DRAFT PLAN FAQ
How does this plan affect athletics?
Once CDH determines Ada County is in Category 2, practices and competitions will start. This will be another step in phasing students back into our schools. While we start with PreK-2 students and athletic practices we can closely monitor and adjust our safety protocols at all levels.
How will movement between phases be determined?
Progression through phases will be dependent upon:
- Guidance from Central District Health (CDH),
- Guidance from medical professionals,
- Ability for schools to adhere to safety protocols, and
- Impact on school operations due to positive Covid-19 cases and staff and students in quarantine.
Why does the plan prioritize bringing Pre-K-2 back in-person first?
Pre-K-2 students generally have little to no literacy skills, making it very challenging for them to independently navigate online platforms. Online instruction puts most of the burden on parents. Young readers need intense targeted instruction that is difficult to accomplish in a virtual setting.
Why does a phased reopening only involve half the students in each class attending each day?
By bringing in half of the students and teaching health and safety protocols, routines and procedures will be much more effective.
The smaller class numbers will allow for adequate physical distancing spacing in the classroom and overall lower numbers of students building-wide. In addition, the smaller class sizes will allow for more targeted instruction.
Why implement virtual Mondays?
CDH provides updates to district leadership on Mondays, which will guide decision making about moving forward each week. Having three full days to identify, contact trace and quarantine students and staff after being together in the building for four days will be beneficial in stopping the spread. Custodial staff will also have more time to prepare for student return. Furthermore, teachers will be with their entire class (virtually) on Mondays and will have the ability to set expectations for the week, reinforce protocols prior to students coming to the building, and prepare all students for the week's instruction. Students will also have their 1:1 device with them in case there is a need for an extended closure beyond Monday.
Why wait to bring back grades 3-12?
This will allow time for adjustments in protocols and to determine what needs to change within a building to implement the pandemic operation plans while addressing the needs of our most vulnerable population.
What should families expect on the day their students are not in school?
Teachers will continue to use Google Classroom (grade 3 - secondary) and SeeSaw (grades K-2) as the platforms for instruction whether the learning is occurring in-person or virtually. For elementary students the days between in person learning will be more independent practice, some guided lessons, and work from the teacher.
How will it be determined what days students will attend?
Families will be contacted by their schools about attendance days. It is the intent of the district to split the students by alphabet (for example A-L and M-Z). However, this may need to be adjusted to account for class size, combo classrooms, or to keep families together. Special consideration will be given for families with different last names.
What will happen if CDH moves Ada County to Category 2 and then determines Ada County is back to Category 3 after a period of time?
We will consult with CDH and medical professionals to determine if all students need to return to virtual learning only or if other measures can be put in place to continue in-person learning. In addition, some classes, grade levels and/or schools may have to move to virtual learning depending on positive cases and exposures. Following our safety protocols will be paramount to keeping incidents of exposure to a minimum.
