Update: This story has been changed to new information about protocols for orientation week and the alternating schedule for older students.
The phased reopening of schools in Monroe County looks something like this: Beginning Monday, Aug. 31, “vulnerable” students will start in-person instruction on school campuses. The week of Sept. 8-11, students will attend orientation in small groups. By Monday, Sept. 14, all students will be back in school: elementary age students attending Monday through Friday, and middle and high school students on a schedule of alternating days for in-person or virtual instruction.
The school district said that in-person instruction is voluntary at this point. No student will be forced to attend a facility and can instead utilize distance learning, however, parents must make a decision whether or not their child will spend the entire semester virtual or go back to a public facility by the end of September.
Superintendent Theresa Axford says this follows the district’s “moderate exposure” plan to safely reopen schools.
“We made this decision because we think we can do it safely. We also know that parents need us to do this so they can work and support their families, and students need this in order to learn and grow successfully. Virus spread in our community is not at a high level; it has been below 7% for the past ten days, and after consultation with the health department, we believe as long as we all follow safety guidelines, students and teachers can remain safe and healthy,” said Axford. She said she will be continuing to monitor this closely as the date to bring students back approaches.
“This remains a fluid situation and, while we all want this to work smoothly, circumstances could change and we may have to change with those circumstances,” she said.
On Monday, August 31st, the most vulnerable students will be brought back to classrooms, including those who principals and teachers feel may need a little extra help with navigating the change, and with navigating the different routines they will be facing with the return to school.
“Schools are going to look very different, and the rules for moving around and interacting will be very different. Some students will just need a little extra time to adjust,” said Axford. Individual schools have already reached out to the families of these students with details of the return on Monday. Parents with questions about this should contact their child’s school directly.
According to Monroe County School District spokesperson Becky Herrin, parents of children who start in-person instruction on Monday, Aug. 31 have already been notified. The “vulnerable” population includes special needs students or children with learning struggles or even families who have fewer resources to cope with quarantine in the pandemic.
Herrin said each school is identifying that section of the student population. At Stanley Switlik Elementary in Marathon, that is roughly 60 students (or about 10% of children), according to Principal Christine Paul.
“We don’t have an exact number yet,” she said.
The reopening of schools will vary from facility to facility, but all students in Monroe County will attend an orientation session at some point during the week of Sept. 8-11.
Expect class sizes to be smaller. Paul said she expects class sizes to be small, no larger than 15.
“That’s the number I was given today, but that could change,” Paul said.
Teachers will visit the small classrooms, rather than having students in the hallways to move, for example, to the art room or library. Paul said the school also has ordered large tents to make more use of the outdoors — whether that’s space for lunch and recess, or for instruction.
“It’s difficult to be cooped up in one room all day, and we understand that,” Paul said.
Other precautions include:
- One-way hallways so that students are not passing each other, thus maintaining safe social distancing
- Recreation times utilizing small groups of students who will stay together.
- “Grab and go” lunches they will eat with class groups in classrooms instead of in the cafeteria.
At elementary schools, students will be attending in-person Monday through Friday. At Keys high and middle schools, kids will follow an “A/B” plan or alternating day schedule for in-person instruction or virtual learning.
“On some days, we might have eighth graders who are physically present at school on Mondays and Tuesdays or Mondays and Thursdays, but they will have class every day,” said School Board member John Dick.
Fewer students will allow for social distancing in the classroom, and for fewer students in hallways and other public areas.
Middle and high school students will also attend an orientation during the week Sept. 8-11. The students will be summoned to the schools in small groups to get a look at the physical COVID-19 precautions and routines.
The district’s “moderate exposure” plan is available here: mcsd-fl.blogspot.com.
Parents are advised to look on the school website, or visit the Facebook page of their students’ school. At some point next week, the schools will be holding virtual meetings to give parents more information.
The Monroe County School District also released the following Q&A:
What happens if someone gets sick?
While schools will not be testing or requiring a daily temperature check, parents and students will be asked to do a self check each day looking for signs and symptoms of illness. Teachers have been trained as well to look for illness in others. If a student or teacher becomes ill at school, they will report directly to the school nurse who will immediately contact the health department for guidance. The health department will then begin the process of contact tracing and contacting anyone who might be at risk. Utilizing small classrooms and cohorts will help to keep any spread small and will enable the school to continue operating as those who were in contact with the illness are appropriately isolated and/or quarantined. The district and the health department will notify anyone whose child or family might be affected.
How will busing work for my child?
The district has already asked everyone who will be riding the bus to register with the district so they would be able to plan appropriately. They have designed a modified schedule for those who ride buses to school. Times may be different in order to allow for fewer students on each bus. Buses will load from back to front and unload from front to back so students will not pass each other in the process. Masks will, of course, be required. Buses will be periodically wiped down and cleaned between bus runs as well as sanitized on a regular basis. Individual schools will make sure students and families who utilize bus transportation understand the new schedules and how it will all work. Anyone who needs more information about busing and bus schedules should contact their child’s school directly.
Will I be able to visit the school and my child’s classroom?
Visitors to each school will be limited. They will be required to check in, to wear a mask and sign a form to ensure they are not feeling ill or showing signs of illness. School administrators will have latitude to determine which visitors are essential and their access to the school will be controlled and limited to only those areas they need to visit.
Will there be group events at the school?
Group events will be limited and only held infrequently if at all. Each event will be evaluated individually to determine if they are necessary and can be held safely.
What about sanitizing and cleaning supplies?
Teachers and classrooms are being provided with all the supplies they feel they need to keep themselves and their classrooms clean and safe. Students will also be supplied with supplies such as sanitizers and wipes. Each child will have his or her own supplies and learning materials that they won’t share with others. The district contracts with a professional cleaning company, ABM Industries, to keep schools clean. They have been given specific instruction as to how to clean buildings and playground equipment. Bus driver’s have been specially trained in how to clean their vehicles.
What about the cafeteria and meals? How will my child eat lunch?
Each school will be different depending on the layout and capacity of the school’s cafeteria. However, in general, “grab and go” lunches will be provided instead of the more elaborate hot lunch offerings. Students, traveling in cohorts or classroom groupings, may visit the cafeteria on a staggered basis to pick up their lunches, returning to the classroom to eat. Lunches may also be delivered to classrooms for consumption, depending on each school’s preference.
Will my child be playing sports this fall?
Some sports may be possible, and some have already returned and are practicing and getting athletes conditioned. Safe distancing guidelines are in place. Actual competitions or games may or may not be possible depending on the availability of other teams either within or outside the district. Each school, each coach and each student will be making individual decisions about playing depending on circumstances. Sports are, of course, not required and students and parents will have to make their own decisions about whether or not they feel safe participating.
What about daycare / after school care?
Daycare / after school care will be offered on a limited basis due to limited capacity at the schools. Parents should consult with their child’s school administration about this issue.
What if I don’t want my child to return to school immediately? Do I have to commit to a whole semester of virtual school?
Parents will have to make a commitment one way or the other by September 30th. The deadline was extended to allow extra time for parents to make a decision. In the meantime, if a parent does not wish their student to return to the classroom the week of the 14th, they should contact their child’s school to find out about their options.
