DCVPA Family Guide During Extraordinary Times All information in this guide is based on the most updated information provided by federal, state, and local public health agencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide updates as needed. Updated information will be communicated as it becomes available through SwiftReach Swift K12 email and phone call notification, as well as DCVPA Facebook and Twitter channels. Please follow DC Virgo on social media and be sure we have your most current contact information.

Table of Contents Teaching and Learning

● Learning Environments ● Plans A, B, C ● Virtual Learning

○ Devices and Connectivity ○ Teacher and Student Expectations ○ Help Desk Information

● Support Services ○ Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) ○ Special Education ○ Social Emotional Learning (SEL) ○ PBIS - Positive Behavior Intervention Support

School Operations ● Transportation ● Meal Services ● Athletics ● Field Trips ● Visitors and Volunteers ● Assemblies and Gatherings

COVID-19 Information ● Symptom Screening

○ Home ○ School Buses ○ Arrival and Dismissal ○ At School ○ Leaving and Returning to Campus

● Healthy School Buildings ○ Cloth Face Coverings ○ Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizing ○ Social Distancing ○ Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures ○ Water Fountain Use

● COVID-19 Reporting Procedures Additional Resources

● School calendar, website, and social media ● Community Support ● Child Care Resources ● Internet Resources

 

 

 

Teaching and Learning

Learning Environments The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many uncertainties, including how we will return to school in August and how that learning environment could change over the course of the school year. All instruction under Plans A, B, and C will be relevant, rigorous, and meaningful. This school year, regardless of which learning environment your child attends, they will be taught rigorous content every day that aligns with North Carolina’s grade-level standards. What will be the same across all learning environments?

● All students will have the same grading structures. ● Students will be counted as present if they complete their daily assignments (either online or offline) or the

student has checked-in with their appropriate teacher(s). ● All classes will use similar learning materials, texts, and instructional tools. ● All students will get appropriate support and services through the general education program, special

education, Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, Academically & Intellectually Gifted (AIG), English as a Second Language (ESL), and intervention.

● All students will get support from our social worker and school psychologist, as needed. ● All teachers will focus on establishing effective relationships and community.

Plans A, B, C To meet the requirements outlined by the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, DCVPA has developed three plans for the 2020-21 school year. DCVPA will operate under Plan C for the first quarter of 2020-2021.

Plan A - Minimal Social Distancing Under Plan A, school facilities are open and all students are present at the same time in school buildings. Enhanced health protocols are required, with other protocols recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services to be considered. Teaching and learning is traditional with preparation in place for blended learning. This environment is the most familiar to students and parents. Students receive daily, in-person instruction and support from school employees.

Plan B - Moderate Social Distancing Under Plan B, students may participate in school via moderate social distancing measures. Students will have options of face-to-face or virtual learning. When implementing the plan, the school will “identify the best blended learning plan to meet school/grade level needs pending calendar structure, traditional and remote learning days.” Students may attend school on a rotation schedule as determined by the school with consideration of transportation and specific students needs. Both face-to-face and virtual learning environments will have high expectations and will result in work that contributes to the student’s overall grade. Teachers will strategically place learning opportunities in each environment to create an overall experience that aligns to rigorous state standards for the grade level or course. Experiences during online instruction will be a combination of recorded and live instructional sessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan C - Remote Learning Only Under Plan C, no students are present in our school building. All learning opportunities will happen remotely and will include recorded and live instructional sessions.

Virtual Learning DCVPA’s Remote Learning Plan Families have the option to choose fully online instruction for their students in the 2020-2021 school year. More information on application procedures for this option beyond the first quarter will be available soon.

Devices and Connectivity Chrome books will be available for check-out for remote learning. DCVPA may provide connectivity options for students when they are in remote learning.

Teacher and Student Expectations Click HERE to view virtual learning expectations for DCVPA teachers and students.

Help Desk Information If the issue is with an application or program, please contact the teacher. Families should contact their teacher during their office hours, email, or call the school phone. If there are issues with a school-issued device, please contact the school Help Desk. The Help Desk will be monitored by the Technology Specialist throughout the school day and other office hours as established based on family needs. The help desk can be reached at helpdesk@dcvirgo.com or (910) 518-0760. In order to troubleshoot problems as they arise, Zoom has been installed on all school-owned computers, and can be installed on virtually any device a student may have free of charge. Zoom allows for voice and video calls, and also remote control of a malfunctioning student machine. Tech support is accessible on any given day on any device by phone call, video call, text, and email. For problems that require physical repairs or the replacement of a school-provided computer, appointments will be made so that computers can be dropped off, repaired, and returned safely.

Support Services

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy believes that to provide the most effective education for ALL students, we must start with providing an effective education for EACH child. We know that children have different learning needs and not all children will respond to the same instructional approach. Some students require additional support to experience success. At DCVPA, we use Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), a three-tiered problem-solving approach, to identify and support students who are not experiencing success with our core curriculum and instructional strategies. Students who are not meeting school-wide standards necessary for success will be provided with two levels of support beyond the core curriculum. MTSS has been identified as best practice in education, and fulfills federal and state legal requirements for meeting the needs of all students. At Tier 1 (i.e., core curriculum), the classroom teacher uses the core curriculum and school-wide positive behavior supports for all students, including strategies to support students with different skill levels. Research has shown that at least 80% of students can be successful with the general education classroom approach and curriculum.

 

 

At Tier 2, the core curriculum and school-wide positive behavior supports are supplemented with additional small-group interventions for students not successful at Tier 1. At D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, students are provided additional instruction in their area(s) of need. Parents will be notified in writing and proposed group interventions and support strategies will be described. At Tier 3, a small percentage of students who do not achieve success through Tier 2 interventions are provided more individualized and more focused interventions.

Special Education Students with disabilities receive specially designed instruction from certified special education teachers and related services based on educational need. Services are provided in varying amounts of time and may range from consultation to full-time services. Maximum participation in the regular classroom is emphasized. The need for special education is determined through a comprehensive evaluation process.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. DC Virgo Preparatory Academy follows CASEL’s Five Core Competencies Framework to provide SEL support for our students. The Five Core Competencies are: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. Self-awareness: The ability to accurately recognize one’s emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior. This includes accurately assessing one’s strengths and limitations and possessing a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.

Self-management: The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.

Social awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.

Responsible decision-making: The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others.

SEL instruction is provided through Sanford Harmony. Sanford Harmony is a social emotional learning program for students designed to foster intergender communication and understanding, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults. Sanford Harmony gives teachers the tools to build trust, encourage problem-solving, and establish a positive learning environment.

 

PBIS - Positive Behavior Intervention Support DC Virgo Preparatory Academy is a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) School. PBIS is an approach that addresses behavior management on a school-wide level. School staff teach and reinforce behavior expectations in all settings of our school (classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, recess, bus, etc.) and emphasize specifically that our students are: RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, HEALTHY, and KIND. PBIS methods are research-based and have been proven to significantly reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors. One of the keys is to focus on prevention. It is based on the idea that when students are taught clearly defined behavioral expectations and provided with predictable responses to their behavior, both positive and corrective, 80-85% of students will meet these expectations. The 15-20% of the students not responding to universal interventions will receive additional support through group and individual interventions. Another key element is an analysis of discipline referral data. This team-based approach to data analysis allows DCVPA’s PBIS Team to identify problem areas, brainstorm interventions, acknowledge students exhibiting positive behavior, and communicate the findings to staff, students, and parents. The key components of an effective school-wide PBIS system involve:

● Clearly defining and teaching a set of behavioral expectations ● Consistently acknowledging and rewarding appropriate behavior ● Constructively addressing problematic behavior ● Effectively using behavioral data to assess progress

PBIS Remote Learning Matrix During remote learning, DCVPA will continue to follow our PAWS expectations. Please post the hard copy provided for you in your child’s work area as a reminder of their daily expectations.  

Positive Attitude  Accountable  Work Cooperatively  Safety & Well Being 

Be on Time   

 

Computer is Charged  

 Log on a few minutes before 

class 

Mute microphone   

 

Have an adult or older sibling help 

 

 

Eat breakfast  

 

Use headphones if you have them 

 

Make sure camera is on  

 

Eat healthy snacks  

 

Find a quiet place with no distractions 

 

 

Be focused, attentive, and an active participant 

 

 

Raise hand to speak  

 

Exercise  

 

Be ready to learn  

 

Turn assignments in on time  

 

Speak clearly, look up when speaking, and stay on topic 

 

Go to bed on time  

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Operations

Transportation DCVPA partners with NHCS to provide transportation. All transportation information is located at www.nhcs.net/divisions/operations/transportation. For specific questions regarding transportation at the school level, please contact Mrs. Alisa Copeland (copelanda@dcvirgo.com 910-251-6150 x 410). To promote social distancing, no more than one student will be seated on a school bus seat at a time. Exceptions can be made for family members. This will include face masks, limiting seating, enforcing safe walk zones, and combining individual bus stops to fewer community stops. To facilitate the reduced capacity on school buses, increasing the number of routes per school will be necessary. Families should print, complete, and sign an Attestation Form daily for every student who rides the bus. See the Symptom Screening/On School Buses section of this document for details. All K-12 students riding a bus must wear a face covering unless there is an exception due to developmental, medical, or behavioral health needs. If a student cannot wear a face covering, they will be required to complete a form to notify transportation services. Forms will be available at schools and www.nhcs.net. Students who do not wear a face covering on a bus must remain socially distanced six feet from other people on the bus, which will reduce the bus capacity and require adjustments to bus routes. Hand sanitizer will be available on all school transportation vehicles for safe use by employees and older children. Touch points, including doors and windows, grab handles, arm rests, hard seats, door handles, and seat belt buckles, will be cleaned and disinfected between each bus run with an EPA-approved disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Every bus will be cleaned between morning and afternoon runs and at the end of each day

Meal Services Child nutrition employees will continue to prepare food in our school kitchen following very strict food safety and sanitation procedures required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), and NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). All students will eat in their classroom unless proper social distancing can occur. All meals will be individually packaged for direct service to students.

Athletics DCVPA follows the guidelines of both New Hanover County Schools and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Current guidelines are listed at www.nchsaa.org. All athletic activities are voluntary for student athletes. DCVPA will continue to follow NCHSAA and New Hanover County Health Department guidance regarding athletics and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Field Trips At this time, all school-based field trips are on hold until further notice.

 

 

Visitors and Volunteers DCVPA will continue to be closed to visitors except by appointment or at the discretion of the school principal.

Assemblies and Gatherings At this time, all school-based assemblies and gatherings are on hold until further notice.

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Information Once DCVPA opens under Plan A or B, the following health precautions will be taken as outlined in the following documents StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) Lighting Our Way Forward: North Carolina’s Guidance on Reopening K-12 Public Schools:

Symptom Screening

Home All students should have their temperature taken every day at home before coming to school. Students must stay home if:

● They have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not met the criteria for returning to school; ● They have recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19 and have not met the criteria for returning

to school; ● They have a temperature of 100.4°F or higher.

In addition, students must be free of any symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 to be on a school campus. At this time, these symptoms include one or more of the following:

● Fever or chills ● New Cough ● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ● New loss of taste or smell

School Buses Families should print, complete, and sign an Attestation Form daily for every student who rides the bus. Health officials advise that screening children at home and completing the form every day should reduce students’ risk of exposure to illness while riding the bus. Every student must show the bus driver their completed daily Attestation Form upon entering the bus.

● If students do not have the completed and signed daily Attestation Form, they will be asked symptom screening questions before they board the bus.

● A responsible adult or older sibling is required to wait with elementary-age children at the bus stop until screening is complete to help the child return home should health considerations indicate that they are not able to board the bus.

● All bus riders will be expected to wear a face covering. One will be provided to riders that do not have one. ● After arriving at school, all bus riders will be asked the symptom screening checklist questions and have their

temperature taken at school, before being allowed to enter the building. ● For students with limited communication or more extensive needs, screening will include dialogue with parent

or adult caregiver.

Arrival and Dismissal Schools will be limited to a few designated areas of entrance and exits which will be monitored at all times. Staff will be assigned at arrival and dismissal for the following:

● Arrival - Staff will make sure that proper sanitizing takes place prior to the entrance; face masks will be required; no unauthorized persons may enter.

● Dismissal - Staff will make sure that no congregation will take place; social distancing will be monitored.

 

 

 

 

 

At School Our school nurses are public health staff and will continue to be considered the medical expert at each school site. As supervised by New Hanover County Public Health, school nurses will maintain consistent communication and advisement for the care and well being of the school family.

● Staff will be trained on signs/symptoms to refer students for screening. Students exhibiting signs/symptoms will be discreetly provided an isolated space to wait for a parent or caregiver to take them home.

● Staff will be assigned as screeners as students arrive at school. ● Staff will be trained on the proper and consistent use of personal protective equipment. ● Face masks will be provided for students and staff without them.

Leaving and Returning to Campus Students or staff who leave campus and return during the school day will be re-screened upon arrival. All screening will occur at the designated space.

Healthy School Buildings StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) Lighting Our Way Forward: North Carolina’s Guidance on Reopening K-12 Public Schools

Cloth Face Coverings All adults and students in K-12 settings are required to wear face coverings when they are or may be within 6 feet of another person other than family members. Staff and students must wear cloth face coverings on buses and school transportation vehicles, inside school buildings, and on school grounds. Face coverings will be available at bus stops and in schools for staff and students who do not have one. All K-12 students riding a bus must wear a face covering unless there is an exception due to developmental, medical, or behavioral health needs. If a student cannot wear a face covering, they will be required to complete a form to notify Transportation Services. Forms will be available at schools and www.nhcs.net Students who do not wear a face covering on a bus will be required to remain socially distanced six feet from other people on the bus, which will reduce the bus capacity and require adjustments to bus routes.

Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizing Hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. The CDC recommends everyone wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Teachers will be teaching proper hand washing procedures in the classroom, incorporating hand washing breaks into the school day, and reinforcing hand washing during key times throughout the school day such as before and after eating, using the restroom, and touching shared objects. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, individuals are encouraged to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol). Schools will provide hand-sanitizing stations at every school entrance and exit, in the cafeteria, in every class, and on every bus and transportation vehicle. If your child has sensitivities to hand sanitizer, please communicate this with your child’s teachers so they can provide your child other opportunities to clean their hands. To prepare for a return to campus, please review hand sanitizer best practices outlined at www.cdc.gov with your child.

 

 

 

 

 

Social Distancing Social distancing of six feet or more is required by all adults and students in school buildings under Plan B. Floor markings in waiting and reception areas will indicate distancing requirements. Desks and seating will be arranged to provide appropriate social distancing and one-way entries, exits, and traffic patterns will be established to prevent crowding.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures Buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected throughout the day and every evening. Multiple times a day, custodians will perform the following duties, among others:

● Sweeping, dust mopping, and spot mopping hallways, steps, and stair landings, as well as the cafeteria; ● Cleaning and disinfecting hall water fountains; ● Cleaning and disinfecting bathroom floors, sinks, toilets, urinals, and stall handles; monitoring hand sanitizer,

soap, and paper products; ● Wiping and disinfecting high-traffic areas and touch points in halls, common areas, and classrooms, if

accessible.

Horizontal and high-touch surfaces and shared equipment will be wiped down between classes. Disinfectants used are EPA-approved for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Current cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be reviewed and enhanced in terms of frequency and intensity.

Water Fountain Use In response to COVID-19, students will be prohibited from drinking directly from water fountains. All students are encouraged to bring their own bottled water or reusable water bottles. All water bottles should be clearly labeled with the user’s name. It is the students’ responsibility to keep track of their water bottles and take them home for regular cleaning. If students need water and do not have a water bottle, they may ask an employee for a disposable cup to get water from the water fountain.

COVID-19 Reporting Procedures Reference Guide for Suspected, Presumptive, or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Report any suspected, presumptive, or positive cases to New Hanover County Public Health officials for contact tracing. All affected facilities will be additionally sanitized. Families and staff will be notified of positive cases and provided with information on contacts and how to access screening resources. Facility closures will be determined in consultation with Public Health.

Additional Resources:

School Calendar (2020-2021)

School Website

Social Media Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @dcvpa.

 

 

Community Support

NC 2-1-1 NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. Accessible via an easy-to-remember, three-digit number, families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources within their community.

Aunt Bertha Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.

Cape Fear Food Council The Cape Fear Food Council is working to enhance communication and collaboration between food assistance providers during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

No Kid Hungry No Kid Hungry North Carolina was formed in 2011 in partnership with state leaders and the national No Kid Hungry campaign, which is a program of the nonprofit organization Share Our Strength. We collectively connect kids in need with nutritious food and teach their families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. The campaign also engages the public to make ending child hunger a national priority.

Child Care Resources

CARES Act Funding COVID-19 Child Care Assistance is available through participating licensed childcare facilities in New Hanover County for families in need of childcare because of alternate school schedules. Families may fill out an application and bring it to the participating child care provider, who will complete a household assessment. To be eligible, families must have a proven need for childcare for children three to 12 years old, and a household income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

Child Care Hotline Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1 (888) 600-1685 to be connected directly to care option in our community that meet their families’ needs. The hotline is open Monday – Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.

City of Wilmington After School Programs The City is offering two locations for after school programs (Davis Community Center at Maids Park and the MLK Community Center). The dates/hours are Monday – Friday 2:30p – 5:30p. The program includes homework assistance, enrichment activities, sports and more. Parents must be able to provide their own transportation. The cost is $25/month. To apply or learn more, please visit their website.

Other Child Care Resources Brigade Boys and Girls Club - (910) 392-0747 Carr's Academy - (910) 313-2575 Community Boys and Girls Club - (910) 762-1252

 

Internet Resources

North Carolina Department of Information Technology Visit https://www.ncbroadband.gov/covid19broadband/ for a list of new and existing free or affordable service offerings from vendors across the state:

ATMC Lifeline Match ATMC has introduced a new broadband assistance program, called ATMC Lifeline Match, that will provide an additional discount of $9.25 per month on broadband service for low-income cooperative members that qualify for the Federal Communication Commission’s National Lifeline Program. ATMC members who apply and qualify for both discounts will be eligible for a combined monthly reduction of $18.50 towards their ATMC broadband service. For more information about eligibility for the federal Lifeline program, ATMC members can visit www.LifelineSupport.org and submit a verification application online. Once eligibility is confirmed, customers can call 910-754-4311 to enroll, or visit any ATMC retail location.

Other Internet & Remote Learning Resources Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church - (910) 762-1074 (free WiFi and space to work) Union Baptist Church - (910) 763-3006 (free WiFi and space to work) Warner Temple AME Zion Church - (910) 763-6308 (space to work)