South Orangetown Central School District

2020 Reopening Plan

Table of Contents

PLAN UPDATES

REMOTE LEARNING PLAN

TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING PLAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

TIMELINE

GOVERNANCE AND ACTION ITEMS

COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Communications Strategy and Plan
Engagement and Training

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Considerations of Reopening
Health Checks
Healthy Hygiene Practices
Social Distancing
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Cloth Face Coverings
Management of Ill Persons
Cleaning and Disinfection
Safety Drills
Health & Safety Training
Accommodations

FACILITIES
Considerations for Reopening
Space Utilization – Health & Safety Assurance
Fire Code Compliance
Lead Testing
Ventilation
Additional Resources

CHILD NUTRITION
Considerations for Reopening
Safety and Sanitation
Food Service Staff Training
Meal Service
Hand Hygiene
Social Distancing
Additional Resources

TRANSPORTATION
Considerations for Reopening
School Bus Requirements & Considerations
School Bus Staff Requirements
Students on Transportation Requirements & Considerations
Student Loading and Unloading
Pupil Transportation Routing Requirements & Considerations
Additional Resources

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Considerations for Reopening
Comprehensive Developmental Counseling
Mental Health and Trauma Responsive Practices
Additional Resources

SCHOOL SCHEDULES
Considerations for Reopening
Scheduling Options

ATTENDANCE AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
Attendance for Instructional Purposes
Attendance Considerations
Attendance for Reporting & State Aid Purposes
Chronic Absenteeism
Educational Neglect
Additional Resources

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY
Considerations for Reopening
Access to Computing Devices
Access to Internet Broadband
Professional Development and Training
Additional Resources

TEACHING AND LEARNING
Considerations for Reopening
Early Education and Learning
Continuity of Learning Plan
Collaboration, Grading, and Assessment
Interscholastic Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Career and Technical Education
English Language Learners/World Languages
Professional Development
Additional Resources

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Considerations for Reopening
Special Education Program and Services
Medically Fragile Students
IEP Implementation and Processes
Documentation Requirements
Additional Resources

STAFFING, EVALUATION, AND CERTIFICATION

APPENDIX: RESOURCES AND SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

UPDATE: The New York State Department of Health, in collaboration with the New York State Education Department, released the NYS DOH Pre-K to Gr. 12 COVID-19 Toolkit (10/1/20). Please refer to this document for information regarding COVID-19 decision-making for families, staff and school district officials.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The SOCSD school closure back in March due to the COVID-19 crisis resulted in a systematic review of how teaching and learning could be delivered in a remote and/or hybrid model versus an in-person traditional model of instruction. SOCSD’s District Reopening Task Force and subcommittees have been meeting regularly since mid-June to map out reopening concepts and logistics for the potential re-opening of schools in the fall. The South Orangetown Central School District administrators, educators, health and safety experts, mental health clinicians, transportation planners, communications staff also joined the County-Wide Reopening Work Group convened by Rockland BOCES to plan for the reopening of Rockland County schools, in the wake of the state-mandated school closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which began on March 18 and remained in effect through the end of the 2019-20 school year.

On June 17, the District launched its own Reopening Task Force and subcommittees to focus on reopening planning and logistics specific to South Orangetown schools for the 2020-21 school year. Subcommittees were chaired by District Leaders to cover the following topic areas: Curriculum and Instruction, School Health and Safety, Pupil Personnel Services, Facilities, Food Service, Transportation, Technology, Staff Relations, Athletics and Communications.

The SOCSD administrative team and subcommittees carefully reviewed guidance documents from the Department of Health and the New York State Education Department, as models of student instruction and learning were developed, whether instruction occurs in person, remotely, or some combination of both for the 2020-2021 school year. The SOCSD Reopening Plan specifically outlines the essential elements that were required to be included in our plan, as well as best practices for moving forward.

As we assessed our distance learning survey results, operated our summer virtual STEAM Camp, and engaged in planning for school opening in the fall, there were lessons learned and new insights developed. Our Reopening plan was developed in the context of a new paradigm shift that requires adaptive and creative change, while being prepared to pivot and adjust to the dynamics associated with the COVID pandemic. The SOCSD Administrative Team remained committed to addressing the unique needs of our SOCSD students and families, regardless of what the learning environment will look like.

Lessons Learned – Global Perspective

The everyday challenges to providing remote learning, meal distribution, and childcare were daunting for NYS school districts. However, the crisis demonstrated a considerable capacity for innovation. As traditional schedules and instruction abruptly stopped, districts found ways to reach students and provide instruction in ways that were innovative. It will be important as we think about reopening schools that we incorporate what we have learned during this pandemic into our reopening plans.

Information on lessons learned has been collected from school districts and the following are some of the most frequently heard comments on what we have learned since the March shutdown of New York State schools.

  • Many of the lessons learned showed how responsive the educational system was during the first few weeks of school closures. However, over time a consensus emerged that the educational organization needed to be more flexible. Organizational constraints, restrictive pre-COVID-19 regulatory and statutory requirements, and lack of sufficient resources became high hurdles.
  • Staff learned to communicate with students and families differently and in many instances more effectively. The pandemic in some ways created a sense that everyone was involved with the crisis in one way or another. There was a need to continually reach out to families, which provided a better sense of family dynamics and needs.
  • Support staff is a critical part of the educational infrastructure. We plan to continue to utilize and leverage our support staff in the reopening of schools.
  • There is a critical need to continue to use online programs and applications more effectively. We have been working throughout the summer to develop a comprehensive SOCSD Hybrid Learning Plan, which includes continued extensive professional development for teachers, students, and parents.
  • Our technology departments and teams became technical support centers to families and other stakeholders. Some of their responsibilities turned from in-building responsibilities to distribution and maintenance of devices and technical support to ensure that devices were working for students and families.
  • We learned that vulnerable student populations became even more vulnerable during distance learning. Students in special education, ELL students, and students with mental health needs in many instances did not have the same educational experience during school closure as did students needing less support navigating an all online environment. Increasing individualized instruction, academic intervention, various therapies, and one-to-one engagement continue to be a priority moving forward.
  • Attending to the social-emotional needs of students and families was of paramount importance and will continue to be a priority.
  • Creating relationships was crucial during the shutdown period. Newly forged relationships between staff in different school buildings and grade levels and between teachers, students, and parents became critical for ensuring that students remained connected. SOCSD is taking steps to ensure that students have the opportunity to successfully articulate to new grades and schools.