MARQUAND-ZION R-VI SCHOOL DISTRICT
COVID-19 Re-Entry Plan
Updated last December 2021
Board Approved December 16, 2021
As new information becomes available and at least every 6 months
the plan will be updated.
INTRODUCTION
The global Coronavirus pandemic has caused many changes in American society. One change is how we socialize or have in-person gatherings. The pandemic has added a new level of risk for person-to-person instruction. The United States Department of Education and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education encourage the reopening of schools for the academic, social, and emotional well-being of the children.
As we plan for the 2021-2022 school year, we know Marquand-Zion may be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two priorities we will use in making decisions are:
· Providing environments that are as safe as possible for students and staff.
· Providing an equitable, guaranteed, and viable education.
The Marquand-Zion School District will be considering all of The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Madison County Health Department guidance and recommendations.
DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN
The Superintendent and School Nurse started attending the bi-weekly and then monthly meetings of the Madison County Health Department when they began in early 2020. The Superintendent also attended the quarterly meetings of the local Emergency Management. Both of these meetings provided a wealth of information and valuable contacts.
Members of the Madison County Health Department and Missouri Emergency Management meetings shared information and gave input on future changes to each other's reentry and stay-open plans. The members included: Madison Medical Hospital (doctors, staff, and administration), Stockhoff nursing home, Madison County Health Department, Fredericktown School District, Marquand-Zion School District, Diane’s Residential Care, Waggoner Residential Care, Missouri State Emergency Management Director, City of Fredericktown, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Fredericktown Fire Department, Madison County Ambulance District, Missouri Highway Patrol, Fredericktown Police Department, Marquand Fire Department, Cherokee Pass Fire Department, Marquand City Hall, Beyer Medical Group, Madison County Commission, and other public departments at various times.
A group of administrators, teachers, and staff developed a rough draft of the District reentry plan in July 2020. The Administrator of the Madison County Health Department reviewed the plan and made some suggestions. The Marquand-Zion team reviewed the suggestions and developed a second rough draft of the reentry plan. During the summer month of 2020, the Board of Education discussed what they wanted in place for a safe reentry to the 2020-2021 school year. In early August the second rough draft was disseminated through the District webpage and Facebook page. Printed copies were made for anyone that requested one. The Marquand team asked for questions, comments, and concerns from the parents, students, and community members. August 5, 2020, Teachers and staff called each student’s household and completed a parent questionnaire. Approximately 75% of the student population prek-12 completed the questionnaire. The Marquand-Zion team collected all of the above data and addressed the concerns and comments in a final rough draft. The #1 comment and concern was that students should not be required to wear masks all day at school. During the August 18, 2020, Board of Education meeting the 2021 Marquand-Zion Re-entry Plan was discussed and finalized. The plan was for in-person instruction.
August 27, 2020, was the first day of the 2020-2021 school year. On the first day, only 5 students were kept out of school by parents because of the worry of COVID-19 transmission. By the end of the first quarter, only 2 students remained out of school. By the end of the third quarter, there were no students out for fear of COVID-19 transmission.
There were minimal amounts of students out for quarantine or isolation during the school year. Only three student cases could be traced back to the school as a point of contact and in all three cases, the students had been in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual outside of school also. The District implemented the AMI-X plan and the virtual instructional platform (SWYE360) was deployed when the students had access. The local Board of Education, administration, staff, parents, and various community members feel that the mitigation plan implemented worked for our school and community. In-person learning took place from August 2020 through May 2021 at Marquand-Zion.
Throughout the summer months of 2021, the Marquand-Zion Board of Education discussed recommendations from the CDC, Missouri DHSS, Missouri DESE, Madison County Health Department, and the local district Reentry Plan Committee. The final plan was Board approved on August 17, 2021.
The ESSR III mandates that the Safe Reentry Plan be reviewed and revised as often as necessary but, at least every six months. The Reentry Plan Committee met on December 15, 2021, to make recommendations to the Board of Education on revisions of the plan. The Board of Education was provided recommendations from the Reentry Committee and District Superintendent Scott Blake. The Board was provided emails and/or letters from DESE, MSHSAA, MSBA, MASA, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and the Madison County Health Department. The Board was provided information from District legal counsel at Mickes, O’toole, and associates. The Marquand-Zion Board of Education approved the following plan on December 16, 2021.
DAILY SELF-CHECK AND SCREENING
· Parents should screen their child each morning before school for the symptoms below. Staff should self-screen each morning prior to coming to work for the symptoms below.
Anyone with the following symptoms who have a fever (100 or higher without fever-reducing medication) and/or cough will be asked to stay home and report the absence to the school.
• Fever or chills (100 degrees or higher without fever-reducing medication)
• Cough • Headache • Muscle aches • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• New loss of taste or smell • New runny nose or congestion
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Sore throat
• Close contact with a person with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
Students with symptoms should not attend school and parents should consult their healthcare provider or school nurse. The school district nurse does have the ability to test for COVID-19 ( Please see the section on COVID-19 testing at school). For students who are diagnosed with COVID-19, either by a laboratory test or school test may return to school when the student is at least 10 days from symptom onset, has had three days with no fever and has improving symptoms. The school nurse can provide you with a date to leave isolation. Return to school for children with an alternate diagnosis is at the discretion of their healthcare provider and/or the school nurse.
*If a student or staff member is showing signs of COVID-19, the school may ask for a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to school.
Close Contact Quarantine
Children and staff with known close contact with COVID-19 should stay home until the school nurse or designee can speak with them. The following procedures will be followed when figuring the number of days a student or staff member is in quarantine.
If the close contact was in-home the student or staff member will be quarantined for 14 days after the last date of the positive person’s isolation or the last day of contact with a person positive for Covid-19.
An individual in #1 above may test out on day 7 of their quarantine and return to school on day 8. This individual must wear a mask for 7 additional days or continue on home quarantine for the entire 14 days.
If the close contact was an out-of-home contact, the individual may continue attending school wearing a mask for 14 days after the last known close contact with a positive person or 14 days at home on quarantine.
Determining the Level of District Burden
The Marquand-Zion R-VI Board of Education will make decisions regarding the District's level of burden. The Superintendent will inform the Board President of any spikes in the number of Covid-19 positive cases, student and staff, in the district. The Board President or any other Board member can then use existing Board Policies to call a meeting to change the District level.
DISTRICT PLAN BY LEVELS *
Low or Blue Level
BUILDING ENTRY
· Students that walk or are car riders will line up outside their building to have their
temperature taken. The building will not open up before 7:30 a.m. Classes begin at 7:45
am and school releases at 3:15 pm. (Please note the new release time).
· Students with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above and/or that show signs of the Coronavirus will see the nurse to discuss symptoms. The nurse will decide if the student needs to be tested or sent home. The nurse will call and speak with the parents. Students will go to a designated area to wait for the ride and/or be tested.
· Students that pass the temperature check and questionnaire will be allowed to enter the
building and go to their designated area.
· Classroom protocols will include assigned seating and other measures to minimize
contact. We will make reasonable best efforts to minimize the risk of exposure. The teachers will encourage social distancing of 3’ to 6’ at all times.
· All art, music, PE, Library, and other specials/electives will take place.
· All support classes such as Title I, special education, and etc… will take place.
· All attendance policies will be followed as stated in the Student Handbook. Please do
not send your child unless they have been fever-free for 24 hours, without any fever-reducing medications. This increases to at least 72 hours if they have a positive
COVID-19 test or have been in close contact with someone that has tested positive.
· All grading practices will follow the student handbook. This format is the same as the
2020-2021 grade card practices.
· Students above second grade and staff will be encouraged to wear a mask when outside the classroom and not eating or drinking.
· Every effort will be made to space students apart in the cafeteria. High school students will eat in the classrooms. Outside dining, weather permitting, maybe an option used to assist in social distancing during meals. Clear plastic dividers have been placed on each cafeteria table to create a barrier. When possible, students will sit with one seat between them at the table.
· Teachers will instruct and review with students the proper techniques of handwashing. Students will be asked to frequently wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer. Frequent reminders to wash their hands using the fingertip to wrist method.
Teachers will instruct and frequently review with students proper respiratory etiquette.
* If a doctor feels that your child should not attend school because of his/her health
condition or a member of the household’s health condition, please provide written
documentation signed by their medical professional. This documentation will be
considered by the administration and a plan may be developed for an alternative instructional
model for your child. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case manner.
SPORTS and EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The players and all attendees will have their temperature checked. Any individual with 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or above will not be permitted to attend or participate in the event. Face coverings and social distancing are encouraged for spectators and staff.
VISITORS DURING SCHOOL HOURS
The district would like to continue limiting the in-person visits to the school. When in-person visits are necessary face coverings are encouraged by the visitors and staff involved.
FOODSERVICE
Foodservice will be offered to all students on virtual instruction in accordance with all guidelines provided by the program the District is enrolled in at the time.
Moderate or Yellow Level
The Marquand-Zion School District will use all of the Low / Blue Level mitigation measures and add the following mitigation measures:
Students above second grade will be highly encouraged to wear face masks when outside the classroom and not eating.
Teachers and staff will be required to wear face masks when not able to social distance in the classroom and buildings.
Off-campus traveling of students will be limited.
Off-campus traveling of teachers and staff for school-related activities will be limited.
On-site professional development for teachers and staff will be limited.
Large gatherings and assemblies will be limited.
All campus visitors are required to wear a face mask.
The Athletic Director will notify the administration of the other participating team of the district level of burden. The administration of both schools will make a decision on the level of risk and determine if cancellation is needed. Face masks by all staff and spectators will be required.
Substantial or Orange Level
The Marquand-Zion School District will use all of the Low and Moderate Level mitigation measures and add the following mitigation measures:
Off-campus traveling of students will not happen.
Off-campus traveling of teachers and staff for school-related activities will not happen.
On-site professional development for teachers and staff will not happen.
Large gatherings and assemblies will not happen.
On-site visitors will be discouraged, if needed, will require face masks by all in attendance
The Athletic Director will notify the other team. Depending on the level of transmission potential in the school or with players, the game may be canceled. Spectators at home games will be limited and face masks required.
Individual and Districtwide virtual instruction will be considered.
High or Red Level
The Marquand-Zion School District will use all of the Low, Moderate, and Substantial Level mitigation measures and add the following mitigation measures:
There will be no outside visitors allowed inside the building. If a face-to-face visit is required, it will be done outside with masks required.
The Athletic Director will notify the other team. All sports and extra-curricular activities will be canceled.
Districtwide virtual instruction will be implemented.
Foodservice will be provided to all students and eligible children in accordance with the food program the district is enrolled in at the time.
* The Board of Education has the authority to move or enforce more restrictive mitigation measures to ensure safety.
SYMPTOMS OCCUR DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Students and staff that are not feeling well during the school day will visit the school nurse. If the nurse determines the student or staff member is symptomatic, he or she will require immediate isolation. The nurse will offer COVID-19 testing to the staff member or parent of the child. Positive results will require staff members to be sent home and parents will be notified to pick up their child. Refusal to take the test will result in staff members being sent home and the child’s parent notified to pick up their child. The school nurse will determine when the staff member or student may return and may require a physician release. If the test is negative, the school nurse will determine if the staff member or child is well enough to stay at school.
CLEANING AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY FACILITIES
Maintenance and custodial personnel will clean and sanitize the restrooms twice during the school day and once in the evening. The electrostatic sanitizers will be used each of these times. After each meal service, the kitchen staff and custodial staff will wipe the tables and spray the dividers with a bleach solution. The electrostatic sanitizer will be used at the end of the last lunch shift. The custodial staff will deploy the electrostatic sanitizer in each classroom and hallway while the students are at lunch. Hands-free hand sanitizer stations have been placed at each entryway of the buildings, in each classroom, and on each school bus.
Maintenance has installed hands-free faucets, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, and flushers for each restroom except the elementary where the flushers will not adapt to the current system.
Ventilation is an area that the district continues to work on. The district replaced 6 HVAC systems during the 2020-2021 school year. The district has plans to replace more HVAC systems in the district, and the windows and doors in the middle building to allow easy access to fresh air and better ventilation.
SCHOOL CLOSURE
The decision to close the school may be made to prevent the further spread of an epidemic, or in response to the high student and/or staff absenteeism. The Board of Education will make school closure decisions based on data collected and recommendations from the Superintendent.
Key Triggers for Possible School Closure
·
- High or Red Level
- Student absenteeism is over 30% for two consecutive days.
· Teacher/Staff absenteeism is below what is necessary to maintain a safe learning environment.
· Number of the confirmed case(s) of COVID-19
Instruction During School Closure
When the decision to close school for COVID-19 related reasons, the students will be required to complete assignments given online or packet dissemination. When school is closed the notification will instruct parents and students on how to proceed. The amount of hardcopy or technology-based assignments will depend on the grade level and standards the students are working on at the time. Technology hotspots will be set up at the Marquand High School Parking Lot to assist students in connecting to the internet. Grade levels requiring technology-based assignments will have chrome books available for student check-out/use. The district is working to purchase individual home hotspots for students and staff to use during any isolations, quarantines, or school closure.
Instruction of Disabled Students during School Closure
Students with a disability, Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan often receive additional services, accommodations, or modifications that allow them to achieve academic success. The teachers, staff, and related service providers will implement the current disability plans, IEP, or 504 plan during any school closures. Appropriate forms have or will be completed to direct how special education services, accommodations, or modifications will be provided during a school closure.
COVID-19 TESTING AT SCHOOL
The Marquand-Zion School District has worked with the State of Missouri to provide the BinaxNOW Antigen Testing. Testing is for symptomatic students and staff. The school nurse and designees have completed all of the training and will follow the testing guidelines. The individual being tested will follow the nurse’s directions. The individual will wait outside of the gym foyer doors that face the field/highway. Once the isolation room is ready and the nurse has all the necessary PPE in place, he or she will open the door and escort the individual to the isolation room. A signed permission slip must be completed prior to the nurse proceeding with the test. Parent signatures are required prior to testing. The test results will be known in 15 minutes. All test results, positive or negative, must be entered into the state database. The school district will complete this process.
Plan Dissemination and Clarification
The Marquand-Zion School District Re-entry Plan will be on the District website homepage at www.mz.k12.mo.us. Information on where it may be found will be posted on the District's Facebook page and other social media. A hard copy may be requested at the Superintendent’s Office 205 E. Morley Street Marquand, MO 63655 or by calling (573) 783-3388.
If you or anyone you know is in need of clarification or a copy in their first language, Please use the above contact information. A copy of the plan or an interpreter will be provided.
Plan Review and Updating
The members invited for this planning team include the following:
Scott Blake - Superintendent, Elementary Principal, Director of Special Services and Federal
Program, Title IX, Public Information Officer, Compliance Officer, English as a Second
Language (ESL) Coordinator
Sabrina Doublin - 6-12 Principal, Safety Coordinator, and Homeless/Migratory Coordinator
Donna Greer - Counselor, 504 Coordinator, Complaint Officer, and Assessment Coordinator
Kenny Whitener - Director of Transportation and Maintenance/Custodial, and asbestos officer
Bryant Steffents - P.E. teacher, volleyball coach, and Athletic Director
Mekesha Rhodes - 3rd grade teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Rhonda Denman - bookkeeper and MOSIS coordinator
Sonja Long - Parent
Lynn Blake - Parent
Kathy Hawn, RN. - School Nurse
The members will be kept apprised of changes at the Federal, state, county, or local level. A meeting will be convened as the need arises, or a minimum of at least every 6 months, to discuss any Federal, state, county or local level concerns or changes. The Superintendent and School Nurse will continue to attend the Madison County Health Department provider meetings. The Superintendent will attend the State Emergency Management Agency meetings. Information from these meetings will be shared with the team members.
Additional Information
Approximately 50% of the educators and staff were vaccinated in the Spring of 2021. A local pharmacy provided a clinic at the school for the vaccine.