Academy day, students complete lessons at home, and these lessons count as an instruc- tional day. “Remote learning” refers to an extended period of time where students are expected to attend their classes online and complete assignments at home just as they did this past spring. “Virtual learning” is a program offered by the state Department of Education in which a student attends school 100 percent online. That program is not affil- iated with Mon County Schools. How does going back to school so much later impact the rest of the school calendar? BOE administrators made adjustments to the 2020–21 school calendar that make it possible for the school year to end before Memorial Day. They achieved this by removing all early dismissals built into the calendar and by reducing the length of spring break. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks are the same length as previous years. How will proposed schedules and modes of delivery affect the quality of education? All parties agree that in-person instruction, five days each week, is the best model for student success. However, in this COVID-19 world when five days might not be advisable, a blended model is the next best thing. Mon County Schools is confident that teachers can deliver a meaningful learning experience in a blended learning environment.
in orange and red counties must implement remote learning. Counties have some discretion. Is 3.2 feet of social distance as good as 6 feet? Experts have said that, when wearing masks, 3.2 feet, or a meter, is sufficient social distance to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 in schools. This meter-based social distancing requirement will be enforced in all schools during in-person learning. What happens if a student, teacher, or staff member tests positive before the first in-person learning day? That student or teacher will not report for in-person learning or instruction on the first day of school and must quarantine for 14 days. If anyone becomes symptomatic, they can return to school only once they have achieved the CDC’s guidelines for coming out of quarantine. If someone needs to be tested, who pays for testing?
Basics What does a student need to do before the first in- person learning day? Students should prepare for the coming school year just like every year before. Teachers will provide supply lists, if applicable. Students should attend school with small cinch bags holding their students will start school on September 8. How will I know when to send my kids to school? Students in families whose oldest student’s last name starts A–M will attend in person on September 8. Students L–Z will attend for the first time on September 9, while A–M has remote learning. Students will alternate day by belongings and their Chromebooks. I understand not all day from there unless conditions change. What is the difference between Arctic Academy, remote learning, and virtual learning? Arctic Academy refers to the days, in typical school years, when students cannot physically get to their school buildings for a variety of reasons, mostly weather-related. On an Arctic
The cost of most COVID-19 testing is covered by private health insurance
companies. If parents choose to have their children tested, the testing will be paid for by health insurance, or parents can choose one of the free testing opportunities provided around the state. Parents may have to pay a deductible, depending on the provisions of their insurance. Busses and Transportation Will school busses be safe? It won’t be possible to socially distance all children on board school busses. The best way to keep your children safe as they travel to and from school each day is to take them, by car, yourself. Mon County Schools is asking all parents with this ability to be please plan for it at least for the fall semester. However, for those who ride the
Guidelines for Coming Out of Quarantine • Free of fever for 24 hours without medication • 10 days having passed since symptom onset • Overall improvement of symptoms • Or, if quarantined without symptoms but a positive test result, 14 days from test Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What is this color- coded system we’re
hearing about? The state Department of
Education is using a color-coded system to indicate from week to week how safe school attendance is in each county. Counties are labeled green, yellow, orange, or red based on their COVID-19 infection numbers. Schools in green and yellow counties can have students in the buildings, with some differences. Schools
26 MORGANTOWN • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020
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