consideration for nurses, custodians, etc. that are in close contact with students or will handle waste materials.

Meals & Recess/Physical Education

• Pomptonian, in concert with the district will work out a plan that meets the requirements, but…
• Stagger eating times, no self-serve or buffet
• Sit students at least 6 ft. apart
• Consider eating in classrooms or outside
• Serve pre-packaged meals
• Wash hands before and after

• Stagger recess times
• Create boundaries outside
• Stagger use of equipment and sanitize between groups
• Consider closing locker rooms and not having students change for physical education class
• Designate specific areas for each class during recess to avoid cohort mixing.

Field Trips, Extra-Curricular Activities, & Use of Facilities Outside of School Hours

• Adhere to all CDC protocols at ALL times
• Maximize the use of technology and online resources to continue some extra-curricular activities without face to face contact
• Restrict use of school/district facilities to district sponsored activities and groups ONLY
• Limit public use of school facilities

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• Consider cancelling field trips, assemblies and other large group gatherings
• Cleaning/disinfecting schedule may not allow for in-person gatherings outside of school hours