Schools Make Students’ Health a Priority, Says Super
By Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools
Schools serve as vital resource hubs and safety nets for students and families during challenging times. We in the educational community are embracing the opportunity to reimagine our educational system as we look to re-open schools.
Lake County Superintendents and school personnel, in partnership with the Public Health Officer, are planning to reopen schools safely and on time for the 2020–2021 school year.
When we discuss the concept of safety, it is not just about mitigating the risk of spread of COVID-19, it is also about improving school programs and practices ensuring our schools, however they may look, are places of inclusivity and equity.
Lake County School Districts will strive to maintain the following guiding principles, as we all move forward to address the needs of our children and our communities:
• Continuing to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all students.
• Managing and mitigating risk associated with COVID-19.
• Ensuring equity for all students and maximizing individual student achievement.
• Returning students to classroom-based instruction five days per week or as many days as the COVID-19 health pandemic allows.
• Supporting individual family choice/need by providing online/distance-based learning options for those families who desire it.
• Continuing to provide for the nutritional needs of the children in our communities.
• Providing a safe harbor for school-
aged children during the school day.
What Families Can Expect
Social Distancing
Social distancing will help limit the spread of the virus. Schools will consider the following strategies to maintain smaller groups of students in shared spaces:
• Modify school schedules.
• Limit visitors on campus.
• Keep students in smaller groups.
• Keep student groups from mixing.
• Serve meals in small group settings.
• Serve individually plated or boxed meals.
• Stagger lunches, recesses, and other transition times.
• Prohibit large gatherings like assemblies and dances.
• Identify a sick room for students who are not feeling well.
Screening at Home
• Anyone with a fever of 100.4°F or higher should not go to a school site.
• Anyone with respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, should not go to a school site.
Arriving at School
• Staff may be wearing face coverings.
• Students may arrive on buses with fewer students.
• Parents and visitors may have limited access to the school campus.
• Arrival and dismissal times may vary depending on grade level.
General Safety Precautions throughout the Day
• Schools will follow enhanced disinfecting guidelines.
• Physical barriers may be installed where social distancing is not possible.
• All students and staff will be asked to regularly wash/clean their hands.
• Schools will limit sharing of supplies between students.
Other Safety Considerations
• The California governor has mandated that everyone older than 2 must wear face coverings in public areas.
• Gloves are not recommended for students and staff, except those individuals whose duties involve cleaning, first aid, or food service.
Every child may not be able to be on campus at the same time. Schools may use schedules that combine distance learning and on-campus instruction. Schedules may change throughout the year. Some examples of schedules may include:
• Five Days a Week Classroom-Based Instruction, with Parent Choice
• All students will return to a full school day, five days a week.
• Social distancing will be practiced, as feasible, on all school campuses.
• Large group gatherings—field trips, assemblies, dances—are not recommended.
• High-quality, distance-based learning options will be available for those families who choose them.
Schools may revert to one of these other options below, if the situation requires.
• Limit the number of students on campus to 50 percent of normal: Divide all classes into two equal groups. One would come to school on Monday and Wednesday, the other on Tuesday and Thursday. All teachers provide each group with two days of direct instruction and support, and three days of assignments to complete at home each week.
• Provide take-home meals for each eligible student before students leave each day.
• Limit the number of students on campus to 25 percent of normal:
Divide classes into four equal groups: one for each day Monday–Thursday, plus one day of teacher prep. Teachers provide each group with one day of direct instruction and support, and four days of assignments to complete at home.
• Provide take-home meals for each eligible student before the end of the day.
• On Friday teachers provide individual or small-group support by appointment, or use the day to prepare packets for the next week.
• AM/PM minimum day schedule: All classes are divided into two or four equal groups that meet two to four times each week Monday through Thursday, plus one day of teacher prep. All teachers provide each group with one half day of direct instruction and support, and assignments to complete at home.
• Schools provide take-home meals for each eligible student before they leave each day.
• On Friday teachers provide individual or small-group support by appointment, or use the day to prepare packets for the next week.
For more information, see lakecoe.org/ReopeningSchools, or contact your individual school district.
Schools serve as vital resource hubs and safety nets for students and families during challenging times. We in the educational community are embracing the opportunity to reimagine our educational system as we look to re-open schools.
Lake County Superintendents and school personnel, in partnership with the Public Health Officer, are planning to reopen schools safely and on time for the 2020–2021 school year.
When we discuss the concept of safety, it is not just about mitigating the risk of spread of COVID-19, it is also about improving school programs and practices ensuring our schools, however they may look, are places of inclusivity and equity.
Lake County School Districts will strive to maintain the following guiding principles, as we all move forward to address the needs of our children and our communities:
• Continuing to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all students.
• Managing and mitigating risk associated with COVID-19.
• Ensuring equity for all students and maximizing individual student achievement.
• Returning students to classroom-based instruction five days per week or as many days as the COVID-19 health pandemic allows.
• Supporting individual family choice/need by providing online/distance-based learning options for those families who desire it.
• Continuing to provide for the nutritional needs of the children in our communities.
• Providing a safe harbor for school-
aged children during the school day.
What Families Can Expect
Social Distancing
Social distancing will help limit the spread of the virus. Schools will consider the following strategies to maintain smaller groups of students in shared spaces:
• Modify school schedules.
• Limit visitors on campus.
• Keep students in smaller groups.
• Keep student groups from mixing.
• Serve meals in small group settings.
• Serve individually plated or boxed meals.
• Stagger lunches, recesses, and other transition times.
• Prohibit large gatherings like assemblies and dances.
• Identify a sick room for students who are not feeling well.
Screening at Home
• Anyone with a fever of 100.4°F or higher should not go to a school site.
• Anyone with respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, should not go to a school site.
Arriving at School
• Staff may be wearing face coverings.
• Students may arrive on buses with fewer students.
• Parents and visitors may have limited access to the school campus.
• Arrival and dismissal times may vary depending on grade level.
General Safety Precautions throughout the Day
• Schools will follow enhanced disinfecting guidelines.
• Physical barriers may be installed where social distancing is not possible.
• All students and staff will be asked to regularly wash/clean their hands.
• Schools will limit sharing of supplies between students.
Other Safety Considerations
• The California governor has mandated that everyone older than 2 must wear face coverings in public areas.
• Gloves are not recommended for students and staff, except those individuals whose duties involve cleaning, first aid, or food service.
Every child may not be able to be on campus at the same time. Schools may use schedules that combine distance learning and on-campus instruction. Schedules may change throughout the year. Some examples of schedules may include:
• Five Days a Week Classroom-Based Instruction, with Parent Choice
• All students will return to a full school day, five days a week.
• Social distancing will be practiced, as feasible, on all school campuses.
• Large group gatherings—field trips, assemblies, dances—are not recommended.
• High-quality, distance-based learning options will be available for those families who choose them.
Schools may revert to one of these other options below, if the situation requires.
• Limit the number of students on campus to 50 percent of normal: Divide all classes into two equal groups. One would come to school on Monday and Wednesday, the other on Tuesday and Thursday. All teachers provide each group with two days of direct instruction and support, and three days of assignments to complete at home each week.
• Provide take-home meals for each eligible student before students leave each day.
• Limit the number of students on campus to 25 percent of normal:
Divide classes into four equal groups: one for each day Monday–Thursday, plus one day of teacher prep. Teachers provide each group with one day of direct instruction and support, and four days of assignments to complete at home.
• Provide take-home meals for each eligible student before the end of the day.
• On Friday teachers provide individual or small-group support by appointment, or use the day to prepare packets for the next week.
• AM/PM minimum day schedule: All classes are divided into two or four equal groups that meet two to four times each week Monday through Thursday, plus one day of teacher prep. All teachers provide each group with one half day of direct instruction and support, and assignments to complete at home.
• Schools provide take-home meals for each eligible student before they leave each day.
• On Friday teachers provide individual or small-group support by appointment, or use the day to prepare packets for the next week.
For more information, see lakecoe.org/ReopeningSchools, or contact your individual school district.
