Lakeland R-III School District COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols - 2020-2021 School Year Reopening - AWS

Lakeland R-III School District
COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols

     2020-2021 School Year
           Reopening

Dear Lakeland Families,

The Lakeland R-III School District plans to move forward with school starting on
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 unless the federal, state, county, or local health
departments require us to remain closed. We are excited to see our students return
to school and we look forward to a positive and productive year. As a district, we
pledge to do our best to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students
and staff. The protocols we have set forth in this document will keep the focus on
safety.

A 4 day school week has been implemented for the 2020/2021 school year. School
hours are from 8:05 to 3:30. School will be in session Tuesday through Friday
most weeks. School will be in session on some Mondays due to holidays and
possible snow makeup days.

The school district is committed to providing a quality education to all students,
while also ensuring their safety and well-being. Lakeland Schools will work
closely with the St. Clair County Health Department, Henry County Health
Department, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Governor’s Office, and
Center for Disease Control as we seek advice on the protocols and procedures that
we need to have in place in order to provide a safe learning environment for our
students and staff.

The COVID-19 guidelines developed and presented follow all applicable local,
state, and federal guidelines, to the greatest extent feasible, and incorporate many
best practices advocated by school associations and groups. Parents/guardians with
questions or concerns are asked to call the Lakeland R-III School District at 417
644-2223 or email mtowne@lakeland.k12.mo.us to discuss and address those
concerns.

Sincerely,

Mitch Towne
Superintendent

COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols

The guidelines and protocols outlined in this document are subject to revision as
needed to reflect state, and federal guidance. Guidelines and protocols may also be
revised as appropriate to reflect the needs of local conditions.

Lakeland R-III School District will make every effort to minimize contact to
COVID-19 and other communicable diseases; however, attending school will
introduce a risk of exposure for our students and staff.

REOPENING PLAN

Lakeland R-III will have 3 possible levels of education available when school
reopens. Status of COVID-19 cases will used to determine which level the district
is at a given time. It is the intent of the district to open in a GREEN status at the
time of school starting on August 25th.

GREEN
   Regular classroom environment.
   Faculty and staff in will wear protective masks.
   Student masks are optional.
   Traditional learning with social distancing recommendations will be utilized
    when possible.

YELLOW
   School remains open with partial student attendance.
   Students will wear masks when distancing isn’t possible.
   Individual classrooms or buildings may close temporarily.
   A/B Day plan may be implemented, with Tuesday/Wednesday or
    Thursday/Friday student attendance for 2 days a week.
   A/B Day groups will be assigned considering households, so those living
    together attend on the same days.
   Remote/Online learning options will be determined by grade level.

RED
   Remote/Online learning only. No face to face classes.

General information for students and faculty/staff
   Faculty and staff will be required to wear protective masks.
   Students have the option of wearing protective masks.
               - If a student or faculty/staff member is unable to obtain masks,
                   the district will provide masks. Homemade masks are
                   acceptable but must meet school dress code guidelines.
               - Student requests for masks are subject to approval from
                   parents/guardians.
               - Availability of district-provided masks is subject to the
                   district’s ability to procure masks.
               - Masks must be in clean, sanitary condition.
               - Students may not share masks.
   Students will be guided to wash hands multiple times per day.
   Hand sanitizer will be provided at multiple locations throughout the school.
   Drinking fountains will not be used, except for the bottle filling capabilities.
               - Students should bring personal water bottles from home. They
                   should be labeled with the student name, and in clean, sanitary
                   condition.
   Social distancing will be observed to the extent possible by all faculty, staff
     and students.
   Student activities and athletics will be conducted as usual to the extent they
     are permissible under local, state, and federal guidelines.
   Daily sanitizing and disinfecting will be a priority at all district facilities and
     transportation. Electrostatic sprayers and misters will be used for
     disinfection.
   Attendance incentives for students will cease. Staff and/or students who are
     sick need to stay home.

Understanding and recognizing COVID-19
   Faculty and staff will be trained to recognize symptoms that may be
     associated with COVID-19. Training will include, but will not be limited to,
     online modules provided by the Missouri United School Insurance Council.
     The CDC lists the following as possible symptoms of COVID-19
        o Fever or chills
        o Cough
        o Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
        o Fatigue
        o Muscle or body aches
        o Congestion or runny nose

o   Headache
         o   Sore throat
         o   Newly emerged loss of taste or smell
         o   Nausea or vomiting
         o   Diarrhea

General health information for students and faculty/staff
   Parents and students, as well as staff members, are encouraged to self-screen
     for potential COVID-19 symptoms before coming to school. Anyone with
     symptoms of illness should stay home.
   Screening begins at home. Parents, students and employees should self-
     monitor for symptoms. Do not come to school when exhibiting COVID-19
     symptoms.
   Students at school who display health symptoms that could suggest COVID-
     19 concerns will be checked by the nurse. If evaluation by the nurse suggests
     potential for COVID-19 infection, the student will be masked (if the student
     does not have one) until picked up by a parent/guardian.
   Students with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home
   A student excluded from the school environment due to COVID-19 concerns
     may return to school in accordance with guidelines provided by the health
     department. Please understand that guidelines may change over time. At the
     time of this publication, the guidelines are as follows:

   Protocol for Student Cases
            • A student with symptoms will be asked wear a protective face
            covering and will be moved to a separate, designated, supervised area
            until parents arrive.
            • A school official will contact the parent. When the parent arrives, the
            nurse will encourage the parent to have the child tested. The nurse
            will offer to assist the parent in contacting his/her health provider.
            • The healthcare provider will arrange for the student to be tested. If
            the student tests positive for COVID the healthcare provider will
            contact the parent and will contact the St. Clair or Henry County
            Health Department.
            • The County Health department will then contact the parent and
            conduct contact tracing.
            • The student will be allowed to return to school when he/she is at
            least 10 days from symptom onset, has had three days with no fever
            and has resolved symptoms.

• If the student is tested for COVID-19 and has a negative test result,
             return to school is at the discretion of their healthcare provider and/or
             the school nurse, will be at least 24 hrs. fever-free with symptoms of
             illness resolved.
             • When a student returns to school after an illness, they must visit the
             nurse’s office for a symptom check in order to be cleared to return to
             class.
             • When returning from an absence after an active case of COVID,
             students will have a release to return to school from the health
             department. If the student has been told to self-isolate, the family will
             be requested to contact the school. The school will check to see if
             there are siblings or other family members attending school in the
             district.

Protocol for Employee Cases
            • The employee will contact their primary care provider and the
            provider will make arrangements for testing.
            • If the employee tests positive for COVID-19, the provider that
            ordered the test will call the employee with the positive result and will
            contact the Health Department.
            • The Health Department will also contact the employee and conduct a
            risk assessment (contact tracing).
            • The Health Department will ask the employee about all close
            contacts the employee has had from the 48 hours prior to symptoms
            up to and including the day the employee began isolation measures.
            • They will provide directions on continued isolation and next steps.
                    1. If the employee has been told to self-isolate by the Health
                    Department, the employee should contact his/her direct
                    supervisor.
                    2. The supervisor will contact the superintendent. The
                    superintendent will inform the Board of Education.

Transportation information
   Parents/guardians are encouraged to drop off students at school instead of
     using bus service if possible. Drop-off and pick-up systems will be
     organized to ensure social distancing to the greatest extent possible.
   The school will only be open during posted hours. Early drop-offs will not
     be permitted.
   Students riding the bus from the same household will be required to sit
     together.

   Buses will be sanitized multiple times per day.
      Hand sanitizer will be available on school buses
      Drivers will use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks.

Arrival at school
   K-6 students will go directly to classrooms upon arrival. Breakfast will be
     served in the classroom.
   7-12 students may go through the breakfast line using appropriate social
     distancing. Students will be required to spread out in the cafeteria in an
     attempt to maintain social distancing.
   7-12 students will report to their designated areas after finishing breakfast.
     Students will not be allowed to congregate in hallways or other areas.

During the school day
   K-6 students will remain with their class all day.
   K-6 students will remain with their class in designated areas during recess.
     Classes will not co-mingle during recess, where feasible.
   Technology devices will be assigned to students on a 1:1 basis in grades 5-
     12 during the school day.
   Sharing of supplies (art, other) will be minimized and/or eliminated.
   Equipment used by more than one student will be sanitized between uses.

At lunch
    Lunch shifts will be staggered as possible to minimize the number of
      students gathered.
    All lunches will be plated or boxed. Self-serve options will not be available.
    Students will sit with their classes.
    All tables will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly between uses.

Other information
   Attendance policies will be adjusted in order to remove any incentive for
     students to attend school while sick. The school district will not be providing
     attendance awards and/or incentives.

Athletics and Activities

Details about fall sports and activity seasons are uncertain at this time. Practices
will begin on or after MSHSAA’s designated dates. Coaches and sponsors will be
contacting students about practice schedules.