5.02 RETURN TO LEARNING UPDATE Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN Sycamore School District has developed a Return to School plan for the 2020 – 2021 ● school year. Following our Strategic Design, this plan was developed in collaboration with ● administrative staff, teachers, union leadership, the Regional Office of Education, as well as survey feedback from parents, teachers, and students. The plan follows the most current guidelines provided by the Illinois State Board of ● Education, the CDC, IDPH, and the DeKalb County Health department. Under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, in addition to the requirement of face ● masks, the guidelines recommend maintaining 6 ft. of social distancing while in schools. State officials indicated that districts will need to be creative with schedules in order to ● meet social distancing guidelines. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN After reviewing the physical spaces in our schools, it became clear we needed to alter ● schedules to reduce class sizes. Based on the current guidance, Sycamore School District is recommending the ● implementation of a hybrid learning approach to instruction when students return to school on August 19th. This plan was developed to meet the guidelines released June 23, 2020 by the Illinois ● Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education. This plan is subject to change as formal guidance or mandates are issued or updated ● by the proper authorities, and as the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic evolve. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - HYBRID LEARNING MODEL Sycamore School District has developed a blended learning model which places ● student and staff safety as our top priority. The intent of this hybrid model is to provide students with the opportunity for in person ● instruction while maintaining CDC and IDPH guidelines for physical distancing. The A/B student attendance day schedule reduces the number of students in the ● building and makes it easier to apply physical distancing throughout each aspect of the student’s school day. This can reduce the risk of an increase in the spread of COVID-19 to students and ● adults throughout the community. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - HYBRID LEARNING MODEL Students will follow an A/B style schedule Monday through Thursday. ● Students on the A schedule will attend school in person on Mondays and Wednesdays. ○ Students on the B schedule will attend in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. ○ Fridays will be an alternating weekly A/B schedule. ● Students will still be participating in independent learning as provided by their teacher on ● days when they are not in person. This will include special education inclusion students. Grades will be assigned and attendance will be taken. ● Families will be assigned the same schedule to the greatest extent possible for student ● continuity across schools. We anticipate a 1:30 dismissal on in person learning days but this is subject to change ● based on transportation needs. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - HYBRID LEARNING MODEL Sample Two Week In Person Learning Schedule In Person Learning Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday (Alternating) Week 1 Group A Group A Group A Group B Group B Week 2 Group A Group A Group B Group B Group B Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - HYBRID LEARNING MODEL The District understands the impact that COVID-19 has had on our most vulnerable ● student population. As a result, to address the various unique challenges the hybrid model creates, ● students who are attending school in self-contained classrooms will be attending in person Monday through Friday to the greatest extent possible. Students in the district Early Childhood program will attend in person Monday through ● Thursday following their half day a.m. or p.m. schedule. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - Virtual Learning Option Families will have the option of choosing a full virtual learning schedule. ● Any family that chooses to enroll in the all virtual learning option will do so for nine (9) ● weeks. Families will be allowed to change to the hybrid learning option at the end of the nine ● (9) week period or continue virtual learning for an additional nine (9) weeks. Every effort will be made to ensure remote learners have a reliable internet connection, ● including providing access to mobile hotspots as available. Grades will be assigned and attendance will be taken. ● The district will be sharing the process and timeline for choosing this option. ● Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN - Social and Emotional Learning Social and emotional learning (SEL) supports will be provided for our students and ● staff. A process to identify students and staff who may be experiencing stress or trauma ● related to COVID-19 will be developed. We will continue to implement our district SEL curriculum with the addition of an ● intentional focus on student’s emotional health which may have been impacted by COVID-19. Other SEL supports will be developed to add supports to our students as needed. ● Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Each school has their own physical distancing plans for getting around the halls in their building keeping 6’ feet in hallways as best they can and staying to the right when walking down hallways. Each room will be set up to keep students as close to 6’ as rooms allow. Face coverings for all students and staff will be required as specified by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. This requirement is subject to change as these guidelines evolve. The District will create a face mask policy that reflects these guidelines. Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Emphasis will be placed on high touch surfaces and common areas. Restrooms, cafeterias, and other common areas will be cleaned throughout the day. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
SAFETY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS Students will be receiving grade level appropriate education and guidance for proper physical distancing, the use of PPE (face coverings) and proper hand hygiene during the first two (2) weeks of school. The District’s Health Services staff will develop a plan for providing our students with building specific safety measures to follow and why these measures are important. Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
ISBE GUIDANCE Music-Related Courses - Music related education will follow the most current IDPH/ISBE guidelines for student and staff safety measures. Physical Education, Gymnasiums, and Locker Rooms - Physical education will follow the most current IDPH/ISBE guidelines for student and staff safety measures. Driver’s Education Behind-the-Wheel - In order to provide behind-the-wheel training to students in driver’s education in compliance with all Secretary of State and IDPH safety requirements. Signage for buildings - For washing hands, signs of COVID, social distancing, how to wear your mask to meet ISBE guidelines Board of Education Meeting July 21, 2020
ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Athletics and extracurricular activities will follow the guidelines provided by the IHSA and the IESA.
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