Plans in place, LMCS ready to reopen for 2020-21

Start to school year unlike any other

By Demi Budd | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – On Aug. 7, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the reopening of New York’s schools would be based on each region’s infection rates. The decision between either an in-person or hybrid model was to be made by each local school district under strict guidelines by the state Department of Health.

In an effort to gather as much information as possible before making a decision, Livingston Manor Central School’s administration  released a survey for parents. It asked what type of learning they would like their child to participate in – either hybrid, remote or homeschooling. Along with that were questions about transportation, technology access and meals provided by the school.

After obtaining the results from the survey, LMCS announced its decision: It will open with a hybrid plan that includes an all-remote option. Following this announcement were three community reopening forums. People could either attend those meetings in person or through the video-conferencing app Zoom. The meetings’ purpose was to fill in the blanks and answer any questions parents might have regarding the 2020-21 school year at LMCS.

Three learning choices

The meeting, led by Superintendent John Evans, along with Elementary Principal Chris Hubert and Director of Special Services Lauren Marrero, kicked off with an announcement:

“The reality of it,” Evans stated, “is that we don’t all have the ability to do the same thing as the 700-plus New York school districts.”

With that said, Evans explained the plan and how it was chosen, based on the responses to the survey. Of those who filled surveys out, roughly 90 students will be doing remote learning. A small handful chose to do homeschooling, and the rest chose in-person learning.

Evans has made room for change with these choices. If any student participating in in-person learning feels unsafe at any time, he or she can shift to remote learning. If any student participating in remote learning feels safe enough to return to the school building, they can make that choice and shift at the end of the marking period.

With the hybrid plan comes a two-day in-school and three-day remote schedule. Students will be assigned to “cohorts,” labeled A and B, that will attend school on different days of the week. Cohort A will attend on Mondays and Wednesdays, while cohort B will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays will be a remote day for both cohorts.

By October, Evans said he would like to accommodate entire classes, starting with the lower grades, and shift the schedule to attending school daily, Monday through Thursday. This would be done only if the parents and teachers are comfortable with the increased attendance.

Observing health guidelines

The four-day-a-week plan can only be achieved if staff and students diligently follow the safety precautions that will be enforced this year. This includes, but is not limited to, mask-wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

“All health and safety protocols are addressed through our code of conduct. If we have students who refuse to wear masks and social distance, we can put them through remote instruction for a week or two, due to their lack of compliance,” Evans explained.

This would mainly apply to older students. Elementary students will not be penalized for not wearing a mask.

In regard to testing, Evans said, “We do not require any COVID-19 testing. We are not a testing agency. Whether someone gets tested or not is determined by the medical professionals they see.”

As LMCS moves forward with this plan, Evans is already looking into the future. “We are willing, ready and prepared to do in-person instruction with all 400 of our students – if parents are comfortable,” he said.

“While the change in the schedule may be an inconvenience for a week or two, the ultimate goal is to get to an all in-person learning space by October or even sooner,” Evans explained.

Upon answering all of the attendees’ questions, both in person and through Zoom, Evans concluded the day’s meetings of the day with a final comment.

“Let me throw this out there: These are all plans. Plans change under the circumstances. The reason they’re slow is because we know that some will not work; we need to tweak and change things. Some of the things we have in place now may be different the Monday after we start.”

The situation right now is very fluid. Things are constantly changing, and LMCS plans to adapt to those changes to ensure that students get a proper learning experience this year, whether it be in-person or through a screen.

While the safety of students cannot be guaranteed if they attend school in person, LMCS is approaching the reopening with many precautions. The various requirements and restrictions planned may all seem like too much to some, but these – and the rest of the changes – are being done in an effort to have a quick return to normalcy.

The plans as currently configured

In-person learning

Transportation: Buses will be provided, albeit a bit differently. Usually, buses hold 50 to 60 students. Now, with social distancing (one student per seat unless they are sitting with members of the same household), only 22 students can be accommodated per bus. Masks are also required to be worn by everyone on the bus at all times. If a student comes without a mask, the driver will provide one.

Bus routes are being modified as well. Students do not have an option for after school care such as at a friend’s house or anywhere that isn’t their own home. They will get on the bus from their home and be returned there after school.

For parents who drive their students to school, there will be designated drop-off areas. Some students will enter through the gym, some will enter through the cafeteria, and some may enter through the side auditorium door. Parents must stay in their vehicles, and staff will be at each location. In consideration of Pre-K and Kindergartn students, accommodations for parents to enter with their children are being made.

Health precautions: Temperatures will be taken via rapid-scan sensors before staff and students enter the building. A fever is considered a temperature above 100.4 degrees. Staff with a fever will be sent home, and students will be escorted to a quarantine area. Anyone found to have a temperature must obtain a note from either the Department of Health or a doctor saying their quarantine period is up in order to return to school.

Parents must answer a health questionnaire daily via email before their child can attend school. If anyone tests positive while in school, LMCS will close for a minimum of 24 hours, and contact tracing will be performed.

Staff and students are not required to be tested before school starts. LMCS also will not require students to get tested if they have a fever.

Classroom requirements: In the building, classes will be modified so that social distancing can be maintained. If it cannot, students will be required to wear masks. Teachers can tell students when they can and cannot take off masks in their classrooms. Students will not be required to wear them 100 percent of the time, though, and mask breaks will be implemented throughout the day.

“Special area” classes like Band, Choir, and PE have different social-distancing protocols. All students must be 12 feet apart. Instead of the usual designated Band/Choir rooms, the auditorium will be used. PE will take place outside when possible, and then socially distanced indoors as needed.

After-school restrictions: All group gatherings and after-school activities are “on pause.” This includes sports, extracurriculars, student of the month, open house, dances, concerts, etc. As students will not be in the building as late, cleaning procedures can take place as soon as students and teachers exit the building.

Cleaning procedures will be much more thorough. Sweeping and mopping classroom floors will be done every day. Touched surfaces will also be cleaned after each use. Every classroom is equipped with hand sanitizer, wipes and other cleaning tools.

Remote Learning

Communication: For the remote days (and for students who will be working entirely remotely), LMCS plans to increase communication. Currently the website is being worked on to be more user friendly, with a new school Facebook page and an up-to-date database or parent email addresses. LMCS will also utilize the Remind app, phone calls and text messaging. The school plans to provide devices to students who do not have one at home. Fully remote students can obtain any non-digital materials by pickup or through buses sent to their homes.

Accommodating grade levels: The remote-learning experience will be tailored to the age of the student. A first grader will not be expected to sit in front of a screen for seven hours every day. Paper copies of work and activities will be sent to students’ homes. Much of the remote learning structure is up to the individual teachers. They will determine how it will be adapted to suit their curricula.

Tests and exams: Assessments at the middle and high school levels will still occur. The SAT is scheduled to be offered at LMCS with social distancing. The Regents exam and the 3-8 State Testing are determined by the Department of Education. Additional state testing decisions will likely be made in spring.