TVCSD Reopening Plan, 2021-22 - Tri-Valley Central School District

July 31, 2020

Updated Feb. 1, 2021; Aug. 26, 2021

This plan is applicable to the following schools:

Tri-Valley Elementary School: BEDS 591201040002
Tri-Valley Secondary School: BEDS 591201040003

Reopening Plan Task Force 2020-21

Committee Members

Michael Williams, Matt Haynes, Debra Kelley, Leslye Stryker, Danielle Cornish, April Kackos, Susan Engle, Aaron Butler, Keri Smith, Lu Gilles, Nicole Burkey, Tara Berescik, Lisa Conger, Cathy Russo, Keith Stryker, Tara Mickelson, Keri Poley, Bob Whitaker, Jessica Lamantia, Helen McCombs, Lena Gentile, Diana Grey, Rachel Lange, Brenna Rogers, John Tenbus, Lynn Weiber, Devin Lamar, Jennifer Williams, Erin Toomey, Casey Beadle, Trish Stephenson, Bethany Hamilton, Joe Colon, Jackie Trotti-Noren, Debra Swett, David Pulley, Sondra Lee, Jesse Bell, Karlton Duck, Barbara Bertholf

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

Tri-Valley Central School District will have all students attend in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. No virtual option will be offered to parents, exceptions may be made for high risk students (see #12).
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop a communications plan for students, parents/guardians, staff and visitors. The plan will include: applicable instructions, training, signage and a consistent means to provide individuals with information.
a. The Tri-Valley Central School District will use the district website and messaging systems to inform families of reopening plans and updates to the plan
b. Tri-Valley Central School District will give students and families instructions on the reopening process and the responsibilities of the Tri-Valley Central School District, faculty, staff, families, and students
c. Signage will be developed to remind everyone of procedures for dropping off and students both at the beginning and end of the day, and during the day if that becomes necessary.
Along with the director of school health services, Tri-Valley Central School District will develop protocols to instruct staff to observe signs of illness in students and staff. Tri-Valley Central School District will develop a plan for sending symptomatic persons to the school nurse.
Tri-Valley Central School District will require a daily screening questionnaire (EZ Screen) for faculty and staff.
Parents will monitor and screen their children’s status at home, before sending them to school (see “Detecting Signs of illness”).
Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure the school nurse assesses all ill students and staff. In the event that no school nurse is available, the ill student or staff will be sent home to follow up with a healthcare provider. No student or staff member will be readmitted without proper medical clearance.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop protocols requiring students or staff with a temperature and/or signs of illness be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area with supervision prior to being picked up or sent home.
Tri-Valley Central School District will require all visitors, guests, contractors, and vendors to complete a health screening prior to gaining admittance into the building. Visitors, guests, contractors and vendors will be limited during the school day.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop an instruction guide for parents/guardians to observe for signs of illness in their child that may require the child to stay home from school.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop and post appropriate signage – for hand washing and respiratory hygiene procedures.
Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure everyone in the school buildings will maintain a minimum 3 foot physical distance whenever possible in conjunction with wearing an approved face mask. For lunch, chorus and band, a minimum 5 foot physical distance will be maintained while eating or performing.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop protocols that provide accommodations for students and staff who are at high risk.
Tri-Valley Central School District will generate procedures which require all students, employees, and adult visitors to wear a cloth face covering whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.
Tri-Valley Central School District may enable students time to take mask breaks under the following circumstances: a. Instruction is occurring and students are 6 feet away from each other and the teacher is also 6 feet away from the students b. Students have arrived in their classroom from the bus or hallway and are 6 feet away from each other and the teacher
Tri-Valley Central School District is acquiring adequate supplies of cloth face coverings for school staff, students who forget their masks, students whose masks get lost or soiled during the school day, and PPE for school health professionals.
Tri-Valley Central School District will design a written protocol to be taken if there is a confirmed case os COVID-19 in the school.
Tri-Valley Central School District will comply with CDC and local public health department guidance for the return to school of students and staff following illness or diagnosis of confirmed cases of COVID-19 or following quarantine due to contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 which will be coordinated with the local health department.
Tri-Valley Central School District will clean and disinfect the school following CDC guidelines. This will be supervised by Karlton Duck, TV Head Custodian.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop protocols to conduct required school safety drills (8 fire and 4 lockdowns) with modifications ensuring social distancing between persons.
Tri-Valley Central School District will develop a plan for before and aftercare programs.
The COVID-19 safety coordinators are:
Jennifer Williams, Principal, TV Elementary School
David Pulley, Principal, TV Secondary School.

DETECTING SIGNS OF ILLNESS

The TVCSD reopening procedure has a plan to instruct staff to observe for signs of illness in students and staff and requires symptomatic persons to be sent to the school nurse or other designated personnel.

During the initial Superintendent Conference Days, all staff will receive training in the recognition of the observable signs of illness in students and staff. A checklist of observable signs will be provided to every staff member to refer to throughout the school year.

Staff will be required to report such observances of student and/or staff illness to the school nurse, or his/her designee, via telephone. The purpose of this mode of communication is to reduce the foot traffic in the nurse’s office. The nurse, or his/her designee, will direct the staff member to either send the student or staff member to the nurse’s office or isolation location, or the nurse/designee will go to the student/staff member’s location to assess him/her.

Temperature Screening

The TVCSD will not require staff or student temperature screening this year, following the CDC guidelines. We expect that parents will monitor and screen their children’s status at home, before sending them to school. Information will be provided to parents as part of our regular communications.

Exposure Notification

Upon notification that a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19:

The school nurse will contact the parent of the student or the staff member to verify that the individual has been determined, medically, to be positive and to establish a timeline from their diagnosis or onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
The School Principal, or designee, will immediately begin contact tracing.
Following established protocols and regulations, the Principal and School Nurse will make a determination of which students and/or staff will need to quarantine based upon having close contact with the individual who tested positive.

Close contact is defined as an individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread SARS-COV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date), until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation

Exception: In the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting. Source: CDC COVID-19 Appendix A, August 2021

Notification to individuals determined to have had a close contact

Individuals determined to have had close contact will be required to quarantine. Their name will be identified to the Department of Public Health as part of the contact tracing document.
The School Nurse or Principal (or designee) will notify each affected individual. Staff members and each student’s parent(s)/guardians(s) will be contacted via a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. Additionally, a written letter will be sent to each parent.

Notification to individuals who may have been exposed, but determined NOT to have had a close contact

Upon learning an individual has tested positive, notification of potential exposure will be provided out of abundance of care to alert individuals and parents. No immediate further action will be required. Individuals and parents will be alerted to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Should the individual develop symptoms they will need to follow up with their personal health care provider and inform the school nurse.
Staff members will be notified, when a student(s) in their classroom or activity has tested positive for COVID-19.
Parents of students who were present in the classroom(s), on the same bus, participating in an extracurricular activity or as part of an athletic team with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be notified by email and a written letter. When possible, impacted students will be given a letter by the end of the school day to bring home and share with their parents. If this is not possible, the letter will be provided the following school day. Likewise, an email will be sent to the parents by the end of the day or the following day at the latest.

CONTACT TRACING

Tri-Valley Central School District will cooperate with the NY and Sullivan County Departments of Health in regard to contact tracing. To be of greatest assistance, TVCSD will keep accurate attendance records of students and staff members, ensure that student schedules are kept up to date, and keep logs of any visitors that includes the date, time and area of the building visited.
Tri-Valley Central School District has staff trained through the New York State Contact Tracing Program and will assist the Sullivan County Department of Health. Confidentiality will be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. TVCSD will not make any decisions on who is to be excluded from school based on contact, without guidance and direction from the Sullivan County Department of Health.

QUARANTINE PROCEDURES CDC Guidance, Jul 29, 2021

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has СOVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Exception: In the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student correctly and consistently were well-fitting masks the entire time.

What to do

Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has СOVID-19.
Watch for fever (100.40F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.

After quarantine

Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

You may be able to shorten your quarantine

Your local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. Follow the recommendations of your local public health department if you need to quarantine. Options they will consider include stopping quarantine .

After day 10 without testing
After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

ASSESSING ILLNESS AND PROCEDURES

The TVCSD reopening plan requires that ill students and staff be assessed by the school nurse and that if a school nurse is not available, ill students and staff will be sent home for follow-up with a healthcare provider.

TV Elementary School

Staff will be required to report observances of illness to the school nurse, or his/her designee, via telephone. The purpose of this mode of communication is to reduce the foot traffic in the nurse’s office. The nurse, or his/her designee, will direct the staff member to either send the student to the nurse’s office/isolation location, or the nurse/designee will go to the student’s location to assess him/her. The same holds true for an ill staff member.

After assessing the student/staff member, the nurse will make the determination, based upon his/her professional judgement of the student/staff member’s symptoms of the next step(s) to take with the student/staff member.

If the school nurse is unavailable, the building administrator will check with the student or staff member. Parents, or guardians, will be contacted to pick up the child. Staff may be sent home.

For any member of the faculty/staff and/or student who presents symptoms of a contagious disease, such as, but not limited to, COVID-19, he/she will be escorted to the designated room, away from other people in the building, to await transportation home. Parents, or the staff member if applicable, will be notified to follow up with their family doctor, or if they do not have a doctor, to go to an Urgent Care facility for treatment and diagnosis. If the student or staff member is showing extreme symptoms that need immediate medical care, 911 will be called. A doctor’s note will need to be provided prior to the student’s and/or staff member’s return to school. We will also follow the requirements and protocols of the Sullivan County Department of Public Health.

TV Secondary School

Staff will be required to report observances of illness to the school nurse, or his/her designee, via telephone. The purpose of this mode of communication is to reduce the foot traffic in the nurse’s office. The nurse, or his/her designee, will direct the staff member to either send the student to the nurse’s office, or the nurse/designee will go to the student’s location to assess him/her. The same holds true for an ill staff member.

If the school nurse is unavailable, the building administrator will check with the student or staff member. Parents, or guardians, will be contacted to pick up the child. Staff may be sent home.

For any member of the faculty/staff and/or student who presents symptoms of a contagious disease, such as, but not limited to, COVID-19, he/she will be escorted to an alternative room, away from other people in the building, to await transportation home. Parents, or the staff member if applicable, will be notified to follow up with their family doctor, or if they do not have a doctor, to go to an Urgent Care facility for treatment and diagnosis. If the student or staff member is showing extreme symptoms that need immediate medical care, 911 will be called. A doctor’s note will need to be provided prior to the student’s and/or staff member’s return to school. We will also follow the requirements and protocols of the Sullivan County Department of Public Health in regards to identification, contact tracing and return to school after an illness is confirmed.

PLANS | PROCEDURES FOR THOSE WITH POSSIBLE ILLNESS

Each TVCSD reopening plan has written protocol requiring students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home

VISITORS / GUESTS / CONTRACTOR / VENDORS

All visitors to the school will undergo a screening which includes answering a short screening questionnaire. All visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times and will be required to maintain social distancing at all times.

PARENT HOME DETECTION

The TVCSD reopening plan has a protocol to instruct parents/guardians to observe for signs of illness in their child that require staying home from school. These protocols are from the CDC and include:

Parents/guardians will be sent information and links to access information about signs of illness in children. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus Symptoms in children for parents/guardians to watch for include the following:

Fever or chills
Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. As the CDC updates this list, we will share new information with parents.

FACILITIES

General Health and Safety Assurances

Tri-Valley Central School District will follow all guidance related to health and safety. This includes meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly to prevent spread of infection.

Fire Code Compliance

Tri-Valley Central School District will submit any proposed changes to the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) should alterations be made regarding fire code compliance in spaces that are occupied by public school students and staff. Any changes will meet the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and State Energy Conservation Code and be submitted to the OFP for review and approval.

Doorways

The function, position, and operation of any stair and corridor doors that have closers with automatic hold opens will remain unchanged.

Emergency Drills

Tri-Valley Central School District will conduct standard operations and procedures to the best of our ability without deviating from current requirements. Methods to promote and provide for social distancing during the evacuation drills will be reviewed and changes will be included in the Tri-Valley Central School District Fire Safety plan.

Inspections

The submission deadline(s) for the Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections will be met.

Lead Testing

Tri-Valley Central School District will follow recommended procedures to the extent possible to provide clean and safe drinking water upon reopening.

PLUMBING FACILITIES AND FIXTURES

Tri-Valley Central School District will meet the minimum standards of the New York State Building Code regarding the number of toilets and sink fixtures.
Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure that any temporary facilities will be approved through the Office of Facilities Planning.

VENTILATION

Tri-Valley Central School District will maintain adequate, code required ventilation as designed (natural or mechanical).
Weather permitting, classroom windows will be opened.

CHILD NUTRITION

Tri-Valley Central School District will provide all students enrolled in the SFA with access to school meals each school day.
a. All students in attendance will be served breakfast and lunch
Tri-Valley Central School District will address all applicable health and safety guidelines.
Tri-Valley Central School District will outline measures to protect students with food allergies if providing meals in spaces outside of the cafeteria.
Tri-Valley Central School District will implement protocols and procedures for how students will perform hand hygiene before and after eating, including how hand hygiene will be promoted and how sharing of food and beverages will be discouraged.
Tri-Valley Central School District will include protocols and procedures that require cleaning and disinfection prior to the next group of students arriving for meals, if served in the same common area.
Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure compliance with Child Nutrition Program requirements.
Tri-Valley Central School District will include protocols that describe communication with families through multiple means in the language spoken by families.

TRANSPORTATION

Tri-Valley Central School District will fulfill existing mandates regarding the safe and effective transportation of students who are homeless, in foster care, have disabilities and attend non-public schools and charter schools.
Physical distancing is no longer required on the bus.
Students will wear masks on the bus. No more than two (2) students will be allowed in a seat unless they are in the same family.
All buses will be cleaned/ disinfected once a day. High contact spots will be wiped down after the am and pm run depending on the disinfecting schedules.
None of our school’s buses will be equipped with hand sanitizer. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants will not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on the school buses.
All school bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics will perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving to work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 they will notify Rolling-V and encouraged to seek medical attention.
All school bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics will wear face coverings. Face shields are optional.
The transportation staff will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Rolling V will be responsible for providing PPE such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/ break rooms and/ or bus garages.
Drivers, monitors and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child will wear gloves.
All parents will ensure that their child/children are not experiencing signs and symptoms ID-19 and do not have a fever of 100 degrees or more prior to them boarding their method of transportation to school.
All students will wear a facemask. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, such as students where such covering would impair their physical health or mental health are not subject to the required face covering.
Students who do not have a face mask will not be denied transportation.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide masks to those students who do not have one.
Students with a disability which would prevent them from wearing a face mask will not be forced to do so or denied transportation.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide pupil transportation to private, charter schools or students whose individual Education Plans have placed them out of the Tri-Valley Central School District whose schools are meeting in in-person sessions when/if the Tri-Valley Central School District is not.
All students are entitled to transportation by the Tri-Valley Central School District to the extent required by law. The transportation departments do not have the ability or the right to deny transportation for children who are in foster care, homeless or attend private or charter schools. Parents who may have missed the due date to request out of the Tri-Valley Central School District transportation due to a reasonable excuse may file a 310 appeal with the Commissioner of Education.
Parents who would like to transport their child(ren) to school may do so. Parents may drop off their child(ren) in the morning, using the bus lane, between 7:30 a.m. and 7:50 a.m.. Students may be picked up at the end of school at 2:38 p.m.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Tri-Valley Central School District wide and building level school counseling program plan will be reviewed and updated.
Tri-Valley Central School District SEL committee will be expanded to include additional stakeholders.
Tri-Valley Central School District SEL referral form will be embedded into the Problem Solving Team (PST) process. Resources have been provided to each building level PST.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide professional development for faculty and staff on supporting students’ coping and resilience skills
o Work on a plan for supporting staff
o Work on a plan for gathering information from students and staff (survey)

SCHOOL SCHEDULES

Schools will operate on their traditional schedule, with all students in attendance. The student school day will be from 8:00am to 2:30pm.
There will be no virtual option, except for as required by a student’s 504 plan or IEP.
We will have plans for moving the entire school to a virtual learning environment should we be required to close school at the direction of the Department of Public Health.

BUDGET AND FISCAL MATTERS

The Tri-Valley School District will continue to manage fiscal matters and reserve funds to best prepare for unintended costs associated with the COVID reopening plan.
AIl expenditures will be reviewed for necessity and impact on student instruction
All state aid streams will be maximized (when possible)

ATTENDANCE AND CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Tri-Valley Central School District will collect and report daily teacher/student engagement or attendance regardless of the instruction setting.
Tri-Valley Central School District will report attendance of any school-age student of compulsory age, who reside in the Tri-Valley Central School District or is placed by a parent or guardian another public school district, charter school, or is placed by a Tri-Valley Central School District administrator or the CSE of the Tri-Valley Central School District in educational programs outside of the Tri-Valley Central School District will be reports in SIRS.
The attendance will be reported.
Resident students of compulsory age who are not in attendance in a public school, including charter schools, nonpublic school or approved home schooling program in the current year will be reported until they exceed compulsory school age, they no longer reside in the Tri-Valley Central School District or the Tri-Valley Central School District has documentation that the student has entered another educational program leading to a highschool diploma.

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

Tri-Valley Central School District has learned the needs of the community, particularly with regards to access from past surveys and outreach. We will continue to update this information to verify our knowledge of the level of access to devices and highspeed broadband all students and teachers have in their places of residence.
Tri-Valley Central School District will address the need to provide devices and internet access to students and teachers who currently do not have sufficient access. Secondary students will be issued school-owned Chromebooks or in a few select cases, school-owned iPads. Teachers who do not have devices will be issued school-owned devices – either desktop or laptop PCs or Chromebooks depending on individual teacher needs. Chromebooks will be made available to Elementary students who lack home devices for learning. Upon request, the school district may provide hot spot internet access with unlimited data to students and teachers who have no access other than cell service at their homes. This access will be limited to school owned devices.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery of Learning Standards in remote or blended models. Tri-Valley Central School District has expanded on-premise bandwidth to accommodate the needs of a technology-rich instructional environment.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure the continuity of a learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year. We will prepare for in-person and remote models of instruction.
Tri-Valley Central School District will align instruction with the outcomes in the New York State Learning Standards.
Tri-Valley Central School District will make sure that equity will be the heart of all school instructional decisions. All instruction will be developed so that whether delivered in-person or remotely, due to a local or state closure, the instruction will be accessible and appropriate to meet students’ needs. Clear instructions and procedures will be provided to all students. Instruction will be aligned with New York State learning standards. Students will have opportunities to obtain additional academic and technological assistance.
Instruction will be aligned to the academic program including regular and substantive interaction with an appropriately certified teacher regardless of the delivery method.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide a clear communication plan for students and their families/caregivers to contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology. This information will be available in multiple languages, widely disseminated and will include clear and multiple ways for students and families to contact school and teachers by email, online platform and/ or by phone.
Tri-Valley Central School District will include our Pre Kindergarten program in our mandatory requirements outlined under Teaching and Learning.
Tri-Valley Central School District will meet all NYSED Office of Early Learning requirements for a Prekindergarten Reopening Plan.
Tri-Valley Central School District will have measures in place to ensure any eligible agencies providing Prekindergarten programs follow the health and safety guidelines outlined by New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Education. We will ensure that eligible agencies have a Continuity of Learning plan that addresses in-person, remote and hybrid models of instruction.

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING

Each TVCSD reopening plan includes a continuity of learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year. The plan is for in-person instruction, with additional contingency plans for remote instruction, in the event it is necessitated by local or state mandates.

TV Elementary School

Our school day will run as it did prior to the March, 2020 school closure. All students will be able to participate, full-time, five days a week. All students will have full access to live instruction and to all staff members in our building that is based on the New York State Learning Standards.

Students who are determined to be high risk medically will participate in a remote, online learning model.

If it becomes necessary to provide “remote-only” learning, students will receive instruction virtually using Google Meet and Google Classroom for grades 3 through 6, and Google Meet and Seesaw for grades Pre-K through 2. Lessons will be based on the learning standards and will be a continuation of current instruction. Work will be collected via the learning platform (Google Classroom or Seesaw) and teacher feedback provided.

TV Secondary School

Our school day will run as it did prior to the March, 2020 school closure. All students will be able to participate, full-time, five days a week. Students will have full access to live instruction that is based on the New York State Learning Standards.

Students who have been identified as needing additional support will be addressed on an individual basis.

Students determined to be at high risk medically will participate in a remote, online learning model.

If it becomes necessary to provide “remote-only” learning, students will receive instruction virtually using Google Meet and Google Classroom. Students will continue their normal class schedule five days per week.

NYS LEARNING STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

The TVCSD reopening plan continues an educational program that is aligned to the New York State Learning Standards regardless if instruction is delivered in-person or remotely. District-wide, staff will continue to utilize the teaching programs and materials that were in place prior to the pandemic-induced school closures and partial closures that took place from March through June of 2021. In addition, new instructional technology resources are available to support digital learning opportunities. All programs are in alignment with the NYS Learning Standards. Learning objectives will be posted and shared with students.

STUDENT/TEACHER INTERACTION

The TVCSD reopening plan provides for a program that includes regular substantive interaction between teachers and students whether delivered in-person or remotely. [See prior section (Continuity of Learning) for details.]

TV Elementary School

The school day will run as it did prior to March, 2020 school closure. All students will have full access to live instruction and to all staff members in our building, five days a week.

TV Secondary School

Under the TVCSD reopening plan we have developed two levels of delivery; in-person,and fully remote.

In-Person: The school day will run as it did prior to March, 2020 school closure. All students will have full access to live instruction and to all staff members in our building, five days a week.

Fully Remote: If the guidance form the Governor’s office and/or the Department of health indicates it is not safe for any level of in-person education the Secondary School will provide all instruction to students using the online platform via Google Classroom. All instruction will be delivered via this method and will be aligned to NYS Learning standards.

EQUITY IN INSTRUCTION

Equity is at the heart of all TVCSD instructional decisions. All instruction will be developed so that whether delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model due to a local or state school closure, there are clear opportunities for instruction that are accessible to all students.

These opportunities are aligned with State standards and include routine scheduled times for students to interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers as follows:

TV Elementary School

All students, regardless of learning platform (in-person or remotely), will be provided with clear opportunities for instruction that is accessible to all students. Such opportunities will be aligned with State standards and include routine scheduled times for students to receive a continuation of instruction, interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers.

TV Secondary School

All instruction whether in-person or remotely will be delivered via the Google classroom platform. Each classroom and lesson will be designed with standards based instruction as the foundation. Schedules for students to participate in building or remotely in each of their scheduled periods will be established.

Snow Days

Despite the fact that the District has the ability to operate virtually at any time, we are planning to have traditional “snow days” when inclement weather requires us to do so. If there are calendar constraints or other conditions that would require us to exceed the number of days beyond planned snow days, we will label the day as “completely virtual” and instruction would continue as normal.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Environment Considerations

PE class locations & class sizes will ensure physical distancing of 3 feet. Students will remain 3 feet apart when inactive & 5 feet apart during physical activity when possible.
When possible, outdoor spaces will be used for Physical Education instruction. If utilized, playground equipment, benches or other permanent outdoor structures will be cleaned as per CDC Guidance.
When safe, the interior & exterior doors of the gymnasium will be open to maximize circulation & air flow.
Physical distancing markers (floor tape, poly spots, cones etc.) will be placed on the floor of the gymnasium as visual aids for students.
Locker rooms will be utilized for changing under the direct supervision of a PE teacher. Lockers will be assigned to facilitate social distancing in the locker room.
Equipment will be properly cleaned per manufacturer’s directions or disinfected daily & between classes when possible.
Partner and small group drills will be conducted in pods when possible. Students will use the same partner(s) throughout PE class as much as possible.
Drinking fountains will not be utilized during PE class. Individual water bottles will be used by students & staff. Student water bottles will be stored separately during class.

Personal Hygiene Considerations

Students & staff will wash or sanitize hands before & after PE class.
Proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, physical distancing guidelines/routines & instruction on how to properly wear, remove & discard face coverings will be discussed during the 1st day of in person instruction.
Face coverings will be worn by staff & students when indoors.
The Special Education Department & School Nurses will be consulted regarding students with a disability or other underlying conditions which may prohibit students from wearing a face covering while indoors.
Face coverings will not be required when PE is conducted outdoors. . Students will not be permitted to bring unnecessary personal belongings to PE and all student belongings will be stored in their PE lockers.

Equipment Safety & Sanitation

CDC guidance on proper Physical Education equipment sanitation will be followed.
Equipment will be properly cleaned per manufacturer’s directions or disinfected daily & between classes when possible.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The related services will be provided in-person, (remotely on an individual basis for certain circumstances) based on student needs. The services will address FAPE and protect the health and safety of students with disabilities (SWD) and the related service providers.
Tri-Valley Central School District will encourage parent involvement and engagement in the parent’s preferred language, meeting the requirements of IDEA.
Tri-Valley Central School District will collaborate between the committees on preschool special education (CPSE), committees on special education (CSE), and program providers that represent a variety of settings where students are served to ensure there is an understanding of the provision of services consistent with the recommendations on individualized education programs (IEPs). IEP goals will be monitored and student progress communicated to parents.
Tri-Valley Central School District will ensure access to the necessary accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids, services and technology (assistive technology) to meet the unique disability related to the needs of the students. Tri-Valley Central School District will document the programs and services offered to SWD. Communicate how services / programs will be provided with the parents in their preferred language or mode of communication.

Students with disabilities were particularly impacted over the past year. In some cases, these students were unable to fully access the programs and services they needed to progress academically, particularly those programs and services that are best delivered in person. Special education programs and services provide equity and access for students with disabilities to be involved in and to participate and progress in the general education curriculum.

This document outlines how Tri-Valley will be operating during the 2021/22 school year regarding special education. As a district, we will be reopening in-person. As we move forward providing FAPE to the students we serve, please understand that how students receive access to the LRE may need to be adjusted depending on the students’ needs. Students with disabilities (SWD) are ensured equal access to high-quality programs that are designed, based on individual needs. All SWD will have opportunities for instruction with their peers to the greatest extent possible consistent with their IEP and will ensure the provision of FAPE is consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students with disabilities and those providing special education and services.

TVCSD has and will continue to incorporate guidance documents from NYSED’s Office of Special Education (OSE) to address frequently asked questions raised by parents, educators, administrators, and other key stakeholders regarding the implementation of special education programs and services and the provision of FAPE during this public health crisis. The OSE guidance is based on current information released from the United States Department of Education (USDE) as well as information contained in New York State Executive Orders and New York State Department of Health guidance.

Teachers, related service providers, and administration will engage parents in the parent’s preferred language or mode of communication regarding the provision of services to his/her child to meet the requirements of the IDEA. These opportunities may include phone calls, parent communication notebooks (digital or paper), email communication, or Google Meet interactions. Parents will continue to be a part of their child’s IEP development and asked to attend meetings regarding their child’s progress.

TVCSD will collaborate on preschool special education (CPSE) and committees on special education (CSE) and program providers representing the variety of settings where students are served to ensure there is an understanding of the provision of services consistent with the recommendations on individualized education programs (IEPs), plans for monitoring and communicating student progress, and commitment to sharing resources.

TVCSD will, to the best of its ability, ensure student access to the necessary accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and technology (including assistive technology) in order to meet the unique disability related needs of students. Adjustments may be needed in particular circumstances depending on the needs of students.

TVCSD will document the programs and services offered and provided to students with disabilities through the student’s IEP. Amendments or adjustments to programs and services will be conducted through the CSE process and communication assistance in parents’ preferred language or mode of communication will be provided if requested in advance.

In the case of intermittent or extended school closures, students will be provided with technology (when requested) to access Google Suite for remote learning. Paper instructional packets and other materials may also be provided depending on individual student needs.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Students with disabilities will have equal access to high-quality programs that are designed, based on their individual needs and abilities, to enable them to achieve the desired learning results established for all students. TVCSD will ensure that students with disabilities have opportunities for instruction with students without disabilities to the greatest extent possible consistent with their IEP. When providing in-person instruction, TVCSD will ensure that health and safety requirements do not result in the unnecessary separation of students with disabilities from their non-disabled peers.

LRE Documentation

Determinations about how students with disabilities will receive access to the LRE, will be determined at the annual review meeting. At the meeting discussions will include additional programs such as CTE programs for high school students or trial periods for program placement changes for all grades. Documentation will be made in the guidance office to the student schedule and/or on student IEPs.

Progress Monitoring

Teachers and service providers will continue to collect data, and use these data to monitor each student’s progress toward the annual goals and to evaluate the effectiveness of the student’s special education services. Determining student progress is necessary for understanding the student’s present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, and for determining whether, and to what extent, the school closures may have disrupted the student’s learning.

Reports of progress to parents may be made via telephone or other electronic means if progress reporting procedures specified in the student’s IEP cannot be met with reasonable efforts.

Best Practice for Contingency Plans

In August 2021, NYSED provided guidance in conformance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, TVCSD will prepare for all contingencies and consider plans to address students’ remote learning needs in the event of potential future intermittent or extended school closures. Program Delivery, based on SED guidance from Sept. 23, 2020:

Instructional experiences may include, but are not limited to:

completing online modules or tasks;
viewing instructional videos;
responding to posts or instructor questions;
engaging with other class participants in an online or phone discussion;
conducting research;
doing projects;
or meeting with an instructor face to face, via an online platform, or by phone

Compensatory Services

Because schools were required to provide FAPE consistent with the need to protect health and safety in the first instance, students may have experienced a loss of skills despite best intentions, efforts and creative solutions when providing educational programs and services. In these circumstances, CPSES/CSEs must make an individualized determination whether and to what extent compensatory services are to be provided once school reopens; how those services will be provided in conjunction with the school’s reopening plan and continue if the school must close again over the next school year. Classroom instruction and related services provided by TVCSD will be documented for each student to determine compensatory services.

IEP Implementation Documentation

The teacher case manager (TCM) will record communication between parents and service provider if there is an instance of changing student needs, including transition services. This documentation will be stored in electronic format. All attempts to document this agreement/consent with parents in writing will be made (electronically or via paper consent). Copies of consent will be stored in the student file. Changes in student needs will be communicated to the CPSE/CSE for consideration when making any individualized determinations of subsequent student needs, including transition services.

TVCSD will conduct formative assessments and ongoing monitoring of student progress and document in the student case management file. Documentation of progress monitoring will be available to parents/guardians, in their preferred language or mode of communication.

TVCSD will maintain documentation of collaboration with parents to develop any contingency remote learning plans that may be implemented during a school closure.

Child Find

IDEA requires schools to identify, locate, and evaluate all students with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services while keeping in mind the impact that school closures may have had on all students. In collaboration with component school districts, the TVCSD Registration Office will communicate with the PPS Office on a continual basis and may request additional support after all attempts to locate absent students are not successful.

Referral

Before referring a student for special education or a change in placement, TVCSD will take into consideration all factors that may have influenced the student’s progress during school closures due to COVID-19. If TVCSD suspects a student of having a disability or in need of additional services, the PST must refer the student for an initial special education evaluation or request a CSE meeting (if program/placement change) and obtain parent consent for the evaluation. All parent referrals and requests for referrals by school staff should be considered as usual per the procedures in Commissioner’s Regulations section 200.4(a).

Initial Evaluation/Reevaluation

Special education evaluations (i.e., initial and reevaluations) will be conducted on campus in-person. A file review or partial re-evaluation, with parent consent, can be used for triennial purposes. TVCSD will determine which students are due for an initial evaluation or reevaluation and will work to create a plan to address any backlog of evaluations. TVCSD will continue to follow OSE’s guidance for conducting evaluations and reevaluations.

Eligibility Determination/Annual Review Meetings

TVCSD will make eligibility determinations following initial evaluations to review and, if appropriate, revise each student’s IEP at least annually. When conducting CPSE/CSE meetings, the parent/guardian of a student with a disability the parent/guardian will participate via video conferences and teleconferences.

Communication/Coordination

TVCSD will ensure clear, ongoing, and shared communication and collaboration with parents/guardians, and students so that there is equitable access to special education programs and services and the continued offer of FAPE for students with disabilities. TVCSD will collaborate with parents and families to ensure that students continue to be provided FAPE consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students and their service providers.

Meaningful Outreach and Engagement with Parents of Students with Disabilities

In addition to the communication efforts, TVCSD will inform students and their parents/guardians regarding the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and the provision of FAPE to their child. Whether special education programs and services are provided in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model, effective communication between school personnel and parents will include the following:

Working collaboratively and creatively to help ensure there is an understanding of the school’s efforts to provide services consistent with the recommendations on the IEP and monitor student progress; and
Communicating with parents in their preferred language or mode of communication and documenting outreach efforts.

Procedural Safeguards and Prior Written Notice Requirements

Procedural safeguards notice will be mailed/emailed to parents and available on the TVCSD website (https://www.trivalleycsd.org/departments/pupil-personnel-services/). Prior written notice will be provided in a reasonable time before a change in the identification, evaluation, educational placement or provision of FAPE to the student. The prior written notice, and CPSE/CSE meeting notice may be provided to the parent by email if the parent elected to receive documents by email.

Prior written notice is not required if instruction or related services continue to be provided remotely or through a hybrid model because remote learning and telepractice is considered an alternate mode of instructional delivery and not considered a change in the student’s educational placement. However, TVCSD service providers will communicate to parent’s services that are remote versus in-person under the hybrid model.

If, however, based on current circumstances, revisions or additions to a student’s IEP need be made to continue to meet the student’s needs while school is closed due to COVID-19, such changes must be made by the CPSE/CSE at a meeting or through a written agreement with the parent to amend the IEP without a meeting (with the expectation that parents must be provided a copy of the document amending the IEP and prior written notice of the proposed changes to the IEP).

Partnership and Collaboration to Reflect All Settings Where Students are Served

The diverse educational needs of students with disabilities are reflected through the continuum of services that are provided in a variety of settings. TVCSD is ultimately responsible for the provision of FAPE. For TVCSD students, the district will conduct outreach efforts to remain informed regarding the planned activities for the nature and delivery of instruction and related services and to identify shared resources, materials, and technology that may be available to students, as appropriate.

For those special education students receiving services delivered via a contract with a component school district, BOCES or outside provider, the provision of instruction and related services must continue to be documented by the student’s program service provider. The program provider will communicate with TVCSD for the purpose of developing students’ IEPs. This documentation is necessary for consideration when making individualized determinations as to whether changes to the IEP recommendation or compensatory services are needed, under applicable standards and requirements. Successful and continued partnerships between program providers and TVCSD will reflect coordinated efforts necessary to best respond to student needs.

Accommodations and Modifications

The TVCSD will review instructional practices to plan for the necessary accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities to progress in the general education curriculum. Accommodations are alterations in the way tasks and/or assignments are presented. Modifications are changes in what students are expected to learn. Both accommodations and modifications ensure equity and access to the general education curriculum in consideration of a student’s unique disability related needs.

Supplementary Aids and Services

Supplementary aids and services means aids, services, and other supports that are provided in regular education classes, other education-related settings and in extracurricular and nonacademic settings to enable students with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate in accordance with the least restrictive environment. TVCSD will ensure students with disabilities have access to supplementary aids and services to meet their unique instructional and social emotional needs.

Technology

TVCSD will identify students with disabilities requiring assistive technology that is used to increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities. To the extent possible under all circumstances, TVCSD will ensure students have access to their working technology and any accompanying programs. Parents may contact their child’s TCM to request availability of an assistive technology service that are necessary to directly assist a student in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.

Budget and Finance Provisions for Approved Providers of Preschool and School-Age Programs Serving Students with Disabilities

Preschool and School-Age approved programs receiving funding under Article 81 and/or Article 89 of the Education Law pursuant to tuition rate setting methodology are subject to specific attendance and reimbursement rules. The Department remains committed to ensuring its guidance is responsive to these essential programs and to the students they serve.

Attendance and Enrollment

TVCSD will follow the provisions outlined in the Attendance for Instructional Purposes section of this plan. The full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment starts on the first day students are physically present or legally absent from the approved program. Student absences due to school closure per Governor Executive Order due to the COVID-19 outbreak are considered legal absences per $175.6. Billing can occur the first week of the student’s enrollment (physical presence or legal absence) after three consecutive days.

180-Day and 30-Day Requirement

8 NYCRR 200.7(b)(5) and 200.16(a)(6) provides that “instruction for not less than 180 days each year shall be provided for each student.” Emergency regulations adopted in April 2020 further amended these regulations to waive the 180-day requirement in accordance with the terms of Executive Order(s) of the Governor to close schools due to the State of emergency for the COVID-19 crisis. The Division of the Budget has agreed to provide 2019-20 reconciliation rate waivers via a streamlined approval process to hold providers harmless for the impact of reduced care days due to the 10-month 2019-20 session operating less than 180 days as a result of COVID-19 closures, pursuant to the terms of Executive Order(s) issued in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

For the purposes of the 2019-20 school year, consistent with the 180-day waiver, regulatory amendment, and applicable Executive Orders, session days are the sum of the following days:

Those days in-person instruction was provided during the 2019-20 school year at the approved school site per the student’s IEP;
Those days the program was previously scheduled to be open but was closed prior to March 18, 2020 at the direction of state or local health officials as a result of the COVID-19 virus, or pursuant to a properly executed declaration of an emergency for the COVID-19 crisis;
Those days the program was previously scheduled to be open but was closed during the period of March 18, 2020 through March 31, 2020; and
Those days during the period of April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 where continuity of learning and IEP services were delivered remotely via distance learning and telepractice.

For the 2020-21 extended school year program, days where programs and services are provided remotely count toward the 30 days of service requirement. Flexibility has also been provided for the 2020-21 extended school year program to allow amended calendars beginning at a later start date and/or operating less than five days of instruction per week provided that amended calendars reflect at least six weeks of instruction and will be funded for 30 days of programs and services. Prior approval from NYSED is not required and the new start and end dates must be updated in the System to Track and Account for Children (STAC).

Further direction and authorization on how to satisfy session day requirements for the 2020-21 10-month program will be issued under separate cover.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND WORLD LANGUAGES

Tri-Valley Central School District will complete the ELL identification process within 30 school days of the start of the school year for all students who enrolled during COVID-19 school closures in 2019-20, as well as all students who enrolled during summer of 2020 and during the first 20 school days of the 2020-21 school year. After the 20 day flexibility period, the Tri-Valley Central School District will resume identification of ELLs within the required 10 school days of initial enrollment as required by Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154.
Tri-Valley Central School District will provide the required instruction Units of Study to all ELLs based on their most recently measured English Language proficiency level during in-person or hybrid instruction
Tri-Valley Central School District will maintain regular communications with the parents/guardians and other family members of ELLs to ensure that they are engaged in their children’s education during the reopening process and provide all communications for parents/guardians of ELLs in their preferred language and more of communication.

STAFFING

The Tri-Valley School District will maintain all current staffing levels relative to student instruction and operations management.

TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATION SYSTEM

Pursuant to Education Law 3012-d the Tri-Valley Central School District will fully implement our currently approved APPR plan.
Pursuant to Education Law 3001, individuals employed to teach in New York State public schools must hold a valid certificate. Tri-Valley Central School District will review the 329 Staff Certification Report to be sure that all teachers hold the appropriate certificates for their teaching assignments.

STUDENT TEACHING

The Tri-Valley School District will review, and honor (if appropriate) all requests for student teaching placements, relative to instructional opportunities and student attendance data.

2021-2022 COVID-19 Plans | Grades PK-6

Health and Safety

Students are required to wear masks on buses, while transitioning in the hallways, and in classrooms when not socially distanced
Masks are a reopening requirement mandated by the New York State Education
Department Health and Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year (p.8) o The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that masks with exhalation valves or vents, meaning masks with holes/gaps in the material are not acceptable.
In addition, according to the CDC, gaiters should be worn folded over to allow for 2 layers of protection
The ES Conference Room is the designated location for students/faculty exhibiting symptoms (ie. fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle or body aches [CDC List of COVID-19 Symptoms ])
Secondary location if a “sick” child/staff member utilizes the conference room space suspected of COVID, will be the Frost Valley office in ES gymnasium
Markings will be placed where students will sit on ES Cafeteria and the ES Hill while waiting to report to class upon arrival to ensure social distancing recommendations are followed
Class meetings will be held to train students on COVID-19 protocols including hand hygiene, proper mask wearing, social distancing, respiratory hygiene, and new classroom procedures (i.e no sharing of supplies, use of water fountains, etc).
Opening Day and/or Faculty Meetings will be held to review healthy hygiene practices
Morning Announcements will include CDC sample announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19
Birthday goodies will be delivered to classrooms to keep students from traveling the building
No visitors will be allowed to enter classrooms for birthday celebrationsStudent belongings will be kept on the backs of their chairs when a system can’t be developed where social distancing can’t be met
No lockers or cubbies will be shared
Recommended that families practice proper social distancing, hand or respiratory hygiene and face covering with their child(ren)
Masks may be required to be worn all day, even when social distancing requirements are met, based on teacher discretion Mask breaks will be included into teachers’ schedules
Hand washing will be included into teachers’ schedules
Visitors will be screened upon arrival including temperature taken and questionnaire completed
Staff will document daily independent COVID-19 screening checks
All staff will be trained in proper/safe cleaning methods to carry out disinfecting of high touch areas
Teachers will be encouraged to engage students in outdoor learning and activities, weather permitting

Facilities

One way traffic in hallways and staircases will be marked with signage .
ES classrooms will remain well-ventilated with doors, windows, and HVAC systems
open/in use ES building will receive daily cleanings & disinfection using CDC & DOH approved cleaners

Child Nutrition

Single use gloves and aprons will be worn
All lunch monies (cash) will be collected in the morning by the ES office, counted, and handed to cafeteria staff; there will be no money exchanged between students and food service staff
Meals will be plated and delivered to classrooms
Breakfast will be distributed to students as they arrive in the ES main lobby
Lunches will be eaten in the classrooms under the supervision of staff
Teachers will take meal orders and send them to the main office to be tabulated and then total counts provided to the food service provider
Lunch forms will be completed by students where they select their meal choice for the day

Transportation

Students will wear masks while on the school bus
Children who reside in the same household are permitted to sit together on school buses
Students will be encouraged to load and unload buses following social distancing protocols .
Upon arrival to classrooms, students will be encouraged to wash their hands
Dismissal and Arrival procedures will be shared with parents/guardians via letter, social media, etc. Visitor Expectations 2021-2022
Two checkpoints have been established: 1st checkpoint- sign out; 2nd checkpoint-pick up child

SEL

Mental health, well-being and learning will be prioritized
Faculty, staff, and students will be surveyed m Building level RTI committee (also referred to as PST) referral forms have been updated to reflect an SEL box as a reason for referral
Tiered interventions, data collection, monitoring and monthly reviews will be continued to determine student emotional growth; evaluate social-emotional wellbeing

Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

Attendance will be taken daily
Any students that demonstrate chronic absenteeism (not attending school), educational neglect or PINS will be considered
Phone calls will be made to families upon student accrual of absences; text or email may also be a means for communication; weekly home visits may also be done

Technology and Connectivity

If remote learning is instituted, schools closed, students will not be expected to print any work using a printer, rather electronic submissions of completed work may be expected
Students who do not have access to device during times of closures, will be issued a Google Chromebook by the district
Students without internet access may be issued wireless devices by the district. Also access the internet via the school parking lot may also be explored

Teaching and Learning

Continuity of the instructional curriculum aligned with the New York State Standards will be taught by teachers
Learning platforms will be Seesaw for grades prekindergarten through 2 and Google Classroom for students in grades 3 through 6
At the beginning of the school year, teachers will review the usage of each learning platform with students and families in preparation for any future closures
At the beginning of the school year, virtual instructional times will be established and communicated to families in case a closure is necessary. These times will remain the same each day and throughout the school year, when needed
Teachers will include in their email signature their online platform link (Google Classroom, Seesaw), office hours and their email address link
After establishing a positive climate in the classroom by means of socialization and defined routine, students will be administered an academic, diagnostic assessment – NWEA. This assessment will assist in determining student areas of strength and weaknesses

Early Learning

All Pre-K classrooms have interior restrooms
Center-based activities will be occupied by one student at a time
Students will be provided with individual sets of materials to avoid sharing of items
Items will be sanitized after use

Arts

Individual “high touch” kits will be considered; instruments will not be shared among students and staff
Remote, virtual lessons will be prepared in case of possible future school closures
Chorus & Band will maintain a 5 foot distance from all participants, with markings on the floor to support appropriate social distancing
The gathering of large groupings will be avoided, especially when designated as a high, red zone for transmission

PE

PE will take place in the gymnasium and/or outdoors
When active, students will remain 5 feet apart, with no physical contact or close proximity activities as per New York State and CDC guidelines
There will be a focus on individual skills (e.g. dance, rhythms, exercises without equipment, fitness, mindfulness, track and field, throwing, kicking, target games)

Teacher and Principal Evaluation System

APPR plans will be in place

Student Teaching

Student teachers will be permitted and subject to all health and safety protocols

TRI-VALLEY SECONDARY SCHOOL 2021-2022 COVID-19 Plans | Grades 7-12

The first day of School for secondary students will be Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Considerations consistent with all prevailing New York State, NYS Education Department and CDC laws, regulations and guidelines:

Physical distancing and wearing of face masks will be required for all students present within the school building/classroom.
Students will be assigned hall lockers and gym lockers. Students will not be permitted to carry backpacks, coats and hats during the day. These items must be placed in their lockers.

Instruction And Daily Schedule

All students will attend full time in-person instruction. The remote learning option will be used only in the event of the school needing to or being directed to close.
Students with existing medical needs or extenuating family circumstances which may prevent them from attending in-person learning at school will be addressed on an individual basis.
The school day is from 8:00am to 2:30 pm. The school day is broken up into 9, 40 minute periods, with 3 minutes passing time between classes.

In-Person Learning

Students will be present at school to receive instruction following their personal schedules.
Students will transition to their classrooms throughout the day.
Assigned seating and seating charts will be maintained to assist with contract tracing, should it become necessary.
We will monitor period changes/passing times to ensure students are able to pass safely and hallways are not congested. If necessary, additional passing time will be provided to reduce the number of students in the hallways when changing classes.

Remote Learning

For students who are determined to be unable to attend in-person learning due to medical concerns or extenuating circumstances, they will be provided with an educational plan which will be overseen and supported by secondary teacher(s).
Should it become necessary to transition to remote learning for all students, students will be expected to attend and participate in classes via the internet in real time based upon their personal schedules. Students will be required to use their chromebooks to connect virtually. All students will be required to turn their cameras on during the instructional period.

Career and Technical Education

The Secondary School will work in conjunction with Sullivan County BOCES and coordinate with them to best meet the needs of high school students who are scheduled to attend SCBOCES for Career and Technical Education programs. SCBOCES will develop their own educational plan for meeting the learning needs of these students. The TVCSD will provide transportation to and from SCBOCES centers.

Extracurricular Activities

When extracurricular activities are provided outside of the school day, the same expectations apply as would be required during the school day.

Chromebooks

Each secondary will be provided with a chromebook, charger and carrying bag to serve as a tool for instruction and learning. Students are expected to bring their chromebooks to and from school daily. Students are responsible for ensuring their chromebooks are adequately charged and in good working order each school day.

Attendance

Students will be expected to attend school daily, based upon their individual schedules. Daily attendance and period by period attendance will be recorded for each class. Students must be present for in-person learning or remote learning (should this become necessary) based upon their individual schedules. Student attendance will be monitored by our Assistant Principal and guidance counselors and addressed as needed. Should the student be absent from school, parents are expected to provide a written excuse.

Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school daily or missing 10% or more of each instructional class. We will use a variety of methods to reach out to students and their families to address absences before students fall behind in their learning. Student attendance will be monitored and addressed through working in collaboration with our Assistant Principal, guidance counselors, clinical staff, parents and students. Students who have a history of chronic absences will be monitored closely and addressed proactively at the beginning of the school year. Referrals may be made to local social services and support services for all students who become chronically absent, based upon individual circumstances.

Face Masks And Physical Distancing

Inside The School Building

All students, staff and visitors are required to wear face masks throughout the school day, inside the building.
Staff and students will maintain a minimum of 3 feet of physical distancing within the classroom. Where possible, based upon class size, teachers will provide a greater distance between students.
Mask breaks will be provided each period and throughout the school day at the direction of the teacher.
Any individual refusing to wear a face mask will be denied entering the building.

Outside Of The School Building, On School Property

Students, staff and visitors will not be required to wear face masks outside of the school building while they are on school property.
Based upon the activity or event, physical distancing ranging from 3 feet to 5 feet will be required. This will be determined by the adult in charge of the supervision of the students or activity/event. As a general rule, where there is greater physical exertion by students or individuals, the 5 feet physical distance will be required.

Cafeteria

Students will be permitted to take their masks off while they are eating.
Students are expected to remain seated while they are eating and having their masks off.
When eating, students will maintain a minimum of 5 feet from other students.
When they are finished eating students must put their masks back on.
When available and appropriate, students will be given the opportunity to go outside, to engage in an activity within the school building or to socialize within the cafeteria while maintaining a 3 foot physical distance

Chorus and Band

Students participating in band or chorus must have their face masks on and maintain a minimum physical distance of 3 feet when they are engaged in general instructional delivery.
When singing or playing their instrument as part of a lesson, an ensemble or whole group choir or band a minimum of 5 feet of physical distance from others will be required.
For horn/brass sections of the band special care will be taken to reduce the possibility of “spit” being directed towards others.
An instrument cap will be provided and the bell of the horn will face away from others.

Units Of Study

Per Commissioner’s regulations Part 100.4 and 100.5, all students will be provided instruction designed to enable them to achieve the State’s learning standards. Our learning plan provides for instruction 5 days per week and adherence to the 180 minute unit of study requirement, through in-person and remote learning.

We will ensure that all students have equitable access to high quality rigorous instructional opportunities, and experiences, provided by highly qualified, certified teaching professionals, competent in the content or discipline of the course. We will provide instruction, learning experiences and coursework that considered as a whole, is comparable in rigor, scope and magnitude to a traditionally delivered unit of study.

Instructional experiences are not defined solely as a student’s time spent in front of a teacher or in front of a screen, but time engaged in standards-based learning under the guidance and direction of a certified teacher. Synchronous and asynchronous learning may occur. These experiences might include, but are not limited to: in-person learning, remote viewing of live instruction in real time, completing online modules or tasks; viewing instructional videos; responding to posts or instructor questions; engaging with other class participants in an online or phone discussion; conducting research; doing projects; or meeting with an instructor face to face, via an online platform or by phone. The learning will be supported by faculty, and students will have access to assistance from a qualified teacher when they need it. Teachers and students may interact through face-to-face instruction or support, live real time remote learning and support through Google meets, email correspondence and/or telephone conversations.

Students in grades 7-12 will be provided with a chromebook to serve as an educational tool to support classroom instruction and to enable remote learning when they are outside of the classroom. Google classroom, Google meets and the Google suite will be used as primary platforms to support student learning.

Mental Health And Academic Support

The secondary school recognizes that students may need mental health and/or academic support during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school offers a variety of supports for students based upon individual needs. Students or parents can access these supports by contacting their Guidance Counselor, our Assistant Principal (Erin Toomey) or the Principal (David Pulley). Where necessary, individual plans will be developed to ensure student success.

Lockers

Each secondary student will be assigned a hall locker. Students will not be permitted to carry backpacks, coats and/or hats during the school day. These items must be placed in their lockers.

Visitors

Visitors to the secondary school, during the school day will be kept to an absolute minimum and must have prior administrative approval. Visitors must check in at the reception desk upon arrival. They will be required to complete the screening process.

They will be given a pass which must be displayed prominently while they remain in the building. All visitors will be escorted from the reception area by school staff.

ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Plan for Return of Sports

Participant Considerations

Students will register for fall sports through FamilyID.
Students not feeling well or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 MAY NOT ATTEND PRACTICE!
Students will be temperature screened by their coach prior to participation.
Students will tell coaches immediately when they are not feeling well after they have arrived.
Locker rooms will be available to athletes under the direct supervision of their coach.
Students will bring their own personal water bottle (Labeled with name).
Students will ensure a distance of 6 feet is maintained among individuals when possible..
Masks are Mandatory for All Indoor Activities!
Masks will be mandatory for all students and coaches during indoor activities except for cases where there is a documented medical condition and it is approved by the TVCSD Medical Director.
Mask breaks can be given in the presence of the coach, when students are stationary, at a 6 foot distance and no activity is taking place.
Outdoor activities will not require a mask. Students will wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer before, during and after each session.

Coaching Considerations

Coaches will submit attendance at the beginning of each practice session through FamilyID.
Coaches will temperature screen athletes prior to participation daily.
Coaches will submit a completed temperature screening form to the AD daily.
Coaches will ensure a distance of 6 feet is maintained among individuals when possible.
Masks are Mandatory for All Indoor Activities!: Masks will be mandatory for all students and coaches during indoor activities except for cases where there is a documented medical condition and it is approved by the TVCSD Medical Director.
Mask breaks can be given in the presence of the coach, when students are stationary, at a 6 foot distance and no activity is taking place.
Mask breaks should be scheduled into practice plans. Outdoor activities will not require a mask.
Coaches will review expectations and guidelines starting day one.
Coaches will communicate expectations & guidelines in a clear and consistent manner to students in order to create positive habits during training. Coaches will ensure that all equipment used is cleaned and disinfected regularly using the cleaning solution provided.

Parent Considerations

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from training sessions. There is a 5:00 pm bus Monday-Friday following practice.
Parents should disinfect personal equipment after each session.

Screening

Athletes will be temperature screened by their coach prior to participation.

Facilities to be Utilized

All outdoor facilities weather permitting

Indoor Facilities

OSS Lower Gym (Scheduled by AD)
SS Upper Gym (Scheduled by AD)
ES Gym (Scheduled by AD)
Weight Room (Approval needed & scheduled by AD)
Hallways (Approval needed & scheduled by AD)

General Considerations for all Sports

Coaches will prioritize non-contact activities.
Athletes will be socially distanced at 6 feet when possible during drills, conditioning and all other team activities.
Partner and small group drills will be conducted in pods/cohorts when possible.
Athletes will use the same partner(s) throughout practice as much as possible. Athletes will be instructed to wash/sanitize their hands before and after practice.
Coaches will rotate & sanitize equipment when possible during practice.

Notification Regarding Potential Exposure of COVID-19

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Please accept this letter as notification that your child may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). Contact tracing has been conducted and it has been determined that your child WAS NOT in close contact with the infected person. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines close contact in a K-12 indoor school setting as someone who was within 3 to 6 feet of an infected person.

Your child has not been reported to the Department of Public Health and does not need to quarantine. NO immediate further action is required. You are encouraged to monitor your child for COVID-19 symptoms. If you see any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your child’s primary care physician right away (this list is not inclusive of all possible symptoms):

Fever or chills . Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue . Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your respective Building Principal or Health Office.