Ash Fork School Covid 19 Mitigation Plan
Dear Parent/ Guardian,
I know all of us have been wondering how school will look as we begin the 20/21 School Year. I hope this document will help both student families and staff understand how we can be proactive in staying healthy, but still maintain an environment that is beneficial for learning and empowerment.
The steps outlined below contain the efforts and professional suggestions of many stakeholders. The final draft was reviewed and approved by the Yavapai County Health Officials. This plan does differ somewhat from the original document we posted due to changes affected by Executive order 2020-51. With this being said we do consider this to be a live document and are always willing to hear from any families willing to improve the procedures for health and learning. Current real world situations are always apt to change and we are willing to adapt to meet any new circumstances that may arise.
ARRIVING AT SCHOOL
One of the best opportunities to keep everyone safe is to stop any unhealthy individuals from getting on the buses or getting on campus. The first step in keeping all of us safe is screening your child at home prior to leaving for school. Here is a bulleted list of symptoms to look for.
- fever of 100 degrees or higher, or chills;
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- muscle aches;
- sore throat;
- headache;
- fatigue;
- congestion or runny nose;
- cough;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea; or
- loss of taste or smell.
Rest assured that the district will be vigilant in ensuring that any students that miss school days will receive work and additional time to help in mastering the standards.
*The bus will now arrive on campus at 7:35 instead of 7:15. We will send out a new bus schedule that addresses the different start time.*
Bus
- All students must be with a guardian when waiting for the bus at a designated bus stop and practice social distancing protocol.
- A staff member riding the bus will check all temperatures with a zero contact thermometer.
- Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be allowed on the bus.
- The bus aid will give a disposable mask and apply hand sanitizer to every student that enters the bus
Drop Off
- When arriving at school please stay in the vehicle.
- A school staff member will check all temperatures before students exit the vehicle
- Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter campus.
- Staff will give all individuals that enter campus hand sanitizer and a mask if needed.
Walk Ins
- All students must be with a guardian when walking onto campus if they are under 18 years of age.
- A school staff member will check all temperatures before students are allowed to enter the campus and given a mask if necessary and apply hand sanitizer.
- If a student has a temperature of 100 or higher they will be sent home with their guardian.
SCHOOL DAY
The goal is for the school day to have a closer resemblance to, well school, due to our efforts to screen all individuals before entering campus we hope this will be possible. Please note that the new start time for students to arrive on campus is 7:35 AM.
On Campus
- Students are now required by the new Executive Order to wear a mask while on campus, ( the district will have masks on hand for individuals who wish to use them)
- Students will go straight to their classroom (No morning time will be spent in the multi-purpose room)
- Breakfast will be served in classrooms
- Educational activities within the classroom will be modified to reduce exposure.
- Recess will be held outside, but we will not combine multiple classes during recess time. All playground equipment will be sanitized between groups.
- Students will keep one device for the entire school day
- Lockers will not be used issued or used (high School Only)
- Sanitization procedures will be followed between classes that switch teachers throughout the day.
- Passing period times will be adjusted to minimize interaction in the hall ways.
- Sanitation of common areas such as bathrooms and hallways will be dramatically increased by district maintenance staff.
- Drinking founds will be off limits, but students may bring water bottles and fill them in the classroom with teacher assistance.
- One way lanes will be established in hall ways
- The district has created a quarantine room for any individuals that exhibit symptoms of an illness until guardians arrive.
Lunch
- Lunch serving times will be staggered to allow classes to have lunch separate from other classes
- Lunch lines will not be against the wall
- Only three classes will be allowed in the multi-purpose room at any time and will be separated.
- Students will have recess with their class
- Any High School Students that leave campus for lunch must be rechecked for temperature and apply hand sanitizer.
Cell Phones (High School Only)
- Cell phones will not be collected at the start of classes
- Cell phones must be on silent mode or off and kept inside of a back pack or other container
- Only one warning will be given before a cell phone is confiscated and returned at the end of the school day. (the instructor does have the agency to give the cell phone back after the class period depending on the frequency of the issue and quick compliance of the student)
DEPARTURE FROM CAMPUS
Getting students home safely is just as important as getting them to school safely. School departure procedures will be somewhat similar to arrival.
- Classes will be released one at a time
- Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided to all bus passengers
- All after school tutoring/intervention will be kept on a daily rotation per class
FRIDAY SCHOOL
We will have Friday School. Friday School is very important for students that struggled last year during the campus closure to get caught up.
- Only groups of seven or less students will be allowed to attend Friday School
- Social distancing will be practiced in the classroom
- School arrival procedures will be followed (listed above)
SPORTS (At this time sports are not permitted under the current Executive Order)
This is probably one of the most difficult areas to establish low contact in, but we hope these guidelines will be of benefit.
- Temperatures will be taken prior to practice
- Athletes are to bring their own water bottles
- If the coach does not provide daily washing of practice uniforms the athlete is then required to have clean practice clothes daily.
- If you have a copy of last year’s physical it will work for the new season. (The district does not keep any physical records on file after the season is over)
- All equipment will be sterilized between practices.
HIGH RISK STUDENTS
If you have a child that is “High Risk” if they were to get the coronavirus the school will supply additional academic tools and instruction to learn at home. Please provide a note from a doctor to provide evidence that a high risk situation exists in order to receive a modified curriculum. The current plan for non-campus students is to join their class via ZOOM Meeting.
I hope this document has shed some light on what the upcoming school year will look like. I understand that the personal views surrounding this situation are extremely varied and contrasting. It is the district’s intent to provide a quality education for all in a safe and healthy environment.
I am not very active on social media, so if you have some ideas to improve our school year please contact me directly at the district office.
Sincerely,
Seth Staples