Back to School Reopening Plan

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

At the August 10, 2020 the Colstrip Board of Trustees approve the following reopening plan: Colstrip Public Schools Reopening Plan for 2020-2021.  The components of this plan will remain flexible and adaptable to the potential changes in the phases and levels of concern for individual and public health. Therefore, this document will be dynamic and updated regularly as new information becomes available and/ or additional requirements are requested of the School District.

 

PLAN DEVELOPMENT

COVID-19 continues to affect nearly every aspect of how our families, businesses, and schools go about their daily work. Colstrip Public School District has been working on gathering the needed supplies and equipment to develop a plan for how our schools can provide a safe and secure setting for students to learn since last spring. The enclosed plan builds upon all that we learned last spring when, with your help, our teachers and students quickly moved to remote instruction.

The School Board of Trustees has diligently developed Emergency Policies that protect our students, staff, community and pecuniary interests meeting state mandates for extended funding and support. These 1900 Policies are:

Emergency School District Policies

·       Policy 1900 Emergency Policy Framework

·       Policy 1901 School District Policy and Procedures

·       Policy 1903 School District Meetings and Gatherings

·       Policy 1905 Student, Staff and Community Health and Safety

·       Policy 1906 Student Instruction

·       Policy 1907 School District Declaration of Emergency

Colstrip Public School District serves students with transparency and accountability to ensure as many people as possible have a voice in the school's operations. We sent out a Reopening School Survey to Parents and Staff alike on July 27, 2020. 

• Parent Survey Results
• Staff Survey Results

There were 360 invitations sent out to parents/guardians of our school district. The email addresses were generated from District Infinite Campus records. Of the 360 invitations there were 261 responses. There were 11 questions. Below are the specific COVID-19 responses:

• How concerned are you with COVID-19 in our community? (on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 = not concerned, 10 = very concerned).
•  Average response was 5.25. The Task Force committee noted that most of the responses were polarized; with either a very low concern or very high. 
• Assuming there is no vaccine available in the fall, but schools reopen following the guidance of the CDC, Office of Public Instruction and the Rosebud County Health Department, how would you prefer students to participate?
•  Top three responses
• 41% School everyday
• 30% Hybrid or blended program (remote delivery and at school). Being in school part-time (2-3 days per week) with blended on-line learning.
• 13% 100% Remote learning program
• What factors would help you feel more comfortable in allowing your child to return to on-site learning? 
• Top responses
• 77% Classrooms and other gathering places cleaned and sanitized daily.
• 71% Sanitizing supplies, including hand sanitizers readily available.
• 52% Mandatory symptom checks required for every student before entering the building.
• 51% Mandatory symptom checks of employees required before entering their classroom/workplace.
• 46% Restricting visitors and volunteers from entering the schools during the instructional day.
• What are your primary concerns about coming back to your school?
• Top responses
• 56% Classrooms and other student gathering places not properly disinfected.
• 40% Student/Staff underlying health concerns.
• 35% Public health regulations not being followed.
• 33% Availability of PPE or personal protective equipment (mask, shields and disinfectant cleaner).

There were 115 invitations sent out to all employees of our school district. Of the 115 invitations there were 84 responses. There were 16 questions. Below are the specific COVID-19 responses were:

• If we are able to have schools open in the fall, do you intend to come back to work?
• Responses
• 85% Yes
• 13% Uncertain
• 2% I will likely request other accommodations for health reasons
• How concerned are you with COVID-19 in our community? (on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 = not concerned, 10 = very concerned).
•  Average response was 4.9
• Assuming there is no vaccine available in the fall, but schools reopen following the guidance of the CDC, Office of Public Instruction and the Rosebud County Health Department, how would you prefer students to participate?
•  Top three responses
• 56% School everyday
• 14% Hybrid or blended program (remote delivery and at school). Being in school part-time (2-3 days per week) with blended on-line learning.
• 10% Partial school day to allow for fewer students in the classroom
• What factors would help you feel more comfortable? 
• Top responses
• 85% Sanitizing supplies, including hand sanitizers readily available.
• 82% Classrooms and other gathering places cleaned and sanitized daily.
• 57% Mandatory symptom checks required for every student before entering the building.
• 55% Restricting visitors and volunteers from entering the schools during the instructional day.
• 51% Mandatory symptom checks of employees required before entering their classroom/workplace.
• What are your primary concerns about coming back to your school?
• Top responses
• 68% Classrooms and other student gathering places not properly disinfected.
• 44% Public health regulations not being followed.
• 42% Student/Staff underlying health concerns.
• 40% Student Transportation (e.g. school bus, etc.)
• 38% Availability of PPE or personal protective equipment (mask, shields and disinfectant cleaner).

A COVID-19 Task Force made up of 28 individuals: board members, administrators, teachers, staff members, food service, technology, custodians, counselors and out of district services, met on August 3rd and 4th.  They reviewed the survey results to develop a plan for reopening schools. The plan takes into account the top responses by both staff and parents/guardians. 

This dialogue between school leaders and citizens has helped make sure our students learn in a manner that reflects the circumstances in our community.  Our goal to resume instruction and operations at our schools relies on the following priorities: a healthy and safe setting for students, staff, and the community; helpful support of teachers and staff; and responsible financial and operational procedures. We intend to meet this goal by upholding these priorities.

This plan is the work of the board of trustees, administrative team, employees, parents, students, state and local health officials all collaborating to identify how instruction will be delivered to students; how gatherings and events will take place on school property if and when appropriate; how the health and safety of staff and students will be protected and preserved while schools are open; and how financial and operational functions of the school district will continue during this public health emergency. School leaders and the COVID-19 Task Force have considered available options and perspectives to make decisions that reflect the circumstances in our community.

 

By listening to these voices, we have implemented measures throughout the District to promote a safe and healthy setting for learning, teaching, and working. Our District's plan relies on the practical application of scientific information to transform instruction, cleaning and disinfecting, transportation, food services, and activities. The District has implemented physical distancing by reconfiguring classrooms and gathering spaces, developed school arrival and departure procedures including temperature checks; installed sanitizing stations, hygiene signs, barriers and other measures to assist with individual protection; and purchased material and supplies to implement all aspects of the plan.  Further, the District requires students, staff, and teachers to wear a mask during transportation and while working in close proximity with other individuals and in common areas while passing or gatherings larger than 50. 

 

We are confident these and other proactive measures outlined in the plan will meet our shared goal of returning to face-to-face instruction. While it is not our intention to revert to instruction away from the schools, the School District understands that even with our best prevention efforts, it is possible that there may be an outbreak of this highly contagious virus in our community. To prepare for this possibility, the District has a dynamic remote instruction program and continues to seek ways to improve access to students in the event the schools are required to close for any period of time. This program will also be available to students during a period of instruction in the school if a family needs remote instruction accommodation. If you would like more information about how to request opt-out of on-site instruction, please contact the school office for appropriate forms. 

 

Our School District is innovative, agile, and ready to get back to school. We've worked to think of as many solutions as possible to make sure the students can come back to their classrooms, work with their teachers, and enjoy their friends. If there is something you think we have missed or if you have questions, please let us know by sending me an email to bob.lewandowski@colstrip.k12.mt.us. Our School District remains committed to maintaining timely and relevant communications with staff, families and the community as this new school year begins. With your help, your students' enthusiasm, and our staff’s leadership, we'll meet this challenge and have a successful school year.