HEALTH AND SAFETY
WILL THE SCHOOL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER AND DISINFECTANT WIPES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO USE IN THE CLASSROOM
Yes, the district will provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for classrooms. While faculty, staff, and students can use hand sanitizer, only faculty and staff may use disinfectant wipes.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN A STAFF MEMBER OR STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
The district will follow a New York State prescribed cleaning regiment and follow the symptom and positive COVID-19 decision trees.
HOW WILL WE COMMUNICATE POSITIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN THE EVENT SCHOOLS ARE REOPENED?
The district will work with the state and local health departments to communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure. This communication with the school community will align with the communication plan in the school’s emergency operations plan. In such a circumstance, it is critical to maintaining the confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
IF A CHILD IS EXPOSED TO COVID-19, WILL THE PARENT BE CALLED FIRST, BEFORE THE SCHOOL SPEAKS TO THE CHILD?
If possible, the district will always communicate first with a parent or guardian.
IF AN ART, MUSIC OR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER BECOMES ILL, WOULD EVERY CLASS THEY WERE EXPOSED TO HAVE TO STAY HOME AND QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS?
No, only students with close or proximate contact with the teacher that tests positive for COVID-19 would need to quarantine. The district’s reopening plan includes measures to limit close or proximate contact.
WHAT WILL BE THE EXPECTATION IF MY CHILD FEELS SICK (COLD/FLU) UNWELL? DO THEY NEED TO BE KEPT AT HOME DURING THE DAYS THEY WOULD HAVE IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION?
Yes, any student that displays symptoms of COVID-19 would be expected to stay home. Please reference the COVID-19 symptoms decision tree for more information.
WHAT IF A STUDENT FEELS SICK AFTER ARRIVING AT SCHOOL?
A student that feels ill and present symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to the district isolation room until they can be picked up by a parent or guardian.
WILL THE DISTRICT REQUIRE FLU SHOTS FOR ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS?
No, the district will not require flu shots for all teachers and students. The list of New York State mandatory vaccinations can be found here.
HOW WILL THE DISTRICT MAKE SURE ENOUGH SOAP WILL BE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS FOR HANDWASHING?
The district has already started to order supplies needed for the next school year. Students will be instructed to report back to classroom teachers if soap is needed in a bathroom. Custodial staff will be checking all bathrooms periodically throughout the day as well.
WHAT KIND OF HAND-WASHING PROTOCOLS ARE YOU IMPLEMENTING AND HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED REGULARLY AND EFFECTIVELY?
Grade PK-3 will have regularly scheduled hand washing on the hour. Grades 4-12 will be required to use hand sanitizer whenever entering or excited the classroom.
WILL YOU REQUIRE COVID-19 TESTING OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL? HOW OFTEN?
At this time, the district will not require COVID-19 testing of children, families, or staff before returning to school.
NOT EVERYONE WITH COVID-19 GETS A TEMPERATURE. WHAT OTHER MEASURE WILL YOU TAKE TO MONITOR STUDENTS/STAFF?
Students and staff will be encouraged and reminded regularly to be on the lookout for all COVID-19 symptoms, not just a high temperature.
WILL YOU ENFORCE FACE COVERINGS, SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND TEMPERATURE CHECKS?
As all of the above mentioned are mandatory aspects of our reopening plan, any non-compliance will be treated as insubordination and subject to discipline as outlined in the student handbook.
IF THE DISTRICT IMPLEMENTS THE HYBRID MODEL, WILL STUDENTS GET THEIR TEMPERATURE CHECKED AS THEY ARRIVE AT SCHOOL OR GET ON THE BUS?
Students will either have their temperature checked as they get on the bus or arrive at school. A student that rides the bus will not have to have their temperature checked again before entering the building.
WILL THERE BE A SPECIFIC TYPE OF FACE-COVERING REQUIRED FOR TEACHERS?
Yes, cloth face coverings that cover both the nose and mouth are required.
IS THE DISTRICT PLANNING TO INVEST IN PLEXIGLASS FOR RECEPTION AREAS OF SCHOOLS AND NURSES' SUPPLIES OR TENTS FOR SCHOOLS?
Yes, the district will be investing in polycarbonate dividers for offices, the cafeteria, and one-on-one workspaces in classrooms. Also, the district will be purchasing outdoor tables and renting tents for outdoor classes.
HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THE YOUNGEST STUDENTS SOCIAL DISTANCE?
The district’s youngest students will have both socially distanced seating and areas that they are required to wear masks in the classrooms. One of the cornerstones of early education is interactions with peers. In order to do this safely, masks will need to be worn at certain times in the classroom.
WHAT WILL THE DISTRICT DO IF A STUDENT REFUSES TO WEAR A MASK?
A student refusing to wear a mask will be deemed insubordinate and subject to discipline as outlined in the student handbook.
WILL STUDENTS BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE “MASK-FREE” TIME?
By using social distancing wherever possible, it is the district’s goal to limit the time a student has to wear a mask daily.