welcome back! the nampa school district’s plan …...the nampa school district is excited to...

Welcome Back! The Nampa School District’s Plan for Reopening School for Fall 2020

The Nampa School District is excited to welcome students back for the fall of 2020. This document outlines the district’s plan to bring students back to school. In light of the Covid-19 health concerns, the Nampa School District is taking various precautions to ensure student and staff safety while still providing a robust educational experience. While this document outlines the district’s goals and expectations for the fall of 2020, due to the everchanging circumstances this plan may be subject to change. The district is deeply committed to ensuring the health and safety of students and staff members. Individual school plans for each campus will be developed based on the following criteria. Parent and staff input were collected and integrated into the final copy of this document.

Overall Goal: The overall goal of our reopening plan is to provide a high-quality educational experience for all students.

Guiding Statements: The following statements outline the district’s guiding principles. These principles highlight the district’s core interests and helped direct the district’s decisions about reopening school.

• We will ensure all students will have a meaningful connection with adults and teachers. • We will provide support and training for our families to equip them with the skills and tools they need to support their student(s). • We will follow the latest medical guidance from the federal and state level to promote student safety. • We will be good stewards of the resources provided to us. • We will respect and honor flexibility to support students and their families.

District-Level Expectations

District-Level Practices We Will Require:

• We require all district buildings to follow the latest sanitization guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and Southwest District Health.

• We require PPE for staff and students to promote student and staff safety. Face coverings are mandatory for staff and students when 6 foot social distancing cannot be maintained.

• We require social distancing of students and large groups to the greatest extent possible in our schools. • We will educate students, staff, and families on the appropriate expectations to ensure the health and safety of all. • We will limit the access of community areas, including water fountains, vending machines, and other hard to sanitize

areas.

District-Level Practices We Discourage:

• We discourage outside visitors and any unnecessary exposure to the public. • We discourage students and staff from coming to school or work when ill. • We discourage large gatherings of students or staff at any one time.

District & School Preventative Practices

Preventative Practices:

District/School Practices:

• Teach and reinforce good hygiene measures such as handwashing, covering coughs, and face coverings • Provide hand soap and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, paper towels, and no-touch trash

cans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and frequently trafficked areas • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and entrances to communicate how to stop the spread, COVID-

19 symptoms, preventative measures (including staying home when sick), good hygiene, and school/district specific protocols

• Clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared objects after each use • Allow students and staff to bring hand sanitizer and face masks/coverings to use from home • Require staff and students to wear face masks/covering, and encourage other appropriate PPE • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as

possible, as long as this does not pose a safety or health risk to students or staff • Conduct deep cleaning of schools prior to students/staff returning; schedule periodic cleanings

during weekends or school holidays/breaks (to the extent practicable) • Develop a school isolation plan ill or sick students to limit the spread of illness

CDC Guidance

• Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Schools • Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown • COVID-19symptoms • FAQsforParents • TalkingwithchildrenaboutCoronavirusDisease2019 • ConsiderationsforSchools

SouthwestDistrictHealthGuidance

• IdahoCovid-19Information

District & School Response to Illness

When A Child or Staff Member Becomes Sick at School:

District/School Requirements :

• Each school will have a response plan for ill students and staff.

• School administrators & nurses will identify an isolation room to limit physical contact with others in the school.

• Staff will monitor students or staff symptoms while wearing appropriate preventive protection equipment.

• To reduce fear, anxiety, or shame related to isolation, schools will provide clear explanations of the procedures, including use of PPE and handwashing.

• Symptomatic staff or students should seek COVID-19 testing from their regular physician or through the local

public health authority

• If a student or staff receives a positive COVID-19 viral (PCR) test result the person should remain home for at least 10 days after illness onset and 72 hours after fever is gone, without use of fever reducing medicine, and other symptoms are improving OR Alternatively, a person who had a positive viral test may return to school when they have received two subsequent negative COVID-19 viral tests at least 24 hours apart and 72 hours have passed since fever is gone, without use of fever reducing medicine, and other symptoms are improving.

• If they have a negative COVID-19 viral test (and if they have multiple tests, all tests are negative), they should

remain home until 72 hours after fever is gone, without use of fever reducing medicine, and other symptoms are improving.

• If they do not undergo COVID-19 testing, the person should remain home until 72 hours after fever is gone,

without use of fever reducing medicine, and other symptoms are improving.

Assessing Community Spread:

Movement between stages will be determined in cooperation with local health district.

Nampa School District’s Reopening Categories:

Category 2: Expected Opening

Category 1: Low Community Spread Evidence of isolated cases or limited transmission, case investigations underway, no evidence of exposure in a large communal settings, e.g. healthcare facilities, schools, mass gatherings.

Category 2: Minimal to Moderate Community Transmission: Our Expected Opening Widespread and/or substantial transmission with high likelihood of confirmed exposure within communal settings, with potential for rapid increase in suspected cases.

Category 3: - Extensive Community Spread: School Closures and Online Learning Large-scale community transmission, healthcare staffing significantly impacted, multiple cases within communal settings like healthcare faculties, schools, and mass gatherings.

Traditional School School Buildings Open With Guidance, Remote Learning, or Hybrid Learning

Distance, Remote, or Hybrid Learning

School Buildings Open Implement preventative practices and additional

processes/protocols.

School Buildings Open With Guidance Implement more intensive mitigation strategies, enhanced social distancing; remote and hybrid

learning available.

Targeted Closures Isolate and disinfect affected areas.

OR

Extended Closures Distance or remote learning for all students.

Classroom Expectations Classroom Expectations:

Category 1: Low Community Spread

Category 2: Minimal to Moderate Community Transmission – Our Expected Opening

Category 3: Extensive Community Spread – School Closures and Online Learning

School-Level Practices We Require:

• Implement standard operating procedures

• Educate students and families on good hygiene practices

• Post signage • Establish a protocol for

students and staff who feel ill • Limit unnecessary gathering of

groups • Sanitize and disinfect

classrooms


• Rearrangement of furniture to promote social distancing in classrooms

• Remove extra materials that may limit or hinder social distancing

• Have a plan to identify, isolate, and support students who may be ill

• Develop procedures and practice good hygiene (hand washing/cough etiquette/social distancing)

• Require and promote the use of face coverings and masks

• Sanitize frequently touched surfaces

• Disinfect routinely • Promote hand sanitizer and hand

washing often. • Encourage water bottles for

hydration


• Schools are closed • Distance or remote learning • Following CDC, SWDH, and local

government guidelines

School-Level Practices We Discourage:

• Unnecessary gathering of students or adults

• Coming to school when students or staff feel ill


• Sharing supplies • Touching other students • Sharing personal objects


• Students, staff, or community coming to school or using school buildings

Transitions & Movement Outside the Classroom Transitions & Movement Outside the Classroom:



Category 3: - Extensive Community Spread – School Closures and Online Learning



• Consider traffic patterns to limit student gathering

• Consider schedule changes to limit traffic in halls

• Clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces



• Revamped school schedules to decrease the number of students outside the classroom at the same time.

• Extra supervision of hallways by staff to encourage social distancing practices

• Use of “traffic patterns” in hallways to reduce congestion and crowding

• Increased hand sanitization stations throughout the school


• Schools are closed


• Unnecessary gathering of students



• Gathering in groups or loitering in hallways or on campuses

• Use of lockers, to reduce congestion and crowding

• Use of vending machines or school stores



Community Areas Community Areas (Playgrounds, Lunchrooms, Gyms, Before & After School):







• Consider schedule changes to limit student gathering



• Staggered start and/or end times of school to reduce crowding and promote social distancing, and/or school procedures at pick-up/drop off time(s)

• Expanded lunch schedules to reduce crowding and promote social distancing

• Alternative eating areas to reduce crowding and promote social distancing

• Pre-plated and/or pre-packaged meals

• Structured recess schedules and locations to avoid mixing cohorts of students

• Structured or staggered assemblies


• Schools are closed • Distance or remote learning • Following CDC, SWDH, and local



• Unnecessary gathering of students



• Large groups of students gathered together

• Loitering on campus, playgrounds, or other common areas

• Use of salad bars, a la carte, or other community serving areas

• Full school assemblies, school dances, or other social activities



Transportation Transportation:







• Educate students on good hygiene practices


• Clean and sanitize buses frequently • Develop protocol for loading and

unloading of students • Require the use of masks or face

coverings • Educate students on good hygiene

practices • Consider schedule changes to

accommodate longer arrival and dismissal times

• Parents to drive their children or have them walk or ride bicycles in order to minimize students on a bus


• Schools are closed • Distance or remote Learning • Following CDC, SWDH, and local



• Riding the bus if students or staff feel ill or have symptoms of illness


• Riding the bus if students or staff feel ill or have symptoms of illness


• Buses are not running

Students Student Expectations:



Category 3: - Extensive Community Spread – School Closures or Online Learning


• Know and follow school rules • Know & follow student

handbooks code of conduct; note changes due to Covid-19

• Cover cough, sneezes in crook of elbow

• Practice good hygiene, wash hands often


• Know and follow school rules • Know & follow student handbooks

code of conduct • Cover cough, sneezes in crook of

elbow • Practice good hygiene, wash &

sanitize hands often • Keep social distance from other

students to the best extent possible • Wear face coverings or a mask


• Schools are closed • Distance or remote learning • Checking in Daily with Teachers when

possible • Following CDC, SWDH, and local



• Unnecessary gathering of students or adults



• Sharing supplies • Touching other students • Sharing personal objects • Congregating in large groups on

school campus • Touching others



Nampa Online Virtual Academy (NOVA) The Nampa School District is aware some students and families may wish to continue their education in an online environment. NOVA offers a full-time online option for students. All students at NOVA will be provided with a Nampa School District device. Students who need internet access may also apply to receive a district-issued hotspot to be used to access educational content.

At the elementary level, students will be taught the same subjects and standards that are taught in our traditional brick-and-mortar elementary schools. Teachers will collect work and provide assessments with feedback and assignments will be graded. Group discussions will be part of the school day. At the secondary level, students will be able to access the required academic courses that are available at their traditional middle or high school. High school students will register for English, math, science, and social studies, etc. and will have the option to register for honors and Advanced Placement versions of these courses, which will be offered based on student enrollment numbers.

Students enrolled at NOVA will be able to earn a Nampa Online Virtual Academy High School Diploma. Likewise, students enrolled at NOVA also will be able to participate in sports and activities at their home school.

To register for NOVA this fall, please use the following link and fill out the open enrollment application with NOVA as your requested school.

Nampa Online Virtual Academy (NOVA):

Who can Enroll?

Elementary Students Secondary Students

Open to all students K-12:

• Any student wishing to attend NOVA is welcome. Students will be able to attend NOVA and still be able to participate in sports and activities at their home school.

To register please visit https://www.nsd131.org/apps/pages/OpenEnrollment

Open for Grades K – 5

• School iPad will be provided • Internet access available if

needed • Same subjects and standards

as traditional elementary school

• Teacher interactions with consistent feedback and grades

• Virtually group discussions and interactions with other students

School-Level Practices We Encourage:

• School computer will be provided • Internet access available if needed • Same academic courses as a

traditional high school • Honors and Advanced Placement

courses available • Can participate in sports and

activities at their home high school

Frequently Asked Questions Question Answer Will masks be required to attend school? How will the school social distance? What will happen if there is a confirmed case of COVID in my students’ school? How will schools sanitize the buildings?

• Yes, if the district is operating in the yellow or red categories, face coverings or masks are required. CDC guidance recommends the use of masks or face coverings to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Please see the following link for more information: How to Protect Yourself and Others

• Social Distancing in a school or on a bus is extremely difficult. In most classrooms, hallways, and buses social distancing is not possible. However, schools are taking measure including looking at school schedules to limit large gatherings of students, promoting traffic patterns in hallways to limit congestion, extending lunch periods so fewer students are in lunchrooms, and other mitigation strategies to promote social distancing. Each school is different therefore, each school will have a detailed plan in how they can best support social distancing behavior.

• Each school will have a procedure for dealing with ill students or staff. If there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 the district will notify local health officials and their recommended guidance. This includes notifying parents, close contact tracing, as well as cleaning and sanitizing. If there is a recommendation to conduct a short term closure the Nampa School District will follow both SWDH & CDC guidelines that may include closing the school or section of the school for cleaning and sanitizing for the recommend 2-5 days. Students or staff who have a confirmed case of Covid-19 must be symptom free, including fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication, for 72 hours prior to returning to school. The following resources provide further information:

• How to Protect Yourself and Others • COVID-19 Symptoms • COVID-19 and Children

• American Building Maintenance (ABM), Nampa School District’s custodial service contractor,

will be disinfecting common touch surfaces multiple times per day. The student restrooms will be disinfected three times a day (morning, afternoon, and during the evening cleaning). The cafeteria tables will be disinfected between groups by the Nutrition Services staff. Students will have access to hand sanitizer and hand washing throughout the day.

Will the Nampa School District close schools and go to online or distance learning? Will online learning be the same as this past spring? What is NOVA? How so I enroll in Nampa’s new online school? How will sports and activities look this fall?

• Our goal is to open school safely. Although we believe having students full time in school is

the best way to educate students, we cannot predict what will occur this coming year. If federal or local guidelines require schools to close for a prolonged period of time or if there is a substantial amount of illness in the community, Nampa will transition into remote, hybrid, or online learning.

• Based on input from our parent and staff surveys and focus groups, there will be several

changes to remote learning should we be required to close schools. First, students will earn grades for participation in online classes and the level of proficiency they demonstrate. Unlike last spring, students’ grades will be calculated, and report cards will be given. Grades will factor into GPA or high school students. Second, we will have a more structured learning environment, so families and students know what is expected each week. Other things such as daily attendance or check-ins with teachers and a day for students to catch up on assignments will be provided.

• Nampa Online Virtual Academy (NOVA) is a new fully online K-12 school. NOVA will teach the same standards and use the same curriculum as our traditional brick and mortar schools. NOVA provides students the convivence and flexibility on learning in an online environment. Students may enroll in NOVA by clicking the following link https://www.nsd131.org/apps/pages/OpenEnrollment

• Nampa will follow the guidance of the Idaho High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) in conjunction with federal and local health officials. Currently, the IHSAA and SIC are working on fall sports and will have more information coming soon.

welcome back! the nampa school district’s plan …...the nampa school district is excited to...

Documents