Pending Board Approval 7-20-2020
SEBRING LOCAL SCHOOLS RESET AND RESTART GUIDELINES 2020-2021
While we recognize that plans made now could change, depending on the pandemic, before our new school year begins, we have a desire to move forward with attempting to start our new school year using the Ohio Department of Health and the Governor of Ohio’s recommendations.
OPTION #1: STUDENTS RETURN TO OUR BUILDINGS
While additional information and details relating to the Option #1 recommendations are being worked through, the main safety measures that are recommended for implementation as students return to our buildings are as follows:
SOCIAL DISTANCING:
The social distancing space between people in a classroom should be a minimum of three (3) feet, and more when possible. Desk shields have been purchased and will be installed on desks.
FACE COVERINGS/MASKS IN SCHOOLS:
Governor DeWine announced today that the Ohio Department of Health will issue a health order requiring that K-12 children wear face coverings while at school. The new mandate comes after the Ohio Children's Hospital Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter issued a joint letter today recommending widespread use of masks in schools with the following exceptions:
- Children under the age of 2 years old
- Any child unable to remove the face covering without assistance
- A child with a significant behavioral/psychological issue undergoing treatment that is exacerbated specifically by the use of a facial covering (e.g. severe anxiety or a tactile aversion)
- A child living with severe autism or with extreme developmental delay who may become agitated or anxious wearing a mask
- A child with a facial deformity that causes airway obstruction
"Without a vaccine, we are limited in the ways that we can protect the people of Ohio," said Governor DeWine. "For schools to have a fighting chance to stay open this fall, widespread face coverings for K-12 students will increase the odds that kids will go to school and stay in school."
One reusable face mask will be provided to each student and staff member on the first day of school. If the mask is too large, a small knot may be tied in the ear loops. Students are responsible to bring their face coverings to school daily.
The section below with strikeout is null and void per
health order directive issued on 8-4-2020
Face coverings should be worn by all students in the classroom and in other shared spaces to begin the 2020-2021 school year unless a student has a documented health reason for not wearing one, as found in the Ohio Department of Health Order on face coverings (face covering guidelines will continue to be defined, particularly for students in pre-K-2nd grade).
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The rule for masks will be as follows: If county is coded as Yellow or Orange, students will be required to wear masks in transition and on the bus; if coded Red, all students will be required to wear masks all day while in school; and if coded Purple, the districts will consider transitioning to remote learning. If in yellow or orange, students won’t be required to wear a face mask at their seats or when properly social distanced.
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All school staff must wear face coverings unless it is unsafe to do so or where doing so would significantly interfere with the learning process. Exceptions include:
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Facial coverings in the school setting are prohibited by law or regulation.
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Facial coverings are in violation of documented industry standards.
TRANSPORTATION:
For students eligible for transportation, two (2) per assigned seat while wearing a face covering; three (3) per seat while wearing a face covering, if the students are from the same family and they can fit safely into the seat. Students must wear a face covering to ride the bus and will be assigned seats and must remain in their seat at all times. To eliminate possible exposure, students will load the bus from the back to the front and unload from the front to the back.
WASH AND SANITIZE HANDS TO PREVENT SPREAD
Sanitation stations have been placed throughout each building; each classroom will have hand sanitizer as well as many high traffic areas in the buildings. All students will be required to sanitize their hands when entering the building.
CLEANING AND SANITIZING THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
There will be regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the school day and procedures to disinfect the buildings each night. The district will utilize electrostatic disinfectant sprayers each day.
TEMPERATURE CHECK AND SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT
All staff and students' temperatures will be taken daily using a walk-through thermal temperature scanner. Protocols based on health department recommendations for students or staff members who become ill or experience possible exposure will be handled on an individual basis.
MEALS
Breakfast will be served in the classroom at B. L. Miller and it will be Grab and Go to the homerooms at McKinley. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria following banquet guidelines as provided by the department of health. Students will have assigned seats and must stay in assigned seats in the event that contact tracing is required.
WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS
Students will not be permitted to use water fountains; therefore water bottle stations were purchased. Each student will be provided one water bottle on the first day of school. It is the students’ responsibility to bring back the water bottles daily.
OPTION #2 SEBRING ONLINE ACADEMY
For families that may not be comfortable returning their child(ren) to our buildings under Option #1 detailed above, we will offer an online learning option using the curriculum provided by Edgenuity through an eCohort. The curriculum is implemented completely virtually. The assignments will be graded by a teacher within the eCohort. Students will be able to email the assigned teacher with questions, however keeping in mind that the instruction for the lesson is provided by a virtual instructor and /or by reading the lesson instructions independently. The online option will be different than what you and your child experienced last spring through remote learning as this is not a daily Google Meet classroom environment. Students will be provided with a device to use at home.
There are many other details involving the return of students to our buildings that need to be worked through (e.g., lockers, recess); as those decisions are made, we will communicate them with you.
We recognize that there are no easy solutions for the situation at hand. What works best for one (1) family does not work best for another. Our goal is to provide a quality education to our students in a way that provides safety for all involved, recognizing that we can never fully eliminate the risk of COVID-19 in a public setting.
END OF SEBRING LOCAL SCHOOLS RESET AND RESTART GUIDELINES 2020-2021
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Akron Children's Hospital book to help children understand COVID-19
https://youtu.be/y1ArermrFIM
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This is a message from Mahoning County Public Health:
The United States, Ohio, and our Tri-County area are being impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The virus spreads through a community by close contact with those who are ill with the virus. We all have the potential to contract, carry, and spread the virus when not yet experiencing any symptoms to when experiencing mild symptoms. In order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 it is very important that we all do our part and follow these public health measures:
• Stay at home when you are sick and contact your health care provider for a medical evaluation.
• Wash your hands on a routine basis with soap and water for 20 seconds or more.
• Refrain from touching your face.
• Only leave your house for essential needs and supplies such as groceries.
• Create a list when shopping, send one person when possible, and buy enough supplies for 14 days.
• Check on those who are elderly and shop for their essential needs. You may drop items off on their door step and should not visit at this time.
• Keep your children at home and prevent them from playing with others. Children can contract the virus and pass it to others.
We are all impacted by this challenging event but by doing your part you will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as saving lives.
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Face Mask Etiquette: https://youtu.be/1K9Zs16dhRE
Hand Washing: https://youtu.be/Cw4h-4WEpHg
Hand Sanitizing: https://youtu.be/YylsSJxHJdQ
How to Make a No-Sew Mask: https://youtu.be/odD2SCgCKy4
Social Distancing: What is Six Feet?: https://youtu.be/OesXL3I6M4s
Cross Contamination and Gloves: https://youtu.be/SGvVNFw1Egs
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There are no vaccines to prevent COVID-19. Implement the personal prevention protection methods used to prevent flu and other infectious diseases:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; dry hands with a clean towel or air dry hands.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Also, clean high-touch areas – counters, tables, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, nightstands – every day using household cleaning spray or wipes according to label directions.
Ultimately, nobody knows how extensive this outbreak will be, or if/how our region will be affected so together, we will successfully navigate this matter. Information will continue to be shared with parents as this situation evolves.
We will contact those affected by cancellations directly. Additionally, we will be proactive in preparations just in case circumstances change, and IF we would need to evaluate further cancellations.
Informational Resources
| Ohio Dept of Health [COVID-19] | CoronaVirus Information | CoronaVirus Resources | Coronavirus Information for Ohio's Schools: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Coronavirus