Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. released more details on reopening its schools Aug. 6, including describing the use of face masks as “expected.”
The reopening plan, released at 4 p.m. Monday, provides details for in-person classes as well as options for remote learning.
“From our first public statement regarding reopening, posted on June 11, to now, our intent has been to keep the community informed of our thought processes regarding the potential reopening of schools while gathering information that helps us plan our instructional models more specifically,” said BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts, in a statement Monday. “This will continue to be our intent as we attempt to provide answers to questions that seem to change each day. Please understand that a model put forth today may not be the model that works for us tomorrow. Our plan remains an active document, with the word ‘DRAFT’ affixed, that will change based upon information provided and the specific local circumstances we must address.”
Since posting last week’s proposal last week, the school system has been meeting with key community stakeholders, including medical professionals, and has read more than 400 emails with questions, Roberts said.
“For our survey, we had 5,332 responses, or students represented, that appropriately represented all grade levels and school buildings,” he said. “Of these responses, 69% indicated they were returning to a BCSC school building, 15% wished to pursue a BCSC online option, 15% still needed more information, and less than 1% were not enrolling at BCSC at all.”
Roberts said it is BCSC’s expectation that students and staff will wear face coverings.
“We will be modeling that expectation by requiring students and staff to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible (ex. awaiting screenings, group activities, hallways, buses),” he said.
Students and staff will be provided with two washable cloth masks. Some individuals may be exempt from wearing masks due to health needs.
Each school will have an isolation area that is set apart for students experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms. Students and staff will have temperatures checked upon entry of school buses and buildings, and any student with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will wait in the isolation area until their parent or guardian arrives. Any staff member with a fever will go home.
Students and staff are not to report to school if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Congestion or runny nose
Sore throat
Nausea
Muscle pain
Chills
Diarrhea
New loss of taste or smell
Only essential visitors will be allowed to enter BCSC facilities, and parent visits will be limited to the office area. There will be clear barriers installed in certain areas, such as reception desks, and the school corporation will use touchless devices and methods when possible. Frequently touched surfaces in both schools and buses will be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Playground equipment will be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day and students will wash their hands and sanitize before and after recess.
The corporation added that students and staff may return to school as directed by a healthcare provider, and also included a link to the Indiana State Department of Health’s guide on how long students and staff should wait before returning, based on their symptoms, experiences and test results.
The plan states that if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school that BCSC will work with the Bartholomew County Health Department for guidance on the level of community spread and adhere to processes developed by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).
BCSC says it will make any necessary accommodations for students and staff with specific health needs while consulting with parents and health providers, as well as following federal laws.
Students will be considered present whether attending in person or remotely. Attendance incentives will be discontinued for the 2020-21 school year.
Enrollment options can be found on the school system’s website and include traditional on-site learning, online enrollment, BRIDGE learning and Columbus Virtual Pathway (CVP) learning.
BRIDGE, according to the school corporation’s website, is a “pathway in which students are taught by BCSC teachers who interact virtually, guide engagement and assignments, and promote personal growth through a high quality remote learning experience.” It is intended for students who plan to return to traditional learning sometime during the upcoming school year.
CVP, on the other hand, “is facilitated by a BCSC teacher using the Edgenuity platform in an adaptive, self-paced, and customized learning environment.” It is intended for students who do not plan to return to in-person classes during the 2020-21 school year.
For families who choose remote learning, technical support will be available.
Questions about enrollment can be sent to onlineoptions@bcsc.k12.in.us. All students, regardless of their chosen enrollment path, will be eligible to engage in extracurriculars.
Students and staff will be receiving training on reducing the spread of the virus, handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing masks properly and social distancing.
Water fountains will be turned off, and students will be able to use touchless water bottle filling stations. Personal water bottles from home may be used, or students may get bottles from BCSC.
BCSC states that classrooms, or other school locations, may be used as temporary lunchrooms to facilitate physical distancing and maintain a maximum of 50% capacity in the cafeteria. Food and utensils will not be shared, and a portable meal that includes a hot and cold entrée will be offered daily. Schools may choose to use alternative serving models such as spaced serving lines, spaced seating, outdoor seating (when appropriate) and longer meal periods to allow for more staggered meal delivery.
To aid with social distancing, schools may stagger transitions such as switching periods, access to lockers, arrival and dismissal. Schools may also stagger schedules for large group gatherings such as recess and meals. Furthermore, classrooms will be organized to promote social distancing, and large spaces will only operate at a maximum of 50% capacity at a time. Students are also encouraged to maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more.
On school buses, drivers and monitors are required to wear masks when students are present. Social distancing will be maintained on the bus when possible. If it is not possible to distance, masks will be required. Students will load into the bus from back to front, and seating charts will be used when possible (to aid contact tracing). Field trips are postponed until 2021.
“We will continue to review the information we receive and make adjustments to our plan based on the status of community spread and after consultation with local health officials,” Roberts said.
There will be a presentation on the reopening plan at the school board’s July 20 meeting in the Terrace Room of the administration building. The number of allowed visitors will be limited to social distancing, and the meeting will also be live streamed with a link available on the school’s website.
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BCSC’s reopening plan may be viewed at bcscschools.org. Individuals may send all reopening questions to reopening@bcsc.k12.in.us.
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