Frequently Asked Questions for in person students

Frequently Asked Questions

Health Questions

What if my child is sick? Please keep children home if they are sick. Please screen your children daily, and do not send them to school if they are ill. COVID-19 Symptoms symptoms include:

  • A fever of 100.4 or greater
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell               

If a student arrives at school and is ill, what will happen? The student will be referred to the school clinic for evaluation.

Will my child’s temperature be taken daily?  We are asking families to regularly screen their children at home.  We do have no-touch thermometers in schools to utilize when students are feeling ill or displaying symptoms of illness.         

When will children be able to wash their hands?  Students will wash their hands anytime they are transitioning, for example before and after lunch and recess. Additional hand sanitizing stations have also been installed throughout the school.

Safety Questions

Important Definitions:

·       Sanitize:  We sanitize to make surfaces more hygienic.  A solution that is student-safe and food-safe will be used throughout the day.  This will be done by any staff/student as needed. 

·       Disinfecting:  Typically completed once a day by a custodian with gloves and precautions.  Ideally providing air-drying time to be most effective. 

·       Cleaning:  vacuuming, dusting, trash removal, etc. 

What about water fountains? All water fountains have been closed with the exception of the water bottle fillers.  Water stations have been set up in all buildings for student use throughout the day. Students will be allowed and are encouraged to bring a water bottle to use daily.

 Will safety drills still be conducted during the pandemic?  Yes, safety drills will still be conducted.  Students will be required to wear their mask during safety drills. 

                Masks and Shield Questions

Do students/staff have to wear masks? Under the executive order issued by Governor Holcomb, effective Monday, July 27, 2020 and continuing throughout the public health emergency unless rescinded or modified, the following will be required:

School Buses or School-sponsored Modes of Transportation:

All students regardless of age or grade, all faculty, all staff, all vendors, all contractors, all volunteers, and all visitors shall wear a face covering or face shield while on a school bus or school-sponsored mode of transportation except those who fall within an exemption listed in 4b-f in Executive Order 20-37.

 Classroom setting: 

1). Where a classroom or place of instruction can be configured so that all students and instructors can maintain six (6) feet of social distance from one another at all times, face-covering or face shields do not need to be worn during in-person educational instruction;

2). Where a classroom or place of instruction can be configured so that all students can maintain at least three (3) feet of social distance from one another at all times, and where students are positioned to face in the same direction, face coverings or face shields do not need to be worn during in-person educational instruction by students.  Instructors must wear a face covering or face shield unless the instructor(s) can maintain six (6) feet of social distance from students; or

3). Where a classroom or place of instruction cannot be configured so that all students can maintain either six (6) feet of social distance or at least three (3) feet of social distance from one another with students facing the same direction at all times, face coverings or face shields must be worn during in-person educational instruction by students.  Instructors must wear a face covering or face shield unless the instructor(s) can maintain six (6) feet of social distance from students.  At the direction of the instructor, a student may be permitted to remove his or her mask on an intermittent and temporary basis. 

 Recess:  Face-coverings and face shields may be removed during recess periods provided social distancing can be maintained. 

 Extra-curricular & Co-Curricular Activities:  Students, teachers, directors, coaches, trainers, volunteers, and other personnel, when not engaging in strenuous physical activity or subject to an exemption specified above, shall wear face coverings, or face shields unless six feet of social distancing can be achieved and maintained. 

 Exceptions to face-coverings include:  Any staff or student with health conditions that make the wearing of a mask a risk to their health, and they must bring a note from their medical provider. If staff or students are performing tasks that cannot be completed while wearing a face-covering: i.e. eating, drinking, etc. And, in the event a student is unable to remove a face covering on their own.

 Are face shields allowed? Face shields may be worn by students in addition to the requirements for a face-covering. Students who meet the exceptions outlined above may choose to wear a face shield in place of a face mask.  HCCSC staff whose mouth must be seen in order for students to learn may wear a face shield in place of a face covering.

Is there a certain type of mask required? A face-covering that covers the mouth and nose and adheres to the district dress code policy is acceptable (i.e.: cloth face masks, bandana, gaiters). 

 How should I care for my child’s mask?  Face-coverings will not be stored at school.  Face-coverings must be taken home each day.  Cloth face-coverings should be washed after each use.

 What if my child refuses to wear a mask? A progressive action plan for students who will not wear their masks will be implemented. Teachers, administrators, and parents will be engaged in the process.  It may be necessary for a student who refuses to wear a mask to transfer to a virtual option for their protection and the protection of others.

 Visitors, Volunteers, Guest Procedures

Will volunteers/visitors/guests be allowed at school? We will not be scheduling volunteers in our schools and will not be able to welcome families to join their children for lunch.  In addition, we will not be inviting outside organizations into the school buildings.  

 Will office visits be allowed? Families may visit the front office area if needed (ex. picking up a student for an appointment, dropping of medication, registration).  Please limit these office visits to only one parent/family member. Meetings with school staff will be virtual and must be scheduled in advance. All visitors to the front office must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.  Please note there may be a wait to enter the building if an office has reached capacity with social distancing.  

Will volunteers be allowed in the building after school? No.  After school clubs or activities that are supported by volunteers or non-staff members, will not be scheduled until further notice.  

 Social Distancing

Why are assigned seats so important?  Students will be assigned seats on the bus, in the classroom and in the cafeteria.  In the event of a positive diagnosis and required quarantine by Huntington County Health Department, staff will need to perform contact tracing and these seating charts will be imperative to complete this work.

 Social Distancing - Elementary

How will elementary classrooms be set up?

General Homerooms

  • Desks will be set-up with 3-6 feet of space between them facing the same direction when possible, and adequate space for the teacher to maintain 6 feet of social distance when instructing.
  • Unneeded classroom furniture will be removed to optimize space for social distancing.
  • One-way traffic flow patterns will be developed within the classroom that limits the crossing of paths and allows students to maintain social distance as much as possible when moving through the classroom and lining up.

 What does elementary recess look like? Individual classes will be assigned to a designated play area and playtime.  Staggered release of students to and from the play areas will support social distancing.  Playground equipment will be cleaned and disinfected on a routine schedule.     

Social Distancing - Secondary

How will secondary classrooms be set up?

General Homerooms - Secondary Schools

  • Desks will be set-up with 3-6 feet of space between them facing the same direction when possible, and adequate space for the teacher to maintain 6 feet of social distance when instructing.
  • Unneeded classroom furniture will be removed to optimize space for social distancing

Choir - Secondary Schools

  • For all group or ensemble singing, masks are required.
  • Social distancing will maintain separation of a minimum of 3-6 feet during choral activities

Band/Orchestra - Secondary Schools

  • Woodwind and Brass instruments will not be shared.
  • String instruments will be disinfected between each use if they are shared.
  • Percussion students will not share mallets without properly disinfecting them.
  • Social distancing will maintain separation of a minimum of 3-6 feet during activities.
  • Music stands will not be shared when possible.
  • Outdoor performances will proceed under NFHS and ISSMA guidelines.

Physical Education - Secondary Schools

  • No P.E. uniforms will be required.
  • Locker room use will be limited to restroom use.
  • Student cohorts will be maintained when possible.
  • Cardio room equipment will be cleaned between each use.

 Quarantine, Exposure, Positive Cases

Important Definitions

  • Diagnosed/Positive - Student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 via a positive test by a certified testing provider.
  • Quarantined - Student or staff member has been exposed to an individual or group of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19
  • Exposure - Close contact within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes of someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis

 What happens if a healthcare professional diagnoses a positive case in my child’s school/classroom? If a student/staff member tests positive for COVID-19 in your child’s school, HCCSC will immediately notify the Huntington County Health Department. (In some cases, the Health Department will notify HCCSC first.)  The Huntington County Health Department will lead the contact tracing initiative, and all persons who have a possible exposure will be notified of a positive case. All impacted instructional spaces will be closed off and deep cleaned before welcoming students/staff back into them.

 What happens if my child has an exposure?  If your child was in close proximity to the individual who tested positive (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer), the Huntington County Health Department will investigate and contact families with recommendations. The school will close off and deep clean affected areas.

 What happens if my child has symptoms of COVID-19?  Check your child for COVID-19 symptoms.  If your child shows symptoms similar to COVID-19, keep your child home, monitor them closely, and notify a healthcare professional. If your child displays symptoms at school, the clinic assistant or nurse will isolate the child, monitor symptoms, and contact the family immediately to pick up the child from school.  

 What happens if my child has a diagnosed case of COVID-19? If a healthcare professional diagnoses your child with COVID-19, please contact the school immediately.  The district will notify the Huntington County Health Department who will conduct contact tracing and notify exposed individuals. Your child will be quarantined as directed by the Huntington County Health Department.

 What happens if there are multiple confirmed cases in a school? Families will be notified if there are multiple confirmed cases.  Huntington County Health Department will notify families of any children who were exposed to the diagnosed individual. The school may be closed based on the guidance from the Huntington County Health Department.

What if a family member of a student/staff has COVID-19? We know that a family member is 15 times more likely to get COVID-19 if another family member has a diagnosed case. If an individual in one’s home has COVID-19 or is isolated because of COVID-19, those in the household should also stay home for quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. This could be longer if the student becomes symptomatic. 

 What about passing periods? Students will wear masks during passing periods. We will stagger passing periods and modify schedules when possible.   
Will students still have field trips?  No field trips will be scheduled until further notice.

 Will our substitute teachers follow the same guidelines? Yes.

Transportation Questions

Will students be allowed multiple drop-offs and pick-ups for the bus? No.  Students must have one a.m. pick-up location and one p.m. drop-off location. 

 Will bus notes be allowed? No. Students will only be permitted to ride their assigned bus home and will not be permitted to ride home on a different bus using a bus note.      

How will students social distance on the bus? It is not possible to social distance on the bus without adding many new bus routes and incurring additional expenses. As a result, the Huntington County Department of Health recommends and HCCSC will require students K-12, bus drivers, and aides wear masks while on the bus. Some families may prefer to transport their children instead of using school transportation.

 What other precautions will be taken on the bus? Seating charts will be used on the bus.  Should there be a positive case, this will allow us to identify who was seated near the affected student. Siblings will sit together on the bus. Buses will be cleaned between routes and sanitized at the end of the day.

 When can I drop my child off in the morning? Each school will release a schedule of when your student may be dropped off. This schedule may vary from previous school years as we need to limit the gathering of students in entryways.

 

Other Questions

Can outside groups rent school facilities for their event or activity?  Facility rentals and catering services have been suspended until conditions improve.  No outside groups may conduct their event or activity in or on a school facility.

FAQ Document Updated: 7/31/2020

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