Health and safety
Masks
Plainedge High School
Click Here to Review COVID-19 All Students Return to School Presentation
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As a baseline, face coverings are required to be worn any time or place that individuals cannot maintain appropriate social distancing. Further, face coverings are “strongly recommended” by the New York State Department of Health at all times, except for meals and instruction with appropriate social distancing. However, schools can require face coverings at all times, even during instruction; and it is strongly recommended.” - NYSED Reopening Guidance FAQ (July 22, 2020)
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In PUFSD, the students will be REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS and socially distanced (3-5 Feet where practicable) in the classroom through the use of barriers (desk shields). This model meets the mandate listed above. The health and safety of all staff and children remain a paramount focus of the Administration of the Plainedge Public Schools in developing our reopening plans. We are committed to promoting healthy hygiene practices (hand washing, use of sanitizers) and strategies to improve our personal level of safety (masks, barriers) for our staff and children to remain healthy. We are in this together. Together we can keep each other healthy.
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We also want to share an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal related to this topic: Face Masks Really Do Matter. The Scientific Evidence Is Growing
2. What will be the frequency of mask breaks? How strict will mask wearing in the classroom be and will there be any exempted children due to medical reasons? It will be hot, do the elementary classrooms have air conditioning?
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Classroom teachers will plan for mask breaks as needed based on the age of the class and student tolerance levels. Students that require additional mask break times will be planned for individually on an as needed basis.
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Masks will be required in classrooms at all times outside of planned mask breaks and during meals.
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Elementary classrooms have air conditioning to keep students from getting too hot wearing masks all day.
3. Will students be instructed on the importance of social distancing and wearing masks? What if a student refuses to wear their mask?
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Yes, students will be explicitly taught the importance of wearing masks and the reason for social distancing as it relates to their daily lives at school and their personal health and safety. Teachers will work with students to ensure they are wearing their masks, while assessing when individual mask breaks might be needed in addition to full class mask breaks. If there is a blatant refusal to wear a mask when social distancing is not feasible, the teacher and/or administration will look to partner with parents to address the situation.
4. If the rate of infection does not increase, will children be able to only wear masks when they can’t socially distance instead of all day?
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The District will continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC and the DOH regarding mask requirements.
5. Can children bring their own masks from home?
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Yes, we are requesting that all families purchase minimally three reusable cloth masks and send their child to school with them daily. Face coverings can and will be provided by the District as needed. We are asking our parents and staff to NOT purchase masks YET until we define the styles that are acceptable as recommended by medical professionals.
6. Can a student wear a plastic face shield instead?
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A plastic face shield alone is not an acceptable face covering. Face coverings must completely cover the individual's mouth and nose.
7. Will temperature scans or health screenings be required?
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Yes, students will be screened for temperature prior to or upon arrival. Parents should monitor their children for temperatures and symptoms prior to sending their student on a bus. Students that arrive at school that have not submitted temperatures will be screened at school for temperatures prior to being admitted to classrooms. Staff should complete this screening prior to arriving at work via the electronic submission form. Staff will be required to monitor their own temperatures prior to arrival on campus and throughout the day. Anyone, whose symptoms response changes from a NO to YES during the day, must contact their supervisor immediately and await further instruction. More information will be provided to staff and parents regarding the MySchoolBadge App we will be utilizing to report daily temperatures and answer quick survey questions for everyone coming to school.
8. Will student desks be sanitized between classes?
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The steady use of classroom spaces may prevent crews from cleaning the rooms in between classes. Instead, occupants will be expected to take responsibility for their own space. Students and faculty will be given the option to utilize sanitizing-wipes and/or spray sanitizer and paper towels to wipe down their desk, chair, and other areas upon arrival, and again on their way out.
9. When student athletes participate in practices and games are masks required at all times?
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Both In-Person and Full Remote Learning Students are eligible to participate in interscholastic sports. The use of masks is required for coaches at all times and student athletes when on the sidelines and on the court/field for practices and games where tolerable. The wearing of masks is highly recommended where possible.
Quarantine/Isolation/Test Results
1. What happens if a student or staff member has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19?
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Students and staff with symptoms of illness, or a positive test, should stay home. If they are at school, they must be sent to the health office. A school nurse (Registered Professional Nurse, RN) is available to assess individuals. Students suspected of having COVID-19, or testing positive, awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian, will be isolated in a room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present utilizing appropriate PPE. Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms must be in isolation for at least 10 days.
2. Will classes be quarantined if a student tests positive? Will the entire school be shut down?
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School and district administrators will continue to collaborate and coordinate with local department of health officials to make school closure and mass quarantine decisions.
3. When will parents receive communication from the school district if a student tests positive?
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The school begins communicating with parents once they are notified of a positive case. You will not be notified every time a student goes home feeling sick.
4. If a child gets sick and they must quarantine, will they be doing the remote learning during the 10 days? If a child is out sick will they be able/required to login to the remote class for the day(s) missed?
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Yes, remote learning will be available to all students that are required to quarantine due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19.
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Students that are sick and able to attend remotely are encouraged to do so, students that are unable to work remotely will be marked absent and will be permitted to make up school work as per usual District procedures.
5. If my child gets sick does my other child in another grade have to quarantine as well?
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If one of your children gets sick, all children and adults in your home that have had direct contact with the sick child should quarantine as per CDC Guidelines.
6. What are the rules for testing our children? Will a child be tested without parental consent?
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No, the school will not be testing students for COVID 19 without parent consent. Parents of children with symptoms of COVID 19 or that have had direct contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19 will be required to take their children for testing as per CDC and DOH Guidelines.
1. Why is there a need for our children in Plainedge to be masked in school if they are going to be seated 3-5 feet apart and using barriers?
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The District carefully considered all credible national and state resources as we defined our reopening plan including the New York State Education Department (NYSED), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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Based upon further discussions between the CDC and Governor’s Office on July 21, 2020 regarding the NYSDOH Guidance released July 13, 2020 (DOH Guidance), “Pursuant to NYSDOH guidance, schools must ensure that appropriate social distancing (6ft./barriers) is maintained between individuals while in school facilities and on school grounds (inclusive of students, faculty, and staff), unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance.
high School
Options for Attendance
What options is the District offering for High School 9th through 12th grade students?
At this time, in order to plan appropriately, and to offer an equitable education for all students in our District, as well as maintaining a healthy and safe environment, we are offering two options for our 9th through 12th Grade students in the Plainedge Community. Our Ninth through Twelfth Grade (9-12) students will have the option of attending school in person on their assigned day (A/B) OR participating from home daily via live streaming every day. While attending school in person, all students will be socially distanced and required to wear masks for the duration of the school day (except for during lunch and planned mask breaks).
These options are in compliance with the NYSED Reopening Guidelines and will meet all educational requirements for both in school and at home via live streaming and/or asynchronous learning.
NOTE: The Hybrid Model of Instruction Will No Longer Be Offered as of March 15, 2021
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Option 1 - Student will report to school every day:
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Student attendance is no longer based on color cohorts. Students attending in person are expected to attend in-person classroom instruction every school day. Students are no longer divided into Blue and Red cohorts.
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Classes will continue to run on an AA/BB schedule (instead of the traditional A/B day schedule we’ve run in previous years). This means the same courses, even alternating day classes like science lab and PE, will run on consecutive days.
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(unless quarantining, isolating, or making a long term switch to remote learning).Students will be socially distanced in their classes.
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All student desks will be separated by physical barriers.
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Student desks will continue to be shared and they will be offered an opportunity to use school supplied wipes for cleaning and disinfection between use.
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Attendance is required and will be taken daily.
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Option 2 – Full-Time Remote Learning: Student will stay home every day:
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Students opting for full-time remote learning will continue to login to all classes on time, for the full duration of the period, and according to the rules of etiquette and behavior outlined by Plainedge High School and classroom teachers.
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Breaks during the day (off periods/lunch) will be scheduled.
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Attendance is required and will be taken daily.
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NOTE: The Hybrid Model of Instruction Will No Longer Be Offered as of March 15, 2021
Classrooms and Learning Models
1. Can you describe the remote learning plan?
The Remote Learning Plan for Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade (K-12) Students will be as follows:
The Plainedge Public Schools expects all students to log into classes to learn synchronously via the virtual live stream for their section or class.
Class sizes will adhere to District Guidelines:
K-5: Average Class sizes will be 20 students
6-8: Average Class sizes will be 25 students
9-12: Average Class sizes will be 25 students
All students learning remotely will be provided a device by the District.
All students learning remotely will be supported to ensure their access to appropriate internet service.
Students that stay home every day learning remotely will be expected to:
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Follow a full-day schedule via live stream (same start and end time as those
attending school in person, all classes will be synchronous).
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Submit all assignments, projects and assessments in Google Classroom to their assigned teachers when due.
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Take breaks during the day (recess/lunch/off periods) as per their class schedule.
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Attend and be visible in all assigned classes daily.
Daily Student Arrival
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In-person students will arrive to school via their usual means (walking, taking the bus, or driving/being driven) prior to first period on their scheduled in-person attendance day.
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Morning check-in will remain as it’s been: students will enter through the main entrance, scan in with ID cards, show completed health app (or take temperature in lobby).
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Upon arrival, students are to proceed directly to first period classrooms. Lockers will remain unavailable to all but seniors at this time.
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Students learning from home must be logged into their chromebooks and prepared to begin their day of virtual learning by the start of first period (7:15 am).
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Students are expected to wear school IDs at all times while in the building.
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Our bell schedule will stay the same for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
Classrooms and Hallways
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Classrooms and student desks will be arranged to provide social distancing. Student desks will be distanced between 3 and 5 feet in classrooms. Distancing depends on classroom size, number of students in class.
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Except during lunch and designated mask break times, all students will wear masks throughout the school day.
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Parents are requested to provide their child with a minimum of three cloth masks, which must be brought to school by students on a daily basis
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In addition to wearing masks and sitting at assigned socially-distanced seats, classrooms will still have clear plastic barrier on every desk.
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Stairways will continue to be designated as up/down only.
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Hallways will remain two-directional, with clear lines indicating one-way traffic (right/left).
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Water Bottle Fillers will be available but all water fountains will be turned off. Students may bring a personal water bottle to school.
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Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will remain readily available in all rooms.
Attendance
Whether attending in person or learning from home students are expected to attend all classes everyday. Attendance will be taken for each class by classroom teachers and marked accordingly in PowerSchool. All livestreaming students must be visually present on camera throughout classes. Attendance will be monitored by administrators, guidance counselors, and deans, as usual, and attendance issues will be addressed per our Plainedge Code of Conduct.
Lunch Periods
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All 9th and 10th graders (as well as 11th and 12th graders who choose to eat in the building) will report to the student cafeteria for lunch.
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Students will continue to be socially distanced using individual lunch desks (instead of usual lunch tables).
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Juniors and seniors are permitted to leave campus during their assigned lunch periods as long as they remain eligible for such privileges.
Physical Education and Musical Ensembles
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Students will report to locations announced in advance by their Physical Education teachers per student schedules.
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Likewise, students will report to locations announced in advance by their music teachers per student schedules and lesson schedules.
Dismissal
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Students will be dismissed at the end of the school day (2:00pm).
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All doors are available to students as they exit the building.
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Students must continue to wear masks through dismissal.
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Students are expected to leave the building immediately upon dismissal
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Procedures for extra-curricular and athletic activities will be updated if circumstances change, but for now will continue as they have.
Lockers
1.) Will lockers be available?
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Lockers will only be available for seniors.
Transportation
1. I indicated that I would not need transportation services for my children this year in the survey that was sent out. If our situation has changed, will bussing be available?
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Yes, if you are entitled to a bus, one will be provided to you.
2. How will BOCES be handled?
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BOCES and GC Tech will begin classes on September 8th. Students will have transportation arranged to and from their assigned programs as scheduled.
Health and Safety
1. What happens if a student or staff member has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19?
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Students and staff with symptoms of illness, or a positive test, should stay home. If they are at school, they must be sent to the health office. A school nurse (Registered Professional Nurse, RN) is available to assess individuals. Students suspected of having COVID-19, or test positive, awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian, will be isolated in a room or area separate from others, with a supervising adult present utilizing appropriate PPE. Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms must be in isolation for at least 10 days.
Personal barriers will surround all desks
Special Education
1. What will happen with IEP services (OT/counseling/speech) if my child is learning remotely?
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If you are choosing remote learning, all services will be provided remotely.
2. In school, how will the school provide services for students who are in inclusion classes?
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Integrated Co-Teaching
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Students will follow general education in-person/remote schedule
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Integrated Co-Teaching will be provided in-person in compliance with the IEP mandate (2 or 4 hours a day)
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Related Services will be pushed-in to the classroom as often as possible (pull-out when necessary)
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If remote instruction (Contingency Plan or Remote Instruction option) is required, students will be provided tasks (including specialized software) and small group specialized instruction for a portion of the day. Special Education teachers will provide accommodations and program modifications as part of the general education course instruction.
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3. If school closes, and all students need to learn remotely, will they still receive all of their services via live streaming?
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Yes, services will be provided virtually in agreement with each student’s IEP.
4. Will the special needs life skills students still be receiving in person instruction with the same protocols as during the summer?
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Yes, we will follow the same protocols utilized during the Extended School Year Program.
5. If schools close, is there a way to have in person services?
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No, if New York State orders school buildings to be closed, all service will be provided remotely via live streaming.
6. Would students who currently have an IEP on the middle school level be allowed to attend every day versus the A/B option?
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Only student’s placed in a special class setting will attend every day.
7. How will elementary special education services be provided?
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All services will be provided in the classroom where feasible. When necessary students will be pulled out of class and will be required to bring their personal barriers with them for services.
8. Will Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes be serviced by 2 teachers?
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Yes, all ICT classes will be serviced by a general education and a special education teacher.
Transportation
Transportation
1. Can my child ride the bus home with another child?
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No, all students will be permitted on their assigned bus only.
2. If there are a number of students at the bus stop, can they sit together on the bus as if they were siblings?
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The District is requiring siblings to sit together during transportation to and from school. Students may sit next to each other while riding the bus.
3. Can another parent bring my child home?
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Parents can continue to arrange pick up and drop off with those people listed on their official contact cards.
4. Will a staff member be on the bus to enforce mask wearing?
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Bus drivers will be enforcing the wearing of masks on the bus.
5. Will buses be running at capacity and are masks required for all staff and students?
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We will be requiring masks for all students using school transportation and will be reducing the capacity of students on school bus routes by 1/3 where practicable (large bus capacity will be reduced from 66 to 44 maximum riders when possible). We will be cleaning all buses in between transporting runs to each school.
6. Will the windows on the bus be opened or are they air conditioned?
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All buses are climate controlled.