Noblesville Schools answers common questions on returning to school this fall

Submitted

On Monday, Noblesville Schools released details on the district’s plan for students to return to school. The following is a statement released by Noblesville Schools:

Thank you for your patience as we’ve worked to finalize our comprehensive return to school plan. COVID-19 has been a significant challenge that has forced us to re-evaluate practices, procedures, funding and staffing across the district in an effort to ensure all students can best learn in a safe environment.

We want you to know that while some things will look different this school year, our core mission and values have not changed. We will be caring for and meeting the needs of each student with the same focus on personal attention that we always have. We will be providing academic challenges and supports, maintaining welcoming spaces, celebrating students, encouraging innovation, fostering friendships and collaborating with families. Our special Noblesville Schools staff and culture will be ready to greet students when they return.

We’re also committed to minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and will not compromise on safety. This return to school plan is based on information we have at this time and is subject to change.

Please note that we’ve built this plan based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and Hamilton County Health Department.

We have included several questions and answers below that outline details of our return to school plan. After you review this information, please answer these key questions by July 6. We MUST have your response to prepare for the new school year.

1. Will your child be returning to school in August?
2. Will your child be riding the bus?
3. Will your child need transportation to the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville?

We are excited to open our buildings and welcome students back soon! We know you have more questions and we’ll continue to be in touch throughout the summer with additional information and back-to-school details. Enjoy the rest of your break!

When will school start?

We plan to open schools on our regularly scheduled start date of Monday, Aug. 3.

Will instruction be in school buildings or online?

We will offer face-to-face, in-school instruction every day (Monday-Friday) for students who are able to return to school. Online learning will be available for students with risk-factor health issues or those who have immediate family members with health issues.

Will social distancing be required?

We will practice social distancing when possible. Due to the size of our student body and our facilities it will not be possible at all times. In classrooms, student seating may be arranged to all face in the same direction, when possible, and will be spaced as far apart as possible. On buses, we will be placing one student per seat (siblings may sit together). At lunch, we will maximize available spaces for distancing.

Will masks be required?

Students and staff will need to wear masks, at times. Masks will be required on buses, while entering and exiting the school building, while picking up food in the cafeteria line, and during passing periods. Masks could also be required for certain classrooms or classroom activities.

Students should plan to have two cloth masks as part of their back-to-school supplies. We will be providing all students a mask carrying clip to help keep masks clean and allow for easy on and off usage. If you need assistance obtaining masks, please contact your school counselor. The state will be sending us masks and we will make them available as needed.

I don’t want my child wearing a mask.

We know that there are strong opinions about the use of masks. The Indiana State Department of Health cited a 40 to 60 percent reduction in COVID-19 transmission when masks are used by all, which is why we are requiring them for certain portions of the day.

This is especially important since some carriers of COVID-19 may not have any symptoms. Children, despite being generally less affected by COVID-19, expose school staff and adults at home who may be more at risk. Students who cannot or will not wear a mask during the required times at school will need to utilize online learning at home.

What will be different on school buses?

As mentioned, there will be one student per seat (siblings may sit together) and masks will be required on buses. Also, parents must reserve a spot for their child to ride the bus and students will be assigned seats. Students will not be able to ride a friend’s bus home.

Depending on how many students reserve a seat on the bus, we may be required to reinstate walking zones and discontinue bus service for some students who live near their school. Details on whether your area will fall into a walking zone will be shared closer to the start of school. For now, parents should answer our required bus question in general, indicating whether their child plans to ride the bus if service is available in your area.

I drop my child off at school. Will anything change?

We anticipate an increase in parents dropping students off at school. Some schools may need to assign staggered drop off times and/or change drop off locations to accommodate this increase. Your school will provide more details.

What changes will students see in the cafeteria and at water fountains?

Students may be assigned seating and will be spaced as far apart as possible. Masks will be required while picking up food in the cafeteria line. All students will be washing hands prior to entering the cafeteria and no cash will be used in lunch lines. (Cash will still be accepted for pre-payments.)

Students will be assisted by food services staff in the cafeteria line rather than picking up their own items. Food selections will be pre-wrapped and choices will be reduced.

All water fountains will be turned off and we will be using water bottle filling stations to provide students with access to water throughout the day.

What changes will be implemented in school health clinics?

There will be separate areas created in our health clinics – one for regular care and an isolated area for anyone who presents signs or symptoms of illness.

Parents will no longer be allowed to bring medications into clinics. If you need to provide medication for your child, a nurse will meet you in a designated area to handle this.

You can also expect to see changes in how we administer stocked medicines, the suspension of nebulizer treatments, and new criteria for staying home from school/returning to school, based on CDC guidelines.

Please reach out to your school nurse if you have specific concerns regarding your child’s medical care.

What changes will be implemented on playgrounds and in PE classes?

To limit exposure, classroom groups will play at recess within playground zones and will rotate through different play zones throughout the week.

PE classes are still being evaluated and more information will be coming at a later date.

How will the online learning option work?

Online learning with a Noblesville Schools teacher will be available for students with at-risk health issues or those who have immediate family members with health issues.

To manage staffing and scheduling, students must commit to in-person or online learning for an established period of time and will not be permitted to move back and forth during this commitment.

Students in grades K-8 will have the option to select online learning for nine-week grading period sessions.

NHS students who are learning online will select that option for a semester at a time.

Grades K–5

Students who do not attend school in person will be enrolled in online learning facilitated by a Noblesville Schools teacher via Canvas, our Learning Management System. Students will receive both virtual instruction (class meetings, small group, and one-on-one) and pre-recorded lessons that focus on essential standards in each core subject area (reading, writing and math). In addition, readings, practice exercises and other activities may be given. Students will be engaged in learning for 1.5 to 2.5 hours daily.

Grades 6–12

Students who do not attend school in person will be enrolled in a software platform that provides online instruction. Their progress will be monitored by a licensed teacher, but course content will be delivered online through the software. In addition to online readings and practice exercises, instruction and assignments may include other activities such as video tutorials and projects. The time needed to complete coursework varies for each student but should be comparable to requirements for in-person learning. Some courses will not be available online.

Will students be screened for COVID-19 symptoms?

Parents need to be attentive to the daily health of their children and will be required to sign an expectation agreement indicating their commitment to ensure their child is symptom-free and safe to attend school each day. This includes being fever-free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. School staff will also be receiving professional development on how to recognize potential COVID-19 symptoms. No one should be in our buildings if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

What will happen if someone tests positive for COVID-19?

If we have a confirmed case of COVID-19, we will follow direction from the Hamilton County Health Department. This may include closing a classroom, school or schools for a period of time and shifting quickly to eLearning at home for students who are impacted. Many of our new procedures are designed to support contact tracing should a confirmed case occur. This will assist the Health Department with quickly identifying and contacting individuals who may have been exposed.

Will schools be open all year? Will these procedures be in place all year?

The pandemic shifts rapidly and we don’t know what the rest of the school year may bring. If cases surge, schools may be ordered to close again, requiring all students to shift to online learning. If the situation improves, we may be able to abandon some elements of this plan and return to more normal operating conditions.

What cleaning enhancements are being implemented in buildings?

We’ve stocked up on personal protective equipment, hand washing materials and cleaning supplies.

In addition to our regular cleaning, we’ll be disinfecting more often in common areas like hallways, cafeterias, bathrooms, playgrounds and buses, as well as high-touch surfaces like door handles and desks. We’ll also be using electrostatic disinfectants as needed in buildings and buses for intense after-hours cleaning.

We’re already meeting the Indiana State Department of Health’s recommended environmental steps to reduce indoor COVID transmission through humidity, air-conditioning, air filters, etc.

What social and emotional resources will be in place as students return?

We recognize the importance of providing students and staff with extra social and emotional support as they return to school this year. Expect to see special welcome activities, extra time for building relationships and establishing new routines, and focus on coping strategies.

Our counselors, social workers and psychologists will be ready to assist students and staff in need of support. Additionally, school-based mental health professionals through Community Health Network will be available. We’ll be sharing additional resources throughout the year and you can find suggestions on the Parent Power area of our website.

Will back to school events still be happening?

Our annual Back to School BASH has been canceled. Plans for other back to school events like elementary ice cream socials, middle school Meet in the Middle, freshman orientation and NHS open house are still being evaluated. More information on these events will be coming at a later date.

What can parents do now to ensure a smooth start to school?

We encourage parents to talk with, reassure and support their children about these changes, and the importance of social distancing and wearing masks.

• Allow your child to ask questions and answer them to the best of your ability. Find guidance here.

• Explain the why behind wearing a mask and have your child practice wearing their mask.

• Read a story about returning to school such as Going Back to School or Welcome Back to School.

• Follow recommended guidelines regarding masks and social distancing this summer to help prevent a future surge in cases that might impact the start of school.

• Help students get back into a normal schedule at least a week before school begins, such as reinstituting bedtime and wake up routines.

• Be sure that all your child’s immunizations are up to date, including newly required immunizations for students entering kindergarten, 6th and 12th grades.

• Stay in close communication with your school should your health situation or return plans change.

What other changes can I expect?

Unfortunately, we must restrict all school visitors to promote health, safety and social distancing.

Students and staff should not be in buildings if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

We’ll be reviewing our overall attendance policies for staff and students, as well as eliminating any attendance recognitions that could encourage attending school when not feeling well. More information on the specific attendance policy changes will be coming at a later date.

The pandemic shifts rapidly and we don’t know what the rest of the school year may bring. Other changes could certainly be implemented and we will be in close communication with staff and families as future decisions are made.