WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT - Return to School Plan
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WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Return to School Plan
2020-2021Medical Expectations, hygiene, and safety
The Woodbridge School District is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for
all students and staff.
Face coverings and hygiene
1. All students in grades K-12 must wear face coverings in the school building, except when
doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, as documented by a physician. Face
coverings should also be worn by children in Pre-k.
2. Face coverings will be required for all staff.
3. If outside, face coverings should be worn, unless social distancing can be maintained.
4. Students and staff will have access to handwashing facilities and supplies and hand
sanitizer, and be allowed time to wash hands in between activities.
Social distancing
1. Students and staff should maintain the recommended distance of 6 feet or greater between
individuals and must maintain a minimum of 3 feet apart with face coverings, including when
seated at desks or standing in classrooms.
2. Individual desks should be used, reducing or eliminating shared table seating, to the extent
practicable. When tables have to be shared, students should be seated the recommended 6
feet or greater between individuals and must be a minimum of 3 feet apart with face
coverings.
3. Desks must be arranged so they are facing the same direction.
4. Hallways or corridors should flow either in one direction only or, if not possible, one direction
on each side of the hallway with ample 6 feet of distance between students in single file flow
on each side.
5. In-group classes without tables, such as physical education, teachers should design
activities that allow for social distancing.
6. Students should be kept in stable groups throughout the day with little to no mixing of
classes.
7. Families, outside visitors, and others entering the school should be as limited as absolutely
possible. Guests will be expected to call ahead and schedule an appointment to meet or
visit the school.
8. Off-site field trips will be discontinued.
19. Large-scale gatherings of more than 50 people should be avoided. Attendees at large-scale
gatherings must be able to maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times from non-
household members.
Health status and monitoring as established by DPH
1. Students and staff must stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or have
been confirmed to have COVID-19 or if required by DPH to isolate or quarantine.
2. Students and/or their families should complete a health assessment every morning before
leaving for school, to the extent practicable.
https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/07/COVID-19-Student-or-
Family-Health-Assessment-Self-Screening-Tool_7.29.20.pdf
3. Staff should also complete a health assessment every morning before leaving for school.
https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/07/COVID-19-Staff-Health-
Assessment-Self-Screening-Tool_7.29.20.pdf
4. Student temperatures will be taken daily, upon arrival to school.
5. Each school building will identify an area or room separated from others where a student or
staff member who becomes ill at school can wait until they can be picked up, which should be
arranged as soon as possible, or transported to a medical facility if necessary.
6. Testing educators and staff is a priority of the state. DDOE and DPH will work with all schools
on how to make testing available and convenient. Additional guidance regarding testing is
forthcoming.
Symptoms of the Virus
https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/07/Symptoms-COVID-
19_07.29.20.pdf
Family and Staff Information
All Woodbridge families will be provided resources on the following DPH guidance:
• How to complete a COVID-19 Health Screening prior to your child attending school.
• How to respond if your child or someone in your family has tested positive for COVID-
19.
• What to expect if a student or staff member in your child’s classroom tested positive.
• Whom to report your safety concerns.
All Woodbridge staff members will be provided training on the following DPH guidance:
• How to complete a COVID-19 Health Screening prior to coming to work.
• How to respond if a student in your classroom has tested positive for COVID-19.
• How to safely support your student in your classroom.
• How to safely wear your Personal Protective Equipment.
• Whom to report your safety concerns.
2Sanitation/Cleaning/ Ventilation
Cleaning Requirements as established by the CDC
1. Schools must ensure enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces (stair
railings, doorknobs, bathrooms, etc.), cleaning between every 15 minutes to 2 hours using
EPA-approved cleaning and disinfecting solutions.
2. Clean frequently touched surfaces including lights, doors, benches, bathrooms, etc. with
either an EPA-approved disinfectant or diluted bleach solution (1/3 cup bleach in 1 gallon of
water) at least twice daily.
3. Wipe down student desks with either an EPA-approved disinfectant or diluted bleach
solution twice a day.
4. Clean playground equipment after every group.
5. Clean athletic equipment as per DPH Youth Sports Guidance.
6. Ensure staff wear appropriate personal protective equipment when performing all cleaning
activities. This could include gloves, surgical mask, and face shield, both to protect
themselves from the cleaning and disinfection products they are using and to lower the risk
of transmission from the areas they are cleaning.
The following are requirements for cleaning, sanitation, and ventilation when students return
to school for the 2020-2021 school year:
1. Clean frequently touched surfaces including lights, doors, benches, bathrooms, etc. with either
an EPA-approved disinfectant or diluted bleach solution every 15 minutes to two hours.
2. Ensure libraries, computer labs, arts, and other hands-on classrooms undergo cleaning with
either an EPA-approved disinfectant or diluted bleach solution and be cleaned after every
class group.
3. Efforts should be made to minimize sharing of materials between students, as able.
4. Wipe down student desks with either an EPA-approved disinfectant or diluted bleach solution
after every class group.
5. Ensure custodial staff follows guidance from the CDC about the use of face coverings and
special respirators when performing cleaning duties.
6. Implement enhanced restroom protocols for hygiene and cleaning based on public health
guidance.
7. Students and staff must have access to handwashing facilities and supplies and hand
sanitizer, and be allowed time to wash hands in between activities.
8. Ventilation: Educators should consider increasing ventilation in classrooms, opening windows
if possible.
9. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer after students change any classroom; teachers in the
classroom should wash their hands or use sanitizer every time a new group of students enters
their room.
10. Schedule hand washing with soap and water for students
11. Check HVAC systems at each building to ensure that they are running efficiently. Air filters
should be changed regularly.
12. Distribute wastebaskets, tissues, and CDC-approved soap and hand sanitizer to every office
and classroom so that these materials can be used upon entry and exit into any discrete
location and during transit between sites based on public health guidance.
313. Post signage about frequent handwashing, cough etiquette, and nose blowing; signage should
be widely posted, disseminated, and encouraged through various methods of communication
based on public health guidance.
14. Clean playground equipment after every group.
Hybrid/Remote
The Woodbridge School District will offer two educational options to our students to begin the 2020-
2021 school year:
1. Hybrid Instruction will combine remote instruction at home and face-to-face instruction in a
school. Face-to-face instruction will provide students with the opportunity to interact with
school staff.
2. Remote instruction will be provided to students who wish to remain home. In order for remote
instruction to be effective, a student must have adequate internet connectivity and a personal
device (or a school-assigned device).
A Week/B Week Model of Instruction
For students who select hybrid instruction, the Woodbridge School District will operate on an A
Week/B Week schedule. Alphabetically, based upon the student’s last name, approximately 50% of
our students will attend school on A Week, while the balance of students (B Week students) will
remain home and receive remote instruction. The following week, B Week students will attend school
while the balance of students (A Week students) will remain at home and receive remote instruction.
Daily Instructional Schedule
Grades 6 - 12
7:20 Staff Report
7:30 Students Arrive
7:30 - 1:00 Face-to-face Instruction with Students (5.5 hours)
1:00 Students Dismissed
1:00 - 2:50 Common Planning/Remote Instruction for Staff
Grades K - 5
8:20 Staff Report
8:30 Students Arrive
8:30 - 2:00 Face-to-face Instruction with Students (5.5 hours)
2:00 Students Dismissed
2:00 - 3:50 Common Planning/Remote Instruction for Staff
(After School Care Available for Students and Families)
Staff Working Remotely
The Woodbridge School District intends to accommodate staff members with documented disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided, which may include the approval of select staff
members remaining home and working remotely, rather than attending school and engaging in face-
to-face instruction.
4Staff Leave Related to COVID-19
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide their
employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related
to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
Definition of a COVID-19 Related Illness
1. Employee is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine order.
2. Employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine.
3. Employee is experiencing symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
Employees may receive up to 20 workdays of paid sick leave for a COVID-19 related
illness. Documentation from a health care provider may be required. An employee must use personal
leave for any remaining time in excess of 20 workdays.
If an employee is requesting leave to care for someone with a COVID-19 illness, s/he is covered for
10 workdays. This would also count towards the total 20 days of maximum COVID-19 leave. Any
additional time to care for someone with a COVID-19 illness would require the employee to use
personal leave.
Employees requesting leave for childcare purposes, and who are not able to work or telecommute,
may receive up to 15 workdays of paid leave to care for their child (under the age of 18) whose
school or childcare is closed, or otherwise unavailable, due to COVID-19. If additional time is
required, eligibility for FMLA has been expanded to include employees unable to work or
telecommute because s/he is caring for a child (under the age of 18) whose school or childcare is
closed, or unavailable due to COVID-19.
Student and Staff Water
All water fountains will be shut down to begin the 2020-21 school year. Staff and students will be
asked to bring bottled water, or a personal thermos, to school. The District will also purchase bottled
water for student and staff use.
Visitor Policy
Parents and outside visitors wishing to enter any school will be limited and permitted only if deemed
necessary. Parents, or others, wishing to visit a school will be asked to make an appointment prior to
their arrival. Adults entering buildings should wash or sanitize their hands prior to entering and must
wear a face covering at all times.
Attendees at school gatherings must maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times from non-
household members.
Field Trips
Off-site field trips will not be permitted.
Extra-Curricular Activities
All extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs, or social gatherings will not be permitted. All students will
be expected to leave the building, at the end of the school day.
5Athletics
Pending DIAA guidelines.
After School Care
After School Care will be available to parents in grades K-5 at WECEC and PWES. All health and
safety guidelines will be followed. This will be a service available to all students in grades K-5,
however parents will be responsible for transportation.
Staff Children
The Woodbridge School District will attempt to accommodate staff members if childcare is not
available or feasible. Select staff members may provide assistance with supervision if necessary. All
health and safety guidelines will be followed.
Recess/Playground
Schools will use outdoor spaces and resources as much as possible during the school day, which
may include additional times for recess, breaks, or conducting classes outdoors. If playground
equipment is used, it must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Student Grading
Students will have new learning according to their grade level and content area along with embedded
learning to recoup any learning loss experienced from the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Grades will count for students returning to school in the hybrid and remote setting. Each school will
follow the quarterly grade reporting timelines to communicate how students are progressing with their
academics for Marking 1,2,3, and 4 (calendar below). We will provide communication about grades
through the Home Access Center in e-School. As always, if a parent / guardian needs their student’s
grades reported and made available to them other than Home Access, we will work with each family
to arrange that.
Marking Period Calendar
Marking Period End date Report Cards Issued
First 11/12/2020 11/20/2020
Second 1/29/2021 2/8/2021
Third 4/14/2021 4/23/2021
Fourth 6/16/2021 6/24/2021
6How will assignments count?
Each school administrative team will work with their teachers to set the minimum number of expected
grades for formative and summative assignments per quarter. This will occur in the hybrid and virtual
setting. Each school admin team will also work with their teachers on how students can
demonstrate and evidence their learning in the virtual setting that could account for not only their
grade, but also any type of documentation needed to show a student’s learning progress should that
student have an additional learning plan such as an IEP/504, be an English Learning student, and/or
a student needing further academic / behavioral interventions.
Grade Compilation for the Marking Period
Grades K-5, grades comprise 40% formative (Process) and 60% summative (Product) assignments;
Kindergarten students typically are graded according to competency skills over seeing actual grades.
Grade 6-8, grades comprise 40% formative (Process), 60% summative (Product) assignments.
Grades 9-12, grades comprise 30% formative (Process) and 70% summative (Product) assignments.
Student Attendance
Students will be expected to adhere to the Compulsory Attendance Law. The Woodbridge School
District will work collaboratively with the Department of Education to establish attendance
requirements fitting the remote and hybrid settings.
Attendance will count for students returning to school in the hybrid and virtual setting. All days that
students physically attend with their hybrid cohort group will be counted towards their student
attendance record. On days that students are in virtual learning and not physically in school they will
be expected to participate in live, virtual meetings with their teachers that will count and to complete
written assignments and other projects documented through the OTUS platform. These documented
completed assignments, and other projects will also count as part of the student attendance record. It
will be important for schools to develop the detailed schedule of remote meetings with students per
grade level and content area and the specific assignments that will be documented not only for
grades but also for student attendance.
OTUS Training
For Staff
Each school has participated in an initial virtual OTUS training with a small group of school teacher
leaders and their administrators. OTUS representatives have shared training videos that will work
with full staff in the next few weeks leading up to and including the in-service start to the school
year. Full staff training with OTUS can occur in a virtual and in-person manner with all social
distancing protocols in place. The full staff training videos can be led by the initial training group and
will help teachers understand how to build their content and courses in the OTUS platform, how to
include their curriculum resources, upload videos and communicate with students and
parents. Discussions and training on the use and best practices with OTUS will be ongoing
throughout the school year through professional development time and weekly/bi-weekly PLC
meetings.
7For Parents/ Guardians
Each school will have access to brief training resource guides that have been developed for use with
parents / guardians to understand how the OTUS platform will work and what they can expect to see
when their student is working, as well as how they will get communications from their teachers.
Schools will use their websites and any social media platforms to share these resources with parents
and provide a 2-way feedback system for families should they have questions. Parents / Guardians
can also reach out to their student’s teachers for any additional support. During the time that each
school sets for device and /or instructional materials pick-up, there can be additional demonstrations
for parents / guardians with OTUS.
For Students
Students will be trained on how to interact in the OTUS platform with assignments and other
activities, how they submit their work and get feedback from their teachers. This will occur when they
physically come into school during their hybrid cohort week. For students that remain in virtual
learning, there will be an opportunity scheduled to get this information, see a demonstration and talk
with a teacher regarding any questions they may have.
A/B Week Planning
In the hybrid setting of A Week/B Week, students will be attending school as part of an A Cohort
Group or B Cohort Group over a two-week block of time. It will be very important for teachers to plan
and develop their lessons and assignments in two-week blocks of time. It is important that the
student’s work be connected and seamless between the time they are physically in school with their
teacher in one week and then interacting remotely and completing their work, whether synchronous
or asynchronous in the second week. This timeframe for planning instruction will provide cohesive
and seamless learning for students that is relevant and connected week to week.
For students who may be remaining in the virtual setting full time, teachers will need to still plan and
develop for virtual lessons in two-week increments of time. These students will need to have the
same work, expectations and opportunities to demonstrate their learning even when not physically in
school.
Devices and Connectivity
Students will need to have a computer device and internet connection for their learning in the
upcoming school year. Students and families are being surveyed for their needs should these items
not be available in the home. The district will work with the family that does not have a device to
provide them with that equipment for school. The district is partnering with DOE, DTI and Bloosurf to
provide families with internet connectivity as well. Families will need to complete an application that
goes through the district directly to the Bloosurf organization to coordinate their internet connectivity
installation. This organization is also helping families with internet fees for a short time and then the
district will work with families on being able to continue that support for another amount of time
through the school year.
8We will also work on a plan to provide Instructional Technology Support. This may include two types
of support: technical connection and device problems or instructional program related problems.
Instructional Materials Pick up
Students participating in the A week/B week Hybrid Schedule
Students will receive their devices (should they not have one) and other instructional materials
needed for learning during a specifically scheduled time developed at the school level either by grade
level and/or content area. Other instructional materials will include Reading/ELA books / novels,
ELA/Math Workbooks and other content area texts, workbooks, bundled packets, etc. This
scheduled time could be prior to the start of school and/or during the first week of school as they
come into classes for the first time.
Full-time remote learning students
The above will also be scheduled for any student who needs a device and their instructional materials
for full time virtual learning. It will be important for schools to schedule this pick up time prior to
school starting along with providing the student and family additional time to understand how to use
their devices and instructional materials for learning that will connect with their teachers (Ex. OTUS
use).
Transportation
With the goal of welcoming as many learners as possible back to school buildings, we must work
together to protect one another by vigilantly layering effective mitigation measures such as wearing
face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and staying home when sick. The following are
requirements for transportation for the 2020-2021 school year.
1. Require bus drivers and bus aides to wear face coverings, except when doing so would inhibit
the individual’s health.
2. Require face coverings for all students when riding the bus. Allow face coverings to be
homemade or disposable level one (basic) grade surgical masks; N95 respirators are not
necessary.
3. Maintain the recommended distance of 6 feet or greater between individuals with a minimum of
3 feet with face coverings required.
4. Limit capacity by the number of students who can be seated between 3 or more feet apart on
the school bus (maximum capacity of 24 people including adults).
5. Allow, where possible, for six feet of social distancing (three feet minimum) between students,
and between students and the driver while seated on vehicles.
6. Assign seating; if possible assign seats by cohort so that the same students sit near one
another every day.
7. Keep doors and windows open between trips to let the vehicle thoroughly air out.
8. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the vehicle (i.e., surfaces in the driver’s
cockpit, hard seats, arm rests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light and air controls, doors and
windows, and grab handles) prior to morning routes, between groups, and prior to afternoon
routes.
99. Clean, sanitize, and disinfect equipment including items such as car seats and seat belts,
wheelchairs, walkers, and adaptive equipment being transported to schools.
10. Clean and disinfect transportation vehicles regularly. Keep doors and windows open when
cleaning the vehicle and between trips to let the vehicles thoroughly air out. Children must not
be present when a vehicle is being cleaned.
11. Build and implement a communications plan to inform families of best social distancing
practices at bus stops.
12. Create a plan for getting students home safely if they are not allowed to board the vehicle
because of illness.
13. Follow public health guidance if a student becomes sick during the day; they must not use
group transportation to return home and must follow protocols outlined above.
14. Ensure if a driver becomes sick during the day, that the driver follows protocols for sick staff
above and does not return to drive students.
15. Encourage families who can drive their children to school to do so.
21st Century After School Programs
The Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Community Learning Center Afterschool Programs exist for grades
3-5 at Phillis Wheatley Elementary and grades 6-8 at Woodbridge Middle School. Last spring and
into the current summer, these programs overhauled their activities to be in the virtual
setting. Students that participated enjoyed weekly activity kits and safe at-home projects to engage in
for creativity and keeping their minds active.
These programs will remain in a virtual setting for all students who want to participate and will provide
additional academic support.
Responding to COVID-19 Cases
1. Woodbridge School District will follow all procedures established by the Division of Public
Health (DPH).
2. The school nurse will serve as the COVID coordinator in the loop for consistency of
communication and messaging.
3. The school nurse will contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology within the Division
of Public Health (DPH) at 1-888-295-5156 and report any suspected or confirmed cases.
4. If a positive case occurs, the following process should be followed:
• The school nurse will contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology within the
Division of Public Health (DPH). If DPH learns of the school-related positive case first,
DPH will contact the school nurse.
• DPH would then assign an epidemiologist to perform the investigation.
• The school nurse should keep the district-level COVID coordinator in the loop for
consistency of communication and messaging. How should the school expect to find out
that a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19? Schools will trigger a
priority response from DPH to the school, and DPH will contact the school nurse within
24 hours of a positive result. DPH will identify the COVID-positive staff member or
student and work with the school nurse and the positive individual to identify any close
10contacts that need to be quarantined. The school nurse may only disclose the name of
the positive individual for the purposes of assisting with contact tracing. For instance, if
a young student tests positive, he or she may need a teacher’s assistance in identifying
close contacts. In addition, schools should also request that parents and staff contact
the school if they learn they are positive since this can expedite the implementation of
appropriate infectious control actions. If the school learns of the case before hearing
from DPH, it should contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology within DPH at
1-888-295-5156.
5. What happens once DPH learns that a student, teacher, bus driver or other school staff
member tests positive for COVID?
• Positive cases related to a school setting are considered high-priority cases for DPH,
and if they are identified through initial case investigation or contact tracing, a DPH
epidemiologist will begin a detailed investigation, and contact the school within 24
hours. Likewise, if the school notifies DPH of a positive case, DPH will assign a DPH
epidemiologist to the case. The person who tested positive will be instructed to self-
isolate for a time period that depends on when he/she developed symptoms or had the
test done. A person who tests positive will be instructed to stay in touch with DPH. DPH
will issue an email to the individual (or a parent/guardian for a student) when the
individual is cleared to return to school. Schools should require individuals to share this
documentation with the school nurse before allowing someone who tested positive to
return to school. Only close contacts of the person who tested positive will be required
to quarantine.
• For example: If a teacher tests positive but has consistently worn a mask and
was not closer than 6 feet for more than 15 consecutive minutes to any of his or
her students, then the students do not need to quarantine.
• If a student tests positive and sat at a desk less than six feet apart from another
student for more than 15 minutes and did not wear a mask, the student next to
the positive case does need to quarantine.
• If a student who tested positive sat three feet apart from another student for more
than 15 minutes but was wearing a mask the whole time, the student next to the
positive case would not need to quarantine.
• We understand that there will be scenarios where, due to the nature of school
activities, staff may be uncertain about whether these protocols were followed.
The school nurse and COVID coordinator should always work with the assigned
DPH epidemiologist, who will help the school make a determination on whether
quarantine is necessary based on available information.
• Also, close contacts of close contacts may not need to quarantine. For instance,
a sibling in the household of a positive case should be considered a close
contact and should quarantine and be tested. Close contacts of the sibling (e.g.,
other students in the same classroom as the sibling) do not need to quarantine
unless the sibling’s results come back positive, but they should self-monitor for
symptoms. A DPH epidemiologist will assist a school in running through the
above scenarios. In summary, it is unlikely that an entire class will need to
quarantine, or an entire school would shut down in the event of a positive case,
unless social distancing and mask requirements are not adhered to.
6. What is the testing protocol for close contacts of positive cases?
11• The DPH epidemiologist will advise close contacts if and when they should be tested
due to potential exposure. DPH will make testing available for teachers and students
who may have been exposed. All Delawareans are encouraged to get tested at
community testing sites, whether or not they’re symptomatic or have been exposed to
the virus. If there is evidence of potential widespread transmission of the disease at the
school (e.g., two or more cases from different households potentially transmitted at the
school), DPH will work with the school to perform widespread testing for the school
community. This decision should be based on findings from an investigation by DPH
and informed by current levels of community infection. Are parents notified about a
positive test in the school? The school nurse, COVID coordinator, and possibly the
school leader will coordinate with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and
DPH to notify families of the presence of any positive COVID-19 cases in the classroom
and/or school to raise awareness and encourage closer observation for any symptoms
at home. Previously established processes for communication to stakeholders regarding
other contagious diseases that impact schools should be followed, including protecting
the identity of those who test positive. Are there special cleaning protocols schools must
follow after a positive case? If a positive case is connected to an individual office or
other space that can be left vacant for up to 24 hours, this is best and will allow the viral
load to reduce before cleaning and disinfection take place. If the positive case is
associated with a classroom or other essential space, regular disinfection and cleaning
should take place before the next school day. If enhanced cleaning has been taking
place, then those procedures should be continued, and additional or specific cleaning
should not be necessary. Enhanced cleaning will reduce risk and should be continued.
Commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, railings, etc.) should be cleaned every 15
minutes to 2 hours. It is vital that an EPA-approved disinfectant, or prepared bleach
solution, be used to ensure effectiveness against COVID-19. CDC and EPA have
guidance for cleaning and disinfecting schools and a simple decision tool for assistance.
(All responses to COVID-19 will be updated and reflected upon as changes are made by DPH
and the CDC.)
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