Reopening Plan:Operation Under Pandemic

M. Ann Levett, Ed.D.

Superintendent

July 16, 2020 1

Decision Making Guidance

The School Opening Recommendation has been guided by:

Commitment to Health and Safety

CDC Guidance

Georgia Department of Education Guidance

SCCPSS Pilot Program

Superintendent’s Reopening Task Force

Department of Public Health

Community Spread/Transmission

2

School Readiness SurveysSurvey Participants:

School TypeFamily

Participants

School-Based Staff Participants

Elementary 33% 48%

K8 19% 22%

Middle 16% 9%

High 27% 17%

Other 2% 2%

Charter 4% 2%

56

Deployed June 14 – July 6, 2020

Deployed June 24 – July 10, 2020

3

Preferred Reopening ModelFamily Staff

4

Reasons for Selection of ModelChild Care

Needs

Health &

Safety

Concerns

Personal

Preference

Student

Choice /

Students'

Needs

Other

Full-time, at-home distance learning 159 2,251 680 315 283

In person, in the classroom every day 1,365 380 2,895 2,121 755

Hybrid model 325 2,032 810 449 246

Undecided 165 827 203 76 169

Full-time, at-home distance learning 139 829 230 200 95

In person, in the classroom every day 178 109 533 602 73

Hybrid model 144 993 337 534 73

Undecided 74 354 109 146 55

Indicates most frequent reasons; multiple reasons highlighted when top selections are within 5 percentage points of one another

Staff

Family

5

Employee Comfort Returning to Worksite

62820% 900

28%

85727%

77324%

6

Start Date

Family44%

40%

16%

Staff

48%

16%

36%

7

Reopening Concerns

NANA

8

Superintendent’s Task Force

• Staffing needs for every possible learning model

• Use of PPE / Implementation of new protocols/screenings

• Staff Training, physical distancing, transportation• Academic “catch up” strategies loss of 2020 (4th Qtr)

MANY TOPICS WERE CONSIDERED!

135 PARTICIPANTS!• Parents, PTA, Business

• Non-Profits, Faith Based, Military

• SCCPSS Staff and AdministrationTHREE MEETINGS HELD

• June 11, 2020

• June 25, 2020

• July 9, 20209

Superintendent’s Task Force

• Task Force favored a delayed start date:The majority of Task Force groups indicated that they

preferred some sort of a “delay” - either a 2 week delay or starting

after Labor Day

• Task force favored a virtual or hybrid instructional

delivery model for the start of schoolVirtual was the most popular

COMMON THEMES

10

GADOE Guidance

The reopening of school will be driven by local indicators for Community Spread in our area. Guidance provided by the Georgia Department of Education will help school districts maintain a responsive plan that meets the needs of students, staff, and the community.

Based on initial guidance provided on June 1, 2020.

Guidance has been updated July 13, 2020. https://www.georgiainsights.com

11

COVID TRACKER:

Chatham County Transmission Confirmed cases are On the Rise!

JUNE 3: Cases = 587 JULY 15: Cases = 2,90512

Decision Support System for Learning Model

Determination Reopening Priority: Safety, Health and Wellness

Health conditions are assessed regularly and staff maintain

constant contact with area health officials. The appropriate

Learning Model is subject to change based on existing conditions.

Transmission

Levels

Learning Model Decision

SupportsLow/No Community Spread Traditional In Person

Teaching and Learning ✓ Local Data

✓ Health Department

✓ Task Force

✓ Survey Data

✓ Transmission Guidelines

Moderate Community Spread Hybrid – Virtual/Face to

Face

High/Substantial Community

Spread

Virtual (Avoid in person until

transmission rates decline)

13

Reopening Recommendation

▪ Delay the Start of School by two-weeks (August 19 start)

▪ Utilize a Virtual Learning Model (e-Learning)

▪ Extend staff Professional Learning time (August 3-August 18)

The administrative e-learning model is subject to change based on the existing conditions of the COVID-19

Pandemic. Should health conditions dictate, a Virtual Learning Model (E-Learning Days) could extend

beyond the Labor Day Break and throughout the first nine weeks of the school year.

14

Academic Reopening PlanVirtual Learning Model (e-Learning)

An improved Teaching and Learning plan will be offered to

support remote learning as we begin the 2020-2021

school year. The model includes improvements from the

spring independent learning plan.

• Virtual Instruction Model offered through one

consistent platform: NEW!

Learning Management System• Focused Curriculum: Learning Recovery

• Grade Level Approach (PRE-k-5 / 6-8 / 9-12)

• Specialized Instruction Plan – Services continue!

(SPED, ELL, Gifted)

15

Academic Reopening PlanReady for Day 1 (e-Learning)

• Robust Professional

Learning Plan: LMS Rollout

• Scheduling

• Virtual Open House / Transition Plan in Development

• Athletics, Band, Cheerleading plan in place

• Social Emotional Resources Offered, Wrap Around

Services, Community Services

• Parent Guidance Tools

Extended Staff

Planning Period

Parent

Preparedness

Social Emotional

Athletics & Extra

Curricular

16

Human Resources/StaffingProcedures and Protocols

Staff Safety

Access to District

Resources

Hiring Needs

Work Guidelines

• Employees must wear a mask

• Symptom Monitoring Requirements established

• Response protocols provided: Isolation Room

• Entry to buildings will be regulated and monitored

• Entry into any SCCPSS building requires a

temperature check

• Workplace etiquette and hygiene reminders offered

• Meeting Expectations Established – Socially Distant

17

Human Resources/Staffing

Staff Safety

Access to District

Resources

Hiring Needs

Work Guidelines

• Staffing: Hiring Procedures and Staffing Needs

• Mental and Emotional Wellbeing resources: The

Employee Assistance Program is available to offer

emotional support during this stressful time.

Focus Areas:

18

OPERATIONS: Operation under Pandemic

Facilities

Signage

Cleaning &

Disinfecting

Meal Service

• Facility Access: Schools remain closed to the

public. Buildings will be open for staff as directed.

• Access Scenarios: The District is reviewing

multiple scenarios for staff access to facilities to

ensure the greatest level of safety in a manner

that will reduce the opportunity for spread.

• Signage: Signage has been developed for Social

Distancing and Hygiene Guidelines

19

OPERATIONS: Operation under Pandemic

Facilities

Signage

Cleaning &

Disinfecting

Meal Service

• PPE & Hygiene Supplies: Purchased cleaning

foggers and electro-static cleaning devices for

large areas and difficult to reach spaces.

Increased distribution of hygiene products like

soap, paper towels, tissues and toilet paper (no-

touch if possible).

• Use of Physical Markers (or barriers): Designed

to communicate social distancing expectations.

Use of tape, cones, dividers, or signage for staff.

20

OPERATIONS: Operation under Pandemic

Facilities

Signage

Cleaning &

Disinfecting

Meal Service

Sanitation & Hygiene:

• Cleaning frequency levels increased. Cleaning

times adjusted based on use levels. High touch

areas targeted.

• Installed hand-hygiene stations at all entrances

and throughout the building.

• Encouraging staff to bring their own water in place

of using water fountains, and consider the use of

bottle-filling stations.

21

OPERATIONS: Operation under Pandemic

Facilities

Signage

Cleaning &

Disinfecting

Meal Service

• DAY 1 READY! Meal Services Offered: Meals

shall be prepared and delivered by transportation

staff (Deliver breakfast and lunch at the same time

-multiple meals approach)

22

Technology Ready for Day 1 (e-Learning)

Devices

LMS Launch

Hotspots

• LMS: Learning Management System Deployed

• Learning Devices: Devices Purchased / Delivery

and Distribution Schedule planned

• Needs: Technology Need - Hot Spots

23

Online standards-aligned, courses

and curriculum in ELA, Math,

Science, and Social Studies.

Available to grades 6 – 12.

Available to grades 3 – 12 at the

eAcademy.

Online formative assessment

tool to measure COVID-19

student learning loss.

This information will assist

schools on student support and

instructional recovery.

7,000 Chromebooks deployed.

2,500 Chromebooks ready for

deployment along with existing

school student devices.

400 Chromebooks – Community

Donations.

14,400 Additional Chromebooks

pending delivery in August.

10 SmartBus equipment ordered.

30 SmartBus equipment applied for

through the Georgia K12 Student

Connectivity Grant.

Deployment plan will be published

on the district’s website indicating

location and hours-of-operation for

students to connect.

60 MiFi devices for H.S.

250+ MiFi devices approved

through the SIG Grant for 7

schools.

Campaign will be launched to

promote affordable high-speed

Internet @ home

Online teaching and learning

platform for teachers and students.

Provides portal services and

smartphone app for teachers,

students, and parents. Available to

all K-12 teachers and students.

24

Communications Ready for Reopening!

Communication

Multiple

Platforms for

Messaging

FAQs

• SCCPSS.COM: One Stop Shop for Informational

Needs - Web Page for Reopening Information –

Set to Launch: 7/16/2020

• Social Media Use: Academic Calendar Updates,

Learning Model Resources, FAQs

• Video Production: Free Talk Fridays! Comcast

Channel 195, Professional Learning Supports

• Key Campaign: Learning Management System

25

Reopening Plan:Operation Under Pandemic

~ DISCUSSION ~

July 16, 2020 26