Wallace County Schools Reopening Plan 2021-2022
Reopening Plan
DRAFT - Until approved by the BOE
USD 241 Wallace County Schools
Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
Public Hearing is 7/12/21, 6:25 pm, BOE Conference Room
PART I.
Describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:
(A) Universal and correct wearing of masks.
All people shall be allowed to wear a face mask, if they choose. Wallace County Schools will provide a face mask to any student or staff member that wishes to have one. Please contact the office if you do not have a facemask but would like one.
(B) Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).
Preschool is a pod, K-2 is a pod, 3-5 is a pod, 6-8 is a pod, and 9-12 is a pod. Pods/cohorts may be separated from other pods based on COVID cases. Students may be further split into smaller pods or spaced out in classrooms, if needed.
(C) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
Students will be instructed how to wash hands. Please stay home if you have a temperature or are sick. Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Disinfect hands after using a Kleenex. Signs about hygiene and COVID will be posted in bathrooms. Staff will be trained on COVID symptoms to watch for.
(D) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.
All desks, lockers, and workspaces will be disinfected on a rotating schedule by custodial staff. Students will also be encouraged to wipe down their own workspaces and equipment. 6-12th grade students will be issued their own Chromebook or laptop to limit sharing. Teachers may choose to take their classes outside or open windows, as needed.
(E) Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.
The local health department is in charge of issuing health quarantines and collaborating with the state health department, if needed, to conduct contact-tracing. The school will send students we deem sick home to their parents or guardians. Students with a temperature must remain out of school for 24 hours once their temperature breaks.
(F) Diagnostic and screening testing.
Parents and students may obtain diagnostic and screening testing from the Wallace County Health Department or their medical provider of choice.
(G) Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.
The school worked with Wallace County Public Health to provide staff vaccinations at the school in the Spring of 2021 for staff members that wished to be vaccinated. For further vaccinations, students, staff, and community members may call Wallace County Public Health to set up an appointment to be vaccinated.
(H) Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.
If parents have specific concerns regarding their child with a disability, please contact the superintendent. We will work with you on a case-by-case basis to set up a Section 504 Health Plan to address any health and safety needs of your specific child.
(I) Coordination with State and local health officials.
The local public health officer, school nurse, and school administration have worked closely throughout this entire pandemic to ensure our students’ safety. State or local health officials may contact the superintendent for further coordination.
Part II.
Describe how the district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:
(A) Services to address students' academic needs
We believe the best way for our students to learn is through in-person learning in our classrooms with our teachers. We plan to offer in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year. Students may get additional help from teachers from 7:40-7:55 and from 3:30-4:00 Monday-Friday. We also offer Title 1 services, Student INtervention Team SIT meetings, and special education, as needed.
(B) Students' and staff social, emotional, mental health
Our students’ and staff’s social, emotional, and mental health is vitally important. We offer many supports for our students and staff, including professional development, Project EVERS supports, NKESC psychologists, whole school social-emotional focus days, embedded social-emotional in-classroom supports, and a career advocate. Please see the superintendent if you are worried about your child’s mental health, and we can provide you contact information to mental health providers.
(C) Other needs, which may include student health and food services.
Wallace County Schools offers breakfasts and lunches to our students and staff. If a student is in remote learning, they may contact the office to set up a pick-up time and location to come get the offered meals. Student seating in classrooms and lunchrooms may be assigned, if deemed necessary.
