Clay Connect
Clay County District Schools Newsletter
July 28, 2020
Reopening Plan Updates
District staff has been working tirelessly over the past couple months to prepare for the reopening of schools with guidance from the Florida Department of Education and our local health department. A task force consisting of school district employees, CCEA, CESPA, teachers, parents, Clay County Emergency Management, two epidemiologists and our local health partners collaborated on how schools may operate during the 2020 - 2021 school year.
A reopening plan was presented to the school board for approval at tonight’s special meeting. Included in the reopening plan is a revised Student Calendar for the 2020-2021 school year and the use of face coverings.
The first day of school for students will now be Tuesday, August 25th. Please view the updated calendar below and summary of changes.
Face coverings will now be required for students in grades 3-12 and staff at all campuses and district offices when social distancing is not possible. Face coverings are strongly recommended for students in Pre-K through 2. Please read below for the full mandate that is included in the Smart Restart Reopening Plan that details the use of face coverings and Appendix A for exceptions.
For more detailed information regarding the Smart Restart and the full plan, please visit our reopening website at www.oneclay.net/smartrestart.
Calendar Changes
Use of Face Coverings
**Parents/Students should supply face coverings for daily use; however, schools do have a supply to assist in instances in which students do not have face coverings**
The use of face coverings, while objectionable to some, has been strongly recommended by the Department of Health as a primary means to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This mandate reflects that stance. HOWEVER, there are exceptions to the requirement of using a face covering. It is important to look at the exception list before judging the following mandate. The mandate is as follows: Return to Table of Contents CCDS School Reopening Plan 6 Subject to the exceptions listed in Appendix “A”, all individuals, including all students, employees, parents, visitors and vendors, must wear a face covering which covers both the nose and mouth at all times while at, on or inside of any building, facility, school, school grounds or vehicle owned, leased or operated by the School Board of Clay County, Florida. Face coverings shall be either commercially produced surgical masks or commercially produced or homemade cloth face coverings provided that they fit snugly against the sides of the wearer’s face with little or no gap and comply with school dress codes. Face coverings shall be supplied by the wearer. A limited supply will be maintained by the District for student use in limited circumstances.
FACE COVERINGS – EXCEPTIONS
A face covering will not be required in the following instances or circumstances:
Social Distancing maintained - Under any circumstance where social distancing practices (six (6) feet of separation) can be utilized and maintained consistently.
Infants – This is defined as children under two (2) years of age.
Students in Pre-K through grade 2 - It is STRONGLY recommended that students in these grade levels wear a face covering but is not required. Social distancing shall be maintained.
Driving alone in District Vehicles - Defined as with no passengers in the vehicle.
Indoors with Social Distancing - Examples: classroom, restroom, locker room, administrative offices.
Outdoors with Social Distancing - Examples: Athletic field, parking lot, waiting at parent pickup line.
During scheduled mealtimes – No face covering required while actually eating and maintaining social distance. Walking to cafeteria or other meal site, waiting in lines for food, socializing before and after meals; a face covering is required.
During Strenuous physical Activity – Examples: Physical education or participation in athletic events that require physical exertion.
While performing in a musical or theatrical production – During actual performance and limited circumstances during practice with a wind instrument or vocal performance.
When in a state of Physical crises or physical disability - Examples: unconscious, difficulty breathing or otherwise physically incapacitated.
Medical, emotional, physical or psychological condition – This requires either a certification by a medical provider, an affected adult or by a parent of an affected student that a condition listed herein exists and contraindicates utilization of face coverings and prevents the individual from being able to safely wear a face covering. This will require a commitment of the affected adult or parent of an affected student to ensure strict practice of social distancing.
NOTE! ESE/Special Needs Classes - In classes where utilization of either social distancing or face coverings by the student is a practical impossibility, due to the nature of the classroom and/or students, it is critical that the teachers/aids utilize face covering for themselves to the maximum extent possible. In this situation the use of hand sanitizing, environmental cleaning as well as monitoring children for signs or symptoms of illness are more critically needed.
Clay County Schools Free and Reduced Meal Program Information for 2020-2021
Clay County District Schools participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals. Please remember that a new application must be completed for the new school year. If your child attends one of the schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) you do not need to fill out a Free and Reduced Application for that child. We are pleased to continue the availability of applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals online at www.ClayCountyFNS.com.
Please note the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that virtual and homeschooled students are NOT eligible for meal services.