Preliminary Plan for Reopening Schools East Greenbush Central School District July 29, 2020
Staffjng Considerations ● Hire more teachers ○ The number of teachers (90) required to meet the ratios is cost prohibitive ● Assign teachers differently SED regulations - mandated services vs. non-mandated services (e.g., Physical Education is ○ mandated at elementary level) Certifications - incidental teaching can only occur 10 hours per week and district must ○ demonstrate attempt to hire certified teachers The number of additional teachers needed for classrooms exceeds the number of special area ○ teachers available setting aside other considerations: 76 required/68.9 available Contractual considerations - Preparation Time ○ ● Assign Teaching Assistants to cover classes ○ Teaching assistants work under the supervision of teachers, ensure compliance ○ Full-time teaching assistants not mandated to special education - 29 TAs available ○ 90-29, Still need 61 teachers
Space Considerations ● Even if we had the staffing to cover the additional class sections, we do not have sufficient space to ensure equity of instruction for all levels, K-12 ● Relocating 5th grade to Goff Middle School would free up 14 classrooms at elementary buildings, but it requires 28 classrooms at Goff ○ Displaces two grade levels 7-12, thus decreasing amount of in-person instruction days at 7-12 level every day ■ Half days are difficult for Transportation - 3-tier model (76 square miles) would mean longer bus routes which encroach on available instructional time and contractual days ■ Challenge of cleaning/disinfecting of rooms in between sessions on the same day ○ Some elementary students would not attend their neighborhood schools ○ Still leaves elementary buildings 25 rooms short ○ So 4th grade would need to be moved out as well, which further impacts in-person instruction days at 6-12 level
Introduction In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Greenbush CSD has been developing plans to safely reopen schools in the fall. In order to ensure the planning would be comprehensive, three potential scenarios were discussed: 1. In-person return to school 2. Hybrid model with a combination of remote and in-person school 3. Extension of full-time remote learning
Development of Reopening Plans ● District created Reopening Task Force with representation of all stakeholders Regular Task Force meetings and Administrative meetings ● ● Weekly meeting with Rensselaer County Health Department ● Review of CDC, NYSED, NYSDOH guidance ● Review of school reopening plans from other states Surveys sent to parents: ● ○ Digital Access ○ Transportation ○ Child Care
Timeline ● June 8 - Reopening Task Force begins to meet July 16 - SED issues guidance to reopen NYS schools ● ● July 27 - Share preliminary reopening plan with school community ● July 29 - Present preliminary reopening plan at BOE Meeting ● July 31 - Submit plans to SED Aug. 1-7 - Governor Cuomo announces determination on reopening schools ● ● Aug. 5 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session ● Aug. 13 - Virtual Parent/Community Input Session ● Sept. 8 - Scheduled first day of school for K-12 students Schools in Capital Region can reopen if: 1) Region is in Phase IV of reopening 2) Daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using 14-day average
Alignment with BOE Goals #3 #1 Positive Collaborative Achieve Academic Relationships and Excellence Communication with Families EGCSD Hybrid Reopening Plan #4 #2 Cultivate a Deliver Educational, Progressive, Human and Fiscal Innovative and Safe Resources Environment
Hybrid Plan Proposal ● Reduce class size (50%) to enable physical distancing in schools Group A attends in-person school for a full day on Mondays and Thursdays ○ ○ Group B attends in-person school for a full day on Tuesdays and Fridays ● All students will receive live virtual instruction on Wednesdays ○ Teachers report to their assigned classrooms and provide live virtual instruction using classroom technology ○ Teachers at all levels may assign students to smaller groups to differentiate and personalize learning ○ Periodically, teachers/staff will be provided time for collaboration and professional development. These dates/times will be announced ahead of time. ● On the two days that students are not in school or receiving live instruction they would work on assignments and projects remotely ● Efforts to keep siblings on the same schedule will be made
Hybrid Plan Schedule Group Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Group A In-Person Remote Live Virtual In-Person Remote Instruction Group B Remote In-Person Live Virtual Remote In-Person Instruction Students with In-Person In-Person Live Virtual In-Person In-Person disabilities in full Instruction day special classes = students in school = students learning remotely from home
Benefits of Hybrid Plan 1. Equity for all K-12 students 2. Returns all students to their home school while adhering to social distancing regulations 3. Preserves essential programs a. Special Education b. Academic Intervention Services c. Related Services (OT, PT, Speech Therapy) d. Art, Music, Physical Education 4. Smaller in-person class size allows for more personalized instruction 5. All electives, honors, AP and college-credit courses would be offered
Health and Safety ● Face coverings worn at all times by all individuals on school buses and inside schools (except when eating/drinking, small breaks or instruction as indicated by teacher). ● Students will be spread out in classrooms (6’ minimum) and given a designated space (desk/table), marked off with floor tape. ● No sharing school supplies (pens, pencils, etc.). ● Spaced out seating in cafeteria. ● PE classes would be held outside. ● Rigorous and ongoing cleaning and disinfecting. ● Custodial staff will provide deep cleanings in evenings. Alternative schedules and outside assistance being considered. ● Temperature checks performed prior to entering the school building. ● All staff complete electronic health screening daily. ● Families will be provided an electronic health screening tool to perform at home each morning. ● Strict attendance logs, and sign in/out sheets to enable contact tracing.
Health and Safety ● Visitor policy will strictly limit entrance to schools to parents, outside groups, vendors. ● Open windows and doors (without compromising safety) to increase fresh air in buildings and classrooms. ● HVAC system being evaluated and adjusted to ensure proper filtering and increase fresh air into building. ● Face coverings MUST be worn on the bus at all times by all individuals. ● Students will be separated on buses as much as practical, sitting one per seat and against the window. ● Household members may be assigned the same seat on the bus. ● Windows and roof hatches will be opened to facilitate more fresh air on the buses. ● School buses will operate on a staggered schedule to avoid large groups of students in contact with each other and to ensure management of on site procedures (temp checks) ● Training videos will be shared with staff and families on topics of social distancing, how to wear a mask, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, symptoms of COVID-19. ● Health signage will be posted in schools and on buses.
Health and Safety
Teaching and Learning ● All K-12 students guaranteed in person time with their teachers and social interaction with some of their peers. ● Addresses social distancing requirements within space constraints. ● Provides quality, consistency and equity for all students. ○ Three days of live instruction from teachers (2 in-person at school and 1 virtually on Wednesdays) ○ Two remote learning days ● Smaller in-person class sizes will allow for more personalized instruction.
Teaching and Learning ● In-person and remote instruction will complement each other. All electives, honors, AP and college-credit courses would be offered during ● both in-person and remote instructional periods. ● Attendance will be taken for both in-person and remote instructional days. ● Grading shall be based upon student improvement, achievement, and participation in classroom discussions and activities regardless of the instructional delivery model. ● Report Cards with student progress will be provided to parents.
Special Education ● Students with Disabilities who require highly specialized program, such as an all-day special class will attend in-person instruction 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) ○ K-2: Communication Skills, Language Concepts, Transitions 3-5: Communication Skills, Language Concepts, Transitions ○ ○ 6-8: Academic Skills, Life Skills, Transitions 9-12: Academic Skills, Life Skills, CTAEP, Operation Graduation ○ ● Students with Disabilities who participate in less restrictive programming such as integrated co-teaching, consultant teacher services, and a period of the special class will follow the same hybrid model as their general education peers, supported by their special education teacher/case manager daily. ● Why aren’t special education students attending in person 5 days? ○ Teaching independent use of instructional technology
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