PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE

PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE

PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE CENTRAL

SCHOOL DISTRICT

www.pobschools.org

REOPENING PLAN

2020-2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DISTRICT

INTRODUCTION

Definitions/Terms Referenced in the POB Plan

OVERVIEW OF REOPENING PLAN

DISTRICT-WIDE REOPENING COMMITTEE

6-7

COMMUNICATION/FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

District Committees

District Website, Facebook Page, School Messenger

Presentations to the Public

Learning Partner Feedback

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health & Safety Protocols, Screening, Face Masks,

Social Distancing, Hand Hygiene,

Management of COVID-19 Cases, Drills

FACILITIES

Air Filtration, Cleaning & Disinfecting Protocols, Equipment

CHILD NUTRITION

TRANSPORTATION

13-14

Assurances

Schedules

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Resources to Support

Curriculum/Programs

SCHOOL SCHEDULES

Elementary

Middle School (Grades 5 and 6/Grades 7 and 8)

High School

TEACHING AND LEARNING

SPECIAL EDUCATION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Visitors, Events, Meetings

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GUIDELINES FOR K-12

Recess

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

Chromebook Distribution

Ask the Tech

ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

GUIDANCE

APPENDIX: FAQ’s

PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Mrs. Debbie Bernstein

President

Mr. Seth Greenberg

Vice President

Trustees:

Mr. Gary Bettan

Mrs. Ginger Lieberman

Mrs. Tara Rock

Mrs. Lauren Sackstein

Mrs. Susan Stewart

ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Mary T. O’Meara

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Richard J. Cunningham

Assistant Superintendent for Business

Mr. Christopher T. Donarummo

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services & Safety

Mrs. Joanne F. Mannion

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

Dr. Vincent K. Mulieri

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Introduction

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District has a long-standing commitment to

engaging its learning partners in the educational program. During a global pandemic,

this engagement was essential for the academic, physical, social-emotional and mental

health of our students, staff, and families. The planning for reopening began in the

spring with a District Reopening Committee and sub-committees resulting in a formal

recommendation to the Board of Education on June 22

. Understanding what our

learning community valued, the District continued reopening planning over the summer,

adjusting as new guidelines and requirements were released by The Center for Disease

Control (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (DOH) the New York State

Education Department (NYSED) and Governor Cuomo.

With a July 31

deadline for plan submission and an August 7

announcement that

schools could reopen for in-person instruction, parts of the plan must be fluid. The

District understood that the plans must be specific enough to permit families to make

informed decisions for their child(ren)’s return to school. The plan is a comprehensive

one that will ensure teaching and learning will continue in the safest manner possible

for the 2020-21 school year. It is critical students remain connected to our schools and

fortunately, through the support of our Board of Education, the District is able to offer a

remote learning option for families who have significant vulnerabilities, but also for

those who are not comfortable to return to in-person instruction. As has been stated,

the District respects the decisions of each family and will not allow the reopening of

schools to become an issue that divides the community.

It is the commitment to engaging all our learning partners that makes the Plainview-Old

Bethpage Central School District an incredible place to live and work. Preserving the

academic programs with robust electives and specials, with a focus on mental health

and well-being are essential elements in recovering from this global pandemic. The POB

District’s theme for the 2020-21 school year, “Lighting the Way Forward”,

communicates our reopening steps in establishing a well-lit pathway to a safe and

meaningful learning environment.

Definitions/Terms Referenced in the POB Plan

Live, Synchronous Learning

: Teaching and Learning that occurs simultaneously via

Google Meet video-conferencing application.

Virtual Learning

: Students learn from another location, not in the school building.

In-Person Instruction:

Students learn in the school building.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC)

New York State Department of Health

(DOH)

New York State Department of Education

(NYSED)

Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

(POB) or “The District”

OVERVIEW OF REOPENING PLAN

The New York State Education Department required all school districts to develop three

plans. Our three plans range from least restrictive to most restrictive in order to

prepare for various reopening options: A return to

traditional school

, a

hybrid model

that ensures in-person instruction with strict adherence to social distancing rules, and a

remote

learning

plan for a complete school closure. Plainview-Old Bethpage Central

School District (POB) is also offering a fourth option, a

remote plan,

for the following

students: those considered at high-risk for serious illness due to COVID-19; those

residing with a person considered at high-risk for serious illness due to COVID-19; and

for those whose families are not comfortable sending their students back into buildings

for in-person instruction.

The District’s

In-Person Plan

strives to maximize the number of students who return to

the school buildings, with strict social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting protocols in

place. This plan permits:

1) All elementary students (K-6) to attend school every day with appropriate social

distancing and receive instruction in all subjects and specials.

2) All grades 7-12 students to attend school on alternating days, divided by last name:

•

Monday and Wednesday for A-K families

with appropriate social distancing.

•

Tuesday and Thursday for L-Z families

with appropriate social distancing.

•

Fridays are remote learning days for all students

. Teachers will be teaching from

their classrooms live via Google Meet for synchronous teaching and learning.

On the two days students are not in school,

they will be required to log into their

Google Classroom by subject during the scheduled time of class for attendance and to

engage in the activities, assignments, and/or lessons for that period.

A plan for

Virtual

reopening, should a local or NYS agency issue a directive requiring the

closure of school buildings, has been planned. In this model, all students would follow

their school schedule online for live, synchronous teaching and learning every day.

Teachers will distribute their Google Meet and Google Classroom codes to students as

part of their first day of school documents.

In order to adequately prepare staff for the return of students, the first day of school for

students has been adjusted as follows:

• September 8

all 1

-6

grade students return to school

• September 8

all L-Z students in grades 7-12 return to school

• September 9

all Kindergarten students return to school

• September 9

all A-K students in grades 7-12 return to school

Chief

Emergency

Officer

Building

Admin

Director of

Facilities

Custodial /

B&G Staff

Teachers

Parents &

Students

School

Nurse &

District

Physician

Clerical

Child Care

Coordinat

BOE

District-Wide Reopening Committee

The committee focused on critical areas in May and June as per the chart below.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

CHILDCARE

MEAL SERVICES

BUILDING TRAFFIC FLOW

ALTERNATIVE CLASSROOM SET-UP

HEALTH SCREENING PROTOCOLS

BUILDING ENTRY PROCEDURES

TRANSPORTATION

INSTRUCTION

The District Reopening Committee met several times as an entire committee and in sub-

committees based on the various categories. In addition, bi-weekly meetings were held

with the PTA Presidents, SEPTA, and the Student Council’s Executive Board. During the

summer, additional meetings were held with the Plainview Congress of Teachers (PCT),

the District Leadership Team, and PTA Executive Board and Presidents to elicit feedback

based on subsequent guidance from the CDC, DOH, and NYSED.

The instructional models decided were based on the recommendations to the Board of

Education from the District-Wide Reopening Committee and Instructional Sub-

Committee which were presented at the Board of Education meeting on June 22, 2020

(link here). The recommendations are aligned to the NYSED Guidance on school

schedules, “…may consider various reopening plans and schedules that stagger or

alternate their students’ return to campus…with district stakeholders when considering

alternate schedules” (p.7). These recommendations included:

• Dividing students by alphabet

• Alternating Day Schedule Mon/Wed, Tue/Thurs, alternating Fridays

• Students follow their traditional schedule

• Preserving specials and electives in the students’ schedules

• Students attend school for a full-day

• Special Education and elementary students should be considered separately

in reopening plans

• Return to the Board of Education Grading Policy

• Additional live instruction to the online learning plan (aka remote learning

plan)

COMMUNICATION

As the planning continued through June and July, the District used several means to

communicate to the community and staff, including:

The District website

: www.pobschools.org

Town Hall Meeting

, July 30, 2020 (link here) and future meetings: August 18, 19, and 20,

2020

Board of Education Meetings

July 31, 2020, and future meeting: August 17, 2020

The District’s Facebook Page

(link here)

https://www.facebook.com/pobschools/

Bi-Weekly eBlasts

to the community and staff (link here).

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The District used all the recommended preventative actions to assure the health and safety of all

students and staff as outlined in the chart below.

Recommended

Preventive Actions

Staff Students

Daily Health Checks

Self-Screening -

Stay Home if Sick

Parent/Guardian Screening - Stay Home if

Sick

Healthy Hygiene

Practices

Hand and Respiratory Hygiene

Signage & Training

Hand and Respiratory Hygiene Signage &

Instruction

Social Distancing

Reduced Class Sizes & Modified

Classroom Configuration and

Building Flow

Reduced Class Sizes and Bus Capacity &

Modified Classroom Configuration and

Building Flow

PPE & Cloth Face

Coverings

Staff or District Provided Masks

All Other PPE Provided by District

(Specialty Shields, Gloves, etc…)

Parent/Guardian or District Provided

Masks

Management of Ill

Persons

Health Office Assessment & Isolation

Cleaning &

Disinfection

Routine Cleaning & Disinfection of High-Touch Surfaces

The NYS DOH health screening questions were used to create a Google Form for staff, visitors, and

parents/guardians (for their children) to complete prior to entering the schools or riding the buses.

School nurses will be assigned the task of alerting the building administrator identified as the COVID-19

Administrator of issues pertaining to “Yes” responses and/or compliance related to the screening form.

The questions on the health care screener include name, building working/visiting, and:

•

In the past 14 days have you experienced COVID-19 symptoms? COVID-19 symptoms include

fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or

smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

•

In the past 14 days have you had a positive COVID-19 test result?

•

Have you had close contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the

past 14-days?

•

Have you traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of

COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days?

Facemasks

will be worn by students, staff and visitors at all times when riding the bus and when in the

school building. Students will not be required to wear masks when eating, drinking, or when the core

instruction requires removal. Social distancing will be assured whenever a mask is removed. Students

who cannot wear a mask due to medical or mental health reasons will submit documentation to the

building nurse. Regularly scheduled mask breaks will occur according to the parameters below.

•

20 minutes per 45 minutes at the elementary level (K-4)

•

10 minutes per 37-minute period at the middle and high school level (5-12)

Social Distancing

rules of 6-ft distance or plastic barrier will be assured in all classrooms, cafeterias, and

large group instructional areas. As per NYSED guidance, playing of musical instruments and singing

require 12-ft social distancing. In addition, traffic flow patterns have been developed by building

principals to limit the amount of close contact between students in the hallways. Also, signage on the

floors and throughout the building will assist staff and students as they move about the building.

Daily Temperature Screenings

will be scheduled in each building throughout the day. The school nurses

will screen students and staff and maintain a record of the classes and staff screened. If a student has a

temperature above 100°, he/she will be escorted to the quarantine room and remain there until picked-

up. If a staff member has a temperature above 100°, he/she will be directed home and to seek medical

attention.

Management of COVID-19 Case Occurrence from the CDC explains

• A single case of COVID-19 in a school would not likely warrant closing the entire school, especially if

levels of community transmission are low.

• If the transmission of the virus within a school is higher than that of the community, or if the school is

the source of an outbreak, administrators will work collaboratively with local health officials to

determine if temporary school closure is necessary.

• If students are kept in cohorts to minimize mixing of students, exposure to an individual with COVID-19

may be limited to one particular cohort and not pose a broad risk to the rest of the school. Cohorts

that have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 can switch to virtual learning and stay

home in accordance with CDC’s guidelines for quarantine and self-isolation, and the school may remain

open.

•

The District will add additional nurses to each building. Elementary and middle schools will have two nurses

per building, and JFKHS will have three nurses.

The illustrations on the next page and direction from the Nassau County Department of Health will be used to

address suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in our schools.

Protocols Used for Suspected/Positive COVID-19 Cases

adhere to the

CDC and DOH recommendations.

The District will engage in the protocols below when there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19

in a school.

CDC and NYSDOH Recommendations

• Close off infected area(s) and do not use until after cleaning and disinfection.

• Increase ventilation by opening outside doors and windows.

• Waiting at least 24-hours before cleaning and disinfection.

• Clean and disinfect impacted area(s).

• Resume school activities immediately after cleaning and disinfection.

Return to School After Illness

• Once there is no fever, without the use of fever reducing medicine, and they have felt well for 24-hours

• Healthcare Professional provides written note stating they are safe to return to school.

Positive COVID Cases

• Notify local health department to determine next steps for the school community.

Preparation for the Return of Students and Staff has been extensive. The chart below details the purchases

thus far to assure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Items Added to Existing Inventory

Quantity

# of Individual Student Desks

1,296

# of Polycarbonate Barriers

1,135

# of Tri-fold Polycarbonate Desk Partitions

1,600

# of No-contact, Automatic Restroom Fixtures Replaced

370

# of Industrial Disinfecting Misters

# Classroom Hand Disinfectant Pumps

450

# Hallway Wall Mounted Disinfectant Pumps

160

# of Face Masks

135,200

# of Clear Masks for Instruction

1,250

# of Infrared Thermometers for Nurses

Health-Related Signage

600

FACILITIES

The District has devoted tremendous effort to ensure all buildings are cleaned and disinfected throughout the

day and each evening. In addition, investments have been made to ensure proper ventilation in all

instructional spaces. These efforts are detailed and illustrated below.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Custodial staff received extensive training on cleaning and disinfecting practices.

• Cleaning and disinfecting logs are in place.

• Cleaning and disinfecting performed with products identified by and registered with the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against COVID-19.

• Additional cleaning staff has been hired and specialized equipment has been purchased.

• Students will receive disposable desk mats for each class, 7-12 and when eating lunch in the classroom.

Ventilation

• Increased fresh air intake from rooftop and classroom HVAC systems.

• Replaced older rooftop exhaust fans to improve fresh air circulation.

• Rooftop unit filters are being upgraded to MERV-13 filtration.

In addition to the purchases of equipment for

Safety Drills

are still required by New York State and where students will be within 6 feet of one another

for certain lockdown drills, facemask will be worn. Drills for grades 7-12 will be conducted for both

cohorts, A-K students and L-2 students.

Disinfectant Mister

CHILD NUTRITION

All schools will continue to offer nutritious lunches. For students who are on remote instruction and who

qualify for free and reduced lunch, meals will be prepared for pick-up at the school.

Lunch in schools

will be hot and cold lunches delivered directly to the grade K-6 classrooms where

students will be eating. For students in grades 7-12, grab-and-go style lunches will be prepared, and

students will eat in the cafeterias while maintaining social distancing rules. Students will be provided

disposable desk mats to use during the lunch period.

Elementary students will still enjoy recess

with schedules and supervision at the buildings to assure the

health and safety of the students.

Food allergy awareness remains a priority.

All staff will receive training on recognizing and responding

to an allergic reaction. Safety protocols such as positioning of seats and cleaning desks/tables after lunch

will be in place at each building and within each classroom.

TRANSPORTATION

As per guidance, the school bus is considered an extension of the classroom requiring social distancing

and frequent cleaning of the bus. Our transportation company, WE Transport, Inc., has assured that high

touch areas such as handrails, seat tops and sides will be wiped down between bus runs. In addition, all

busses will be cleaned and disinfected nightly. Other vehicle and staff requirements and considerations

are detailed below.

School Bus Mandatory Requirements/Considerations

• Students wear masks and social distance.

• Vehicles are cleaned/disinfected daily.

• Vehicles and staff will not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition.

• Roof hatches and/or windows will be slightly opened to increase airflow when temps above 45˚.

Bus Staff Mandatory Requirements/Considerations

• All staff are to perform a health assessment for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arriving to work.

• All staff are required to wear face coverings with optional face shield.

• All staff are trained on proper PPE use and the current signs/symptoms of COVID-19.

• Hand sanitizer is available in the buildings for bus staff.

• Bus staff who have direct physical contact with children must wear gloves.

• Staff are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water before AM/PM run.

• Staff are discouraged from touching their faces.

tudents on Transportation Mandatory Requirements/Considerations

• Parents/Guardians required to perform daily health screener and ensure their child(ren) do not have

COVID-19 signs/symptoms and/or a fever greater than 100˚.

• Children residing in the same household seated together.

• Students wear a mask.

• Students social distance while on a bus.

• Students will be seated one per row.

• No eating and/or drinking on the bus.

• Social distancing protocols observed while students embark/disembark from the vehicle.

• Staggered arrival/departure times at the elementary and middle schools.

• Reconfiguration of unloading/loading locations for all schools

• Buses will be loaded from back to front.

The bus schedule below assures that social distancing can be maintained.

BUILDING STUDENTS DAYS ARRIVAL TIME DISMISSAL TIME

VEHICLE

OCCUPANCY

High School

Last Name A-K

M & W

7:10 AM 1:40 PM 50%

Last Name L-Z

T & TH

7:10 AM 1:40 PM 50%

Middle Schools

Grades 7 & 8:

Last Name A-K

M & W 7:50 AM 2:10 PM 25%

Grades 7 & 8:

Last Name L-Z

T & TH 7:50 AM 2:10 PM 25%

Grades 5 & 6 All 8:30 AM 2:35 PM 50%

Elementary

Schools

Last Name A-K ALL 9:00 AM 3:00 PM 50%

Last Name L-Z ALL 9:30 AM 3:30 PM 50%

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

The social-emotional and mental health well-being of our students and staff has been a priority of the

District and will continue to be as we reopen. The efforts to ensure all students and staff receive

appropriate support include ongoing and additional resources and programs:

•

Creation of a Coronavirus Parent and Staff Resource Page on the District’s website (link here)

•

Strategic Partnership with Northwell Health to provide additional support for our students, staff,

and families

•

Curriculum Writing for K-12 mental health and well-being aligned to the NYS Mental Health and

Social and Emotional Framework

•

Professional Development on trauma-informed care and education

•

New programs for transitioning students in grades 5 and 9, MS 101 and Freshmen Seminar

•

GoGuardian alert system

•

SaySomething crisis reporting and alerting system

•

Behavior specialists and evening crisis interventionist on staff

Since the March closure of schools, the District has hosted Parent Universities, launched a social and

emotional learning resource page on the District’s website (link here) and all counselors and pupil

personnel staff have reached out to families in crisis.

SCHOOL SCHEDULES

Reopening schools for in-person instruction under the current guidelines from the DOH and NYSED

required changes to our daily school schedules, primarily due to transportation. Below are the school

schedules for

in-person instruction

Elementary K-4 (Sample Day) Middle School Grades 5 and 6 High School Grades 9-12

Middle School Grades 7 and 8

Arrival

9:00-9:30

Reading

Writing

Math

Lunch/Recess

Special

Social

Studies/Science

Dismissal

3:00-3:30

Period 1

8:38-9:15

Period 2

9:19-9:56

Period 3

10:00-10:37

Period 4

10:41-11:18

Period 5

11:22-11:59

Period 6

12:03-12:40

Period 7

12:44-1:21

Period 8

1:25-2:05

SEL/Remedial

(3 Days)/MAP

2:05-2:25

Zero Period:

Period 8 classes

7:58-8:34

Period 1

8:38-9:15

Period 2

9:19-9:56

Period 3

10:00-10:37

Period 4

10:41-11:18

Period 5

11:22-11:59

Period 6

12:03-12:40

Period 7

12:44-1:21

1- Remedial/MAP

1:25-1:50

2-Virtual

Remedials

2:10-2:45

Period 1

7:25-8:02

Period 2

8:06-8:43

Period 3

8:47-9:24

Period 4

9:28-10:05

Period 5

10:09-10:46

Period 6

10:50-11:27

Period 7

12:31-12:08

Period 8

12:12-12:49

Period 9

12:53-1:30

Virtual

Remedial

1:52-2:29

Students who are on the

Remote Learning Plan

will follow the same schedule as their classmates who

are receiving

In-Person

instruction. The chart below illustrates the Remote Learning Plan schedule and

type of instruction. The District will permit movement in and out of

Remote Learning

according to the

schedule on the next page. The initial request for Remote Learning must be received by noon on August

. Transition from In-Person Instruction to Remote Learning after the opening of schools will occur up

to three days from the request to the building principal. Changes will be permitted throughout the year.

Components

Elementary K-4

Elementary 5-6

Secondary 7-12

Schedule

Class Size

(per BOE Policy)

Daily, Monday-Friday

K-2: 18-24

3-4: 20-28

Daily, Monday-Friday

5-9: 23-28

Daily, Monday-Friday

Type of Instruction

Live Google Meet,

Teacher is live on Google

Meet for 45 minutes per

subject, consisting of

20-minute mini-lesson,

15-minute independent work,

10-minute closing of lesson.

5 Days for Synchronous

Teaching via Google Meet

(live teaching at least 50%

of class period, including

the beginning of and

ending of the lesson live),

All subjects,

3 Days After-School

Remedial via Google

Meet,

All classes are 37 minutes.

3 Days for Synchronous

Teaching via Google Meet (live

teaching at least 50% of class

period, including beginning of

and ending of the lesson live),

2 Days independent work on

Google Classroom,

Daily prescriptive remedial via

Google Meet,

3 Days After-School Remedial

via Google Meet,

All classes are 37 minutes.

Subjects

Related services provided

for students as per IEP

and/or AIS plan, via

Google Meet.

Reading/Writing

Math

Social Studies/Science (two-

week rotation for social

studies and science)

Special

ELA, Math, Science,

Social Studies

Physical Education

Music/Art, Quarterly

classes (Health, Digital

Enterprise, World

Language, Family and

Consumer Science,

Coding),Remedial/SEL.

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

World Language

Physical Education

Music/Art

Electives

Prescriptive Remedial

Attendance

Taken daily during the Google

Meet.

Students login for each

class at the regularly

scheduled time as per

building bell schedule.

Students login for each class at

the regularly scheduled time as

per building bell schedule.

Grading:

As Per POB BOE Grading

Policy

Standards-based K-4

0-100 Scale for 5-12

Grading completed by remote

teacher and report card is the

POB Elementary Report Card

distributed each trimester as

per academic calendar.

Grading completed by

remote teacher and

reported on Infinite

Campus, report card

distributed quarterly as

per academic calendar.

Grading completed by remote

teacher and reported on Infinite

Campus, report card distributed

quarterly as per academic

calendar.

Times for School Day

9:35 AM-3:00 PM

8:38 AM-2:35 PM

Grades 7&8 7:58 AM-2:45 PM

Grades 9-12 7:25 AM-2:29 PM

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Remote Learning Requests/Schedules:

For students in the Remote Model, transition back to in-person

instruction will occur as follows:

Notify by Date

Return to School Date

September 10, 2020

September 14, 2020

September 24, 2020

September 28, 2020

October 8, 2020

October 12, 2020

October 22, 2020

October 26, 2020

January 21, 2021

January 25, 2021

April 9, 2021

April 15, 2021

Attendance

is a critical factor of any learning plan and the District is committed to requiring, monitoring

and fostering an environment that supports regular attendance of all its students. The attendance

procedures listed below will be in place for the 2020-21 school year.

Grades K-4: For students attending school

in-person

, attendance will be taken by their classroom teacher

when students arrive to school. Attendance will be reported on the District’s Student Management

System, Infinite Campus. For students being

instructed remotely

, attendance will be taken during the

Google Meets and recorded in Infinite Campus. Families will be notified by phone when a student is

marked “absent”.

Grades 5 and 6: For student attending school

in-person

, period-by-period attendance will be taken and

reported on Infinite Campus. For students who are being

instructed remotely

, attendance will be taken

during the Google Meets and recorded in Infinite Campus. Families will be notified by phone when a

student is marked “absent”.

Grades 7-12: For students attending school

in-person

, period-by-period attendance will be taken and

reported on Infinite Campus. While students are engaged in

at-home

learning on alternating days, they

will be required to log into their Google Classrooms at the start of each period where the teacher will

take attendance and report it on Infinite Campus. For students who are being instructed remotely,

attendance will be taken during the Google Meets and recorded in Infinite Campus. Families will be

notified by phone when a student is marked “absent”.

On Fridays

, all grades 7-12 students will be instructed remotely. Students will follow their regular

schedule for that day. Students must log into the Google Meet for each class where the teacher will take

attendance and report it on Infinite Campus.

During a complete closure of schools

where students are engaged in online learning, attendance will be

taken by the teacher during the Google Meet for each class and record it on Infinite Campus. School

administration will keep records and refer chronically absent students to the Pupil Personnel staff. These

staff members will work to address issue related to chronic absenteeism.

Grading

during the 2020-21 school year will return to the Board of Education Policy on Grading for all

students, K-12. Families will receive regular updates on their children’s progress via report cards,

progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences. Students in grades 5-12 will have their graded work

recorded in Infinite Campus.

Alternate-day learning

for students in grades 7-12 who are attending school in the In-Person Model, the

Remote Learning Model is a critical component of the students’ academic program. The District’s

chairpeople and directors will continue to work with teachers to identify rigorous and relevant learning

experiences that will move the curriculum forward but provide enough support in order to ensure

student success. Students will be required to submit their work at the end of each instructional period.

This submitted work will inform the next-day’s lesson with the teacher.

Support for students working from home in grade 9-12

is available with virtual Prescriptive Remedial

classes and after-school Remedial sessions. Buildings will post the schedules for these Remedial sessions

and the corresponding teachers’ Google Meet Codes.

Friday’s live, synchronous lessons for grades 7-12

from home will permit all students in the class to work

together and provide the teacher with an opportunity to assess the student progress between the two

groups of students (A-K/L-Z) and the collective progress toward curricular goals. It also allows students to

engage with all their classmates once a week, an important aspect of a learning community.

The District will closely monitor student progress and the progress toward curricular goals. If it is

determined a change in the instructional model needs to be made in order to assure student success,

adjustments will be made.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The Special Education students in our District were identified as a group that should be considered

outside of other groups by the District Reopening Committee. The recommendation to the Board of

Education was to prioritize the amount of in-person instruction students with Individual Education Plans

(IEP’s) receive. As such, the K-6 everyday in-person model permits the students with IEP’s to attend

school daily and receive their IEP programs, accommodations, and related services. For students in

grades 7-12 in Special Class and in the Life-Skills program will attend school in-person Monday-Thursday,

and on Fridays, remotely. All 7-12 students will receive Resource Room and related services as scheduled

per their IEP’s.

Other important components of the POB Reopening Plan related to Special Education include:

• Special Education Programs and Related Services will be provided per Student’s Individual Education

Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.

• Contingency Remote Plans will be developed in collaboration with parents/guardians that will follow

the schedules, as closely as possible, of the In-Person model.

• Special Class, Resource Room, and Related Services will be provided in person when possible, via

teletherapy for students in the Remote Learning Plan and for those in Grades 7-12 who may not be

attending school each day in-person and/or when in a complete school closure.

• Focus and priority on providing social-emotional instruction and support.

• Assurance for equity and access to general education curriculum considering each student’s unique

needs.

• Students in ICT Classes will have both teachers during instruction as per IEP including those in the

Remote Learning Model.

• Teachers and providers will assess students' current level of functioning and review present levels of

performance and goals upon school reopening. The CSE will meet as needed to review and document

necessary changes to assure student progress during the 2020-21 school year.

ENGLISH AS A NEW LANGUAGE (ENL)

Students identified as English Language Learners (ELL’s) will receive continued support and instruction to

meet the NYS “Units of Study” requirements. Upon school reopening, all ELL students will be assessed to

determine their current levels of proficiency since the NYS English as a Second Language Achievement

Tests (NYSESLAT) were canceled during the school closure in spring 2020. In addition, the District assures

the following:

• Ongoing communication with families, in the language preference, regarding the identification and

delivery of services for all English Language Learners,

• Attention to all timelines for identification, notifications, and placement of ELL students,

• Ongoing supports and interventions,

•

Translation services provided for written and oral communication, and

•

Increased attention to diversity and cultural awareness via professional development and events.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GUIDELINES FOR K-12

Considerations for the physical environment:

1. When possible, use outdoor spaces for physical education instruction.

2. If using the gymnasium for physical education instruction keep windows and doors open to maximize

circulation and air flow.

3. Use of locker rooms for changing shall be eliminated, students should come to school dressed in

clothes that are appropriate for participation in physical education.

4. Use poly spots or other markings to help designate areas to ensure physical distancing among

students. Current NYSED guidelines require students to maintain 12 feet when aerobic activity is taking

place.

5. Sanitize equipment between classes.

6. Use of water fountain should be deemed out of service and students should be encouraged to bring

their own water bottles to class.

Personal Hygiene

1. Students and staff will wash or sanitize hands as they enter and exit class.

2. Students will be taught proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette (i.e. covering nose and mouth when

coughing or sneezing), and physical distancing guidelines.

3. Face coverings will be worn by staff and students, except during scheduled mask breaks.

Equipment Safety and Sanitation

1. There will not be shared equipment among students.

2. Physical education equipment will be inventoried to identify which pieces of equipment can be easily

and effectively sanitized.

Instructional Strategies

1. POB will continue to address State and National Standards for K-12 Physical Education by selecting

associated activities that require little or no use of shared equipment by students. Teachers will shift

the focus of their curriculum to Standard 3 (health-enhancing fitness), Standard 4 (personal and social

responsibility) and Standard 5 (value of physical activity) and incorporate activities for Standard 1

(motor skills and movement patterns) and Standard 2 (movement concepts) which are safe and

appropriate. NOTE: In some situations, it may not be possible to address all Grade-Level Outcomes due

to the constraints of physical distancing.

2. Physical Education classes will focus more on individual pursuits or skills rather than traditional team

sports or activities (e.g., dance and rhythms, exercises without equipment, fitness, mindfulness,

outdoor pursuits, track and field, throwing underhand, kicking and target games).

3. Games and activities that require no physical contact and do not require students to be in close

physical proximity to each other will be used in physical education classes.

4. POB will focus efforts on the development of health education skills (e.g., self-management,

interpersonal communication).

Recess

Recess helps students achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day for children and

adolescents, which can improve strength and endurance, enhance academic achievement, and increase self-

esteem. Recess also helps students practice social skills such as cooperation, following rules, problem-solving,

negotiation, sharing, and communication. Opportunities for free play, to engage in physical activity, and to

practice social skills are especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. POB has identified available indoor and outdoor spaces on school property that can be used for recess,

and multiple areas where recess can be held for different cohorts of students to minimize crowding.

Whenever possible, POB will use outdoor spaces for recess.

2. When using indoor spaces for recess, schools will keep windows open to maximize circulation and air

flow to accommodate for increased respiration by students while participating in physical activity.

3. Students and staff will wash or sanitize hands before and after recess. Signage from the CDC on

handwashing will be posted as visual cues and reminders.

4. Schools will clearly identify play spaces or areas to help students identify how to safely comply with

physical distancing guidelines and to provide enough opportunities for free choice during recess.

5. School personnel will encourage recess games and activities that do not require physical contact or for

students to be in close physical proximity with each other. Also, equipment will not be shared among

students.

TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY

The District has been a one to one district for grades 5-12 for many years. During the closure of spring

2020, Chromebooks were distributed to students in grades K-4 and families’ access to high-speed

internet was evaluated. It was determined that families had access to high-speed internet already, or if

not, were connected to resources to secure high-speed internet. The attendance logged in the Google

Classrooms revealed that all students were able to connect with their teachers and learning during the

spring closure.

A survey of families in July 2020 revealed that 98.5% of families in the District have access to high-speed

internet. Upon the return to school, the District will survey the families again and connect families who

do not have access to high-speed internet to service providers.

The District has created an AsktheTech application on its website (link here) and a robust offering of

online tutorials of the various digital learning tools used in the classroom (link here).

ATHLETICS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The NYS Public High School Athletic Association has announced that the official start date of the Fall 2020

sport season is delayed until September 21, 2020, and that all fall Regional and State Championship

events have been canceled. Should the Fall season be permitted to begin on September 21

, the District

will assure that health and athletic safety protocols are in place.

Extracurricular activities

are an integral part of a student’s school experience and support social and

emotional well-being; therefore, all clubs and activities are under review to determine which ones can

run remotely. Schools will not be permitting in-person, after-school activities to run in the Fall in order to

provide the custodial staff ample time to clean and disinfect the buildings. This decision will be reviewed

after reopening.

Events and use of facilities

are under review with Central Administration and the Board of Education and

a determination on the use of facilities for events and outside organizations will be made prior to the

reopening of school.

STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS

The District has been proactive in securing adequate staff for its additional sections that have resulted in

creating cohorts that permit social distancing. In addition, it is anticipated that more staff may need to

remain at home due to illness. Therefore, the District will provide each building with the following

additional support:

• Elementary Schools: Three daily Substitute Teachers per building

• Middle Schools: Ten daily Substitute Teachers per building

• High School: Six Per Diem Substitute Teachers

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The District is committed to its long-standing tradition of offering ongoing professional development of

staff and administrators. While in closure and throughout the summer, staff continued learning,

specifically in areas related to digital teaching and online learning, COVID Contact Tracing, reading

interventions and programs, and social, emotional, and mental health and well-being. Below is data

through July 2020 on the professional development in which the POB staff engaged.

GUIDANCE

The guidance used to inform this plan was provided by the CDC, NYS DOH, and NYSED. The links to these

documents are listed below.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Pre-

K_to_Grade_12_Schools_MasterGuidence.pdf

http://www.nysed.gov/coronavirus/guidance-p-12-schools

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/prepare-safe-return.html

APPENDIX

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

As information about reopening was released, the District provided regular updates to its FAQ documents in

order to assist families in their decisions about September’s return to school. The AsktheSupt button on the

District’s website provided quick access for families to enter questions and to receive responses. The

documents below and on the subsequent pages are FAQ’s from July-August 2020. The POB Reopening Plan

document is a dynamic one and as more questions are asked, the FAQ pages will be updated. A link to the

FAQ’s is posted on the District Website on the Reopening Schools page under, “District Communication” (link

here)