• virtually. (remotely?

)
 Introduction

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Putting It All Together

Facilities
Safe Readiness
Return
Plan

Budgetary
Needs
Community
Spread

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Vision
To create a safe, vibrant, and equitable learning community for all
WS/FCS students and staff.

Mission
To develop comprehensive, evidence-based plans that
thoughtfully and safely guide the reopening of school campuses,
reflect the unique WS/FCS community, and take into consideration
the guidelines and mandates as outlined by Governor Cooper,
NCDPI, NCDHHS, and the CDC.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Objectives
• Public Health—To keep staff, students, and the community at
large as safe as possible during a pandemic for which there is
no vaccine.

• Public Education—Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will

provide all students with equitable educational opportunities
that ensure they continue to become responsible, productive,
global citizens during this global health crisis.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Goals

• Safety and the well-being of students and employees

• Equitable accessibility for all students
• Instructional delivery to meet the needs of all students
• Positive relationships and interactions for students and
teachers

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Developing
Our Plan
For Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
Schools During COVID-19

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Developing Our Plan

• CDC Guidance

• NCDHHS Strong Schools Tool Kit

• Lighting Our Way Forward: NC Guidance on Reopening K-12 Schools

(NCDPI)

• WS/FCS Planning Teams

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Developing Our Plan
• WS/FCS Board of Education

• Teacher Advisory Council

• Classified Employee Advisory Council

• Employee, Parent, & Community Surveys

• Student, Parent, & Community Focus Groups

• Reopening Schools Checklist

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan Requirements
Each District is required to create the following plans:

Plan A Plan B Plan C

Minimal Social Moderate Social Remote Learning Only
Distancing Distancing

Least restrictive for school More restrictions for social Suspend in-person learning &
reopening. Will be implemented if distancing and reduced density. implement remote learning plans.
COVID-19 metrics stabilize and/or Will be required if COVID-19 Will be implemented if COVID-19
move in a positive direction. metrics worsen. metrics worsen significantly.

The Governor and NCDHHS determined how schools can reopen safely for the 2020-21
school year following Plan B.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 NC Phase 2.5
What changes under this order:
• Mass gathering limits will be increased to 25 people indoors and 50 people
outdoors.
• Playgrounds will be allowed to open upon arrival of equipment.
• Museums and aquariums can open at 50% capacity.
• Fitness and competitive physical activity facilities can open at 30% capacity.
• All employers in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to provide face
coverings to their employees.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 NC Phase 2.5 (continued)
What changes under this order:
• Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, amusement parks, dance halls and other
entertainment facilities will remain closed.
• Restaurants remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements for
in-person dining.
• Personal care businesses, such as hair salons, nail salons, barber shops and
more remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 NC Phase 2.5 (continued)
What changes under this order:
• Large venues remain subject to the mass gathering limits.
• Wedding receptions and other private events remain subject to the
mass gathering limits.
• Face coverings are still required in public.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Safe Return Plan
• Districtwide planning teams

• School-level planning teams

• Building cleanliness

• Healthcare professionals will manage the isolation of students who

become ill throughout the day

• Staff and teachers in building setting the example (mask wearing, distance, etc.)

• Study of best practices in other school districts

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Safe Return Plan
• Transparency in the reporting of positive cases within the school system

• Targeted educational and informational campaign about Our Safe Return

inclusive of parent information sessions, town hall meetings, and
additional information and resources shared via the Our Safe Return page

• Staff identified to follow-up with a person who fails the building

entry screening process

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Facilities & Transportation Readiness
• Opening manual

• Staff training videos

• School facility audit completed by October 7, 2020

• Transportation registration began for residential students

ONLY on September 21

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Additional Budgetary Needs

• School Health Professionals

• Additional bus supervision

• Appropriate daily cleaning of buildings

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transition to
Plan B —
Students

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Grades Pre-K thru 12
Considering: Vision – Mission - Objectives
Also considering:

• Safety and health protocol … including social distancing

• Size of building, number of classrooms and capacity
• Number of students in the building
• Building layout (aka. multiple buildings, single passage halls, entry & exit points)
• Parent pick up/drop off and transportation
• Food Services
• Options virtual versus in-person

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transition Options

• 100% Virtual Academy with synchronous instruction

• In-person by cohort combined with remote learning

• Remote learning from home school which may include synchronous

or learning packets/videos/recorded lessons (asynchronous)

Note: High school will offer in-person and synchronous

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Safe Return Plan: Staged Re-Entry Plan
Teachers Students

CTE: Nursing, Firefighting, and EMT October 5 October 5

Pre-K & EC Pre-K teachers and October 12 As soon as October 26

support staff
Grades K-3, 6 and EC Self October 19 * As soon as November 2
Contained, EC-OCS, ESL Academy
(ES,MS,HS)

Grades 4, 5, 7, 8 November 2 As soon as November 16

High School November 30 Testing January 11-21

*Testing Schedule - January As soon as January 25 (in-person)
TBA

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Social Distancing Capacity
• Having fewer students in the building at one time minimizes
overcrowding of: pickup drop-off areas, buses, buildings’ halls,
entries, exits, stairwells, etc.

• Therefore, we have proposed dividing the students into groups of

2 or 4 cohorts to increase social distancing and lower daily capacity
within the building.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Elementary
Grades Pre-K through 3: Attending school 4 days per week
Grades 4 and 5: Attending school 2 days per week

Plan B: EC Separate-Setting/Assigned, EC-OCS,

ESL Academy & EC Special Schools
EC Separate-Setting/Assigned, EC-OCS, ESL Academy students, and EC
students attending special schools will attend school 4 days per week.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Grades Pre-K thru 5

• Wednesday will be flex, training, cleaning and/or remote day.

• The days that are not in person will be remote learning days.
• Review of the 2-cohort model will occur before second semester.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Grades 6 through 8
Will be divided into 2 or 4 cohorts depending on school enrollment and
using square feet per student at COVID occupancy. Four-cohort model will be
reviewed before winter break.

Students in building per day/cohort

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Grades 9 through 12
Will be divided into 2 or 4 cohorts depending on school enrollment and using square feet per
student at COVID occupancy. Four-cohort model will be reviewed every two weeks. Use of the
Career Center to reduce enrollment in four-cohort schools will be considered.

Students in building per day/cohort

Note: North Forsyth will be under construction

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Plan B: Grades 6 through 12
The days that they are not in-person will be remote learning days.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transition to
Plan B —
Employees

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Safe Return Plan: Staged Re-Entry Plan
Teachers Students

CTE: Nursing, Firefighting, and EMT October 5 October 5

Pre-K & EC Pre-K teachers and October 12 As soon as October 26

support staff
Grades K-3, 6 and EC Self October 19 * As soon as November 2
Contained, EC-OCS, ESL Academy
(ES,MS,HS)
Grades 4, 5, 7, 8 November 2 As soon as November 16

High School November 30 Testing January 11-21

*Testing Schedule - January As soon as January 25 (in-person)
TBA

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Employee Support
• Requests for support during transition should first be addressed
with the principal or supervisor.

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for any

employee in need of additional mental or emotional support
during this time.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Employee Support
• Employees with a medical condition that prevents them from
returning to work should contact Human Resources to request
consideration for an ADA accommodation.*

- Brenda Bourne – school and central office staff

- Kim Pizzulo – operations staff

*Employees will be required to submit medical documentation.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Employee Support
• Employees may be eligible for extended leave under the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA):

- Extended Paid Sick Leave – up to 80 hours of paid sick leave

- Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act – up to 12 weeks of
paid leave (first 2 weeks unpaid)
- Expires December 31, 2020

• Employees should contact Human Resources for more information

about extended leave options.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Re-Opening
Transportation, Social Distancing, and
Contact Tracing

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transportation Challenges
“Local education leaders and schools should follow the guidelines below for their
transportation vehicles (e.g., buses, vans). It is strongly recommended that a school operating
under Plan A for K-5 grade students should utilize a more restrictive Plan B approach for
school transportation.”

• Under Plan B only, schools are required to adhere to all requirements already
outlined, AND:
• No more than one passenger can be seated per bus seat (considerations for
family members to share one seat).
• No more than two passengers can be seated in a contracted vehicle.

NCDHHS Public Health Toolkit (K-12) updated September 17, 2020

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transportation Challenges

Car rider estimates based on two students per car. B/C indicates buses and cars.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Transportation Challenges

Car rider estimates based on two students per car. B/C indicates buses and cars.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• Available buses for transporting students in Forsyth County— 341

• Number of buses needed for Residential Elementary & Middle Service—270

• Number of buses needed for EC Transportation Service—50

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• Number of Additional Buses needed for Elementary Choice—105

• Number of Additional Buses needed for Elementary Magnet—32

• Number of Additional Buses needed for Middle & High Magnet—115

(Based on a 23 student capacity per NCDHHS Toolkit)

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• Total Additional Buses needed to offer a Continuation of Services—252

• Approximate Cost of New Bus—$95,000 - $100,000

• Driver Vacancy as of March 23, 2020—55

• Magnet and Choice transportation would increase by two to three hours.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Reopening Plans: School Systems Comparable in Size
Plan B

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg County

• Phase-In approach (3 cohorts); beginning 10/20/20

• Guilford County

• Beginning 10/20/20

• New Hanover County

• Phase-in approach (AA/BB cohorts); beginning 10/20/20

• Wake County

• Beginning 10/26/20

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

•
 Reopening Plans: School Systems Comparable in Size

Plan C

• Cumberland County

• Until second semester

• Superintendent recommended Plan B

• Durham County

• Until second semester

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing Overview
• DHHS Strong Schools Toolkit sets forth requirements for handling
suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
• If an individual tests positive or develops symptoms of COVID-19, there are
criteria that must be met before they can return to work or school.
• Contact tracing describes the process of identifying individuals who have
been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing Overview
• Close Contact (a/k/a “Exposure”) is defined as being physically exposed
within 6 feet of another person for 15 minutes or more cumulatively,
with or without a face covering.
• If a student or employee has been determined to have been in close
contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, they must remain out of
school or work for 14 days since the last close contact (unless they test
positive or develop symptoms).

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• DHHS Toolkit sets forth requirements for bus transportation, regardless
of which plan the district operates.

• Includes:
• Required face coverings for all students

• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high touch areas

• Symptom monitoring of students

• Plan for getting students home safely who become ill during the day

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• Under Plan B, schools must also adhere to the following requirements:
• No more than one passenger can be seated per school bus seat
(considerations for family members to share one seat).

• No more than two passengers can be seated in a contracted vehicle.

• The toolkit strongly recommends that a school operating under

Plan A for K-5th grade utilize the more restrictive Plan B approach for
school transportation.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 School Transportation
• In order to assist with contract tracing, WS/FCS will implement the
following:
• No more than 23 students/bus + 1 adult + driver
• Assigned seats for students
• Extra staff member on bus to assist with screening and/or identifying
students
• Markings on seats and on bus to reinforce wearing of face coverings
and social distancing
• Hand sanitizer on each bus for student or staff use

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing: Employees
• If a WS/FCS employee tests positive for COVID-19, they must notify their
supervisor as soon as possible. The employee will be excluded from work,
pursuant to NCDHHS requirements.
• The Supervisor will report the information to Human Resources.
• Human Resources will report the information to the local Health
Department. Human Resources will also notify the Area Superintendent
and Operations to implement all necessary cleaning and sanitization.
• The Health Department will assist WS/FCS in contact tracing for Forsyth
County residents.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing: Students
• If a student reports that they have tested positive for COVID-19, the information
will be verified with a parent or legal guardian. The student will be excluded from
school, pursuant to NCDHHS requirements.

• The school administrator or WS/FCS employee will notify Human Resources.

• Human Resources will report the information to the local Health Department.
Human Resources will also notify Operations to implement all necessary cleaning
and sanitization.

• The Health Department will assist WS/FCS in contact tracing for Forsyth County
residents. HR will also conduct tracing and provide notification to employees.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing – Plan B
• Exposure and positive cases are reported online by the School Nurses
and the information is shared with district contact tracers and Forsyth
County Public Health.
• Contact Tracers share information and gain guidance from Director of
School Nursing, Forsyth County Public Health and HR, if necessary.
• Contact tracers begin contact tracing process for school staff contacts
only (need more defined roles with FCPH); hand off non-district contacts
to FCPH.
• Contact tracers provide close contacts with communication and
instructions.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing – Plan
• Contact tracers input data into district COVID-19 dashboard and
information goes live on a weekly basis (daily was NOT recommended by
other districts and FCPH that have experience with dashboards).
• If necessary, contact tracers inform operations that a deep cleaning is
needed.
• If necessary, contact tracers inform Communications if a school or cohort
cluster
• If necessary, Communications informs school closure (cluster) only.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Contact Tracing – Preparing for Plan B
• Director of School Nursing hired and starts October 5
• Contact Tracing staff in the process of hiring
• Training will be taken by Contact Tracing and all school nurses.
• Free, 6 hours training offered by Johns Hopkins University
• A dashboard will be used to report confirmed cases.

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021
 Implementing
Our Plan
For Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
Schools During COVID-19

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 Putting It All Together

Facilities
Safe Readiness
Return
Plan

Budgetary
Needs
Community
Spread

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

 A School Day
in Plan B

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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