Preparing to Return
Information for Back to School 2020-2021
Dear Parents of Plan B Students,
Please read and complete the following form regarding re-opening WCPSS policies and procedures for Plan B students. Parents are required to read and acknowledge that they understand the re-opening guidelines and procedures. You can access this form by clicking on the following link. Teachers will also send home a paper copy for signature as well. https://forms.gle/M23TVnXCr5rD9vLTA
Also, listed below are guidelines that pertain to the procedures at Penny Road. We are looking forward to having our students back on campus and every measure possible has been put in place to ensure their safety. Contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Hoke, Principal if you have any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Hoke,
Principal
Walkers
Morning Arrival
Students should gather socially-distanced outside of the main entrance.
Students will be asked a series of health screening questions.
Ask questions and take the temperature of students one by one.
Students who pass will enter building while socially distanced.
If the temperature is 100.4 or higher - direct student to stand away from the group, parents will be asked to take the student home.
If the student fails the second screen without a parent present, the staff member will escort to the care center and the parent will be called to pick up.
Afternoon Dismissal
Walkers will be dismissed to a parent from the front entrance.
Parents should wait for their children at the flagpole.
Bus Transportation
New requirements for bus riders
Face coverings
All riders required to wear face coverings (pre-k highly recommended)
Documented exceptions
Bus driver will provide face mask if necessary
Social distancing
Elementary – no restrictions but recommended
Contracted vehicles – no restrictions for ES, 2 per vehicle for others
Attestation form will be required from each parent validating that children are not being sent to school with a contagious illness.
Parents will be sent a form from WCPSS
Bus cleaning
Disinfect between runs and at end of day
- ATTESTATION FORM
Carpool Arrival
Staff members will screen each student before leaving the car.
Students without a fever are allowed to enter the building, students with a fever will return home.
Parents must remain in the car.
Parents will NOT be allowed inside the building.
Carpool make take longer due to the above screening procedures.
Complete a Daily Symptom Screening
All students, employees, and any visitors must complete a daily health screening and temperature check before entering school, per the Health Screening guidance. Students riding school transportation must have a completed health attestation form before boarding school transportation.
Students must stay home or leave school immediately if:
They have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not met criteria for returning to school;
They have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and have not met criteria for returning to school;
They have a temperature of 100.4℉ or higher; or
They are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19:
Fever (100.4° or higher) or chills
New cough (unrelated to allergies)
New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Wear a Cloth Face Covering
There is growing evidence that wearing face coverings helps reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially for those who are sick but may not know it. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators (“N-95”), or other medical personal protective equipment (PPE). Recent studies on types of face coverings suggest that multi-layered cotton face coverings provide good coverage to keep droplets from spreading when we speak, sneeze, or cough. Individuals should be reminded frequently not to touch the face covering and to wash their hands regularly.
Properly wearing a face covering is a critical measure to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Students, employees, and any visitors must wear cloth face coverings while on a school campus even when they are six feet or more apart from other individuals, including:
Inside school buildings
While traveling on buses, vendor transportation, or other WCPSS vehicles
Anywhere on WCPSS property, including outside, unless students are on a face covering break
All face coverings should fit properly and must be secured safely over the nose, mouth, and under the chin, per CDC guidelines. Face coverings should not be pulled down for conversations.
The expectation is that students are to provide their own face covering to wear when at school and on bus or vendor transportation. NC Department of Health and Human Services is providing all K - 12 students and school employees with five reusable cloth face coverings.
When at a WCPSS school, if a student does not have access to a face covering, one will be given to them.
Face coverings will be available on buses and vendor transportation for students who do not bring their own face covering.
Students should wash reusable face coverings regularly, per CDC recommendations.
Face Covering Breaks
Employees may give students a face covering break if they can meet all of the following conditions:
Outside only
Spaced 8-10 feet from all other individuals, including employees
Students should remain stationary in the same space
Students should all face the same direction
Individuals may briefly remove their face covering while eating or drinking
Accommodations to Face Covering Requirement
If a student is unable to comply with the face covering requirement, a parent or guardian can request an accommodation for their student that is related to a student’s disability, or medical needs. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the disability or medical need, the availability of alternative safety measures, and current public health guidance.
To request an accommodation, parents or guardians must complete this form and return it, along with supporting documentation, to your school’s principal by October 23.
Unless a face covering requirement accommodation request form has been approved, all students are subject to the same face covering requirements outlined in this document.
Students will not be allowed at school without wearing a mask unless they have an approved accommodation.
Consequences for Violation of Health Protocols
Face covering requirements and other health protocols are critical tools for creating and maintaining a healthy environment in our schools and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
As part of our return to in-person instruction, schools will educate and support students and families on the importance of health safety guidance to support, encourage, and model the behaviors we expect of all students.
In instances where a student inadvertently violates health safety guidance, the staff will remind the student of the proper protocol.
We will work with students through non-disciplinary interventions that include, but are not limited to:
student-parent-teacher or student-parent-administrator conferences;
behavior contracts;
reward systems;
oral or written warnings;
referrals to school counselors;
referrals to programs or agencies that support at-risk students;
peer mediation; and
restorative justice practices. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to solicit the assistance of designated school-based or central office staff in developing appropriate responses and interventions in specific cases.
When support and non-disciplinary interventions are not enough to change student behavior that may risk the health safety of a school community, Board Policy Code: 4309 Student Behavior – Code of Student Conduct authorizes disciplinary consequences, including in-school or out-of-school suspension, following the procedures contained in the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, willful or repeated failures to wear face coverings at school could result in an involuntary transfer to a virtual learning environment.
Maintain Social Distance
Students should stay six feet apart from employees, other students, and visitors at all times.
Students should not congregate during arrival/dismissal and in stationary settings. Schools may alter the typical “traffic flow” inside school buildings to promote and facilitate social distancing in hallways, bathrooms, and during times of transition. Signage will be placed throughout the school building to indicate guidelines.
Wash Hands Frequently
Students will be provided opportunities to and should wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Students should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. When soap and water is not readily available, students should use hand sanitizer, which will be provided in every classroom and school entrances and exits.
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Resources for Students and Families for Health Safety Guidance
Videos are available for students and families about face coverings, hand washing, health screenings, social distancing, and water fountains to support families in preparing students for return to in-person instruction safely