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New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Union Free School District Reopening Information | Reopening Information

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New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Preliminary* School Reopening Plan
July 31, 2020

*This plan is fluid. It is subject to change and be adjusted as necessary.

Reviewed January 15, 2021

 

Preliminary Reopening Plan Summary

 

 

Table of Contents

Formal Guidance for the Reopening of NYS Schools
Districts have received formal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and NYS Education Department (NYSED), which were used to develop our protocols and plans for possible reopening.

Communication/Family and Community Engagement

1. The school and/or district engaged with school stakeholders and community members (e.g., administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents/legal guardians of students, local health departments, local health care providers, and affiliated organizations, such as unions, alumni, and/or community-based groups) when developing reopening plans. Plans for reopening should identify the groups of people involved and engaged throughout the planning process. 

The following school stakeholders contributed towards the development of the District’s reopening plans:

Jennifer Morrison, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Michael G. Frank, Assistant Superintendent for Business
James Svendsen, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Technology
Kim Levy, Director of Special Education
Andrew Scimeca, Director of Facilities and Transportation
Kim LaRegina, Principal, New Hyde Park Road School
Jane Ruthkowski, Principal, Manor Oaks School
Beth Torreano, Principal, Hillside Grade School
Amy Sullivan, Principal, Garden City Park School
Diana Buffa, Districtwide Assistant Principal
Denise Connolly, ENL Liaison/Assistant Principal Leave Replacement
Parents of NHP-GCP Students
New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Teachers Association
Cohen Children's Medical Center
Nassau County Department of Health
Nassau County BOCES, Peter LaDuca
Dr. Jessica Manztouranis, District Physician
District Counsel, Sharon Berlin, Lamb and Barnosky
District Architect, Michael Mark Designs
Registered Professional Nurses Unit
Teacher Aides Unit
Monitors/Cafeteria Aides Units
Custodial and Transportation Unit
Clerical Unit
Garden City Park School PTA
Manor Oaks PTA
NHP Road School PTA
Hillside Grade School PTA
James Grossane, Ed.D.- Superintendent, Sewanhaka Central High School District
Ken Rosner, Superintendent, Elmont Schools
Jared Bloom, Superintendent, Franklin Square Schools
Kathy Soteille, Superintendent, Floral Park-Bellerose Schools
Nassau County Police Department

2. The school and/or district developed a communications plan for students, parents or legal guardians of students, staff, and visitors that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide individuals with information. Responsible Parties may consider developing web pages, text and email groups, and/or social media groups or posts. 

The District will maintain routine communications and continue to provide or update messages about behaviors that prevent spread of COVID-19 when communicating with staff, families, and visitors in the language(s) spoken at home among families and throughout the school community via:
  • Website
  • Email, text, and automated phone calls
  • Social media accounts
  • Google Classroom
  • Signage will be posted throughout all hallways, entrances and in classrooms and in common spaces.


3. The school and/or district will ensure all students are taught or trained how to follow new COVID-19 protocols safely and correctly, including but not limited to hand hygiene, proper face covering wearing, social distancing, and respiratory hygiene.

  • School nurses and PPS staff, under the direction of the Director of Special Education, will provide age-appropriate lessons and resources for teacher-directed lessons that teach the importance of:
    • handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • social distancing and staying with small groups, if applicable.
    • covering a cough or sneeze and wearing a face mask.
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  • All staff will share information with students daily through visual supports, positive reinforcement, and lessons.
  • Hygiene and PPE wear signage will be posted throughout all hallways, entrances and in classrooms and in common spaces.

 

4. The school and/or district will encourage all students, faculty, staff, and visitors through verbal and written communication (e.g., signage) to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the use of PPE, specifically acceptable face coverings, when a social distance cannot be maintained.

The District will:

  • Assign and monitor viewings of applicable Global Compliance Network (GCN) videos to ensure training of staff on all safety protocols that provide information on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings.
  • Post signs in highly visible locations to promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs. Signage locations include:
    • entrances
    • hallways
    • dining areas
    • restrooms
    • classrooms
    • administrative offices
    • cafeteria
    • auditorium
    • staff areas
    • hallways
    • fields
    • gymnasiums
  • Develop plans to broadcast regular announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on PA systems or during morning announcements.
  • Notify all staff and families to contact the school nurse for questions and concerns related to PPE.
  • Ensure communication is developmentally appropriate and accessible for all students, including those with disabilities.
  • Identify who should wear cloth face coverings, and communicate the importance of wearing them. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on: Children younger than 2 years old or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cover without help.


5. The school and/or district will provide communications in the language(s) spoken at home among families and throughout the school community. Written plans must be accessible to those with visual and/or hearing impairments.

The District will use:

  • Blackboard Connect to provide outreach via text, email, and automated phone calls to families in their language of preference.
  • Language Line for individual phone calls.
  • Our District website, which is ADA compliant and translates via Google Translate.

 

Health and Safety

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1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must review and consider the number of students and staff allowed to return in person. These factors should be considered when determining resumption of in person instruction: (1) Ability to maintain appropriate social distancing or face coverings; (2) PPE and face covering availability; (3) Availability of safe transportation; and (4) Local hospital capacity – consult your local department of health.

  • It has been determined that our schools can accommodate the full student body in each building while maintaining a distance of 6 feet between students. Students may return to school via full day in-person instruction or full day remote instruction.
  • All students who return for a full in-person instructional day will receive class placement in a designated learning space which allows for 6ft distance amongst peers.
  • All students and staff will wear the proper PPE and exercise all hygiene protocols throughout the school day and on the school bus. Students may remove masks while seated at their desks (placed 6 feet apart) during instruction or when eating and when at a 6 foot distance from others. Students in grades 5 and 6 are asked to wear their masks as often as possible/tolerable even when socially distanced.
  • Although parents/guardians will be expected to provide cloth masks for their children, two cloth face masks will be given to each student that attends the in-person program. Disposable masks will be available to supplement in the event someone forgets to wear a mask.
  • Two cloth masks will be given to each staff member working in the schools and in the administrative offices.
  • Transportation will follow all CDC guidelines. All riders and drivers will wear masks and be separated as recommended. Parents are strongly encouraged to drive or walk their children to school to reduce ridership.
  • As of July 21, 2020, our region is in Phase IV, which means our local hospital capacity is sufficient.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan must engage with school stakeholders and community members (e.g., administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents/legal guardians of students, local health departments, local health care providers, and affiliated organizations, such as unions, alumni, and/or community-based groups in developing their reopening plan and identify those that participated in the reopening plans.

The following school stakeholders contributed towards the development of the District’s reopening plans:

Jennifer Morrison, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Michael G. Frank, Assistant Superintendent for Business
James Svendsen, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, &Technology
Kim Levy, Director of Special Education
Andrew Scimeca, Director of Facilities and Transportation
Kim LaRegina, Principal, New Hyde Park Road School
Jane Ruthkowski, Principal, Manor Oaks School
Beth Torreano, Principal, Hillside Grade School
Amy Sullivan, Principal, Garden City Park School
Diana Buffa, Districtwide Assistant Principal
Denise Connolly, ENL Liaison/Assistant Principal Leave Replacement
Parents of NHP-GCP Students
New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Teachers Association
NHP-GCP Health and Safety Committee
Cohen Children's Medical Center
Nassau County Department of Health
Nassau County BOCES, Peter LaDuca, Executive Manager Nassau BOCES Health & Safety Training and Information Service
Dr. Jessica Manztouranis, District Physician
District Counsel, Sharon Berlin, Lamb and Barnosky
District Architect, Michael Mark Designs
Registered Professional Nurses Unit
Teacher Aides Unit
Monitors/Cafeteria Aides Units
Custodial and Transportation Unit
Clerical Unit
Garden City Park School PTA
Manor Oaks PTA
NHP Road School PTA
Hillside Grade School PTA
James Grossane, Ed.D., Superintendent, Sewanhaka Central High School District
Ken Rosner, Superintendent, Elmont Schools
Jared Bloom, Ed.D., Superintendent, Franklin Square Schools
Kathy Soteille, Ed.D., Superintendent, Floral Park-Bellerose Schools
Nassau County Police Department

3. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include a communications plan for students, parents/guardians, staff, and visitors that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide individuals with information.

The District will:

  • Post signs in highly visible locations to promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs. Signage locations include:
    • entrances
    • dining areas
    • restrooms
    • classrooms
    • administrative offices
    • cafeteria
    • auditorium
    • staff areas
    • hallways
    • fields
    • gymnasium

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  • Maintain routine communications and continue to provide or update messages about behaviors that prevent spread of COVID-19 when communicating with staff and families via:
    • Website
    • Email, text, automated phone calls
    • Social media accounts
    • Google Classroom
  • Broadcast regular announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on PA systems or during morning announcements.
  • Post signs for the national distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
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  • Notify all staff and families to contact the School Nurse for questions and concerns related to COVID-19. The School Nurse will be able to provide resources related to COVID-19.
  • Ensure communication is developmentally appropriate and accessible for all students, including those with disabilities.


4. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a written protocol developed in collaboration with the district or school’s director of school health services to instruct staff to observe for signs of illness in students and staff and requires symptomatic persons to be sent to the school nurse or other designated personnel.


5. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a written protocol for daily temperature screenings of all students and staff, along with a daily screening questionnaire for faculty and staff and periodic use of the questionnaire for students.
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  • The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District will utilize the Frontline Electronic Health Records and School Nursing Management System APP for all staff (remote and in-person) and students who attend in-person instruction to complete a health questionnaire prior to arriving at school daily. A screening questionnaire determines whether the individual has:
    1. knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;
    2. tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days;
    3. has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0°F in the past 14 days: and/or
    4. has traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days.
    • Per NYSDOH, schools are prohibited from keeping records of student, faculty, staff, and visitor health data (e.g., the specific temperature data of an individual), but are permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening (e.g., pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).
  • Parents/guardians will be responsible for taking the temperature of each child who will be attending in-person instruction and will assure that the child’s temperature is below 100⁰F on the Frontline Electronic Health Records and School Nursing Management System APP. This will be an APP that parents will be able to download on their phone.
  • Student(s) without a temperature check upon arrival can not enter the school until a temperature check and screening questionnaire is conducted.
  • Students/Staff saying yes to any of the questions on the screening questionnaire will NOT be permitted into the school building.


6. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that ill students and staff be assessed by the school nurse (registered professional nurse, RN) or medical director and that if a school nurse or medical director is not available, ill students and staff will be sent home for follow up with a healthcare provider.

  • If a student/staff member in the NHP-GCP schools show symptoms of any communicable or infectious disease reportable under the public health law that imposes a significant risk of infection of others in the school, they shall be excluded from the school and send home immediately, in a safe and proper conveyance. The school nurse will immediately notify a local public health agency of any disease reportable under the public health law.
  • School staff must immediately report any illness of students or staff to the school nurse or principal while maintaining compliance with confidentiality requirements. That individual will be evaluated by the school nurse in the isolation room following transmission-based precautions. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/transmission-based-precautions.html
    In the event that a child/staff member is sick and suspected of having COVID-19 after being assessed by the school nurse, they will stay in the designated isolation room, which is separate from the school health office. The isolation room in each school building will be a supervised, safe location for students to wait to be picked up by the parent/guardian, or emergency contact.
  • Students will be escorted from the isolation area to their parent/guardian upon being picked up. Staff members will be asked to leave work immediately if they are capable of doing so on their own.
  • The parent/guardian will be instructed to call their health care provider, or if they do not have a health care provider, to follow up with a local clinic or urgent care center (resources will be shared by the school nurse as needed). Staff members will also be instructed to follow up with their health care provider.
  • Symptomatic students or staff members will follow the CDC guidelines of Stay Home When You Are Sick: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/stay-home-when-sick.htm, unless otherwise directed by a health care professional.
  • If the student or staff member has emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to arouse, bluish lips or face, the school must call 911 following district policies, for any student/staff member showing these emergency warning signs of COVID-19.
  • The school must call 911 if emergency warning signs of MIS-C are noted in students including: trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face or severe abdominal pain.
  • If a student or staff member reports having tested positive for COVID-19, the school nurse will notify the local health department to determine what steps are needed for the school community.


7. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol requiring students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home.

  • Each school in the district will identify an isolation room that is separated from the nurse’s office. In the event that a child/staff member is sick and suspected of having COVID-19, they will be sent to the designated isolation room.
  • This room will have a supervising adult present and should have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies. School nurses and other school health professionals assessing or providing care to ill students and staff will follow transmission-based precautions which includes the use of appropriate PPE (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/transmission-based-precautions.html).
  • Students will be escorted from the isolation area to their parent/guardian upon being picked up. Staff members will be asked to leave work immediately if they are capable of doing so on their own.
  • The parent/guardian will be instructed to call their health care provider, or if they do not have a health care provider, to follow up with a local clinic or urgent care center (resources will be shared by the school nurse as needed). Staff members will also be instructed to follow up with their health care provider.


8. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol to address visitors, guests, contractors, and vendors to the school which includes health screening.

The District will:

  • Require visitors, guests, contractors, and vendors to complete a healthcare questionnaire and have their temperatures checked by the school nurse before entering a school. They will be escorted to their destination and not be within 6 feet of any student or staff member.
  • Limit entry to essential visitors such as repair contractors, vendors such as food and supply delivery, and parent/guardian picking up a sick child. The parent will wait by the main entrance to pick up the child.
  • Restrict nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations—especially those who are not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, country).
  • Pursue virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips, student assemblies, special performances, school-wide parent meetings, and spirit nights, if possible.


9. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a written protocol to instruct parents/guardians to observe for signs of illness in their child that require staying home from school.

  • Communication will be sent home from the nurse’s office noting signs of illness and when to stay home from school: Schools and Childcare Programs - Checklist for Parents
  • CDC guidance for steps when sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
  • Video links, articles and flyers will be sent home via Blackboard Connect and posted on the District Webpage and social media.


10. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol and appropriate signage to instruct staff and students in correct hand and respiratory hygiene.


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11. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol to ensure all persons in school buildings keep social distance of at least 6 feet whenever possible.

  • Distancing protocols will be posted visually in the locations listed below and announcements will be made over the PA system during morning daily announcements.
    • entrances
    • dining areas
    • restrooms
    • classrooms
    • administrative offices
    • cafeteria
    • auditorium
    • staff areas
    • hallways
    • fields
    • gymnasium


12. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol detailing how the district/school will provide accommodations to all students and staff who are at high risk or live with a person at high risk.

  • The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District will assess accommodations requested for high risk individuals or for those who live with a person at high risk at the request in writing from the teacher.


13. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a written protocol requiring all employees, adult visitors, and students to wear a cloth face covering whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.

  • Each individual entering a building will be required to wear a mask. We will ask families to provide a mask daily. One will be given to individuals who do not have their own mask. Cloth face masks were purchased (2) per student and (2) per staff member.
  • Additional masks are available in the nurse’s office, main office and at school entry points during morning arrival and on the buses.


14. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a plan for obtaining and maintaining adequate supplies of cloth face coverings for school staff, students who forget their masks, and PPE for use by school health professionals.

  • Although parents/guardians will be expected to provide cloth masks for their children, two cloth face masks will be given to each student that attends the in-school program. Disposable masks will be available at building entry points to supplement in the event someone forgets to wear a mask.
  • Two cloth masks will be given to each staff member working in the schools and in the administrative offices. Disposable masks will be available to supplement in the event someone forgets a mask.
  • PPE will be provided to and utilized by school health professionals.


15. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol for actions to be taken if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school.

  • In consultation with the School Medical Director, and following the CDC and NYSED guidelines, a written protocol will be drafted. Prior to the start of school this written protocol will be shared with the staff.
  • This protocol will include instructions for immediate isolation, closing off areas used by a sick person until after cleaning and disinfecting them, and advising sick individuals to follow CDC discontinue home isolation guidelines, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html, as well as advise those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home, self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop,
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html. The School district will cooperate with public health departments to perform contact tracing to put in place isolation or other measures to limit the spread of the virus. Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School administrators will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely.

 

16. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol that complies with DOH and CDC guidance for the return to school of students and staff following a positive screen for COVID-19 symptoms, illness or diagnosis of confirmed case of COVID-19 or following quarantine due to contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Return to school will be coordinated with the local health department.


17. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol to clean and disinfect schools following CDC guidance.

  • As per guidance from the CDC (“Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes”), the Districts’s protocols regarding cleaning and disinfecting rely upon two principals: 1) reducing the risk of exposure through the maintaining of normal routine cleaning practices with green cleaning chemicals to physically reduce how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, and 2) disinfecting with an EPA approved disinfectant (which are effective against COVID-19), including an increased frequency of disinfecting of surfaces and objects that are touched by multiple people. These principals are put into practice through work scheduling, task identification, training, the use of new equipment, and record keeping.

    Schedules - Cleaning schedules will be one of the most important components of the District’s protocols. The CDC recommends that high touch items and surfaces be cleaned and disinfected multiple times throughout the day. This both reduces the amount of the virus that is on surfaces and objects, and also neutralizes the virus that is left behind. Therefore, high touch items and surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected multiple times throughout the day to promote a safe and clean environment. Additionally, each night, every instructional space, restroom, and office will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected so that it is ready for occupation the following morning.

    Task identification - The District’s emphasis on cleanliness and disinfection requires that items needing daily or frequent disinfecting be identified and addressed accordingly. The frequency based classification of tasks determines when and how often each cleaning and disinfecting item is accomplished. Items and surfaces that are typically touched by only one student or individual (i.e. a student’s chair or desk) will require daily disinfecting, while items and surfaces frequently touched by multiple persons (i.e. door knobs, panic hardware, light switches, phones, hand rails, elevator buttons, water fountains, cafeteria tables, horizontal surfaces, and restrooms) would require frequent disinfecting.

    Training - The District personnel responsible for cleaning and disinfecting are trained in the safe and proper use, handling, and storage of cleaning equipment and disinfectants. Additionally, training is also provided on the proper use of personal protective equipment and protocols to ensure the safety of those responsible for cleaning areas of confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, including waiting 24 hours, or as long as possible, before cleaning and disinfecting areas of confirmed cases. These trainings ensure employee safety while achieving the maximum level of effectiveness in cleaning and disinfecting of our District’s buildings.

    New equipment - Electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, including the Clorox Total 360 System and the eMist Epix 360 Sprayer, are used every day in the disinfecting of surfaces and objects throughout the District. This equipment will increase disinfecting productivity and efficiency while also ensuring a thorough coverage of disinfectant on surfaces and objects. Furthermore, the district uses EPA approved cleaners and disinfectants in everyday cleaning and disinfecting. The disinfectants are proven to be effective against COVID-19, as well as a myriad of other molds, bacterias, and viruses and are used in accordance with manufacturer's directions.

    Record keeping - Logs have been designed to track and record the frequency and thoroughness of routine cleaning and disinfecting. Each time an area is cleaned and disinfected, the person responsible for the cleaning will sign a log, identifying which items were addressed. These logs will be left in a visible location for faculty and staff to observe.


18. Each school and/or district reopening plan has written protocol to conduct required school safety drills with modifications ensuring social distancing between persons.
Modifications to evacuation drill protocols may include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting drills on a “staggered” schedule, where classrooms evacuate separately rather than all at once, and appropriate distance is kept between students to the evacuation site.
  • Staggering by classroom, minimizes contact of students in hallways, stairwells, and at the evacuation site. If conducting drills using a modified procedure, it is required that the drill be conducted with all students in the school building on that school day, it may be necessary to do so during a class period that is extended for this purpose


Modifications to Lockdown Drills may include, but are not limited to:

  • Conducting lockdown drill in classroom setting while maintaining social distancing and using masks.
  • Conducting lockdown drills on a “staggered” schedule with smaller numbers of students present to maintain social distancing, however schools must be certain that all students are receiving instruction in emergency procedures and participating in drills while they are in attendance in-person
  • Conducting lockdown drill in classroom without “hiding”/ “sheltering” but provides an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom.


19. Each school and/or district reopening plan has a written plan for district/school run before and aftercare programs (or, for charter schools, as required by the school’s charter).

  • The Superintendent will work collaboratively with the Director of YMCA Aftercare to ensure that their reopening plans meet recommended guidelines and are in sync with District plans.


20. Each school and/or district reopening plan designates a COVID-19 safety coordinator (administrator) whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the school’s reopening plan, as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels.

Building Principals will serve in this capacity for their respective schools:

  • Kim LaRegina, New Hyde Park Road School Principal
  • Jane Ruthkowski, Manor Oaks School Principal
  • Amy Sullivan, Garden City Park School Principal
  • Beth Torreano, Hillside Grade School Principal

 

Facilities

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan which include changes or additions to facilities must comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code and submit all changes to OFP.

  • The District regularly consults with the fire marshal, BOCES Health and Safety liaisons, and NYSED’s Office of Facilities Planning before facilities related decisions are made, including changes and/or additions, in order to ensure continued compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, including the 2020 NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the State Energy Conservation Code.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure compliance with the 2020 Building Condition Survey and Visual Inspection, where applicable.

  • The District’s Building Condition Survey was performed in January of 2020 and will be filed accordingly in compliance with NYSED Office of Facilities Planning requirements.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan must provide provisions to conduct the Lead-In-Water Testing as required by NYS DOH regulation 67-4.

  • As per guidance from the NYS Department of Health, the 2020 Lead in Drinking Water sampling can not take place until the building is re-occupied. Once the building is re-occupied, the required sampling and testing will be performed by a licensed environmental consultant. The District has abided by all State guidelines and regulations and has taken all necessary steps to be within compliance of established thresholds.


4. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure all existing and new Alcohol-based Hand-Rub Dispensers which are installed in any locations are in accordance with FCNYS 2020 Section 5705.5.

  • The District has consulted with the Fire Marshal, BOCES Health and Safety liaisons, and NYSED’s Office of Facilities Planning regarding the placement of our Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer to ensure that their locations and utilization are in compliance with FCNYS 2020 5705.5.


5. Each school and/or district reopening plan which include the installation of dividers in classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums, gymnasiums, doors, and other points of congregation will ensure the submission of detailed floor plans to OFP for review.

  • The District will comply with all requirements pertaining to dividers, including the submission of detailed floor plans for review by the Office of Facilities Planning, for any instance where they will be utilized.


6. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that all new building construction and temporary quarter projects will be submitted to OFP for a full code review.

  • The District’s reopening plan does not involve new building construction or temporary quartering that would require submittals to the Office of Facilities Planning.


7. Each school and/or district reopening plan which include new facilities for leasing must provide a plan to consult with OFP for a preliminary evaluation.

  • The District’s reopening plan does not involve new or leased facilities that would require submittals to the Office of Facilities Planning.


8. Each school and/or district reopening plan which includes the temporary or permanent use of Tents must provide plans adhering to the BCNYS.

  • The District’s reopening plan does not involve the use of temporary or permanent use of tents.


9. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that the existing or altered number of toilet and sink fixtures meet the minimum standards of the BCNYS.

  • The District’s building’s toilet and sink fixture counts currently exceed the minimum standards of New York State’s Building Code. In order to continue to comply with these standards, the District will reduce the amount of students permitted to use each multi-person bathroom at the same time.


10. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that each building provides one drinking fountain per one hundred occupants or provide a written plan for a reasonable alternate source of drinking water.

  • Verifying water fountain counts with buildings: MO-9, GCP-6, Road-7, HGS-10
    The District’s building’s water fountain-to-student ratio is greater than what is required.


11. Each school and/or district reopening plan must provide written plans on how to maintain adequate, code required ventilation (natural or mechanical) as designed.

  • The District’s plan will incorporate routine maintenance and cleaning schedules for ventilation equipment, such as: Univentilaters, Roof-Top Units, Window Air Conditioners, Split A/C units, and exhaust fans.


12. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that all project submissions only dedicated to “COVID-19 Reopening” will be labeled as such.

  • The District’s plan will require that any and all reopening-related project submittals to the Office of Facilities Planning are appropriately labelled “COVID-19 Reopening”.


13. Each school and/or district reopening plan which includes the use of plastic separators must comply with the 2020 BCNYS Section 2606.

  • The District’s reopening plan will require that the fire marshal, BOCES Health and Safety liaisons, and NYSED’s Office of Facilities Planning are consulted for 2020 BCNYS Section 2606 compliance prior to the purchase of any plastic separators.



Child Nutrition

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must provide all students enrolled in the SFA with access to school meals each school day. This must include students in attendance at school and students learning remotely.

  • NHP-GCP will continue to offer school meals for each school day to those students in attendance at school. For those students learning remotely, school meals will be available for pickup at a scheduled time and location that will be clearly communicated to parents. Those who qualify for Free or Reduced Priced meals will obtain their meals at no cost for the 2020- 2021 school year.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan must address all applicable health and safety guidelines.

  • NHP-GCP UFSD will address all applicable health and safety guidelines as detailed above in the “Health and Safety” section of the reopening plan.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan includes measures to protect students with food allergies if providing meals in spaces outside the cafeteria.

  • Students with food allergies have a documented Health Plan that is created in conjunction with the student’s health care professional, parent and school nurse. The Health Plan delineates specific food allergies, symptoms of food allergies, actions needed to accommodate the allergy, and an emergency care plan should there be a food allergy reaction. This plan is signed by the student’s health care provider.
  • The school nurse reviews the Health Plan and trains staff members on the individual Health Plans for each student. All staff members working with the student are informed of the Health Plan. This ensures that if students are eating in classrooms, the staff members in the classroom are trained on the food allergies, including symptoms of allergic reactions to food and the emergency care action required should there be a reaction.
  • For unknown food allergies, school staff are also trained yearly on Anaphylaxis Emergency Care. The School Medical Director writes Standard Orders for EpiPen First Hand Treatment for Anaphylaxis yearly for such emergencies. Benadryl and Epi-pens are stored in the school nurse’s office.
  • If a student requires a “nut-free” lunch table, this will be documented in the student’s Individual Health Plan. If the student requires to be more than six feet distance from another student eating a nut-based product, this will be delineated in their health plan. In addition, students that have eaten a nut-based product will be required to wash their hands immediately after eating and their classroom desk will be cleaned separately to help ensure the allergic protein is not spread.


4. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include protocols and procedures for how students will perform hand hygiene before and after eating, how appropriate hand hygiene will be promoted, and how sharing of food and beverages will be discouraged.

  • Student training will be provided to teach proper hand hygiene. Students will be directed to wash their hands prior to eating and after they have finished. Signage will be put up as a reminder to the verbal directions that will be provided. All students will be told they are not to share food or beverages with their peers.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at entry points for common areas, school entrances, bathrooms, main office and in each classroom.


5. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include protocols and procedures that require cleaning and disinfection prior to the next group of students arriving for meals, if served in the same common area.

  • Students will eat their meals at their desks within their classrooms.


6. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure compliance with Child Nutrition Program requirements (if the school is its own SFA – for charter schools that are part of a district’s SFA, the plan must ensure communication with the district regarding food serve requirements).

  • NHP-GCP is in regular communications with the office of Child Nutrition and will continue to adhere to their requirements.


7. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include protocols that describe communication with families through multiple means in the languages spoken by families.

  • NHP-GCP will communicate with families via phone, email, texting, and the utilization of the district website. All postings on the website will be translatable into other languages.


8. Each school and/or district reopening plan must require that students must social distance (six feet separation) while consuming meals in school unless a physical barrier is provided.

  • NHP-GCP will require social distancing of 6’ while consuming meals in school unless a physical barrier is present.

 

Transportation

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure all buses (conforming and non-conforming to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards, as well as type A, C or D) which are used every day by districts and contract carriers will be cleaned/disinfected once a day.

  • The District’s plan will require that buses that are used every day, either by the District or by a transportation contractor, will be cleaned and disinfected once a day using an EPA approved disinfectant and in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan ensures high contact spots must be wiped down after each a.m. and p.m. run depending upon the disinfection/cleaning schedule.

  • The District’s plan will require that high contact spots are wiped down and disinfected after each a.m. and p.m. bus run using an EPA approved disinfectant and in accordance with manufacturer’s directions.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure school buses shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or district.

  • The District’s reopening plan prohibits the installation of hand sanitizer on District buses. However, the District’s buildings are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers at many convenient locations, allowing students and staff to utilize them upon arrival at school.


4. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that school bus drivers, monitors and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.

  • The District’s reopening plan prohibits all bus personnel from carrying personal bottles of hand sanitizer on school buses. However, the District’s buildings are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers at many convenient locations, allowing students and staff to utilize them upon arrival at school.


5. Each school and/or district reopening plan will require that school bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with optional face shield.

  • The District will provide all staff, including bus personnel, with face coverings and require that they be worn while performing their duties. Face shields will be made available to those who choose to wear them.


6. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics and cleaners) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

  • The District will provide all staff, including bus personnel, with training and periodic refreshers on the proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment, and on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.


7. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics and cleaners) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of social distancing.

  • The District will provide all staff, including bus personnel, with training and periodic refreshers on the proper use of social distancing.


8. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that transportation departments/carriers will need to provide Personal Protective Equipment such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors and attendants in buses.

  • The District will provide all bus personnel with face coverings and gloves, as well as provide training for the proper use of personal protective equipment and periodic refresher training. Additionally, all staff will receive training and periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment. Training will be provided in a remote capacity in order to promote social distancing.


9. Each school and/or district reopening plan ensures hand sanitizer will be provided for all staff in their transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages.

  • The District’s buildings are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers at many convenient locations, including offices and break rooms, allowing staff to easily access them.
  • Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that drivers, monitors and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child must wear gloves.
  • The district will require that all bus personnel who have direct physical contact with children wear gloves. Additionally, the District will provide training for the proper use of personal protective equipment and periodic refresher training.


10. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that school bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics shall perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID 19 before arriving to work.

  • The District requires that all personnel, contractors, and vendors perform self-health assessments for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving to work every day. These assessments will be monitored and checked to ensure full compliance.


11. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that students must wear a mask on a school bus if they are physically able.

  • The District requires that all students wear a mask while on the school bus if they are physically able to do so. The District will provide two masks per student and require that these be worn daily.


12. Each school and/or district reopening plan ensures that students who do not have a mask will NOT be denied transportation.

  • In the event that a student forgets his/her mask, the District will provide a disposable mask so that the student may utilize transportation services.


13. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that students who do not have masks must be provided one by the district.

  • The District will provide two masks per student at the beginning of the year and require that they be worn daily on the bus. In the event that a student forgets their mask, a disposable mask will be provided.


14. Each school and/or district reopening plan ensures that students with a disability which would prevent them from wearing a mask will not be forced to do so or denied transportation.

  • The District will not require students with disabilities who can not wear a mask to wear a mask and will not deny transportation to students for this reason. In these instances, either face shields or social distancing will be utilized.


15. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires students will be trained and provided periodic reminders on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

  • The District will provide training and periodic reminders on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Training will be provided in a remote capacity in order to promote social distancing.


16. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that students will be trained and provided periodic reminders on the proper use of social distancing.

  • The District will provide training and periodic reminders on the proper use of social distancing. Training will be provided in a remote capacity in order to promote social distancing.


17. Each school and/or district reopening plan requires that if the school district is in session remotely or otherwise, pupil transportation must be provided to nonpublic, parochial, private, charter schools or students whose Individualized Education Program have placed them out of district whose schools are meeting in conducting in-person session education when/if the district is not.

  • While in session, either remotely or otherwise, the District will provide transportation to students who attend public, parochial, private, charter schools or students whose Individualized Education Programs have placed them out of district whose schools are meeting and conducting in-person session education when/if the district is not.

 

Social Emotional Well-Being

1. Each school and district ensures that district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling program plans, developed under the direction of certified school counselor(s), are reviewed and updated to meet current needs.

The District will:

  • Consider a prolonged orientation or transition period to support the social and emotional well-being and resiliency of students before beginning to phase in academic content. Encourage connection, healing, and relationship-building.
  • Foster increased resiliency for students to help prepare them for the possibility of additional transitions between in-person and remote learning.
  • Create safe, supportive, engaging learning environments that nurture students’ social and emotional learning.
  • Nurture adult-student relationships to ensure that every student has a trusted adult at their school, and that the adult checks in on the student regularly, regardless of the mode of instruction.
  • Offer opportunities for movement and physical activity to the extent possible. Social emotional and physical well-being are interconnected.
  • Survey students regularly. Ask about their needs. Be prepared to respond with assistance or referrals.
  • Leverage transformative SEL to support the work of anti-racism and anti-bias.
  • Support access to mental health and trauma supports for students.
  • Leverage the expertise of all school community members, including pupil personnel services staff, to support students. Gather input from staff delivering or distributing meals. They can provide valuable insights about what they have seen and heard.
  • Provide professional learning to support all staff in developing a deeper understanding of their role in supporting student social emotional competencies and well-being.
  • Scaffold SEL to best support the developmental needs of students at all grade levels.
  • Implement explicit SEL lessons and embed opportunities to develop and practice SEL competencies within academic lessons.
  • Plan for teaching teams that work with the same cohort of students, with teacher teams meeting and communicating regularly.


2. Each school and/or district establishes an advisory council, shared decision-making, school climate team, or other collaborative working group comprised of families, students, members of the board of education, or school’s board, school building and/or district/charter leaders, community-based service providers, teachers, certified school counselors, and other pupil personnel service providers including school social workers and/or school psychologists, to inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan.

  • The district’s School Counseling/Guidance Program Advisory Council is comprised of school administrators, psychologists, social workers, teachers, the school counselor, and a parent member. The advisory council shall meet for the purpose of reviewing the comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance program plan and advising on the implementation of the school counseling/guidance program.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan addresses how the school/district will provide resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional support services and programs.

  • The school district will implement a three-tiered approach to supporting the mental health, behavioral and emotional needs for our students.
    • Tier 1- All students will be screened via a universal screening. School staff will implement lessons and activities to promote coping and adjustment during the first three weeks of school. Activities will be developmentally appropriate to gauge level of adjustment and promote healthy adjustment behaviors. A Google Survey will also be shared with families to help assess their child’s mental health prior to school opening.
    • Tier 2- The school psychologist or social worker will Interview students and families of concern as noted through the surveys and teacher report for previous exposure to trauma, adjustment issues, or current stressors and provide clinical support.
    • Tier 3- The school psychologist/social worker will provide outside referrals and continue to monitor and support student and family if Tier 2 supports do not provide enough intervention for a student.
  • The district website offers a variety of social-emotional supports for families to access: https://www.nhp-gcp.org/Assets/Resources_for_At_Home_Learning/Social-Emotional_Resources.pdf?t=637223788894430000
    https://www.nhp-gcp.org/Assets/Resources_for_At_Home_Learning/Resources_for_COVID-19_Support.pdf?t=637219337367170000



4. Each school and/or district reopening plan addresses professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on how to talk with and support students during and after the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as provide supports for developing coping and resilience skills for students, faculty, and staff.

The District will:

  • Provide professional development will be provided to school staff on trauma informed practices during Superintendent’s Conference Day and throughout the school year to support students.
  • These articles will be shared with all staff members:
    https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/
    https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/trauma-and-grief/
  • A three-tiered approach will be implemented to support students’ mental health as they return to school and assessed throughout the year.
  • Professional Development will also include mindfulness practices for faculty and staff, as well as resources for referral if they require additional support for coping/resilience skills.



School Schedules

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan describes the school schedule planned for implementation at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year and to the extent practicable any contingent scheduling models it may consider if the situation warrants.

  • In-person -Student schedule: 9:10 to 2:15pm.
  • Remote learning - A sample schedule for remote learning is included in the following link: Remote Sample Schedule

 

Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must describe a mechanism to collect and report daily teacher student engagement or attendance while in a remote or hybrid schedule.

  • Attendance will be taken for all students every day via our student management system.
  • Patterns of absences will be monitored and families will be contacted for follow-up.
  • Parents of in-person students and remote students are required to call the School Nurse to report their child’s absence if they will not be in attendance either in-person or remotely.
  • Our goal is the development of positive school relationships as this may be a lifeline for students disconnected from school.
  • Assign each student an “ally” – an adult who is responsible to check in on the student every day, whether instruction is in-person or remote.



Technology and Connectivity

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include information on how the school/district will have knowledge of the level of access to devices and high-speed internet all students and teachers have in their places of residence.

  • We conducted a parent survey regarding devices and internet access before the closures in March. We followed up with a survey in order to complete the NYSED survey required on the portal.
  • To obtain updated information, a new survey will be issued to parents to help identify the level of access to devices and high-speed internet in their places of residence.
  • To obtain updated information, a new survey will be issued to teachers to help identify the level of access to devices and high-speed internet in their places of residence.
  • From March - June we lent out over 300 Chromebooks to students and faculty. We also distributed 4 Hot Spots.
  • For the summer, we provided all students with a Chromebook to ensure that they had the ability to participate (we ran our Special Education and ENL Summer Programs remotely).
  • We are currently pursuing the purchase of an additional 400 Chromebooks to provide us with the ability to have a 1:1 Initiative from K-6. We are also looking at obtaining additional Hot Spots - although at this time we have not had any additional requests.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include information on how the school or district, to the extent practicable, will address the need to provide devices and internet access to students and teachers who currently do not have sufficient access.

  • The District is currently pursuing the purchase of an additional 400 Chromebooks to provide us with the ability to have a 1:1 K-6 Initiative. The District will seek to obtain additional Hotspots as needed.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan must include information on how the school or district will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery of Learning Standards in remote or blended models, especially if all students do not yet have sufficient access to devices and/or high-speed internet.

  • The district has common assessments that we administer in all grades and this will continue in both in-person and remote instruction.
  • Teachers in both forms of instruction will continue to meet with small groups of students and assess students through small group instruction.
  • We are also looking at obtaining additional Hot Spots - although at this time we have not had any additional requests and have 8 available for immediate use.

 

 

Teaching and Learning

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan includes a continuity of learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year. Such plan must prepare for in-person, remote, and hybrid models of instruction.

  • In-person instruction: Instruction that takes place with students in attendance at the school building. Our schools have the capacity to bring all of our students in for in-person instruction while keeping them 6 feet apart. Our schools will be open for in-person instruction unless closed due to a local or state mandate, at which time schooling converts to all-remote.
  • Remote learning: Instruction that takes place outside of the school building while the students are not in attendance at the school. The majority of students are educated onsite, with families offered the option of remote instruction, determined by district guidelines. Our schools will be open for in-person instruction unless closed due to a local or state mandate, at which time schooling converts to all-remote.
  • Hybrid (blended) model: A combination of in-person and remote learning. This is our standard educational model. The majority of students are educated onsite, with families offered the option of remote instruction, determined by district guidelines. Our hybrid model was determined based upon a parent survey that was conducted. We received approximately 1,400 responses (out of 1,650 students): About 65% preferred in-person instruction; 35% requested continuing remote learning.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan includes an educational program that is aligned to the New York State Learning Standards (or, for charter schools, the standards set forth in the school’s charter) regardless if instruction is delivered in-person, remotely or in a hybrid model.

  • All of our programs will continue to fully follow all of the NYS Learning Standards.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan provides for a program that includes regular substantive interaction between teachers and students whether delivered in- person, remotely or through a hybrid model of instruction.

  • The schedule for each model of instruction (in-person, remote, and hybrid) includes whole group, small group, and individual instruction every school day. Attendance will be taken on a daily basis. All students will be assigned to a homeroom teacher and schedules will include routine scheduled times for students to interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers.


4. Equity must be at the heart of all school instructional decisions. All instruction should be developed so that whether delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model due to a local or state school closure, there are clear opportunities for instruction that/are/accessible to all students. Such opportunities must be aligned with State standards (or, for charter schools, the standards set forth in the school’s charter) and include routine scheduled times for students to interact and seek feedback and support from their teachers.

  • See school schedule section.


5. Schools must create a clear communication plan for how students and their families/caregivers can contact the school and teachers with questions about their instruction and/or technology. This information needs to be accessible to all, available in multiple languages based on district or charter school need, widely disseminated, and include clear and multiple ways for students and families to contact schools and teachers (e.g., email, online platform, and/or by phone).

  • A Parent Handbook is being created for remote learners. It will be translatable via our automated message delivery system and the website.
  • All families have access to teachers’ and administrators’ emails.
  • We employ a bilingual secretary.
  • The district subscribes to Language Line Solutions for interpretation.
  • A dedicated email address for parents’ inquiries: family@nhp-gcp.org . A staff member monitors the email and will organize translation when necessary.


6. Districts that contract with eligible agencies, including CBOs, to provide Prekindergarten programs must attest that they have measures in place to ensure eligible agencies with whom they contract will follow health and safety guidelines outlined in NYSED guidance and required by the New York State Department of Health. The district must also ensure their eligible agencies have a Continuity of Learning plan that addresses in-person, remote, and hybrid models of instruction.

SCOPE will be complying with all guidelines of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Department of Health in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children and staff. SCOPE guidelines for the safe reopening of UPK/Pre-K will include:

  • Screening of all SCOPE employees, visitors and children prior to entering the program.
  • Social distancing of the children where practical and possible.
  • Limiting visitors to the program to only those that are essential.
  • Cohorts of students will be assigned with reasonable group size limits.
  • Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times. Face coverings will be worn by children that cannot maintain appropriate social distancing (six feet of space in all directions between individuals).
  • Sanitation of all equipment and items handled by staff and children.
  • Plan for students or staff with signs of illness to be sent to an isolated area where they are supervised prior to being picked up or sent home.

 

 

Special Education

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan, whether services are provided in-person, remote, and/or through a hybrid model, addresses the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students with disabilities and those providing special education and services.

In-Person:

  • Integrated Co-Teaching Services: students will stay with their cohort throughout the school day in their integrated co-teaching classroom with the general education and special education teachers.
  • Resource Room/Consultant Teacher Services: students will either receive push-in services from the special education teacher or via Google Meet as per their IEP to ensure student cohorts do not mix.
  • Special Class: students will remain with their special education teacher and teacher aide(s) throughout the school day.
  • Related Services: will be completed via push-in or Google Meet services to ensure student cohorts do not mix as per their IEP.


Remote:

  • Integrated Co-Teaching Services: will be provided via Google Meet ensuring the special education teacher participates in the instruction each day, including small group instruction. Google Classroom will also be utilized to post assignments, resources, and notes.
  • Resource Room Services: will be provided via Google Meet as per IEP to the fullest extent possible, including support materials through Google Classroom.
  • Related Services: will be provided via Google Meet as per IEP to the fullest extent possible, including support materials through Google Classroom.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan addresses how it will document the programs and services offered and provided to students with disabilities as well as communications with parents.

  • Student Individualized Education Plans will be provided as prescribed to the greatest extent possible as written, that ensures the health and safety of the student.
  • If special education services need to be altered (e.g., pull out speech is changed to push-in speech), a letter will be sent to the parent (in their language) explaining the delivery of service. If necessary, a CSE/CPSE meeting can be arranged to review the child’s needs and to ensure their needs are being met appropriately.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan addresses meaningful parent engagement in the parent’s preferred language or mode of communication regarding the provision of services to his/her child to meet the requirements of the IDEA.

  • Provision of Special Education Services for in-person and remote learning plans will be shared with families via Blackboard Connect. (Blackboard Connect provides translation of content). Additional follow up phone calls from the Director of Special Education, School Psychologist or Special Education Teacher will also be utilized for parents if services are being delivered differently than what is written on the IEP. In addition, phone calls will be made for families that have specific questions or concerns about their child’s services. A translator or Language Line will be utilized for these conversations as needed.


4. Each school and/or district reopening plan addresses collaboration between the committees on preschool special education (CPSE) and committees on special education (CSE) and program providers representing the variety of settings where students are served to ensure there is an understanding of the provision of services consistent with the recommendations on individualized education programs/(IEPs), plans for monitoring and communicating student progress, and commitment to sharing resources.

  • Department meetings with the special education personnel (including special education teachers, psychologists, speech therapists, social workers, and other related service providers) will continue to be held to review how to service our special education students according to their IEPs. Providers will continue to progress monitor IEP goals and communicate progress to parents no less than that of the general education peers (three times yearly), and more frequently as needed via parent phone calls and written communication if results of progress monitoring deem it necessary. Department meetings are held as collegial circles to share new resources including new technology supports (e.g., new apps, new websites), as well as learning strategies (e.g. for decoding, math fluency, etc.).
  • CPSE program providers will communicate with the district and families, in writing, their plans for the delivery of services to meet student’s IEPs for in-person instruction as well as through remote instruction.



5. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure access to the necessary accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and technology (including assistive technology) to meet the unique disability related needs of students.

  • Student accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and assistive technology are implemented fully for in-person instruction that ensures the safety and health of the student. Remote services will implement the IEP to the fullest extent possible via Google Meet, Google Classroom and various other resources sent home to families to help support a child’s accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and assistive technology.

 

Bilingual Education and World Languages

1. Each qualifying school and/or district reopening plan which reopens using in-person or hybrid instruction must complete the ELL identification process within 30 school days of the start of the school year for all students who enrolled during COVID-19 school closures in 2019-20, as well as all students who enroll during summer of 2020 and during the first 20 school days of the 2020-21 school year. After this 20 day flexibility period, identification of ELLs must resume for all students within required 10 school days of initial enrollment as required by Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154.

  • An ENL certified teacher will be conducting ELL identification interviews and following the required screening protocols within the required timeline.


2. Each school and/or district reopening plan must provide required instructional Units of Study (or, for charter schools, the applicable program outlined in the school’s charter) to all ELLs based on their most recently measured English language proficiency level during in-person or hybrid instruction.

  • The district will be providing ENL instruction in accordance with each ELL student’s English language proficiency level, in either an in person or virtual model of instruction.


3. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure the maintenance of regular communication with parents/guardians of ELLs to ensure that they are engaged in their children’s education during the reopening process, and provide all communications for parents/guardians of ELLs in their preferred language and mode of communication.

  • This district will provide ongoing communication with all families in their preferred language. We will continue to communicate with parents and have the required meetings to inform them of their rights and about the progress of their child.

 

Teacher and Principal Evaluation System

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that all teachers and principals are evaluated pursuant to the LEA’s currently approved APPR plan (or, for charter schools, the school’s charter), including any variance applications approved by the Department.

  • The District will be fully implementing its Education Law Section 3012-d APPR plan.

 

 

Certification, Incidental Teaching, and Substitute Teaching

1. Each school and/or district reopening plan must ensure that all teachers hold valid and appropriate certificates for their teaching assignments except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or Education Law.

  • All teachers are certified and hold the appropriate certification for their assignment.