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 Discovery Charter School Reopening 2020-2021Committee MembersTricia WilbournePrincipalDenise KochAssistant PrincipalLisa Gladchuck1st Grade Teacher/HillpointeChelsey WilliamsTechnology Teacher/HillpointeAdrienne Sanchez 4th Grade Teacher/HillpointeWallace Gutzmer 5th Grade Teacher/SandhillShelly L Gonzales Sandhill Office SpecialistKristine Kise Foundation President/Hillpointe ParentSamantha GonzalezHillpointe ParentShkendije RexhepiSandhill Parent/Registered NurseTable of ContentsTopicPageRe-opening3-4Re-Opening Schedules4Distance Learning Overview5Transitioning to Distance Learning5Drop off procedures6-7Screening for in person sessions8Student Classrooms and Specials 8-9Technology, Academic9-10SEL Needs, Attendance10Professional Development12Communication/Event of COVID Case12-13Human Resources10Cleaning/Transportation11Dear Stakeholders,Discovery Charter School has maintained an educational focus as we navigated the school closures due to COVID-19. The staff provided a distance learning experience within days of Governor Sisolak’s mandated school closures. Our attendance rate averaged 98% during the distance learning program. Our school community united and provided food drives, technology support, computer devices, and welfare services. There is no doubt our reopening plan will meet the needs of all learners and their families.The state of Nevada has provided a framework and general guidelines in reopening our campuses. It is advisable the CDC guidelines should be followed as we bring students back to school. The Reopening Committee has thoughtfully written procedures and policies to meet the needs of all members based on the current information provided. We anticipate revisions and this plan is a living document subject to change as new guidelines are issued at a state, local, and federal level for the 2020-2021 school year.When we restart school this August, it is our goal to improve our communications with families, students, and staff. We must ensure that we are as transparent as possible and increase the number of updates and amount of information we are providing. Our families as well as staff are highly concerned about safety over schools reopening, and in order to allay fears, we will be doing the best job possible with maintaining open two-way communication with all stakeholders so we have a clear response to this crisis. We encourage everyone to respectfully share concerns and ideas with administration.It is a privilege to serve the Discovery Charter School community. We approach decisions as a team and this process has been consistent in this strategy. I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor and the success of our plan as we safely bring students back to the classroom.Sincerely,Tricia WilbournePrincipalREOPENING SCHOOL BUILDINGSThis section provides general considerations regarding the reopening of school buildings and facilities to staff, students, and the public. Below is the CDC’s decision tree that was used in the planning for reopening our campuses. We feel confident that we are prepared to open and monitor our schools.The following are the options available for reopening school according to the Nevada Department of Education. Distance education under an approved Path Forward Program of Distance Education;In-person instruction following strict social distancing protocols; orA combination of distance education and in-person instruction.AMENDMENT TO EXISTING REOPENING PLANOn August 14, 2020, the State Public Charter School Authority Board of Trustees approved the following:Except with written approval of an exemption from the SPCSA’s Executive Director, a charter school sponsored by the SPCSA shall operate under a distance education model, with the option to provide in-person instruction at a very limited scale (less than 25% of the school’s enrollment) for students most significantly impacted by the loss of in-person instruction and in accordance with Section 8 of Emergency Directive 028, when the county in which the school is located is subject to Mitigations Levels 1 or 2, as defined in the Road to Recovery: Moving to a New Normal.The complete document can be found here: Charter School will offer in-person instruction beginning Monday August 24, 2020 to students most significantly impacted by the loss of in-person instruction in the following areas:Special Education students with an Individualized Education Plan or students with a current 504 accommodation plan.Students enrolled in kindergarten. This plan will be in effect until September 21, 20202. At that time we will evaluate the data and the results from the Nevada COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force. Once Clark County lies in the baseline level we will operate the following plan.Baseline Level Operations Based on input from staff, parent and family surveys, administrators, and board members the decision was made that Discovery Charter School will operate by offering a full distance learning environment and a combination of distance learning with in-person instruction. The campus will open at 50% capacity and no more than 50 people in any space. Students will be assigned an on-campus session based on family needs and availability of space. Students will attend an AM or PM session. Distance learning will be available to any student who feels or is at risk for being on campus. Based on the given information, the following procedures will be followed for the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.Class size will be limited to 50% of fire code capacity.Employees will wear face masks. Face masks are optional for students ages 9 and under.Touchless temperature screenings will be conducted at arrival.Before/after school care will operate in individual classrooms and will not exceed 50% of fire code capacity.Increased messaging and hygiene practices will be communicated.Families choosing an in person option, will register their children for an AM or PM session. Students will only be on campus during their assigned session. Distance Learning students will remain at home. Fridays will be 100% distance learning for all students and the campus may be used for RTI, Special Education minutes and/or meetings, and other forms of intervention or engagement. In the case of a family who chooses distance learning and then opts for an AM or PM session, this will be permissible and will be allowed within the 50% capacity guidelines. Families may also opt to decide to move from in person to distance learning during the school year.AM/PM Session Mon-ThurFridayAM Session 7:45-10:45AM Before School Care:6:30-7:45Distance LearningChild Care: 6:30 am -7:00 pmPM Session 11:45-2:45PM After School Care: 2:45-7:00DISTANCE LEARNING OVERVIEWFamilies may opt for distance learning if they feel their child or their household is compromised due to possible infection of COVID by being in a social education environment. They may choose to return to campus if circumstances change for their household. If a student or family member must quarantine, the student will move to the distance learning program until it is advisable by health and/or medical officials to return to campus. Distance learning students will be assigned a classroom teacher and the teacher will direct the learning through Google classroom, Class Dojo videos, Google Meets, phone calls, emails, text messages and occasional visits to campus to retrieve materials. Weekly attendance will be recorded through Infinite Campus and daily contact will be conducted through the above mentioned platforms.The experience of what distance learning will look like for each student, each class, and each campus, will vary depending on the needs of the students and by grade level. Teachers will be contacting their students and families before the start of school to communicate their expectations, plans, and objectives for this new semester. As well as to inform families of office hours that may be utilized for feedback and questions. TRANSITION BETWEEN FULL-TIME DISTANCE EDUCATION AND HYBRID LEARNING MODELFamilies will select the model that best fits their needs and health concerns. Students will be enrolled in either an AM session, a PM session or full time distance learning session. For students in an AM or PM session they will be on campus for 3 hours a day Monday through Friday. The time students are off campus will be a hybrid model of instruction from face to face instruction and an online component of a combination of iReady, STMath, Imagine Learning, Reading A-Z, or google classroom assignments. Distance learning will be directed by the classroom teacher using all of the above methods and daily contact methods of email, phone calls, or virtual meetings. In the event of a positive COVID case and a school shut down, all students will transition to distance learning. Administration will be in contact with the Southern Nevada Health Department, the SPCSA and the DCS Board of Trustees as to when it would be safe and recommended to reopen the campus. Reopening the campus after a shut down may include the hybrid model or full time distance education. Discovery Charter School will not operate at 100% capacity in person instruction until the Governor’s directive mandates itDROP OFF PROCEDURESHillpointe CampusDiscovery Charter School- Hillpointe Campus is located at 8941 Hillpointe Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89134. The below map shows the campus layout. There are two easements onto Hillpointe Rd, labeled A and B, additionally there are three main gates that have been labeled 1,2, and 3, there are several other gates that have not been labeled as they should not be used for anything other than emergencies. Drop-off needs to be contactless. The student must be dropped off without anyone reaching into the car, the child must come to the screening zone alone, a parent may walk them to the ‘No Cross line’ from that point the student will enter the screening zone.Drop-off and Initial Screening/ DecontaminationKeyDrop-off lineNo Cross lineScreening zoneProposed FenceDrop-off: currently there are two drop-off lines based on grade and these are marked in red. The location of the green boxes represent the screening zones and are near the current drop-off gates, again entrance is dictated by grade. The blue line represents a ‘No Cross Line’ by the parents and anyone who has crossed this line must be re-screened. The yellow line represents a much needed fence for multiple safety concerns in the Middle school building which is the far-right building in this aerial view.Sandhill CampusDiscovery Charter School- Sandhill Campus is located at 3975 Sandhill Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89121. The below map shows the campus layout. There are two easements onto the campus, a north and a south one. There should be 1 screening zone.. The students should enter the building through their individual classrooms. Drop-off needs to be contactless. The student must be dropped off without anyone reaching into the car, the child must come to the screening zone alone, a parent may walk them to the ‘No Cross line’ from that point the student will enter the screening zone.Drop-off and Initial Screening/ DecontaminationProposed fencing/ screening lineProposed screening sightProposed traffic flowScreening zone for in person sessionsNo one is permitted to cross the ‘No Cross line’ if they have a symptom of COVID-19 and symptoms will be displayed prominently. The student will enter the screening zone where their temperature is taken via an infrared thermometer by the staff members on morning duty. It is important that during the screening the students maintain appropriate social distancing and circles may need to be placed on the ground to do so. COVID-19 Signs and SymptomsFever (>100.4 oF)or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaWhen to call 911 or seek immediate medical attentionTrouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or faceStudent ClassroomsAfter being screened, students will then enter their classrooms. A classroom capacity of 33-50% might be appropriate in the initial phases. Students should be no closer than 6 feet from where the teacher is performing their direct instruction. It is mandatory that students and teachers wear masks during this time. Students should be spread throughout the room to maintain a 3 foot distance from another student.It will be up to each class and teacher to decide what type of layout and instruction will work for their students. A first grade class in a large room will look much different than a 6th grade class in a smaller room. Teachers and administration will work within guidelines set by the CDC to ensure proper social distancing and appropriate instruction.Students, when getting technology, should do so in an orderly fashion and observe social distancing. Teachers should also encourage frequent handwashing and disinfecting of tables and surfaces. A majority of work should be converted to digital submissions as much as possible to ensure decrease of potential spread through contact. SpecialsAgain specialists should conform to the same standards as the teachers in terms of classroom mitigation. Initially specials may need to be lessened as specialists might be required to carry-out screening protocols and this will detract from their classroom minutes. Start times of students may also need to be staggered.Physical Education classes, at the current moment, should refrain from ball sports and should focus more on physical fitness. It is also important to recognize that as jogging and running may occur social distancing distance must increase exponentially. It is best that students walk or an alternative physical education program is implemented. Physical education class may pose difficulties with increase in heart rate for those who have been exposed to the virus. Any Specials class that is able to meet outside should consider doing such.TECHNOLOGYDiscovery Charter School will assess the number of students who require at home computer devices needed to complete distance learning by October 1, 2020. Connectivity limitations will be assessed as well. A cost analysis will be formulated to determine the needs of all students attending Discovery Charter School.Friday is scheduled for distance learning and an on campus computer lab will be made available for students in need of technology support. Students that are unable to access campus or technology will be provided with alternate paper instruction.ACADEMIC NEEDSDiscovery Charter School will administer the iReady diagnostic to all students to determine academic needs. The diagnostic was given in May 2020 and results will be compared to the Fall 2020 diagnostic. Staff will use the results to form instructional groups, assign distance learning lessons, and possibly offer tutoring on the Friday designated distance learning day.SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS (SEL)Discovery Charter School is concerned about nutritional, welfare, emotional, social, and relationship needs of staff, students, and families. Food drives stocked by DCS stakeholders will continue and families in need will receive food items. Confidential surveys will be utilized to assess welfare issues of students and families. Stanford Harmony and Kagan Cooperative Learning structures will be used at staff meetings, during face to face instruction, and with students receiving distance learning. Wrap around services will be outsourced when staff is beyond capacity to address needs. This may include counseling, tutoring, nutritional, or physical needs.ATTENDANCEDiscovery Charter School will follow state requirements for recording attendance in a hybrid or distance learning environment. Attendance will be maintained in Infinite Campus. Distance learning students will be contacted once a week and progress towards standards must be shown to be marked present for the week. Daily communication with teachers will be recommended. Hybrid students will be marked present when they are in person for their assigned session and on Fridays during their distance learning session, they will be marked present when they show progress towards their assigned standards.In addition to recording attendance, staff will ensure daily communication will be made with students. Communication may come from administration, specialists, or grade level teachers to ensure all students are engaged and present for their learning modules.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTDiscovery Charter School will provide and ensure participation in professional learning for educators and staff regarding high-quality distance education and health and safety requirements related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. This will take place according to CDC guidelines regarding gatherings and meetings. The majority of training may take place online and/or virtual meetings. Staff sign in sheets, recorded attendance, and verification of completion will be recorded.High quality distance education training will be provided by the Ready Professional Development team to ensure pacing and delivery of the online instruction. Utilization of data for online instruction and a hybrid model will be provided. Google classroom professional development will take place the week of August 3 to ensure all teachers are capable of operating this platform for all students. The information technology staff will ensure teachers have the connectivity and capability to reach all students during their instructional day.Health and safety requirements will be provided using Southern Nevada Health Department resources and personnel, CDC resources and literature, and medical professionals from the community. This will be an ongoing briefing for staff throughout the school MUNICATION AND SUPPORTDiscovery Charter School will continue to provide weekly updates to stakeholders, provide an updated website for resources and current guidelines and maintain an open line of communication with all stakeholders through email, text messaging, social media, and phone calls.PREVENTIONOne of the best ways we can work to contain spreading viral respiratory infections, including COVID, the flu and the common cold, is by following the simple steps below.Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid contact with people who are sick.Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others.Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.Wear a mask and practice social distancing.IN THE EVENT OF A POSITIVE COVID CASEAdministration will notify the Health Department.Decisions will be made based on current CDC guidance and that of State, Local, and Federal mandates.Risk will be assessed on a case by case basis, respecting FERPA restrictions.If deemed necessary, the class or the school may close for 2-5 days for heightened cleaning. Affected students will resume full-time distance learning.If the case is a staff member, administration will work to mitigate any absences and communicate with anyone who might be exposed based on CDC guidance and respecting HIPPA and FERPA laws.IF THE SCHOOL SUSPECTS A CASE(S) OF COVID-19:Place a face mask on the staff member (or student) immediately regardless if she/he has symptoms or not.Isolate the case in a separate room and arrange for the student to be picked up. In the case of a staff member, they will leave the campus and be asked to self isolate while obtaining a diagnosis..Contact the local/state health department as soon as possible.Create a list of all (students and staff) who could have been exposed (contacts). HUMAN RESOURCESEmployees should stay home if any symptoms are shown. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the allotted 12 days of leave per 2020-2021 contract terms will not be deducted. The sick days due to infection of COVID-19 will not be counted if written signed documentation of positive test results is presented to administration. Accommodations may be made if an employee is affected by COVID. Additionally, there may be leave available for staff affected by COVID. These requests will be handled on a case by case basis in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and based on the availability of such leave unless the leave would cause the employer’s expenses and obligations to exceed available business revenue, pose a substantial risk to the business’s ability to continue to operate, or prevent the employer from operating at minimum capacity.People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaCLEANINGFacilities will be cleaned daily by a professional cleaning service after school hours. During the instructional day, additional cleaning disinfecting wipes will be made available for frequent sanitizing of surfaces. An EPA disinfectant, called ProKure, will be available in all spaces occupied and used during all transitions. On a daily basis, we will clean hard surfaces (desks, tables, countertops, sinks) and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (door handles, faucets, railings), bathrooms, and other rooms where students or staff might occupy. We will clean keyboards, tablets, and other frequently used electronic devices and we will assign students specific devices to use while in the classroom to avoid sharing. Classroom doors will be opened to allow for frequent air ventilation. Hand washing and hand sanitizing will be required at consistent times. Materials will not be shared among students in the classroom. Common areas such as playground and multipurpose spaces will be limited to 50 people. HVAC filters will be changed and maintained with the current maintenance contract and both campuses will be utilizing hospital grade filters.TRANSPORTATIONThe transportation from Sandhill to Hillpointe will not be altered. Students will be bussed for the scheduled session of instruction. The bus driver will disinfect all common surfaces before and after students occupy the bus. Seating assignments will be made to accommodate social distancing to include no more than one student per seat, unless they are from the same family. Hand sanitizer will be available as students load the bus. ................
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