Return to school plan

Safe Return to School Plan 21-22 (Reviewed December 2021)

Dan Gross

July 14, 2021

 

Safe Return to School Plan

 

Tekamah-Herman

Community Schools DRAFT Revised 07-08-2021

           

Tekamah-Herman Schools Return to School Plan

2021-2022          

Introduction

 

It is the goal of the Tekamah-Herman Schools to start the 2021-2022 school year with

100% of our students in the building, operating normally.  Students and staff have the option to wear masks but are not required to at this time. 

 

With the help of UNMC and the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Nebraska Department of Education we have developed a return to school plan that will be a working document and subject to change as conditions regarding Covid-19 change.  Tekamah-Herman Schools will continue to make key decisions and work in conjunction with the guidelines provided by Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department and Directed Health Measures from the local, state and federal government. As always, the health and safety of students and staff is our number one goal. 

   

If the ELVPHD implements a County Risk Dial or Directed Health Measures are in place,T ekamah-Herman Schools will follow these procedures.

 

When we are at the low to moderate risk


 we can be at 100% capacity and we will

take precautions like: masks available, social distancing when we can, hand washing/sanitizing regularly.  At this level:

  • There is minimal or no known virus spread within the district.
  • Staffing is adequate to maintain in-person learning.

 

When we are in the elevated risk zone, we MAY drop to 50% capacity.  

At the orange level we MAY move a portion of the school to remote learning.  This decision may be based on the grade levels most affected by the virus.  For example, the elementary school may continue in-person learning while the high school goes to remote learning.  Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to:

  • There is a significant amount of students and/or staff out due to illness or quarantine.
  • Transmission within the school has been found to be likely.
  • Staffing may not be adequate to maintain normal in-person school routines.
  • Students with IEP’s may still come to school on a regular basis as needed to receive the services outlined in the IEP.   
  • We will continue to take precautions known to slow the spread like wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent hand washing/sanitizing.  
  • All students will have a device. 
  • Canvas will be used as the main platform for the delivery of instruction.

 

If the district moves to 50% in-person learning we will proceed as follows:

 

When we are in the High/Severe risk zone, we MAY move to remote learning at all grade levels.

Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to:

  • There is significant amount of students and staff throughout the building that have been ill.
  • Transmission or an outbreak within the school has been found to be likely.
  • Staffing is not adequate to maintain normal in-person school routines.

 

If the district moves to remote learning we will proceed as follows:

 

It is entirely plausible that we will be going back and forth from in person instruction to remote learning multiple times during the school year.  

 

Masks/Face Coverings

 

Tekamah-Herman Schools will have available washable cloth masks for students and staff who choose to wear a mask.  Students and staff may provide their own school-appropriate mask.  

The decision to require masks for staff and students may be determined for the following reasons:

  • Experts in the field of infectious disease report that it prevents the spread of Covid19 and/or the need to quarantine.
  • It is difficult to maintain a six-foot social distance in schools.  
  • Masks give us the best opportunity to stay in an “at school” capacity.
  • A reasonable accommodation for a student with a verified disability.
  • The IEP team determines that wearing a mask would interfere with a student’s ability to receive services.  

 

Some students may have a medical reason for not wearing one.  We will work with parents and their health care providers in those situations.  Parents should make arrangements with the principal in the building that student attends.  Reasons for an exemption may include:

 

Screening Students

 

  • Parents should screen students daily at home.  
  • If a student is ill or is symptomatic, they should stay home from school.  

 

Hygiene/Building Maintenance 

 

  • Hand sanitizing stations will be at the entrance doors and lunchroom.  Additionally, hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom.  
  • Staff will continually disinfect high traffic areas and commonly touched items throughout the day.
  • The school has purchased electrostatic sanitizing devices that will be used regularly in high traffic areas and to mitigate large areas when needed.  
  • The district also has the capacity to contract with outside vendors if the entire campus needs to be disinfected.  

 

Daily Routine

 

  • Students will not be allowed to enter the building for school until 7:45 AM.
  • Students will enter the building and report to their home room or first period class.

 

Transportation

 

  • We will still run two buses to and from Herman every day.  
  • There will be assigned seats on the bus.  
  • Masks may be worn in all Tekamah-Herman vehicles while transporting students. 

 

Meal Service

  • All lunch items will be placed on the student’s tray by school staff.
  • A staff member will enter the students’ lunch numbers into the computer system.
  • Ala Carte items will not be available.
  • Students will sit staggered at the lunch tables.
  • Time will be allowed between groups of students for tables to be sanitized before the next group enters the cafeteria.