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Avon Public Schools REOPENINGPLAN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 OPTIONS FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL 3

COMMUNICATION 3

SPECIAL POPULATIONS 4

HYBRID LEARNING MODEL 5

REMOTE LEARNING MODEL 8

IN-PERSON LEARNING MODEL WITH SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 10

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES 12

RESPONDING TO COVID-19 SCENARIOS 13

FACILITIES 15

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY 15

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August 14, 2020 Dear Avon Public Schools Community, I am writing with an update on the start of a new school year in the Avon Public Schools. We are tentatively scheduled to resume student learning on September16th. Our planning process continues to be guided by the vigilant monitoring of public health data in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth’s careful and disciplined approach has enabled our state to gradually reopen, in part because of strong compliance with health and safety precautions. The Massachusetts Department of Education directed districts to submit by July 31, 2020, a preliminary plan that addresses the feasibility of three options for serving students at the start of the school year. Those options include a full return to daily, in-person attendance, a hybrid plan combining in-school learning with some remote learning, and finally, a 100% remote learning program. The district’s final plan was approved by the School Committee and submitted to the Department of Education on August 14th. The School Committee has voted on a hybrid learning model that would bring the students back into school buildings for in-person instruction in smaller, socially distanced groups on a rotating basis, combined with a robust remote learning program on the days of the week students are not scheduled to be physically in school. This plan also enables us to prioritize in-person learning for our students with complex needs. We recognize that the circumstances of every family and staff member are different and that no plan ultimately will satisfy everyone in our community. But rest assured we will remain guided by the science to keep our students and staff safe and healthy, and that we will be prepared to make adjustments along the way if the public health conditions or other variables change over time. Thank you for your support and cooperation in these difficult times. Sincerely, Christine Godino, Ed. D. Superintendent

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Initial Fall School Re-entry Guidance was issued by The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on June 25, 2020. The document emphasized prioritizing getting students back to school in-person with safety requirements. A combination of mitigation strategies will be utilized to establish a culture of health and safety within our schools. DESE required all districts to prepare three reopening models; full in-person with safety precautions, a hybrid model, and a remote learning model.

Regardless of the learning model (in-person, hybrid, or remote), the minimum school year is 170 days, and students must receive a minimum of 850 and 935 hours of structured learning time for elementary and secondary students, respectively.

OPTIONS FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL At this time two options for teaching and learning for the 2020-2021 school year are available: a hybrid learning model and a remote learning model. In-person learning with new safety requirements is not an option at this time. Families, in consultation with their medical providers, will determine whether their child participates in the hybrid learning model or remote learning model. COMMUNICATION Communication with families throughout the hybrid learning model and remote learning model is essential. We realize parents may need additional support during this time. We encourage you to follow these guidelines:

• If there is an issue with your child’s academics please contact your child’s teacher first.

• If you are uncomfortable talking with the teacher or if the issue is not resolved please contact your child’s principal or assistant principal.

• If the issue continues to be unresolved after speaking to building administrators please contact the Superintendent of Schools or the Director of Pupil Services.

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• If you have concerns with your child’s social-emotional well being please contact the school psychologist or adjustment counselor.

Contact information may be found on the district website https://www.avon.k12.ma.us/ SPECIAL POPULATIONS Special populations need to be given extra consideration in all three learning models. Special populations are defined by the state as economically disadvantaged students, preschool students, students who are high-risk English Language Learners, students who are in foster care, students who are homeless, and students who have complex special education needs. Complex special education needs are defined as: students who spend 75% or more of their school day outside of the general education classroom, students who primarily use aided and augmentative communication, and students who cannot engage in remote learning due to their disability-related needs. Regardless of the learning model, all students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) will receive their special education services by Avon Public School staff. In all three learning models, students on IEPs will have a regular and consistent schedule of classes, interventions, services, and therapies as required by the student’s IEP, offered synchronously or asynchronously. Additionally, all special education liaisons will be working closely and communicating frequently with families. Special education liaisons will work with the families to create an individualized hybrid learning plan and an individualized remote learning plan to ensure that all services are consistently being met.

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HYBRID MODEL The Hybrid Learning Model is a combination of in-person learning and remote learning. Students will be divided into two cohorts (Cohort A and Cohort B). The district will use a Split Week Rotation Model. Cohort A attends school in person Monday and Tuesday then works remotely from home Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Cohort B attends school Thursday and Friday then works remotely from home Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. When grouping students into cohorts the district will keep families/siblings in the same cohort. Families, in consultation with their medical providers, will determine whether their child participates in the hybrid learning model or a remote learning model. The district will determine if it is necessary to work with a remote learning partner when the number of families opting for the remote learning model has been established.

SAMPLE HYBRID SCHEDULES

BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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AVON MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL

Cohort A on Monday/Tuesday & Cohort B on Thursday/Friday

Period Time (Teachers assign daily remote lessons when students are out)

Minutes

1 7:40-8:29 49 Annc 8:32-8:34 2

2 8:34-9:23 49 3 9:26- 10:15 49 4 10:18-11:07 49 5 11:10-12:26

Normal Lunch Schedule, utilizing Café & Library Total Time: 76 Instructional Time: 49

L1 Student 11:10-11:34 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 11:07-11:37 (30)

Class:11:37-12:26

L2 Student 12:02-12:26 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 11:59-12:29 (30)

Class:11:10-11:59

6 12:29-1:18 49 7 1:21-2:10 49

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Wednesday-All students are remote (Except Special Population Group) AM Periods will rotate as a half-day schedule

Period Time Minutes 1 7:40-8:29 49

Annc 8:32-8:34 2 2 8:34-9:23 49 3 9:26- 10:15 49 4 10:18-11:07 49

Afternoon Schedule Teacher Lunch 11:07-11:37 30

Departmental Student Support Sessions Math/Science 12:00-12:30 30 English/History 12:30-1:00 30 World Lang/ Special Ed

1:00-1:30 30

Art/Music/PE/ Tech

1:30-2:00 30

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REMOTE LEARNING MODEL

Requirements and related guidance for remote learning this fall On June 30, 2020, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted, on an emergency basis, amendments to the student learning time regulations, 603 CMR 27.00. In particular, the amendments include 603 CMR 27.08(3)(b), which requires all remote learning models to meet the following standards:

• Procedures for all students to participate in remote learning, including a system for tracking attendance and participation

• Remote academic work is aligned to state standards • A policy for issuing grades for students’ remote academic work • Teachers and administrators shall regularly communicate with students’ parents

and guardians, including providing interpretation and translation services to limited English proficient parents and guardians.

SAMPLE REMOTE SCHEDULES BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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AMHS

Class time to be chunked to allow for synchronous, asynchronous, and independent student learning

Period Time Minutes

1 7:40-8:29 49

2 8:32-9:21 49

3 9:24- 10:13 49

4 10:16-11:05 49

Lunch 11:05-11:37 32

5 11:37-12:26 49

6 12:29-1:18 49

7 1:21-2:10 49

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IN-PERSON MODEL WITH SAFETY PRECAUTIONS In this model, students would return to school in-person five days a week. Please see Health and Safety Practices.

SAMPLE IN-PERSON SCHEDULES

BUTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Arrival begins at 8 am - students would need to report directly to classrooms • Instructional day would run 8:20-2:40pm • Breakfast would be in the cafeteria/gym with desks spaced 6 feet apart • Lunch would be one grade level at a time (30 mins each) in the cafeteria/gym

with desks spaced 6 feet apart under teacher supervision (total of 7 lunch periods) • Classrooms would have 2 assigned movement/mask breaks per day (outdoors

weather permitting) • Specials would take place in the classroom or outdoors

AVON MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL

Middle & High School have different times for 5th & 6th blocks to accommodate three lunches

Period Time Minutes

1 7:40-8:29 49

Annc 8:32-8:34 2

2 8:34-9:23 49

3 9:26- 10:15 49

4 10:18-11:07 49

5 11:10-12:26 L1: 7th & 8th Grade L2: 8th & 9th/10th

Lunch in Cafe & Library

Total Time:76 Instructional Time:49

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L1 Student 11:10-11:34 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 11:07-11:37 (30) Class: 11:37-12:26

L2 Student 12:02-12:26 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 11:59-12:29 (30) Class: 11:10-11:59

6 12:29-1:18 49

7 1:21-2:10 49

Middle & High School have different times for 5th & 6th blocks to accommodate three

lunches

Period Time Minutes

1 7:40-8:29 49

Annc 8:32-8:34 2

2 8:34-9:23 49

3 9:26- 10:15 49

4 10:18-11:07 49

5 11:10-11:59 49

6 12:02-1:18 L2: 8th & 9th/10th L3: 11th/12th mostly

Lunch in Cafe & Library

Total Time:76 Instructional Time:49

L2 Student 12:02-12:26 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 11:59-12:29 (30) Class:12:29-1:18

L3 Student 12:54-1:18 (24 + 6 passing)

Teacher 12:51-1:21 (30) Class:12:02-12:51

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7 1:21-2:10 49

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES

When making decisions on school reopening, the health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. The following health and safety requirements have been developed in collaboration with public health experts from Massachusetts General Brigham Health System and the Massachusetts chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mask/face coverings:

• Students in grades K-12 are required to wear a mask/face covering that covers their nose and mouth

• Adults, including educators and staff, are required to wear masks/face coverings • Exceptions to mask/face coverings requirements must be made for those for

whom it is not possible due to medical conditions, disability impact, or other health and safety factors.

• Mask breaks will occur throughout the day. • Masks/face covering should be provided by the student/family, but extra

disposable masks will be made available. • Masks are required to be worn on the school bus.

Physical distancing: • Desks will be spaced six feet apart • Alternative space in the school (e.g., cafeteria, library, and auditorium) will be

repurposed to increase the amount of space to accommodate the maximum distance possible

• Lockers will not be used at Avon Middle High School • Outside learning will be encouraged as weather permits. • Seats will be assigned for class and lunch

Student groups • Cohorts: Students will be divided into small groups that remain with each other

throughout the day in grades K-8. • Capacity: There is no required maximum on cohort sizes so long as physical

distancing requirements are adhered to. Hand hygiene: Handwashing and hand sanitizing: Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (hand washing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal.

• Handwashing: When handwashing, individuals should use soap and water to wash all surfaces of their hands for at least 20 seconds, wait for visible lather, rinse thoroughly, and dry with an individual disposable towel.

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• Hand sanitizing: If handwashing is not feasible, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or at least 70 percent isopropanol content can be used.47 Hand sanitizer should be applied to all surfaces of the hands and in sufficient quantity that it takes 20 seconds of rubbing hands together for the sanitizer to dry. Hand sanitizer should be placed at key locations (e.g., building entrances, cafeteria, classrooms).

• Health and safety/PPE supplies: The Avon Public Schools has an inventory of standard healthcare supplies (e.g., masks and gloves). Use of additional supplies may be used based on the type of tasks performed (e.g., teachers do not need to wear gloves while teaching but may need to during necessary contact with students, such as when providing physical support to students with disabilities).

RESPONDING TO COVID-19 SCENARIOS

The Avon Public Schools adheres to the protocols for responding to COVID-19 scenarios in school, on the bus, or in the community settings per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education safety guidelines. The protocols can be found on the district website https://www.avon.k12.ma.us/district/pages/school-year-2020-2021. School/work attendance guidelines:

• Students and staff must stay home if they do not feel well. This is vital in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue when accompanied by other symptoms, muscle or body aches, headache when accompanied by other symptoms, the new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain.

• Students and staff with a temperature above 100.4 degrees should not attend school until they have been fever-free for three days and without the use of antipyretic medication, such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, or Ibuprofen.

• Students and staff will be provided with a self-screening tool to review COVID-19 symptoms so that they can self-monitor themselves daily before school/work.

• Sick students and staff members should not return to school until they have met the criteria established by the Massachusetts Department of Health to discontinue home isolation and/or quarantine. Students and staff will check with their school nurse before returning to school/work.

Student or staff member becomes ill at school/work: • Any student or staff member exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms must stay home.

Staff and students should not come to school if they become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19. Or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case. Staff and students will be asked to provide documentation of symptoms that precludes them from attending school/work.

• Staff and children with COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) at school will be separated from well students/staff. Individuals who are sick will be triaged by the school nurse and asked to either go home immediately or to a healthcare facility depending on the severity of the symptoms.

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• Each building will have a designated “sick area” where staff and/or students will be triaged and assessed for appropriate disposition. Sick students and staff will be separated from well students and staff.

• School nurses and other healthcare providers will use standard and transmission-based precautions when caring for sick people.

• If the nurse/school personnel are calling an ambulance or bringing someone to the hospital, they will alert the dispatcher that the person may have COVID-19.

• Students and staff need to provide the school nurse with emergency contact, indicating individuals who will be able to come to the school and pick up their child if they become sick during the school day. Dismissing sick students and staff in a timely fashion (within 45 minutes) is imperative for the safety of all.

Notification to Health Officials and Close Contacts: • Following state and local laws and regulations, school nurses/administrators will

notify the local Board of Health, staff, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• The nursing team will work collaboratively with the local Board of Health to identify individuals who have tested positive and/or who had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Individuals and families will be instructed to stay home, self-monitor for symptoms, and follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance if symptoms develop.

• The nursing team and administrators will work closely to identify any COVID-19 cases and any necessary actions will be taken.

Health Protocols Before Coming to School: School Personnel:

• Every day before coming to work staff will conduct a self-screening tool to review COVID-19 symptoms so that they can self-monitor themselves daily.

• If a staff member has any symptoms, they should call their supervisor and report the symptoms and stay home from work.

• Staff should follow up with their Primary Care Physician for further evaluation. They will be allowed to return to work based on their symptoms, further evaluation, and clearance from the nursing team.

• Staff who become ill while at work will be sent home immediately.

Students: • Families should assess their child’s state of wellness before leaving home for

school. • If the student has any symptoms of COVID-19, they should not attend school.

The family should notify their school nurse that the child will be absent and the reason for the absence. The school nurse will follow-up with the family regarding the child’s symptoms, whether the child was seen by a medical professional and any testing that was done. The child can return to school once cleared by the nursing team.

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• It is important to know that the symptoms of COVID-19 mimic the symptoms of many other illnesses. To protect all students and staff, any symptoms of COVID-19 will be treated as a suspected case until determined otherwise.

FACILITIES The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance on July 22, 2020. The guidance addresses the following:

• Preparing spaces • Making systems and other space-use modifications • Developing Operational Protocols

The following adjustments were made based on the guidance:

• Teaching spaces and classrooms were reconfigured to meet social distancing requirements.

• Certain soft and/or porous materials such as rugs and flexible seating options that are difficult to clean and disinfect have been removed from classrooms.

• Additional spaces were identified for a medical waiting room. The medical waiting room will be used when a student presenting with COVID-19 symptoms needs to be separated.

• Cleaning and disinfecting will occur at least daily for shared spaces and furniture. • High touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected three to four times a day

and/or between uses. • Classroom univents will continue to be cleaned frequently • HVAC filters will be changed twice as often as is the norm to ensure that air is

being filtered properly. • Classroom and office windows will be open whenever possible.

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued a Fall Reopening Transportation Guidance. Based on the guidance the Avon Public Schools will adhere to the following:

• Students will be seated one student per bench (siblings may sit together), alternating sides for each row.

• Buses accommodate 25 students • All riders and the driver are required to wear masks • Students will be assigned seats

THIS PLAN WILL BE UPDATED PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE

2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

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