Reopening Schools Task Force Board Packet The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the work that the Richland District Two Reopening Schools Task Force is doing to prepare for the reopening of our schools. The task force is divided into 4 teams—safety, operations, academics and communication. In this report, you will find links and information that will guide you through each team’s work. Everyone is working on an extremely tight timeline and we appreciate your input and patience as we traverse through the various layers of making the right decision as to how to begin learning in the fall for our Richland Two families. Final AccelerateED recommendations were released June 22, 2020 - DedicationtoEducation.com and include audience-based resources for parents and students, educators and districts and schools.

Find the summary that highlights key excerpts from the full plan here.

Read the full recommendations here.

Video of the press conference releasing the report can be found here.

The new State Department of Education website that was released for use now during the pandemic is http://dedicationtoeducation.com/

Contents

I. Defined Challenges ……………………………………………………………………….. 2

II. Goals ………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

III. Task Force Organization ………………………………………………………………… 3

IV. Safety ….…………………………………………………………………………………... 4

V. Operations ………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ……………………………………………………… 4 Cleaning and Sanitation …………………………………………………………………….. 4 Facility Improvements ……………………………………………………………………… 5 Transportation ……………………………………………………………….……………… 5 Food Services ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5 School Capacities ………………………………………………………………………….... 6 Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19 …………………………………………….. 6 Human Resources …………………………………………………………………………... 6

VI. Academics .…………………………………………………………………...…………... 6 Reopening Models …………………………………………………….…………………… 7

Model 1: Full-Time Virtual Program ………………………………………………..…. 7 Model 2: Blended/Hybrid ……………………………………………………………… 7 Model 3: Traditional …………..…………………………………………..…………… 8

Technology Support/Internet Services …………………………………………………….. 9 Social-Emotional Supports ………………………………...……………………………… 9 Special Education Services ……………………………………………....………………... 10 Athletics …………………………………….……………………………………………... 11 Arts …………………………….………………………………………………………….. 11 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) ……………………………………….. 12

VII. Communications .………………..……………………………………………………… 12 Military Relations ………..………………………………………………………………... 12 June 1-8, 2020 Reopening Schools Survey ……………………………………………….. 12 Research and Resources …………………………………………………………………... 16

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I. Defined ChallengeHow will we logistically open up schools in the fall in the safest manner to ensure the most equitable learning for all students?

II. GoalsOur work is guided by the following goals:

1. The physical school environments should embody public health guidelines to prevent aCOVID-19 outbreak and additional closures. Translation for us: we open in a safe andefficient manner.

2. The plan must produce enough confidence that families, students and educators feelcomfortable and ready for learning in the fall. Communication with all stakeholders willbe key.

3. Utilize a diverse group of teachers, parents, principals and various district-level personnelwith expertise in the priority categories to ensure equitable solutions to meet all learner’sunique needs.

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III. Task Force Organization

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IV. Safety The safety team in collaboration with recommendations from the CDC and SC DHEC has developed the following documents to serve as guidelines for the Reopening of Richland District Two Schools:

● Created guidance documents for schools on temperature taking, the return of materials, etc.

● Reopening School Decision Tree from CDC ● Interim School Guidance from DHEC ● Nursing task force considerations ● DHEC Interim Guidance for Suspect and Confirmed COVID-19 ● Phase I Athletics, Arts, JROTC Practice management (temperatures) ● Letter created for COVID-19 Positive in athletics, arts, and JROTC ● Related services considerations- OT, PT, SLP, audiology, GenEd teachers with students

with hearing impairment ● Health and Safety Considerations information for parents for the next survey ● Creation of Employee COVID-19 possible exposure letter with HR

V. Operations The Operations Department is working in collaboration with the Reopening Schools Task Force to ensure our students, faculty and staff are safe when we return to school. We are also working to ensure all logistics are in place to be as efficient as possible and we continue to work collaboratively with Dawn MacAdams on the latest guidelines from the CDC and SCDHEC. The following are steps we have taken and continue to take to ensure we are successful: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

● SC DHEC recommends face coverings for all students and staff. If your child or an employee does not have a face covering, one will be provided to them. The practice of wearing a face covering isn't about keeping yourself safe. It's about the consideration of others that may be more at-risk and keeping them safe from you.

● Currently, we have masks, gloves, and sanitizers in stock. Working with Procurement Department on a process for schools to purchase supplies

● Working with Dawn MacAdams and others on Face Guards for staff who need those instead of masks or a combination of. Examples include speech teachers or high-risk individuals. Nurses and Health room assistants PPE requirements will differ from teachers and will require a written respirator program and Fit testing, as well as gowns, face shields, gloves and N-95 masks with Fit testing.

Cleaning and Sanitation

● The district’s custodial provider, Service Solutions, has developed a plan to ensure our schools are cleaned and sanitized frequently.

○ SSC Cleaning Plan ● The district has purchased and is awaiting delivery of the Electromatic Sprayer. These

will be in each school and multiple in larger schools.

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○ Electromatic Sprayer ● The district and SSC are working together to increase staffing at each school so that

certain custodian staff can just focus on high touch points and sanitation throughout the day.

● The district will assist schools with purchasing disinfectant and towels for teachers and classrooms to use as well.

Facility Improvements

● The district has ordered and waiting on delivery of Touchless Hand Sanitation Stations to be at the front entry and other locations throughout the school.

● The Maintenance Department is ensuring every sink and soap dispenser is working in the district and making those repairs.

● Water fountains will be temporarily turned off unless they have bottle filling stations. We are looking to install more bottle filling stations as possible

● Maintenance will be installing plexiglass shields across the district at high transactional points

● The district has done research and analysis on improvements to the air filtration across the district. Our recommendation at this time is to purchase and install higher MERV rated filters and increase the frequency of those filters are changed.

● Working with Communications to provide signage to be displayed throughout the schools with reminders of social distancing, wearing masks, handwashing, etc.

Transportation

● Currently, recommendations from SCDE are to not exceed 50% capacity on our school buses “unless not feasible”.

● Transportation has developed a draft plan of how to get students to and from school and continues to modify as we determine what school will look like.

○ Draft Transportation Plan ● Transportation is actively working on routes to determine if we need to adjust start times

in order to get students to and from school in a timely manner. ● Transportation is working with the registrar to get as much pre-information on who needs

transportation this year. ● Transportation is working with SCDE to make modifications to the bus to include Hand

Sanitizer Station when you enter and leave the bus and plexiglass shield for the driver. ● Buses will be cleaned and sanitized as frequently as possible to include Electromagnetic

Sprayer for each bus hub ● Transportation is actively recruiting and starting back training as many potential bus

drivers as possible so we can use as many state- and district-owned buses. At this time the state will not be giving us additional buses.

Food Services

● The district's food service partner, Sodexo, has developed plans and has the resources to activate the plans they need to act to feed our students.

● These plans include eating in the classroom, multiple cafeterias in the school, mobile feeding, etc.

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School Capacities

● Operations and the Planning Department are working together with one of our architectural partners to develop social distancing capacities for each of our schools and for all of our spaces in our schools. This includes gyms, cafeterias, etc so that each space could be used as a teaching space and certain subjects could be pushed into that space.

● Additionally, these floor plans would identify one way in hallways, entrances and exit doors, etc.

Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19

● The Operations Department is working with all departments to provide a COVID-19 SOP for all schools to include all of the previous information to ensure all schools have a district guide that they can edit to make specific for their school

Human Resources

● Survey staff members to identify those with conditions that could prevent their safe return to regular in-person job duties in August. The process will ensure confidentiality is maintained for all staff members.

● Based on the feedback, plans will be developed to ensure we meet the instructional needs of our students while accounting for the health needs of staff. Also, we will review and revise work from home procedures and expectations for impacted staff.

● Draft guidelines for the reassignment of staff as needed for potential virtual school staffing.

● In preparing for the social and emotional needs of our staff, we will communicate the resources available to them during this time to include mental health benefits associated with our PEBA sponsored health insurance and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

VI. Academics The Academics Department is working in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Department to ensure students have the best learning experience they can have and teachers have the professional learning and resources they need to support that learning.

● Developed the district’s e-Learning model which mirrors the district’s instructional model. This model sets instructional expectations for e-Learning.

● In collaboration with the Instructional Technology Department ○ Evaluated and purchased access to Edgenuity content and intervention courseware

for grades K-12. Edgenuity will serve as a resource for teachers providing e-Learning instruction. On-going Edgenuity training is being provided for teachers.

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○ Developed the summer professional learning series for teachers, which provides in-depth professional development for all teachers. We currently have 1350 teachers registered for this professional learning.

○ Secured devices for grades K and 1 ○ Developing e-Learning supports and resources for parents and the community.

● Provided AVID Digital XP professional learning on organizing and engaging in e-Learning on June 15 -17 for 453 district teachers and administrators

● Provided parents with summer enrichment resources to continue learning during the summer

● Working with teams of teachers to revise pacing guides in core content areas ● Expanded summer reading camp for students in grades 2-4 identified below grade level

in reading (267 students currently enrolled) ● Developing a virtual summer camp for K-1 students identified below grade level in

reading and mathematics for July ● Providing Summer Boost (rising 6th-grade students) and Summer Bridge (rising

9th-grade students) programs focused to address learning gaps ● Expanding virtual options for students

Reopening Models The task force is working on three different models for returning in the fall: Model 1: Full-Time Virtual Program Richland Two plans to open a full-time K-12 Virtual School. Students will transfer their attendance to this new school with the intention of remaining a virtual student, post-COVID19. Students participating in this model will complete all courses online with instructors assigned to the Virtual School. Preference will be given to families who have identified medical concerns. Students participating in this program may not have access to extra-curricular or co-curricular activities. The goal of this school will be to operate as a competency-based system for students. Model 2: Blended/Hybrid How might we logistically open up schools in the fall in the safest manner to ensure the most equitable learning for all students? This question is what five design teams -each made up of principals, classroom teachers, nurses, parents, district personnel, students, and special education staff- are working to answer. Through the month of June these teams will be using a human-centered design lens to provide district leadership with possible scenarios of the logistical reopening of schools that fall between fully online and fully brick and mortar options. Teams began with empathy work in reading articles and resources from around the world on reopening schools, talking to community members and district faculty and staff, and conducting

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surveys and polls to gauge the community's pulse. Input from everyone and the participation of diverse teams will create greater equity in our solutions. Teams meet over Google Meets at least once a week and do individual work and reflection outside of those meetings. As they move through June, teams will work on the ideation phase of design: diverging as wide as possible to capture all possible scenarios then converging on top solutions. With each team's top scenarios voted on, they will recommend top ideas and share key insights and considerations with district leadership on June 25. Model 3: Traditional Schools will practice social distancing with frequent gentle reminders to students and staff to remain at least six (6) feet apart at all times. Our planning and operations divisions are working on how that looks in the classroom. In addition, we are taking into consideration how to social distance in the hallways, at drop-off/ pick-up locations, in the cafeteria, and in co-curricular activities. Transportation is working with the model set forth by the SC Department of Education and SC DHEC to maximize use of our busses, while maintaining social distancing. Because water fountains are a “high” touchpoint area, they will be temporarily disabled in the schools. Hydration is very important to the overall health of our students and staff, and thus we encourage you to send a water bottle with your child every day. Our custodial staff will be working to diligently clean and disinfect high touch point areas, with more intensive disinfection performed after students and staff are gone for the day. All Facilities will see modifications to the building that include plexiglass barriers at high transactional areas, touchless hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the building, improving air quality through higher MERV rated filters, and other improvements based on each particular school. Our schools are working to identify how to social distance in our health rooms and accommodate both healthy/well visits and sick visits. This means that many schools may have to designate an alternate supervised area to have ill students wait to be picked up by parents. We will adhere to the SC DHEC School and Daycare Exclusion list to guide our practice for both students and staff. During the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not be using nebulizers in the school setting due to the aerosolization/spray of droplets formed by the nebulizer. We ask our parents to work with your

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child’s physician to obtain a Multi-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer, e.g. Albuterol, Xopenex, Ventolin, etc. We want to respect your child’s privacy and provide care in the safest manner. School nurses will work with parents to consider which medications and treatments have to be administered in the school setting. This may mean the school nurse or health room assistant goes to the classroom and discreetly has your child come out into the hall to receive their medication or treatment. This will cut down on the student having to come to the health room for medication, and decrease their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Technology Support/Internet Services

● Technology and Academics are verifying that all are in place for the overarching learning management platform, Google Classroom, and that all teachers are trained in using the platform.

● The Technology Department worked with Academics to secure the eLearning platform software (Edgenuity) which comprises several components that deliver online instruction to all students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, and to complete implementation.

● Instructional technology staff is currently conducting professional development in the instructional model and the e-learning model, which will run through the end of July.

● Technology arranged for the purchase of additional Chromebooks to extend the one-to-one computing implementation down the kindergarten and 1st grade.

● The acquisition of other equipment (additional Chromebook chargers, carry cases etc) is being made to implement the flexibility for elementary school take-home computing, or for in-class one-to-one computing.

● Technology continues to operate a Service Center Depot at Longleaf Middle School to support the repair or replacement of Chromebooks when necessary.

● A tiered approach to the overall support and problem resolution for at-home learning with devices follows this escalation path when students encounter difficulties: Student → Classroom teacher → Technology and Learning Coach → IT Support Team. This support model mirrors the support protocol that would normally take place in the regular classroom when students need help with devices or software.

● The acquisition of additional mobile hotspots is being done to accomplish two goals: begin the migration of the old hotspot hardware (Kajeets) to the new platform, AT&T Cradlepoint, and to provide for additional hotspots where needed for students.

Social-Emotional Supports

● The Learning Support Services Leadership Team includes leaders from behavior interventionists, school counselors, family intervention services, nurses, psychologists,

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and social workers. The LSS Leadership Team works in collaboration with schools and district personnel to support students, families, and teachers in responding to academic, health, social-emotional, and wellness challenges. LSS professionals worked directly with families, students, and teachers during the school closure and will continue to do so as we move forward toward reopening. Specific recommendations for moving forward are in these documents.

● Learning Support Services Team recommendations: ○ LSS recommendations ○ Professional Development related to LSS plans, June 2020

Special Education Services

● April 2020 - present: Participated in weekly Local Education Agency (LEA) Directors’ Call held by the SC Department of Education Office of Special Education to hear guidance on Reopening Schools specifically related to SPED

○ (COVID-19 LEA Call 2020) ● May 2020 - Conducted survey of Special Education Teachers to determine reopening

concerns specific to Special Education Classrooms K-12 (Special Education Concerns for All Grade Levels)

● May 2020 - Held 3rd District-wide Faculty Meeting to address concerns regarding closeout of school and address concerns or anxiety about reopening school related to the SPED teacher survey (Planning for Success)

● May 2020 - present: SPED Supplemental School Closing & Reopening Meetings ○ Discussed concerns regarding the delivery of services to include instructional,

behavioral, speech, occupational therapy, audiological, etc. ○ Started brainstorming a plan to address the time needed for recoupment of skills

to include academic and behavioral ○ Identified concerns related to the safety of students who are in more restrictive

learning environments and require direct adult support for toileting, feeding, and medical assistance i.e. suctioning, cleansing feeding tubes, etc.

○ Discussed the challenge of evaluating students for SPED services as the assessments are not designed for virtual use and considered an alternative to traditional evaluations

● June 2020 - Present: Collaborated with Instructional Technology Team to develop Summer Professional Development customized for Special Education Teachers who teach in specialized (formerly self-contained) programs to enhance teaching in the virtual environment using tools unique to each program model

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Athletics ● Created Copy of Re-entry Plan from State AD Meeting ● Memo - Return of High School Sponsored Team Sports ● Guidelines for Return of High School Sponsored Team Sports ● SCHSL Return of High School Sponsored Team Sports Guidelines ● Created Athletic Waiver Form RSD2 Athletic Covid Waiver ● Dawn MacAdams Created Phase I Athletics, Arts, JROTC Practice management

(temperatures) ● Shawn Williams and Dawn MacAdams Created Professional Learning for all coaches,

band directors and JROTC for Phase One - four sessions offered. Arts The Visual and Performing Arts face unique challenges. In April, each arts group began meeting with Wendy Campbell, the Fine Arts Coordinator, bi-weekly to collaborate on lessons and best practices for presenting the arts curricula virtually. These meetings continue into the summer. We are working in collaboration with the Reopening Schools Task Force to ensure our students, faculty and staff are safe when we return to school and that students can continue practicing their art form. The following are steps we have taken and continue to take to ensure we are successful in our efforts:

● Using CDC Guidelines, the South Carolina Band Directors Association recommendations, and the South Carolina High School League guidelines, Band Instructors developed the Guidance for Return to Instrumental Music Ensembles. This document details the safe return of both marching band and instrumental ensembles.

● In conjunction with Athletics and the South Carolina High School League, a Band Waiver Form was created. This waiver must be signed for students to participate in marching band. This form is available on the district website. Additionally, Arts worked with Will Anderson in Operations to gather the numbers for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for the band.

● A Band Information Sheet is available on the district website that outlines the safety measures being taken as summer ensembles reopen.

● Working with Dawn McAdams and Cleveland Smith for athletics, a Band Health Screening protocol was created. This form allows all instructors to use a common practice for monitoring the health screening of all participants.

● To bring focus to our meetings, and in an effort to gather visual and performing arts teachers needs, a spreadsheet is created and shared for teachers’ use. This spreadsheet gives teachers an opportunity to identify needs for the three possible reopening options. Each art form--visual art, music, band, orchestra, theatre, and dance--has its own collaborative document. Additionally, the national and state guidelines from various arts organizations are reviewed and discussed at each meeting. Organizations include but are not limited to: the SC band Directors Association, SC Music Educators Association, The

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National Dance Association. SC Arts Alliance, Choral Directors Association, National Art Association, and SC Thespian Association.

● Orchestra/Strings teachers in Richland Two created an Orchestra Reopening Guide. This guide was shared with AccelerateSC as a baseline for the state’s considerations.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

● COVID-19 English Learner Fact Sheet from USDOE ● SCDE Title III Provisional Screening of English Learners Procedures ● eLearning Resources/Suggestions for English Learners from WIDA ● Reopening Schools - ESOL

VII. Communications

● A landing page has been developed for our website that will keep our community updated on the next steps.

● The webpage will include a “frequently asked questions” section. ● In addition, “Inside Two” will provide weekly updates to our faculty, staff and

community. ● Completed districts response to media questions about reopening ● The district’s Back to School web page will be used to provide updates to the community ● Working with Safety Chair to acquire higher quality posters and to arrange consistent

display guidelines and placement Military Relations

● Military-Connected Students and Parent Communication ● Education is a growing concern in defense communities, according to the CMSI Pain

Points Poll, a rolling survey of military families, veteran families and community leaders. The most recent survey results show that 41% of military family respondents identify education resources as one of the top three unmet needs in their communities

● As a Purple Star District Richland Two will continue to not only maintain solid communication protocol moving forward but improve and increase our level of communication as it relates to Reopening processes and procedures for our Military-connected students, parents, and with Military installation Leaders.

● Reopening (Military Families) ● Military Student Education Transition Checklist ● WHAT MILITARY FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19

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June 1-8, 2020 Reopening Schools Survey The reopening schools survey was administered to students, parents, and staff on June 1-8, 2020. The survey collected information about our partners’ comfort level with potential reopening scenarios, personal protective equipment, and social distancing. Find the full report on the June 1-8, 2020 Survey here. Summary response charts for several key reopening scenarios are provided below for the 6-12 graders, parents, and staff. The charts report the percentage of our partners who feel comfortable or completely comfortable with each scenario. The survey asked the question for when PPE and non-PPE measures are in place.

○ Chart 1: Reopening school on August 19 with all students following a regular daily schedule.

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○ Chart 2: Reopening school on August 19 with students on a rotating schedule; two days in school and three days learning from home.

○ Chart 3: Resuming remote learning on August 19 and reopening school later in

the fall.

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○ Chart 4: Maintain remote learning through fall and reopen schools in January.

○ Chart 5: Maintain remote learning for the entire school year. (Please note that PPE

was not asked for this question.)

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Research and Resources

● Collection of news articles and websites ● Additional Research Information ● AASA Guiding Principles & Action Steps for Reopening Schools

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