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08/11/2020 12:00 AMGovernor Ned Lamont recently placed the decision on how to proceed with the school year in the hands of each district throughout the state and on Aug. 3, Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti and several administrators led a livestream presentation about the plan for the reopening for East Haven Public Schools (EHPS), with students returning to classrooms on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The Department of Public of Health (DPH) has issued indicators for risk based on the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 people per county. With fewer than 10 cases, the risk will be qualified as low, allowing in-person learning; 10 to 25 cases is moderate with schools moving to a hybrid model; and 25 or more is high, which would move schools to a full virtual model.
“The district is trying to create a model that allows us flexibility to adapt to changes in the community spread,” said Forti. “Because this is so uncertain, we have to have a plan to engage in any one of these models at any point in the school year and move in and out of the school models based on the spread in the community.”
New Haven County is currently in the low category and EHPS is currently planning to return to school full-time beginning Sept. 1. School hours will remain the same as last year unless communicated.
“The health indicators right now are suggesting a full in-person face-to-face model, but we all know that can change,” said Forti. “We’re using those health indicators to help us guide which model we may begin with.”
Opt-In to Remote Learning
While EHPS is planning for a full reopening, the district will have a remote learning option in place for families who opt to not send students back to school. The remote learning platform will be self-driven without live teaching.
In the initial survey, 25 percent of parents indicated they would opt to keep their students home. The district just sent a survey to families so they can make a choice about their plans for their students in the fall. Responses are required by Saturday, Aug. 15 so that the district can plan accordingly.
“The remote learning is going to be challenging because we just don’t have the internal capacity as a district to run a full face-to-face model for 75 percent and a full remote option,” said Forti. “The remote option is going to be more independent-based, more personalized software-based, more parents supporting their students at home accessing our curricular resources and materials.”
The district plans to host a Zoom meeting to showcase the software to be used in the remote learning option.
Forti also noted that parents can change their minds should they find the initial option isn’t working.
“We realize this is very hard for parents and families and it’s a difficult decision,” said Forti. “You can change your mind based on the health indicators. We just ask that you work with us so we can transition your kid in or out based on the decision in a seamless manner that’s not disruptive to your child’s education.”
Other Learning Plans
Should the health indicators be adjusted, EHPS has plans in place to move to either a hybrid model or a full virtual learning model.
In the hybrid model, daily in-school student attendance and transportation would be reduced to 50 percent. Students would attend school on an alternating schedule with distance learning taking place on the days they are not in school.
Parents will be notified in which group (A or B) their child is placed to adequately plan for the days their child will be reporting to school. All students would have distance learning on Mondays; Group A students will attend school Tuesday and Thursday while Group B students will attend school Wednesday and Friday.
Tools for virtual learning include Google Classroom, Realize Platform and ReadyGen reading, MyWorldInteractive Social Studies, and Elevate Science for students in grades K to 5 and Edgenuity for students in grades 6 to 12.
Full virtual learning will take place if the DPH indicates a high spread of the virus. There will be full virtual learning from home with live instruction with daily required attendance.
Safety Measures
The plan, which is available on www.east-haven.k12.ct.us under the “Re-Open East Haven Public Schools” tab, outlines steps that are being taken to safeguard staff and students. Safety protocols include social distancing, using alternative learning spaces, increasing hand-washing stations, ventilation work to improve air quality, and the expansion of outdoor classrooms by purchasing tents and improving buildings’ WiFi.
There will also be increased signage and messaging throughout all schools. Sanitation attendants have also been hired in addition to custodial staff to clean high-touch areas, clean bathrooms, and classrooms, and more.
Masks are required at all times for students and staff with mask breaks being built into schedules. The district will provide masks, though students and staff can choose to wear their own so long as they are two-ply. The district will also provide face shields to those who choose to wear one in addition to their mask.
Each student will have a folding plastic shield for his or her desk or table. The shields can be taken with students when they move throughout the day.
The principals of each school will be notifying families of each school’s specific building plan. Community forums will be hosted to share the plans and answer families’ questions pertaining to specific buildings or grade levels.
In case of contamination, the DPH and East Shore District Health Department will determine how schools move forward and the need for quarantining of a classroom, grade level, school, etc.
Transportation
For transportation, under low transmission, buses will operate at full capacity with the drive and students properly wearing a mask or face-covering, though it is recommended that parents drive their children to school when possible. Bus windows will remain open and students will be assigned seats with family members.
Under a moderate transmission status, buses will operate at a reduced capacity while maximizing health and safety protocols above in addition non-family members will be spaced six feet apart using alternating diagonal seating. Durham Transportation Company will review bus routes, monitor daily bus attendance, and collaborate with the district and the local health department to assess community health status and make decisions about adjusting transportation capacity, routes, or increased health and safety protocols.
Sanitation of buses will be in accordance with DPH guidance and all staff will be trained. Seats and high-touch or contact surfaces will be cleaned after each run in accordance with CDC guidelines. Complete cleaning and sanitation at the completion of the morning and afternoon runs and extensive cleaning will be logged and signed off on by the bus yard director daily. Any bus with a positive COVID-19 case will be removed from operation until a through sanitation is completed.
If bus monitors are able to be put in place, they will take temperatures as students enter the bus. Students with a temperature will have to return home. Bus monitors will also ensure students are wearing masks.
Other
With information constantly changing, Forti encouraged parents to be sure their contact information for phone numbers and emails are up-to-date through PowerSchool. Information will be shared via phone and email. Information will be posted to the “Re-Open East Haven Public Schools” tab.
Students should bring their school-issued Chromebook to and from school every day. Teacher assignments will be provided as soon as possible, but it will be very close to the start of school. High school students may not receive their schedules until the first day of school. There will be virtual orientations for students entering new schools and tours will occur upon arrival.
Lunch may be in the classroom where six-foot distancing is possible. Some classes may be split depending on the size of the classroom and staff available. Schools may use alternative spaces in order to maintain six-foot social distancing.
Students will still engage in specials, but it may involve specials teachers coming into classrooms versus kids traveling to classrooms. Physical education may also look different with more socially distant activities.
“This is about establishing a culture of health and safety and shared responsibility,” said Forti. “We don’t just see this as a plan, we see it as a framework of creating safe and compassionate classrooms and healthy school communities focused on these five elements: safety and health, strong relationships, academic acceleration, clear communication, and social/ emotional wellness.”