WSFCS Re-Entry Presentation

• virtually. (remotely?
)
Introduction
OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

Putting It All Together
Facilities
Safe Readiness
Return
Plan
Budgetary
Needs
Community
Spread

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

NC Phase 2.5 (continued)
• 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.

NC Phase 2.5 (continued)
• 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.

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

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

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

Additional Budgetary Needs
• School Health Professionals
• Additional bus supervision
• Appropriate daily cleaning of buildings

Transition to
Plan B —
Students

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

The days that they are not in-person will be remote learning days.

Transition to
Plan B —
Employees

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

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.

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.

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.

Re-Opening
Transportation, Social Distancing, and
Contact Tracing

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

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

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

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

• 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)

• 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.

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

•
Reopening Plans: School Systems Comparable in Size
Plan C
• Cumberland County
• Until second semester
• Superintendent recommended Plan B
• Durham County
• Until second semester

Contact Tracing

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.

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).

• 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

• 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.

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Putting It All Together
Facilities
Safe Readiness
Return
Plan
Budgetary
Needs
Community
Spread

A School Day
in Plan B


WSFCS Re-Entry Presentation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

WSFCS Re-Entry Presentation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

• virtually. (remotely?

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• Safety and the well-being of students and employees

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• NCDHHS Strong Schools Tool Kit

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

• WS/FCS Planning Teams

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• 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 A Plan B Plan C

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• School-level planning teams

• Healthcare professionals will manage the isolation of students who

• Study of best practices in other school districts

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• Targeted educational and informational campaign about Our Safe Return

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

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• Staff training videos

• School facility audit completed by October 7, 2020

• Transportation registration began for residential students

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• School Health Professionals

• Additional bus supervision

• Appropriate daily cleaning of buildings

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• Safety and health protocol … including social distancing

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

• 100% Virtual Academy with synchronous instruction

• In-person by cohort combined with remote learning

• Remote learning from home school which may include synchronous

Note: High school will offer in-person and synchronous

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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

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

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

High School November 30 Testing January 11-21

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

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

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

Students in building per day/cohort

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

Students in building per day/cohort

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021

OUR SAFE RETURN 2020-2021