Daviess County Public Schools will vote Monday on whether they will start the 2020-21 school year using an A/B schedule for in-person learning in addition to a Virtual Academy. Reopening plans were presented to the school board Thursday during a meeting that was broadcast virtually, allowing families to have the weekend to review the details.
The board will meet again at 11:45 a.m. Monday at Daviess County High School for a special-called meeting, during which the public will be allowed to attend and ask questions.
Two learning options were presented for the upcoming school year:
- A “stop light” model with three methods of instruction:
- Green — In-person classes five days per week
- Yellow — A/B schedule, hybrid of in-person and non-traditional instruction (NTI)
- Red — NTI learning
- Virtual Academy (online-only, separate from NTI)
In a recent DCPS survey, roughly 80% of families preferred in-person learning for the upcoming school year while approximately 20% indicated they would opt for the Virtual Academy — an online-only option.
Superintendent Matt Robbins said having all students return for in-person classes would be ideal, but they wouldn’t be able to follow proper social distancing guidelines.
“We want to be in front of our children five days a week,” he said.
Instead, the recommendation to the board is to begin the year with an A/B schedule. Using the “stop light” model, the district would be able to move between methods of instruction depending on current guidelines.
If the new plan is approved, a family decision survey will be sent out Wednesday and families will be able to review the in-person (A/B Schedule) and the Virtual Academy options. Families are asked to indicate their choice by Aug. 3.
A/B schedule
- The A/B schedule would split those students that are not in the Virtual Academy into two groups.
- Group A — Will attend in-person classes on Monday and Tuesday. Digital learning Wednesday. Hybrid learning Thursday and Friday.
- Group B — Will attend in-person classes on Thursday and Friday. Digital learning Wednesday. Hybrid learning Monday and Tuesday.
- School buildings will be deep cleaned between groups.
- For in-person day — Students and teachers learn and work together at school. Class sizes are smaller allowing for focus on attention to learning.
- For hybrid day — Students read, write and learn independently. Students may watch videos recorded by a teacher and complete other assignments. “Phone an educator” option available for students needing help.
- For digital day — All students participate in digital learning on Wednesday. Classroom teachers and school staff interact with and are available for A/B schedule students.
- Approximately 40% of students would attend school on the in-person days.
- Social distancing will be required in classrooms, and class sizes would be 12-15 students instead of the normal 24-20.
- Masks would be required when social distancing is not possible.
- For transportation to school, masks would be required on buses from K-12 and there will be temperature checks within the first 30 minutes of arrival. Breakfast will be available in the classroom, or there will also be a “Grab & Go” option.
DCPS Virtual Academy
If families choose the DCPS Virtual Academy, it will be for the entire semester. It was recommended students grades K-2 do not enroll in the academy.
DCPS officials noted that the Virtual Academy would not be like NTI. Instead, there would be a set schedule for teaching Monday-Friday, and there would be rigorous coursework in core subjects.
DCPS K-8 teachers will be assigned to teach class full-time, while high school teachers will be assigned to virtual class by course load.
Other plan highlights
Screening at home
- Families are recommended to take temperatures daily before going to school. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or high should not go to school.
- Students and adults should screen themselves for other symptoms. Those with symptoms should not attend school.
Arriving at school
- Students K-12 and adults will be required to wear face coverings. Masks will be provided for those who do not bring one from home. Plastic face shields are not acceptable.
- Masks will be required at all times when social distancing is not possible.
- Bus riders will have their temperature checked.
- Anyone coming into the building will have their temperature prior to entering. Students with a temperature 100.4 or greater will not be permitted to enter and must go home. No one can return to school until they are fever-free for 72 hours with fever-reducing medication.
- There will be staggered arrival and departure times, as well as recess and lunch times.
General safety
- Schools will follow disinfection procedures developed by GRDHD.
- Face coverings/masks must be worn at all times by students and staff unless social distancing is possible. The only exception is a signed medical waiver from a licensed medical professional.
- Handwashing stations will be available throughout the building. Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms.
On campus/in the classroom
- Class sizes will be limited.
- Meals will not be self-served and may be pre-packaged.
- A sick room will be utilized for students who are not feeling well.
- Social distancing will be enforced as much as possible at all times.
Testing positive
- A positive test does not necessarily mean the schools will shut down.
- No personal information would be shared.
- Mandatory self-isolation for a period of time determined by healthcare professionals (up to 14 days or longer).
- Flexible attendance policy to allow for online learning during isolation.
- Clearance document from a licensed healthcare professional required before returning to school/work.
- In the event of a shutdown, all instruction for affected schools would be delivered online.
