Re-Opening Plan 20-21

Reopening Schools Plan

“Reopen, Restart, and Return to Learn”

Board Approved: June 24, 2020

Message from the Superintendent

Like all school districts in the nation, Holly Springs School District is developing a plan to reopen and restart our schools.

Considerations for reopening the schools included the following:

Maintaining the safety of students and staff as it relates to the coronavirus
Providing instructional support to ensure students continue to learn to prevent major learning gaps
Providing social and emotional supports that many of our students receive at school
Continuing to support our parents so that that they will not have to take on the burden of educating our students during these difficult times

On June 25, 2020, the Holly Springs School Board approved a Hybrid Model for the beginning of the school year as part of a reopening plan. A Hybrid model is where students come to school to receive face-to-face instruction some days during the week and participate in virtual instruction from home the other days. For example, Kindergarten and 2^nd Grade may come to school on Monday and Wednesday and complete virtual instruction from home the other days of the week. For parents who do not feel comfortable sending their child to school, an Enhanced Virtual Learning Model will be given.

This model is only being recommended for the beginning of the school year. The district will evaluate the plan after the first two months of school. The District would like to emphasize that this is an evolving situation and the district will take whatever steps that are in the best interest of our students and staff. If the Governor, Legislature, Center for Disease Control or Local Health Agency recommend full virtual instruction, the district will follow the recommendation.

Some of the most important reasons for choosing the Hybrid Model include the following:

The Hybrid Model will allow for a reduced number of students in a classroom as well as allow for screening, social distancing and other guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control.
The Hybrid Model will allow school staff to better clean and sanitize buildings, buses, and other areas.
The Hybrid Model will allow students to receive face-to-face instruction from teachers in order to master grade-level information which will be critical to their success in the future.
The Hybrid Model will allow students to receive social and emotional support while at school.
The Hybrid Model will assist parents with support in the educational process.

Parent meetings will be scheduled the week of July 20, 2020 to provide more details and allow parents to ask specific questions. If you have questions related to this comprehensive plan, please do not hesitate to contact me at 662.252.2183.

Irene Walton Turnage, Superintendent

A Culture of Safety

The district will encourage a culture of safety by completing the follow activities recommended by the Mississippi Department of Health:

Maintaining Healthy Operations:

Use Hybrid Model for reopening to allow students to be in small groups and stay together
Stagger schedules
When possible, provide virtual group events, gatherings, meetings and fieldtrips
Support coping and resilience with students, staff and families

Maintaining Healthy Environments:

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces including buses, classrooms, bathrooms, and other areas.
Provide alternatives to highly used units like water fountains
Provide reusable face coverings, sanitizer dispensers, and sanitizer stations
Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect
Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible
Modify layouts of desks/seating
Provide guidance and training on social distancing
Consider closing or reorganizing communal spaces for safety
Consider alternative options for food service like Grab-and-Go and delivering meals to the classroom

Promoting Healthy Behaviors:

Educate staff, students, and families about safety including prevention measures and when to stay home
Teach and reinforce healthy hygiene, like frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes
Ensure adequate supplies to ensure healthy hygiene behaviors
Teach and reinforce the use of cloth face coverings
Post signs and make announcements that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs

Regular Cleaning of Buildings and Buses

Buses, buildings and highly touched surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly throughout the day

Sharing objects will be limited as much as possible

Safety signage will be placed throughout the buildings to help with safety and help students understand if they have symptoms

Restricted Visitation

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and its impact, only essential staff will be allowed to enter school buildings unless an extreme situation exist.

Daily Temperature Checks and Simple Screenings

Temperature checks will be completed either upon students loading the school bus or before entering the school building.
Students with temperatures of 100 degrees or above will be asked to return home.
Parents are asked to complete a temperature check for their children each day as well complete simple screening. Students should not come to school if they have a temperature of 100 or above or any symptoms associated with COVID-19. Parents should notify the school immediately.

Face Coverings

Face coverings will be required upon entering and during the time spent on the bus, when entering the buildings, and in any area where social distancing is difficult. Students will be able to pull the mask down below the chin when not in use.

Teaching and Maintaining a Culture of Safety

Ongoing training and implementation will be completed with students and staff to teach and reinforce healthy hygiene, like frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, use of face coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting.

Holly Springs School District Hybrid Model Protocols

Parent Support and Daily Screenings	Parents should check student’s temperature and complete the screening process each morning before school. Any of the following should result in the student staying home from school: Fever over 100 degrees or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; sore throat; new loss of taste or smell; congestion or runny nose; diarrhea; and/or nausea or vomiting Parents should report if students are exhibiting symptoms, have a confirmed case of COVID-19, or has someone in the household that has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Support the school by helping to ensure all guidelines are followed to keep students safe Maintain a contingency plan in case schools have to close
Transportation Protocols	Parents are encouraged to bring students when possible Students will be required to wear a mask if they ride the school bus Buses will be sanitized between routes A seating system will be completed to maintain distance between students Siblings will be asked to sit together on the same seat to allow more social distancing opportunities
Facility Protocols	All buildings will receive a deep cleaning before the return of students and staff and will be cleaned on a regular schedule Safety information will be taught to students and staff Safety signage will be placed throughout buildings to help with safety and help students understand if they have symptoms
Operational Protocols	Students will be required to come to school a minimum of two days a week Virtual events, meetings, gatherings, and fieldtrips will take place when possible Students will hear announcements and receive training on hygiene safety via the intercom and virtual platform The use of shared objects will be limited Students will stay in the same cohort to limit possible transmission
Health and Hygiene Protocols	Students will be asked to wear a mask if they ride the school bus and when in places where social distancing is not possible. Once students are in the classroom, students can pull masks below the chin or possibly take off when they are not in crowded places, closed spaces, or in close contact with others Students will have their own designated Chromebook and will not have to share with other students. If students do have to share, the Chromebook will be cleaned after each use. An isolation area will be designated for students exhibiting symptoms while they wait on their parents
Child Nutrition/Food Service Protocols	Cafeteria surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized daily Student breakfasts will be available to take to the classroom, or “Grab and Go” Student lunches will either be delivered or students will pick up lunches to take back to the classroom Signage will be completed to determine the best movement patterns for students to avoid crossover Only essential staff will be allowed in the cafeteria area for safety

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Guidelines

When a student or staff member has a confirmed case of COVID-19, the following steps will be taken:

The student or staff will be quarantined until he/she can be picked up by a parent or relative
The school will notify the parents and Mississippi Department of Health
The school will identify close contacts for contact tracing
The school will send student or staff and all close contacts home for 14 days or recommended days
The school will complete an environmental cleaning of affected areas
The school will arrange for an educational plan for absent student(s)

Return to School Guidelines:

3 days with no fever and
Respiratory symptoms have improved (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) and
10 days or recommended days since symptoms first appeared and
Note from Healthcare officials stating student or staff can return to school or work. Return date must be included.

In the event of an outbreak (3 or more cases within any group, class or team):

The school will notify Mississippi Department of Health
All group members should be quarantined for 14 days or recommended days

Closure of School Building (or School) if necessary
Re-opening – Minimum 14 days or when appropriate

Academics and Grading

Students will be required to master all grade level curriculum. Students will be required to master essential standards and all promotion goals as outlined by the district.

Hybrid Model:

The Hybrid Model will consist of students coming to school for face-to-face instruction a minimum of two days a week. Independent practice will be complete on the other days. Fridays will be used for small group instruction and make-up work. A schedule is provided at the end of this plan to outline the days students will have face-to-face instruction.

Enhanced Virtual Learning Option:

Parents who have students with underlying health issues that may be impacted by COVID-19 or who do not want to send their child to soon at this time will have the option of letting their child complete an enhanced virtual learning model which will involve completing virtual learning activities every day. Students who participate in full virtual learning will be required sign in for classes; master the same standards; and complete all assignments. Please see information related to Holly Springs School District’s Enhanced Virtual Learning Model included in this document.

Graduation, Promotion and Testing:

The district will follow graduation requirements in the student handbook aligned to district policy and guidelines outlined by the Mississippi Department of Education. All students will be required to come to school for all major district and state tests.

Attendance:

Students must attend school on days scheduled and complete all virtual learning activities assigned in order to receive credit for attendance, receive a grade or credit, and meet the promotion requirement in district policy.

Changing Options:

Parents will be able to change options one time either from the Enhanced Virtual Model to Hybrid Model or from the Hybrid Model to the Enhanced Virtual Model.

Sports and Other Activities:

Information related to sports and other extracurricular will follow all guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC); Mississippi High School Athletic Association and Holly Springs School District policies and procedures. More information will be shared with parents at the beginning of the school year.

HSSD Enhanced Virtual Learning Model

Please notify your child’s school by July 27, 2020 if your child will participate in the school’s enhanced virtual learning program using the survey that will be sent to all parents on July 22, 2020 using the district email. system.

Program Description:

Students participating in the virtual learning program will participate in the same academic calendar as students participating in the Hybrid Model.
Students participating in the virtual learning program will be required to master all grade level curriculum and standards required for promotion.
Students participating in the virtual learning program will need internet access in order to participate in the district’s learning management system.
Students participating in the virtual learning program will have attendance taken every day in accordance with required attendance guidelines.
The virtual learning program will consist of rigorous grade level instruction needed for students to master grade level instruction.
Some elective courses may not be offered to students participating in the virtual learning program.
Students participating in the virtual learning program will still be required to take all district and state tests.
Students participating in the virtual learning program will have to come to the school to take all tests.

Grading Requirements:

All Holly Springs School District’s Grading Policies outlined in the student handbook will apply to the virtual learning.
Other Related Information:
Meals will be available for students participating in the Virtual Learning Program. Please let the school staff know when registering your child for the enhanced virtual learning program if lunches deliveries will be needed.

Note: While virtual learning is an option for students, it is not equitable to the traditional classroom setting.
Holly Springs School District
Hybrid Model Schedule for All Schools
Please Note: August 6- September 4, 2020 will be virtual in order to ensure students can access virtual classrooms; access to the learning management system; and have needed supplies for safety. The full schedule will begin September 8, 2020.
Holly Springs Primary:
Monday and Wednesdays – Pre-K, Kindergarten and 2^nd
Tuesdays and Thursdays and August 7, 2020 – 1^st and 3^rd
Fridays – Small Group Remediation and Make-up Work
Holly Springs Intermediate:
Monday and Wednesdays – 4^th Grade
Tuesdays and Thursdays and August 7, 2020– 5^th and 6^th Grades
Fridays – Small Group Remediation and Make-up Work
Holly Springs Junior High:
Monday and Wednesdays – 7^th Grade
Tuesdays and Thursdays and August 7, 2020 – 8^th Grade
Fridays – Small Group Remediation and Make-up Work
Holly Springs High School:
Monday and Wednesdays – 9^th and 11^th Grades
Tuesdays and Thursdays and August 7, 2020– 10^th and 12^th Grades
Fridays – Small Group Remediation and Make-up Work

Parents will be notified if students need to come on Fridays. Otherwise Friday’s instruction will be virtual.

Communication System for Comprehensive Reopening Plan

Communication and updates related to HSSD Comprehensive Reopening Plan will be completed using the following:

o The District Website: hssdk12.org

o The District Facebook Page

o The District Callout/Email/Text System

o Local Radio Stations

o Local Newspaper Updates

Questions and Comments

Please direct all questions and comments to the following persons:

Irene Walton Turn age, Superintendent

Phone: 662.252.2183

Email: iwalton@hssdk12.org

Eileen Dowsing, Assistant Superintendent

Phone: 662.252.2183

Email: edowsing@hssdk12.org

Reopening Plans for 2020-2021