Updated Return to Learn Plan 23/24
Niobrara Public Schools
Return to Learn Plan
SY 2023-2024
Return to School
School is scheduled to resume for K-12 students on Thursday, August 17, 2023 and the plan is for all students to be offered in person instruction. Students will not be allowed on school grounds before 7:30 a.m. unless they are meeting with a teacher, coach, sponsor, or other staff member. The need may arise to move to an alternate schedule or remote learning at home. Learning options for students who are unable to attend in person instruction, due to medical need or parent concern are outlined below. It is the goal of Niobrara Schools to provide continued learning, with the support of families in the home, for all students who are unable to attend school. The School will work diligently to communicate changes in schedules/plans.
Plans and decisions will be made and published on an as needed basis. This is an ever-changing situation. Changes to this plan prior to the start of the school year or changes during any academic quarter may be necessary. Changes will be made based on updated directed health measures, advice from public health, and advice from local medical professionals.The Niobrara School staff members want nothing but the best for each and every student and their families. Decisions will be made with the best interest of everyone in mind. Please be understanding, compassionate, and flexible.
Educational Procedures
COVID Green: Low Risk of COVID-19 Spread​
- All students in grades Pre-K through 12 will attend school in person.
- Students and staff are encouraged to bring and wear their own appropriate, multilayered, cloth face coverings.
COVID Yellow: Minimal Spread)/Orange: Moderate Spread of COVID-19
- All students in grades Pre-K through 12 will attend school in person.
- Accommodations will be made for K-12 students, who are unable to attend in person, to utilize synchronous online learning through Zoom and other remote learning tools. Synchronous means remote students log-on to receive instruction with their class at certain set times during the school day.
- Students and staff are encouraged to bring and wear their own appropriate, multilayered, cloth face coverings.
COVID Red: High Risk of COVID-19 Spread​
- All NPS buildings will be closed and all students will participate in remote learning from home. Communication for COVID Red will be sent home should this occur.
Learning Options
- In Person Learning/In Person Instruction (COVID Green, Yellow/Orange)
- Blended (COVID Green, Yellow/Orange)TBD based on student needs.
- Remote Learning (COVID Red) -TBD as needed.
Terms:
- Synchronized Learning: Students will log-on to a technology device to receive instruction with their class at set times during the school day.
- Blended Learning: A combination of students learning in-person through instruction taking place at school and students learning through synchronized learning via Google Classroom/Canvas or other remote learning tools. This will take place when a student has been moved to quarantine status due to exposure to COVID or diagnosed with COVID.
- Remote Learning: Learning will take place outside of the school setting. All students will receive instruction, via online resources, by the classroom teacher.
Meals
Breakfast may be served in the cafeteria and the commons area or possibly in the classrooms. Students may be allowed to eat breakfast in the cafeteria, indoor commons areas, or in their classrooms depending on supervision. Locations to eat will be communicated with students as needed.
Lunch may be served using the cafeteria, classrooms, gyms, multipurpose room and indoor commons areas as meal locations. PPE will be worn by food service staff members as appropriate.
Recess
Recess may be held in several places to provide adequate space for social distancing. The playground, and potentially other locations will be utilized. Supervision will be provided. If indoor recess is necessary, students will rotate between the gyms and activities in their classrooms.
Transportation
Hand sanitizer may be available for use when students enter and exit the van/bus. Screening prior to boarding school transportation may be required.
After-School Programming
Students requiring academic support or assistance outside of normal school hours will be accommodated as much as possible.
Field Trips
Field trips will be at the discretion and approval of the superintendent depending on the current area health concerns
School Activities
- Attendance at school activities may be modified.
- Limiting guests
- Limiting the number of students that perform/participate
- Virtual attendance may be available
- The safety measures listed in this document will be utilized as much as possible.
- NPS will follow the guidelines set forth by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA).
- Events (music concerts, theatrical productions, athletic competitions, etc.):
- Modifications may be necessary for safety reasons.
- Attendance at these events may be modified:
- Limiting guests
- Limiting the number of students that perform / participate
- Virtual attendance may be available.
Use of Facilities
Niobrara Public Schools reserves the right to limit or eliminate the use of District facilities.
Positive Case / Exposure Response
- The Public Health Department will communicate positive COVID-19 cases to school personnel, however that communication will be delayed. It is vital for positive COVID-19 cases to be reported by families immediately to the school nurse or administration.
- Privacy and confidentiality is a must.
- Personally identifiable information will not be shared with students, parents, or the general public, but it will be shared with staff members who need that information.
- In an effort to keep everyone as safe as possible, necessary information will be shared with staff, students, and parents.
- Positive Case: Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19, will not be allowed to attend school until directed by medical personnel. Students may participate in the educational process remotely if possible.
- Exposure: Those determined to have had close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, will self-monitor for symptoms and be allowed to attend school as long as they remain symptom free.
Safety Measures
- Screening & Symptoms
- Screening
- NPS may screen all students and staff
- Parents/guardians/staff are asked to closely monitor students and themselves for other symptoms such as cough, respiratory issues, and other general feelings of illness and are encouraged to stay home if not feeling well.
- Symptoms
- Students and staff members with a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees will be sent home and allowed to return to school when cleared by medical personnel
- Students and staff members who have other symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be sent home and allowed to return to school when cleared by medical personnel
- Students who exhibit any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (or are sick in any way) should not be sent to school.
- Screening
- Classroom Arrangement
- Social distancing guidelines may be implemented depending on the infection rate of COVID-19 or any other illness outbreak.
- Facial Coverings
- Universal masking may be encouraged with a high transmission rate of COVID-19 or other infectious respiratory illness.
- Masking in the Health Office is outlined by the CDC and will be followed by such personnel as indicated.
- Post-isolation, individuals are recommended to wear a mask for days 5-10 unless they have two negative COVID tests then they do not have to wear a mask in public (including school).
Entering/Exiting Facilities
- Students and staff are encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands upon entering/exiting the building each day and throughout the day as necessary. Hand sanitizer will be available.
- Testing
- COVID-19 testing will still be available in the Health Office upon request or at the recommendation of the School Nurse
- Environmental Safety & Cleaning Procedures
- High-traffic surfaces will be sanitized frequently (door knobs and handles, automatic openers, light switches, handrails, drinking fountains, tables/desks, chairs, bathroom surfaces, etc.).
- The school will provide vaccination clinics to all eligible staff and students as available.
- Visitors
- There will be no limit to visitors in the building, but they are encouraged if they are not feeling well to not enter the building or have contact with any students or staff.
The list of safety measures above is not all inclusive. Other safety measures will be utilized on a daily basis such as routine cleaning of surfaces and making sure appropriate ventilation is in place in the classrooms and high traffic areas to help combat the transmission of any respiratory illness (to include COVID-19).
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