Reopening Plan for Byron-Bergen Central School
District

Background

The Governor, at his July 8th press conference, indicated:
• Districts would receive reopening guidance from the NYSED and DOH by July 13th.
• Reopening plans would be done to the state by July 31st.
• A decision on reopening of schools would be made between August 1st and 7th.

Background (cont.)

The District established Reopening Committees with representatives from the following stakeholder groups:

• Administrators • Teachers
• Support Staff
• Health Care Professionals • Parents/Guardians
• Transportation Department • Building and Grounds
• Food Service

Background (cont.)

The Reopening committees began its work in the following functional areas:

• Health and Safety	• Special Education
• Child Nutrition	• Bilingual and World Languages • Social-Emotional	• Technology and Connectivity
Well-being	• Staffing and Human Resources • Facilities	• Attendance
• Scheduling	• Budget and Fiscal • Transportation
• Teaching and Learning

Background (cont.)

At his August 7th conference call, Governor Cuomo stated that schools are authorized to reopen. He also stated:

• The state will continue to monitor infection rates.
• The NYSED and NYSDOH will approve Reopening plans.
• Districts must perform the following additional tasks prior to 8/21/20:
• Post specific components of the Reopening plans: • COVID-19 Testing Protocols.
• Contact Tracing Protocols. • Remote Learning.
• Conduct three (3) virtual meetings with parents/guardians • Conduct one (1) meeting with teachers.

This meeting IS

An opportunity to:

• Understand the background to the school reopening process. • Obtain information on the District’s Reopening Plan.
• Listen to community members. • Seek clarification.
• Continue the dialogue between the District and stakeholders.

This meeting IS NOT

A forum for:

• Political ideology.
• Judging the personal decisions of individuals/families. • Pitting one school building/district against another.

Changing learning options

• Any student enrolled in the in-person or hybrid learning option can switch to remote learning at any time.

• Students wishing to switch from remote learning to in-person or hybrid learning cannot be guaranteed classroom space and/or transportation. Requests to transition from remote to in-person or hybrid learning will be reevaluated at the end of the semester.

6th Grade

•6th grade classes will be in the Jr./Sr. High School this year.

•They will follow the HS schedule for transportation and school times.

Health and Safety Precautions

• Face covering must be worn by all students and staff except when seated in the classroom and physical distanced.
• Face shields may be worn as added protection, but cannot replace nose and mouth coverings.

Physical Distance in Classrooms

Health and Safety

•Daily temperature checks are required for all
students, faculty and staff prior to arriving at school.

•Healthy hygiene practices will be taught and re-taught to both students and staff.

•Conspicuous signage will be placed in and around District buildings.

If Students or Staff become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School

• Staff will immediately report any illness of students or staff to the school nurse or building administrator.
• Students displaying symptoms of COVID-19 awaiting transport home by the parent/guardian will be isolated in a specially identified area that is separated from others.
• Once individuals have exited the isolation room, the room will be closed until cleaning and disinfection has occurred.
• Students sent home with a fever or COVID symptoms may not return to school without written documentation from a healthcare provider and a negative COVID-19 test.

Cleaning and Disinfection

•The District is implementing an enhanced hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting plan which includes, but not limited to, scheduled daily
cleaning and disinfecting of high touch areas.

•Current HVAC systems meet NYSDOH/CDC standards. The District will increase the circulation of outdoor air to the greatest extent possible.

Child Nutrition

•Lunches will be served in the cafeterias and gymnasium spaces to ensure physical distancing.

•There will be no self-serve food items.

•All serving trays and utensils will be disposable and be given directly to students by food service staff.

•There will be no microwaves and/or vending machines available for student use.

•During the initial spring emergency closings, meals were provided to all students free of charge. However, starting in September families will need to pay for meals and/or apply for free/reduced pricing.

•The District encourages parents/guardians to utilize MySchoolBucks to pay for meals. However, student in-person payments will also be accepted. Free, reduced, and paid pricing applies.

Transportation

•Buses will all have assigned seating. •Students will be physically distanced.
•Students must wear a face covering when getting on and off the bus and during the entire duration of the ride.

Attendance

•The District is required to track in-person, hybrid, and remote learning attendance.

•All students are expected to be in attendance daily regardless of the instructional model.

Technology and Connectivity

•All students in grades Kindergarten – 12th Grade will be assigned a District-owned devices.

•For technical support parents/guardians will be directed to contact their student’s school(s) main office.

•The District has developed a wireless internet solution in the Junior/Senior High School Parking Lot. Parents/guardians or students may drive into the lot, park, and students may access the wireless network using District devices while adhering to physical distancing protocol.

Thank you!