Dayton Independent Schools
District Re-Opening Plan
Our Philosophy....Walk Before You Run
This school year will be unlike any other school year. We need to realize the way in which we open the school year will more than likely be different than the middle and the end of the school year. Our school schedule will pivot many times this year depending on:
- The spread of the Covid-19 virus
- The willingness of the community of partake in behaviors that will control any mass outbreaks
We will have to be flexible and willing to adapt to different learning environments in order to provide a safe student learning experience this school year.
I want to be very clear that we will go through many phases of "what School Looks Like." Our philosophy during this reopening stage will be "Walk Before We Run." It is paramount that the environment in which we bring back our students and staff is as safe as possible. In order to do this, we can expect that our students will not be returning back to a normal "5 day a week - all day" schedule.
Jay Brewer
Superintendent, Dayton Independent Schools
The Options
We surveyed parents and gave them two options regarding returning to school in the fall.
At School/At Home - The first option, was returning to school part time and working at home part time.
At Home/Virtual Learning - The second option was at home 100% of the time.
How Will This Work?
We compiled the parent survey data and have come up with the following plan:
1) At School/At Home:
To begin the school year, our students who have chosen to participate in the "At School/At Home" model will be spending 40% of their time on campus and 60% at home.
The schedule for the first month is as follows:
- Wednesday, August 26: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Thursday, August 27: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Friday, August 28: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Monday, August 31: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Tuesday, September 1: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Wednesday, September 2: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Thursday, September 3: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Friday, September 4: Teacher Work Day - No School for Students
- Monday, September 7: Labor Day - No School
- Tuesday, September 8: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Wednesday, September 9: Learn at Home
- Thursday, September 10: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Friday, September 11: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Monday, September 14: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Tuesday, September 15: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Wednesday, September 16: Learn at Home
- Thursday, September 17: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Friday, September 18: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Monday, September 21: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Tuesday, September 22: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Wednesday, September 23: Learn at Home
- Thursday, September 24: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
- Friday, September 25: Half Day at School/Half Day at Home
We will continue with the At School/At Home Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Learn at Home Wednesday schedule until we determine otherwise.
The daily schedule will look like this:
*Morning Session:
7:45 - 8:00 AM - Arrival
8:00 - 11:00 AM - Class time
- Elementary classes will focus primarily on Language Arts and Math
- High School Students will be assigned class periods
11:00 AM - Dismissal
12:00 - 3:00 PM - Work Remotely from Home
- Both elementary and high school students will work remotely from home on any unfinished content from the morning
*Afternoon Session:
8:00 - 11:00 AM - Work Remotely from Home
- Both elementary and high school students will work remotely from home on any unfinished content from the previous day
11:45 - 12:00 PM - Arrival
12:00 - 3:00 PM - Class Time
- Elementary classes will focus primarily on Language Arts and Math
- High School Students will be assigned class periods
As we become more proficient at having school with the necessary precautions in place, we will look to increase students' time on campus to 60% (adding back Wednesday), ultimately working towards having students back on campus full time. We have not set a specific date for these changes to take place.
* Students will be assigned to either the morning or afternoon group.
2) At Home/Virtual Learning:
This model will consist of working at home full-time.
Students in Preschool - 6th grade will work with an assigned teacher on a blended model of online learning, virtual teaching, and written assignments/workbooks.
Students in 7th - 12th grade will be assigned courses through our online program, Edmentum. Students will complete online courses and earn credits based on achievement of learning goals. These students will be working on a blended model of online learning and written assignments.
Students will begin the year on Wednesday, August 26 and will follow the same schedule as the At School/At Home group. They will not be expected (but may if they choose) to work on days that school is not is session.
Getting Back to School:
In order to get back to campus all day/every day, we are going to have to be diligent with our health behaviors, practices and protocols.
We will also need the cooperation from our school community to prevent the spread of Covid-19. If cases increase in Kentucky or our local community, returning to school full time will be difficult to safely execute. Please be aware that students could return to 100% "At Home/Virtual Learning" if the spread of Covid-19 dictates such an action.
Arrival Procedures and Temperature Checks
Student Meals
As we look to socially distance our students, they will not gather or eat in the school cafeteria. We will, however, continue to offer free meals to all students.
All meals for students will be provided in a take-home manner.
At School/At Home Students:
- Morning Session: Upon exiting school, students will receive their take home lunch for that day and a take-home breakfast for the next day. Students should eat their breakfast at home before coming to school as we will not be eating in classrooms.
- Afternoon Session: Upon exiting school, students will receive their take home breakfast and take-home lunch for the next day. Students should eat their BREAKFAST AND LUNCH at home the next day prior to coming to school as we will not be eating in classrooms.
On Wednesdays when school is NOT in session - students can pick up a Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Dayton High School Cafeteria Entrance.
At Home/Virtual Learning Students:
Meals will be delivered to students who are learning at home. Meal delivery will take place on Wednesdays and 5 days worth of food (10 meals) will be provided.
Wearing of Masks
- The wearing of a mask is NOT optional
- Cloth masks should be washed regularly
WASHING OF HANDS
Monitoring Student Health
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath of difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle of body ache
- Headache
- Loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Healthy at School Guidelines
- Staff and Students (grades Preschool thru 12) will wear masks (that cover nose and mouth) for the entire time they are in the building , unless directed otherwise by a staff member.
- Hand sanitizing stations have been installed in all rooms and throughout hallways. Students will be asked to use hand sanitizer as they enter and exit a room. Proper hand-washing technique will be reminded and encouraged.
- Desks will be used in classrooms, students will all face the same way, and they will space-out a least 6 feet from others. Desks will be sanitized in between each class change.
- Hallway traffic will be regulated. When changing classes, students will travel in the same direction, as indicated by directional arrows in each hallway..
- Lockers will not be used. Students will keep their book-bag with them.
- Each evening, rooms will be sanitized using a fogger system. On Wednesdays, while students are working remotely at home, a deep clean will take place in each classroom.
- Common areas such as restrooms, stairwell rails, and door handles will be cleaned often throughout the day.
- Students may bring a water bottle to school with them to use during class. Drinking directly from a fountain will be prohibited.
- An Isolation Room will be set up for students not feeling well so that they may be secluded and not sit in the main office area. Parents will be contacted for pickup.
- Large group activities, such as assemblies, will not take place. We will limit the number of visitors/guests admitted into the building. Guests coming to school, such as for a parent meeting, will be temperature-checked and will need to wear a mask.
- We will follow the Health Department's guidance if there is a positive test of Covid-19 for a student or staff member. Once that is reported to the health department, they will assist us with contact tracing, and will notify the appropriate person/group as dictated by their regulations.
- We will close our campus as needed based on guidance from the health department due to exposure or positive test results of students or staff members. These closures could be from a day or two, to a week or more, or for an extended period, depending on the situation. Families would be notified as soon as these decisions are made. Please be aware that they could be announced quickly due to the circumstances, and students should be ready to work from home as needed.
Closing Thoughts
Our mission remains the same.....to Inspire, Engage, and Grow each of our students. We have to walk before we can run - the health of EVERYONE in our buildings is paramount.
Perhaps Maya Angelou said it best....
Dayton Independent Schools
Heather Dragan - heather.dragan@dayton.kyschools.us
Scott Meyers - scott.meyers@dayton.kyschools.us
Email: lisa.hans@dayton.kyschools.us
Website: dayton.kyschools.us
Location: 200 Clay Street, Dayton, KY, USA
Phone: 859-491-6565
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaytonISDky/
Twitter: @DaytonISDky