Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we work through the difficulties this pandemic has created. Our plan as we have put together is a continuous work in progress. Through direction and guidance of our state and local health agencies, we will continue to adhere to recommendations provided to us. We must be very deliberate in the steps we take to mitigate COVID-19. We must also be prepared for potential outbreaks. Please read through the information provided and check our website for any new information as we approach our start date of August 5, 2020.
Plan Details
BUILDING AND STAFF:
- Schley County staff will wear masks.
- Schley County students will be encouraged to wear masks on campus.
- Social distancing will be used throughout the school and in classrooms to the extent possible.
- Temperature kiosk stations will be maintained at bus rider, car rider, and front entrance locations. This commitment to safety means all parents and staff agree not to enter campus with a 100.3 temperature or higher or if they are displaying symptoms of illness.
- Arrival times will be extended to accommodate the high volume of potential student drop-off from 7:30am-8:30am.
- Visitations will be limited with temperature checks and exposure questioning required.
- Sanitizing measures will be in place throughout the campus with increased frequency for handwashing opportunities.
LUNCHROOM PLAN:
- Lunchroom capacities will be limited to 50% with rotational days in various dining locations.
- Dining in the cafeteria for breakfast will be limited to Kindergarten and 1st grade. Grades 2-12 will have breakfast in their classrooms during the extended arrival times.
TRANSPORTATION:
- Bus riders will be required to wear masks.
- Hand sanitizers are on each bus at the point of entry.
- Families/students within the same stop/household will sit together.
INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY PLAN:
- In-person instruction will begin August 5th and will be 5 days a week.
- A virtual learning option will be provided. Parents may choose this option, but with the understanding of the commitment involved, and sign-ups will be for the entire semester for grades 6-12 and for 9 weeks for grades k-5.
- If a significant growth or spike in cases occurs, in-person instruction will shift to distance learning, utilizing Microsoft Teams and maintaining the existing classroom instruction. This will be maintained separately from the virtual class segments offered within the platform provided.
Schley County Instructional Models for 2020-2021
Schley County Schools will offer two instructional models for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.
Option 1 will be an in-person instructional model. This will be a traditional method of delivery within the classroom setting. Safety steps will be enhanced to take the proper mitigation measures.
Option 2 would allow for virtual learning through Edgenuity. This model will not be the same format as the distance learning provided by our staff at the end of the last school term. There will be a daily expectation of attendance, participation, and accountability. Virtual learning will require the parent and student to facilitate a significant portion of the learning. This option also mandates several elements:
- Internet access and a device for each student
- Daily attendance matching the current academic calendar is expected
- Grades will be taken with the expected components of the coursework completed in a timely manner
- 9-12 students will complete 4 courses in their assigned course schedule
- 6-8 students will complete self-paced on-line grade level courses within the four content areas
- K-5 students will participate in the same on-line platform, but more local school level support will be offered
Edgenuity is a video-based curriculum. For more information or to explore the features of this program, please visit https://www.edgenuity.com/video-library/?vid=5727299174001 or https://www.edgenuity.com/video-library/?vid=6015834142001. For K-5, the commitment will be for an entire nine weeks. For grades 6-12,the commitment extends through the first semester. To apply for the virtual option, all applications (here) must be turned in to the board office prior to July 22, 2020. If no application is received, your student will remain scheduled for Option 1 (in-person instruction beginning August 5th). More details for Option 2 will be made available through our Zoom session scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 6:00 pm or July 17 at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to ask a specific question regarding Option 1 or Option 2, our wildcathelp@schleyk12.org is available. If you would like to speak directly to someone about virtual learning, please call 229-937-2405.
Successful reopening in mitigating COVID-19 to the extent possible will rely on the efforts of staff, students, and parents to daily monitor symptoms and take maximum precaution to keep those around them safe. There is a wide-range of symptoms listed but not limited to:
- fever (Any temperature greater than 100.3 should not attend school.)
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- fatigue
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
Parents should check students each morning before students board the bus or report to campus. At each school, an isolation room will be utilized to house students in the event they become ill later in the school day. This area will be used to maintain necessary separation. Disinfection of this area will occur frequently after each use. Students or staff that become positive for Covid-19 should quarantine for the required 14 days. Students with a non Covid-19 illness, should not return to school unless they are fever free for 48 hours without taking fever reducing medications.
Reopening Protocols
Our plan to reopen will follow a protocol list to help determine what course of action should be taken. This is a leveled plan that offers options based on the level of spread within our community.
LEVEL 4: MOST SEVERE. Schools closed with distance plan initiated.
LEVEL 3: Instructional delivery is modified through on-campus class sizes or flexible AB scheduling to minimize student contact.
LEVEL 2: In-person instruction with restriction on large group settings and necessary social distancing precautions.
LEVEL 1: Traditional instruction without restrictions
WE PLAN TO BEGIN SCHOOL AT THE LEVEL 2 PROTOCOLS.
****************************************************************
Further information on Georgia’s Pathway to Recovery for K-12 Schools can be found at https://www.georgiainsights.com/uploads/1/2/2/2/122221993/georgias_path_to_recovery_for_k-12_schools_--_v7-13-2020.pdf