Lexington City Schools

Lexington City Schools – July 17, 2020

Framework and Protocols for Re-Opening (2020-2021)

As the Lexington City School System leadership team has been preparing for re-entry in the 2020-21 school year, we have been reading and reviewing multiple documents, tool-kits, and guidelines. It is the CDC guidance for re-opening schools that provides Lexington City with the most important details.

As we plan for next school year, we want to focus on the following:

Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread
Maintaining Healthy Environments
Maintaining Healthy Operations
Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick

Ultimately, we want students and families to stay healthy and stay connected. We know that every decision we make has implications for parents, families, and staff and our decisions are focused around minimizing health risks for all. We will be fluid and flexible as the situation and recommendations from the CDC are ever-changing. Ultimately, we must keep people safe.

LCSS Framework for Re-Opening: Decision-Making Starting-Point

Phase 1: Virus levels “High”, school buildings closed and virtual learning. Teachers are still in their classrooms.

*High virus spread is defined as high levels of community transition, including outbreaks or increases in cases.

Phase 2: Virus levels “Moderate”, schools may do blended learning with partial days or other mixed models with social distancing procedures. LCSS will allow learning from home for those who decide it’s best for their family at any phase.

Teachers are still in their classrooms.

Moving from 1 to 2 requires consideration for district and school capacity to identify and address potential health concerns, as well as a clear plan in place for maintaining high standards for health and safety at school sites. At a level 2, if schools are physically open, strong measures will be put into place regarding social distancing, masks, etc.

Phase 3: Virus levels “Low”, schools may do blended learning where necessary, but majority of delivery in person with additional distancing and cautionary steps. LCSS will allow learning from home for those who decide it’s best for their family at any phase. Teachers are still in their classrooms.

Moving from 2 to 3 would also include declining rates of identification and spread within a community. Health and safety guidelines should be closely followed, but there may be more flexibility available based on specific needs of the school system and local health policies and recommendations.

Phase 4: Virus levels “Low/No”, schools may be fully operational and may return to normal allowing learning from home for those who decide it’s best for their family.

Moving from 3 to 4 would indicate a clear decline in cases as well as significant capacity to address the virus within the broader community.
A 4 would indicate that there has been a steady decline in cases (with a similar rate of testing) for two or more weeks, strong coordination related to address any surges, and support from state and local health officials. *Low virus spread is defined as no reported increases in the number of cases over the last 14 days.

The Framework / Protocols will have guidance for various areas of operation including:

Communication Plan for All Stakeholders
Central Office Operations
Isolation Room and Procedures
School Operations
Social Emotional Supports
Additional Attendance Provisions
Transportation Operations for Car Riders
Department of Health FAQ / Guidance
Instructional Plan, Virtual School, & Virtual Teacher and Student Protocols

LCSS “Central Office” Operations

Low & Moderate Virus Spread:

Office Building / Space Cleaning

LCSS Central Office will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
Central office employees will periodically clean his/her desk and commonly used items in their work space.
Proper hand washing and sneezing/coughing procedures will be posted around the building.
Frequently used entrance/exit doors will be cleaned throughout the day.

Employees

Staff will use hand sanitizer upon entering the office building at any time of the day.
Staff will have their temperature taken upon arriving to the office every day.
Any staff member will a temperature of 100.4 or higher will return home for the day.
Staff will wear masks when working with coworkers or other individuals.

Visitors

Visitors to the central office building will be required to sanitize their hands and have their temperature checked upon entering the building. Any visitor with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be allowed to remain in the building.
Visitors will be required to wear a mask while visiting the building.

Mail/Package Delivery

Normal mail and package delivery procedures will be followed. If this requires the delivery man/woman to enter the building, he/she will follow visitor protocol.

High Virus Spread

Central office is closed.

Isolation Room and Procedures

Room

An isolation room will be designated at each school building. Signage on the door will designate.
The isolation room will be located near the nurse’s office and have access to or near an exit door to prevent contamination to additional school areas.
The isolation room will be sanitized and ready for use at all time.

Isolation Procedure

Students/staff presenting with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be immediately escorted to the designated isolation room.
Students/staff in isolation will be monitored at all times.
Students/staff will be given a face mask, if tolerated, as he/she is being escorted to the isolation room. If a face mask is not tolerated or not available, a tissue should be used to cover the individual’s mouth and nose.
The door to the isolation room should remain closed when occupied.
Parents are to be notified of the student’s condition and sent a request to pick up the student immediately.
Parents will be instructed where to pick up and sign out the student to limit exposure.
The school nurse will utilize the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for anyone in isolation.
A designated isolation cart will remain outside of the isolation room for access to medical supplies/equipment that may be needed. Equipment that is used will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
A log will be kept on the isolation cart with the name of anyone admitted to the isolation room, date, time entered, and time exited.

Cleaning & Disinfecting

Once staff/student has vacated the isolation room, the room should be ventilated prior to cleaning and disinfection. This process should be followed for each case of isolation.

School Operations

Low Virus Spread

Normal school operations can resume. LCSS will allow Virtual learning from home for those families who decide it is best for their family at any phase

Moderate Virus Spread

Staying home when appropriate

Staff and students should stay home if they are sick, showing symptoms of COVID-19, tested positive for COVID-19, or running a fever of 100.4 or above. Staff and students should also stay home if they have been exposed to a person with COVID-19. Attendance policies will be modified.

Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

School officials will teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence among students and staff. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol will be used.
Staff and students will be encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Used tissues will be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.

Cloth Face Coverings

Face coverings (cloth) are optional for any student or staff member who chooses to wear them during phase 4. If we move to Phase 3, they should be worn by staff and students as feasible or desired, and are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. The school will supply a mask that is washable for use if a student desires. Phase 2 or 1 will require all persons on school sites to wear a mask where feasible.
Information will be provided to staff, students, and students’ families on proper use, removal, and washing of cloth face coverings. Proper use will be taught and reinforced in schools.
Cloth face covering should not be placed on: 1) children younger than 2 years old, 2) anyone who has trouble breathing, 3) anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.

Adequate Supplies

Healthy hygiene behaviors will be supported by providing adequate supplies, including soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, disinfectant wipes, cloth face coverings (as feasible) and no-touch trash cans.

Signs and Messages

Signs will be posted in highly visible locations (e.g., school entrances, restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs (such as by properly washing hands and properly wearing cloth face coverings).
Regular announcements will be made on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on the intercom (PA) system in schools.
Video recordings will be shared with staff, students, and families that include proper hand washing technique, sneezing and coughing technique, cloth face covering use, and other behaviors that prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Cleaning and Disinfection

A daily cleaning schedule will be followed for increased, routine cleaning and disinfection of all school buildings/classrooms.
School staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., playground equipment, door handles, sink handles, water stations) within the school at least daily or between use as much as possible. Use of shared objects (e.g., gym or physical education equipment, art supplies, toys, games) will be limited when possible, or cleaned between use.

Shared Objects

Staff will discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.
Each child’s belongings will be separated from others’ and kept in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas. (No community supplies!)
Staff will ensure there are adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between use.
Staff will avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids as much as possible. If these items are shared, they will be cleaned and disinfected between use.
Rugs will not be used and will be taken up.
Fabric curtains or dividers will be put away.

Ventilation

School staff will utilize the building ventilation system to increase circulation.

Water Systems

Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own water to minimize use and touching of water sources.

Modified Layouts

Seating/desks will be spaced at least 6 feet apart when feasible.
Desks will be turned to face the same direction (rather than facing each other), or students will sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart.

Physical Barriers and Guides

Physical barriers will be used such as sneeze guards and partitions, particularly in areas where it is difficult for individuals to remain at least 6 feet apart (e.g., reception desks, cafeteria service lines).
Physical guides will be posted at schools, such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls, to ensure that staff and children remain at least 6 feet apart in lines and other times (e.g., guides for creating “one-way” routes in hallways).

Communal Spaces

Communal use of shared spaces such as dining halls, grade level activity rooms or pods, and playgrounds with shared playground equipment, will be disinfected and cleaned between use.
Bathroom facilities must exercise capacity limits that allow for social distancing.

Food Service

Meals served by food services will be individually plated meals and served in the cafeteria dining hall but no more than one grade level at a time to allow for social distancing. Virtual learners can contact their prospective school cafeterias by 8 a.m. daily to be on the list for lunch pick-up. We will also be offering a 5-day supply in one pick-up.

High Risk Students

High risk students will be offered virtual learning opportunities.

Visitors and Field Trips

Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will be limited.
No cafeteria visitors at this time.
No birthday or celebration food items sent in other than pre-packaged items.
Virtual activities and events will be pursued in lieu of field trips.

Student and Staff Groups

Student and staff groupings will be as static as possible by having the same group of children stay with the same staff (all day for young children, and as much as possible for older children). K-2 will be self-contained.

Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact

Cindy Olive will be the designee for responding to COVID-19 concerns. Her contact information will be shared with all parents and staff.

Sick Staff or Students

Staff and families of sick students will be advised to follow the CDC’s criteria to discontinue home isolation guidance.
Staff and families of students should notify school officials if they or students become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
Staff and students that have COVID-19 symptoms will be separated from other staff and students immediately. They will be taken to an isolation room within the building. School nurses will care for them using Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions. These individuals will be sent home or to a healthcare facility, following established procedures for safely transporting anyone who is sick, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
In accordance with state and local laws and regulations, school administrators will notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
School officials will also inform those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms, and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

High Virus Spread

Schools are closed. Staff will do school online only and all students will be virtual learners on the Virtual Learning Academy schedule.
Your student can participate in our breakfast/lunch program even when learning virtually, but you will need to contact the cafeteria manager daily prior to 8:00 a.m. via email or phone call at:

CES: Dottie Waugh: waughd@caywood.org or call 968-8457 (Ext. 398)

LMS: Tina Roberts: robertst@caywood.org or call 968-6457 (Ext. 394)

When or if we are sent home to be virtual learners, those students will revert to the same daily class schedule as the virtual learners in that grade and that will be communicated via your grade level teacher.

Social Emotional

Survey

Teachers and staff will be asked to complete a district survey that allows them to self-identify their need for social emotional support upon returning to work.
Families will be asked to complete a district survey that allows them to self-identify a student’s needs for social emotional support upon returning to school.

Support for Teachers and Staff

A “reconnect” time will be scheduled each day during our week of in-service before students return. This will allow a time for social interactions for all staff as well as a time for any counseling services that might be needed.

Support for Students

All schools will have a 30 minute block of time scheduled during the school day, the first 2 weeks of school, for students to participate in social and emotional activities (e.g., circle time, morning meeting). This time will also be utilized by the school counselors to deliver counseling services.
Each school will have a referral process for students that need to see the school counselor. This process will include a self-report process for students as well as a referral process for school staff.
School counselors will reach out to identified students who need additional social and emotional support on a weekly basis.

Transportation Operations for Car Riders.

Low & Moderate Virus Spread

Drop Off

Students should be dropped off in the designated area.
Trained staff will take student temperatures and greet students as they arrive at the designated drop off area. Temperature must be below 100.4.
If a student has a temperature that is 100.4 or higher, the parent will be asked to take the student back home.
Any student that has a temperature and has been sent home will be documented for attendance purposes.
Students will be given hand sanitizer as they enter the building and will report to his/her classroom.

High Virus Spread

All car riding operations are suspended.

Department of Health FAQ / Guidance

If a COVID-19 case is confirmed by the TDH and it is a student or employee, will the school be notified of a positive case? Will contact tracing be done by the health dept. to inform anyone else who may have been exposed or need further guidance? (For example, if a student in a classroom tests positive will the other classmates be made aware?). Public health will communicate with the school if a case was present in the school while infectious while maintaining the individual’s privacy. Yes, contact tracing will be done… to identify close contacts only. This does not necessarily mean that every student in a class is defined as a close contact. This will be situation-specific under guidance from Health Department officials. For preschools and young children where social distancing is more difficult, it is likely that many or all may be considered close contacts. In upper grades, where students stay in their desks throughout the class, the close contacts may just be those who sit nearby.

Will the school be notified of positive cases? • Public health will coordinate with the school to conduct a thorough case investigation while also protecting patient privacy. • If there is an increase in cases in our area, this data is available at: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/cedep/ncov/data.html

Will the school be notified if there is a concern that school should be closed due to a rise in cases?

Schools do not have to wait for a recommendation from Public Health to close.

I think or I know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms, when can I go back to work/school?

You can return to work or school after:

3 days with no fever without medicine and
Respiratory symptoms have improved (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) and
14 days since symptoms first appeared
Teachers/staff test results will need to be submitted to their principals

Depending on your healthcare provider’s advice and availability of testing, you might get tested to see if you still have COVID-19. If you will be tested, you can be around others when you have no fever, respiratory symptoms have improved, and you receive negative test results.

I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms, when can I go back to work/school?

If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after:

14 days

Depending on your healthcare provider’s advice and availability of testing, you might get tested to see if you still have COVID-19. If you will be tested, you can be around others after you receive negative test results.

If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for “I think or know I had COVID, and I had symptoms.”

I have been exposed (within 6 feet for 15 min. constitutes exposure) to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, what should I do? Contact your healthcare provider and follow their guidelines.

If I elect for my child/student to attend the VLA, can we pick up lunch from school? Yes. Your student can participate in our lunch program but you will need to contact the cafeteria manager daily prior to 8:00 a.m. via email or phone call at:

CES: Dottie Waugh: waughd@caywood.org or call 968-8457 (Ext. 398)

LMS: Tina Roberts: robertst@caywood.org or call 968-6457 (Ext. 394)

Instructional Plan

Virtual School & Virtual Teacher and Student Protocols

LCSS VLA Logo

Families will be provided a choice between a free virtual learning opportunity and the traditional on-campus/in the classroom learning opportunity; virtual learning teachers will be Lexington City School teachers. Students of families who enroll in the LCSS Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) will receive LCSS report cards and progress reports; virtual students will be eligible to participate in all LCSS activities/events. Special education, related services, 504, and ESL support services will continue for all students who are eligible. VLA and traditional “on-campus” students will use a virtual curriculum via Google Classroom. Students may have to transfer from “on-campus” learning to VLA if circumstances become necessary regarding absences due to illness of any kind. For more information refer to the Virtual Learning Guidelines on our webpage at caywood.org.

Back to School 2020: Instruction

Virtual Learning Academy (Teacher)

• Teacher will communicate with each student via –caywood.org email addresses, Remind text, phone, and Google Meets.

•Teacher must turn on the camera and microphone for each live video lesson, academic feedback conversation, tutoring, etc.

• Teacher will provide a recorded overview of the week’s learning for each content area before the beginning of each week. Recordings are to be posted in Google Classroom. Recordings will remain posted for the duration of the school year.

• Teachers will record individual lessons to be posted to Google Classroom for viewing.

• Teachers will interact daily with VLA students learning in sync (or synchronously). If a student fails to interact with classes the teacher will log that as an absence from the class. The VLA teacher will make contact within 24 hours to re-engage the student. Contact must be documented.

• Teachers will have set office hours each day to provide academic feedback, respond to general questions, communicate with parents, provide tutoring/additional support.

Teachers will post grades weekly in Synergy; parents may access grades via Parent Portal. Progress reports and report cards will be issued as scheduled for the 2020-2021 school year (refer to LCSS Calendar).

• Teachers will post all assignment/project due dates in the class file and post in Google Classroom.

• Teachers will schedule Meet & Greet video calls with each student and parent during the month of August. Any new students will have a Meet & Greet scheduled upon enrollment in VLA.

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held virtually in September and February.

• Teachers will respond to all communication from the student/parent/administrator within 24 hours.

Back to School 2020: Instruction

Virtual Learning Academy (Student)

• Students will communicate with teacher via –caywood.org email address, Remind text, phone, and Google Meets.

• Students must turn on the camera and microphone for each live video lesson, academic feedback conversation, tutoring, etc.

• Students will participate in each overview of the week’s learning either synchronously or asynchronously. *Synchronous – (live) **Asynchronous - (pre-recorded)

• Students will complete online assignments via Google platform as assigned. Assignments not on the platform or that are not accessible virtually, are to be submitted weekly in person at a time designated by the Virtual Teacher.

• Students will respond to all email from the teacher/school counselor/administrator within 24 hours.

• Students will complete all assignments and participate in all discussions/activities as outlined by the teacher each week. Students will manage due dates posted on the class calendar (Google Calendar) or otherwise communicated.

• Students and parents will participate in a virtual Meet & Greet via Google Meets during the month of August. Any new students will have a Meet & Greet scheduled upon enrollment in VLA.

Students with limited connectivity will arrange days for drop off and pick up of materials.

• Students should expect to engage in daily learning 4.5 to 7 hours per day (various content areas) (Monday – Friday) depending on the grade level. (4.5 for Kindergarten; 7.0 for grades 1-8 per the TN Department of Education).

Online Platform: GSuite

Teacher – Student – Parent Communication

Using email, video conference/class meetings/intro to lessons, posting assignments, feedback, housing videos for access anytime (asynchronous).
All teachers will begin using the platform with students upon return to school so that students will learn how to access and use various apps.
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held virtually in September and February.

Student Services

Students who qualify or are currently receiving services under IDEA, 504 or ELL will continue to receive services and /or accommodations as federally mandated.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and/or 504 meetings will be held to review/revise educational programming services and addressing modifications and/or accommodations./
Progress monitoring will be maintained for students with disabilities (SWD) and EnglishLanguage Learners (ELL).
Assistive technology will be provided to SWD based on IEP team decisions.
Evaluation guidelines and timelines will be followed to maintain eligibility, services and or accommodations for SWD, 504 and ELL students.
Students with an IEP, 504 Plan, and ELL students will be assigned a case manager who will maintain regular contact/communication with the student and parent(s)/guardian(s).
If a parent suspects his/her child may have a disability, a parent may submit a written referral to the administrator/counselor/teacher/school psychologist located at the child's zoned school.
Decisions for SWD and 504 students who need homebound services will be determined through an IEP/504 team once a doctor's medical statement has been provided to the district. District Homebound services will be reviewed every 30 days. Contact the student's case manager for more information.
If parents have questions about ELL services, reach out to the district ESL/MigrantCoordinator.
Counseling services are available for all students.
Mental health therapeutic services are available through Allied Behavioral Health Systems.
Contact your school counselor or the Virtual Learning Coordinator for individual counseling or mental health referrals.

Academics -Elementary K-2nd Grade Strand

The distance learning day will be the equivalent of 7 hours per day; Kindergarten day will be the equivalent of 4.5 hours per day.
We encourage students to attend school traditionally if possible due to the amount of teacher interaction students need to be successful with reading and math.
Teachers will provide instruction daily using the curriculum materials Lexington City Schools has adopted.
Social studies and science standards will be integrated into the Reading & Writing lessons over the course of the school year.
Related content (PE, art, music, library) will be included in the virtual courses. Assignments will not be required for related content classes.
Academic Support and Interventions will address students' needs through ILPs, IEPs, or 504s.
Academic Support and Interventions will also include the RTI2 process where students will receive enrichment, remediation, and/or tier II, tier III interventions.
Teachers will incorporate some hands-on practice with manipulatives in lessons to engage students.
Live video conferencing (Google Meets) will be utilized so that teachers can listen to students read and give them immediate feedback and instruction.
Live video conferencing may be scheduled during or after school hours by appointment with participating teachers from across the district. These teachers will communicate and update the homeroom teacher about their distance learning student's progress.
Teachers may send home some curriculum supports for students such as manipulatives and consumable workbooks.
Parents will be expected to come to school periodically, at scheduled times, to drop off and pick-up materials for students.
Teachers assess student performance and will prepare each student a report card.

Kindergarten Sample Schedule:		1st & 2nd Grade Sample Schedule
Phonics	30 min.	Phonics	60 min.
Reading & Writing	30 min.	Reading & Writing	90 min.
Math	30 min.	Math	60 min.
Reading with Teacher	30 min.	Reading with Teacher	60 min.
Academic Supports and Interventions	60 min.	Academic Supports and Interventions	60 min.
Related Arts	60 min.	Related Arts	60 min.
Lunch	30 min.	Lunch	30 min.
Total	4.5 hours	Total	7.0 hours

Academics -Elementary -3rd -5th Grade Strand

The distance learning day will be the equivalent of 7 hours per day.
Teachers will provide instruction daily using the curriculum materials Lexington City Schools has adopted as follows:

ELA: Learn Zillion Guidebooks
Math: Eureka
Social Studies: Gallopade
Science: Houghton-Mifflin

Related arts content (PE, art, music, library) will be included in Google Classroom. Assignments will not be required for related arts classes.

Academic Support and Interventions will address students' needs through ILPs, IEPs, or 504s.
Academic Support and Interventions will also include the RTl2 process where students will receive enrichment, remediation, and/or tier II, tier III interventions.
Students will be expected to come to school periodically for such things as common assessments, picking up and/or turning in materials, and other reasons determined by the district. These times will be scheduled, may be individual or in small groups, and parents may be asked to attend.
Students will receive numerical grades based on assignments, quizzes, and tests.

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Sample Schedule
English Language Arts	90 min.
Math	90 min.
Social Studies	60 min.
Science	60 min.
Academic Supports & Interventions	30 min.
Related Arts	60 min.
Lunch	30 min.
Total:	7.0 hours

Academics -Middle School -6th -8th Grade Strand

Students will take courses in English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Related arts courses (PE, art, music, library) will be included.
Band is a course that requires students to participate in group learning and practice. Virtual students participating in band must attend in person according to the schedule, and transportation to and from school for band must be provided by parents. Students will be required to check in and out upon entering and exiting campus. Students participating in band are required to meet all expectations of the class to the same extent as traditional students.
Academic Support and Interventions will address students' needs through ILPs, IEPs, or 504s.
Academic Support and Interventions will also include the RTI2 process where students will receive enrichment, remediation, and/or tier II, tier III interventions.

Daily Expectations:

Students will be required to check in to each course on their schedules each day and participate in the learning, assignments, and assessments required by each of their teachers through Google Classroom or other programs as directed.
Daily attendance is required and will be documented and monitored each day. Attendance will be taken based on assignments submitted in Google Classroom, phone communication with teachers, and/or online meetings with teachers.
Students are expected to complete work daily for each subject on their schedule according to the pacing guide set forth by their teachers. Work may include reviewing instructional materials, reading, writing, completing assignments, participating in discussions or small group sessions.
Students will receive grades in core content classes. Grades will become part of students' permanent records.

Students will be expected to come to school periodically for such things as common assessments, picking up and/or turning in materials, and other reasons determined by the district. These times will be scheduled, may be individual or in small groups, and parents may be asked to attend.

Academics - Middle School - 6th-8th Grade Strand

Grades 6th-8th Sample Schedule
ELA	75 min.
Math	75 min.
Social Studies	75 min.
Science	75 min.
Academic Support and Interventions	30 min.
Related Arts	60 min.
Lunch	30 min.
Total:	7.0 hours

Attendance Provisions for Students:

Virtual Students: If a virtual student logs in for a class and completes the assignment on-time as indicated by the teacher, they are considered “present” for that class. If the virtual student logs in at the same time (synchronously) with the class and doesn’t complete the assignment, the student’s consequences are the same as if he/she was actually sitting in class and didn’t complete the work. If the virtual student logs in at a different time (asynchronously) to view the class and does not complete the assignment on time, he/she is coded “absent” for that class because there is no way to guarantee they didn’t log in and walk away.

If the virtual student doesn’t log in and/or doesn’t complete the assignment for that class, the student is coded absent for that class. Attendance policies will be in place as in previous years. If the virtual student does not have internet access, parents will log daily participation in assignments by signing and placing the date on the assignment page provided. If this page isn’t completed and all work is not turned in on-time, as indicated by the teacher, they are considered “absent” on days assignments are missing. Turning assignments in on time is a portion of the classwork to verify attendance.

Remember, a virtual student can only become a student who returns to the classroom at the end of each 9 weeks. However, when you first decide to go virtual, we will allow a 2 week window to finalize your choice.

Students At School: A student who returns to the school building will have attendance taken as normal. However, if a child checks out or is absent for any reason, they can avoid the time counted against them if they log on virtually to the classes missed and make up all work missed prior to returning the next day. If they don’t complete the work prior to the next day, it is excused or unexcused according to our attendance policy in the student handbook and they will have a set amount of days to complete the missed assignments as stated in the student handbook.

If they miss multiple days for flu or other illness including COVID, they may log-in to their classes as the virtual students do and complete the assignments upon return or on date set by the teacher, those days will not count against them as being absent. If they miss multiple days for flu or other illness including COVID and do not log-in to their classes and complete the assignments, they will have a set amount of days to complete missed assignments as stated in the student handbook.

*If a student who is virtual or in the building comes in “direct” contact with, becomes ill, or suspects they are ill with COVID-19, please refer to the FAQ portion of this document for further instructions (pages 12, 13).

Instructional Technology

Parents choosing the virtual learning option for the school year must agree to provide regular internet access for their students while engaging in virtual learning or acknowledge their responsibility to get students to the access points in the city/county. Internet access must allow students to do multiple types of activities related to instruction and learning, including but not limited to the following: viewing videos, participating in Google Meets, downloading/uploading documents or assignments, or using email.
In grades 4-8, students will be expected to complete the 1:1 training to receive a LCS device. Please refer to the 1:1 section of our school webpage at caywood.org.
Parents and students must understand and agree that there is no expectation of privacy when going through the district server or using district programs and platforms.

Extracurricular

Virtual Students are eligible to participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities, including athletics.
Virtual Students must meet the same extracurricular activity eligibility requirements as students enrolled in the traditional day program, including, but not limited to, any applicable Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) requirements.
Students' residency for purposes of participating in extracurricular activities will be determined in accordance with applicable board policy and guidelines.
Students who participate in extracurricular activities must take any required corresponding course on campus during the traditional school day.
The student must be in good standing academically, accept all financial costs, and attend all required meetings, as do traditional students.

Professional Development, Learning and Support

The LEA will provide effective professional development to staff related to synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning. Staff will participate in technology training on virtual learning tools, integrating digital/virtual instructional practices, and professional development on strategies of how to teach vulnerable groups of learners. Please refer to the 2020-2021 Professional Development Schedule.

Implementation Monitoring

The LEA will monitor procedures for each of the sections of the CLP by monitoring attendance both synchronous and asynchronous, benchmarking, participation in classes, classwork and homework, and assessments. The Director of Special Populations, classroom teachers, and academic coaches will monitor that all students have equitable access to quality instruction. Instruction will be driven by both formative and summative assessments. The principals will report this data to our Director of Teaching and Learning and the Attendance Supervisor. The district team will disaggregate this data monthly to determine future interventions.

Communication Plan for All Stakeholders

The director of schools will communicate weekly or sooner in case of emergencies with all stakeholders via our community newspaper, posts on Facebook, system webpage, robo calls, Remind texts, schoolwide newsletters, and email to provide updates and data regarding pandemic issues as they relate to the operations of school. LCSS will be transparent in all situations allowed regarding the pandemic and issues that arise. The director of schools and principals will respond to emails, calls, or other communications within 24 hours to help alleviate stress by parents and other stakeholders.

Phone communication and Remind texts can be communicated in other languages if parents have previously communicated the need.

Student Registration

►New & returning students are to register for 2020-2021 using the Synergy / Edupoint online portal

►Parents who wish to register their children for our Virtual Learning Academy will register online and also email their prospective principal that they have registered their child online but intend to participate in the Lexington City Schools Virtual Learning Academy.

CES Principal: Angela Blankenship: blankenshipa@caywood.org

LMS Principal: Whitney Owens: owensw@caywood.org

►On July 21 from 11-6 @ LMS there will be a registration “help” day for those needing help with online registration.

Contact Information

CES Nurse, Lisa Woods: woodsl@caywood.org
LMS Nurse, Teresa Morris: morrist@caywood.org
Tech Coordinator, Michael Crewse: crewsem@caywood.org
Home School Liaison, Jamie McAdams: mcadamsj3@caywood.org
Director of Schools, Cindy Olive: olivec@caywood.org

We want students choosing both options, returning-to-learn or attending LCSS virtually, to stay connected. We know that any option has implications for parents, families, and staff and our decisions are focused around minimizing health risks for all. We will be fluid and flexible as the situation and recommendations from the CDC are ever-changing. Ultimately, we must keep people safe.

LCSS Reopening Framework