Seneca R7 Family,

It is my hope that you have had a fun, healthy, and safe

summer.  As we approach the upcoming school year our entire
PHASE 1: FULL IN PERSON SCHOOL
staff has been preparing for the first day on August 24th.  This Enhanced
Building Safety and Sanitizing protocols
has been a unique summer for us as we make plans to connect
and educate all children regardless of the setting.  While we are
still working on our plans I wanted to give you an update so you
are prepared and have an understanding of what school may
look like.  I want to thank those that filled out the survey for your
responses, the information helped guide our team’s decisions.  It
PHASE 2: BLENDED SCHOOL
will take all of us working together to meet the needs of our
Follow all safety protocols in Phase 1 as well as additional procedures outlined. 
children in a safe and healthy manner.  We have had to make a
Students attend in person 2 days per week either Monday and Thursday or Tuesday
few procedural changes that will be outlined and we ask for your and Friday completing work virtually or hard copy on the days they are not
cooperation and understanding Screening
scheduled to attend.  Wednesdays will be dedicated to teacher planning preparation
The Board of Education and Administration are committed to and student support.  The days a student is not physically in school assignments and
having in-person school for the 2020-2021 school year.  It will instruction will be sent home in either a virtual or hard copy format.
require governmental intervention for us not to provide our
students and community the education they deserve. Traditional
in-person school will look different as we will have to provide
additional safety protocols for staff and students.  Nothing we do
will provide a 100% guarantee but we will do everything we can PHASE 3:
to ensure the highest degree of safety possible.  We will continue
to work under the guidance and recommendations of the SCHOOL CLOSURE-FULL DISTANCE LEARNING
Newton County Health Department and other state and local Full online/alternative learning Drop off/
Open House
agencies to make decisions regarding school procedures.
pick up
At this point in time, we are planning to return to school on
August 24 in a Full In-Person classroom format with enhanced
safety and cleaning protocols in place.  It is imperative that we
are prepared to educate students at a high level regardless of
the format. We will maintain a high expectation of equitable
teaching, learning, and feedback throughout any scenario we
PHASE 4: INDIVIDUAL STUDENT QUARANTINE
Masks/
may face.  If needed, will be prepared to change phases within Student will immediately transition to
one day. The following chart represents a list of the possible Face Hygiene
online/alternative learning.
school scenarios we may face this school year. coverings
Sincerely,
Dr. Eggleston
 Building

Attendance Cafeteria

I T I S I M P O R T A N T T H A T Y O U A R E

A W A R E O F T H E A D D I T I O N A L S A F E T Y
Seneca
Transportation Classroom
A N D S A N I T I Z A T I O N

P R O C E D U R E S I N
P R O T O C O L S

P L A C E F O R
A N D
R-7
T H E U P C O M I N G S C H O O L Y E A R . Safety
P 1 = P H A S E 1 and
P 2 = P H A S E 2
Sanitization
P 3 =

P 4 =
P H A S E

P H A S E
3

4
Procedures
A L L P H A S E 1 ( P 1 ) P R A C T I C E S W I L L B E
Screening Drop off/
I N P L A C E I F W E A R E I N P H A S E 2 ( P 2 ) . pick up

Masks/
Face Hygiene
coverings
 S E N E C A R - 7
S A F E T Y A N D S A N I T I Z A T I O N P R O T O C O L S
FACE
ATTENDANCE CAFETERIA DROP OFF/PICK UP HYGIENE
COVERINGS
Regular attendance (P1) Students spread out (P1) Parents expected to
(P1) Staff trained on
(P1) Students highly

required to the greatest extent use car rider line ONLY, encouraged to wear
proper precautions to
Attendance possible throughout the unless dropping off late masks when social
teach to students.
distancing isn't
incentives are cafeteria. or picking up early.
(P1) Student training on
eliminated. (P1) Additional lunch (P1) Students are not to
proper practices.
possible.

periods at the JH and (P1) All employees

If child is sick or arrive to school prior to
(P1) Students will wash
showing symptoms HS. 7:30. provided masks and
hands before and after
please keep them (P1) Students will wash (P1) Students report to required to wear
lunch and recess.
home. their hands before and homeroom or first hour them when within 6
(P1) Time scheduled
feet of staff or
after eating. when they enter the
within day to wash
(P1) Breakfast in the building.
students.

classroom starting at
hands.
(P1) Students with

7:30.
(P1) Teacher training on
special needs

(P2) Lunch will be in the

how to social distance
handled on an
in the classroom. individual basis.
classroom.
(P2) Face masks may

be required.

BUILDING CLASSROOM SCREENING TRANSPORTATION

(P1) Regularly (P1) Seating will be spread out (P1) Staff and students will be (P1) Face masks highly

cleaned throughout as much as possible. asked to take temperature daily recommended.

the day and (P1) Minimize face to face and look for the following (P1) Families sit together.

overnight. seating. symptoms: Fever or chills; (P1) Assigned seating.

(P1) Drinking (P1) Minimize mass gatherings Cough; (P1) Load front to back.

fountains will be and school wide assemblies. Headache; Muscle aches; (P1) Daily bus logs of students

closed, students (P1) Playground sectioned off Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; riding.

should bring a to specific classes. New loss of taste or smell; New (P1) Hand sanitizer on every bus.

water bottle that (P1) Seating charts. runny nose or congestion;   (P1) Buses sanitized AM/PM 

can be re-filled. (P1) No carpet time. Shortness of breath or difficulty (P1) Windows open when

(P1) High touch (P1) Each classroom will have breathing; Sore Throat; Close weather permits.

areas and hand sanitizer to use as contact with a person with (P1) Parent transportation when

bathrooms will be needed. COVID-19 in the last 14 days. possible to minimize bus numbers.

sanitized hourly. (P2) Shared soft seating (P1)  P e r recent CDC guidelines (P1) Safety goggles for drivers and

(P1) Schools will be removed. any temperature over 100.4 by a aids when attending to students

sanitized daily.  (P2) No more than 2 classes on student or staff member will in a harness.

(P1) Sanitize the playground. require them to stay home fever (P2) Fewer students on bus.

classroom in (P2) Desks spread out 3-6 free for 24 hours.

between each class. feet. (P1) Staff will sign off on a

(P2) Eliminate face to face symptom check each day.

 Virtual Education
We strongly believe that the best education a child can get takes place in a public
school building with his or her teacher.  As the guardian, you do have the option for
your child to attend school virtually at home using our districts online platforms.   The
curriculum and instruction is monitored and paced by our teachers.  Teachers will be
available at certain times throughout the day to answer questions and give feedback. 
If virtual school is the option you choose our platforms have been researched, paced,
and analyzed by our teachers and administrators.  We believe these platforms to be
the highest quality online instruction in the market today.  Students should expect to
spend 6-8 hours of online work each day.   If you believe this is the option for your
child please fill out the Intent to Enroll In Virtual Education form at this link
https://forms.gle/BZgasMLrufDbxJpP7   A Seneca staff member will be in touch with
you to complete the enrollment process.  If you would just like more information prior
to August 3rd email kmarion@senecar7.com or call central office at 776-3426. After
August 3rd contact your child’s school.  The deadline for virtual enrollment is August
7th so we can appropriately staff the program.
 FAQs:
How will the school inform me about positive cases in my child’s school?
Communication between home and school has never been so critical.  It is imperative we have correct and updated contact
information both phone and email.  Notification and updates regarding COVID -19 within your child’s school will be sent via the
school dialer, and email system.  

What is Exposure and what do I do if my child has been exposed to a positive case or tests positive for
COVID-19?
Definition:  Known exposure to a positive tested individual.  Exposure is defined as contact within 6 feet for a cumulative total of
15 minutes.
1. Parent immediately reports to school nurse.
2. Stay home from school for 14 CALENDAR days from the date of exposure regardless of a positive or negative test result.
3. School will contact you regarding your child’s instruction during quarantine.   

What online platform will my child use if he or she is quarantined?

Students in grades 6-12 will utilize Edgenuity and students in grades PK-5 will utilize Acellus or teacher created materials.

What if I do not have reliable internet service at home?

Hard copy assignments will be available and we will load lessons on thumb drives to send home.  

How does the school make decisions to change to another Phase?

Phase changes will be made at the recommendation or decree by the Newton County Health Department or other governmental
agencies.  We will also use guidance based on percentages of positive cases within a school building during a specific time
frame.  Phase changes may be specific to individual buildings.  Ex: The Elementary may be in Phase 2 while the remainder of the
buildings are in Phase 1.