Special Education students enrolled in the 18-21 program will still have the opportunity to participate in the classes that take place at the Service Center and at the Access House.  Participation in the CLEAR program at JCCC will be dependent upon the college’s decision to continue classes on that campus. Job placements within the community will be specific to the guidelines for employees at the individual locations. 

All Return to Learn safety protocols will be followed to ensure student and staff safety.  Likewise, all dates within the district’s timeline for our return to school are also applicable. Families will continue to work with their home high school for registration. 

If a parent is interested in VirtualED, please communicate with your case manager, so an IEP team meeting can be scheduled to discuss how VirtualED would impact the student’s specially designed instruction to meet the students unique goals. 

Staff and students may experience an adjustment period as they return to school whether that is with the in-person model or VirtualEd model. Being mindful about the impact of the pandemic on individual lives as well as acknowledgment of the emotions and reactions associated with a return to school; in either format, will be important and has been considered in the planning for Back to School 2020 - 2021. One of the most important factors in returning to school is our commitment to ensure each student feels they belong and they feel safe socially, emotionally, and physically when they are within the care of the Blue Valley School District.

UPDATE ON SCHOOL-SPONSORED ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES

Blue Valley recently evaluated voluntary activities and athletics against the Kansas State Department of Education’s (“KSDE”) Navigating Change Gating Criteria (more information about how this calculation is made is available online). When applying current data (as of the end of day Sept. 3) to the criteria, the gating level Blue Valley will be in for activities and athletics through Friday, Oct. 2 is YELLOW. 

• All high school athletics and activities practices can resume on Saturday, Sept. 5, with modifications in place. This includes high-risk activities, like football and dance, as defined in Appendix C of the Kansas State Department of Education Navigating Change document.
  
  
• Blue Valley administrators and coaches will work with our local medical professionals to develop significant modifications for high-risk activities and athletics as called for in the Kansas State Department of Education’s Navigating Change guidance around the gating criteria.
  
  
• Competitions may begin for all high school activities and athletics. Any student representing a Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) sponsored activity or sport shall meet all eligibility requirements prior to the first scheduled day of competition.
  
  
• Competitions will be restricted to the Kansas City metro area.
  
  
• At this time, middle school activities and athletics are postponed until in-person learning begins. We continue to look for opportunities for these programs to continue including options for alternate seasons.
  
  
• Building administrators and coaches will share additional information about spectators/audience modifications, travel guidelines and live streaming of events.

Procedure for arrival at each school level will be designed to encourage social distance and discourage social gatherings. To limit the number of individuals in the schools, the first day of school will not involve any guests, parents/guardians, or volunteers entering the school buildings.

Early Childhood - Early Childhood students will proceed directly to their classrooms, escorted by classroom staff. Alternate entrance/exit locations may be utilized per building protocol. 

Elementary School - Students will arrive as walkers, car riders, or bus riders. Students will proceed directly to their classrooms. Upon arrival in the classroom, students will be provided an activity to complete. Arrival will occur between 8:15 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. daily. 

Middle School - Students will arrive as walkers, car riders, or bus riders. Buses may begin dropping students off at school sites by 7:20 a.m. Upon arrival, students will immediately enter the school building and progress to an assigned location in the building. There they may socialize with their peers as they await the start of the school day. Supervision will not be available for students prior to 7:30 a.m. if they are not arriving by bus. School doors will be unlocked and students may begin arriving by car or foot at 7:30 a.m. Upon arrival, students will immediately enter the school building and progress to their first period class. There they may socialize with their peers as they await the start of the school day. 

High School - Students will arrive as walkers, car riders/drivers, or bus riders. As in the past, buses may begin dropping students off at school sites by 7:00 a.m. Upon arrival, students will immediately enter the school building and progress to their first hour class. There they may socialize with their peers as they await the start of the school day. Supervision will not be available for students prior to 7:30 a.m. if they are not arriving by bus. School doors will be unlocked and students will join their peers as they await the start of the school day. Students are invited to be on school campus only on scheduled school days and during school hours. Students would be present on campus before or after school hours only when scheduled or invited to be present by an administrator, coach, sponsor, or teacher. 

Schools will not conduct large student, parent, or school community gatherings; specifically assemblies. This guidance will not be reviewed for change until Johnson County has been released to Phase Out. It is possible for schools to design virtual alternatives or events that limit the number of individuals gathered in a singular space for a pre-identified purpose approved by the building principal. 

Spectators/audiences/guests will be limited. Streaming of events may be considered for certain events. For this to occur, staff will secure the proper rights for streaming as related to performances, music, etc. When approved for presence by building or district administration, audiences will adhere to the guidance provided by the CDC and local health authorities particularly as they related to the size of gatherings. Some of these considerations will include but may not be limited to:

• Use of personal hand sanitizer
  
  
• Attendance in a well-ventilated venue
  
  
• Seating allowing for social distancing of 6 to 10 feet 
  
  
• Utilization of masks/face coverings 
  
  
• Adhere to traffic flow patterns and designated entrances and exits
  
  
• Limit the use of restroom facilities 
  
  
• Sales of any souvenir items would be limited and a contactless approach would be considered
  
  
• If available, concessions would be limited and social distancing would be employed and marked with surface reminders for customers

Back to School events will be modified. Building principals will communicate these modifications directly to their parent and school communities with event-specific information. Back to School events and other events during the 2020 - 2021 school year which involve the joint return of students and families in large numbers at the same time are being temporarily discontinued for this school year. These activities may include but are not limited to ice cream socials, highlight nights, in-person curriculum nights, etc.  

Staff will work with principals to design videos to help families and students understand what the return to school will look like relative to daily procedures. Such videos shared with families will assist students in being prepared for changes they will encounter (i.e. staff and students in masks, hallway traffic flows, social distancing floor markers, etc.). This effort is designed to limit student anxiety about the return to school and to build excitement about Back to School 2020 - 21. Students enrolled in the VirtualEd option can also expect orientation to their new setting and learning framework. 

All Blue Valley families, students, and guests will practice behaviors that reduce the spread of the virus within the learning environment or throughout the district and building grounds and facilities. These practices include: 

• Personal daily health assessment prior to entering the school environment.
  
  
• Frequent handwashing. Hand sanitation may occur with soap and water or use of personal or school-provided hand sanitizer at provided stations. 
  
  
• Wearing of masks/face coverings and utilization of any other PPE.
  
  
• Adherence to social distancing guidelines.
  
  
• Consideration of the use of space and materials.
  
  
• Cover coughs and sneezes within tissues or the elbows. Tissues should be disposed of immediately and hands washed for at least 20 seconds. 
  
  
• Students should not share cubbies, baskets, or lockers with others. 
  
  
• Physical contact such as high-fives, shaking hands, or hugging should be avoided. 

Full programming will be available to students at Blue Valley Academy.  All Back to School safety protocols will be followed to ensure student safety.  Likewise, all dates within the timeline for our return to school are also applicable. Families will continue to work with their home high school for registration and should contact Blue Valley Academy with any questions regarding enrollment and class schedules.

Students should be aware they have the option to attend Blue Valley Academy In-Person with modifications or they may enroll in the all VirtualEd option.  Within the VirtualEd course offerings it is possible a student may see a course absent from the list that he / she needs or desires.

Students may still access opportunities via our Blue Valley CAPS program for the ’20 – ’21 school year.  Participation in CAPS is limited, though, only to students that choose the In-Person learning model. It is not available in the full VirtualEd option.  The CAPS program will ensure safety of students by following the Return to Learn protocols designed for all school buildings.  Further, we are working cooperatively with our business partners to provide authentic experiences for our students in a modified fashion. 

Chinese Immersion classes will continue as planned in the in-person setting. There will not be a Chinese Immersion all-virtual option for families. Currently, the district is investigating ways for current Chinese Immersion students to continue engaging in the Mandarin language in the all-virtual setting to maintain language skills for possible re-entry. More information will follow closer to the beginning of the school year for these families.

Classroom spaces will be analyzed and consideration will be given to the utilization of space for learning purposes while ensuring mitigation of the spread of viruses or germs. These considerations will include but may not be limited to:

• Removal or movement of furniture to allow maximum utilization of the space. 
  
  
• New placement of desks, chairs, workspaces, etc. to allow for student cohort work and social distancing. 
  
  
• Removal of items and structures which encourage community use of tools, supplies, and resources which would normally invite multiple student use and touch. 
  
  
• Potential rearrangement of student cubbies within classrooms to prevent close student contact as much as possible. 

Close contact is defined as being within six feet for 10 cumulative minutes or more in a single day without masks. People who are close contacts of a COVID-19 positive or presumed positive individual during that person’s infectious period are considered exposed and should quarantine. The district will assist in notifying individuals if they are a close contact to a known case. Close contacts must remain in quarantine until they have met the criteria for release from quarantine as set by KDHE or Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) as communicated by the Blue Valley School District.

Current plans do not include having clubs at the start of the school year. Currently, only KSHSAA sanctioned activities will be in place. In the event clubs are able to begin but school closures occur, they may continue in a distanced format if they were already occurring/in session prior to the school closure. 

Schools will adhere to a cohort model as reasonably as possible when following level appropriate school and class schedules. A variety of factors will be considered when assigning students to cohort groups. Measures are being taken to allow for ease of contact tracing in the event it is necessary. 

Early Childhood - A student’s classroom will serve as the cohort group.  All activities, including outdoor play, will take place within classroom cohorts.

Elementary School - A student’s homeroom classroom will serve as a cohort group. Students may be assigned to a smaller group within the classroom with peers with whom they will have the most frequent contact. 

Middle School - Students will be assigned an initial cohort with each core and elective class. Additionally, students will be assigned small groups within their explo classes with whom they will interact the most frequently. 

High School - A student cohort may be assigned at the homeroom level. Because of the complication of creating a cohort at the high school level, and to simultaneously allow for differentiated student schedules, students will be assigned cohorts in each class they attend. These will be the group of students with whom students interact with the most frequently during a class period.

The use of common spaces will be modified and the purpose must be considered. If an activity can be conducted virtually in lieu of the use of a common space that alternative will be highly considered. The use of the space should assist with efficiencies, effectiveness, and be essential. Common space use may be prohibited or reduced by a building administrator. Common spaces are defined as but may not be limited to school libraries, locker rooms, hallways, cafeterias, front office areas, front entries, gymnasiums, performing art centers, bathrooms, lounges or break rooms, multi-purpose rooms, collaboration spaces, board rooms, large meeting rooms and athletic venues. 

When there is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in a school building, the school will notify the Health Services Coordinator and the JCDHE to report and assist in the contact tracing process. This contact tracing process will guide the decisions of exclusions and building closures. The exclusions could affect one student, a cohort, classroom, pods, or buildings. Contact tracing and investigations in collaboration with JCDHE could lead to building closures This collaborative process with the local health department assesses factors such as the likelihood of exposure to employees and students in the building, the number of cases in the community and other factors that will determine when the building should reopen. While the school building is closed, all school activities will be cancelled or rescheduled, regardless of whether the activity was to take place in the building or another location, including athletics/activities. Families/students and employees will be encouraged to stay at home until more information is provided by the school or the health department.

• The school will work with the local health department to assess for close contacts within students and staff and inform those who are exposed that a quarantine period is recommended. 
  
  
• The school will contact families/students and employees if they are a person of concern related to a positive identified case and encourage cooperation with the school and the local health department to trace contacts. 
  
  
• The identities of all positive cases will not be identified in any communications to the school community at large. 
  
  
• Given the aforementioned, the district is still finalizing steps associated with the modifications as related to confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in schools.

A person is considered to have COVID-19 if they have received a positive test. A case is considered infectious 3 days prior to the onset of symptoms through, at least, 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For cases that do not have symptoms, the infectious period is considered as 3 days prior to the date the test sample was collected through a minimum of 10 days from the date the test sample was collected. These individuals must remain in isolation until they have met the criteria to be released from isolation as established by KDHE or JCDHE.

Teachers will utilize formative assessment to determine student skills as associated with curriculum standards. This data will inform the design of instruction. Throughout the first semester, teachers will be provided guidance regarding the emphasis of priority standards, scope, sequence, and pacing. This direction has been informed by KSDE curriculum guidance and feedback from district teachers as well as the end of year curriculum progress as noted during the last semester of Continuous Learning. Following the initial start of the school year, teachers will receive additional guidance regarding the prioritization of curriculum priority standards, feedback, and formative assessment. 

Early Childhood - Students will remain in cohort groups, until escorted by staff to individual parent vehicles or school buses.

Elementary School - A staggered approach will be utilized at dismissal to assist with hallway congestion and large waiting zones. Each building will design the specific procedures associated with the details of dismissal based on the unique nature of their building. 

Middle School - A staggered approach will be utilized at dismissal to assist with hallway congestion. Bus riders may be dismissed first. Each building will design the specific procedures associated with the details of dismissal based on the unique nature of their building. 

High School - Dismissal will occur in a staggered approach giving mindfulness to hallway congestion. Each building will design the specific procedures associated with the details of dismissal based on the unique nature of their building. Students will not be allowed to congregate at dismissal. Students should plan to exit the school campus immediately following dismissal unless they have been invited or required to remain on campus at the invitation of a coach, teacher, activity sponsor, or administrator. 

In the event that Johnson County community transmission rates are in the orange gating criteria level, the distance learning model is the suggested learning mode for grades 6-12 in-person learning students and in the red gating criteria level the distance learning model is the suggested learning mode for all in-person learning students (PK-12). This experience will be different than the spring and more comparable to the full Blue Valley experience. Students enrolled in VirtualED will continue with VirtualED. During periods of distance learning, students will be in the same courses with the same teachers as their in-person schedule. More information about Distance Learning.

The Blue Valley School District remains committed to meeting or exceeding the Kansas Guidelines for Dyslexia. Training will continue for staff at all levels regarding supporting students with dyslexia or who are exhibiting characteristics of Dyslexia. Additionally, the screening will be extended across additional grade levels during this school year with further direction and professional learning to be provided to administrators and teachers. 

Early Childhood classes will operate in person with modifications similar to those in the K-12 environment, including the wearing of masks and maintenance of cohort groups (classroom). In the event of a temporary closure, early childhood families will receive specific communication related to short term distance learning options and with consideration given to an early return to the classroom to deliver special education services. Additional information about Early Childhood, can be found here. 

Will early childhood students attend in-person learning? Is there an early childhood virtual option?

Specific communication related to the Peer Model program as well as students with IEPs will be sent to early childhood families during the week of July 27, and updates will be posted on the district website. 

Student and staff safety will remain our top priority as we enter into the 2020 - 2021 school year. Principals and staff will receive guidance regarding reasonable modifications that can be made to preparedness routines and practices that will not compromise the safety of students and staff either during a practice event or should an actual emergency occur. 

It may be necessary for students or staff to be excluded from school. Students and employees exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from coming to school or work if there is no other explanation for symptoms. Upon report of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms in the school/work environment, individuals will be sent home immediately. Current known symptoms of COVID-19 based on KDHE guidance include: 

• Fever (100 or higher)
  
  
• Chills
  
  
• Rigors
  
  
• Muscle or body aches
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Sore throat
  
  
• Lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing)
  
  
• Diarrhea 
  
  
• Loss of taste or smell 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020. More information can be found here.

Generally, the Act provides that employees of covered employers are eligible for:

• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to federal, state, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
  
  
• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to federal, state, or local government order or advice of a healthcare provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor; and
  
  
• Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Qualifying Reasons for Leave:

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for paid sick time if the employee is unable to work (or unable to telework) due to a need for leave because the employee:

1. is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
   
   
2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;
   
   
3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
   
   
4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);
   
   
5. is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19; or
   
   
6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury.

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for expanded family leave if the employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.

Duration of Leave:

For reasons (1)-(4) and (6): A full-time employee is eligible for 80 hours of leave, and a part-time employee is eligible for the number of hours of leave that the employee works on average over a two-week period.

For reason (5): A full-time employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave (two weeks of paid sick leave followed by up to 10 weeks of paid expanded family & medical leave) at 40 hours a week, and a part-time employee is eligible for leave for the number of hours that the employee is normally scheduled to work over that period.

The district will provide, beginning the first semester, a variety of opportunities for families to learn and receive support or be supported in their efforts to raise and educate their children during a pandemic. These sessions will cover a variety of topics and will require pre-registration. These events will occur via video conference. These events will be advertised by the district and individual schools. 

Field trips that require travel will not occur for the 2020 - 2021 school year. Video conferencing or virtual field trips are encouraged. 

Plans continue to be refined and finalized for food service. Continuation and adaptation of meal service in some form will remain a priority with adjustments being made to support the health and well being of our students. When possible, students will proceed to the cafeteria to get meals. The majority of student meal options will be pre-wrapped and prepackaged. Students can expect to encounter food service staff wearing masks and gloves while serving and preparing food. Students will be required to wash their hands prior to entering the cafeteria/commons. Hand sanitizer stations are also available near the cafeteria/commons for hand sanitizing before and after lunch. Students will be expected to practice social distancing while in line and observe floor markings directing them throughout the space. Modifications are also being put in place to minimize common touchpoints in the cafeteria/food service area. 

Administrators will work with staff to increase the time between lunch shifts to accommodate for the increased time required during the lunch process. Additionally, creative seating will be utilized to the extent possible. The design of each school cafeteria or commons will dictate the opportunities for seating modifications. Students will be reminded they may not share food during lunch. When weather and supervision permit, eating outdoors will be allowed. Accommodations for seating will be made for individuals who are at high risk. 

Point of sale will look different at the various school levels. At middle school and high school, a contactless option will be available. Students will be provided a lanyard with a point of sale meal card. Students will swipe this point of sale meal card at the time of purchase. Elementary students will complete, at the primary grades, a modified lunch order process from within the classrooms. When intermediate students enter point of sale, a Food Service employee will key in the student lunch. Exchange of cash money between students and staff at any level at the point of sale is discouraged. 

Sanitation of tables will occur following lunch shifts. Utilization of microwaves will be prohibited for student and staff use because these are a common touchpoint area that may not be able to receive immediate clearing prior to access by another user. 

The GEAR program will ensure safety of students by following the Return to Learn protocols designed for all school buildings. All dates within the district’s timeline for our return to school are applicable and families will continue to work with their home school for registration.  

If a parent is interested in VirtualED, please communicate with your case manager, so an IEP team meeting can be scheduled to discuss how VirtualED would impact the student’s specially designed instruction to meet the student's unique goals. 

Hand sanitizer stations will be available in various locations throughout schools/buildings for frequent use by students, staff, and guests. These locations include near offices, cafeterias, gymnasiums and entryways. The placement of hand sanitizer in these areas is based on high traffic/use areas. Frequent handwashing will be encouraged. Students and staff are encouraged to utilize their own personal hand sanitizer brought from home. 

Teachers will work with students to ensure they have access to assignments or activities via Canvas. Teachers will post these before or after a class period or at the beginning or end of a school day. While students will be graded following in-person grading criteria, they will not be penalized within their grade for extended absences associated with COVID-19. Because teachers may be managing a wide variety of student absences within their classrooms, they will prioritize work that is to be completed and graded. Likewise, additional time may be necessary for teachers to process late work from many students because of absences. 

In the event the Blue Valley is in the yellow gating criteria level or orange gating criteria level, the hybrid (limiting capacity) could be used as a learning mode. A hybrid model combines the In-Person Learning with Modifications model and at-home learning. Students enrolled in VirtualED will continue with VirtualED. Information about the hybrid schedule is available on the hybrid model web page. The assignment to an A attendance day or a B attendance day is dependent upon the last name of the oldest child in the family. Staff will likely report as usual. Daily assignments/activities will be posted by an agreed-upon time daily for access by the cohort of students that are the distance learners within the cycle. Specialized instruction will continue for students with special needs. Interventions and additional supports will be made available. 

Utilization of instructional materials with proper modifications ensures reduced spread of germs. 

• Students should not share supplies, including instruments, art supplies, project materials, tools, etc. 
  
  
• Teachers will assess the necessity of the use of materials prior to use taking safety into consideration first. 
  
  
• Teachers may create individual supply bags or kits. 
  
  
• Students may be requested to provide a supply bag or kit from home. 
  
  
• High contact areas will be regularly sanitized. 
  
  
• Supplies, materials, and technology devices should be sanitized daily. 
  
  
• Supplies that have required multi-student contact should be sanitized between uses. Barrier tape is being explored as a possibility for use in instructional spaces where equipment use requires multiple student touches. The tape may be applied before and after each individual student contact. 

Libraries will be accessible by students and staff. Library media services are critical to the district’s goals of literacy for students at each level. The plan for Fall 2020 allow for plans to be fluid between 100% Virtual Learning; low, medium and high exposure; and regular programming. The following components of service were also considered as the plan was developed:

• Student Access to Materials
  
  
• Literacy
  
  
• Collaboration
  
  
• Flexible Scheduling
  
  
• Best Practices

The Fall 2020 plan for library services is available online.

Locker use in middle and high school will be limited. Staggered student access to lockers will be employed to limit close contact in the locker bay areas. Students will utilize only their assigned lockers. They will only store their own belongings in their locker. 

Students and staff will wear masks/face coverings at all times when at school and during all classes including PE classes, recess, etc. (Executive Order No. 20-59). Students may be provided limited outdoor fresh air breaks to accommodate for this new school practice. Students may remove masks when eating and drinking if seated and socially distanced and during exertional activities if social distance and small cohort groups can be maintained.

While the district will have masks available, students may choose to wear a homemade or store-bought mask. Most masks are effective at blocking a large number of respiratory droplets that leave the nose and mouth. As families consider masks/face coverings, here are some recommendations from Johns Hopkins Medicine: 

• Bandannas, scarves, hand towels, or any items made of cotton or linen are a good place to start. 
  
  
• Thicker, more densely woven cotton fabrics are best, such as quilting cotton or cotton sheets. 
  
  
• Stretchy knits are not ideal. 
  
  
• Hold the fabric up to the light. The fewer tiny holes you can see, the better it will work to filter droplets. 
  
  
• Making a good mask involves finding a balance. You want a fabric that does not allow droplets to pass through while ensuring you can still breathe properly with your mask in place. 
  
  
• Masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent and for this reason students and staff are discouraged from wearing these in the school environment, and instead and encouraged to choose another mask option.

Please note: Based upon a recent study done at Duke University, cotton alternatives likely perform better than stretchy polyester options (such as traditional “neck gaiters”). For this reason, it is recommended that options other than neck gaiters should be considered. If someone likes the idea of a neck device that reaches up to the mouth and nose, consider fabrics that are not stretchy and porous. Additional guidance about masks/face coverings is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Positive cases will not specify identities in any communications to the school community. Given the nature of the pandemic, the school district will potentially make additional medical inquiries as prohibited by the law of staff and students than we otherwise would have. If a family tells the school that a student (their child) is ill, the school will ask the parent whether the student is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. If an employee calls in sick or appears ill, the school will inquire as to whether the employee is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Trained school staff may take the temperature of students, employees or visitors to school property as a situation warrants to further ensure the health and safety of the individual and others within the environment. 

Movement throughout the school building will be limited and occur on an as-needed basis. The total enrollment of each school building will not allow for congestion free areas throughout certain times of the day. As a result, the wearing of masks will assist with the prevention of transmission of illness, if present. The design of a cohort philosophy at each school level will assist with contact tracing and, therefore, students may often travel with their cohort throughout the school day, as appropriate and as possible by the school level. This will not be consistently possible based on level/building. Each building administrator and leadership team will design modifications to student and staff traffic flow and hallway patterns within their schools. When cross traffic can be avoided, plans will be implemented to achieve this goal. Student dismissal from classrooms during transition periods will be staggered, when possible, to assist with congestion and cross traffic. 

The district is finalizing alternatives to water fountain use. Students and staff should plan for water fountains being unavailable, therefore, water bottles should be utilized. Water bottle fill stations will be installed throughout school buildings where they do not already exist or additional stations will be installed. If these are not fully available by the first day of school, staff will assist students in knowing which faucets are available for filling water bottles as needed. 

Facility Rentals A schedule will be implemented for timely and thorough enhanced cleaning of spaces should school facilities be available for rentals. 

Construction Sites Construction projects that occur when school is in session occur, typically, without interruption to the school day and separation exists from students. Any concerns receive immediate attention once reported to the building principal and district facilities. Contractors on district property are adhering to current CDC guidelines and OSHA recommendations. All outside vendors and contractors are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. No unscheduled visits from vendors are allowed without being previously scheduled. 

Parent conferences will be conducted via video conference for the 2020 - 2021 school year. When it is deemed most appropriate and essential, in-person conferences/meetings may occur if deemed necessary by the teacher, student’s educational team, or a member of building administration.

High School students have the option to take some courses in-person and some courses virutally.  Those who want to add or switch to virtual courses to their schedule, should follow the directions below for "In-Person + Virutal".  Students who chose this combination of settings should be aware of these conditions:

• Students will not be allowed to stay on campus to do their Virtual coursework.
• If a student's in-person school day begins or ends during the normal school day, transportation will not be provided.
• Student will not be allowed to enter or leave a school building multiple times per day.  In-person classes must be scheduled back-to-back during the day to minimize transitions between settings.
• Courses are subject to availability in the in-person and virtual setting.  The time of day for the available courses will be determined by the building's master schedule and enrollment; specific class periods cannot be guaranteed. A wait list will be created when a section is full.
• Students can decide to change format of a course (in-person to virtual) during the registration process for those that a virtual option is offered.  Once that choice is made, students will not be allowed to reverse that decision due to staffing constraints.
• In alignment with in-person courses, students may not request schedule changes after the fifth day of school.
• Format changes (in-person to virutal and vice versa) will not be allowed after the registration for virtual closes on August 5th.
• Students who have a blend of in-person and virutal courses may encounter scheduling conflicts where an in-person class and a virutal synchronous/live sesssion are at the same time.  Students will need to work through these situations with the teachers involved.  Students' grade will not be adversely affected by these situations. 

The Blue Valley School District will follow all safety prevention protocols to ensure the safety of performing arts in school. Direction for performing arts is provided to staff and students based on guidance from the Kansas State High School Activities Association, National Association for Music Education, Educational Theatre Association, and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Band and Orchestra 
Band and Orchestra classes will realize the practice of good instrument hygiene whether personal instruments, rentals, or school owned are in use.  Social distancing of 6 feet or greater will be utilized when practicing or performing. Rehearsals and performances will limit or stagger the number of individuals present at any one time if needed. When social distancing is not easily achieved students will use masks/face coverings as applicable. Marching Band activities will be modified.

Vocal Music Education and Choirs
Vocal Music/Choir classes will occur with a final decision regarding safety guidance and modifications to be determined after July 25. 

(Elementary) Music classes
Elementary music class considerations will be given to limiting multi-student use of items and sanitization practices will be applied to the use of instruments. Music teachers may select music that involves fewer musicians so they can social distance during performances, whether virtual or live. The same guidance provided to secondary vocal music education/choirs will be applicable at the elementary level. 

Theater
Rehearsals will limit or stagger the number of individuals present at any one time if needed. Theater teachers may select pieces that involve a smaller cast. Social distancing of 6 feet or greater when practicing or performing will be utilized when feasible. The consideration of social distancing will be applied to choreography and staging. When not feasible, masks/face coverings will be utilized. Physical contact will be reduced in scenes involving stage combat, hugging, etc. and between technicians and student performers. Consideration will be given to limiting multi-student use of items and sanitization practices will be applied to the use of tools, microphones, costumes, etc. 

Students and staff will wear masks/face coverings indoors at all times and during all classes including PE classes, weight lifting, etc. Staff and students may remove masks when outside if social distancing can be achieved. Thoughtful consideration will be given to activities, group requirements, equipment use, etc. Student cohort groups/consistent groups will be adhered to during a physical education class. For elementary, students will go to the gym or outdoor spaces for physical education. Guidance regarding locker room use at the middle and high school level will be followed after consideration is given to locker room use purpose and frequency related to physical education classes.

Professional learning for staff will initially focus on details associated with the safe return of students and staff to the school environment. Additionally, each staff member will focus on professional learning concentrating on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Also, an emphasis will be placed on social emotional and behavioral strategies in order to support the wide range of student needs that will be present in the school environment as a result of living during a pandemic which has proven very traumatic to students and staff. Sensitivity and grace will be demonstrated by understanding students and staff, since last March, may have been impacted by illness, loss of friends or family, altered daily life experiences, loss of employment, or other significant life experiences. To better prepare our teaching staff (or certified staff) for online and potential intermittent school closures, prior to the start of the school year, they will participate in professional learning focused on building their capacity and enhancing their skill set to use Canvas as a tool for high quality online and blended learning. Finally, staff will also receive, following the start of the year additional professional learning on the topic of dyslexia, curriculum, feedback, and formative assessments. The latter will be provided as a response to the impact of the final semester of the 2019 - 2020 school year. 

Physical activity is a necessity for the development of healthy children. Recess will be built into the early childhood and elementary school experience as usual with modifications allowing for safe play. Students may play within a recess cohort to continue to ensure ease of contact tracing. Students may be assigned areas on the playground to allow for the separation of student groups and classes. Very minimally students will be provided the opportunity for walking breaks. Handwashing or hand sanitization will occur before and after recess. 

The registration process for both in-person and all-virtual settings opened July 22. Information and directions are posted on Blue Valley Back-to-School web page and includes how to change your selection from All-Virtual to In-person and vice versa. Blue Valley will be providing families an opportunity to change their In-Person or VirtualED registration selection from Monday, Aug. 24 through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Families will work with their home school to make changes to their registration.

Students will access the restrooms on an as-needed basis during times with minimal student gathering and access. Students may travel together to access restrooms in smaller assigned cohort groups. Handwashing will be emphasized. Congregation of students in restrooms will not be acceptable. 

Once a student or employee is excluded from the school environment, they may return if they satisfy the recommendations of KDHE or JCDHE. 

• Untested
  Persons who have not received a test proving or disproving the presence of COVID-19 but experience symptoms may return if the following conditions are met: 
• 10 calendar days have passed since the onset of symptoms AND
• Fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine
• Improvement of other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath are improved)
  
  
• Tested and Awaiting Results
  Persons who are suspected of having COVID-19 and are awaiting test results should be isolated at home until test results are received. Upon notification of test results, the staff member or student should contact their supervisor or the school nurse (students).
  
  
• Positive Test Results 
• Symptomatic individuals may return when the following conditions are met: 
• 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
• Fever free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicine
• Asymptomatic individuals may return when the following conditions are met:
• 10 calendar days have passed since the date the test sample was collected
• Symptoms have not developed
• If symptoms developed during the 10 day period of isolation, then the above criteria for symptomatic individuals should be followed and adhere to a timeline of 10 days from the first day of onset of symptoms
  
  
• Known Exposure to a COVID-19 case or travel from a location on the list
  People who are identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 case or who have traveled from a location on the KDHE Travel-Related Quarantine List must be quarantined for 14 days and will not be allowed to enter the school environment. A negative test result within the 14-day quarantine does not allow the individual to return earlier than the 14 day out requirement. 
  
  

• No known exposure to COVID-19 individual or travel-related exposure.
  Students or staff who have not been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case and have not traveled from a location on the KDHE list may return to school/work. 
  
  

• Other Students and Employees in the Household
  If a student or staff member is excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test result, other students or employees living within the same household are considered a close contact and will be excluded mandatorily for a 14-day quarantine period which begins after the date of their last know exposure to the case. If the household contact continues to live in the same household as the case while in isolation, the 14-day quarantine period for household contacts is to begin once the case is released from isolation as identified by public health. 
  
  

• Travel-Related Quarantine
  If a student or employee has recently traveled from a location on the KDHE Travel-Related Quarantine List the student or employee is subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine starting from the day after they return to Kansas.

The opportunity to maintain the sanitization of learning bubbles of student cohort/consistent groups is important. Frequent handwashing and hand sanitization are encouraged and should be accommodated for multiple times throughout the school day. Sinks, soap, and hand sanitizer are available throughout school facilities for this purpose. While students may be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer, particularly at middle and high school, this can not be a required or requested school supply given the lack of availability within the market for students and families.

The district is following guidelines from the CDC and JCDHE to define best practices for cleaning. The main disinfectant used is Alpha HP by Diversey. It is a hydrogen peroxide-based hospital-grade cleaner that has been in place in Blue Valley for three years. Sanitation efforts will also include Purell sprays that use ethanol and have a one minute COVID-19 kill claim, the Clorox Total 360 Disinfectant Cleaner and a product that uses Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO) to clean and kill bio microbial growth. This is a chemical-free way to clean and sanitize hard and soft surfaces. Lotus Tersano machines are used to create the SAO.

The protocol in Blue Valley is to clean (wipe free of particulates, dust, etc.) then disinfect. The district has been teaching and promoting daily cleaning and disinfection for years. To add a layer of germ killing to sanitation best practices, a mist of SAO on surfaces in classrooms will occur after surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected.  

To limit the potential for irritation of students and staff, most enhanced cleaning efforts will take place when there are no occupants in the spaces, primarily after school. Enhanced cleaning of common areas will occur at the end of each day when the buildings are primarily empty. 

School schedules have been modified to accommodate for implementation of safety modifications throughout the school day. Examples of the revisions to traditional school schedules are linked below.

Elementary School 

Middle School

High School

Deliveries of items to schools should occur to accommodate no contact delivery as much as possible. This could include families dropping student items in a breezeway for office staff to obtain and provide to students.

Staff and students are asked to complete a daily self-assessment of their health prior to entering the school environment. This assessment will include taking their temperature at home. Students and staff should not report to school/work when COVID-19 symptoms are present and do not have another explanation. If families do not have thermometers, the district is working to secure thermometers that could be acquired from the school for at-home use. 

Current known symptoms of COVID-19 based on KDHE guidance include: 

• Fever (100 or higher)
  
  
• Chills
  
  
• Rigors
  
  
• Muscle or body aches
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Sore throat
  
  
• Lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing)
  
  
• Diarrhea 
  
  
• Loss of taste or smell 

Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, or have traveled to a location designated on the restricted travel list, must stay home and immediately contact their supervisor/administrator. If a sub is needed, please follow sub reporting protocols through AESOP/Absence Management. Supervisors and administrators will then follow reporting procedures.

When students or staff present with COVID-19 symptoms or a fever, a separation room will be provided to await further evaluation or pick up from school. The primary health room will be preserved for day-to-day health needs that are not COVID-19 related. This area will be sanitized on a regular basis throughout a school day. 

Social distancing will be encouraged while social gatherings will be discouraged! Social distancing should always be observed to the extent possible. However, it may be necessary given the activity of the virus throughout the school year that additional guidance will be provided. This could include, in addition to the recommendation of 6 feet of separation when possible, limiting movement throughout an area of the school building or reducing the size of cohort groups. In addition, there could be greater restrictions associated with group work, athletics, activities, staff, and/or student interactions.

With a return to school, the Temporary Individual Learning Plans (TILPS) used during Continuous Learning will expire and the school will fully implement the IEP for each student to the best of our ability. 

Masks/Face Coverings - Health authorities or individual health providers will be consulted on alternatives to masks/face coverings and use of PPE as appropriate and necessary. Masks/face coverings may not be feasible for very young learners or some students with special needs. If your student is not able to wear a mask due to his or her disability, please contact your case manager.

IEP Meetings - For the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis, when possible, IEP meetings will be held in a virtual format to reduce interpersonal contact. If a face-to-face meeting is required, the team will meet while maintaining appropriate social distancing measures.

Response Services - Each student’s case manager will monitor the student’s goals during 1st quarter. If the case manager or family believes that a student has regressed or failed to make adequate progress an IEP team meeting will take place to determine if additional services are needed. 

Intensive and LIFT Classrooms - Additional precautions are necessary for special education classrooms where frequent hand over hand instruction and/or intervention is necessary. The attached Risk Management document contains enhanced practices to protect more vulnerable students and staff.

Alternative to Homebound - When a student is immune-compromised and the students' intellectual disabilities make virtual learning ineffective, the IEP team may propose the K-12 Alternative to Homebound program. The attached K-12 Alternative to Homebound provides additional information. As space will be limited, contact Mark Schmidt if you have a student that might be a candidate. 

Home-Based Special Education - When a student cannot attend traditional school due to medical conditions or when parents opt for the VirtualED program, IEP services will, when possible, be provided in an home-based alternative virtual format. The attached Home-Based SPED Service Team provides additional information. 

Related Services - In preparation for students opting for VirtualED or the possibility of face to face services being disrupted, by the beginning of school, all K-12 occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists will have completed professional learning to provide services through teletherapy in addition to in person services.

During these uncertain times, we will focus on: safety, health, and welfare of students and staff; providing FAPE to students as best we can; documenting all efforts to demonstrate a good faith effort; all while approaching families with compassion and collaboration.

Request for in-district transfers will be processed following policy and all other procedures previously associated with student transfer requests. 

Substitute teachers will complete a self-assessment of health prior to entering the school environment. If they exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they will be assessed and potentially asked to leave the environment immediately. The district is working to ensure substitute teachers understand all COVID-19 related protocols, procedures, and school modifications designed to protect staff and students. 

Students and staff will follow procedures allowing for temperature taking each morning upon arrival to work or school. If a fever is present (100 degrees) the student or staff member should remain home or will be sent. It is ill-advised for students or staff to take fever-reducing medication to be able to be present at school. This may only temporarily reduce the fever but it makes other individuals in the environment susceptible to infection. Infrared thermometers and other touchless temperature-taking devices will be made available when student or staff temperatures need to be checked. Upon indication of an elevated temperature, the temperature will be confirmed, additional health assessment will occur, and the student or staff member will need to go home immediately. 

Cars
Families and students are encouraged to travel within their own family car or individually. Carpooling is not encouraged.

Buses 
School buses and route vans will be sanitized after morning routes and after the end of day routes. Social distancing will only occur on buses and vans as possible. Most student transportation routes will not allow for student social distancing, therefore, students should plan to wear masks/face coverings. Bus and van drivers will conduct a personal health assessment before reporting to work and transporting students each day. When possible, some personal restrictions apply, drivers will wear a mask/face covering and any other PPE as deemed appropriate. Students will conduct a personal health assessment prior to riding each day. Seating charts will be utilized for all students. Students must be registered for transportation and guest riders will not be permitted until further notice. The district will work individually with highly medically fragile students to determine plans for the most appropriate transportation.

• School-Related Travel - Until further notice staff and students will not be engaging in school-related travel outside of the district for any reason. Travel will be authorized only via the Superintendent's office.
  
  
  
• Staff - Individuals who travel outside the United States, or to certain states within the U.S., may be expected to home quarantine for at least 14 days after return to Kansas.  Home quarantine means staying home and not attending work or any other location where you might come within 6 feet of another individual. The travel list was updated on June 29 and will be updated/reviewed approximately every two weeks. If you travel to a location identified on the list, you must inform your supervisor and Human Resources immediately upon your return.
  
  
  
• Families - Individuals who travel outside the United States, or to certain states within the U.S., may be expected to home quarantine for at least 14 days after return to Kansas.  Home quarantine means staying home and not attending work or any other location where you might come within 6 feet of another individual. The travel list was updated on June 29 and will be updated/reviewed approximately every two weeks. If you travel to a location identified on the list, you must inform a building principal immediately upon your return.

In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, Blue Valley School District will be increasing the amount of outside air ventilation introduced to its facilities, schedule more frequent air exchanges and turnovers, and change air filters with greater frequency. These efforts will occur in conjunction with regular systems operations, balanced to maintain high indoor air quality, temperatures, and minimize airborne pollutants. More information about ventilation in Blue Valley buildings. 

Students can take virtual courses in conjunction with their in-person courses as they have in the past. Students who choose this option should be aware that enrollment will be limited by the space available at their home school and within the VirtualED courses.  Students must also know that there may be conflicts with in-person courses and synchronous learning in their virtual courses.  Students interested in this option should contact their building counselors and enroll as an in-person student.

Students will have the opportunity to register for an all-virtual experience. Students in an all-virtual setting will experience the same Blue Valley curriculum as their peers and be taught by fully licensed Blue Valley teachers. The content that will be provided to students will have been created by Blue Valley course designers and teachers. You can see a list of course offerings here. Registration for all-virtual will take place at the same time and in the same manner as traditional registration. For more information, visit the Blue Valley’s Back-to-School website or read through these FAQs.

In order to limit the number of individuals within the school and in an effort to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the district will temporarily restrict visitors to school buildings during the school day. This includes volunteers, parents, guardians, various vendors, guest speakers, and the like. The school environment will be preserved strictly for students and staff. Likewise, this guideline impacts the first day of school. The first day of school will not involve any guests, parents, volunteers, or guardians entering the school buildings with students. Students and parents will be encouraged to take the first day of school photos at home or in front of the school that is not during high traffic periods of arrival or dismissal. 

If students need to leave early and be checked out during the school hours, families will need to call the front office when they arrive at the school to pick up the student as applicable at the school level. A staff member will assist with retrieving the student and signing the student out with minimal contact. Scheduling appointments and activities at times that are not within the school hours may be considered.