Q&A for School Reopening
Northport-East Northport School District
FAQ re: Reopening for Fall 2020
As we prepare for the start of the 2020-21 academic year, we’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions to help inform our school community about the district’s reopening plans. We will continue to add to this list, so please check back frequently!
General Reopening
Who makes the decision on whether schools can reopen and when will this decision be made?
As of August 7th, Gov. Cuomo has announced that schools may reopen in New York State. He has indicated that if a region is in Phase IV and has a daily infection rate of 5% or lower over a 14-day average, which Suffolk County has met, schools in that region could hold in-person instruction. At this time, our region meets these requirements and we are moving forward with the hybrid approach to reopening.
What are the district’s guiding principles for reopening?
Above all else, health and safety are the main principles guiding our reopening plans. During our planning process, we took into account the safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are following all guidelines and recommendations set forth by the New York State Education Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health. The other principles guiding our plans include instructional opportunities, communication and flexibility.
When is the first day of school for the 2020-21 academic year?
The Board of Education anticipates amending the calendar so that the first day of school for students will be Thursday, Sept. 10. This will allow us to schedule four conference days for teachers and staff prior to the start of the school year so that they can become accustomed to new health and safety protocols, as well as professional learning opportunities on distance learning and the district’s hybrid model.
What are the district’s plans for reopening?
The district plans to begin the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid model of instruction. This will include two days per week of in-person instruction and three days per week of remote instruction for students in grades K-12. Currently, we are planning for students in grades K-5 to return 100% in-person beginning September 28th, if conditions and guidelines allow.
How will the hybrid model work?
For the 2020-21 school year only, all K-12 students will be divided into two cohorts and attend school for in-person instruction two days per week, coupled with three days per week of online learning. Students in the Blue Group will attend school in-person on Monday and Thursday, with remote learning on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Students in the Gold Group will attend school in–person on Tuesday and Friday, with remote learning on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A third group of special class students and English Language Learners (ELLs), will attend in-person instruction on both blue and gold days (M, T, Th, F).
I understand that the district will begin the year in a hybrid model, but that all K-5 students will return to their buildings full-time by the end of September. Is this true?
By the end of September, we anticipate welcoming all elementary students back full-time to our buildings, as long as conditions and state guidance allows us to do so and provided that we achieve transportation capacity (meaning we need at least 50% of our families who typically use district transportation to agree to drive their child to school). We strongly believe that this “phased-in” approach will benefit our elementary students and allow them time to adjust to the new protocols of our school buildings before returning full-time.
What is the hybrid and daily remote schedule for elementary grades K-5? (Added 8.19.20)
The daily remote and hybrid schedule for grades K-5 can be found here. Please note that this only applies when the district instructional model is hybrid and may change if the district changes to a fully remote (entire district remote) or full in-person model.
What is the hybrid and daily remote schedule for secondary grades 6-12? (Added 8.19.20)
The daily remote and hybrid schedule for grades 6-12 can be found here. Please note that this only applies when the district instructional model is hybrid and may change if the district changes to a fully remote (entire district remote) or full in-person model.
Why are elementary students not starting in person from day one?
We recognize the importance of in-person elementary learning and have prioritized their transition to full-time instruction within the buildings. We are starting with the hybrid model in order to ease the transition back to school full time and ensure a safe return for students, faculty and staff.
When will middle school and high school be able to return to in-person instruction full time? (Updated 8.19.20)
We remain hopeful that we can have all grades and schools return to full in person. At this time, there are certain challenges including hallway density, lunch, staffing and transportation, which we are not currently able to address given the number of students in those grade levels. With this in mind, we believe that the Hybrid Model best meets the criteria for School Reopening for secondary students. Should state and county guidelines change, we will reevaluate the opening of all secondary schools.
How are you determining if my child is in the Blue or Gold group and when will I be notified? (Updated 8.19.20)
Groups will be split between last names A-K, and L-Z, and then adjusted so that siblings will attend school on the same day. To ensure your children are placed in the same cohort, please reach out to your building principal.
Will members of the same household be placed in the same blue or gold cohort, regardless of what school they attend?
Families who will be sending their children to school can expect their children to be placed into the same group (Blue or Gold), even if they are in different schools.
Can I request that my child be placed in the same cohort as my neighbor/friend?
Unfortunately, no. We understand that the hybrid model poses challenges to families – especially to working parents. While the district is making every effort possible to group siblings and members of the same household together, we cannot guarantee that friends and/or neighbors will be grouped together.
Can the group that my child is placed in be coordinated with my work schedule?
Unfortunately, due to the complexity of scheduling, we will not be able to accommodate parents' work schedules. Cohort One (Blue group) and Cohort Two (Gold group) will have a balanced number of students and our goal is to have families attend the district on the same day.
I’m not comfortable sending my child back to school at all. Do I have the option for my child to participate in 100% online instruction?
Yes. There is an option for daily remote learning.
If you opt-in to remote learning, will it be binding for the full semester?
Yes, if you choose remote instruction, your child would remain in remote instruction until the end of the first quarter, October 30, 2020. At that time, you can decide to continue with the remote option or return to hybrid or in-person instruction. This decision can be made each quarter for the 2020-2021 school year. Further dates for revisiting students’ instructional models will be December 23rd, 2020 and April 1st, 2021.
How will my child’s social-emotional needs be addressed?
We understand that our students’ “normal” routines have been drastically altered and that a return to school this fall may be difficult for some. Our team of school counselors, psychologists and social workers are always available to any student who may need assistance. We are also actively preparing age-appropriate lessons to help children understand why the school landscape will be different when they return.
Will orientations be held for students transitioning into a new grade? (K, 6th and 9th) (Added 8.19.20)
Yes, orientations will still be held for students entering kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade. Please look out for additional information from your individual buildings.
What will the grading look like? (Added 8.19.20)
Students will receive specific, timely and relevant feedback on their progress. Assignments will be graded to reflect student mastery of standards. Attendance will be taken daily. Standards based grading and numerical grading will be reimplemented, in line with former grading practices.
How will student breakfasts and lunches be served?
At the elementary level, meals will be eaten in the classroom. Students wishing to purchase a lunch will be escorted by class to the cafeteria to purchase a lunch and bring it back to the classroom. Each class will have a designated time slot to visit the cafeteria for lunch purchase, and social distancing will be enforced at all times. Students at the secondary level will be provided an opportunity to eat lunch using the six foot social distancing areas in the building.
Will water fountains and hand dryers still be used during the school day?
No, hand dryers and water fountains will not be available for use during the school day. Following state guidance, all schools will maintain at least one working water fountain per 100 occupants to be used only as water bottle filling stations.
How can I stay informed about the latest district updates?
Updates are available on the district website. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. The district will be using print and technology to provide updates on our reopening plan and a handbook for each building will be available on the district website reopening page, found here.
Distance Learning
How will virtual learning be different from last spring? Will there be better consistency?
Yes, there will be more consistency this school year. It is important to note that when school districts were forced to close last March, they were required to implement distance learning literally overnight. Through that experience, we learned what worked well and what needed improvement. By working closely with our teachers, we identified areas in which we need to provide greater training which will allow us to provide more consistency. For example, all teachers will utilize Google Classroom this school year. This common platform will make it easier for students to locate and submit work, as well as for parent(s)/guardian(s) to provide support for their students. Additionally, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in-person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously. Remote learning opportunities for secondary students will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers finding ways to provide live instruction and lessons to students.
Can you define synchronous and asynchronous learning? (Added 8.19.20)
Synchronous instruction refers to live, real-time interaction with the teacher. Examples include teaching a live lesson, regardless of in-person or remote. This can also include academic office hours and class community check ins.
Asynchronous instruction refers to learning experiences without real-live interaction from a teacher. Examples include students watching a teacher recorded video, reading articles/ texts, and participating in self-guided activities.
Will teachers use one consistent online learning platform for students?
Yes. To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform (Google Classroom) to the fullest extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.
Will secondary students (middle school and high school) have their usual schedule, even if choosing daily remote? (Added 8.19.20)
Yes, secondary students will continue to have their usual schedules, regardless of instructional model. Specific schedules will be provided by the buildings ahead of the start of the school year. Certain classes, including specials and advanced courses, may be done asynchronously to accommodate staffing constraints.
Will my child be provided with a device to access the internet for distance learning?
Yes. All students grades K-12 will be provided with a Chromebook or other device to access the internet for online instruction. Individual schools will communicate their procedures for distributing the devices to families within the next several weeks. We understand that the delivery of our chromebooks may be delayed and will not arrive until the end of October. We will ensure that every family has at least one district issued Chromebook at the start of the school year .
What if my family doesn’t have access to the internet at home?
The district is currently in the process of surveying our school community to determine which families do not have internet access at home and we will work with them to provide access.
What if my family doesn’t have access to the internet at home?
The district is currently in the process of surveying our school community to determine which families do not have internet access at home at work with them to provide access. The district will also schedule opportunities to connect with families to educate them on how to use the technologies and connect to the instructional activities.
Transportation
How will transportation be affected?
The district is still required to offer transportation; however, we must limit the number of students per bus to comply with state guidelines. Currently, we are trying to gauge how many families will rely on busing for the upcoming year so we can more accurately plan for how many buses are needed (this will be done through a short survey all parents are asked to complete).
Will students be required to wear masks on buses?
Yes. Students (along with all bus drivers) will be required to wear masks on the bus at all times; however, students whose physical or mental health would be impaired are not required to wear a face covering but must be appropriately socially distanced.In those cases we will work with all parties involved to accommodate the needs of all students.
Can siblings sit together on the bus?
Yes. Members of the same household may be seated within 6 feet of one another.
Will buses be cleaned regularly?
Yes. Buses and other transportation vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected daily (with a focus on high touch areas) and in between runs if scheduled for multiple routes. At the end of the day the bus will be cleaned and disinfected again.
How will students be separated on buses?
Students will be given assigned seats in order to promote a configuration to maximize social distancing on the bus. In addition to reducing density on the bus, students and staff will be required to wear masks at all times.
Health and Safety
Will students and staff be required to wear face masks in school? (Updated 8.19.20)
Yes, students and staff must wear face masks. Masks must be worn when riding on the bus, passing in hallways, entering/ exiting school, in the classroom, any time a student cannot maintain 6 feet social distancing and / or properly use a barrier and anytime a student is on the move. “If you are moving, you are masking.”
Regarding mask wearing in the classroom, students and teachers WILL be wearing masks while in the classroom. The only exception to this is for short mask breaks, when permitted by the teacher, which can only be taken when proper social distancing (either 6 feet apart or separated by a physical barrier) is being practiced. This is recommended by Suffolk County Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to NYSDOH Guidance, exceptions include: Students who are medically unable to tolerate a face covering, when eating during meal time and during mask breaks- provided that physical distancing may be maintained, a proper barrier is present or the mask break takes place outside.
Will there be opportunities for students to go outside for mask breaks?
Yes, students will have the opportunity for adult supervised mask breaks throughout the day, and outdoor mask breaks will be encouraged.
How will the spaces within the school be cleaned?
Routine daily cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This includes areas such as cafeteria tables, doorknobs, lightswitches, keyboards, etc. The District will use long lasting antimicrobial surface protectants on surfaces frequently used where disinfecting between uses is not practicable. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.
Have improvements been made to the district’s ventilation systems? How will classroom air be filtered?
The Building Management Systems (BMS) has been modified to introduce more outside air into the classrooms. Self-standing medical grade HEPA filtration units will be installed in all classroom spaces, nurses’ offices, isolation rooms and multi-person office spaces. These HEPA filters will remove 99.95% of all particles .1 microns multiple times per hour. As per CDC recommendations, windows will be kept open as much as possible.
What if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19? (Updated 8.19.20)
Per the latest guidelines from the Suffolk County Department of Health, if a student tests positive for COVID-19, the student should immediately be placed in isolation at home for at least 10 days. School staff will assist the local health department in contact tracing efforts by providing a list of probable close contacts (defined as being within 6 feet of the infected student for at least 10 minutes). The identification of close contacts should begin 48 hours before the student became symptomatic, or 48 hours before the student was tested for the COVID-19 virus if asymptomatic. Identified close contacts should also remain at home for 14 days of quarantine from the date of last exposure to the infected student.
Identified close contacts is defined as anyone who was within 6 feet of the someone who tested positive for a prolonged period of time (more than 10 minutes). The decision to quarantine a full class will be determined on a case by case basis. Parents and staff will be notified as quickly as possible once the district is made aware of a confirmed case.
The district’s COVID-19 Safety Coordinator will also notify the Suffolk County Department of Health immediately upon being informed of any student, staff member, or visitor testing positive for COVID-19. In order to assist the Suffolk County Department of Health with contact tracing efforts, the Director of Student Support Services and a team of school nurses have completed the awareness level training in contact tracing from Johns Hopkins University.
If a household member of a student, staff or faculty member tests positive, what is the recommended protocol? (Added 8.19.20)
Per the recommendations put forth by the Suffolk County Department of Health, a household member of a student, staff or faculty member who tests positive would be considered a close contact, and the district member would be required to quarantine for 14 days from last contact with the household member. For example if a teacher’s spouse tests positive for COVID-19, the teacher will be required to quarantine for 14 days before returning to school.
What are the recommended protocols for suspected cases of COVID-19? (Added 8.19.20)
Students and staff with symptoms of illness should not attend school. It is recommended that individuals and/or families consult their medical provider to determine if COVID-19 testing is warranted. Note: notification and contact tracing is initiated upon receipt of a positive COVID-19 test result. No action is taken for suspected cases.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the established CDC/NYS DOH guidelines for ending isolation. All residents who test positive are monitored daily by SCDHS contact tracing staff and will receive a letter from SCDHS confirming release from isolation.
Will COVID-19 testing be required for students and staff members to return to school after experiencing COVID-19 symptoms?
A student or staff member who has been removed from school/work with COVID-19 diagnosis will need documentation from their physician, evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, or a Health Department removal of isolation order to return to school or work.
Will mental health and social-emotional health resources be available?
Resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral and emotional needs during the pandemic will be available through our school counselors, social workers and psychologists. The district will also be providing social-emotional instruction to all students during the school year, including the use of a Universal Screening Tool to determine mental health status, Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Model for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mental Health, and professional development opportunities for staff surrounding mental health and crisis intervention. Additional resources will also be made available to parents via the website to ensure parents can communicate about mental health with their children.
Extracurricular Activities and Athletics
What will happen with extracurricular activities?
As of now, we plan to offer a selection of extracurricular activities for our students, abiding by the guidance set forth by the state. Extracurricular programs must consider social distancing, PPE usage, and cleaning and disinfection, as well as risk of COVID-19 transmission (e.g., interscholastic sports, large assemblies, and other gatherings). Consideration will be given to maintain cohorts and remote opportunities will be made available, if possible.
Will the athletic season take place?
The District is subject to the mandates of the NYS Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and Section XI. Additional guidance can be viewed using the following link: http://www.nysphsaa.org/COVID-19-Info. There are several scenarios for the 2020-2021 athletic seasons which will be determined by the NYSPHSAA at a later date. The scenarios involve alternate starting dates and changes of seasons based on potential risk by sport. As of now, the start of the fall athletics season has been delayed to Sept. 21.
Will students be going on field trips and will guest speakers be allowed to speak in person?
No. Field trips and in-person guest speakers are not allowed at this time. We encourage the utilization of remote field trips and inviting guest speakers in virtually.
Special Education (Added 8.19.20)
How do I know if my student qualifies for 4 days of in-person instruction? (Added 8.19.20)
All grade K-12 Special Education students that have any Special Class recommended under the programs section of their IEP will attend school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Their instruction will be through the remote learning platform on Wednesday. The students’ related services (OT, PT, Speech, Specialized Reading, Counseling, Vision or Hearing) will be provided during the days they are attending school in person as often as possible.
Will my special education child still receive related services? (Added 8.19.20)
Any student who receives related services will be receiving them. The students’ related services (OT, PT, Speech, Specialized Reading, Counseling, Vision or Hearing) will be provided during both in-person and/or on remote days. Exact schedules are still being developed.
If I choose fully remote for my special education child, will they still be able to receive related services? (Added 8.19.20)
Yes, IEP related services will be offered as much as possible remotely.
My child is an ICT, DCT and/or Resource Room student. What is their schedule? (Added 8.19.20)
All grade K-12 Special Education students that have ICT/DCT and/or Resource Room under the programs section of their IEP (but do not have special classes) will attend school on the days designated for their Blue or Gold team. Their instruction will be through the remote virtual platform (asynchronous) on Wednesday and days when they are not in school with their Blue or Gold team. The students’ related services (OT, PT, Speech, Specialized Reading, Counseling, Vision or Hearing) will be provided during the days they are attending school in person as often as possible but may need to be provided remotely also.
If my child receives related services only, what will their schedule be? (Added 8.19.20)
Students who receive related services only will attend school with their Blue or Gold designated group. All students will remain at home on Wednesday and participate in the virtual platform with their class.