WOODLAND

WOODLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

2021-2022  REOPENING PLAN

Our number one priority is student and staff health and safety while also providing a safe and positive learning environment for all Woodland students.  Woodland Public Schools understands the importance of in-person learning and our goal is to start school in person on August 18th. We realize there may come a time when we have to close the entire district down due to a rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19.  If we find ourselves going virtual overnight, we want to assure parents that our teachers and students are equipped with the resources and knowledge to conduct and participate in remote instruction through our on-line learning system. 

If virtual learning becomes necessary, our teachers will remain in the classroom (if possible) and prepare lessons for students to receive. Students will be at home working remotely on their Chromebooks and/or homework packets. High School and Middle School teachers will deliver lessons using the Edgenuity Curriculum platform with a variety of delivery options (in combination with Google Classroom).  High School & Middle School students work on lessons individually and submit their work through Edgenuity and Google Classroom.  Elementary students will do assigned work with teacher instructions by zoom if necessary.  With this model, teachers will be available to answer individual questions, share work assignments, and provide guidance.  This model will only be implemented if necessary but is available for High School and Middle School students choosing a home based learning program.

PROTECTING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

The following guidelines are shared with our school communities, including students, families, and staff, in an effort to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Over the past several weeks, representatives from all of the district's stakeholder groups, as well as leaders in specialized areas of the school district's service areas, have been researching the constantly evolving literature from the education, medical, and public health sectors. The goal has been to create carefully layered, flexible, and developmentally appropriate practices that will ensure the strongest advice given by the American Academy of Pediatricians: All policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.  A host of reasons support this AAP recommendation, from the importance of in-person learning to the damage of social isolation; and Woodland Public Schools are in complete agreement. The truth remains, however, that ensuring this goal will require all of us to work together. The information presented in this document is shared so that all of our community can begin school with a shared understanding of our responsibility in keeping our students and staff safe from COVID19. We know we cannot eliminate the virus; but with wise choices, we can mitigate it.

LAYERED MITIGATION PRACTICES 

DAILY TEMPERATURE CHECKS 

Each morning, families are asked to take their children's temperatures, as a fever of 100 or greater may be an indication of an active case of COVID-19. If this is the case, please keep your child home to monitor for additional symptoms. This is critical to having our district buildings remain open to continue in-person learning. Woodland Public Schools will not take daily temperature checks for students.  While we do feel this is a valuable deterrent for the spread of COVID-19, HIPAA guidelines make it extremely difficult to perform this on a daily basis.  The district has in place infra-red temperature monitors that will continuously monitor the temperature of students at various locations throughout the day.  

RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS - While many children will present with fever initially, many will not. Other symptoms that may develop initially include the following: chills, cough, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Any of these are cause for keeping a child home.

HYGIENE - Handwashing is one of the best means of protection against infection. Students will be reminded to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their noses, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating. They will also have access to hand sanitizer throughout the school building when hand-washing opportunities are not readily available. 

SOCIAL DISTANCING - While it will be difficult to maintain distance between the students at school, each site will be devising plans to provide for this precaution in the common areas of hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, & gyms. 

FACE COVERINGS – While evidence continues to be collected on the role of face coverings in interrupting the spread of COVID-19, face coverings will be optional for students and staff. Parents will be responsible for providing a face covering for their children if they feel this is necessary. 

EXPOSURES, DIAGNOSES, & RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER COVID-19 

• WPS will consult and follow county Health Department guidelines.  

• WPS will communicate with staff and notifications will be sent to communicate with applicable parents depending on classroom arrangement or class schedule. 

• The classroom will be thoroughly sanitized.  

• As always, be sure to call the school to report your child's absence. 

• For more information and to view guidelines visit the following website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
   

BREAKFAST & LUNCH 

Students will be reminded to access lavatories for handwashing prior to meal service. Accessible hand sanitizer dispensers will be available too. Because mealtime, by its very nature, presents many opportunities for the spread of germs, schools will be offering students seating options to provide safer situations than the typical cafeteria setting would allow. Students will be reminded that sharing food is not a safe practice. Plans above are subject to change as new information becomes available or as new situations arise related to COVID-19. 

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 

Extra and co-curricular activities are vital elements of a secondary student's experience. Responses to COVID-19 in these environments will vary, always with a keen eye to proven practices in prevention and protection.  Activities will continue until further notice. 

RECESS 

The elementary and middle school sites will develop a recess schedule that allows daily outdoor playtime for all students. Recess schedules may vary due to limiting the number of students in any one area. Plans above are subject to change as new information becomes available or as new situations arise related to COVID-19. 

SUPPLIES 

Sharing of supplies such as crayons, markers, scissors and pencils will not be allowed. Students will keep their individual supplies separated from those of others in individually labeled containers or cubbies. Any manipulatives needed for instructional purposes will be sanitized prior to use by another student. 

Woodland Public Schools Virtual Learning

Woodland Public Schools is offering an online program designed to accommodate the needs of students who would benefit from a virtual experience during COVID-19. This program will utilize the Edgenuity Curriculum for Middle School and High School students.  Students enrolled in virtual learning will also have the opportunity to participate in on-site extracurricular activities.

KEY POINTS

• Enrollment dates for virtual learning (grades 6-12) will be Tuesday, August 10th from 9:00AM – 2:00PM and Thursday, August 12th from 5:00PM – 7:00PM.  Contact Missy Keeler for more information. 

• WPS will ask parents for a semester-long commitment.

• Students may participate in extracurricular programs, enroll in special programs (ELL, Special Ed., Gifted & Talented), and attend special activities (assemblies, graduation, events, clubs). 

• Students who select Virtual Learning must have access to the Internet to complete coursework.  Chromebooks are available with a $50 deposit.

• Students will have access to Edgenuity - an accredited online learning software that aligns with the state of Oklahoma standards.

• Students will need some basic computer skills as it is an important part of the program.

• We want to ensure all students are placed in a successful learning environment. The student, parent/guardian, and teacher work together to make this decision. A $50 fee is required for those students checking out a Chrome Book. 

• Students participating in Distance Learning will receive grades at the end of the semester. This grade will be posted on official transcripts and will count towards graduation requirements. Weekly grade checks will be done at the secondary level for the purpose of academic eligibility in order to participate in athletic events and other activities.

• Students will have the semester to complete all course work.

• Students are expected to log in daily for each course and participate in instruction. It is recommended that students spend the same amount of time on their online classes as they would if they attended classes in person at school. Attendance will be measured through student logins, communication with the teacher, participation and completion of assignments. 

• Students enrolled in Distance Learning may participate in extracurricular activities in Woodland Public Schools. A student may need to be enrolled in a traditional class held at the site to participate for athletics. Students also need to maintain eligibility according to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) guidelines in order to participate in games or contests. 

• The online program offers one-to-one teaching and allows for modifications according to the child’s IEP. Woodland Schools will also provide teacher support to students on an IEP or 504.  However, learning in an online environment may not be an appropriate placement for every student. IEP or 504 documentation is required before enrollment. District guidance staff, parents, and special education staff should make a determination of placement before deciding to enroll the student in courses. For additional assistance, please contact your building principal.

• As things develop, we will modify, add, or delete depending on the circumstances.  Thank you in advance for your patience during these trying times.