Final Akron Central School information session Tuesday
Akron Central School District has issued an invitation to families to join the ACS Parent Reopening Information Sessions as required of all NYS school districts by Governor Cuomo.
The sessions will provide information on the District’s reopening plan as well as responses to questions that were posed in the recent parent survey. Each session will begin with a district-level introduction with Mr. Patrick D. McCabe, Superintendent of Schools, then followed by separate building level sessions hosted by the building principal(s) as indicated.
All sessions are online via ZOOM and the links posted on the District’s website. There will be an opportunity for families to ask questions at the end of each session.
The sessions will be held:
Friday, August 14 with District information from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Elementary information from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m., Middle School information from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m., and High School information from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, August 17, 2020 with District information from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., Elementary information from 9:45 to 10:30 p.m., Middle School information from 10:30 to 11:15 p.m., and High School information from 11:15 to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, August 18, 2020 with District information from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Elementary information from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m., Middle School information from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m., and High School information from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.
A Draft re-opening plan for Akron Central School is also available to view on the school website. Superintendent of Schools Patrick McCabe gave an overview of the 51-page plan during the July 29 Board of Education meeting.
Sharing with Board of Education, McCabe indicated his expectation the school will reopen with a hybrid model and said a parent survey which concluded August 7 will determine response to various models and parent intent regarding student attendance this school year. The following information is fluid and will change to reflect a variety of factors including the survey results, current CDC and NYSDOH guidelines, educational needs of students, and other factors.
If the draft hybrid plan is put into practice, students would be assigned to cohorts and attend in person two days per week and on-line two days per week, with variations in what days reflected in the proposed models. The district continues to work on making sure all students have access to technology and internet service necessary.
The plan identifies four cohorts. In one mode; Cohort A students would participate in remote instruction on Monday and attend school in-person on Tuesday and Thursday; Cohort B – students would participate in remote instruction on Monday and attend school in-person on Wednesday and Friday; Cohort C students with special considerations and targeted needs participate in remote learning on Monday and attend in-person on Tuesday through Friday, and Cohort D students participate in full remote learning.
In the second model, Cohort A would be in school on Monday and Tuesday, No Students would be in the building on Wednesday with all instruction virtual, Cohort B would be in school on Thursday and Friday. Cohort C would be in school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and Cohort D would be virtual the entire week.
Under the plan, staff would report for training in health and safety, new technology, the re-opening plan, required cleaning, and other changes, September 1, 2, and 3, have a four day weekend and report with students on September 8.
The plan was created from and aligned with guidance and mandates we have received from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York State Education Department (NYSED), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Governor Cuomo. The plan will be updated and modified in response to further guidance from these government agencies, the needs within our community, and evidence of best practice.
Communication
The plan calls for a multi-faceted communication system to keep parents, students, teachers, administrators, support staff and the community informed, including, but not limited to email, the automated phone messaging system and the website.
Information related to student schedules, extracurricular activities, special events, and the teaching and learning process will be communicated through the buildings.
Signage and other communication tools will be used to keep everyone informed of the mandated health and safety protocols.
Entrances
The plan designates specific entrances for faculty and staff, students, and visitors. One way hallway traffic, social distancing, and other protocols are included for movement throughout the buildings upon entering.
Health and Safety
The plan focuses on preventive actions and indicates the District will:
Perform health checks and screenings, per Department of Health guidance, and recognize signs and symptoms of illness in students and staff;
Will instruct students and staff in healthy hygiene practices; proper hand and respiratory hygiene; maximize social distancing; require wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and Cloth Face coverings; develop plans to manage and isolate ill person until they can be sent home; develop cleaning and disinfection procedures for the school in accordance with CDC and DOH guidance.
Health screenings, including daily temperature checks and completion of a screening questionnaire are required for staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors.
The district is developing plans for daily health checks for students. If a student presents a temperature of 100.0 degrees F, he/she will be denied entry into the facilities or sent to the health office where the health office staff will follow protocols outlined by the DOH and CDC.
All students and staff members must wear acceptable face coverings: whenever they are within 6 feet of someone; in hallways; in restrooms; and in other congregate settings, including buses. There are accommodations and other precautions relative to specific situations in the plan.
How ill or symptomatic persons are school will follow a specific protocol to minimize exposure to others. Return to school protocols are in place as are protocols for cleaning, disinfecting and safety drills.
Child Nutrition
ACSD’s plan ensures nutritious meals and access to school meals each school day for all students enrolled in the SFA.
Under the plan, meals will be served in the classroom, cafeteria, and other areas to allow for social distancing; use of shared tables, salad bars and other self-service will be suspended and food sharing between students discouraged.
“Grab and Go” concept will be used as much as possible.
Transportation
The plan calls for buses to operate between 30 and 50 percent capacity and encourages parents to transport or walk their children to school to reduce density on school buses.
Masks and social distancing will be required and when outside temperatures allow, fresh air flow within the bus will be increased.
School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics will complete a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 when arriving to work and before transporting students.
Arrival and departure times will be staggered to ensure social distancing, loading and unloading locations for students who are transported by bus, car or are pedestrians will be separated, and students will enter and exit the building using the same set of doors as assigned in each of the buildings.
Attendance
180 days of instruction are required by statute and the district will develop a mechanism to collect and report daily teacher/student engagement or attendance regardless of the instructional setting.
Athletics
The reopening plan includes PPE and social distancing guidelines for athletic resources and instruction. Fall sports are currently delayed until September 21, 2020 and scenarios involving alternate starting dates and the changes of season based on potential risk by sport are yet to be determined.
Building plans
Specific plans for the elementary, the Middle, and the High School are included in the overall plan and are linked to the re-opening plan on the school website.