2020-2021 East Wilkes Middle School
Information and Daily Operations
Plan B - Blended Instruction
**Please note that this document is subject to change due to COVID-19 updates and direction from the district or state. It is not intended to replace the student/parent handbook but rather to address day to day operations under Plan B.
Athletics:
Athletics will be determined by the NCHSAA.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken by the homeroom teacher daily in Powerschool. Protocols for determining attendance will be:
- Student engagement (completion of assignments)
- On pace (participation in class or virtual classroom)
- Offering academic and emotional support (communication with student and family)
Classroom teachers will contact students/families directly in the event that there is no student contact or work completion after 3 days.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures:
Attestation Form:
Copies of the parent attestation form will be made available to parents that choose to attest to a symptom screening for their child. These forms will be included in the beginning of the year packet that each child will receive at the drive through or in person orientation. By signing the form the parent/guardian confirms that the questions on the form have been completed and the health and well-being of the student has been verified daily prior to boarding the bus and/or exiting the car to enter the school building.
Carline Arrival:
ALL students will unload in the back car line located behind the building on the cafeteria side. To avoid the car line extending into the main highway, the car line will weave around the front of the school, turn right at the spirit rock and proceed around to the back for drop off.
Before students exit their car, they will be asked 3 questions about their health. Students will then have a temperature screening by a staff member. Any student with a temperature lower than 100.4, will be allowed to enter the school, receive a breakfast, and then go directly to their homeroom. If there is a “yes” response to any of the attestation questions, then the student will be asked to learn remotely for the day and follow up with the school nurse or administrator to determine return to school procedures.
If the student has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, then that parent/guardian may be asked to park and wait ten minutes in the car with their student. After ten minutes, the student will have their temperature re-checked. If the temperature is 100.4 or higher at that point, the student will need to learn remotely for that day. The student can come back to school when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medicine and have documentation from a doctor with a confirmed alternative (Non COVID Related) diagnosis.
CARLINE DISMISSAL:
7th and 8th grade students will be dismissed to the front car line located at the front of the school. Cloth face coverings are required and social distancing when possible is encouraged.
6th grade students will be dismissed to the back car line located behind the building on the cafeteria side. Cloth face coverings are required and social distancing when possible is encouraged.
BUS LOADING AND ARRIVAL:
Buses will run with 1 student per seat. Siblings will be allowed to sit together. There will be seating charts for every route.
Whenever possible, we encourage parents/guardians to stay with their student(s) at the bus stop. Before students board a bus, they will have to provide an attestation form with a parent signature answering 3 questions about their health. When students cannot present the form, they will have their temperature screened before being allowed to board the bus. Cloth face coverings are required prior to boarding the school bus and should be properly worn the entire time.
When students exit the bus to enter the building, they will have temperature screening by a staff member. Any student with a temperature lower than 100.4, will be allowed to enter the school, receive a breakfast, and then go directly to their homeroom.
Students with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be asked to wait 10 minutes to have temperature screened again. This student will go to a location where they can be safely socially distanced from others and wait for another temperature screening by a staff member. If the student temperature remains 100.4 or higher the student will need to be picked up and learn remotely for that day. If the student’s temperature is lower than 100.4 they will be directed to their hallway.
BUS DISMISSAL:
Students will follow social distancing protocols to board the bus. Students will proceed to their assigned seat. Cloth face coverings are required prior to loading and must be properly worn the entire time on the bus.
CLASSROOMS:
Student desks will be arranged to face in the same direction where possible. Students will be seated to provide social distancing. Student desks and all high touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized between transitions and at other times periodically throughout the day.
Each room will have hand sanitizer for student use and other cleaners/sanitizers for teacher use. Frequent hand washing/sanitizing is highly recommended and will be encouraged by school staff.
COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS OR EXPOSURE
Close Contact: If a student has had close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or has been advised by the health department or health care provider to quarantine the following applies:
The student should not be at school. The student can return 14 days after the last time they had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Symptoms: If a student has had any of these symptoms, (fever, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing), the following applies:
The student should go home, stay away from other people, and call their health care provider.
COVID-19 Diagnosis: If a student has been diagnosed with COVID-19 based on a test, their symptoms, or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until they meet the “Return to School Criteria” listed below.
Returning to School: A student can return to school when a parent/guardian can ensure that they can answer YES to ALL three questions:
- Has it been at least 10 days since the student first had symptoms?
- Has it been at least 3 days since the student had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine)?
- Has it been at least 3 days since the student’s symptoms have improved, including cough and shortness of breath?
If a student has had a negative COVID-19 test, they can return to school once there is no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines and they have felt well for 24 hours.
If a student has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but does not have symptoms, they should remain out of school until 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 a student has been determined to have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, they should remain out of school for 14 days since the last known contact, unless they test positive. In which case, criteria above would apply. They must complete the full 14 day quarantine even if they test negative.
**Note** The COVID-19 Diagnosis or Exposure procedures also apply to all teachers, staff, and other essential personnel that have access to the school building.
BATHROOM BREAKS:
Whole class bathroom breaks are being provided; however, teachers will allow students to be dismissed to the bathroom when needed. Only two persons are allowed in the bathroom at the same time. Students waiting to use the restroom will practice social distancing at the designated waiting area.
CAFETERIA
The school cafeteria will prepare and serve breakfast and lunch each day for both in school and remote learning students.
Remote learning students will be able to pick up meals at the cafeteria entrance located at the back of the school each day between 11:30 and 12:30.
All middle school students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch for this school year.
Breakfast (In School):
A breakfast cart will be located at each entry point.
While waiting to be served in the breakfast line, students will practice social distancing. Once breakfast has been received, students will proceed directly to their homeroom.
Lunch (In School):
Teachers will accompany their students to the cafeteria to receive their lunch each day. Students will proceed to one of the two lunch lines that has been designated for their class. While waiting to be served in the lunch line, students will practice social distancing. Once all students in a class have been served, teachers will exit the cafeteria and escort students back to the classroom where they will eat lunch.
COMMUNICATION:
Student Communication: Teachers will use student gmail accounts, phone calls, and Canvas to communicate with students.
Parent Communication: Teachers will use Remind 101, email, and phone calls to communicate with parents. Parents will need to download the Remind 101 APP and are encouraged to do so in the first 10 days of school. If you need assistance downloading the APP please contact your child’s teacher.
Office Hours: Teachers will have daily office hours to communicate with students and parents/guardians. These will be posted on our website as well as communicated by teachers.
FEES:
There will be a $5 fee for a student handbook/planner this school year. This can be paid the first day of school. In addition to helping keep students organized with assignments on the current A/B Day schedule, Wilkes County Schools and East Wilkes Middle School policies are located in the handbook/planner for your quick reference. We will not be utilizing lockers until further notice so there will not be a locker fee. Without lockers, every student will need a backpack to carry from class to class. This will help in keeping each student’s personal school supplies in a convenient location for their individual use. Backpacks with rollers/wheels are not permitted.
FIELD TRIPS:
There will be no field trips until further notice.
GRADING:
Students will receive regular grades in all classes whether attending school in person or remotely. The options provided last semester for students will not be available this grading period. Grades will be updated regularly in Powerschool, as before, so that parents and students are aware of their progress throughout the grading period.
LIBRARY BOOKS:
Students will be allowed to check out books from the media center following recommended safety protocols. Returned books will be properly cleaned and sanitized before returning to circulation.
Masks (Cloth Face Coverings)
Wearing a mask/cloth face covering is required by all students, staff, and other persons that enter the school building. Masks are to be worn at all times, no matter the distance apart. Exceptions would include strenuous physical activity, eating and drinking. Whether persons are 8 feet or 6 feet apart does not change this requirement. Brief mask breaks following the proper protocols will be scheduled periodically throughout the day. Students engaging in outside activities will follow the mask protocol that has been established for athletics.
Exceptions are as follows:
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.
- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
- Anyone who cannot tolerate a cloth face covering due to developmental, medical or behavioral health needs.
ORIENTATION:
An orientation packet will be made available to 7th and 8th grade students prior to the opening of school. We will host drive through pick up days for both grade levels. Students in 7th grade can pick up their orientation packet from their teachers on Thursday, August 13th between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the front of the school. Students in 8th grade can pick up their packet on Tuesday, August 11th between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. also in the front of the school. The packet will contain information essential for the beginning of school like schedules, Chromebook check out forms, attestation forms, and more so please make plans to pick up packets on your assigned date.
Orientation for 6th grade students will be held face to face at school over two days in order to social distance. Orientation days are assigned based on the teacher team and A/B day for the student. Orientations will be held either on Tuesday, August 11 or Thursday, August 13 from 6:00-7:00 and 7:30-8:30. Orientation specifics are outlined on an attached sheet; please make sure you read the attached sheet for specific information and your day and time. In order to meet state crowd gathering capacity requirements we are asking that only the 6th grade student and one parent/guardian attend the orientation.
REMOTE INSTRUCTION A/B DAY ROTATION
Scheduling
The school day will begin at 7:45 and end at 3:30
- A/B Schedule with 50% of students in attendance each day (Students are divided into Group A and Group B, each group attending school on alternate days.)
- Every effort has been made between elementary, middle, and high schools for students living in the same household to be placed in the same group, even if they attend different school districts. (Siblings go to school on the same days).
- The district has published an A/B day calendar that is color coded. This can be found on the WCS website and other WCS social media outlets. This calendar will remain in effect as long as we remain on Plan B.
A/B Day Schedule Link
https://4.files.edl.io/f103/07/21/20/130644-41d424d8-7dbc-4169-8e5d-d943a02d9a0a.pdf
SAFETY PROCEDURES:
All students and staff will be practicing proper safety measures, including frequent hand washing/sanitizing, social distancing, and wearing required masks/cloth face coverings.
Social distancing measures are in place throughout the entire facility.
Extra cleaning precautions will be taken each day before and after school and throughout the school day.
Temperature checks are required for all personnel and students before entering school facilities. (Those with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home). There will be areas set aside in the school to isolate those who become symptomatic or sick.
SHARING MATERIALS:
Students are not allowed to share any personal items or supplies.
TECHNOLOGY:
Every student will have the opportunity to check out a Chromebook. Students will be responsible for taking the Chromebook home each day and having it when they return to school. Parents must read and sign the Chromebook check out agreement before a student is allowed to take the device off campus. Parents that sign the agreement are responsible for damages resulting from neglect or abuse and for the full cost of the device if it is lost or not returned to school.
If your child is experiencing technology problems, the first point of contact is their teacher.
TRANSITIONS:
Limiting transitions is a part of our daily safety plan, however when transitioning is essential social distancing will be practiced.
TRANSPORTATION:
We hope to have bus routes finalized so bus assignments will be a part of the orientation packet.
Buses will run with 1 student per seat. Siblings will be allowed to sit together. There will be seating charts for every route.
WATER FOUNTAINS:
Water fountains will be closed for drinking but will still be accessible for bottle fill. Monitoring this would be nearly impossible so please remind your child that drinking from the water fountain is a huge health risk and should be avoided.
We are strongly encouraging every student to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day. If you are looking for ways to help a classroom, a donation of bottled water would be greatly appreciated.
VISITORS:
Schools are required to limit nonessential visitors and activities involving external groups or organizations.
If you need to come to the school during the school day, please ring the bell located at the main entrance and wait for assistance and instructions.
If you are scheduled to meet with a teacher or administrator, the office will be notified in advance.