Reopening Schools Task ForceJuly 9, 2020

OverviewDefined Challenge and Goals

AccelerateED Recommendations

DHEC Assessment

Preliminary Survey Data Responses

Draft Reopening Phases and Recommendations

Prepare for August 19th Start Date

Defined Challenge

DEFINED CHALLENGE: How will we logistically open up schools in the fall in the safest manner to ensure the most equitable learning for all students?

Goals

Our work is guided by the following goals:1. The physical school environments should embody public

health guidelines to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak and additional closures. Translation for us: we open in a safe and efficient manner.

2. The plan must produce enough confidence that families, students and educators feel comfortable and ready for learning in the fall. Communication with all stakeholders will be key.

3. Utilize a diverse group of teachers, parents/guardians, principals and various district-level personnel with expertise in the priority categories to ensure equitable solutions to meet all learner’s unique needs.

South Carolina AccelerateED Recommendations

The most challenging recommendations:○ Cleaning protocols○ Plan for multiple reopening scenarios and contingencies

to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all students and staff

○ Multiple model usage throughout the state due to COVID-19 numbers and local conditions

○ Physical distancing on the buses and in schools

DHEC Assessment

● DHEC developed three COVID-19 metrics that categorize communities into into low, medium, or high risk. The three metrics are:

○ Two-week cumulative incidence rate○ Trend in incidence rate○ Two-week percent positive rate

● These metrics are used to determine an overall disease activity level for each county. For Richland County as of July 5, 2020:

○ Incidence rate = High○ Trend: Increasing = High○ Percent positive rate = High○ Overall rating = High

Source: https://www.scdhec.gov/infectious-diseases/viruses/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/schools-childcare-centers-covid-19

July 1-12, 2020 Preliminary Survey Feedback

● Partners:○ 6-12th Grade Students○ Parents/Guardians PK-5○ Parents/Guardians 6-12○ Staff

● Presented multiple reopening scenarios and asked our partners about their level of comfort with returning to schools face-to-face in the fall.

● Each survey tailored to specific partner groups.● Results as of July 7, 2020, 3 p.m.

Response Rates:18.2%37.6%42.5%40.7%

Richland School District Two will require students and staff to follow DHEC and Richland County regulations concerning personal protective equipment. Students and staff may be required to wear masks. With this in mind, and considering the recent level of positive tests for COVID-19 in northeast Richland County, how comfortable are you with returning to school?

Richland School District Two will require students and staff to follow DHEC and Richland County regulations concerning personal protective equipment. Students and staff may be required to wear masks. With this in mind, and considering the recent level of positive tests for COVID-19 in northeast Richland County, how comfortable are you with returning to school?

Draft Reopening Phases & Recommendations

● The Task Force created three phases of reopening based on the South Carolina AccelerateED recommendations, the DHEC assessment for overall disease levels for our community, and preliminary survey results from our Richland Two partners.

Phase 1

High Level

Phase 2

Medium Level

Phase 3

Low Level

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Schools will follow the Phase 1 model while the overall rating for Richland County remains at the high level.

Phase 1

High Level

Grade

LevelsPK-12

Learning

Models

Virtual School Program

eLearning through Schools

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Schools will follow the Phase 2 model while the overall rating for Richland County remains at the medium level.

Phase 2

Medium Level

Grade

LevelsPK-5 6-12

Learning

Models

Virtual School Program Virtual School Program

eLearning through Schools eLearning through Schools

Classroom CommunitiesAA/BB days blended with

eLearning days

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Schools will follow the Phase 3 model while the overall rating for Richland County remains at the low level.

Phase 3

Low Level

Grade

LevelsPK-12

Learning

Models

Virtual School Program

eLearning through Schools

Traditional

Prepare for August 19th Start Date

● Analyze survey results● Use data for decision-making● Communicate to all partners● Parents select final learning option● Initiate the plan