2020-2021 Lake Wales Charter School Reopening Plan



2020-2021 Lake Wales Charter School Reopening PlanJuly 23, 2020Lake Wales Charter Schools1926077814284800LWCS School Reopening PlanGuiding Principles for ReopeningPartnership and Transparency – Communication and collaboration with local healthcare professionals, parents and staff is key.Public Health and Safety – Our greatest resources are our people, and the Community. The safety of students and employees is our top priority. Flexibility – We are committed to flexibility as we respond to changing public health data and expectations.Academic Achievement – We will continue educating all students for success (to increase student achievement while closing achievement gaps). FLUIDITY - The environment we are operating in changes every day, sometimes multiple times within a day. Our plan is subject to change based on new information and regulations by the CDC as well as approval by the Florida Department of Education. Our goal is to return as many students to school on-site as soon as possible, but not at the expense of the general health of our community. We have developed a plan explaining what the CDC guidelines are, the rationale behind our plan, and what the plan will look like while using an abundance of caution. “We Must Be Our Brother’s Keeper During These Tumultuous Times”ObjectivesSafely provide high-quality educational opportunities for all Lake Wales Charter School students.Ensure our students are present in school to the greatest extent possible while maintaining the safety of students and staff.Ensure all students have access to digital instruction opportunities.Provide parent choice of instructional programming options.Establish school and system operational procedures and protocols within a COVID-19 response.Identify and plan for unexpected contingencies (i.e. hurricanes and/or a second wave of COVID-19).Identify new policies or amendments to policies that may be needed. Lake Wales Charter School ReopeningOn June 11, 2020, the statewide Reopening Florida’s Schools and the Cares Act plan was released by the Florida Department of Education. The plan provides health and instructional recommendations for reopening Florida’s schools. This reopening plan is aligned to the executive direction of Florida Governor, The DeSantis Re-Opening Florida Task Force’s Safe. Smart. Step-by Step. Plan, The Florida Department of Health (FDOH), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC).The Lake Wales Charter Schools Task ForceThe LWCS Task Force met on the following dates: June 8: Leadership Team - School Reopening DiscussionJune 15: Leadership Team - First MeetingJune 17: Elementary Administrators worked on the Elementary PlanJune 22: Leadership Team - Second Meeting with Board ParticipationJune 29: Leadership Team Transition to work group and Survey DataJune 24-July 7: Multiple meetings of work groupsJuly 13: Leadership Team - Work group check in July 13-August 3: Individual School Zoom Meetings with parentsJuly 20: Leadership Team - Work Session with Dr. Joy Jackson, Director for the Florida Department of Health, Polk CountyIn keeping with the Governor’s and Commissioner of Education’s order for school reopening, Lake Wales Charter Schools teachers will report for duty on August 17, 2020. On August 24, 2020, school will officially open for all schools in Lake Wales.OverviewThe Lake Wales Charter Schools consists of four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Within all of our schools, we will be able to provide five day in person instruction, specialized instruction, live synchronous as well as asynchronous instruction with the same curriculum as in-person instruction, and the ability to interact with a student’s teacher and peers. All schools will open August 24, 2020 for all instructional models. The FOCUS Student Information system will provide a process for tracking the instructional minutes, attendance as well as grades to ensure that the most up to date information is available to all stakeholder. Families may also track their child’s academic progress in several platforms through Schoology and Google Classroom (Forms). The attendance component is an essential portion within the Innovative Remote Learning Compact which is an agreement between the student, parent and school. Families will sign compacts that outlines clear expectations to ensure that High Quality instruction takes place regardless of the instructional model. The system will ensure identification of students who are not engaged in the instructional program and work to re-engage them through the use of our school social workers and counselors. Due to the autonomy of our schools, we are using a variety of platforms to provide the same curriculum no matter the model. These platforms include but not limited to Google Classroom, Schoology as well as integration of the SWIVL/Zoom technology. In order to continue with the interaction of teachers and peers, classroom teachers will also utilize Remind, DoJo, Google Meets, School Messenger and social media. These platforms will allow for interaction between the students, parents and classroom teachers. As a system we gathered data to determine the instructional style preference of individual families. The results of the data showed that 48 percent wanted to be able to attend a brick and mortar building while the remaining 52 percent wanted a form of remote learning available for their student. While we have surveyed our parents several times, this data was from our most recent survey on July 22nd. The survey was offered to our entire system, however 25% of our population responded. Based on the survey results, the Leadership Team of the Lake Wales Charter Schools worked together to provide options to our families. These options provide flexibility for the teachers and students regardless of the platform they select to have ongoing academic instruction that allows for ongoing two-way communication with teachers and students while maintaining high academic standards to meet high academic goals or state standards. Innovative Options For Student LearningLake Wales Charter Schools will ensure equity within all instruction, curriculum, and assignments for all instructional models.Professional Development for Hygiene and Academic Education- Students and staff will be provided lessons in healthy habits, including handwashing, cough etiquette, use of masks/face coverings, social distancing and staying home when sick. In addition, each of our schools will provide PD to assist teachers in lesson presentation as well as delivery of both traditional and remote learning options (ie. SWIVL)Staffing - Each school will adhere to the charter school class size amendments using the averaging within each grade group. Terminal Operators at each school will use the class size reports within FOCUS to ensure accuracy with our averages. All staff will have the appropriate qualifications to ensure continuity of instruction and effective implementation of all learning models. If a staff member is out of field, it will be board approved and parents will receive a notification.Progress Monitoring - Lake Wales Charter Schools will ensure that progress monitoring will take place using selected instruments to assess student progress. Progress Monitoring instruments will include, but are not limited to: MAP reading, mathematics, science; STAR reading and math; iStation reading, Khan Academy, Reading Plus, Math Nation, Schoology AMP and other Research Based Standard Selected Assessments. Integrity of the assessments will be ensured through browser lock downs and other technology enhanced security procedures allowing the same assessments to be used in both the traditional and remote options. Data Informed Instruction - Instructional and support staff will utilize both summative and formative assessments to drive daily instruction. This will be documented through lesson plans, lesson delivery and student performance. This data will also be used to guide the MTSS process. Data will be available upon request. Student Re-engagement - LWCS will utilize their social workers, school nurse, as well as the homeless liaison to assist with students who are not engaged in instructional programs. Instructional and support staff will also be contacting students and families as documented in communication logs. Administrators and support staff will conduct home visits as needed. Targeted Instruction and Supportive Learning - Each school will implement with fidelity the MTSS process based ongoing progress monitoring formative and summative assessments as well as student daily work. All instructional staff will provide alternative strategies such as but not limited to: small group instruction, tutoring, peer assisted learning, mentors (when safe to do so) and incentives. These supports and strategies will also assist our vulnerable populations such as students from low income families, at risk students, homeless students, and/or students in foster care. The following options for learning will be available for Lake Wales Charter Schools families beginning on August 24th:Option 1: Traditional (In-school) LearningStudents return to school full-time, five days a week in the traditional face-to-face classroom setting with increased health and safety measures in place. Curriculum, Research Based materialsAdditional Health/Safety measures listed belowProcess in place for students/staff with symptomsIf conditions are not safe for traditional learning, we will pivot to remote learning. Circulation PatternsProvide frequent reminders for stakeholders to stay at least 6 feet apart from one another when feasible. Designate hallways as one-way, when feasible, posting directional reminders on the walls and/or floors. Designate entrance and exit doors, where feasible, to reduce the chance that people meet face to face.ClassroomArrange desks so students are separated by one another by 6 feet when feasible. If it is not possible to arrange seating 6 feet apart, consider having all students sit facing the same direction. Keep students in cohort groups if possible (recess, lunch, etc.)Limit sharing of personal items and supplies such as writing utensils, manipulatives, etc.Explore alternative scheduling methods to reduce class changes, where feasible, and while maintaining current level of instructional units. Option 2: Innovative Remote LearningRemote learning will allow students to attend school from home, receiving direct instruction from their classroom teachers via livestream each day. Option 2 is not available for Pre-K-Kindergarten. Parents must complete one form for each child they have attending a Lake Wales Charter School.Important features of this learning environment include:Curriculum, district-adopted instructional materialsStudents maintain their enrollment status at their assigned schoolsAttendance will be taken each period. Expectations will follow the LWCS attendance policy to ensure students meet required instructional hoursStudents and teachers will follow the same curriculum sequence as their peers in school using synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction, allowing for a smooth transition back to the traditional school setting if desiredStudent support services will be provided for mental health, counseling, and interventionsSupplies, Technology and Materials - The Lake Wales Charter Schools will provide all supplies and devices to qualifying students. Teachers and students will communicate utilizing web conferencing technology.Parents must provide adult supervision and support for young children to help them navigate the remote learning environment. This learning option will not be available for Pre-Kindergarten studentsFamilies will have the option to commit to distance learning throughout the school yearParent meetings will be required and will be held virtually as neededParent Commitment Form: All parents must click on this link and choose one of the two educational options by August 7th, 2020. In the event the parent does not make a selection, the school will make an administrative placement. Link: Wales Charter School Reopening Parent Portal The information on this page is designed to assist parents/guardians with several key issues relative to your child/children returning to a Lake Wales Charter school during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents will receive calls from their child(ren)’s schools to prompt them to these options. This information will also be disseminated through social media.Traditional Campus LearningInnovative Remote LearningBrick & Mortar (PK - 12)(K-12)Curriculum, district-adopted instructional materialsAdditional health measuresSocial Distancing, where feasibleWearing face masksHand sanitizer and frequent handwashingVirtual parent meetingsProcess in place for students/staff with symptomsCurriculum, district-adopted instructional materialsAllows student to remain enrolled in school of acceptanceQuarterly commitment to distance learningElectronic devices needed (Chromebook, iPad, or laptop). School will provide device if requestedOnline access requiredVirtual parent meetingsIf conditions are not safe for Traditional Campus Learning, we will pivot to Innovative Remote using school-based teachers for distance learning.Innovative Remote Learning will continue even if Traditional Campus Learning cannot be continued.Florida Standards Based InstructionYesYesBoard Approved School CalendarYesYesState Testing RequiredYesYesAttendance RecordedYesYesGrading Policies/Report CardsYesYesSupport for students-IEP, 504, EP, ELL Plans, transition services, etc.YesYesLake Wales Charter TeachersYesYesSchool Athletics/Extra Curricular-School of EnrollmentYesYesSchool Meal ProgramYesYes, pick up at schoolSchool TransportationYesNoSpecial Programs – IB, CTE Academies, AP, Advanced ClassesYesYes, may have to come in for labs on some daysStructured Class TimeYesYes – Synchronous Learning is AvailableFlexible Class TimeNoYes – Asynchronous Learning is AvailableFamily & School PartnershipYesYesParent Serves as Learning Coach – closely monitors student progressYesYesIEP MeetingsYesYesAccommodations/ServicesYesYesResponse to InterventionYesYesHome Language SurveyYesYesELL Committee MeetingsYesYesResponse to Intervention YesYesInstructional Minutes – seat time requirements are metYesYesAttendance RecordYesYesSafetyUse of Masks - Students, employees and visitors will be required to wear masks any time social distancing is not possible (including on school buses and during transitions from classrooms/front office to other areas of campus). Lake Wales Charter Schools will provide masks for students and staff who do not wish to bring these items from home.Temperature Checks and Screenings/Pre-Screening - Students, employees and visitors should expect to have their temperature taken upon arrival to school. All visitors and staff will be screened with COVID-19 questions approved by the Department of Health in Lake Wales. School staff will be trained on COVID-19 symptoms to assist them in visibly monitoring students' health.Cleaning/ Disinfecting - Staff will perform frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces during high density times using EPA-registered disinfectant products. Campuses and school buses will also undergo routine deep cleaning. Deep cleaning in response to a confirmed or suspected case will occur per CDC and the Florida Department of Education guidelines. We will use contracted services for additional support in cleaning, as needed. Hand Sanitizer - In addition to the availability of sinks for frequent handwashing with soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available for student and employee use. Students and employees may also bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use.Social Distancing and Modified Layouts - Social distancing should exist wherever possible, to include the positioning of desks in classrooms being placed a minimum of 6 feet apart wherever possible. Hallway traffic direction will be managed to support the safe flow of student traffic. This will be facilitated by providing appropriate signage. Arrival and dismissal procedures will also incorporate social distancing as well as modified layouts. Gatherings, Visitors and Field Trips - To mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to students and staff, access to Lake Wales Charter School property will remain limited until further notice. Schools will refrain from holding field trips and assemblies, and nonessential visitors/volunteer access to campuses will be limited.Medically Vulnerable Students – School Health Staff will develop comprehensive care plans in consultation with the county health department, with special considerations regarding clustering these students away from other students, in small settings on a case-by-case basis.Protections for High-Risk Populations – With assistance from the Lake Wales Charter Schools Human Resource Department, appropriate options for students and staff who are considered to be "high risk" for severe illness associated with COVID-19 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. (refer to Staff Procedures section)Contact Tracing Policy - All confirmed cases will be reported immediately to the Polk County Health Department. The health department will work directly with the “COVID Lead” at the individual school and the LWCS nurse. The health department will take the lead on contacting individuals based on contact tracing and provide next steps for school operations. School NutritionRecommend Grab-and Go Service for older studentsDesign food delivery models for younger studentsClassroom dining or cohort seating for meals (potentially 50% in cafeteria; other half in class/outdoors)Utilize outdoor seating where feasibleSocial distancing in lines and diningHand Sanitizing StationsDisposable items as available ESE ServicesExceptional education students will continue to receive a high-quality education in alignment with a learner’s Individual Educational Plans (IEPs). Lake Wales Charter Schools’ Exceptional Student Education Department is committed to addressing the individual needs of students with disabilities (SWD). The LEA will provide training, resources and tools to support IEP teams in determining the needed services. School IEP team members will collaborate to ensure ESE learning plans are individualized for each student’s learning environment regardless of instructional model. For families choosing direct innovative instruction, the IEP team will meet to ensure that the LEA’s distance learning program is individualized for each student choosing a distance learning environment. Special education and related services as identified in the students’ IEPs during distance learning may be provided in a variety of ways including the use of telephone calls, instructional support materials, or internet-based lessons and/or online therapies, and other available distance-based learning approaches. Lake Wales Charter Schools will take the following actions to ensure the needs of students are addressed:? Teachers and administrators will review students’ baseline data in order to determine present level and learning gaps.? Teachers will review student’s progression toward IEP goals and objectives.? Students not making adequate progress will be provided intervention strategies as needed. ? Determine any need for additional supports or services to remediate gaps? Ensure delivery of services and supports through extended learning opportunities as necessary.? Progress monitoring assessments will be conducted utilizing diagnostic assessments and curriculum-based measures.? Schedule and hold all meetings and complete all evaluations that were postponed due to requirements of social distancing for in-person meetings.? Provide ongoing communication and collaboration with parents.? Hold IEP team meetings, including parents and all appropriate IEP team members to conduct annual reviews, revisions and eligibility staffing. These may take place utilizing Zoom or telephone conference calls. Face to face meetings will take place only when CDC guidelines allow.Parent Notification and CommunicationThe Lake Wales Charter School’s Director of ESE Services will mail home a letter to the parent/guardian of each student with disabilities (SWD) notifying them of the general efforts to provide services in accordance with the IEP of all SWDs during the school closure.ESE teachers and any related service providers (speech, language, mental health counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy. vision teachers, etc.) will contact each parent individually to discuss how they will continue to provide ESE services remotely during the school closure. This will be diligently attempted through any means possible, including phone, email, Remind, Dojo, US Mail, etc.An Individual Distance Learning Plan (DLP) will be developed for each student with an IEP.?On the DLP, each ESE teacher and any related service providers who provide services to the student will document the date of their initial contact with the parent and how their service will be provided. For students who lack online capability, other methods of service delivery will be offered that do not involve physical contact (phone, paper based, etc.).?If a parent does not agree to any available methods of service provision, that will be noted on the DLP and the PAE ESE Facilitator (LEA) will be notified.? DLPs are located in a shared Google Drive and the ESE Facilitator (LEA) will monitor their completion.?School administrators and the LWCS ESE Director also have electronic access to the drive and all DLPs.??Provision of ESE Services and AccommodationsRegular Education TeachersRegular Education Teachers will continue to provide instruction and accommodations to assist ESE students in meeting their IEP goals. They will continue to document accommodations in their lesson plans.?Also, in their communication with parents, they will inform parents about how they can provide accommodations at home.ESE Teacher and ESE Paraprofessional – Inclusionary ServicesThe ESE teacher and paraprofessional will continue to contact parents to offer services to help parents and students and will document all attempted contacts.?The ESE teacher and paraprofessional will provide services in the following ways.The ESE Teacher and ESE Paraprofessional will participate in the Google Classroom and Zoom meetings of the ESE student’s regular education class to make contact and provide student assistance as much as possible.Individual help sessions will be provided to students and their parents, if needed, to assist them in understanding and completing their classroom assignments from their regular education teachers and meet their IEP goals.? Parents will also be provided instructions about how to provide accommodations and assist in their child’s learning.? This individual help will be provided via phone, Zoom meetings, Google Meet, text, etc.The ESE Teacher and Paraprofessional will conduct a “help room” via Zoom twice a week for 2 hours each time for all ESE inclusion students to attend for help with their learning.The ESE Teacher will communicate with the regular education teacher concerning providing accommodations, parent contact information, student progress, student needs, classroom assignments, etc.The ESE Teacher and paraprofessional will document in a spreadsheet each student they assisted each day and the means they used for contact (Zoom, phone, Google Meets, etc.)ESE Teacher and ESE Paraprofessional – Resource Classroom ServicesThe ESE teacher and ESE paraprofessional who provide reading, writing, and/or math direct instruction for ESE students will continue to provide those services to their students and parents via regular Zoom meetings, Google Meets, IXL, and paper packets, if needed.? They will also provide individualized assistance to students as needed through any means possible including phone, Zoom, Google Meets, text, Remind, etc.? The ESE teacher will document services in her lesson plans.Other ESE Service ProvidersOthers who provide services outlined on an ESE student’s IEP will continue to provide those services in the best way possible during the school closure that allows for no student contact.? These providers may include Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, Vision Teachers, etc.? Service providers will:Contact parents to set up services that are agreeable to parents.Document initial parent contact and services to be provided to meet IEP goals on the Distance Learning Plan for each individual student in the Google Drive.Provide appropriate therapy or services via the best platform available.? Most service providers will do this online virtually with students using an Internet platform that is HIPPA compliant, such as Clock Tree.? Others will find it necessary to use paper-based packets and assignments.Document the provision of all services and the attempts to provide services.Teacher of Gifted Students – Gifted ServicesThe teacher of gifted students will contact all gifted students and get them connected to Renzulli Learning ().? Renzulli Learning provides curated lessons for gifted students and they have been assigned one lesson for each week.Individualized Education Plans (IEP) MeetingsIEP meetings will be held virtually via the online platform Google Meets, which is HIPPA and FERPA compliant.? Parents will be contacted to solicit their participation in the IEP meeting and will be given the proper 10-day notice (parents can waive the notice period if they agree to an earlier meeting).? Parents can participate live online if they have Internet access on their computer or phone or they can participate live with audio only via phone and an individual PIN number.? Just as in a regular IEP meeting, the parent can also give their input prior to the meeting and give the IEP team permission to proceed without them in the meeting.? If a parent insists on a face-to-face meeting, we will explain to them that the meeting will have to be postponed until school reopens.? If they choose to wait, we will carefully document their choice and the current IEP will remain in effect until the face to face meeting is held.IEP meetings will be held at times that do not interrupt the regularly scheduled virtual distance learning instructional time of the regular education teacher who will be participating in the meeting.? The LEA will ensure that all required participants are in the IEP meeting.?IEP meetings that involve related service providers, the Director of ESE (staffing specialist), or the SLP for speech only students, will continue to be held on the school’s regular IEP day of the week (currently Thursday).? Meetings that do not involve them, can be held on other days of the week.A Notice of Meeting will be created in Enrich and sent to parents via email or US mail.The ESE teacher will write the IEP services and accommodations for the regular school environment, not for distance learning.? Accommodations that are needed for state testing will also be included.? It is appropriate to include information about how the student is progressing with distance learning, but the information will focus on the school environment.If a parent is going to participate by phone, a draft copy of the IEP will be sent to them to receive at least 48 hours in advance so that they can review it and participate in the meeting more easily.During the meeting, the IEP team will share the screen showing the draft IEP in Enrich to everyone.Until electronic signatures are able to be added to IEPs in Enrich, we will make sure to include the list of names of participants and how they participated (virtually or telephonically) and how the IEP and Procedural Safeguards will be sent to the parent (email or US mail) in the Meeting Minutes section of the IEP.? Also, any participants who are absent from the meeting (no required participants can be absent), will be marked as “absent” from the top of the IEP so that they do not print out on the IEP.After the IEP meeting, the LEA Facilitator will ensure that a copy of the IEP and Procedural Safeguards are sent to the parent via email (Polk County Schools representative has stated this does not have to be encrypted) or US mail.? Email addresses will be confirmed by school personnel receiving an email from the parent prior to sending an IEP via email.The LEA Facilitator will ensure that a copy of the IEP is put in the student’s cumulative folder at the school.? The LEA Facilitator will email a PDF copy of the IEP and any related documents to the LWCS office and the ESE Director will update FOCUS.The priority will be given to completing all annual IEPs that are due during the school closure period.? As time permits, additional articulation IEP and EP meetings will be held for fifth grade students going to middle school next year.If a parent has signed consent for an evaluation that has not been completed yet and the evaluation can only be done face to face (such as academic testing by the school psychologist), the evaluation has been put on hold and will be completed when school reopens.? The 60-day timeline will resume when school reopens and will not include the time that school has been closed due to the emergency.During the school closure, no initial eligibility determination meetings will be conducted.?English Language LearnersLake Wales Charter Schools is committed to continuing to identify and serve English Language Learners using both in-person and through alternative formats, ESOL strategies will continue to be implemented by instructional and support staff to address the academic and language needs of ELL students. In addition, support staff to include members of the transportation department will continue to partner with families and schools to provide resources and tools to ensure the academic success of ELL students. Schools will establish a line of communication with students and their families to regularly communicate about assignments, curriculum, or other critical updates, and to ensure their needs are being met. Translation technology and/or interpretation services for families will be in place. The LEA will assess the accessibility needs of learning platforms and resources for ELL parents and students including language, hardware, and Internet access. The LEA will provide necessary guidance, instructions, and support to students and their families in their home language as necessitated.ELL students will be provided daily opportunities to speak and be formatively assessed on a regular basis throughout the innovative learning and teaching curriculum. These opportunities may be provided over the phone with the educator, remote interactions with classmates, or other means. Parents will be engaged to ensure their children read, speak, write, and listen in their native language as well as English every day. Texts, videos, and writing assignments will be strategically selected so that ELs can read, listen, and write regularly. Models will be provided to demonstrate to promote correct acquisition. The students’ curiosity and exploration will be emphasized, and parents will be provided access to quality multilingual learning resources to supplement learning via electronic, print, and video formats.Lake Wales Charter Schools will focus on the utilization of technology to create a collaborative partnership with teachers in a digital environment. Using online platforms such as Microsoft TEAMS, Google Voice, or Zoom, will encourage engage teachers in quality conversations about differentiation of instruction for ELLs, the implementation of appropriate ELL strategies, and providing support as the teacher enacts systematize virtual classroom learning routines. The frequency and structure of virtual PLCs will be differentiated to meet the needs of individual teachers.The ELL team members from each school location, which includes the principal or designee, the parent, an ESOL/English teacher, the school counselors, the ELL Paraprofessionals, and any other instructional personnel responsible for the instruction of English language learners, will meet to:? Review and make placement recommendations;? Evaluate continuation of program services to support language acquisition;? Determine eligibility; and? Provide recommendations for programs and access to additional services? Utilizing data obtained from the WIDA Model assessment; the ACCESS for ELLs assessment; report cards; teacher input and observations; semester exams; iReady assessments; progress monitoring reports; data obtained from language acquisition programs (Reading Eggs, Exact Path, Imagine Learning); etc.The initiation of placement is based on the information determined by the home language Survey provided at time of registration. These results determine the placement of English Language Learners (ELLs) is determined by the student’s level of English proficiency and academic potential based on academic history, transcripts, performance data, language screening, and/or the district’s age-grade placement policy.The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program model is designed to develop English language proficiency and academic potential. Instructional services are documented through the ELL student plan. English Language Learners who have completed the credits required for graduation but have not met the 2.0 GPA or the state assessment requirements are eligible for a certificate of completion and an additional year of high school.Equal Access for English Language LearnersEnglish language learners, including refugees and other immigrants, racial and national origin minority students, are entitled to equal access to programs and services other than ESOL, such as, but not limited to compensatory, exceptional, early childhood, career and technical education, adult education, dropout prevention, extended day, and other supportive services. (Rule 6A-6.0908, F.A.C.)All written and oral communication between a school district’s personnel and parents of current or former English language learners will be in the parents’ primary language or other mode of communication commonly used by the parents, as feasible. English Language Learners will not be subject to disciplinary action because of their use of a language other than English.Assessment for ELLsThe academic progress of English language learners in reading, writing, science, and mathematics are determined through appropriate formal and informal assessments and through differentiation of instruction. English language learners are required to participate in the state annual English language proficiency assessment to evaluate their annual progress in English language acquisition.Assessment results will be used by schools to evaluate the progress of individual students. When indicated, evaluations will result in appropriate adjustments, modifications, and improvements of each individual ELL student plan and, if necessitated, an ELL Committee convened to make decisions and recommendations.The ELL team will convene whenever substantive changes in an individual ELL student plan are required and will utilize data obtained from the WIDA Model assessment; the ACCESS for ELLs assessment; report cards; teacher input and observations; semester exams; iReady assessments; progress reports; data obtained from language acquisition programs (Reading Eggs, Exact Path, Imagine Learning); etc., to make determinations.English language learners are eligible for accommodations on all state, district and site-based assessments. Placement recommendations for English language learners will be made by the ELL committee upon review of the following criteria:? Academic performance;? Standardized assessments and language acquisition data;? Number of years the student has been enrolled in the ESOL program with consideration for interrupted instruction;? The student’s English language proficiency; and? Attendance and retention data.Promotion or retention decisions may not be made for English language learners based solely on a score on any single assessment instrument, whether such assessment instrument is part of the statewide assessment program or of a particular district’s formal assessment process. (Rule 6A-1.09432, F.A.C.).ELL Transfer StudentsThe following placement guidance applies to students transferring to the district. At the start of the academic year, students without interrupted education are placed in the appropriate consecutive grade level. Throughout the academic year, students entering from another site in the district are placed in the concurrent grade-level. Students entering from another site in the state or from out-of-state will be screened for ELL program services eligibility and placed in the concurrent grade-level.The ELL team will evaluate documents and recommend placement in cases where academic records are incomplete or require translation. Foreign-born students without records are placed according to their age prior to September 1 of the current academic year. TransportationDue to the social distancing requirement of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake Wales Charter Schools will provide limited transportation to maintain the safety and well-being of the transportation staff and students. LWCS will encourage parents to bring their child(ren) to and from the school to minimize the risk of infection by reducing the number of children riding our buses.For those parents who do not have another way to get their child(ren) to and from school, they will be required to complete a registration form for each student who will need bus transportation. Please click to complete your registration.Transportation will be based on the student needs. Students who qualify for free and reduce lunch who receive SNAP, TANIF and/or P-EBT, McKenny Vento Act, Migrant and/or Foster Care will be given priority. Also, student with disabilities who have special transportation needs in their IEP will be given priority. Ridership Card – students will receive a ridership card that they need to bring with them every day to board the bus. Only students with the ridership card will be accepted on the school bus. Social Distance in the bus - CDC guidelines recommend providing social distancing on the school bus, if feasible. Lake Wales Charter School will transport 1 student per seat leaving the seat behind the driver empty to provide as much social distance as possible. Based on this, LWCS will be able to transport only 25 students per route. If the buses are at a maximum capacity, the transportation department will evaluate if they can create new routes. Mask – Masks must be worn on the school buses and hand sanitizer is needed as well. The masks and sanitizers are to be provided by parents. In the event the child loses the mask during the day, either the school or the driver should be prepared to provide masks for the child to be transported home. Cleaning and Sanitizing - Drivers will clean and sanitize their buses between and after each route to prevent the possible spread of the virus. Temperature Check – Drivers are required to check their temperature before they start their routes. If their temperature is 100.4 or more, they will need to be off and they can return to work after being 72 hours fever free without the usage of fever reducer medication. Parents need to check their children temperature before they send them to the bus stop. When students arrive to the school, their temperature will be checked by a school staff member. Athletics Lake Wales Charter Schools will follow guidance from FHSAA regarding the return of high school sports. Staff/Student Safety Procedures1. Stakeholders will check their temperature and assess for symptoms of COVID-19 before they come to school. Temperature of 100.4 or higher, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell or if they have been in direct contact with someone who has COVID-19, they will need to notify the school, stay home and contact their primary physician.2. Stakeholders are required to wear masks and practice social distancing when walking in hallways, delivering instruction in the classroom, working with small groups, and/or meeting with another staff member. Staff members can remove their mask when delivering instruction remotely or using other electronic communication. 3. Staff members shall avoid lingering in the workroom and hallways to avoid crowded condition.4. Stakeholders will wash their hands frequently and will encourage students in doing the same during the day.5. Stakeholders will follow one-directional signs when moving in hallways throughout the campus.Additional Safety Procedures:1. If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19 or presumed positive for COVID-19, students and staff members who have been in direct contact will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Students and staff members will transition to remote learning during the self-quarantine period. If it is a bus driver who is presumed positive or has tested positive for COVID-19, students who ride that bus will need to self-quarantine for 14 days and transition to remote learning during the self-quarantine period. If a student is presumed positive or has tested positive for COVID-19, the driver and students sharing the route will need to self-quarantine and transition to remote learning.2. High risk staff members may be able to have alternative working options such as ability to work remotely, reassignment or social distancing accommodations; depending what type of work they are performing. High risk staff members will be addressed case by case. High risk staff members are those staff members with the following conditions: asthma, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, obesity, weakened immune system, pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, thalassemia and cystic fibrosis.3. Stakeholders traveling internationally, or on cruise ships will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to the United States. Staff members will use personal, sick, or vacation leave during the quarantine period after traveling. Student attendance will be appropriately marked in FOCUS. 4. If a school has 10% or more of their population with positive cases of COVID-19, the school will close for at least for 14 days and it will transition to remote learning only during that period.Staff Benefits:1. If a staff member is providing remote learning and is pregnant, the staff member will need to apply for FMLA for the 6-8 weeks after giving birth. 2. If a staff member is providing remote learning and gets sick or has a medical procedure done, they need to use their sick leave and or apply for FMLA during that period.3. Workers Compensation will cover if a staff member gets COVID-19 at the workplace. However, the Workers Compensation provider will ask for proof that it was a work-related exposure before it will be approved.4. Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for paid sick time if the employee is unable to work (or unable to telework) due to a need for leave because the employee:a. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;b. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;c. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;d. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);e. is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19; orf. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury. Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19 exposure in schools What if a student in my child’s class or my student’s teacher is diagnosed with COVID-19? Will I be notified?If a student in your child’s class or their teacher has been confirmed with COVID-19, the school will work closely with Health Services and the local Health Department on contact tracing. Informing anyone who has had a potential exposure, as appropriate, while maintaining confidentiality as required by law. Anyone who has had an exposure will be required to stay home for at least 14 days from the last exposure. We will also ask that you self-monitor for symptoms, and stay away from populations at increased risk until the 14 day quarantine period is over. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop during the 14-day period, contact your primary care doctor or local Health Department and follow CDC guidelines. What if my child is diagnosed with COVID-19?If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19 follow all orders/recommendations given by the health care provider who confirmed the diagnosis. While we cannot require anyone to make the school aware of the diagnosis, we ask that you consider sharing the information with our schools Health Services division so that we can keep all children safe. LWCS Health Services can be reached at 863-456-4484. If you do not wish to contact LWCS Health Services, please consider notifying the local Health Department COVID division 863-519-7900 so that they may evaluate if contact tracing is appropriate. What does the term “exposure” to COVID-19 mean?CDC guidelines state that anyone who has been in close contact with the person diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 48 hours prior to their symptoms developing, can be considered to have a potential exposure to the virus. CDC defines “close contact” as anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. Would my child still be considered to have had a possible exposure if they were wearing a face mask?Yes, per CDC guidelines you are still considered a close contact even if you were wearing a cloth face covering while you were around someone with COVID-19. “Cloth face coverings are meant to prevent someone from transmitting the disease to others, and not to protect someone from becoming infected.” *CDC guidelines are subject to change as more information becomes available regarding COVID-19. Lake Wales Charter Schools Health Services Department is dedicated to staying up to date with the most current recommendations. Any changes in procedure would be communicated as needed. Also, each case will be individually evaluated, and is subject to be dealt with differently if guided by the local Health Department.Re-Opening Funding StrategiesLake Wales Charter Schools has established the required fund balance as stated in our charters. Each school submitted a budget that withheld a 5% holdback. The 5% holdback is to ensure available funds are present if it is requested by the state in a special session. This budget will be approved through our Board of Trustees at the August meeting. Each school also has an additional holdback specifically to provide salary increases as directed by the state. Each school has provided sanitation costs associated with COVID 19 to our grant writers who have written the CARES Act. In addition, each school applied for the CSP grants. Each school was granted additional supplies through agencies. Additional funds may be requested through upcoming grants as needed. Next StepsInform Staff and School Community new start dates and related information about revised calendar. Posted 7.23.2020Create a communication plan and online opportunities to build a cohesive online culture. 7.31.2020Press release about LWCS regarding the two choices Traditional Learning (on-site) and Innovative Remote Learning Model.Registration must be complete by 8.7. 2020.School Administration and Management: Guidance/Discipline/Academic Deans or Department Heads will work remotely and be on campus beginning 7.29.20In concert with LWCS Nurse, Marcia Rose and the Covid Lead at each school site, we will continue to monitor and modify health and safety protocols to ensure the health and well being of staff and students. We will modify any plans as needed according to prevailing public health information. OngoingFinalize updated Instructional Continuity Plans by 7.31.2020Management and roll out of Chromebooks and mifi devices by 8.14.2020. The technology piece: devices and connectivity will be managed by the tech team at the specific school site. Ongoing Mental Health: Continue Zoom and Home Visits with our most at risk students. Team of Social Workers and staff members will design a plan at each school to address family needs. 8.10.2020Professional Development at each school will begin on 8.10.2020 through Zoom. Pending Covid-19 health considerations, each school may have on-site Professional Development in small groups.Prepare a Covid-19 full online plan for the entire school, if FLDOE calls for a school shut down. 8.14.202 ................
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