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.
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).
- 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.
