Reentry 2020 Guide for Parents and Students » Instructional Practices Reentry 2020

Instructional Practices Reentry 2020

Instruction

Physical (Social) Distancing

Arrival  / Transitions / Dismissal at Campuses

FACE-COVERING SHOULD BE WORN AT ALL TIMES

Arrival

  • Entry points will be established at each campus. 
  • Students must sanitize hands immediately.
  • Students will report straight into classrooms/designated areas after a temperature check.
  • Buildings will be utilized to limit the size of student groupings and keep at least 6 feet between each other.
  • Staff will direct students to their respective classrooms. For younger students, a designated staff member will accompany the student from the drop-off area to the entrance of their classroom. Parents are not allowed to walk their child to their classroom. 

Transitions

  • Students and staff will follow protocols for face coverings.
  • Classroom doors will be left open to reduce high touch areas when possible.
  • Traffic patterns will be established throughout the campus to separate individuals to the greatest extent possible.
  • Signage will be posted to reinforce social distancing and staff will monitor.

Dismissal

  • Exit points will be established at each campus. 
  • Campuses will implement staggered release schedules.
  • Students will be released from their classroom and sent directly outside to pick up points.
  • Students may not congregate together or loiter in common areas, such as the courtyards or library, and may not remain to play in the school grounds.
  • Students taking a school bus will be directed to a designated pick-up area; 
  • Students must sanitize their hands before boarding school buses.
  • Teachers/assistants will escort young students to designated buses, or to assigned pick-up locations for parents.
  • Parents/guardians wanting to pick-up their child before dismissal will be asked to report to the security vestibule to sign out their child(ren) electronically.
  • Student(s) will be escorted to the front of the school to meet parents/guardians.
  • Two-way radio communication will be used to stagger/limit the number of people in one area.

Staff/Faculty 

Schools will designate entry and exit points for staff members.

  • For staff it is recommended that check-in/out points be located at/near Frontline time clocks.
  • Staff is encouraged to use their district provided device to remotely clock-in/out.
  • Staff will report straight to designated areas after a temperature check.
  • Congregation of staff is strictly prohibited.

On-Campus Classroom Setting

On-Campus Instruction refers to students receiving instruction in a classroom setting. Students shall adhere to a more flexible dress code. The campus principals have final authority over the district’s guidance on student dress code. 

Delivery of Instruction: Students will continue with virtual learning method while On-Campus. Activities, assignments, and assessments will continue to be completed via District approved Learning Management Systems (LMS). All students will follow the same standard grading policy.

Students

Students must sanitize their hands upon entering the classroom.

  • Continue to wear face-mask/covering for the duration of the class (teachers will use their discretion when determining if students should remove their face-mask/covering for certain limited activities)
  • Go directly to their assigned seat and remain there unless directed by the teacher. 
  • Classrooms will be set up to allow for as much physical distancing as possible.
  • Keep each child’s belongings individually labeled in storage containers in a designated area. Send belongings home each day to be cleaned.
  • Disinfectant solutions must be stored in a secured area away from the reach of students.
  • Where and when possible, bathrooms shall be used so as to enable thorough handwashing with soap and water.
  • Custodial staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect all classrooms and surfaces including door handles and railings repeatedly throughout the day.
  • Students should sanitize their hands prior to exiting the classroom.

Parents may choose to change the student’s model of instruction from remote to an on-campus setting or vice-versa only at the end of the grading period (e.g. 6-week or 9-week).

A temporary school closure may occur due to positive COVID-19 cases. Students receiving On-Campus Instruction will be transitioned to Remote At-Home Instruction immediately.

General Education Classroom Setting

To the extent possible, teachers shall limit student interactions.

  • Instructional materials shall not be distributed. Instead, items shall be placed in designated areas for student self-pickup.
  • Paper passes (hallway/office/nurse) shall be used and disposed of after use.
  • Student assignment drop-off boxes shall also be designated.
  • Student desk placement shall follow social distancing guidelines to the extent possible. A maximum of 12 student desks will be available for students. 
  • Students shall sanitize hands every time they exit/enter the classroom.

Isolation Classrooms

Isolation areas will be designated as needed to offer a safe environment for students who were not allowed access to the building due to possible exposure or who are displaying COVID19 symptoms described in this document.  The isolation room will be a holding area while students wait to be picked up by a parent/guardian to return home.  

Special Education Self-Contained Classroom Setting

Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) will continue to be implemented for every Special Education student, as well as Related Services.

  • Health and Hygiene Practices in Units: Masks must be worn at all times, including under face shields unless doctor prescribes otherwise or student’ s disability impedes the ability to do so.
  • In self-contained classrooms, students and staff may regularly be within 6 feet of one another; therefore, teachers and teacher assistants should plan for more frequent handwashing and/or hand sanitizing.
  • Self-Contained Classroom teachers and teacher assistants will teach students proper handwashing techniques. Teachers will direct students to engage in supervised handwashing for at least 20 seconds at least two times each day, in addition to washing hands after using the restroom and before eating.
  • Sanitizing of hands is required of all persons prior to entering a Self-Contained Classroom.
  • In addition to wearing a mask, students, teachers, staff, and campus visitors will be instructed to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and if not available, covered in their elbows. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash, hands should be washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer should be used.
  • Teachers and teacher assistants will take extra precaution to socially distance when appropriate and will utilize all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when providing personal care services such as eating, toileting, and any other daily living skills.
  • Resource and Inclusion services will continue to be provided and will follow class schedules aligned with general education instruction. Resource teachers and students will follow all outlined Zapata County ISD health and safety requirements and protocols as outlined in this handbook and as directed by supervisors.
  • Specialized Self-Contained Classrooms will follow the Zapata County ISD grade-level class schedule.
  • Staff will also use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face-masks/shields, gloves, and/or plexiglass shields when working with students (evaluation, therapy, assessments or observation).
If providing homebound, related services, and/or evaluations in an  On/Off Campus Instructional setting, staff will follow Zapata Co. ISD health and safety protocols, including taking temperature checks of themselves and the student and any adult accompanying the student, and completing student/parent health and safety checklists.