Reopening Plan 2020-2021

The Victor Central School District has worked diligently with its families and the community to create a comprehensive reopening plan that puts the safety of our children and staff at the highest priority.

As of April 26, 2021, our elementary students are able to attend everyday based on the new CDC and NYSDOH guidance decreasing social distancing requirements between students from 6 feet to 3 feet. We also are able to have PE and music classes reduce social distancing from12 feet to 6 feet. We continue with all safety procedures. We are continuing in the hybrid model at the secondary level due to Ontario County’s status as a High Risk Transmission Zone as of the date of this revision. We continue to monitor the situation closely regarding a full reopening at the secondary level.

The District continues to offer the community opportunities to offer feedback as we implement this revised plan. Specific ways the District is allowing for feedback include a second parent/guardian survey, multiple meetings of the District Reopening Taskforce, and multiple Facebook Live community forums. We also had an additional Staff Town Hall to answer questions about the change in the instructional model.  

Our region is at a point that would allow our elementary schools to open to in-person learning with proper physical distancing. With this in mind, each classroom/occupied space has been evaluated from a social distancing space perspective.  We will make every attempt to maintain social distancing outlined by the NYS Department of Health.  The district has proper PPE and face coverings and will work diligently to make sure students and staff have proper face covering as mandated by the County Health Department. As mentioned earlier, this plan has been vetted by over 80 leadership staff, teachers, support staff, parents, students, union representative, nursing staff, the school physician and BOE members that reviewed the plans over multiple meetings to reopen school in a safe manner within the state and county guidelines.   The district superintendent also facilitated a virtual town hall meeting with the Victor community.

All school buildings will communicate our plan to students, parents, staff and visitors.
 

SCREENING PROTOCOLS:

VISITORS:
Each school building has a protocol to screen all visitors on our campus.

ON-GOING ASSESSMENTS:
The VCSD is asking parents for their support in assessing their children daily for symptoms of illness and/or possible exposure to a person who is suspected of having COVID-19.  These symptoms include but are not limited to: Fever over 100.0 degrees F, Sore Throat, Cough, Headache, Shortness of breath, Muscle aches, Loss of taste or smell.  Parents will submit this information daily/prior to sending their children to school.     

PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVORS:
The District will promote behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, cloth face coverings and staying home when appropriate. This focus will occur through classroom instruction, guidance, redirection and reminders. Posters will be placed in highly visible locations that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs by properly washing hands and properly wearing cloth face coverings. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used. Staff and students will be encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.  Hands will be washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 

 

IN THE EVENT OF A POSITIVE TEST:

In the event a student or staff member has been identified as testing positive for COVID-19, the VCSD will work directly with the Ontario County Department of Health to support contact tracing and council parents or staff on the need for quarantine.

The VCSD will notify the local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff and visitors. In the case of an individual testing positive, the VCSD will support local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with protocols, training and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality will be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations. The VCSD will cooperate with all state and local health department contact tracing, isolation and quarantine efforts. In the case of a student or staff member testing positive, the person’s return to school will be coordinated with the local health department. In the case where a student or staff exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, but is not diagnosed with COVID, the school will follow CDC’s guidance for return to school.

Classroom windows are allowed to be open for additional ventilation. Consideration must be made to close them during the winter months.

Additional classroom fans are allowed.

Each school has a written plan that follows CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.

Each school has a written plan that addresses social distancing and safety drills.
 

The health, safety, and well-being of the students, staff and community members in our School District is paramount. Victor schools currently conduct the recommended preventive building cleaning measures on a daily basis to combat the spread of colds and flu. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our desire to provide in person instruction in a hybrid model, we are following the guidance from CDC, NYSED, and DOH and are coordinating resources and supplies for additional preventive cleaning.

• The district has authorized extra custodial hours for enhanced cleaning and disinfecting in the buildings and on the grounds.
• The district has secured  EPA approved cleaning and disinfecting supplies.

Each school building complies with the 2020 NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the State Energy Conservation Code, 2020 Building Condition Survey and Visual Inspections. As soon as our schools are student occupied the district can coordinate the lead testing based on the DOH regulations. Each school building complies with the FCNYS 2020 Section 5705.5. At this point, the district does not intend on using dividers in classroom/student spaces. The district does not plan on altering the number of toilets/sinks or drinking fountain counts. Each air handling unit that serves occupied spaces will provide code required ventilation as designed. All plastic separators comply with the 2020 BCNYS Section 2606.
 

• Implement the district plan for cleaning buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Prevent the spread of COVID-19 to students, staff, and community members through frequent, effective cleaning and disinfecting procedures in district buildings which follow reopening guidelines.

• Applies to all buildings and grounds on the Victor campus.

1. Routine cleaning is performed on a regularly scheduled basis by district custodial staff assigned to that building or area. Routine cleaning includes daily cleaning and disinfecting of all restrooms, scheduled sweeping of all floors, cleaning and sanitizing of cafeteria tables (or tables used to dispense meals), emptying trash and other building based tasks. 
2. Supplemental cleaning is performed by either regular custodial staff, substitute custodial staff or temporary custodial staff assigned to perform cleaning over and above what is considered routine. Supplemental cleaning is focused on frequently cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces throughout the campus, specifically for the purpose of preventing spread of COVID-19. 
3. If there is a cohort change throughout the day, classroom cleaning should be done before the next group arrives. This is performed by the teacher using district supplied cleaning products and equipment. Cleaning and sanitizing of desks, sinks, high touch areas is done during the day by teachers and every night by custodial staff. The disinfectant will be a EPA approved product that requires a three minute dwell or sit time. Depending on the quantity sprayed, the dry time differs. The dry times we experienced during the desk disinfectant trials were between 1 minute and 4 minutes. Paper towel products will also be provided to quickly dry during certain situations. Proper PPE equipment (gloves and goggles) will be provided for use. 
4. Personal area cleaning is performed by all employees in their personal workspace, which may include their desk, headset, telephone, keyboard, chair or any other items they use in performing their duties. This cleaning is done using district supplied cleaning products and equipment. 
5. Emergency cleaning, directed by the Department of Health, is performed by custodial staff and/or contracted services on an emergency basis in response to a particular, identified incidence of COVID-19. Frequently touch surfaces to focus on may include the following (not all apply in every building):

● Tables
● Doorknobs
● Light Switches
● Countertops
● Handles and Handrails
● Desks
● Phones
● Keyboards and tablets
● Toilets and restrooms
● Faucets and sinks
● Drinking Fountains (if in use)
● Elevator buttons
● Recreation equipment
● Vending machines (if in use)
● Copier, printer and fax control buttons
● Front desk and lobby surfaces
● Microwave, refrigerator, appliance in lounges (if in use)

6. The evening classroom cleaning log is shown below. These logs will be posted in every classroom.

Here is a link to the excel file.
This link is view only, please make your own copy by clicking file, make a copy. 

Below is a sample:

• The overriding purpose for this plan is to protect the health of our students, staff and the community. Implementation of this approach to cleaning must be done with the safety and well being of all those involved as the primary focus and must follow the guidelines set forth for reopening. Following checklists and maintaining logs will result in the best outcomes for our students, staff and community and reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

The Victor Central School District will be placing signage around the school that includes these posters.

Product Safety Data Sheets

1. The district will provide all enrolled students with meal access in person or learning remotely.
2. The School Food Authority will utilize a combination of socially distanced dining with cafeteria pick up.
3. The district will work to coordinate with families learning remotely to provide meals to eligible students using available waivers from NYSED/USDA for flexibility.
4. The district cafeteria team will collaborate with the district facilities department safety and health guidelines.
5. The district will facilitate social distancing and student movement plans to collaborate with meal service.
6. The district cafeteria team will collaborate with the district/building administration to communicate applicable food allergies from a licensed health care provider. The district/building will accommodate socially distanced dining spaces for students with food allergies.
7. The district/building administration will work to provide hand sanitizer or hand washing before meal time. Sanitizing stations will be available before, during, and after meal times.
8. The district facilities department will ensure procedures for cleaning and disinfection prior to the next group of students accessing common areas for meal service.
9. The district cafeteria team will develop systems to offer meals in compliance with Child Nutrition Program requirements. Available and applicable waivers will be utilized to deliver resources to students.
10. The district cafeteria team will ensure food service communication in languages spoken by families by utilizing USDA documents with available translations as well as coordinating with the district resources for English as a Second Language.
11. The district/building administration will provide socially distanced dining areas or physical barriers while consuming meals. Examples include gyms, stage areas, classrooms, etc.

The transportation department will survey parents as to whether they will be utilizing the school buses.

1. The transportation department will provide PPE for any staff that requires it.
2. All transportation staff will be required to wear a face mask or shield at all times while on duty.
3. All school bus drivers, monitors and mechanics will perform a self-health assessment for Covid-19 symptoms before arriving to work.
4. If a driver or monitor must have direct contact with a student, they will be required to wear gloves.
5. Hand sanitizer will be provided for all transportation staff while in the building. This includes the dispatch office, breakroom, and the shop.
6. Transportation staff will receive periodic refreshers and training on the proper use of PPE, social distancing requirements, and signs and symptoms of Covid. Students will sit one student per seat when able to. If we are not able to sit one student per seat based on student capacity, students will sit two per seat and siblings will sit together.
7. Students will receive periodic training and reminders on the proper use of PPE, social distancing requirements, and signs and symptoms of Covid. 
8. Routing will be based on all students wearing masks and maintaining appropriate social distancing if they are physically and mentally able.
9. If a student does not wear a mask, they will be denied transportation.
10. If a student has a disability which prevents them from wearing a mask, they will not be forced to, nor will they be denied transportation.
11. If a student does not have a mask, one will be provided by the district.
12. Special needs routing and capacities will follow the guidelines of the childs’ IEP. 
13. Victor will provide transportation to nonpublic, parochial, private, charter, and special-needs schools regardless of Victors’ reopening plan.
14. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice a day. Once after the AM routes are completed, and once after the PM routes are completed.
15. High contact sport buses be wiped down after each run.
16. Buses will not be equipped with combustible hand sanitizer.
17. Drivers or monitors will not be permitted to carry the aforementioned sanitizer on their person while operating the bus.

Grades PreK-12

• Comprehensive Guidance Plan lessons have been updated to reflect needs of students given the current health circumstances so they are accessible in a virtual learning format under the direction of certified School Counselors.
• Our Curriculum Council, comprised of teachers, parents, and students, will serve as our advisory council to inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan.  
• School Counselors and School Psychologists will provide online resources for families to access at any time.  
• School Counselors and School Psychologists will work with families as needed to provide resources to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional support services and programs.
• School Counselors and School Psychologists will work with families as needed to provide referrals to outside agencies to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional support services and programs.
• School Counselors and School Psychologists will work with specific classes/cohort groups to assess the social and emotional needs of children within those groups and provide resources as needed.  
• A FAQ document was developed to ensure staff, students and families have an understanding of the health and safety protocols upon re-entering the building.
• Elementary teachers are developing routines and procedures to accommodate the changing class structures and to address physical distancing protocols so students are safe and comfortable.

Please see individual building pages for specific reopening plans.

Early Childhood School
Primary School
Intermediate School
Junior High School
Senior High School

Attendance will be taken by classroom teachers when students are engaging in in-person instruction. During remote instruction parents will notify the pertinent school on any day a child is not in attendance virtually. We will monitor both attendance and participation in remote learning at regular intervals. 

The Victor Central School District plans to support the technology mandatory assurances. Victor uses a variety of technologies to support and enhance the educational process. Due to COVID-19 our Instructional Technology training and resources for staff have been increased, along with our access to wifi and devices. Feedback from distance learning included parents and students stating they want more live in person instruction, and that there needs to be a single platform for teachers to utilize for instructional materials. 

• An on-demand resource for how to videos for teachers has been created and is located on the district website.
• WFL BOCES Instructional Technology Specialists provided training for teachers on 8/20/20, 8/27 and on 9/3. On-going training continues.
• All teachers will get their students logged in and set up on Google Classroom. Google Classroom will be our primary delivery platform for students.
• The District will survey students/families to see who needs access to a device and or wireless access. 
• Chromebooks and hotspots will be provided to all students that request either via the survey. The District will communicate which date the students/families can pick up the device and or hotspot. 
• Students that are issued a chromebook to use at home will bring the chromebook to school on the days they are in person session. 
• Multiple ways for students to demonstrate their mastery will be provided by both in person instruction  and via Google Classroom done remotely. 

Definition of remote- all Victor Central School students would be receiving instruction remotely through an online platform such as Google Classroom. 

Definition of in person- all Victor Central School students would be receiving direct instruction from teachers 5 days a week.

Definition of hybrid- students would be receiving both in person instruction and remote instruction through an online platform on various days of the week. 

1. Continuity of Learning Plan
   1. Grades PreK-6: In-Person: Follow typical instructional schedule; Remote: Provide ELA, Mathematics instruction through virtual instruction. When in-person, children will follow their typical instructional schedule. When remote, children will be provided with virtual learning opportunities. AIS and ENL services, as well as 504 Plan supports, will be provided. 
   2. Grades 7-12: In person would follow a typical schedule (4 blocks per day, 85 minutes per block in the VSHS and 9 periods per day of 38 minutes per period at VJHS). Hybrid: students will attend school in person two days per week by alphabet split. Students will engage in distance learning the remaining three days they are not in school. For all remote learning, students will be provided with virtual learning opportunities. 
2. Alignment to the New York State Learning Standards
   1. Grades PreK-12: All instruction will be aligned with NYS Learning Standards with a focus on essential standards. 
3. Interaction Between Teachers and Students
   1. Grades PreK-12: The mode of interaction with teachers will vary and will be based on whether they are face-to-face or virtual. Special education teachers, ENL teachers, school counselors and school psychologists, special area teachers, and related service providers will all interact with children based on their individual needs. To the greatest extent possible, we will use common technological platforms for consistency. 
4. Equity and Accessibility For All
   1. Grades PreK-12:  All students will be provided with access to either fully in-person or hybrid (for the secondary level) instructional opportunities. We acknowledge our district does not have enough devices to provide one for each student. Devices and wireless hotspots will be provided for families who do not have access to these at home. At the beginning of the school year, students will be taught to use the devices and identified technology platforms as appropriate (PreK and K instruction would be focused on familiarizing children with the format).
5. Communication With Schools and Teachers
   1. Grades PreK-6:  Families will be provided with resources to teach them how to use the technology platforms with their child at home. Families will gain information from the school from their child’s classroom teacher using email and/or communication application, the school district website, the Superintendent’s written and verbal communication, and the building principal’s newsletter. Families can ask questions through telephone calls and emails to their child’s classroom teachers, service providers, and administrators as needed.
   2. Grades PreK-12: the schools will utilize several communication platforms to disseminate information related to instruction and technology including; digital newsletters from building principals and the Superintendent, use of regular school email, building and district-wide phone/email platforms (BlackBoard Connect).
6. Eligible Agencies Follow Protocol
   1. All community based organizations providing UPK programming (DoodleBugs, KinderCare and TLC) have a Continuity of Learning Plan and will follow the health and safety guidelines outlined in NYSED guidance and required by the New York State Department of Health.   

Victor Central School District will plan to support the special education mandatory assurances with collaboration between faculty, staff, families and students. All IEP services will be implemented as dictated by Federal law. All special education classes at the PreK-6th grade level are operating 5 days a week, in-person. Districtwide, students who participate in our 12:1:3 programs will be able to attend school daily with the exception of Victor High School where classes on Wednesdays will be held virtually. All of our 8:1:1 classes are also in person 5 days/week. Additionally, at the junior and senior high school, our 15:1:1 classes are in person 4 days/week.

Regardless of the mode of instruction, special education teachers and related service providers will communicate with parents in a variety of ways (phone, emails, school-home notebook, apps such as SeeSaw) with the intent to engage parents in student learning. CPSE or CSE teams will contact program providers regarding provision of services recommended and develop methods to monitor student progress via data collection (curriculum-based measures, formative or summative assessments). CSE meetings can now be held in-person per parent request. We will continue to socially distance ourselves during any in-person meeting. Initial evaluations will be conducted within 60 calendar days from receipt of parent consent and reevaluations will be conducted within 60 school days from the date of request. Student progress updates will be reported to parents consistent with grade level report cards. The district will ensure that the special education teacher/case manager will collaborate with regular education teacher(s) to ensure that the IEP p.9 supplementary aids and services of the IEP accommodations and modifications are being implemented.

Students will be able to access their related services (PT, OT, SLP, AT, HAT, Music therapy) either in person or via Zoom (teletherapy) if the 100% online option is chosen. Related service providers will be creating schedules for in-person groups as well as sending video-conference invitations for Zoom sessions.
 

As Victor Central School reopens using a hybrid instructional model, staff will complete the English Language Learners (ELL) identification process:

• within 30 school days of the start of the school year for all students that enrolled during COVID-19 school closures in 2019-20, as well as all students who enroll during the summer of 2020 and during the first 20 school days of the 2020-21 school year. 
• after the 20 day flexibility period, identification of ELLs will resume for all students within 10 school days of initial enrollment.

The District began to conduct the identification process for all incoming Kindergarten ELL students during the week of July 20, 2020.

All ELL students will receive Units of Study in the form of integrated and/or stand-alone support based on their most recently measured English language proficiency level. This direct support will be provided on the days the student is in-person during the hybrid instructional model The class sizes of all ELLs will be smaller in the hybrid model and the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) will collaborate with the general education or special education classroom teacher for all students receiving integrated support..  

The TESOL will maintain regular communication with parents/guardians of ELLs.  This communication will be through email, phone calls and/or home visits, depending on the reason for the communication.  Every attempt will be made to provide communications in the parents/guardians of ELLs preferred language.

All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the district’s approved APPR plan. The Victor Central School will consider whether their currently approved APPR plans may need to be revised in order to be consistent with their plans for re-opening under an in-person, remote or hybrid instructional model. School leaders will continue to attend annually required Lead Evaluator training.

All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certificates for teaching assignments, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or education law.

Student teachers from NYSED registered college or university programs  can serve under the supervision of fully certified teachers in the Victor Central School District. Student teachers will  follow all of the social distancing,  mask wearing, health status reporting, and other COVID-19  procedures that the teachers follow.  Student teachers will serve under the supervision of our full time certified teachers only. At no time will a student teacher be used as a teacher of record.

The following link outlines protocols that have been established by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in accordance with the New York State Educational Department (NYSED) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Each activity is demonstrating a phasing of physical activity as well as a distant model.

Victor Interscholastic-Athletics, Extra-Curricular & Outside Organizations Re-Entry Plan

Statement from the MCPSAC regarding Fall 2020 Interscholastic-Athletics Registration