Highland Elementary
Return to Learn Plan 20-21
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you well. I want to begin by thanking each of you for your grace and patience as we prepare for the return of students to the building.
Bringing back students in a Hybrid Model is the safest way for us to deliver in-person instruction. In order for us to continue to deliver in-person instruction families and students will need to follow different protocols and expectations. I completely understand that change is never easy, but I know together we can ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community.
Warmly,
Beth Fraze, Principal
Highland Elementary School
Purpose
The purpose of the Highland Elementary School Return to Learn Plan is to provide students and families information on updated procedures and protocols for the safe return of students to the building. These plans are constantly evolving; and, therefore, this handbook does not contain all of the information you will need to know during our Hybrid Model of Instruction. Decisions are made based on Oregon’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance
For additional information related to opening our schools safely, you can visit the Oregon Department of Education website.
Other helpful information from the Oregon Department of Education:
· Limited In-person Instruction
Important Safety Information
Physical Distancing
Most of us call it “social distancing” but it can help to think of it as “physical distancing."
Physical distancing puts space between people, usually 6 feet or more. When people keep their distance from others, people infected with COVID-19 are less likely to spread it.
COVID-19 mainly spreads when someone breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes, which sends tiny droplets into the air. People standing nearby can get these droplets in their eyes, nose, or mouth. When there are at least 6 feet between people, these droplets are more likely to fall to the ground rather than on other people. Some people infected with COVID-19 may never show any symptoms, therefore, it is best to keep a safe distance whenever you are around people you do not live with.
At school, students must stay at least 6 feet away from each other and wear a mask. At Highland Elementary School, we have added floor markers and additional signage around the school to promote physical distancing. Sit or stand at least 6 feet away from others while in the classroom and outdoors. Desks and chairs will be arranged so students are always seated at least 6 feet away from each other. Large walkways will ensure students can move about the classroom and keep socially distant.
New measures at Highland Elementary School also include the following:
· Physical barriers, such as plexiglass on the front office counter
· Floor markers indicating the flow of movement and social distancing
· Signs in highly visible locations remind students about physical distancing
· Staff monitoring arrival and dismissal to perform visual health checks
· Visitors/volunteers will not be allowed on campus for any reason
Masks
All students K-5 must wear a mask at all times. Students may remove their masks only when eating and drinking. It is important to pick a mask for your child that is comfortable and fits properly. It will be important to set your child up for success before your child needs to wear their mask. Although this varies by child, it may take repeated prep and practice to be comfortable wearing a mask.
Explain to your child why it is important to wear a mask. Some children really like to know the reason why they have to do something. Try to make this explanation positive, so your child does not get scared and refuse to wear a mask. For example, you could tell your child “We wear a mask to keep ourselves and other people safe. When we wear a mask, germs cannot jump from person to person. Masks stop the germs from spreading.”
Students should follow these expectations on how to wear a mask properly:
· Wash your hands before putting on your mask
· Put your mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
· Try and fit it snugly on the sides of your face.
· Make sure you can breathe easily
Masks are not a toy; therefore, you should not play with your mask. Students should always follow the directions of an adult to know when it is safe to take off their mask.
"At the end of the day the goals are simple: SAFETY & SECURITY"
Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizer
Soap & Water
- Before & after eating food
- After using the toilet
- After touching garbage
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Before & after playing outside at recess
- Whenever your hands are visibly dirty or greasy
Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Before & after playing outside at recess
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at-least 60% alcohol, wash with soap and water as soon as you can
Contract Tracing Measures
Students will be issued a GBSD ID card that will allow them to easily check-in and check-out of Highland Elementary School. This ID card will be attached to your child’s backpack. During arrival and dismissal each student will be required to swipe their ID card by the electronic door reader. This process will allow us to have detailed contact tracing in case to minimize infections at the school.
Cohorting
Cohorts of students will be created in an effort to enhance student and staff safety. Cohorts will not be able to exceed 100 people within the educational week. Cohorts are described as the following:
· Classroom – Students that are on the same AA/BB schedule
· Grade Level – Students that are in the same grade attending the same AA/BB schedule
Students attending hybrid will be assigned to in-person days by home address
- odd addresses on Monday/Tuesday, (Cohort A)
- even addresses on Thursday/Friday (Cohort B)
Students are on campus 12:05p-2:35p on their assigned days
Cohort A Dates (odd address):
April: 5-6 (K-1 only) , 12-13 (K-5), 19-20 (K-5), 26-27(K-5)
May: 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
June: 1, 7-8, 14-15
Cohort B Dates (even address):
April: 1-2 (K-1 only), 8-9 (K-5), 15-16 (K-5), 22-23 (K-5), 29-30 (K-5),
May: 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
June: 3-4, 10-11
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Arrival
Highland Elementary School will have different arrival procedures than years past. These changes will make it easier for school personnel to monitor students as they enter the building. This allows the school to screen students of symptoms of COVID-19. Students should NOT arrive at school prior to the beginning of the school day.
Parents will complete a survey each morning on your assigned day. Do not send your child to school if they are displaying any of the following symptoms:
· Fever
· Persistent coughing that will not stop
· Vomiting and/or diarrhea
· Chronic or bad body pain
If your child arrives at school exhibiting any of these symptoms, they will be put in a “Care Room” until a parent/guardian can pick up their child. Students may return to school after 48 hours symptom-free.
Bus Riders
· Screened for COVID-19 symptoms
· Escorted by staff to the bus rider entry
· Scan badges for contact tracing
-Sanitize hands at Hand Sanitization Station
· Walk directly to their classroom
Car Riders, Bike Riders, & Walkers
· Parents will not be allowed out of their car during drop-off.
· Screened for COVID-19 symptoms
· Enter the building through the front doors
· Scan badges for accurate contact tracing
-Sanitize hands at Hand Sanitization Station
· Walk directly to their classroom
Dismissal
Highland Elementary School will have different procedures for student dismissal during our Hybrid Model of Instruction. Student safety is a high priority and these measures are aligned with the Oregon Department of Education guidelines. Student dismissal will take longer than in years past. Your patience during this process is very much appreciated!
- Bus riders will be escorted from their classrooms. Students will exit the building through the playground doors, and scan their badges as they leave the building. Students will need to use hand sanitizer prior to boarding their bus.
- Walkers and bike riders will be dismissed from their classrooms. Students will be required to exit the building through the front doors and scan their badges as they leave the building.
- Car riders will be dismissed from their classrooms. Students will be called out one at a time as guardians pull up to the front doors. Students will be required to scan their badges as they leave the building.
*All Car riders, bike riders, and walkers will exit through the front door.
Late Arrival/ Early Dismissal Procedures
Late Arrival
It is most beneficial for your child to arrive at school on time, however, we understand that late arrivals might happen from time to time. During our Hybrid Model of Instruction, parents must follow the following protocols when dropping off their child late to school:
· When parents/guardians arrive at Highland Elementary School please ring the doorbell and let the front office staff know who you are dropping off late to school.
· A member of the staff will meet you at the front door so your child can enter school.
· Parents/Guardians will need to wait with their child outside until someone opens the door.
·Students will check-in with the front office staff and then be escorted to their classroom by a staff member.
Early Dismissal
Parents should avoid picking up their child early from school, however we understand that this might happen from time to time. During our Hybrid Model of Instruction, parents must follow the following protocols:
· Call the front office and let us know which student you are picking up for early dismissal.
· When parents/guardians arrive at Highland Elementary School please ring the doorbell and let the front office staff know you are here to pick up your student.
· Parents will wait outside for their child.
· Students will need to sign-out in the Front Office.
· Students will be escorted by a staff member to the front door and released to the parent/guardian.
Bus Expectations
- Students must maintain 6-foot social distance at the bus stop.
- Driver will visually scan each student upon entry.
- Seats will be marked so students know where to sit.
- Same family cohorts will be allowed to sit together.
- Masks are required at all times.
- Students will load the bus starting in the back then moving to the front.
- Students will be released from the bus starting from the front and moving towards the back.
Important Upcoming Dates
22-26th Spring Break, No School
29-30th- Hybrid Prep Days, No School
31st - K-5 Materials Distribution @ 1:00-5:00p
April
1st: - K-1 Hybrid Instruction Starts (Cohort B)
5th - K-1 Hybrid Instruction Starts (Cohort A)
8th - K-5 Hybrid Instruction Starts (Cohort B)
12th - K-5 Hybrid Instruction Starts (Cohort A)
14th - Grading Day, No School
K-5 Materials Distribution
It is that time again for another Materials Distribution event! All K-5 students are invited any time between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM to pick up their materials. All you need to do is drive up and let us know who your student(s) are and we will do the rest!
Wednesday, Mar 31, 2021, 01:00 PM
Highland Elementary School, Northeast 24th Street, Gresham, OR, USA
Contact Information
Highland Elementary
295 NE 2th St.
Gresham, OR 97030
503.665.7158
Beth Fraze, Principal fraze@gresham.k12.or.us
Maria Rugroden, Head Secretary rugroden@gresham.k12.or.us
Elizabeth Pomykala, Elementary Secretary pomykala2@gresham.k12.or.us