Appendix I
Consistent with applicable law and privacy policies, staff and families should self-report to the school if they or their student have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test for COVID-19, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days in accordance with health information sharing regulations for COVID-19. The District will notify staff, families, and the public of school closures and any restrictions in place to limit COVID-19 exposure (e.g., limited hours of operation).
Ill students and staff will be assessed by the school nurse. If the school nurse is not available, the ill student or staff will be sent home for a follow up with a health care provider.
The District has worked with the Saratoga County Department of Health to determine protocols for reporting suspected illness, confirmed cases and contact tracing efforts. The District has been advised to immediately notify the DOH at 518-885-2276 when:
- A child arrives at school with a fever and is isolated until parent pick-up
- A child presents with a fever during the school day and is isolated until parent pick-up
- A parent reports that his/ her child is home with a fever
- A parent reports that a child has been tested for COVID-19
- A student has been diagnosed with a positive COVID-19 test result
If a positive case has been identified, The District will follow all DOH recommendations regarding limiting exposure, school closure, cleaning and disinfecting, etc.
Appendix II
Background: Under the current climate of Human Coronavirus and executive order to develop a reopening plan, we have been provided the charge of formatting and following a successful plan to provide a safe, clean and disinfected campus for students, faculty and staff and to provide a positive educational experience.
Purpose: In association with administration, the Facilities Management team will act as a first line of defense in the overall care and custody of the campus and to verify cleanliness and safety, including but not limited to:
- Increased awareness regarding cleaning and disinfecting services
- Assuring PPE is in place as supplies are available to us
- Utilizing days of decreased occupancy to support deep cleaning services
- Verifying our HVAC systems are utilized when and as appropriate to help this cause
Outcomes: After careful review of issued items by the CDC, WHO, NYSDOH, WSWHE BOCES and in consultation with the Administrative Council of Stillwater CSD, the Facilities Management department has come up with the following recommendations and procedures to verify our success:
Procure the necessary items to verify compliance. These items include but are not limited to:
- PPE
- Signage
- Disinfectants
- Applicators
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
- Equipment including HEPA vacuums, steam cleaners, disposal and reusable cloths and wipes
- Sanitizers
- Barricades and traffic control devices
- Hands free dispensing items where practical and as available
- Other items as deemed necessary
Provide support to Food Service and Transportation as needed or required:
- Procure items as required or recommended
- Provide operational recommendations and support as requested or required
- Conduct normal operational needs
- Verify processes are fulfilled in association to the directors of those areas
- Review products or services from directors of other areas and provide overview and support as needed or required
Conduct operations in alignment with directives outlined in jurisdictional review:
- Normal facilities cleaning and stewardship operations
- Compliance with 2020 Building Conditions Survey and visual inspection
- Lead in Water Testing as required by NYSDOH
- Exact preventative maintenance operations on all HVAC/R equipment and utilize outside air as available
- Review PPE and sanitizers/disinfectants daily
- Installed sanitizers will alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers in accordance with FCNYS 2020
- Conduct deep cleaning and disinfecting operations as outlined in our district plan to verify a safe and clean environment (per CDC guidance)
- Review signage and verify it is in tact and free of pulling or hazards
- Communicate with faculty and administration to verify products needed are of adequate supply and no additional needs are required
- Continue limited project work as time allows and as directed
- Document and log activities as directed and required
- Report any deficiencies to management immediately upon inspection and routine review
- There are no space changes or additions/ installations of dividers that require OFP review
- Existing number of toilet and sink fixtures meet minimum standards of the BCNYS
- Verification of one touch-free drinking fountain per 100 occupants
Appendix III
Elementary Grades Universal Pre-Kindergarten through grade 5
UPK through Grade 2 Daily in-person instruction/learning
Grade 3 through Grade 5: In-person instruction/learning on an A/B schedule by cohort while following the guidance as outlined by DOH and NYSED. This allows for five in-person instruction/ learning days for grades 3 through 5 and five remote instruction/ learning days in a two-week cycle.
Elementary Special Education Students and ELL Students: Daily in-person instruction/ learning
Middle School Grades 6 through 8:
Grade 6 through 8 Special Education Consultant Teacher and ELL Students: Based on classroom occupancy we are looking to maximize the number of in-person instructional days. For most 6th grade students this means in-person instruction 2 days per week and attending classes virtually the other two days. For 7th/8th grade students this will likely include in-person instruction four days per week. Wednesdays will remain remote days used for office hours, extra help, remediation, etc.
High School Grades 9 through 12
Grade 9 Regular Education/ SWD Consultant Teacher/ ELL Students: In-person instruction learning every Monday in an 80-minute block schedule by cohort for each core class (English, math, social studies, science). Remote Instruction/ learning four days per week, with allocated periods for foreign language and special area classes.
Grade 10 Regular Education/ SWD Consultant Teacher/ ELL Students: In-person instruction/ learning every Tuesday in an 80-minute block schedule by cohort for each core class (English, math, social studies, science). Remote Instruction/ learning four days per week, with allocated periods for foreign language and special area classes.
Grade 11 Regular Education/ SWD Consultant Teacher/ ELL Students: In-person instruction/ learning every Thursday in an 80-minute block schedule by cohort for each core class (English, math, social studies, science). Remote Instruction/learning four days per week with allocated periods for foreign language and special area classes.
Grade 12 Regular Education/ SWD Consultant Teacher/ ELL Students: In-person instruction/ learning every Friday in an 80-minute block schedule by cohort for each core class (English, math, social studies, science). Remote Instruction/ learning four days per week with allocated periods for foreign language and special area classes.
Grades 6 through 12 Special Education Special Class Students: Daily, in-person instruction four days per week. Remote instruction on Wednesdays.
Second Semester Changes
Elementary
- Grades K,1,2 in-person daily
Middle School Gr. 6-8
- All students will now follow a 9 period “traditional” schedule, eliminates the block for grade 7 & 8
- Wednesdays will remain remote days used for office hours, extra help, remediation, etc.
- “A-days” are Monday/Tuesday, “B-days” are Thursday/Friday
6th Grade
- 6th grade students’ in-person schedule and in-person days do not change, Monday & Thursday or Tuesday & Friday
- 6th grade will now attend all of their classes virtually opposite their in-person days
7th & 8th Grade
- Cohort 1 of 7th and 8th grade will attend in-person on Monday & Thursday while Cohort 2 attends their classes virtually on these days
- Cohort 2 of 7th and 8th grade will attend in-person on Tuesday & Friday while Cohort 1 attends their classes virtually on these days
- Students are scheduled into the cohorts based on (i) a 6th grade sibling’s cohort (ii) a MS/HS or elementary sibling’s cohort (iii) classroom occupancy in an effort to minimize the impact on households
- Parents received an email on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 with their child’s or children’s cohort
Remote Only Students
- All remote-only students will follow their 9 period schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
- Wednesdays will remain remote days used for office hours, extra help, remediation, etc.
High School Gr. 9-12
- Period 1-9 Schedule; eliminates block schedule.
- All grades 9-12 students with last name beginning A-L will attend school in-person on Monday & Thursday.
- M-Z students will attend virtually on Monday & Thursday, while A-L is in person.
- All grades 9-12 students with last names beginning M-Z will attend school in-person on Tuesday & Friday.
- A-L students attend virtually on Tuesday & Friday, while M-Z is in person.
- Wednesdays will remain remote days – used for extra help, remediation, office hours, etc.
- If you are choosing to have your student be fully remote, your student will be following the period 1-9 schedule remotely, each day.
- “A” Days are Monday/Tuesday; “B” Days are Thursday/Friday.
Appendix IV
School/Community Stakeholder Team Participants:
Patricia Morris, Scott Messineo, Carolyn Manzella, Rebecca Toleman, Timothy Hulihan, Michael Johnson, Clint Froschauer, Christopher Lynch, Ed Travis, Seth Tolbert, Jeff Donaldson, Joan Hopeck, Tom Murphy, Cathy Ryan, Matt LeMoyne, Deanna Sargent, Jennifer Oliver-Goodwin, Lyndsey Gannon, Jodi Powers, Vicki Schuette, Nichole Weber, Amy Coffey, Emily Malinowski, Jim Iacketta, Sean Leonard, Lisa Bohley, Ben Thackston, Meghan Pickett, Monica Perniciaro, Karina Ramirez, Ian Lewis, Bridgett Cole, Diana Miller, Jennifer Bizan, Mikal Benamati, Kiki Wagner, Sherri Dockum, Anna Contorsi, Robbi Kennedy, Patti DeCota, Carrie Urdang, Amy Carpenter, Rachel Fridholm, Sue Staulters, Mary Ellen Mamone, Patrick Foxton, Jennifer McGuire, Carolyn O’Brien, Teresa Cutler, Renee Callanan, Elizabeth Retell, Danielle Wright, Ben Thackston, Lisa Miller, Jennifer O’Brien, Kim Cook, Dave Cook, Angie Robinson, Victoria Heflin, Kathleen Scarchilli, Michael Kinney, Adele Reilly, Jonathan Rychcik, Donna Dworak, Amanda Bornt, Marla Scarchilli, Rebecca Wlazlo, Sue O’Malley, Renee Price, Sam Bloem, Nena Greene, Amanda Cocozzo, Justin McFarlane
Appendix V
Remote Learning Plan | Testing Plan | Contact Tracing Plan
This appendix to the Stillwater Central School District Return-to-Learn Plan is pursuant to the Interim Guidance for in-person instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Supplemental Guidance and covers five key areas as outlined by Governor Cuomo: Stakeholder Communication and Outreach, Remote Learning, Testing and Contact Tracing and Public Meetings.
Stakeholder Communication and Outreach
The Stillwater Central School District has published its entire school reopening plan on its website at www.scsd.org. In addition, this appendix specifically pertains to portions of the plan relating to Remote Learning, Testing and Contact Tracing.
Remote Learning
To ensure equity, the Stillwater Central School District, regardless of delivery method, (e.g., in-person, remote or hybrid) will provide:
- Instruction aligned to the New York State Learning Standards and ensures equity as well as quality for all learners.
- Regular and substantive interaction with an appropriately certified teacher.
- Teacher assessment of learning gaps and areas of need upon returning to school.
- Prioritization for in-person learning including, but not limited to: special education students, English Language Learners and students in the earliest primary grades, K-1.
Access to Devices and Internet
Each student and teacher will be supplied a device as the district can support a 1:1 plan.
A family survey was released on August 11, 2020, to gather information regarding high-speed internet access. We are working with each family that indicates a need, to provide them with connectivity solutions.
Remote Learning Platform and Logistics
Grades K-5:
- At the elementary level, students who are full time remote learners will be logging in through Google Classroom for live instruction of the core subject with their teacher.
- The amount of time will vary by grade level in terms of the amount of live instruction.
- Overall, it will be approximately three to four hours, with breaks and lunch built in.
- The afternoons and Fridays will be allotted for individual or small group Google Meets. The teacher will set up these meetings ahead of time so parents/guardians are aware of the schedule.
Grades 6-8:
- Middle school teachers will primarily utilize Google Classroom and Google Meet to provide remote instruction using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
- Teachers may also utilize other technology apps appropriate to their content area.
- All teachers will also be available for virtual “office hours” to provide individualized help to students as needed.
- Students will follow a virtual period schedule during their virtual instructional days.
Grades 9-12:
- Teachers will utilize Google Classroom and Google Meet to provide instruction remotely.
- Teachers will also utilize other technology apps appropriate to their content area.
- Teachers will provide students minimally two Google Meet sessions remotely per week.
- Through Google Classroom, teachers will be able to provide specific instruction and individualized help to students as needed.
- Students will follow their period 1-9 schedule virtually to ensure maximum contact with their teachers.
Remote learning opportunities for students will include synchronous instruction whenever possible. Teachers will ensure that their students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis.
Equity for students with disabilities and English Language Learners
The SCSD Return-to-Learn Plan provides a framework to ensure that all students with disabilities continue to have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) supports services and accommodations to meet their individual needs.
The district will provide ELL students with in-person instruction to achieve learning outcomes.
Testing
Stillwater is one of 31 component school districts within the Washington-Warren-Saratoga- Hamilton-Essex BOCES. Our BOCES has worked closely with the Saratoga County Department of Health, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and Saratoga Hospital to facilitate conversations about students and staff who test positive.
The Stillwater Central School District has designated Patricia Morris, Superintendent, as the district’s COVID-19 Safety Coordinator.
Individuals who have returned from international travel and/or a state designated through the New York State travel Advisory must complete mandatory quarantine prior to returning to school.
The Saratoga County Health Department, our local department of health (LDH) has indicated that they will be working with school nurses to provide additional guidance.
Where will testing be conducted?
- Primary Care Providers are the first line COVID-19 testing contact
- Saratoga Hospital has testing capacity
- New York State testing site at the University at Albany
- New York State COVID helpline number: 1-888-364-3065
- Saratoga County Testing Information
Contact Tracing
Upon request, the Stillwater Central School District will provide information on the past locations of students and staff who are involved in the New York State Contact Tracing Program, including, but not limited to room locations, who was in the room and information on transportation. The District will maintain adequate records to answer questions. Should this information be needed, the Local Department of Health Liaison will contact the SCSD liaison to obtain the needed information in a timely manner.
The Stillwater Central School District will assign a team(s) of individuals to participate in the Johns Hopkins University contract tracing initiative. Although the Stillwater team will not be responsible to lead a contract tracing program, it will provide information on how the process works and the type of information that will be required when contract tracing is needed. The online training program and assessment covers the following key concepts for contact tracing:
- COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Overview
- Basics of Contact Tracing for COVID-19
- Steps to Investigate Cases and Trace Their Contacts
- Ethics and Technology for Contact Tracing
- Skills for Effective Communication and Embracing Complexity
The course is hosted by the online platform Coursera. It takes about 5 hours to complete with quizzes after each module and a final assessment at the end of the course. Click here for additional information.
Protocols when Staff/Students Exhibit Symptoms
- Staff and Students exhibiting symptoms are directed to stay home.
- Staff developing symptoms during the work day will be sent home to seek guidance from their health care provider.
- Students developing symptoms during the school day will be sent to an isolation room until a parent/guardian can pick them up.
- A deep cleaning will be performed in all areas the staff member or student occupied.
- THE LDH will be notified as appropriate.
- Parents will be asked to check with their child’s primary care physician to determine if testing is necessary.
- Determinations about testing will be made between physicians and/or LDH.
- Testing will occur at designated sites.
Protocols when Staff/Students Test Positive for COVID-19
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must remain home until cleared by the LDH to be able to return to school or work.
- Regardless of whether the person is symptomatic or asymptomatic, the student or staff may return to work upon completing at least 10 days of isolation from the onset of symptoms, or 10 days of isolation after the first positive test if they remain asymptomatic.
- The LDH will release the person from isolation.