Updated Re-Entry Plan

Marion County Schools

2020-2021

Reentry Plan

Updated December 3, 2020

Marion County Schools

2020-2021 Reentry Plan

Goals

-          Students have regular touchpoints, personal touchpoints with teachers and/or other school staff to check-in on their basic needs, social-emotional well-being, academic needs, and needed support for dealing with reentry.

-          Students have regular touchpoints with their classmates to continue to build community.

-          Students engage in learning experiences planned for and delivered by Marion County teachers using high-quality curriculum that are targeted to their specific learning needs as well as the major work of the grade.

-          Students are provided flexible, meaningful learning experiences to support school closure and/or distance learning.

Marion County Schools Reentry

Marion County Schools will follow the approved 2020-2021 school calendar. Registration for the 2020-2021 school year will occur prior to August 10, 2020. The first full day of school is August 10, 2020. Parents/guardians will have the option of their student attending school or participating in remote learning. Students attending school will follow the normal 5 day school schedule. Students participating in remote learning will participate in a 5 day schedule that will include direct instruction from Marion County educators. Marion County staff members identified as medically high risk will provide instruction in a remote setting. Student and staff attendance for individuals participating in distance learning will be taken daily. Marion County Schools will be implementing a flexible hybrid instructional model that can be scaled to meet the demands of the time.

Marion County General Policies

-          Any student or staff who stays home sick or  is sent home, goes home, or is told not to report the following day but are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

§  May return to school if they are fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

o   Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19

§  Tested for COVID-19

·         Negative Test – May return to school if fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

·         Positive Test – 10 day quarantine

§   Not tested for COVID-19

·         Visit medical professional – May return to school with a medical professional’s note and if you are fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

·         10 day quarantine

-          Exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19

o   Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.

OR

o   Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before (Day 5) the time of planned quarantine discontinuation, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.

o   Exposure defined as individual who has had close contact (< 6 feet) for ≥15 minutes.

§  Person with COVID-19 who has symptoms (in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation; can be laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness)

§  Person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed) but has not had any symptoms (in the 2 days before the date of specimen collection until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation

-          Every school will have an identified location where a student or staff member who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be taken to isolate them from others until the individual can be picked up from school.

-          Staff and students will be required to wear a cloth face covering during transition times, which include but not limited to the following: drop off, pick up, and class changes.

-          Wearing of a cloth face covering is encouraged but optional for all staff members during class time.

-          Wearing of a cloth face covering is encouraged but optional for students during class time. Students may remove their cloth face covering when outdoors so long as social distancing can be maintained.

-          All students and staff will be screened daily for symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure to someone who has been diagnosed in the past two weeks. All students and staff will have their temperature checked with a no-touch thermometer prior to being allowed to enter the building.

-          Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol will be readily available for use by students and staff and students and staffs will be reminded to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating.

-          Classrooms and high-touch surfaces such as door handles will be disinfected regularly throughout the day.

-          Students will sanitize hands between all class changes.

-          Students and staff will maintain a distance of six feet between themselves and others whenever possible, and classrooms will be structured in such a way as to facilitate this distancing.

-          Schools will not hold mass gatherings unless appropriate social distancing can be maintained.

-          Schools will not plan in-person field trips but are encouraged to plan virtual field trips, where feasible.

-          Parents will drop off children external to the building. Entry of parents and other community members will be strictly limited. Visitors will be screened and wear a cloth face covering.

-          Lunchtime will be structured to allow children to eat lunch in their classroom or in the lunchroom if social distancing allows.

-          Bus drivers and students will wear a cloth face covering unless medically contraindicated.

-          Buses will be disinfected daily.

Marion County Schools: Preventing COVID-19

Preparation is the key to reducing the impact of COVID-19 upon your school. The following steps will be taken to prepare for the return of students and staff:

Supplies:

-          Touchless thermometers for daily screening of staff and students

-          Hand sanitizer and dispensers

-          Disinfecting wipes and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies

-          Cloth face coverings for students and staff during transition times.

-          Tape to mark floors for traffic flow and reminders to distance

-          Surgical masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns for nursing staff

Environmental Preparation:

-          Determine student pick-up and drop-off plans that limit crowds or entry into the building

-          Post signage to communicate and remind students, staff, and parents of policies and procedures

-          Designate one-way foot traffic patterns

-          Arrange classroom seating to maximize social distancing

-          Close water fountains

-          Make hand sanitizer readily available for use by staff and students

-          K-8 teachers will move from room to room instead of having students change classes

-          9-12 will stagger class changes to limit crowding in hallways

-          Locker use will be suspended

-          Lunch and breakfast will be provided in classrooms and possibly in other areas, if social distancing is possible

-          Establish schedules for regular cleaning and disinfecting of work stations, restrooms, and high-touch surfaces throughout the day

Staffing Considerations

-          All staff will have temperature checked with a touchless thermometer upon arrival to school and answer COVID-19 screening questions:

o   Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days?

o   Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or stomach symptoms?

o   Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?

o   Have you had new loss of taste or smell?

o   Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?

-          All staff will receive training on the following

o   New policies and procedures and the importance of modeling expected behavior

o   Identifying signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and implementation of the school’s response plan in the event that a case is identified

o   Periods of remote learning

Student Considerations

-          All students will have temperature checked with a touchless thermometer upon arrival to school and answer COVID-19 screening questions (or parents, in the case of younger children or children with special health care needs):

o   Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days?

o   Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or stomach symptoms?

o   Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?

o   Have you had new loss of taste or smell?

o   Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?

-          Communicate the school’s preparation, policies, and procedures to families in advance of the beginning of school

-          Teach and reinforce the importance of hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing

-          Discourage sharing of supplies and equipment

-          Anticipate the needs of students with special health care needs who may be unable to wear a cloth face covering or socially distance. These children will be routinely monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19

Transportation Considerations

-          Provide approved cleaning materials and develop cleaning schedules and protocols

-          Bus drivers and students will be required to wear cloth face coverings unless medically contraindicated

-          Assigned seats for students

-          Loading buses from the back to the front and unloading from the front to the back

-          Keep windows open to increase air exchange, weather permitting

Marion County Schools: Identifying COVID-19

When we suspect or are notified of a case of COVID-19 in a school:

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is critically important that staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and are well aware of the school’s planned response when someone in the building is exhibiting signs or symptoms of COVID-19

Most Common Signs and Symptoms

-          Fever equal to or great than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

-          Cough

-          Shortness of Breath

Other Possible Signs and Symptoms

-          Diarrhea

-          Abdominal pain (especially in children)

-          Malaise

-          Fatigue

-          Rash

-          Loss of taste or smell

Plan of action:

-          Immediately place a cloth face covering or surgical mask on the ill individual and move them to the identified safe area to isolate the individual.

-          Individuals assisting will put on a cloth face covering or a surgical mask, eye protections, a gown and gloves. Limit the number of people who are in direct contact with the ill individual.

-          Ensure the individual is safe and does not need emergent medical attention. If the individual appears to be seriously ill, call 911 and inform them that you are calling about a possible/confirmed case of COVID-19.

-          Notify the emergency contact of the ill individual. If the individual is deemed stable, ask that they be picked up from school. If the individual requires emergency medical attention, call 911 and inform them of the situation.

-          The school will document students and staff identified as having COVID-19 symptoms and signs. The school will email or give document to their local nurse at the end of each day. Mrs. Case will be in communication with the Marion Health Department to notify them of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

-          Clean and disinfect areas where the ill individual has been while in the building.

Communication Plan:

-          Staff or students exposed to or in contact with an individual with COVID-19 will be contacted via phone call within 24 hours of the school being notified.

-          Exposure defined as individual who has had close contact (< 6 feet) for ≥15 minutes.

o   Person with COVID-19 who has symptoms (in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation; can be laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness)

o   Person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed) but has not had any symptoms (in the 2 days before the date of specimen collection until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation

Return to school: 

-          Any student or staff who exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are to be masked and isolated immediately and sent home as quickly as possible.

-          Any student or staff who stays home sick or  is sent home, goes home, or is told not to report the following day but are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

§  May return to school if they are fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

o   Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19

§  Tested for COVID-19

·         Negative Test – May return to school if fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

·         Positive Test – 10 day quarantine

§   Not tested for COVID-19

·         Visit medical professional – May return to school with a medical professional’s note and if you are fever and symptom free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

·         10 day quarantine

-          Exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19

o   Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.

OR

o   Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected and tested within 48 hours before (Day 5) the time of planned quarantine discontinuation, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.

Marion County Schools: Mitigating Spread of COVID-19

Facilitate Contact Tracing: Contact Marion County Health Department as soon as you are made aware of a suspect or confirmed case of COVID-19.

-          Assist the health department in identifying individual exposed to the infected individual

-          Exposed individuals will be required to self-quarantine until meeting criteria addressed in section above.

o   Exposure defined as individual who has had close contact (< 6 feet) for ≥15 minutes.

§  Person with COVID-19 who has symptoms (in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation; can be laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness)

§  Person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed) but has not had any symptoms (in the 2 days before the date of specimen collection until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation

Distance Learning Threshold

Marion County Schools will provide distance learning as soon as a student(s) self-quarantines.

-          All students and staff who have been in contact with a confirmed case will self-quarantine until meeting criteria addressed in section above.

-          Marion County will consider closing a school if

o    20 % of classroom cohorts are required to quarantine within a 14-day period.

o   cluster cases are identified and the infection spread from the clusters cannot be confidently contained.

o   there is widespread exposure of students and staff such that it is not possible to identify and quarantine contacts.

o   in consultation with state and local health care officials.

o   the absentee rates is 20%

o   If a school or the district is closed, it will remain closed for 10 days from the time of closure in order to ensure students and staff have been quarantined through the COVID-19 incubation period. Once the 14-day quarantine period has expired, the school or district will consider re-opening so long as community transmission is not high. The district will consult with state and local public health officials prior to deciding to resume in-person instruction.  

Marion County Schools 2020-2021 Reentry Plan

Components of Plan

Training

-          Staff Only

o   Policies and procedures

-          Students/Parents/Staff

o   Hand Hygiene

o   Covering Sneezes and Coughs

o   Limiting Face Touching

o   Wearing Face Coverings

o   Symptoms of COVID-19

o   Bus Transportation

o   Action Plan

Distance Learning Participation

-          Parents/guardians will have the choice of their student participating in remote learning. Parents/guardians that select distance learning will participate for the entire fall 2020 semester.

-          Staff will be allowed to participate in distance learning with doctor’s direction.

-          Students and staff, who are in quarantine, will participate in distance learning for the duration of the quarantine.

-          Students and staff, who attend a school that is closed, will participate in distance learning for the duration of the closure.

Transportation

-          Bus drivers and students are required to wear cloth face coverings

-          Students will wash/sanitize hands prior to boarding the bus

-          Students will have assigned seats

-          Siblings or students from the same household will sit together

-          Windows will be open to improve ventilation, weather permitting

-          Buses will be sanitized daily

o   Sanitation will be documented daily and submitted weekly to the Director of Transportation

-          Seat directly behind driver will be left unoccupied, if possible

-          Buses will be loaded back to front and unloaded front to back when possible

Registration

-          Marion County Schools will host a virtual and/or drive-up registration event prior to the first full day of school, August 10^th. Individual schools will send out information concerning school specific registration events. All students will be required to participate in the registration events, both students receiving on-site instruction and participating in distance learning.

School Drop-Off/Pick-Up

-          Schools will create and submit drop-off and pick-up plans that all for supervision and social distancing. Plans will be communicated to parents/guardians prior to the start of school.

-          Schools will identify and area to isolate students/staff who are identified as having COVID-19 symptoms.

-          All students and staff will be participate in active screening each day before entering the school building.

o   Active screening includes: temperature check and screening questions.

o   Students and staff will wear cloth face coverings during screening.

o   Individuals performing the screenings will wear a cloth face covering and face shield.

o   Students/Staff with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Celsius or higher or demonstrating any other COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated in the designated area.

o   The Action Plan will be followed for students/staff in the isolation area.

o   Students/Staff with 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above temperature with no other symptoms can be checked again after 15 minutes in designated area. If temperature is below the threshold, they will be allowed to return to school.

-          Breakfast

o   Served in classrooms

-          Classrooms

o   K-8 – teachers rotate classes.

o   9-12 – Schools develop schedule that allows students to change classes while minimizing the number of students in hallways at any given time.

o   Students and staff will be encouraged to wear cloth face coverings in classrooms.

o   If teacher conducts class outside and social distancing guidelines are being followed, teacher and students can remove masks.

o   Classrooms cleared of any nonessential items.

o   Desks arranged to maximize social distancing and all facing the same direction.

o   Classrooms will be disinfected three times per day or after any class changes. Teacher will maintain documentation of cleaning.

o   Clear screen separators can be used when social distancing is an issue.

o   Students will not be allowed to share items.

o   If students are required to use the same items, items will be disinfected between uses.

o   Students will be required to take personal items home each day.

o   An area in the room will be designated for backpacks and other items.

o   Bathrooms will be closed during transition times. Bathroom breaks will be scheduled during class time.

o   Classrooms will be marked for social distancing.

o   Classrooms will contain signs to promote hand hygiene, social distancing, etc..

o   Use of lockers is suspended.

-          Lunch

o   Schools will submit a plan that follows social distancing guidelines.

o   Plans can include in room and cafeteria dining.

o   Lunch plans will adhere to social distancing guidelines due to the necessity of removing face coverings to eat.

-          Physical Education

o   Locker rooms closed.

o   K-8 – PE teacher travels to classroom. PE teacher can keep students in class or take them to the gym or outdoors.

o   9-12 – students will travel to their assigned area for physical education.

o   If teacher conducts class outside and social distancing guidelines are being followed, teacher and students can remove masks.

o   No contact allowed between students during PE class.

o   No shared equipment during PE class.

o   PE teachers are encouraged to take classes outside when possible.

o   Playgrounds closed.

-          Related Arts

o   Related arts teachers will travel to classroom and follow classroom guidelines.

o   No shared equipment during Related Arts class.

o   No contact allowed between students during Related Arts class.

o   Related Arts teachers are encouraged to take classes outside when possible.

o   Schools consider larger areas for related arts classes that required singing or playing instruments.

-          Library

o   Libraries will be closed to students.

o   Classroom teacher will be allowed to checkout library resources.

§  Resources will stay in the classroom for a minimum of two weeks.

§  Resources will be sanitized prior to returning to library.

o   Librarian will travel to classes for Library Lessons.

-          Hallways

o   Students and staff will wear cloth face coverings during transition times.

o   Schools will mark hallways for directional travel.

o   Schools will post signs to promote social distancing.

o   Schools will create plans and schedules to limit the number of students in the hallway.

o   Water fountains will be disabled.

o   Vending machines will be closed.

-          Staff Work Areas/Lounge

o   Schools will develop a schedule for use of work areas and lounge.

o   Staff will disinfect work areas before and after use.

o   Staff will not be allowed to gather in communal areas.

o   Communal refreshments will not be allowed.

o   Copiers, vending machines, refrigerators, microwaves, and other equipment will be sanitized before and after use.

-          Safety Drills

o   Required Safety Drills.

o   Stagger drills – maintain cloth face coverings and social distancing.

o   Schools will submit a plan and schedule.

-          Sanitation Plan

o   Schools will submit a sanitation plan that includes the following:

§  All high touch areas

§  Bathrooms

§  Classrooms

§  Teacher work areas

§  Hallways

§  Commons areas

§  Cafeteria

§  Technology

§  CTE Equipment

o   Schools will document sanitation as it occurs.

-          Athletics

o   Marion County Schools will follow the guidance of the TSSAA and local and state government.

-          Extracurricular Activities

o   Students will be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities if they meet the attendance requirements in on-site or remote instruction.

Instruction/Distance Learning

-          Staff

o   Staff participating in distance learning will provide instruction to their on-site students through technology. The on-site students will be supervised by a staff member, but the teacher will be responsible for instruction and all other teacher duties. These duties include but are not limited to student instruction, planning, grading, common planning, PLCs, staff meetings, parent meetings, etc…

o   The Director of Technology will schedule a time with each teacher to set-up technology off-site to provide instruction. Marion County Schools will provide the equipment for instruction. The teacher is responsible for the needed internet access. Once technology equipment is set-up the teacher is responsible for use and delivery of instruction.

o   Individual schools will work with distance learning teachers to establish and schedule routines for effective instruction.

-          Streaming Teachers

o   Marion County Schools will use roughly 50 Streaming Teachers to provide direct explicit instruction to students deemed high-risk medically.

o   Streaming Teachers will not be the teacher of record. The teacher of record is the teacher that the student is assigned to and would be receiving instruction from if physically attending school.

o   The role of the Streaming Teacher is to provide direct explicit instruction and take roll each day.

o   The role of the teacher of record is to provide support to the student daily through the use of Google Classroom, ZOOM, and curricular resources. The teacher of record will grade student work and provide the course grade for the student.

o   Streaming teachers and teachers of record will communicate weekly to better support students participating in remote learning.

-          Students

o   Parent/guardian required to complete MCS Remote Learning Application by July 24^th, 2020. Once an application is submitted and accepted, the student will be participating in remote learning for the fall semester of the 2020 school year (August 4^th, 2020 – January 13^th, 2021).

o   Students participating in distance learning will be required to participate in daily scheduled instruction through the use of technology.

o   The students will receive daily direct explicit instruction from a teacher and will be required to submit assignments electronically.

o   Students will be required to participate with their teacher of record using technology.

o   Attendance will be taken daily. Students will be governed by all Marion County and Tennessee attendance policies.  

o   Students without access to a device will be provided one by Marion County Schools.

o   Students without access to internet or data will receive recorded lessons weekly from their school. Parent/guardian will establish a schedule to pick-up recorded instruction and classwork each week with the school. If the student borrows a school device, the parent/guardian will be required to bring the borrowed device each week.

o   Students participating in distance learning will be held to the same criteria as students attending school.

o   Marion County Schools will use the following platforms for distance learning: ZOOM, Google Classrooms, and adopted instructional curriculum and resources.

-          Class/School/District Closure

o   Students will be provided instruction by a Marion County educator during closures. The student will be required to participate in the instruction for the duration of the closure. Students without access to a device will be provided one and students without access to internet or data will be provided recorded instruction.

-          Streaming Schedule (Sample)/(School Specific will be provided)

The COVID-19 Reentry Plan will be in place for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak.