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South Nodaway R-IV COVID 19 PROCEDURES - Spring 2021

July 22, 2020

South Nodaway R-IV

Re-Entry Plan

Spring 2021

3-22-2021

(STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021)

The purpose of this plan is to continue Face-to-Face instruction for students of the South Nodaway R-IV School District.  The COVID-19 Pandemic is ever changing. This plan may need altering as the school year unfolds.  The COVID-19 virus will likely remain part of our lives for at least the near future.  We will strive to provide the best educational experience possible for our students while taking precautions to keep students and staff as safe as possible.

The district will work closely with the Nodaway County Health Department.  The district will also take into consideration recommendations CDC guidelines, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the office of Governor Parsons.  While it is impossible to have every plan in place we are taking steps to try and plan for different scenarios to ensure communication between the school and parents to experience success.

Health Safeguards

•  Masks will not be a requirement at this point but at any time may become a requirement in areas of transition.  It has been encouraged that people consider using them when social distancing options are not available.  Masks are also encouraged to be used during possible transition times.  
  • Should a child become sick at school and show signs of potential COVID symptoms a child would be asked to wear a mask in a transition room until a family member could pick the child up.
  • If a student wears a mask, they will be responsible for its care.
• Hand Sanitizer-The school district has purchased hand sanitizer supplies.
  • All persons entering the school building will be asked to sanitize their hands.
  • Students will continue to be taught proper hand washing procedures and will be provided with multiple opportunities to wash their hands daily.
• Temperature Checks-The district will NOT conduct daily temperature checks of students.  In the event a student appears to have a temperature the student’s temperature will be checked.
  • The district will consider daily temperature checks in the event there are signs of an outbreak or conditions warrant reconsideration.
  • Parents are asked to self-check their children every morning before sending them to school and keep their children home if they are showing signs of illness.
  • Students who are running a fever of 100.4 or higher will be required to remain away from school up to 24 hours fever free.
  • Parents are also asked not to give their children doses of medication designed to force the body to drive down a temperature for the purpose of sending their child to the school.
• Social Distancing
  • Classrooms will be set up to social distance as much as possible.  The goal is six feet apart but there will be times six feet will be difficult. 
  • Cohorts will also be used.  For example, 2^nd grade classroom is a cohort or a group that will be social distanced from other classes.  This is to limit the number of children that will be affected if someone test positive for COVID-19.

Visitors-

• Visitors will be limited to the area just inside the front doorway next to the office behind the tape line unless an appointment has been made to come into the building. 
• Visitors will be required to complete a COVID-19 Screening Checklist in the front office before allowed to enter the building other than the front corridor. To be able to enter the building an appointment will need to be set up, temperature will be taken, hands sanitized and a mask must be worn.  IF all possible we would like to limit the visitors to (essential purposes) in the building to be able to keep your child and the staff safe.
• During pick-up or drop-off times visitors are not allowed in the front doors due to the lack of room available and the students entering to go to class.

Transportation-

• •   The South Nodaway R-IV School District will continue to transport students as they have in the past.
    • Parents need to self-screen their children at home to be sure they are not running a temperature or have any of the COVID-19 symptoms before they are picked up on the bus.
    • We will also rearrange bus routes to keep the number of students lower on the bus.
    • Families that wish or able to transport their student are encouraged to do so during this time.

Cafeteria Guidelines-

• Students will be allowed to eat:
  • Lunch will be in the cafeteria for grades pre-K – 2^nd & 7th grade, 3rd-6th and 8th-12th will eat in their classrooms.
  • Napkins and silverware will be placed on trays directly by staff.
  • Food sharing will be prohibited.
  • Social distancing marks will be on the floor to create a 6 ft. space between students when in line for lunch or putting back their trays.

Recess, P.E., Art, Music, Library

• Recess will still take place. 
  • Indoor Recess: numbers of students will be limited per recess session.
  • Outdoor Recess: not limited
• Physical Education (P.E.) 
  • Sanitize equipment after being used.
• Music
  • Classes where students are singing will spread out to a minimum of 10-12 feet.
    • During appropriate weather, classes could be conducted outside or in the gym.
    • Alternative lessons may be provided for this upcoming year.
  • Students will not share equipment

• Art
  • Sharing of materials or equipment will be kept to a minimum.  Should equipment need to be shared the equipment will be washed or hand sanitizer be provided.
• Library
  • Students will be able to check out books.
  • Books will go through a disinfecting process before being returned to shelves.

Academics

• The South Nodaway R-IV School District will adhere to a grading policy should the district be required to move into a virtual instruction mode. 
• In the event the school transitions into a virtual setting, attendance in virtual instruction will be required and students will be required to adhere to set schedules created by the classroom teacher.  The district/teacher will take into consideration that not all families can be in a virtual classroom during the day due to family constraints outside of their ability to control.

Virtual School

• If you are not comfortable sending your child to school this year due to COVID-19 we do have a virtual option that is available for this year only.

Cleaning and disinfecting the building

• Custodial staff will continue to disinfect the school on a regular basis.

Procedures for students who become sick at school

• Take the students temperature
• Contact the parent and determine if the child has been in an area where they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Students with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home.
• A child would not be allowed to return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours.
• Students will be placed on a 14-day symptom watch to see if they develop any additional symptoms associated with COVID.  These symptoms are, fever or chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, new runny nose or congestion or shortness of breath.
• The district will communicate closely with and follow guidance from local health officials

County Health will be contacting the persons who will be quarantined.  South Nodaway will help County Health with contact tracing but we will not know who will be quarantined until after County Health has made contact with those persons first.  South Nodaway cannot disclose the names of those who test positive due to HIPAA regulations.

At any point these guidelines can change where they can be more restrictive or less restrictive depending on the recommendation our local health department.  Our goal is to keep school open and not shut down.  If we all work together to make this happen then the sooner we will get through this.  Thank you.