Masks will be mandatory, with a few exceptions for medical reasons. Students must wear face coverings or masks that completely cover the nose and mouth while inside the school and on the bus. “Mask Breaks” will be provided during the day. Parents/guardians will be responsible for providing students with face coverings or masks. Schools will have backup cloth or paper masks available for students who forget them.

A practice of handwashing or use of hand sanitizer at regular intervals, will be a mandatory occurrence, and we will continue to educate our children (especially our youngest) on appropriate cleaning techniques. Hand sanitizer stations and portable sinks will be located throughout each building.

We will maintain social distancing in our classroom setups. Mini-lessons, visual cues, and reminders will be provided to help students to distance appropriately.

Elementary students will stay in the same cohort throughout the day. They will eat together, and special area teachers will come to them whenever possible, as we want to minimize students traveling in the building as much as possible. Each area of the building will have bathrooms assigned for usage.

Regular classrooms at each building have been standardized to ensure social distancing. All classes will be arranged in rows, facing forward, with a teacher presentation station including a plexiglass shield/barrier. All unnecessary furniture is removed to allow for social distancing.

Grade K-5 buildings will have a split line for all hallways. Markings will be installed on floors to illustrate foot-traffic expectations. Grade 6-12 buildings will have designated one-way traffic patterns for hallways. This will limit face-to-face encounters during transitions.

CHS Map Hallway Traffic Pattern

Most grades will have students keep their belongings in their backpacks in a designated area in their classroom(s). Lockers assigned in grade 2 and grade 5 will be alternated by class to increase social distancing. Therefore, classroom cohorts will use their lockers at designated times. Students in grades 6-12 will not be using lockers.

Grades K-12 arrival and dismissal will be staggered due to bus arrival/dismissal schedule. In grades K-5, there will be different locations for drop off/pick up and buses. Grades 6-12 students will have staggered dismissal from multiple building exits based on their last period classroom location. Exterior classroom doors will be utilized to assist with arrival and dismissal procedures.

Students in all schools will eat breakfast and lunch using a cafeteria pick-up model. For breakfast, students will report directly to the cafeteria upon arrival at school, purchase their meal and eat in the cafeteria with socially distanced seating. At lunch, students will come to the cafeteria service line in their cohorts in small staggered waves. Plexiglas and spacing decals will be used in the serving line. Students will eat with socially distanced seating within their cohorts in the cafeteria and alternate spaces as much as possible. Weather permitting, schools with outside seating capability may be able to move some tables outside to improve social distance seating and reduce the number of students in the cafeteria. Cafeteria/group seating should be maintained with a goal of 50% of capacity.

Current guidance from the state is that we do not need to limit the number of students on our buses as long as all are wearing face coverings and community transmission is low. When boarding the bus, students will be encouraged to sit in the back row first, loading toward the front. Unloading the bus will be from front to back. Dismissal times will be staggered at each building to reduce congestion. Bus drivers will have a supply of face coverings for those students who have forgotten them.

Each classroom and area of the building will have restrooms identified for use. Sinks and urinals will be staggered in each bathroom and floor markings will be used to create social distancing.

Cleaning protocols in school have been enhanced to incorporate recommendations for COVID-19, and our custodians have been trained on cleaning in a pandemic. In addition, bathrooms will be cleaned at least twice daily.

Prior to the start of school staff will receive training on:

• masks/face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth
• physical distancing where possible
• frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer
• cough/sneeze etiquette
• enhanced cleaning/disinfection of surfaces
• the use of barriers such as plexi-glass and face shields
• procedures for sick students/staff members

Students will be trained with age- appropriate videos on mask wearing, physical distancing, handwashing, and cough/sneeze etiquette on the first day of school. Periodic verbal reminders and school announcements will support these practices.

Prior to school starting in August, Coventry Public Schools will send information to families including the following:

• The symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever (temperature greater than 100°f) or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or a new loss of smell/taste.
• The importance parents/guardians actively monitor symptoms of their children and all family members each day prior to sending students to school. Should anyone in the household be symptomatic, keep children home and notify the school nurse immediately.
• If anyone in the household has been exposed to someone with a known case of COVID-19, students should stay home from school and notify their child’s school nurse. The expectation is all household members will be quarantined for 14 days.
• Parents/guardians must call the school nurse on the morning of their student’s absence indicating the reason prior to the start of each school day.
• Proactive use of face coverings, physical distancing where possible, and handwashing at school and other public areas is essential.
• Emphasize required health assessments (physical examinations) and state mandated immunizations prior to school entry, working with families to comply with all state requirements.
• Strongly encouraging flu vaccination during the pandemic.
• Dismissal procedures should a student present with COVID-19 symptoms at school.
• Return to school requirements after illness.

Informational signs with COVID-19 symptoms and safety measures such as wearing a mask, physical distancing, frequent handwashing and hallway patterns will be posted throughout the school buildings.

It is critical students and staff members stay home when they are sick or have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. They will be advised to seek advice from their health care provider and notify their school nurse for record keeping and contact tracing. If a student should become ill at school, the teacher must first call the nurse prior to sending the student to the health office. The student will be evaluated by the nurse then monitored in the designated isolation room if symptoms are suspicious of COVID-19. Parents/guardians of the student will be contacted by the nurse for immediate pick-up and consultation with their health care provider. Staff members will be dismissed and directed to consult their health care provider immediately.

Each school has identified an isolation room, separate from the health office. Building principals will assign staff to monitor each room. This monitor will be equipped with a medical grade mask, an isolation gown, gloves and a face shield. Anyone in contact with the isolated student will be logged into the nurse’s SNAP program.

Laboratory Confirmed Case of COVID-19

The ability for students or staff to return to campus will be determined based upon research-based guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

1.Symptom-based Strategy: Isolation and precautions can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms.

2.Time-Based Strategy: (for those asymptomatic but tested positive)

• At least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.
• If they develop symptoms during this period then the symptom-based strategy should be used.

Suspected Case of COVID-19

For those students or staff that are dismissed (or out of school/work) due to symptoms consistent with COVID-19 may return to the school setting by following the below criteria.

1. If not tested, then symptom-based strategy detailed above is met, OR;
2. If not tested, then physician’s clearance note provided and symptoms improve consistent with standard school guidelines, OR;
3. Negative COVID-19 test result provided and symptoms improve consistent with standard school guidelines.

Parents/guardians and staff will be directed to notify the school nurse for the reason of any illness related absence. Nursing staff will follow-up (call, email, etc.) on each unaccounted student and staff absent in their building daily. All COVID-19 related absences and school dismissals (symptoms or confirmed cases) will be entered confidentially into the SNAP nursing program. A report will be generated and totals will be shared with district nurses, the superintendent and building administrators. Diagnosis of positive COVID-19 cases will be immediately communicated with Eastern Highland Health District officials to coordinate further action by the district. Coventry School District will notify families via email, phone blast, and our district website of any altered school schedules or temporary closures.

Students will follow a daily schedule that adheres to the State Department of Education guidelines to include live daily contact between teachers and students, direct instruction, independent student work, and the opportunity for questions and feedback. Students K-12 will engage in both synchronous and asynchronous learning during the hours of 8:30 am-3:10pm. Staff will be present to answer questions and respond to emails during that time. Students will follow their daily schedule with synchronous learning (students logging in to each class at the proper time).

On Wednesdays, there will be a half day of school for students in the morning during which teachers will provide office hours for help and support. In the afternoon, students are encouraged to engage in Wellness Wednesdays. For staff, the afternoon will consist of ongoing professional development and meetings to include grade level meetings, department meetings, collaboration with special education and related services, content area coaching, technology integration training, and professional development related to effective instructional strategies to support distance learning.

Specific school schedules are linked below:

• Sample CGS Schedule
• Sample GHR Schedule
• Sample CNH Schedule
• Sample CHS Schedule
• Coventry Academy - Class schedule is dependent upon students’ individual need

Coventry Public Schools is committed to providing equitable access to high quality online curriculum including necessary student supports. The need for additional instructional materials and blended learning instructional resources will be identified. Teachers will prioritize standards and employ curriculum compacting. Physical Education, Art, and Music Education as well as many electives will continue to be provided in Grades K-12 according to the school’s daily schedule via a blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Activities will offer time away from the screen and movement.

Students will also be provided with explicit instruction on how to engage with distance learning and building independence.

To assess students, formative assessment practices, ( i.e., use of web based polling app., review of student work, entrance and exit tickets, student self-assessment, rubrics informing work in progress, etc.) will be implemented to gauge the impact of their instruction. Summative assessments may include such items as projects, discussions, Google forms, pictures of work, and presentations. PowerSchool will continue to provide updated information regarding work and attendance.

Social and Emotional Learning will be provided in a variety of ways. This includes the implementation of Second Step lessons and Morning Meetings in grades K-5. In Grades 6-12, SEL will be addressed during ELA (6-8) or English coursework (9-12), embedded in units of study.

All teachers will set up a Google Classroom or Seesaw the first week of school and maintain the online presence so that all are prepared if we need to transition to a different model. Teachers will post work daily at the K-5 level and weekly at the 6-12 level. Teachers will maintain ongoing communication with students and families. Certified staff will respond to emails using the @coventryct.org email address. Staff will respond to all emails within 24 hours of receipt during the school week. Weekly communication to parents is expected at K-5 and biweekly a 6-12.

All teachers will offer office hours several times a week to support students during distance learning. These are synchronous opportunities for students to meet with their teacher for help and support.

All students will access their Google classroom or Seesaw beginning the first week of school, which will allow for a smooth transition to distance learning if needed. Students will have continuity of learning in a virtual environment. Students will log in daily at 8:30 to meet with his or her first class.

Students will engage in both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning involves teachers meeting in real time with students for lectures, discussion, direct instruction, and presentations. This may involve whole class instruction with activities and discussions, or meeting with small groups of students over the course of a week. Conferencing tools in the upgrade Google Meets such as participant text chat, screen sharing, and breakout rooms support synchronous learning. Asynchronous work allows students to complete their work assigned on their own time. When asynchronous, students can access assignments and content at any time of the day (or night).

If a student will be absent, parents/guardians will be directed to notify the school nurse for the reason of any absence.

All students in grades 1 through grade 12 will have an individual Chromebook assigned to him or her. Kindergarten students will each have an iPad. Students should make every effort to charge their devices at home. Coventry Public Schools will evaluate family connectivity, and ascertain additional connectivity needs of families.

Students will be using a variety of technology platforms and programs. These include the platforms of Google Suite and Seesaw. Students may also be utilizing personalized online learning programs such as Lexia, Reflex Math, MobyMax, ALEKs math, Typing Club, or instructional Resources: such as Newsela, CommonLit, Pear Deck, Flipgrid, Screencastify, Edpuzzle, Padlet, Khan Academy, Wevideo, RazKids, and Brainpop. Coventry Public Schools will provide students with any physical resources needed to engage in learning, including workbooks, books, and manipulatives. Supplies will be delivered as needed.

Professional Development will be offered weekly on Wednesday afternoons to meet the continued needs of Coventry educators during Distance Learning. Based on survey results, topics such as curriculum compacting, formative and summative assessment strategies for distance learning, integration of high yield instructional strategies into distance learning, integration of technology to support achievement in distance learning, and instruction with new online curricular resources will be provided. New teachers will be provided with additional support and ongoing training as needed.

Coventry Public Schools will continue to provide timely and ongoing communication to families. In the event of the need to move to distance learning, the Superintendent will determine if closure is appropriate in consultation with and at the recommendation of the local health officials. A district liaison will be available to respond to questions and concerns. Information will be communicated via SchoolMessenger and the district website.

A Distance Learning electronic information guide with sections for each school will be provided to all families. This will include family and student resources, expectations, and schedules. Support for families will also be provided in the form of supplemental learning resources on the district website, a virtual Help Desk, and frequently communicated literature and information to support distance learning, such as the Guide to Google Classroom for Families.

To support student engagement during distance learning, data regarding attendance, participation rates, and work completion will be monitored regularly. Educators will develop customized strategies to support students based on their individual needs and consider additional supports and resources that may assist families in supporting student engagement in distance learning.

Under the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs students enrolled in Coventry schools are eligible for the Full Closure Meal Service Model. Parents are encouraged to apply for meal benefits. The distribution site for pick-up and take home meals will continue at Capt. Nathan Hale School. Meals will be served twice a week from 11:00 - 12:00 on the following schedule:

• Monday - pick up breakfast and lunch for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• Thursday - pick up breakfast and lunch for Thursday and Friday

If the USDA allows schools to continue operating under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), all meals will continue at no cost on a three day pick up option.

• Monday - pick up breakfast and lunch for Monday and Tuesday
• Wednesday - pick up breakfast and lunch for Wednesday and Thursday
• Friday - pick up breakfast and lunch for Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Families will be updated by food services regarding the available options. Meals for non-pickup days will either be a cold entrée (deli sandwich) or will come fully cooked and ready for you to reheat at home. Please follow the instructions included in your meals regarding safe refrigeration, reheating and storage of food. All lunches include a serving of fruit, serving of vegetables, and a carton of milk. Included in each meal will be a breakfast which contains assorted pastry, fruit and/or juice and a carton of milk. Families will preorder using a meal order form.