Georgia's Path To Recovery For K-12 Schools

Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools
Considerations and Recommendations for Georgia’s Schools

The Georgia Department of Education, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, has developed guidance to support
districts and communities in determining their plans and strategies for reopening schools. Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools
provides a tiered approach with clear, actionable steps that are advisable before students and employees return to school buildings, along
with guidance that is applicable throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
This approach is built upon the guidance and recommendations of health officials; it is strongly aligned to the reopening guidelines that have
been provided by our state and federal leaders; and it’s designed to help districts prioritize the health and safety of students and teachers as
they open school buildings and deliver instruction for the 2020-2021 school year.
Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools focuses heavily on the health and physical requirements necessary for reopening school
buildings. The Georgia Department of Education will continue to provide guidance and recommendations to districts and schools on
navigating the academic, social, and emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and employees.
Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools provides considerations, recommendations, and best practices to ensure a safe and successful 2020-2021 school year.
This guidance is not mandated, or state required. Local school districts have the authority and flexibility to meet their individual needs and be responsive to their
communities.
GaDOE.org/K12recovery Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools | Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Department of Public Health | 1
Addressing Community Spread in K-12 Schools
Substantial Spread Minimal/Moderate Spread Low/No Spread

• Coordinate with local and state DPH • Establish and maintain communication with local and state DPH • Establish and maintain communication with
health officials health officials local and state DPH health officials
• Participate in contact tracing efforts and • Participate in contact tracing efforts and specimen collection • Participate in contact tracing efforts and
specimen collection efforts as directed by efforts as directed by local health officials (to the extent feasible) specimen collection efforts as directed by local
local health officials (to the extent • Implement enhanced social distancing measures (see health officials (to the extent feasible)
feasible) Transitioning, Large Group Gatherings, and Teaching and Learning) • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and
• Schools that are closed, remain closed. • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and entrances to entrances to communicate how to stop the
Implement distance/remote learning (see communicate how to stop the spread. COVID-19 symptoms, spread. COVID-19 symptoms, preventative
Serving School Meals and Supporting preventative measures (including staying home when sick), good measures (including staying home when sick),
Teaching and Learning). hygiene, and school/district specific protocols good hygiene, and school/district specific
• Close off affected areas and if possible, • Establish a protocol for students/staff who feel ill/experience protocols
wait 24 hours before cleaning and symptoms when they come to school (see When a Child, Staff • Establish a protocol for students/staff who feel
disinfecting. Member, or Visitor Becomes Sick at School) ill/experience symptoms when they come to
• Consider ways to accommodate needs of • Isolate and deep clean impacted classrooms and spaces school (see When a Child, Staff Member, or
children, teachers/staff, and families at • Consider ways to accommodate needs of children, teachers/staff, Visitor Becomes Sick at School)
higher risk for severe illness (see and families at higher risk for severe illness (see Protecting • Consider ways to accommodate needs of
Protecting Vulnerable Populations for Vulnerable Populations for considerations) children, teachers/staff, and families at higher
considerations) risk for severe illness (see Protecting Vulnerable
For additional guidance on addressing community Districts have the authority and flexibility to close school buildings and utilize Populations for considerations)
spread, see the CDC’s Considerations for Schools distance/remote learning as needed.
Definitions
Hand sanitizers should contain at Ensure safe and correct
Face Coverings Recommendations regarding face Hand Sanitizer least 60% alcohol and only used
Clean/Disinfect application of disinfectants and
coverings differ based on the level
of community spread and can be with staff and older children who keep out of reach of children.
found throughout this document. can safely use hand sanitizer. Hand > CDC Guidance
Information should be provided to soap should be used for younger
staff, students, and families on children.
proper use, removal, and washing > CDC Guidance
of cloth face coverings. Any policy
regarding face coverings should be
sensitive to the needs of students
and staff with medical issues that
make the wearing of a face
covering inadvisable.
> CDC Guidance
School District Decision Tree

Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools not only provides considerations for school leaders as they develop their own plans for restarting school this fall but
provides a flexible framework to address challenges that may develop throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the above
District Decision Tree provides a menu of instructional models and responses districts can adopt to ensure the continued success and safety of students and staff
members.
Level of Community
Spread (as determined Substantial Spread Minimal/Moderate Spread Low/No Spread
by state and local RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
health officials)
District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:
Practicing • Use social media and other • Teach and reinforce good hygiene measures such • Teach and reinforce good hygiene measures
communications to inform as handwashing, covering coughs, and face such as handwashing, covering coughs, and face
Prevention parents, students, and staff coverings coverings
about COVID-19 symptoms, • Provide hand soap and hand sanitizer with at least • Provide hand soap and hand sanitizer with at
preventative measures, good 60% alcohol, paper towels, and no-touch trash least 60% alcohol, paper towels, and no-touch
hygiene, and school/district cans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and frequently trash cans in all bathrooms, classrooms, and
specific protocols trafficked areas frequently trafficked areas
• Encourage COVID-19 testing • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and
CDC Guidance entrances to communicate how to stop the entrances to communicate how to stop the
• How to Protect Yourself and spread. COVID-19 symptoms, preventative spread. COVID-19 symptoms, preventative
Others measures (including staying home when sick), measures (including staying home when sick),
• COVID-19 Symptoms good hygiene, and school/district specific good hygiene, and school/district specific
protocols protocols
• COVID-19 and Children
• Clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces at • Clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces at
• Communication Tools
least daily and shared objects after each use least daily and shared objects after each use
Georgia Department of Public Health • Provide masks and other appropriate PPE to staff • Allow students and staff to bring hand sanitizer
website | Find COVID-19 testing sites • Allow students and staff to bring hand sanitizer and face masks/coverings to use from home
CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker and face masks/coverings to use from home • Allow staff to wear face masks/covering, and
Georgia’s COVID-19 Hotline • Take steps to ensure all water systems and other appropriate PPE as desired
• Call: 844-442-2681 features are safe • Take steps to ensure all water systems and
• Turn off water fountains and provide bottled features are safe
Crisis Contacts water or allow students and staff to bring water • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and
• Support for people in bottles from home increase circulation of outdoor air as much as
distress, prevention and crisis • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and possible, as long as this does not pose a safety
resources increase circulation of outdoor air as much as or health risk to students or staff
Return to School possible, as long as this does not pose a safety or • Conduct deep cleaning of schools prior to
• Launching a Return to School health risk to students or staff students/staff returning; schedule periodic
Committee • Conduct deep cleaning of schools prior to cleanings during weekends or school
• Roadmap for Wellness students/staff returning; schedule additional holidays/breaks (to the extent practicable)
Georgia Department of Economic cleanings during weekends or school CDC Guidance
Development holidays/breaks • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and
• State’s PPE Suppliers List CDC Guidance Disinfecting Schools
Georgia Department of Administrative • Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting • Guidance for Reopening Buildings After
Services Schools Prolonged Shutdown
• Statewide contracts for • Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Return to School
supplies/equipment Shutdown • Roadmap for Facilities
School buildings are closed; buses used District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:
Transporting to deliver meals to students and • Provide hand sanitizer for students and bus drivers • Implement standard operating procedures while
families • Provide face masks for bus drivers; allow students taking preventative measures such as:
Students to wear face masks/coverings o Providing hand sanitizer for students
District/School Considerations:
• Screen students and bus drivers for symptoms of and bus drivers
• Reduce contact by delivering
illness and utilize spaced seating (to the extent o Allowing bus drivers and students to
a week’s worth of meals
practicable) wear face masks/coverings
during a designated time (ex:
• Eliminate field trips o Limiting field trips (to areas of
delivering a week’s work of
meals every Monday)2 • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on limited/low transmission)
the bus at least daily o Inspecting buses prior to students
• Establish protocols for bus stops, returning and as part of a regular
loading/unloading students to minimize rotation
congregation of children from different o Cleaning and disinfecting frequently
households touched surfaces on the bud at least
daily
2Subjectto future USDA meal waiver CDC Guidance
o Airing out buses when not in use
approval • What Bus Operators Need to Know
School buildings are closed; districts District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:

Entering School should require only that essential staff • Post signage in classrooms, hallways, and • Implement standard operating procedures while
report in-person to carry out functions entrances to communicate how to stop the taking preventative measures such as:
Buildings3 that are absolutely necessary. spread. COVID-19 symptoms, preventative o Provide hand sanitizer for students
District/School Considerations: measures (including staying home when sick), and staff
• District/school leaders must good hygiene, and school/district specific o Limit unnecessary congregations of
remain vigilant and protocols students and staff
purposeful as they determine • Establish a protocol for students/staff who feel o Post signage in classrooms, hallways,
roles, responsibilities, and ill/experience symptoms when they come to and entrances to communicate how to
reporting requirements for school (see When a Child, Staff Member, or Visitor stop the spread. COVID-19 symptoms,
staff, refraining from blanket Becomes Sick at School) preventative measures (including
reporting requirements • Mark spaced lines to enter the building and staying home when sick), good
• District/school leaders should designate entrance and exit flow paths hygiene, and school/district specific
leverage virtual tools and • Screen students and staff (to the extent protocols
platforms wherever possible practicable): o Establish a protocol for students/staff
to conduct essential business o Take temperatures ideally before who feel ill/experience symptoms
and keep in-person reporting entering buildings when they come to school (see When
to an absolute minimum o Isolate and send home if internal a Child, Staff Member, or Visitor
during school closures temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) Becomes Sick at School)
o Consider safety and privacy concerns o Establish a protocol for visitors: calling
GaDOE Guidance front office before entering, screening
(confidentiality should be maintained)
3
School Calendars: Local • In-person Reporting and
school districts have • Establish a protocol for visitors: calling front office visitors, requesting use of face
Employee Safety Guidance coverings/masks, etc.
authority over school before entering, screening visitors, requesting use
calendars – meaning they Georgia Department of Public Health of face coverings/masks, etc. Restrict nonessential American Health Care Association
have full authority to set Guidance visitors and volunteers. • COVID-19 Screening Checklist for Visitors
start and end dates, • Pick-up of Essential Items • Establish a protocol for student pick/drop up:
holidays/breaks, and school Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
staggered entry and release (by grade, class, or bus
hours, provided instructional • Coronavirus Warning Poster for Entrances
numbers), marked spacing for pickup
requirements are met.
School buildings are closed. District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:
Serving Meals District/School Considerations: • Allow student hand washing before and after meal • Implement standard operating procedures while
• Practice established social service taking preventative measures such as:
distancing protocols to the • Provide hand sanitizer for students and staff o Providing hand sanitizer for students
greatest extent practicable • Use disposable plates, utensils, etc. and staff
• Provide PPE to participating • Mark spaced lines to enter the cafeteria and o Allowing students and staff to wear
staff serving lines (to the extent practicable); designate face masks/coverings while in large
entrances and exit flow paths; stagger use group gatherings
• Reduce contact by delivering
• Conduct cleaning of cafeterias and high-touch o Conducting cleaning of cafeterias and
a week’s worth of meals
surfaces throughout the school day high-touch surfaces throughout the
during a designated time (ex:
Alternative Serving Models: school day
delivering a week’s worth of
meals every Monday)2 • Serving meals in classrooms
• Distribute printed • Serving meals in cafeterias with:
instructional packets/ o Spaced serving lines (marked on floors)
materials and district/school o Spaced seating (utilize outdoor space as
communications along with practicable and appropriate)
meals o Longer meal periods for more staggered
meal delivery (utilizing state seat time
GaDOE Guidance
waiver to extend meal periods)
• Employee Safety Guidance
o Consider pre-packaged boxes or bags for
for School Nutrition Programs
each student instead of traditional
2Subject
serving lines. Avoid sharing of foods and
to future USDA meal waiver
utensils.
approval

Transitioning • Limit mixing between groups (to the extent • Implement standard operating procedures while
practicable) taking preventative measures such as:
• For class changes and other transitions throughout o Allowing students and staff to wear
the school day: face masks/coverings while in large
o Provide additional time for transitions group gatherings
(utilizing state seat time waiver to o Conducting cleaning of hallways and
extend transition period) high-touch surfaces throughout the
o Designate areas of the hallway (i.e. school day
lanes) as flow paths to keep students o Designating areas of the hallway (i.e.
separated students to minimize lanes) to walk to keep students
congregation of students separated (to the extent practicable)
o Plan staggered class (ex: by hall,
odd/even room numbers, grade/
discipline) changes to decrease number
of students in hallways at one time
o Have the same group of students stay
with the same staff (all day for young
children and as much as feasible for
older children)
School building are closed. Abide by District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:
Conducting the maximum number of people • Abide by the maximum number of people allowed • Implement standard operating procedures while
allowed to congregate as defined by to congregate as defined by the Governor’s taking preventative measures such as:
Large Group the Governor’s current statewide current statewide Executive Order o Providing hand sanitizer for students
Gatherings Executive Order • Discourage the congregation of students in parking and staff
lots and common areas o Allowing students and staff to wear
• Stagger the schedule for large group gatherings face masks/coverings
(i.e. recess and school meals) o Limiting unnecessary congregations of
• Identify and utilize large spaces (i.e. gymnasiums, students and staff
auditoriums, outside spaces – as weather permits) o Follow Georgia High School
for social distancing Association guidelines for sporting
• Follow Georgia High School Association guidelines events and practices
for sporting events and practices

Supporting District/School Considerations: • Survey families to gauge which students may want • Implement standard operating procedures while
• Implement a robust Distance to conduct their schooling virtually for the 2020- taking preventative measures such as:
Teaching and Learning Plan 2021 school year; schools can offer their own o Providing hand sanitizer for students
Learning • Distribute printed online courses or enroll students through the and staff
instructional packets/ Georgia Virtual School (schools earn FTE while o Conducting cleaning of classrooms
materials and district/school student stays at their home school) and high-touch surfaces each day
communications along with Traditional Instructional Model o Limiting physical interaction through
meals; designate and • Schools can deliver traditional instruction under partner or group work
communicate collection/drop Minimal/Moderate Spread by implementing the o Surveying families’ interest in
off points recommendations outlined in this guidance. continuing online learning to reduce
District or school-wide distance/remote learning is number of students requiring face-to-
Resources allowable and a local decision. face, traditional instruction
• Digital Learning Plan • Use the master schedule to balance class numbers • Establish an academic baseline:
template (MDE) as much as possible – remove unused desks and o Administer formative assessments
• Deploying Devices, Ensuring furniture in classrooms; maximize social distancing toward the start of the school year
Connectivity, and Expanding (to the extent practicable) o GaDOE provides:
Access (GaDOE) • Limit physical interaction through partner or group ▪ GKIDS 2.0 (kindergarten)
• Distance Learning Resources work ▪ Keenville (grades 1 and 2)
(GaDOE) • Establish distance between the teacher’s ▪ BEACON (grades 3-8)
• Return to School Roadmap desk/board and students’ desks o Conduct meetings with teachers to
for Technology • Identify and utilize large spaces (i.e. gymnasiums, identify where students are
• Individualized Digital Learning auditoriums, outside spaces – as weather permits) academically
Plan for students with for social distancing • Discuss the shared experience:
disabilities (GaDOE) Hybrid Instructional Models o When Schools Start Back: Helping
• Educator’s Guide to Safe and • Hybrid models should only be implemented if Students and Yourself Cope with Crisis
Effective Video Conferencing absolutely necessary and after factoring in and Loss (webinar series)
(Education Week) additional logistical requirements/costs as well as o Helping Children Cope with Changes
• Public WiFi locations across day care requirements placed on working families o Talking to Children about COVID-19
Georgia and unnecessary burden on staff. Consider o Teaching Through a Pandemic
allowing special education students to continue in
person instruction as these students often rely on
Supporting Professional Learning for Teachers daily routines and social interactions to address • Target interventions and supports:
• Making the Shift to Online their individual learning needs. o Provide additional instructional
Teaching and Teaching and Learning • A/B schedules supports to:
• Supporting Students with o Alternating Days: Group A Students -- ▪ students at-risk of not
Learning (cont.) Disabilities Online Monday/Wednesday and Group B graduating on time
American School Counselor Association Students -- Tuesday/Thursday; Friday – ▪ students with disabilities
distance learning for all students, (compensatory services)
• School Counseling During
professional learning for staff, ‘off’ day ▪ students who struggled in
COVID-19: Online Lessons
and extend school year (districts set the prior distance/remote
and Resources
school calendars); using certification learning environment (i.e.
School Library Media Specialists flexibility to relocate teachers as needed early grades, English
• School Media Specialists Can and allowable Learners, etc.)
Help During Crisis (School o Alternating Weeks: Group A Students – ▪ other students identified as
Library Journal) Week 1 and Group B Students Week 2; being behind academically
• Digital Resource Ideas using certification flexibility to relocate by teachers and parents.
(GLMA) teachers as needed and allowable o Identify essential concepts/skills grade
o Half Days: AM/PM Schedule – prioritize levels and provide access to
students on free and reduced breakfast enrichment (fine arts, music, world
for AM section; shared lunch; end of the language, CTAE, computer science,
day meal for PM students; using AP/IB, dual enrollment, physical
certification flexibility to relocate education/play, STEM/STEAM, etc.)
teachers as needed and allowable • Address learning loss:
• Targeted Distance/Remote Learning o Help students catch up/get ahead
o Elementary Face-to-Face with Secondary through the Georgia Virtual School
Distance Learning: Prioritize 6-12 or 9-12 o Provide extended learning
for continuous distance learning while opportunities through before/after
other students have access to face-to- school programs, Saturday school, etc.
face instruction spread out across • Prepare for potential future distance/remote
unused schools and classrooms; using learning by increasing current blended learning:
certification flexibility to relocate o Develop a digital learning plan
teachers as needed and allowable; see o Integrate virtual learning practices:
Serving Meals under Substantial Spread ▪ digitizing lessons
for preparing/delivering school meals for ▪ requiring a certain number
students who are remote learning. of online assignments for
each grading period
o Provide virtual learning-specific
professional learning for educators:
▪ Making the Shift to Online
Teaching and Learning
▪ Supporting Students with
Disabilities Online
o Schedule specific planned district-
/school-wide digital learning days as
part of the traditional school calendar
Return to School
• Roadmap for School Operations and Instruction
Protecting See Entering School Buildings for • Survey at-risk staff members to gauge their • Implement standard operating procedures while
district/school staff guidance. intentions in returning to work while maintaining taking preventative measures such as:
Vulnerable confidentiality consistent with the Americans with o Establish a point-of-contact with the
District/School Considerations: Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal local health department
Populations1 • Employ additional nurses, and state privacy laws o Identify local COVID-19 testing sites
health care aides, and full- • Survey families with vulnerable children to gauge o Provide hand sanitizer for students
time substitute employees their intentions in returning to a traditional school and staff
setting while maintaining confidentiality consistent o Provide PPE to vulnerable students
Society for Human Resources with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and and staff as appropriate
Management (SHRM) other applicable federal and state privacy laws o Allow vulnerable students to complete
• Employment FAQ • Provide remote/distance learning opportunities their coursework virtually
for vulnerable student populations in consultation o Allow vulnerable students and staff to
• What to Do When Scared
1 Vulnerable Populations -- with parents and public health officials wear PPE throughout the school day
Workers Don’t Report to
Elderly individuals and/or Work Due to COVID-19 • Consult with local board attorneys and district (to the extent practicable)
individuals with serious human resources officials to offer special o Establish a process for regular check-
• Where can I find government
underlying health accommodations (such as an alternative teaching ins with vulnerable students and staff
and other reliable resources
conditions, including high assignment) for personnel who are members of o Allow an early transition for
blood pressure, chronic lung for workplace issues related
vulnerable populations vulnerable students to go to classes
disease, diabetes, obesity, to the coronavirus?
• Adhere to FERPA and HIPPA requirements o Limit large group gatherings/
asthma, and those whose National Association of School Nurses
• Adhere to state and federal employment law and Interactions for vulnerable students
immune system is
• Role of school nurses, extended leave allowances and staff
compromised such as by
providing care, and
chemotherapy for cancer • Offer an Employee Assistance Program to all staff
and other conditions participating in return to
members
requiring such therapy. school planning
See also GaDOE’s Pandemic Planning: Information for Public School Districts
District/School Considerations:
• Work with school administrators, school nurses, and other
When a Child, healthcare providers to identify an isolation room or area to
Staff Member, separate anyone who exhibits COVID-like symptoms.
• School nurses and other healthcare providers should use
or Visitor Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions when caring for
Becomes Sick sick people. See: What Healthcare Personnel Should Know
About Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID19
at School Infection
• Establish procedures for safely transporting anyone who is sick
home or to a healthcare facility.
• Notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of a
possible case while maintaining confidentiality consistent with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable
federal and state privacy laws.
• Close off areas used by a sick person and do not use before
cleaning and disinfection. Wait 24 hours before you clean and
disinfect. If it is not possible to wait 24 hours, wait as long as In partnership with the Georgia Department of
possible. Ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants
and keep disinfectant products away from children. Public Health, we created these guidelines to
• Advise sick staff members and children not to return until they
have met state DPH criteria to discontinue home isolation
give school districts a blueprint for a safe
• Inform those who have had close contact to a person reopening that is realistic in the K-12 setting.
diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and follow state DPH
guidance if symptoms develop. If a person does not have We have a responsibility to keep our students,
symptoms, follow appropriate state DPH guidance for home
quarantine.
teachers, school staff, and families safe and to
CDC Guidance provide the best possible education for our
• Symptoms of Coronavirus
• What Healthcare Personnel Should Know About Caring for
children.
Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection
• Standard Precautions
• Transmission-based Precautions
Richard Woods, State School Superintendent
For additional information, go to:
GaDOE.org/coronavirus | Georgia Department of Public Health

Georgia's Path To Recovery For K-12 Schools

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Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools

Considerations and Recommendations for Georgia’s Schools

Substantial Spread Minimal/Moderate Spread Low/No Spread

School District Decision Tree

School buildings are closed; districts District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:

School buildings are closed. District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:

School buildings are closed. District/School Considerations: District/School Considerations:

Richard Woods, State School Superintendent

For additional information, go to:

GaDOE.org/coronavirus | Georgia Department of Public Health

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