Ellwood City SD Offers District Reopening Plan Q&A

In a published document on the Ellwood City School District website, the school offers question and answer document for parents regarding the district’s reopening plans.  The reopening plan was posted on the school district website on July 31.

1. Concerns with hour delay in morning, why morning and not afternoon, please consider afternoon?
Lessons will be posted and the teachers will hold office hours during this time. The morning was chosen so students would have access to their work early in the
day. In addition, for students attending school, it seemed that childcare would be easier to arrange in the morning. However, due to many questions regarding the
time, we will survey our families and adjust if necessary.

2. Will all students receive Chromebooks?
All students will receive Chromebooks this will help ensure that if a total shutdown would happen the students will have the technology ready to go 3. Will option two have class recordings, parents are concerned with cyber security? All efforts will be made to not broadcast students in the classroom. The main focus will be the lesson and the teacher of the class.

4. How will teachers follow up with student assignments?
Teachers will utilize office hours to answer student questions and to provide feedback.

5. What is the plan for when someone with a positive Covid-19?
The protocol to deal with students or staff who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive is established by the
Pennsylvania Department of Health. Parents will be notified by the school district and PA Department Of Health through contact tracing protocols. A positive
COVID-19 case within a building or classroom does not immediately call for school closure.

6. Will you be replacing the elementary librarian, there are concerns with not replacing?
This concern is noted and is being shared with the school board. The administrative team will coordinate their schedules so that students continue to
have library access.

7. For Option 2 can you attend school 2 days only?
Yes , this could be an option a family selects. The expected Option Schedules are Monday, Wednesday & Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday. You can choose the option
which works best for your family. Individual needs must be coordinated with the school principal and teachers.

8. Can students bring water bottles or will students be required to provide their own bottle?
Students are permitted to bring water bottles. They will be responsible for personal cleanliness of the bottle.

9. Option 1 will plexiglass be installed around desks or just on the teacher’s desk?
Mobile plexiglass shields are being made available to all classrooms so that teachers can approach a student if they need additional assistance and still
provide a barrier for protection. There will not be a permanent barrier around each desk.

10. If a student forgets his/her mask will masks be provided?
Extra masks will be available in all buildings and offices if a student would happen to forget a mask.

11. How is the district being proactive if the state closes school again?
Efforts and investment in new technology will enhance the student’s educational experience if a school wide shut down is mandated. The flexible options are a
proactive step in planning for a possible school closure because teachers will already be providing online continuity of instruction through Option 2.

12. Can the district have a display model of the shields being used and are they being provided to every student?
We will post pictures to the Covid 19 webpage of the school website

13. What will the district do if a classroom has a large amount of students in it?
Steps are being taken to provide alternative learning environments as needed. Students can still access courses through technology in a different classroom
that is monitored by school personnel.

14. Is the district offering a mask free recess, mask breaks and library?
Mask breaks will be made available as needed for students.

15. How is the district monitoring temperature taking?
Touchless scanners have been purchased that make a rapid evaluation of temperature. Students and staff members will be monitored daily. Persons who
register a temperature higher than 99.7 will be sent to the nurse for evaluation. Remember that a temperature DOES NOT automatically mean that a person has
COVID-19.

16. Why is there not a plan yet?
The reopening plan was posted on the school district website on July 31, 2020.

17. Please provide a better description of Option 2.
Please see the school district COVID-19 webpage for additional information.

18. How is the district handling 504 plans and IEPs if doing the online option?
FAPE will continue to be provided and all IEPs and 504s will be followed even in the online format.

19. If masks are to be worn all the time, why are there staff members and students not wearing masks while in the buildings now?
If 6 feet of social distance can be maintained a mask does not need to be worn. Training is happening for all staff to ensure when members of the public enter the
building that masks and or shields are required.

20. Will temperatures be taken prior to students entering the building or prior to students entering the busses?
A temperature screening will be conducted as students enter the building. If a student has a fever they will be directed to different area within the building to be
evaluated by school nurse (contact will be made home)

21. Does a high temperature mean it’s always Covid related?
No. However, a high temperature is one symptom of COVID-19 that we can monitor closely.

22. How is the district handling contact tracing, will it be reported to all parents?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is solely responsible for completing contact tracing. When the school is notified, parents will be informed.

23. If choosing to go five days a week can Option 2 then be used when a student is sick so that they are not considered absent?
If your child is ill please contact appropriate school personnel. Option 2 can be provided for illness.

24. Can you switch between Option 1 and Option 2?
Yes, with parental notification to your child’s school building.

25. If going hybrid will there be two days of classes and 2 days of cleaning?
The Ellwood City Area School District plan calls for students to attend school five days a week in Option 1. Therefore, cleaning will be done daily.

26. When will cleaning be done?
Individual classroom cleaning will be accomplished when students are not in the classroom and deep cleaning will occur daily after school hours.

27. If choosing Option 2 can tests be taken at home?
Each teacher will provide their own assessment schedule. However, it is desired that assessments occur on days when the student is physically in attendance.

28. Students shouldn’t be required to wipe down desks.
Cleanliness is the responsibility of everyone in the school and essential to stopping the spread of the virus. No student would be asked to do anything more
than wipe the top of their desk with a Clorox wipe.

29. Option 2 do you need to pick a set amount of days?
We would prefer that specific days are selected and maintained as much as possible – Either two days a week (Tuesday/Thursday) or three days per week
(Monday/Wednesday/Friday) However, if you have special circumstances, please contact your building administrator.

30. Are all students being sent home if sick and how is the district handling that?
All students who are ill will be sent home. Protocols will be posted on the district’s COVID-19 website so parents can made aware of how this will happen.
These protocols are established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We recognize that not every sick student has COVID-19, but we must act with an
abundance of caution.

31. Can you participate in athletics on Option 2 and Option 3?
Students selecting options 2 or 3 have full access to all programs and athletics offered by the Ellwood City Area School District.

32. Can we go from Option 1 to Option 2 and the reverse back from Option 2 to Option 1?
Yes, the district just asks that this is scheduled in advance to ensure the classroom teachers can be prepared for the student’s enrollment.

33. How will social distancing be practiced on the bus?
We encourage students to use other transportation if possible. The district will also provide busing for the students. However, we cannot guarantee social
distancing on the buses. Masks are required on the buses for this reason.

34. For Option 2 how and when will supplies be handed out, will all students need to attend on day 1?
Students will be scheduled by grade level to pick up technology and any other supplies needed to begin the school year.

35. Will the district be having Kindergarten Orientation? Will there be a walk-through for parents ahead of time? Will Schools have move-up/transition days?
All specific building and grade-level information will come from the building principal. Every effort will be made to maintain important events although they
may be modified this year.

36. For Option 3 can students easily transition back to Option 1 or 2 after 9 weeks?
Students can be easily transitioned via a phone call very quickly into either option 1 or 2. All attempts will be made to ensure teachers are aligning curriculum to
keep pace with the actual classroom.

37. If masks continue to be mandatory how is that being enforced?
CDC mandates will be followed and school personnel will enforce with progressive discipline. We must all share in the responsibility to keep everyone safe from the spread of the virus.

38. Can classes be live streamed?
classroom lessons will be recorded and posted by your son or daughters teacher. Not all lesson recordings will be of teacher lectures – many will be recordings of
presentations and demonstrations.

39. Please clarify Option 2, is it an A/B day or do parents choose each week?
Parents will be asked to set days they want their child to attend. We ask that you choose either two days per week (Tuesday/Thursday) or three days per week
(Monday/Wednesday/Friday).

40. Will all Options be asynchronous?
Option 1 is live, Option 2 has synchronous and asynchronous components, Option 3 is asynchronous and self paced.

41. How is the district handling hallway control?
Hallway and traffic control are being designed by building principals to minimize student contact.

42. What provider will conduct the Option 3?
Edgenuity will be the provider. District cyber teachers will provide the instruction.

43. Are teachers comfortable with the measures being taken?
All necessary precautions are being taken by the district to ensure the safety of students and staff.

44. Will there still be parent participation, ex. PTO, Class Parties, Volunteer Opportunities?
Parent participation will be based on guidance being provided by the state in terms of social gathering. However, visitors will be greatly limited.

45. Can parents provide hand sanitizer?
Yes. Parents may send individual hand sanitizer for use by their child throughout the school day.

46. Can students wear face shields instead of masks?
Yes

47. Will classes be shortened due to the daily hour delay?
Schedules will be modified to allow for the daily delay schedule while providing equity for instruction.

48. Will teachers be responsible for cleaning their rooms?
Cleanliness is the responsibility of everyone in the school. Our custodial staff will continue to clean and sanitize daily.

49. How is food service going to operate?
Food service will operate according to CDC guidelines.

50. Will backpacks be allowed this year?
Individual school modifications will be determined by the building administrators.

51. Pearson online text, can you order a full set?
See Mr. Sovich for any orders needed. However, online texts should be used as much as possible.

52. Will Option 2 be similar to the instruction in May or more virtual?
Students will have more access to teachers and online lessons in this format than they did in the spring.

53. For Option 3 will advanced classes be offered?
Advanced classes will be made available and have been purchased.

54. How will choir be run?
The Choir teacher has safety plans including the use of face shields during class.

55. How are IEPs being handled in each option?
All IEPs and 504 Plans will be followed as written. No changes will be made to an IEP or 504 Plan without holding the required meeting with the team.

56. If a student or staff member has a medical condition, what is being done?
Cases will be reviewed on an individual basis and appropriate accommodations will be made as needed to best meet the needs of the individual.

57. If a student or staff member has a medical condition to not wear a mask will proof be required?
If a parent has a medical excuse it would be submitted to the main office and staff would be made aware.

58. Will Chromebooks be used in class for Option 1 and Option 2?
Chromebooks will be used by students in all 3 phases of operation

59. For Option 2 has a curriculum been purchased?
Curriculum for Option 2 is based on the current school curriculum. Option 3 will utilize Edgenuity.

60. For Option 2 what will the due dates be for assignments?
Due dates for option 2 will be set by the classroom instructor.

61. How is the district handling shop classes and physical education classes?
Shop and PE courses will still operate while following safety guidelines.

62. Are the number of absences allowed going to change due to Covid?
District attendance policy will remain. Students absent due to COVID-19 illness or quarantine will be excused as medical.

63. Will the district be hiring more cleaning staff?
The district hired additional staff to continually clean high touch areas.

64. Will there be a set time to log on each day for Option 1 and Option 2?
Yes, the students will have access to office hours for options 2 and 3 plus be able to access recorded teacher lessons and online lessons as much as needed.

65. Is band still being offered and if so how is that being handled?
Yes, band has completed the required safety plan that has been submitted the plan to the board. The safety plan must be followed.

66. Will the grading system be the same as it was in the Spring?
Grading will be based upon the standard grading policy in the handbook.

67. ECAVA will it be the same as Option 2?
ECAVA is a totally online option; it is not the same as Option 2. We have run this program in the district since 2008.

68. What is the district’s plan on returning to brick and mortar if the state opens up?
The District is prepared and planning on offering instruction 5 days per week as soon as permitted. Increased emphasis will remain on deep cleaning and
following all CDC guidelines.

69. How is the district handing sick kids that are not Covid related?
Students will be evaluated by school nurses as typical. Students who stay home due to non COVID-19 will be allowed to return with an excuse. Please do not send
your child to school if they are ill.

70. Will there be a truancy policy?
The district is required to follow all truancy laws. Each individual who experiences excessive absenteeism will be evaluated on a case by case basis to
consider individual circumstances.

71. For Option 3 what will the assignment due dates be?
Assignments are set by the individual cyber teacher they will follow the school year calendar

72. Are the bottle filling stations foot controlled?
Bottles are filled via a sensor when placed on the station no contact is required.

73. How is the district trying to create some normalcy for these kids?
The district is creating a safe and effective learning environment. The expectation is to provide a “normal” learning experience for our students.

74. Why is it the parent’s decision to choose an option?
Parents have to determine what best suits individual family needs. The district is providing flexibility but needs to know which option will be required for scheduling purposes