BSD Back-to-Buildings Parent Guide
For Elementary Schools (updated 10/13/2020)
The Bremerton School District has been carefully planning and preparing to bring students back to our school buildings when it is safe to do so. Our top priority has, and will continue to be, the health and safety of students and staff.
This Back-to-Buildings Parent Guide is intended for our elementary families. Secondary students (grades 6-12) will remain in Connected Learning (online only) for now. We will continue to assess the possibility of transitioning to face-to-face learning for secondary students for second semester which starts February 1st.
This plan is based on OSPI's "Reopening Washington's Schools District Planning Guide. This Guide will be updated as needed since guidance continues to evolve.
Elementary Timeline
We are planning to have elementary students* return to school for hybrid, face-to-face learning in two phases:
- November 9: preschool - 2nd grades
- November 30: 3rd - 5th grades
Please note: These dates are subject to change based on local COVID-19 transmission rates. Decisions to have students return to buildings will be based on the science related to COVID-19 cases. We will continue to work with the Kitsap Public Health District to monitor and assess our local COVID-19 situation.
*This does not include students enrolled in Home Link, West Hills Restorative School, the Flexible Learning Pathway, or any family that chooses to have their student remain in 100% Connected Learning (online).
Elementary Schedule
Hybrid: Students will attend half-days, four days each week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) plus additional asynchronous lessons/learning to be completed at home online.
- Wednesday will continue as an asynchronous learning day.
Group A: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Group B: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
NOTE: Preschool students will operate on a different schedule. Watch for information and updates from your child's preschool.
Spanish Dual-Immersion, Highly Capable and/or Montessori
Our Dual Immersion, Highly Capable and Montessori teachers will be returning to hybrid instruction when our buildings reopen for face-to-face learning. When the transition is made to hybrid learning, these programs are designed to take full advantage of, and require, the face-to-face learning component.
Elementary Meals & Transportation
The District will provide meals and bus transportation for students.
Group A students will eat breakfast in the classroom and get a “grab-n-go” lunch to take home.
Group B students will eat lunch in the classroom, and get a “grab-n-go” breakfast to take home for the next day.
Bus Transportation: Bus transportation will be provided for both Group A and Group B. Please see a summary of safety protocols for our buses below.
Summary of healthy and safety protocols for students
Masks Required: Masks are required on all campuses and buses.
Exceptions will be made for masks on a case-by-case basis or in accordance with a student's IEP or 504 plan.
Students and staff should avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Health Screening: All staff, students and visitors are required to clear screening prior to entering the building. The screening process includes responding to questions and having your temperature taken (see details below)
Teachers will introduce/reinforce strategies & guidelines for students on hand washing, hygiene practices and proper mask usage.
Students and staff will be required to wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Social distancing will be required while on school district property (inside and outside).
Students and staff must stay 6 feet away from others in the classroom or any shared space
School supplies in classrooms will be separated to limit sharing of items.
Students will have assigned seating in each classroom.
Students will keep their own materials separated from other students’ materials at all times.
At the end of the day, students will wash or sanitize their hands before exiting the classroom.
Summary of health and safety protocols in our schools
Class sizes and classroom spaces will be modified as appropriate/needed to promote distancing and maintain a healthy classroom environment.
Student temperatures will be taken as a part of the daily health screening before students enter the school. More information will be provided to families about the health screening process for students before school buildings reopen.
Schools will work to manage movement and limit transmission opportunities within the school building.
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout all school buildings.
Signage to direct traffic flow, support distancing, and required face coverings will be displayed prominently throughout schools.
A site-specific COVID-19 supervisor has been designated by the District at each school, and at other work sites, to monitor the health of employees and to enforce the COVID-19 job site safety plan. A list of site supervisors is included in the BSD COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Each school has a designated isolation room for children who begin showing symptoms of illness at school and are awaiting pick-up.
Custodial and facilities safety protocols
The following changes are being implemented in all schools:
Classrooms will be set-up to allow for social distancing.
We will increase daily cleaning and disinfecting in all of our schools (see the Custodial Cleaning and Disinfecting plan).
Our custodial staff will disinfect high touch areas with Environmental Protection Agency-rated cleaners.
We’ve increased air ventilation and the incorporation of outside air.
Drinking fountains are turned off but water bottle filling stations will be available.
Summary of bus transportation safety protocols
Summary of bus transportation safety protocols
IMPORTANT: Bus transport is the exception to the 6-foot rule of physical distancing. Students will not be screened until arriving at school; it's imperative that parents not send students on the bus if they will not be able to pass the screening elevated temperature
- Everyone on the bus must wear a mask while on the bus. **
- Students will be asked to sanitize their hands upon entering the bus (hand sanitizer will be provided). **
- Students will have assigned seating; students from the same household will be seated together.
- Windows will be open in order to maximize ventilation.
- Transportation staff will sanitize and disinfect the bus throughout the day.
**Exceptions will be made for masks on a case-by-case basis or in accordance with a student's IEP or 504 plan.
Daily Health Screenings
- Students will enter the building using one of the identified entrances.
- A daily health screening will be required for all students and staff.
- Student temperatures will be taken as a part of the daily health screening before students enter the school. More information will be provided to families about the health screening process for students before school buildings reopen.
- If a student has a fever (>100.4 degrees F) upon entry to the building, they will be taken to a “temporary observation” area. Additional details on the process for evaluating students with a fever are included in the BSD COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Student entry into school buildings
Students will enter the building using one of the identified entrances. Upon entry to the school building, students will:
Wear a mask.
Sanitize their hands.
Collect his/her “grab and go” breakfast or lunch.
Report directly to his/her classroom (no bathroom, library, etc. stops).
More information will be provided to families from their child’s school about this important process and which entrances students should use before schools buildings reopen.
Field trips and volunteers
Field trips
- Field trips are not permitted at this time.
Volunteers
- In-school volunteers are not permitted at this time.
Parent/guardian visits to schools
- Any parent/guardian wishing to enter a Bremerton School District building must have an appointment and be cleared by a school employee before entry.
- A health screening must be performed (including temperature check with a touchless thermometer).
- Visitors and volunteers are not permitted in the BSD buildings until restrictions are lifted.
- More information is available in the BSD COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Please do not send your child to school if he/she is ill
If your child is sick - even with mild symptoms - please keep your child home from school and notify your child’s school that your student is ill.
If your student’s symptoms are related to a chronic condition, contact the school and follow school policies for chronic condition management.
Please contact your health care provider about serious illness, including any fever of 100.4°F or higher
To help protect all students, please notify the school if your child is diagnosed with any of these diseases:
- Chickenpox
- COVID-19
- Diphtheria
- E. coli diarrhea
- Hepatitis
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Rubella
- Salmonella
- Scabies
- Shigellosis
- Tuberculosis
- another disease as requested
The school will protect your private information as required by law. RCW 70.02, Washington’s Health Care Information Access and Disclosure Act.
Medication
Notify school staff if your student requires medication during school hours. Follow school protocols for medication at school. Unless otherwise instructed, if your student’s illness requires antibiotics, the student must have been on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school. Antibiotics are not effective for viral illnesses such as COVID-19.
School office & health room phone numbers
More information
Additional details are included in our COVID-19 safety plan including:
Guidance and regulations for BSD staff
COVID-19 communication protocols
Positive COVID-19 action protocols
Cleaning Procedures for confirmed cases of COVID-19
Guidance for returning to school after having suspected OR confirmed COVID-19
Bremerton School District
Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Location: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA, USA
Phone: 360-473-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BremertonSchools