The Neosho R-5 Board of Education adopted the following safety procedures during its meeting Monday night:COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection.
Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important principles that are covered in this document. Fortunately, there are a number of actions school staff can take to help lower the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19 during school sessions and activities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).
What measures can we take to mitigate risk?
Using the analogy of Swiss cheese; each piece has flaws, but the more pieces one stacks, the fewer flaws are visible. NSD will provide several layers of COVID mitigation, and rely on our students and families to add additional layers.
NSD LAYERS OF MITIGATION
Physical Distancing | Avoid close contact by putting an appropriate distance between yourself and others. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. Keeping an appropriate distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Clean and Disinfect | Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA- registered household disinfectants work well.
Contact Tracing | NSD will conduct contact tracing of NSD Team Members and students. Any staff or student who receives a positive COVID test should report it to their supervisor or school office of attendance. For quarantine procedures see page 6-7.
Monitoring Students & NSD Team Members for Symptoms
PARENT LAYERS OF MITIGATION
Masks | During Level 1 operations, masks will be optional for students and staff. State and local health departments, as well as the CDC, recommend wearing masks indoors. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Masks are meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Masks will be mandatory for students and staff if a building or the district reaches Level 2 operations.
COVID Vaccination | The COVID vaccine is recommended for all eligible persons.
Home Screening | Employees should monitor themselves and parents should monitor students for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptomatic individuals should not come to school or attend school-related activities.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes | If you are in a private setting and do not have your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Hand Washing & Sanitizing | Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Leveled Mitigation
Level One | Green
Operating level when positive student cases are below 7% within a school.
Level One operations include: Enhanced Cleaning Protocols, Symptom Monitoring, Physical Distancing, Encouraged Masking, and Cohorting (keeping students together as much as possible)
Level Two | Yellow
Operating level when positive student cases reach 7% within a school.
Level Two operations include: Level One mitigations and masks required
Level Three | Red
Operating level when positive student cases reach 10% within a school or staffing the school due to positive cases becomes problematic.
Level Three operations include: Closing schools
Academic Options for 2021-2022
Neosho School District will be offering two academic options for the 2021-2022 school year; Virtual Learning and Seated Learning. Both learning options will begin on August 24, 2021. Students will be committed to the learning option chosen for the entire semester. Guidelines for switching from one option to the other are outlined under the “Virtual Learning Option” section.
Virtual Learning is available for students in grades K-12 and is geared for families who feel their child will be best served through an all-online environment that allows them to learn from home. The cutoff to enroll in the Virtual Learning Option is Friday, August 13, 2021 at noon.
Seated Learning will be five days a week and will be similar to a regular school year, with some added precautions and safety measures. In the event the health department requires a school or the district to reduce capacity, an alternative schedule will be implemented. That schedule would be constructed based on health official recommendations, input from our community, and input from our peers around the world.
2021-22 Neosho Virtual Learning Course Student/Parent Handbook
Information on both learning options is outlined below.
Virtual Learning Option
While we believe the best place for a child to learn is in a school environment, whether it be for medical reasons or personal choice, this option is for families who feel their child will be best served through an all-online environment that allows them to learn from home. Applicants may not be approved for virtual learning if academic progress was not maintained while in virtual learning in the 2020-2021 school year.
How do I apply for NSD Virtual (online instruction)?
Please use this Virtual Enrollment form to apply. All responses must be received no later than noon on Friday, August 13, 2021 at noon.
Is there a contract for parents/guardians and students to sign for a commitment to NSD Virtual?
Yes, there is a contract which states that you understand the format and the time commitment to online learning. Students should plan on spending up to six hours per day in order to be successful with online learning.
Will elective class be available with NSD Virtual?
Elective classes will be offered in a limited quantity.
Can my student change from NSD Virtual to Seated instruction?
Once a student begins instruction through NSD Virtual, they will be committed to that format for the rest of the semester. If a student chooses to return to seated instruction, they need to contact their school counselor at least one week prior to the end of the semester. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis (i.e. change in employment).
Can my student change from Seated to NSD Virtual instruction?
Students may only choose instruction through NSD Virtual during the regular enrollment periods. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
What kind of device will be available for my student? Can students use their own devices with NSD Virtual?
NSD will provide a Chromebook for students in grades 3-12 and an iPad for students in grades K-2. While students are able to login to the NSD Virtual platforms with any device, we can only provide technical support for the district-issued device.
What type of internet access will I need to have to enroll in NSD Virtual?
Families will need to provide fast, reliable internet access to have a successful online experience.
Will my student receive training on how to access their learning platforms?
Yes, students will have access to training within the platforms used in the NSD Virtual experience.
Will I be able to monitor my student's online progress?
Yes, parents will have the opportunity to view student online progress and performance through PowerSchool and other online learning platforms.
What if my online student becomes sick?
If your online student becomes sick and unable to perform the assigned work for a period of time, the student will need to communicate with his/her online teacher to make arrangements for extended deadlines. Parents/guardians must also communicate with the school office.
Will my NSD Virtual student be eligible for activities and athletics?
Yes, provided the student is engaged in the NSD Virtual Learning Coursework and maintaining academic eligibility according to NJH/NHS expectations.
Will I still receive notifications from the district?
Yes. NSD Virtual students are still enrolled as Neosho School District students. You will receive email and text notifications from the district, as well as occasional phone calls. To ensure you receive these alerts, please make sure your contact information (phone, text, and email) is accurate in our student information system. Parents can check their contact information by reaching out to their school office. Another recommendation is to download the NSD app in Google Play or the App Store. Using the app, parents can receive push notifications and manage notifications for each student enrolled at NSD.
Seated Learning Option
On the first day of school and throughout the first week, safety procedures will be taught and practiced in all of our classrooms. Parental support and reinforcement of these new measures will be critical in providing the safest possible environment for students. We appreciate your understanding as our team works through the implementation of these new protocols.
Protocols by department and topic for seated learners are outlined below.
Masks and Social Distancing
-Masks will be optional but are recommended for the NSD Team and students.
-Students may be spaced throughout the classroom to promote physical distancing.
-We will limit the use of community supplies (pencils, calculators, machinery, P.E. equipment, etc.) that are difficult to disinfect in the classroom or at recess.
Additional Considerations & Practices
Weather permitting, students may go outside for all physical education and/or music classes.
A larger space will be considered to accommodate for physical distancing if designated classrooms are too small to allow for appropriate student numbers and/or spacing.
Upon the return of library books, each book will be disinfected prior to recirculation.
The Cafeteria and Meals
Cafeteria capacity during meals will be reduced to allow for physical distancing.
Eating surfaces will be disinfected between student usage.
Students will wash or sanitize their hands prior to eating.
Meals will be served on traditional trays with some aspects individually packaged, such as fruit and vegetables.
Meal substitutions and seating accommodations will be made for students with food allergies/intolerances based on medical forms on file.
Transportation
Safety measures may change as needed with Operating Level changes.
Per CDC mandate, masks will be worn at all times on the school bus.
Hand sanitizer will be made available on the bus for students upon entering the bus.
When possible, windows will remain open for ventilation.
Buses will be sanitized daily after each route and bus routes will be evaluated frequently to balance the number of riders per bus.
After School Hours
To support the work of our custodial team and their efforts to disinfect the building to minimize risk for students and staff, facility rentals will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. All non-school groups will need to request facility usage through the Facility Use Agreement; all Facility Use requests will be reviewed and approved by school administration prior to the requested event.
Additional fees may be necessary for non-school related facility usage in order to provide the necessary staff for cleaning and disinfecting the facility after the event.
Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Case
Parents are asked to notify the school if a student has symptoms associated with COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is showing symptoms of, COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being 3 feet or less for more than 15 minutes without wearing a mask.
If a student is sick, or has an infected person in their household, please stay home. If a student becomes sick while at school, NSD Health Services will determine if the symptoms could be COVID-related. If the symptoms are determined to be of concern, the student will be isolated and parents will be contacted to pick up the student as quickly as possible. Parents may also be asked to pick up siblings or others who live in the same household. Students who are symptomatic will be sent home regardless of vaccination status.
Families will be advised to contact a healthcare professional.
COVID-19 Symptoms Include:
Cough | Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | Fever or Chills | Muscle pain or Body Aches | Sore throat, Congestion, or Runny Nose| New loss of taste or smell
This list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
(Symptoms referenced from the CDC)
Additional Safety Measures
Information about testing locations will be provided to the family.
Individuals who have tested positive will not be allowed to return to any NSD campus until 72 hours have passed without fever, and 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, or until cleared by a doctor. Family members of an individual who tests positive may be asked to follow the same guidelines.
NSD Team Members who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to not return until 72 hours have passed without fever and 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or until cleared by a doctor and NCHD nursing staff.
Students who are determined to be close contacts to the individual identified will be allowed to attend school as long as they are asymptomatic and wear a mask at all times while indoors.
Athletics and Activities
NSD plans to provide students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. MSHSAA Reccomendations The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) may further outline guidelines as to how athletics and activities will be offered at district high schools and middle schools. As a district, we understand the importance of offering these opportunities to our students and will continue to make every effort to do so. However, we know there may be decisions made by local, state, or national organizations that may prohibit some, if not all, extracurricular activities from taking place.
Certain opportunities may be limited to the extent in which they can be offered due to physical distancing and gathering size recommendations. Some of the co-curricular opportunities may only be offered virtually, as they were this past spring. Offering of and participation in co-curriculars will require flexibility by students, families, and sponsors which may include, but are not limited to:
Before or after school practice in larger spaces to account for physical distancing.
Multiple “practice times” in order to promote smaller group sizes and physical distancing.
Students and staff wearing masks due to inability to consistently maintain physical distance.
Adjusting performances and competitions to adhere to gathering size and physical distancing recommendations.
Local and state organizations may provide further guidance to schools on how to provide these opportunities while prioritizing student and staff safety. School officials will communicate that information upon availability.
What precautions will be made to minimize the risk to students and staff?
Pending further guidance from state and local health officials, to the extent possible, NSD Schools will adhere to the most current recommendations concerning physical distancing, gathering size and personal protective equipment (PPE) for students and staff at the time of the extracurricular opportunity.
Commonly touched surfaces will be avoided when possible. Those surfaces and/or objects will be disinfected before and after use when avoidance is not possible.
Locker rooms will be disinfected, and commonly touched surfaces in locker rooms will be cleaned throughout the day.
What actions will be taken if a student or coach/sponsor tests positive for COVID-19?
We will follow the Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 plan listed above.
If the suspected or confirmed case can be traced to limited individuals or no contact was made, a team can continue to practice.
If a student who tested positive has been in contact with multiple members of the team, it may require shutting down that team or group for a specified amount of time.
Additional measures may be required if a student or staff member is infected that may include, but are not limited to:
Requiring that groups participate in only physically distant, non-sport specific activity.
Restricting the group from practicing on campus or for an extended period of time.
Will spectators be permitted to attend games, competitions, and/or performances?
NSD will review recommendations from national, state, and local health organizations while prioritizing the safety of students, staff and families. It is also possible that some sports and activities will be able to compete and perform while others will not. Restrictions concerning these events will be determined by state and national organizations. School officials will communicate that information as it becomes available.
Additional requirements may be in place during competitions or performances.
Essential personnel only will be allowed near students during games and competitions. Those individuals will maintain social distance when possible.
Players on the sidelines may be required to physically distance when not in the game.
Multiple events may be necessary in order to ensure proper physical distancing while performing (band, choir, orchestra, theater).
Live-streaming services for events will be offered when possible.
What additional measures will be taken to reduce risk for students in athletics and activities each day?
Disinfect the venue and all equipment (weights, balls, jump ropes, etc.—anything that can be touched) prior to activity each day.
Verify that coaches and participants are symptom-free before activity each day.
Take attendance at each day’s activities, including the coaches.
Prepare and schedule frequent hand washing/sanitation opportunities during activities.
Require participants to bring their own water bottles and avoid use of water fountains.
Modify drills and activities to limit or reduce potential violations of physical distancing guidelines including high fives, huddles, team meetings, etc.
Regularly sanitize items that are most often touched during activities.
Avoid using whistles when possible to reduce droplet spread.
At the end of activities that day, sanitize and disinfect the venue and all equipment used.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Building & Classroom Practices
Staff will require use of hand sanitizer when students are entering each classroom, before and after lunch, and at the restroom. Elementary school teachers will build in time to have students periodically wash hands throughout the day, including, but not limited to, the start of the day, before and after lunch and following recess.
Teachers will be responsible for refilling sanitizer. Custodial staff will make sure that staff has access to the stored sanitizer within their buildings.
Additional Measures
All employees should work to keep their office and workspace as clean as possible by disinfecting their workstations, surfaces they commonly use, and other touchpoints. Employees should also avoid using others’ workstations, supplies, tools and equipment. Additionally, whenever an employee uses standard office equipment (e.g., printer or fax machine), it should be wiped down prior to and following use. Employees will be supplied with disinfectant and towels.
Implement a limit on the use of community supplies.
Use technology devices for work submission instead of paper when possible.
Use virtual manipulatives/tools as much as possible.
Limit multiple students touching/interacting with the same materials.
Keep students physically distant within the classroom as much as possible.
Support physical distancing between classes.
Ensure students are facing the same direction as much as possible.
Staff should regularly wash hands for at least 20 seconds throughout the day with warm water and soap.
Coughs and sneezes should be directed into a sleeve.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Employees who are feeling sick are asked to stay home.
Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should immediately seek medical attention and follow the guidance of a health care provider.
Employees who have been diagnosed with or are aware they have been directly exposed to COVID- 19 should notify their immediate supervisor.
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