The Washington Community Schools has released the Back-to-School Plan Developed by the School Systems in Daviess and Martin Counties was released Friday afternoon. The plan was developed through a collaboration between the school districts, the Daviess and Martin County Health Departments and the Indiana State Department of Health.
▪ School starts on-time, in-person, 5 days a week
▪ Online learning option from home available (Note: The online curriculum will be limited and cannot mirror the full curriculum/experience of inperson instruction.)
ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOL
Increased number of hand sanitizer stations in all classrooms & key locations
Safe, effective, hospital strength sanitizing agents used on schedule throughout the day on all high-touch areas in the school/classroom and on buses
Virus-killing fog machines purchased for use in contaminated areas
COVID POSITIVE PROTOCOL
Individuals will be quarantined for 14 days before returning to school. Contact tracing and guidance provided by the Daviess County Health Department.
OTHER ILLNESSES
WCS will be following the ISDH guidelines for the readmission of students/staff to school.
HAND WASHING
Hand washing will be required throughout the day. Additional hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom.
WATER BOTTLES
Students will be allowed to carry water bottles. All water fountains will be used only for the purpose of filling the bottles.
STAY HOME IF SICK
Parents should pre-screen their children daily based on CDC guidelines before sending their child to school.
CLINIC LOCATIONS
Students with COVID symptoms will be separated from other students.
TRAINING
Professional development will be provided to all staff at start of school year on symptoms, screening measures, and prevention.
ASSIGNED SEATING
Seating charts will be used where feasible. Siblings will be seated together on buses.
MASKS
Masks/face coverings are strongly recommended. The ISDH and DCHD/MCHD cites a 40-60% reduction in COVID-19 transmission when masks are used. Social distancing may not be possible at all times (bus, hallway, clinics, group work). In those cases, schools may ask that masks/coverings be utilized.
Some Changes You Will See…
SCHOOL EVENTS
Individual schools will communicate with parents on back to school procedures. WHS and WJHS will follow IHSAA guidelines for school athletics. Rules and procedures will be in place for other school related activities.
CAFETERIA ADJUSTMENTS
No visitors for lunch
Adjustments made to serving lines
Alternate eating areas will be provided to allow for social distancing.
Classes will sit together at lunch to assist with contact tracing
Seating charts will be used in all cafeterias
CLASSROOMS
▪ Changes will be made to classrooms to create more personal space (reduce furniture, spread out desks, define areas, etc.). Students will face in the same direction in a classroom as much as possible.
▪ Students will be required to immediately report to the designated area (for breakfast) upon entering school and not allowed to congregate in the hallways.
▪ We will minimize or eliminate sharing of supplies.
TRANSPORTATION
Parents/guardians encouraged to bring/pickup children to/from school to limit bus crowding. Wearing a mask is strongly recommended when riding a bus to/from school or athletic trips.
RECESS
K-6 classes will stay together in specific zones at recess. Zones will rotate daily.
FRONT OFFICES
Plexiglass barriers are installed in front offices.
Parents/guardians will meet students at the front door for any early pick-ups.
SCHEDULES
We will build additional time into schedules for band, choir, and related arts to clean in between classes and encourage outside activities and social distancing to the greatest extent possible.
No external field trips or convocations until further notice.
Visitors who have scheduled meetings will be limited to designated areas.
Volunteers (during the day) will not be scheduled until further notice.
Students entering after the start of school will have their temperatures taken upon checking in their front office.
Students participating in online learning will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities.
Indoor facility usage will not be allowed until further notice.
OTHER PREVENTION ITEMS
Eliminate perfect attendance incentives for students during the 2020-2021 school year
Document effective 7/10/2020. This information is subject to change.
We acknowledge that there is some inherent risk present when children and school employees occupy school corporation facilities. These COVID-19 policies are intended to mitigate, not eliminate, risk. No single action or set of actions will completely eliminate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but the implementation of several coordinated interventions can greatly reduce the risk. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
