Hume R-VIII School District 

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan  

At this point in time, we expect to begin the school year in phase 2.

Revised 8/3/2021

Phase 1: 

School is in regular session. Extra cleaning will take place. 

Phase 2: 

Social distancing will be in place throughout the school campus. Enhanced handwashing for staff and students as well as enhanced use of hand sanitizer will be in place. Parents will not be permitted into the building for pick-up of their child or drop off. The parent must call ahead of time to set up a meeting to enter the building. Masks will be recommended for any authorized visitor and recommended for all students and staff. Extra cleaning will take place. Extra sanitation methods will be used to keep the school disinfected. Extra cleaning and sanitation will be used on the buses as well.  

Phase 3: 

Students and faculty will wear masks or face shields when they cannot be social distanced. Masks will be required for any authorized visitor. Continuation of phase 2.

Phase 4: 

School is shut down. Students will begin 100% online courses. Only administration and janitorial staff will be permitted to enter the building.

Parent access to the building:

Phase 2-4:

Parents will no longer be permitted to enter the building to pick up their child. They must wait outside for their child to be released. Preschool and elementary teachers will escort their students out of the classroom and outside for their parents to get them. 

Student arrival:

Phase 2: Administrator and nurse will visually check students entering the school. Asking students how they are doing or looking for signs of symptoms. If a student is thought to show symptoms, they will be referred to the nurse’s station for further examination.

Phase 3: Extension of phase 2. Everyone entering the building may be subject to temperature checks.

Hallway passing period:

Phase 2: Lockers will be socially distanced as much as possible. Students will be assigned lockers. Students will be permitted to carry their backpacks and will be asked to use lockers as little as possible.

Phase 3: Extension of phase 2. Students and staff will wear masks or face shields in the hallway. Restricted locker use. Emergencies only.

Social distancing in the classroom:

Phase 2: Classes will maintain 6 ft. social distancing between students or as close to 6 feet as possible. 

Phase 3: Extension of phase 2. If a student needs one on one assistance and social distancing is not possible students and faculty are required to wear masks or face shields.

Online learning: 

Teachers are to use google classroom as their platform for online learning. If a student chooses the Edmentum option they will use the required courseware for that. 

Phase 2: Teachers will require some assignments online. Students will need to get accustomed to online learning and what the teachers will ask of them.

Phase 3: Extension of phase 2. Teachers will require more online learning assignments and lessons.

Phase 4: 100% online learning. Virtual IEP and 504 needs will be incorporated.

Lunch:

Phase 2-3: Elementary will be divided into 2 lunch periods to promote social distancing. Jr. high and high school will be divided into 2 lunch periods as well. PK will have lunch within their classroom.

Breakfast:

Phase 2-3: Breakfast will be a grab and go. Students will report to their first hour class immediately upon arrival. If a student chooses to eat breakfast they will go to the cafeteria, pick up their breakfast, and then go straight to their first hour class to eat it. Vocational students will be able to eat in the cafeteria and will practice social distancing.

Hornet Pride:

Phase 2-3: Hornet pride will be socially distanced and coordinate with lunches. If you are on A lunch you will be on B hornet pride. If you are on B lunch you will be on A hornet pride.

Recess:

K-6 will have a staggered recess schedule to minimize co-mingling. Each grade level will need to bring their own equipment (basketballs, footballs, jump ropes, etc.). All equipment must be sanitized after each recess.

Backpacks:

Phase 2-3: Backpacks will be permitted. Junior high and high school students will need to carry as many belongings as possible within backpacks to cut down on traffic in the locker mall area. We recommend that students carry a box of Kleenex in their backpack.

Lockers:

Phase 2-3: Students will be assigned lockers by the principal. Students should use their lockers as little as possible during passing periods.

Protocol for positive case:

As case numbers increase or decrease, we will be in constant contact with our local health department. We will move from phase to phase based upon their guidance. 

Protocol for symptoms:

Students will be quarantined in the sick bay area. The school nurse will check the student and make a referral. If the student shows 2 or more symptoms, the student’s parents will be contacted and the child will be sent home.

Staff/Student wearing masks:

Phase 2: Staff and students are recommended to wear masks or face shields when they are not able to social distance.

Phase 3: Staff and students are required to wear masks or face shields when they are not able to social distance.

Bus Routes:

Parents are encouraged to transport their children to and from school if possible. This will place fewer students on routes and allow for better social distancing.  

Buses will be loaded from the rear to the front with family clusters, regardless of age.

Phase 2: Students will be socially distanced as much as possible on the bus routes. Students    and bus drivers are recommended to wear masks or face shields on the bus.

Phase 3: Extension of phase 2. Students and bus drivers are required to wear masks or face shields on the bus. 

Bathrooms: 

Phase 2: Bathroom use will be limited to a max occupancy of 4. 

Phase 3: Bathroom use will be limited to a max occupancy of 2.

Absences:

All Phases: Any absences occurring during the school year related to illness or quarantine due to COVID will not negatively impact your student’s attendance under the following circumstances:

. Students who are placed in isolation quarantine by the LPHA qualify for homebound instruction and must participate in 5 hours of instruction (can be virtual) in order to be considered “present” for school attendance purposes. However, if the student does not participate in this virtual instruction, they must be counted absent.

. All school work will continue to be provided in either paper or electronic form regardless of the students’ participation in the 5 hours of “homebound instruction”.

Contact Tracing:

All Phases: In the event of a confirmed positive case contact tracing will be done by the local health department and they will be assisted by Hume School Personnel.

COVID Testing: 

All Phases: Testing is available at the local health department and local medical clinics.

Vaccinations:

All Phases: Vaccinations are available at the local health department and local medical clinics for anyone that is eligible and wishes to receive a vaccine. 

Accommodations:

All Phases: Accommodations will be made as necessary or as mandated by an Individual Education Plan with respect to the health and safety policies.

Continuity of Services:

-       The district returned to in-person learning in August of 2020 and continues to provide in-person instruction moving forward.

-       If further interruptions occur with in-person learning due to quarantines or temporary closures, the district will provide instruction online. Students with disabilities will continue receiving services as outlined in their IEP.

-       The district will continue to provide for the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students and staff during in-person or online instruction. Our counselor will be available in-person and virtually to all students and staff.

Understandable Language: 

The SRCSP is available in languages understandable to stakeholders. The SRCSP will be available in English and Spanish in the district office. Stakeholders who need a copy in another language may contact the office.

This plan is relevant as of 6/9/2021. We are required to review the plan and revise, if necessary, at least every six months. (The review will include the following stakeholder groups: students, parents, teachers, and administrators at all levels.) It will be evaluated again on August 18, 2021. This plan is subject to change as public health guidelines are updated.