THE VALLEY View
COVID EDITION- 08.14.2020
2020-2021 Theme
Okay, I'm kidding.
If you were with us in the spring, you received a shirt that was a preview to this year's theme. On the back of the shirt it reads, "Standing together in THE VALLEY, we move mountains". Each new year brings its obstacles. But this year especially, there will be mountains to move and inclines to scale. Our families are counting on us to not only keep climbing and keep pushing, but they are looking to us to lead the way. In an effort to stay positive and be ready for whatever comes our way, we are going to look at this year as an adventure. There will be sunny days and storms. There will be discoveries and roadblocks. Thank you for choosing to be on this adventure for our kids and our families.
And imagine the stories that we'll be able to share once we make it to the other side of this. I can just hear us now-- "Remember that one time...when the entire world shut down and we had to figure out how to reopen the schools?"
REOPENING INFORMATION as of 8/13/20
These topics will be discussed in greater detail at a later time. But many of you have been asking great questions. As such, I wanted to share some basic information for our re-opening structures. Please realize, the county and the district are both waiting until August 25th to make a decision in regards to our learning format. So some of the items below will only apply if/when we have kids back in the building.
Things to note REGARDLESS of our Learning Format:
CERTIFIED STAFFING CHANGES
Dr. Shelton and those over at SLC are still working diligently to get all teachers placed for both R7 Online Academy and in person teaching positions. It is the goal that they have everyone placed and informed of those changes at some point today. It could be morning...it could be midnight. Once I have the green light, I'll be communicating those changes to you.
CLASSIFIED STAFF UPDATES
* We will have three of our Resource Aides returning this year: Sarah, Jessica, and Gale. It has been approved for each of their schedules to be extended, in order to reallocate the hours that belonged to Janelle last year.
* I realize that the district has provided almost no information in regards to classified staff and how they may be impacted by decisions for the upcoming year. All of the focus has been on student declarations, followed by teacher declarations, followed by teacher placement. It is my hope that communication will come very soon and we can begin to get a better picture. Your patience is recognized and appreciated.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Think you need accommodations? We have received emails from HR about this - if you are concerned, you will need to refer to HR docs and chat with them, if needed
MASKS
* Currently are required full-time by staff and students - shields are not replacements for masks
* Students and staff may take a mask break - we will teach students how to do these
MEETINGS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
* No teachers pulled for development during 1st semester
* In person meetings under 50 staff
* Some of our SVE meetings may be in smaller groups, virtual, or as a flipped meeting
SCHOOL/COMMUNITY EVENTS
* Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night will be conducted virtually.- we will follow the district protocol/template - you do not need to work on this yet
* Parent/Teacher Conferences will be conducted virtually.
* Kindergarten students will arrive 40 minutes after start of day on the 1st day. They may be accompanied by one parent for drop off.
VISITORS
* No visitors allowed in the building - this includes staff spouses, children, etc. .. - thank you for understanding
* Student deliveries - parents will drop off item in the "vestibule" and office staff will go get the item
* For student pick-up- for appointments, the child will meet the adult at the door and secretary will sign them out
*For ill student - we will ask parent to pick them up at the back door and secretary will sign them out
* For medicine drop off - parent will meet health room staff at back door to take care of this task
FURNITURE
*The district is asking that teachers and staff remove, for now, any soft furniture from their classrooms. Couches, recliners, etc. Please reach out if you need help with this. Some of you have already done this- THANK YOU!
Things to note IF/WHEN WE HAVE STUDENTS IN PERSON
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
* This will be staggered so that ALL students are not coming IN and going OUT at the same time. I am currently working on this plan.
SEATING CHARTS and SIGN-INS
* Seating Charts will be a MUST in ALL classes and lunchroom - this is for contact tracing
* Staff schedules - if staff pop into another room for lessons/student support/etc. . we will have sign in sheets for the adults
BUSES
* Buses will be wiped down between tiers and sanitized between AM/PM
* Students will have seating chart
* Students will be asked to wear masks
* If we can, students will be seated one to a seat
* One - day ride passes will not be approved (exception for students in late enrollment)
* Driver Masks during loading/unloading
Things to note IF WE BEGIN WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING:
TEACHER WORK-DAY OPTIONS
*I have been getting questions about having to teach from the building should we all go ALL virtual. Please see this document. The chart explains all of the options and shows that should we go virtual, you may telecommute 4 days a week and report to the building on Wednesdays. You may also choose to come in to the building any day, if that is your preference.
COVID?
COVID
* Do you think someone has covid? The first thing you do is BREATHE!
* Do NOT share this information with others per HIPPA and FERPA
* You will ONLY share Covid info with Flood, Westacott, or Robin Smith
* We will BREATHE and then we will follow our district flow chart/check list
* Our district health dept has created detailed processes for us to follow
* CONFIDENTIALITY is a MUST
District Scheduling Parameters and Protocols for All Elem. Buildings
* teachers will have a 25 minute duty-free lunch
* 35 minute specials with 10 minutes in between when possible, 20 minute recess connected to specials as possible
* 250 minute of plan time for all certified staff
* Hand washing/Sanitizing Time Specifically identified within the written schedule
RECESS - district parameters
*Each grade level will have a 30 minute recess that is attached to the beginning or end of specials.
*20 minutes supervision by Resource Aides, remaining 10 minute supervision provided by teahcer
* We will work together to try to build a rotation so that you are not out every day
* classes will be assigned locations (ie black top, equipment, field)
* small window between recess grade levels, as able
HAND WASHING (HW) AND SANITIZING (S) - district protocols
* Entering classroom - S
* Out for specials: H/W or S
* Out to recess: H/W or S
* In from recess: H/W
* Out for Lunch: H/W
* In from Lunch: H/W or S
* Out for ______: H/W or S
* Dismissal from classroom: H/W or S
LIBRARY/MEDIA
* still checking out books
* LMS rotate schools by week
* Clerks serve as "concierge" for R7 Online students
* 72 hours quarantine of the books
* More to come
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast and Lunch
BREAKFAST
* Breakfast will be Grab'N'Go, located at 2-3 sites in the building
* No choices - all breakfasts will be the same
* Students will not enter account #
* Teachers will mark on a roster in the classroom who got breakfast that morning (this may be paper/pencil OR we may make it electronic)
LUNCH
* Kids can bring lunch boxes from home
* Pre-packaged and delivered lunches are the only option for staff - no potlucks, food buffets, family style etc. . .
*# of students in cafeteria will be based on 50% of cafeteria capacity
* some students will be eating in classrooms - K - 6 teachers will not do their own lunch duty
* all certified staff will get a 25 minute duty free lunch
* roster turned in for lunch, just like breakfast
All supplies follow CDC and health department guidelines - PPE supplies
COVID-19 classroom kits for start of school will include
(note: these kits will be district provided & replenished)
1 gallon hand sanitizer for every classroom
1 smaller sanitizer bottle for teacher desk
1 infrared, no touch thermometer (pre-school and elementary classrooms and all health rooms)
2 cloth masks for each student and staff member
Face shields will be available for staff that request
1 box each of disposable masks in youth (where needed) and adult size
1 spray bottle with Quaternary sanitizer for wiping desk before and after food consumption
Paper towels (for use with Quaternary sanitizer)
2 tubs disinfectant wipes for spot cleaning
Plexiglass will be placed in office areas with frequent access to the public
Classroom Sanitizing v. Facilities Disinfecting
* Each teacher will have a bottle of food-safe spray
* Everyday desks and the top/back of chair will be disinfected and rinsed by facilities
* The Clorox 360 mist machine will be used on an as-needed basis
* We will have district provided wipes and hand sanitizer - we cannot accept donations from parents on these materials and teachers do NOT need to provide their own
* If a parent provides their OWN wipes and their OWN sanitizer - the student may wipe their OWN desk
* If as a teacher you wish to wipe down your OWN materials - not student materials - you may use your own personal supplies - but remember that district supplies are available for you and MUST be used on student surfaces/materials/supplies
* On priority cleans - all disinfecting will still happen - what might not happen is vacuuming, wiping down white boards, etc. . .
BACK TO SCHOOL- CERTIFIED TEACHER WORK DAYS
Wed AM- all staff in library
LUNCH PROVIDED
Wed PM- department meetings and grade level work time
Thur AM- all staff in library
LUNCH ON OWN
Thur PM- grade level work time
Fri AM- grade level work time
LUNCH ON OWN
Fri PM- TBD