June 2, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
It’s official!
DeKalb County Schools will reopen on Monday, August 3 barring a surge in COVID-19 which would force a change in plans.
During Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting, the Board of Education voted to start school in the traditional manner with students attending in person on campus. But the board is also permitting parents who have concerns to opt for remote learning for their children due to COVID-19. Parents are asked to contact their child’s school weekdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. prior to July 22 if they want their child to participate in remote learning.
Protocols have been established and will be observed for those who come to campus to help protect the health and safety of students and school staff including temperature screenings. Masks will be provided for staff and students and while it will be highly recommended that they be worn, it is not a requirement at this time.
Three sets of scenarios and protocols have been established depending upon the severity of the pandemic (Minimum, Moderate, or Substantial) during the year.
DeKalb County Schools will reopen August 3 under the “Moderate Community Spread” framework. (CLICK PDF LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE THREE SETS OF SCENARIOS AND PROTOCOLS)
Return to School Framework (PDF)
“We have got to get back to school. We understand the challenges and concerns people will face sending their kids to school or by remote learning and we don’t have all the answers but hopefully what we are doing tonight is reaching common ground for everyone. Therefore, it is my recommendation that we start school and open the buildings up on August 3 but that we give an opportunity for parents who don’t feel comfortable to do distance learning for their children. Parents need to contact the individual schools where their children attend if this is (distance learning) something they are interested in by July 22 because it will affect the students’ class schedule. We will work with each family to try to meet their needs. We will also work with teachers to provide the resources they need as well so they can best educate our students in DeKalb County,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.
Parents and students should not expect the remote learning platforms to be quite the same as they experienced during the spring. “There will be stricter guidelines and schedules for students to follow so they can stay on task with their cohorts in the classroom,” said Cripps.
Three sets of scenarios and protocols have been established depending upon the severity of the pandemic (Minimum, Moderate, or Substantial) during the year.
DeKalb County Schools will reopen August 3 under the “Moderate Community Spread” framework with the following protocols:
Protocols for Busing and Student Transportation:
*It is highly encouraged that you provide transportation for your child if at all possible. Since buses are confined spaces and social distancing guidelines may be difficult to observe, it is highly recommended that face coverings be worn. Hand sanitizer will be available on each bus.
*Bus windows should be open when possible and the conditions allow
*Unloading of buses at school will be staggered to minimize mixing of students and temperature checks inside of the building.
*Siblings and family members sit together
*Assign seats for students
*Seats and handrails should be wiped down daily
*Bus drivers will instruct riders when it is time to unload
Class Size/Spacing Requirements:
*Arrange all desks facing the same direction toward the front of the room with as much space between them as possible.
*Arrange desks in order to practice as much social distancing as possible
*Classroom windows should be open when possible
*Assemblies and field trips are prohibited.
Movement Operations:
*Flow in hallway can be divided with either side following the same direction
*Efforts should be made to try and keep six feet of distance between persons in the hallways
*Efforts should be made to limit the number of students in the hallway by staggering dismissal
*Prohibit use of lockers and gathering in the hallway
*Teachers should stand out in the hallway with their doors open to support continued movement and traffic flow and limit touching of door hardware.
Protocols for Screening Students:
*Students are allowed to enter the building at only 1-2 sites
*Parents delivery services and or visitors are not allowed in the school building, only the front office
*Schools perform temperature checks on students once per day. Car riders’ temperatures will be taken before exiting the car. Bus riders temperatures will be taken upon exiting the bus
*Parents should check their child’s temperature at home every morning and students with a temperature of 100.4 or above should stay home.
*Parents should ask their children or monitor for any cough, congestion, or shortness of breath every morning.
*Students who fall ill at school should be placed in an area of quarantine with a surgical mask in place until picked up.
*Students who have a temperature of 100.4 or above must produce negative COVID-19 results or self-quarantine for 14 days
Protocols for Staff Arrival:
*All staff should be screened with a no touch thermometer and ask COVID-19 screening questions. Those with elevated temperatures or who fail the screening questions are asked to return home.
*Employees should wash or sanitize hands upon entering the building.
Protocols for Dining, Gathering, and Extracurricular Activities:
*Students, teachers, and cafeteria staff wash hands before and after every meal.
*If possible, classrooms should be used for eating in place
*Students may bring in food from home.
*School supplied/packaged meals may be used
*Meal times can be staggered to create seating assignments
*Disposable utensils should be used and placed on the tray by an adult
*Serving and cafeteria staff should use barrier protection, including gloves, face shields, and masks when possible
*Grab and Go meals are highly recommended for breakfast
*Alternate eating meals in the classroom and in the cafeteria for lunch
*Open selection of food such as salad bars, self-service stations should be closed or manned by an adult to avoid multiple surface touches.
Gatherings and Extracurricular Activities:
*Off site field trips are not permitted
*After school programs may continue
Protocols for Athletic Activities:
*Weight room and physical conditioning activities should only be used with proper social distancing
*Schools will consult with health officials and school sports governing bodies for current public health guidance on sports with close contact.
Cleaning Protocols:
*Routine cleaning with standard cleaning supplies
*Frequently touched surfaces, including lights, doors, benches, bathrooms, etc. should undergo cleaning more frequently.
*Libraries, computer labs, arts and other hands on classrooms should undergo standard cleaning procedures per normal operating status.
*Student desks should be wiped down at the beginning of each day
*Playground and athletic equipment can be cleaned twice daily
Plan of Action:
*When an individual in the school is showing signs or symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 the following are important elements of the plan:
*Immediately place a cloth face covering or surgical mask on the ill individual and move them to the place your school has identified as a safe place to isolate.
*Anyone assisting the individual should put on a cloth face covering. Limit the number of people who are in direct contact with the ill.
*Ensure the individual is safe and does not need emergent medical attention
*Notify the sick individual’s parent or guardian so they can be picked up from school
*Clean and disinfect areas where the ill individual has been while in the building