Mt. Stuart Elementary
Re-Opening Plan 2020-2021
Re-Opening Plan 2020-2021
Principal’s Message
We are so looking forward to beginning a new school year, and although we are facing new and unprecedented challenges, our commitment to building strong connections with our students and families, and providing high quality instruction and learning will remain our priorities. Our teachers and staff have embraced facing these challenges with grace and perseverance, and I am confident you will be inspired by their ability to meet all your child’s learning needs regardless of the model of learning we are in.
As we make our way through the course of this school year, there will undoubtedly be many shifts and transitions, but together, we will make it an amazing year.
Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with our re-opening plan which outlines how we have put protocols in place in our best effort to maintain the health and safety of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Kathi Keefer
LOGISTICS
Before Arrival
All students (or parents) and staff will complete a Daily Attestation Form through Skyward (our student information system) prior to entering any school building. This form takes a few seconds each day to complete, and can be accessed through the Family Access Display and/or through the Skyward App on any Android or Apple Device.
Bus Transportation
Students will be encouraged to stay socially distanced while at the bus stop. This must be a joint education effort between families and school personnel. Students will be spaced apart as much as the physical capacity of the bus allows and will be required to wear masks. Bus drivers will have disposable masks to hand out to students in the event a student does not have his or her mask. Ventilation will be incorporated into the bus by having the windows down as appropriate for weather conditions. Per CDC guidelines each bus will be cleaned once daily, and drivers will wipe down high-touch areas between each run.
Parent Drop Off/Pick Up
Parents that drop their student off at school will be asked to stay in their vehicle and observe the one-way traffic flow signs on campus.
For car pick-up in the afternoons, parents arriving before busses have departed will park in a parking space and remain in their vehicle until ALL busses have departed. Parents will then proceed through the parking U (bus lane). Staff members will monitor students’ as parents arrive at the red zone and help students to their parents’ cars from the sidewalk.
Upon Arrival
All students will enter Mt. Stuart via the main parking lot. Those who have already completed their daily attestation will proceed to their cohort’s recess area. Those who forgot or need more assistance will access and complete the attestation with a staff member.
Face masks will be required for all students and staff at all times while they are in the building. NOTE: Any staff or student that is experiencing symptoms will be placed in an isolated room on site and evaluated by a school nurse.
Controlled Campus Movement
All spaces in the school will have controlled movement for students and staff. This will include one-way lanes for hallways, limited bathroom occupancy, staggered release times for classes at the end of the school day, and social distancing protocols for everyone while they travel. Staff members will escort class changes to ensure steady flow of students with no congregation in hallways. In addition, each class has a socially distanced line up space for returning to class after recesses.
Classroom Modifications
All classrooms have been modified to maintain 6’ social distancing between desks and chairs, and will all face the same direction where possible. Each classroom will have a hand sanitizer station available for staff and students. Staff will be provided necessary disinfecting supplies to wipe down or clean surfaces in their classroom as well.
Extracurricular & Athletics
Extracurricular activities will be done virtually where feasible. Our district will follow guidance from the Kittitas County Public Health in accordance with CDC guidelines if in-person extracurriculars are approved.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Our custodial staff will clean all classrooms, restrooms, and common spaces regularly. In those classrooms with sinks we will have students wash their hands.
Face Coverings
Face coverings will be required based upon best available data and input from the health department and the CDC. Social distancing is not always possible in school settings, therefore, students and staff will be provided with reusable masks and expected to wear them while on campus where social distancing is not possible and when exemptions do not apply. Each staff member and student will be provided a mask if they do not have one.
School administrators will monitor face mask use and will ensure that all students and staff are wearing them consistently. Please remember that there may be persons that have existing medical conditions that prohibit them from wearing a mask.
Social Distancing
Students will practice social distancing from the arrival on campus through departure. Students will load on school buses from back to front, increasing social distancing and limiting exposure to others. Grab-and-go breakfasts will be available, and eaten in classrooms in order to deter students from congregating in the lunchroom. Lunches will be grab and go as well, and each class will have their own socially distanced space in which to eat their lunch.
Limited Access to Visitors and Volunteers
It is essential to create a healthy and safe environment by limiting potential COVID-19 exposure whenever possible. Mt. Stuart Elementary will be limiting access to visitors and volunteers by appointment only. A request must be made 24 hours in advance. Any approved visitor will need to complete an attestation form at the main office.
Common Area Modifications/Specialist Classes
Students will be monitored in all common area locations to encourage social distancing practices. Specialist classes such as Physical Education, Library and Music will adhere to social distancing while limiting collaborative activity and shared resources. Cleaning and disinfection will occur between classes.
Meal Service
Classes will have designated socially distanced lunch spaces and will receive meals in a grab-and-go style delivered to that location. Lunch areas will be supervised by a staff member to encourage and enforce a safe and sanitary eating environment. Lunch spaces will be cleaned before and after each use.
Mass Gatherings
For the safety of staff and students on campus, assemblies and other large gatherings will not be permitted until further notice.
Before and After School Programs
When cleared to resume before or after school programs, student-to-staff ratios will be reduced to promote social distancing. Staff and students will practice frequent hand washing. Students will be assigned to small, separate groups with staggered outdoor activity time as appropriate/needed.
Positive COVID-19 Case Confirmation Response
Communication: Upon notification of a positive result, a parent or employee will notify the Mt. Stuart front office immediately. The principal will notify the superintendent, who will notify the Kittitas County Health Officer, Dr. Mark Larson.
An individual who tests positive for COVID-19: Individuals should follow the recommendations of their healthcare provider for isolation protocol.
Returning to campus: Any student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 must have written clearance from their healthcare provider before returning to Mt. Stuart Elementary.
Contact tracing: Mt. Stuart Elementary will collaborate with the Department of Health to conduct contact tracing if needed. Upon notification of a positive case on campus, the health department will contact those impacted individuals and families as needed.
Family Expectations
Attendance
All ESD attendance and truancy policies will apply to all students. When students are ill or will be missing school for any reason, parents will be expected to contact your child’s school to report absences as you have done in prior years (509) 925-8400. On synchronous, or “Zoom” days, attendance will be taken during the Zoom. On asynchronous, or “independent work” days, attendance will be taken when students log in to their Schoology account by 2:00 PM daily.
Communication
Parent-Teacher communication is a vital cornerstone to maintain the relationship between the school and parents. Teachers are the parents’ first point of contact for academic questions. For students to succeed in remote learning, parents are expected to maintain responsiveness to email, newsletters, phone, and or video communications with the teachers and the school. Professional, courteous two-way communication is always encouraged.
Learning Environment
Provide a learning space best suited for your learner’s needs for studying and academic work.
Have a set schedule for the school day, including breaks, lunch, and physical activity.
Talk to your student daily about what they are learning.
Day-To-Day Operations (Hybrid)
Before School
In the Hybrid Schedule, school will start at 7:30am.
Students will not be allowed into the building before 7:30am and should not arrive before 7:15am.
Attestation app MUST be completed before a student will be allowed to enter.
Students who eat breakfast at school will pick up a grab and go meal at 7:25am and proceed to their socially distanced class line-up spot.
At 7:25am, students who do not get breakfast, will line up at their socially distanced class line-up spot.
Drop-Offs
Parents will be asked to remain in their vehicle when dropping off children.
Drop off will occur in the main parking lot, accessed from 15th Avenue. NOTE: Parent drop-off is one-way traffic only, through the U and continuing back out to 15th Avenue. There will be no access to school from Cora Street due to construction of the New Mt. Stuart.
Students will ONLY be permitted to enter the school through the main parking lot. Staff members will be checking for each student’s mask and verifying attestation is completed upon arrival.
Pick-Up
Parents arriving before all busses have departed will park in a parking space and wait in their vehicle.
When busses have departed, parents may proceed through the main U to the red zone for student pick-up.
This will be a drive through pick-up and will occur in the main U parking lot, accessed from 15th Avenue. NOTE: Parent pick-up is one-way traffic only, through the U and continuing back out to 15th Avenue. Staff members will assist students quickly and safely to parents.
Please be patient. Student safety is extremely important to all of us.
School Office
Parents picking up a sick child will be asked to remain in their cars or outside. You may call the office at (509) 925-8400 and we will escort your student to your vehicle.
Items that need to be dropped off for a student will be placed at our ‘drop zone’ in the main courtyard. Parents can give our office staff a wave or phone call from the courtyard with specific instructions. We will ask the parent to write the student's name and attach it to the item. Staff will then get the item to the student.
What Is Synchronous Learning?
Synchronous learning is a general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that occur at the same time, but not in the same place. The term is most commonly applied to various forms of televisual, digital, and online learning in which students learn from instructors, colleagues, or peers in real time, but not in person. For example, educational video conferences, interactive webinars, chat-based online discussions, and lectures that are broadcast at the same time they delivered would all be considered forms of synchronous learning.
Synchronous Learning = Live Instruction
Teacher directed
Guided practice
Peer collaboration
What Is Asynchronous Learning?
Asynchronous learning is a general term used to describe forms of education, instruction, and learning that do not occur in the same place or at the same time. The term is most commonly applied to various forms of digital and online learning in which students learn from instruction—such as prerecorded video lessons or game-based learning tasks that students complete on their own—that is not being delivered in person or in real time. Yet asynchronous learning may also encompass a wide variety of instructional interactions, including email exchanges between teachers, online discussion boards, and course-management systems that organize instructional materials and correspondence, among many other possible variations.
Asynchronous Learning = Independent Activities
Working on your own
Working at your pace
May be completed offline
Reporting Growth
All assessment of student growth and learning during in-person and remote learning will continue to take place throughout this school year. Students will be assessed frequently to determine growth and achievement of skills and standards. Satisfactory performance is based on student participation in and demonstration of mastery of grade level standards. This growth will be reported to parents at regularly scheduled intervals via report cards and individual parent/teacher conversations.
Attendance
Regular participation in classes is critical to student success. It helps to keep students motivated and keeps them connected with their teachers and peers. Virtual attendance will be taken each day and students are required to participate daily as they would in an in-person classroom. Attendance will be taken through participation in online class meetings or live instruction as well as through participation in online coursework and assignments housed in Schoology. Parents are expected to contact the Mt. Stuart office to notify or excuse student absences (509) 925-8400.
Communication
Teacher-student communication is critical to success in remote learning. Students and teachers must respond to one another in a timely manner for all correspondence and should be checking their email, Schoology, and Remind messages multiple times each school day. Responses should be provided within one school day.
Internet Connectivity
High-speed internet access is critical to success in remote learning. If you do not have high-speed internet for any reason, please contact your school office and they will assist you in requesting support for internet access. All students taking part in remote learning will be provided a district chromebook to use at home. Parents may choose to decline this Chromebook but must guarantee an adequate computing device is available for students to use regularly.
Technology Support
For district technology issues (e.g. Chromebook/iPad issues), we will provide a helpdesk option like we did in the spring. There will be ESD IT staff to daily monitor and respond to these issues in a timely manner. Internet issues will have to be directed to your internet provider.
Curriculum
All approved ESD curriculum will be used for remote learning. It may be packaged and presented differently than in-person, but students will be expected to learn the same standards at roughly the same pace. We are planning a year where we could see many changes between in-person and remote learning. Utilizing our already existing curriculum and having our very talented teaching staff develop units and lessons around the curriculum they are already familiar with will be best for our students and allow for the ability to switch between remote and in-person learning more easily.
Schoology and Edgenuity will be used to provide learning opportunities from the teachers. Offline materials such as textbooks, novels, workbooks, packets, and other materials such as science and art equipment may be distributed as needed or from time to time. Any non-consumables will be expected to be returned at the end of the year or upon a change from remote learning to in-person.
Stay Connected
Skyward: Ellensburg School District’s student management platform.
Email: An important communication tool for students, staff and parents to remain connected through the school year. All staff will be checking emails daily. All staff emails can be found on our website and follow this format: firstname.lastname@esd401.org
Zoom: A video conferencing tool to connect people through video or audio. Teachers will use zoom for class meetings, instructional videos or working with students during office hours. It is important for students to practice appropriate zoom etiquette at all times.
Schoology
Schoology is our districts learning management system (LMS) and is the one place that all students and families can go to find out about what learning is available and expected.
Intended Use: Schoology is the single launch point for all students K-12 to find their learning materials as sell as to submit materials back to the teacher for feedback. All students should be able to find everything they need on a daily basis for instruction by visiting their courses with the Schoology platform.
Edgenuity
Edgenuity offers standards-aligned video-based curriculum for middle and high school blended learning environments. The program allows educators to customize the curriculum for their students, who monitor their own progress while completing lessons, assessments, and interactive activities.
Special Programs
Special Programs supports a variety of categorical programs and a continuum of services and placement options. Students who are eligible for special services or who participate in a special program often spend the majority of their school-day in the general education environment. Inclusive practices and strategic planning will be utilized to ensure access to grade-level content and essential learning standards as well as supplemental services. Collaboration between special services staff and general education staff is critical in order to ensure successful outcomes for students. Students and families will work with their general education teacher, case manager, program staff, school counselor, principal, and/or Student Services support staff regarding programming and services within a remote learning environment.
Students With An IEP
• Students will be provided with the special education services identified in their Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or IEPs will be amended by the IEP team as needed.
• Students who receive services in a resource room setting will receive remote instruction from their general education teacher(s) and supplemental IEP services in accordance with their IEP.
• Students who receive services within a district-level program will be included in general education classrooms in accordance with their IEP.
• IEP case managers will collaborate regularly with general education teachers and other service providers to plan instruction for students with disabilities, which includes ensuring that appropriate accommodations and modifications are provided.
• Limited in-person IEP services will be provided to students, beginning with those with the most significant disabilities.
Students With A 504 Plan
Eligible students will be provided Section 504 accommodations as indicated in their 504 plans during remote learning. If there is a need to discuss specific accommodations related to the remote learning environment, the student’s counselor should be contacted.
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL students participate fully in core grade-level classes.
Within each class, EL students will be provided appropriate supports to assist them in accessing content (eg. visual support, relatable context, repetition) and responding to the content (eg. sentence frames and varied response options), as well as opportunities for oral practice of new language, including academic content language (eg. Synchronous: structured interactions with the teacher and other students, Asynchronous: student-recorded responses that are scaffolded and practiced
Grade level and content teams will collaborate with the school EL Specialist to plan for the implementation of appropriate supports for ELs in classes and co-plan for effective instruction.
Classroom activities, assignments, and assessments will be differentiated and accessible for EL students and align with English language development standards that support grade-level content standards.
Title Services
Students participate in their general education classroom with supplemental small group sessions/ lessons provided by the Title teacher and/or staff focused on skill-based interventions and pre-teaching.
Families Experiencing Homelessness
Established district procedures are used by the school office to determine which students qualify for McKinney Vento services. In the case of students who are new to the state and not previously identified, qualification for services will be determined through the district housing survey which is conducted at the beginning of school or upon registration. If your family is currently experiencing homelessness, defined as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” contact your student's school counselor for more information. Ellensburg High School counselors work with families to determine eligibility for McKinney Vento services and provide outreach for resources and services needed.
In-person Hybrid Schedule
Mt. Stuart Elementary Hybrid Schedule 2 days at school/3 days home Monday A Day Hybrid Students Only Tuesday B Day Hybrid Students Only Wednesday Thursday A Day Hybrid Students Only Friday B Day Hybrid Students Only Before 7:15am No students on campus--No supervision--No students on campus--No supervision--No students on campus 7:15-7:30am Drop off & Health Attestation Check Parents Remain in Cars Before School Recess-Masks Required All students learning remotely from home. Teachers will assign weekly activities in Schoology. Drop off & Health Attestation Check Parents Remain in Cars Before School Recess-Masks Required 7:25am Breakfast Pick-up & Line-up for Class Breakfast Pick-up & Line-up for Class 7:30am Class Begins Class Begins 1:45pm Bus Rider Dismissal Bus Rider Dismissal 1:55pm Walker and Parent Pick-up Dismissal Parents, please park your car in a parking space and wait in your vehicle until ALL buses have left, then proceed through the bus lane to pick up your child. Walker and Parent Pick-up Dismissal Parents, please park your car in a parking space and wait in your vehicle until ALL buses have left, then proceed through the bus lane to pick up your child.
Mt. Stuart Elementary Horario Híbrido 2 días de la escuela 3 días de la casa lunes Estudiantes de dia A Solamente martes Estudiantes de dia B Solamente miercoles jueves Estudiantes de dia A Solamente viernes Estudiantes de dia B Solamente Before 7:15am No hay estudiantes en el campus--Sin supervisión--No hay estudiantes en el campus--Sin supervisión 7:15-7:30am Entrega y Control de Salud Los padres permanecen en los coches Antes de que la escuela receso-máscaras requeridas Todos los estudiantes que aprenden remotamente desde casa. Los maestros asignarán actividades semanales en Schoology. Entrega y Control de Salud Los padres permanecen en los coches Antes de que la escuela receso-máscaras requeridas 7:25am Obtener su desayuno--Alineación para la clase Obtener su desayuno--Alineación para la clase 7:30am Comienza la clase Comienza la clase 1:45pm Despido de los usuarios del autobús Despido de los usuarios del autobús 1:55pm Despido de caminantes y recogida de coches por parte de los padres Padres, por favor estacionen su coche en una plaza de aparcamiento y esperen en su vehículo hasta que TODOS los autobuses hayan salido, luego procedan a través del carril del autobús para recoger a su hijo. Despido de caminantes y recogida de coches por parte de los padres Padres, por favor estacionen su coche en una plaza de aparcamiento y esperen en su vehículo hasta que TODOS los autobuses hayan salido, luego procedan a través del carril del autobús para recoger a su hijo.
SCHEDULE FOR DISTANCE HYBRID LEARNING
K-5 Weekly Teacher Schedule (Hybrid Model When Distance Only) Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:00-8:15am Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep 8:15-8:30am 8:30-8:45am Whole Group SEL and ELA Minilesson Whole Group SEL and Math Minilesson Whole Group Science/Social St. Whole Group SEL and ELA Minilesson Whole Group SEL and Math Minilesson 8:45-9:00am 9:00-9:15am Attendance/Prep Attendance/Prep Attendance/Prep Attendance/Prep Attendance/Prep 9:15-9:30am ELA Group 1 Math Group 1 ELA Group 1 Math Group 1 9:30-9:45am Feedback/Student Check Ins 9:45-10:00am Tech Prep Tech Prep Tech Prep Tech Prep 10:00-10:15am ELA Group 2 Math Group 2 ELA Group 2 Math Group 2 10:15-10:30am 10:30-10:45am Tech Prep Tech Prep Tech Prep Tech Prep 10:45-11:00am ELA Group C3 Math Group 3 ELA Group 3 Math Group 3 11:00-11:15am 11:15-11:30am Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 11:30-11:45pm 11:45-12:00pm Assessment/Feedback/Student Check Ins Assessment/Feedback/Student Check Ins Feedback/Student Check Ins Assessment/Feedback/Student Check Ins Assessment/Feedback/Student Check Ins 12:00-12:15pm 12:15-12:30pm 12:30-12:45pm 12:45-1:00pm 1:00-1:15pm Prep Prep Prep Prep Prep 1:15-1:30pm 1:30-1:45pm 1:45-2:00pm PLC SST/LIT/Staff Meeting/PD/Collaboration SST/LIT/Staff Meeting/PD/Collaboration PLC SST/LIT/Staff Meeting/PD/Collaboration 2:00-2:15pm 2:15-2:30 pm 2:30-2:45pm 2:45-3:00pm Office Hours Office Hours Office Hours Office Hours Office Hours 3:00-3:15pm Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep Class Prep 3:15-3:30pm
For more information or questions please contact:
Mt. Stuart Main Office: 925-8400
Kathi Keefer, Principal
William Lorenz, Dean of Students
Malarie Benfield, Counselor