Recommendation for Returning to Face-to-Face Instruction

School Board PresentationOctober 15, 2020

Considerations for Returning to Face-to-Face Instruction● Health and safety are top priorities.● We believe that instructional goals are best achieved by maximizing in-person

learning.● We understand the need to provide social emotional supports for students and

families.● We must meet unique needs of vulnerable populations.● We understand the need to practice daily safety measures to keep students and

staff safe.● We understand that childcare is a concern for many families and staff members.● School start and end times may change depending on the number of students who

request bus transportation.

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COVID Risk Indicators

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Danville COVID based on Population

August 6th - August 19th = 153 cases, 3.8 per 1,000 residents August 20th - September 2nd = 120 cases, 3.0 per 1,000 residents September 3rd - September 16th = 188 cases, 4.7 per 1,000 residents September 17th - September 30th = 123 cases, 3.08 per 1,000 residents October 1st - October 14th = 168, 4.2 per 1,000 residents

An outbreak at one location produced 101 positive cases from the end of September through October 14th. Last 7 days - 29 case decline from the previous 7 days.

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Transmission risk in schools by learning modalitiesLowest risk:

● Students and teachers engage in virtual-only classes, activities, and events

Some risk:

● Hybrid Learning Model: Some students participate in virtual learning and other students participate in in-person learning

● Small, in-person classes, activities, and events● Cohorting; leveraging all available safe community spaces, including outdoor spaces; alternating

schedules, and staggered schedules are applied rigorously● No mixing of groups of students (i.e., cohorts) and teachers throughout/across school days● Students and teachers do not share objects● Students, teachers, and staff always follow all steps to protect themselves and others, including

proper use of face masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette● Regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces implemented

consistently

Superintendent’s Recommendation for the Return to the Classroom for

Face-to-Face Instruction Students

(Students who have requested virtual learning are not affected by the return to the classroom plan.)

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Decision-Making Process● DPS is practicing the 5 mitigation factors in every school and department

consistently and pervasively every day.● Superintendent met with 12 school and program staffs and with 14 parent groups

to share information and listen to ideas, thoughts, suggestions and concerns.○ Much information was gleaned; school plans include suggestions from both groups○ Some parents and teachers want DPS to stay virtual while others in both groups say

students need to return citing:■ Students are not being successful virtually.■ Emotional well being is a concern.■ Students are not being supervised due to parents having to work.

● Health data was reviewed from the Department of Health.● All school staff has been involved in their opening school plans for face-to-face

students.● Should the health of the community change, the schools can stay virtual.

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Transition Phases for Face-to-Face Instruction● Week of November 2 - Virtual and Face-to-Face student schedules

will be the same.● Phase 1: (November 9, 2020)

○ Elementary: K-3, special education self-contained○ Middle School: Grade 6 (Group A will attend November 9 and 12 and Group B will

attend November 10 and 13)○ High School: Grades 9 and 12 (Group A will attend November 9 and 12 and Group

B will attend November 10 and 13) ○ DAP, Adult GED, Extended Day

● Phase 2: (November 16, 2020) (Group A will attend November 16 and 19 and Group B will attend November 17 and 20)

○ Elementary: Grades 4-5 ○ Middle School: Grade 7-8○ High School: Grades 10-11

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Why now and not at the change of the semester?● DPS Preschoolers have been face-to-face for 7 1/2 weeks with no positive cases.● Our students’ emotional well-being and learning indicate that students need to

return.● Working parents are having to balance their own work responsibilities while

supervising and instructing their children.● Many families are experiencing financial challenges created by the economic

downturn and mass unemployment.○ Approximately 243 K-8 students are in childcare/virtual learning centers with parents receiving

discounts on their childcare costs through CARES Act funds from the City of Danville.● Danville community caregivers are experiencing difficulty trying to meet the needs

of students from different schools, divisions, grade levels, and academic needs.● 50-60% of DPS students are already behind, and without the opportunity to return

to school, they may fall further behind.

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Why now and not at the change of the semester?DPS constraints:

● Students will return from winter break still virtual and will not have had any experiences in face-to-face instruction and processes/procedures.

● Changing to face-to-face while fulfilling parent change requests for their students from virtual to face-to-face and vice versa will add many changes at one time while at the same time trying to implement a safe return to face-to-face for the first time.

● The change of the semester includes report cards, new high school schedules, new student registration, and students switching between face to face and virtual. Adding face-to-face for the first time will create stress for students and teachers as they also implement new processes and procedures.

● With students starting in November, DPS can support student assimilation into their schools safely and without other changes taking place.

● Students will return after the winter holiday to what they are familiar with, and continue their learning making second semester an easier transition for student learning and safety.

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Week of November 2-6, 2020: Schedule Change

● Virtual and Face-to-Face students will start their new school schedule. All students will be on the face-to-face schedule.

● The virtual and face-to-face combined schedule is necessary as some teachers teach both virtual and face-to-face students (PE, music, art, singleton course teachers,etc.) They need to be able to meet students on a schedule for learning equity.

● Students have a holiday on Tuesday, November 3- Election Day○ November 3 is a teacher workday.○ Students attend virtually Monday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is

as usual- home assignment day.

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Week of November 2-6, 2020, con’t.

● 8 DPS schools are polling places: GLH Johnson, Woodberry Hills, Gibson, Park Ave, Schoolfield, Bonner Middle, Grove Park Preschool, Langston Campus

● All schools used as polling places will be thoroughly cleaned before opening on November 9 for face-to-face students

● All teachers and staff are allowed to work from home that week○ Teachers not assigned to one of the 8 schools may choose to work from

their classrooms.○ Teachers assigned to one of the 8 schools used as polling places may

work from their classrooms on Thursday and Friday, only, if desired.

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Face-to-Face Phase 1: November 9, 2020

● Elementary: K-3, special education self-contained will attend Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Friday. Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day.

● Middle School: Grade 6 Group A will attend November 9 and 12 (Monday and Thursday) and Group B will attend November 10 and 13, (Tuesday and Friday) and Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day.

● High School: Grades 9 and 12 Group A will attend November 9 and 12 (Monday and Thursday) and Group B will attend November 10 and 13 (Tuesday and Friday) and Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day. DAP, Adult Ed, Extended Day are also included.

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Face-to-Face Phase 2: November 16, 2020

● Elementary School: Grade 4-5 Group A will attend November 16 and 19 (Monday and Thursday), and Group B will attend November 17 and 20 (Tuesday and Friday), and Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day.

● Middle School: Grade 7-8 Group A will attend November 16 and 19 (Monday and Thursday), and Group B will attend November 17 and 20 (Tuesday and Friday), and Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day.

● High School: Grades 10-11 Group A will attend November 16 and 19 (Monday and Thursday) and Group B will attend November 17 and 20, (Tuesday and Friday), and Wednesday remains an at-home school assignment day.

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Universal Face-to-Face Guidelines for DPS● All students will have their temperatures taken daily and as needed.● All students will wear masks in schools and on buses.

○ No Gaiter masks (neck masks), masks with vents or bandanas are not allowed.

○ Masks must cover noses and fit properly.● All students will practice social distancing, minimum 6 feet from

others.● All students will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when using

the restroom and whenever directed by the teacher.● All students will behave and follow the Student Code of Conduct and

safety guidelines for the face-to-face environment.18

Universal Face-to-Face Guidelines for DPS, con’t.● All classroom doors where face-to-face instruction is occuring will

remain open to increase ventilation.● All students will eat in the classroom with their teachers. While masks

are removed during meals, students will remain seated 6 feet apart. As students finish eating, they may put their masks back on and talk with others who have also finished eating. (Teachers may also take students outside to eat where talking can occur as long as students social distance)

● Schools will develop their own Face-to-Face guidelines that are directly applicable to the school, itself. The guidelines will be placed on their website.

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Miscellaneous Information

● Schools will have information on their websites and will be updated as needed.

● Classroom preparations will be completed by October 30.● Week of November 2 - Virtual and Face-to-Face student schedules

will merge. Schools will communicate the new schedule beginning October 19.

● Students wishing to change from virtual to face-to-face or vice versa can do so on a survey that will go out to parents on November 23. Changes will take place at the beginning of 2nd semester, January 19, 2021.

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School Arrival and Dismissal Schedule for face-to-face studentsSchool ScheduleGrove Park Pre-K, Northside Pre-K 7:05am 12:35pm

Bonner Middle School 7:05am 2:05pmWestwood Middle School

Schoolfield Elementary 7:45am 2:45pmWoodberry ElementaryPark Avenue ElementaryForest Hills ElementaryDAP

George Washington High School 8:20am 3:45pmGalileo High School

Gibson Elementary 8:50am 3:50pmJohnson ElementaryWoodrow Wilson Intermediate

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Face-to-Face Weekly Schedule - K-3 Grade Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

K-3 Face-to-Face Instruction

Face-to-Face Instruction

School Assignments At

Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

Face-to-Face Instruction

Students Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Group A Face-to-Face Instruction

School Assignments At

Home

School Assignments At

Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

School Assignments At

Home

Group BSchool

Assignments At Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

School Assignments At

Home

School Assignments At

Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

Face-to-Face Weekly Schedule - Grades 4 and 5

100% Virtual Weekly Schedule - Grades K-5Students Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

100% Virtual Virtual Instruction

Virtual Instruction

School Assignments At

Home

Virtual Instruction

Virtual Instruction

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Middle School Weekly Schedule

Students Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Group AFace-to-Face

Instruction(4 classes & 2

electives)

School Assignments

At Home

School Assignments At

Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

(4 classes & 2 electives)

School Assignments At Home

Group BSchool

Assignments At Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

(4 classes & 2 electives)

School Assignments At

Home

School Assignments At

Home

Face-to-Face Instruction

(4 classes & 2 electives)

Face-to-Face Weekly Schedule - Grades 6, 7 and 8

 100% Virtual Weekly Schedule - Grades 6, 7 and 8Students Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

100% VirtualVirtual Instruction

(4 classes & 2 electives)

Virtual Instruction(4 classes & 2

electives)

School Assignments At

Home

Virtual Instruction(4 classes & 2

electives)

Virtual Instruction(4 classes & 2

electives)

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High School Hybrid Learning Plan● Face-to-Face

○ One-half of students attend school two days a week

■ Group A- students attend Face-to-Face instruction Monday and Thursday with students completing school assignments at home Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

■ Group B- students attend Face-to-Face instruction Tuesday and Friday with students completing school assignments at home Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

● 100% virtual program students will continue to receive instruction Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Wednesday being a home assignment day

● Students assigned to the Danville Alternative Program will attend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Wednesday being a home assignment day

● Students assigned to the Extended Day Alternative Program will attend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

● Students will be responsible for four classes each semester

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George WashingtonAthletics Update

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The more people a child or coach interacts with, the closer the physical interaction, the longer that interaction, and the more sharing of equipment there is by multiple players, the higher the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spread. The risk of spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 increases in youth sports settings as follows:

● Lowest risk: Performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home, alone, or with family members.

● Increasing risk: Team-based practice.● More risk: Within-team competition.● Even more risk: Full competition between teams from the same local

geographic area.● Highest risk: Full competition between teams from different geographic areas.

Youth Sports

Student Engagement Challenges

Reality● The novelty of online learning has worn off.● Virtual learning is hard.● Student engagement has lessened.● Success is largely dependent on student motivation.

Challenges● Motivating students without established relationships (9th and 10th graders).● Motivating athletes academically without promise of workouts, practices, or a

season.● Teachers often use coaches to support classroom instruction (team

approach).

Need for a Return to Participation

Long-Term Effects without Change● Student ineligibility

(percent of potential student-athletes on the football team that would be ineligible 2nd semester - constitutes 10% of school)

○ Freshmen 69%○ Sophomore 65%○ Junior 22%○ Senior 16%

● Lost Motivation○ Cyclical - Students who would be ineligible may lose motivation to succeed in school

● Graduation Rates will be Affected

Interventions

Outcomes● Return to Workouts

○ Students have been isolated since March○ Increased social-emotional wellbeing

● Mentors○ Coaches do more than X’s and O’s○ Life advice - academic, personal, parents, and college

● Academic Interventions○ Study halls required to participate in workouts○ Logging into virtual learning required○ Teachers now have another layer of support

● Increased Student Motivation○ Hope○ Normalcy

Recommendation● Galileo and George Washington High Schools begin conditioning activities

November 9th provided students participate in study hall, tutoring sessions, and guidance meetings with their coaches regardless if they are virtual or face-to-face students. This strategy ensures we are meeting student conditioning needs, as well as academic and emotional needs.

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Important Dates to Remember

● October 16 - Schools post their info online● October 19 - Schools will communicate new face-to-face

schedule● October 30 - Classroom preparations completed● November 2 - new face-to-face schedule begins● November 9 - Phase 1 ● November 16 - Phase 2● November 23 - Survey goes out to parents to request changes

(face-to-face, virtual, or transportation for new semester beginning January 19, 2021). Must be returned by December 1

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Review of Recommendations

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Recommendation #1

Students return in 2 phases beginning Monday, November 9

● Phase 1: (November 9, 2020) ○ Elementary: K-3, special education self-contained ○ Middle School: Grade 6 (Group A will attend November 9 and 12 and Group B

will attend November 10 and 13)○ High School: Grades 9 and 12 (Group A will attend November 9 and 12 and

Group B will attend November 10 and 13)

● Phase 2: (November 16, 2020) (Group A will attend November 16 and 19 and Group B will attend November 17 and 20)

○ Elementary: Grades 4-5 ○ Middle School: Grade 7-8○ High School: Grades 10-11

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Recommendation #2● Galileo and George Washington High Schools begin conditioning activities

November 9th provided students participate in study hall, tutoring sessions, and guidance meetings with their coaches regardless if they are virtual or face-to-face students. This strategy ensures we are meeting student conditioning needs, as well as academic and emotional needs.

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Recommendation for Returning to Face-to-Face Instruction

Presenter: Dr. Catherine Magouyrk, Interim Superintendentcmagouyrk@mail.dps.k12.va.us