2021 2022 COVID-19 Family Guidebook - KIPP Metro Atlanta
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2021 – 2022 COVID-19
Family Guidebook
1
KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools
SY22
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
It Takes A Village - Our Family Partnerships Commitment 5
Our Commitments 6
Our Beliefs 8
Your Voice Matters 8
Communication and Feedback Cycle 8
School Contacts 10
Primary School 12
Middle School 14
High School 16
KIPP Metro Atlanta 2021-2022 School Calendar 16
Important Dates to Remember 17
Weekly Schedule 17
School Closing Information 18
COVID-19 Health and Safety 20
Health Services 20
Attendance 23
Food Service 25
Technology 25
Scholarly Technology Habits 26
Support for Chromebook Issues 26
Transportation 27
Academic and Counseling Program 27
Instructional Supplies 27
Virtual Learning Platforms 28
Primary 28
Middle 28
High 28
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
2
Scholar Counseling and Social Work Program 28
Special Populations 30
Special Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 30
Intervention 31
Virtual IEP, 504 and SST Meetings 32
Grading 34
Assessments 35
Uniforms 38
Acknowledgments 39
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
3Introduction
Dear Team and Family,
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
When we first paused in-person instruction in March of 2020, we committed to operating with safety, equity
and excellence in all facets of our organization. As we begin the 2021-22 school year, this commitment
continues to drive our decisions and will do so each step of our way forward.
Additionally, as we think about the 2021-22 school year and designing our new normal, we know that we must
ensure that all of our KIPPsters, both big and little, are running to school - either in person or virtually.
Realizing our vision that “every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their
communities” begins with joy radiating from every corner of our classrooms, hallways, cafeterias and schools.
Our team has written a comprehensive, detailed roadmap that reflects just that and is guided by our
commitment to safety, equity and excellence. Please trust that we will be consistently seeking your feedback
and input, with a spirit of continuous improvement, as we refine our plans and make updates to our how.
As we embark on this 2021-22 school year, let us all work together to nurture our scholars’ individual gifts and
prepare them for the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond. Together, I know that this year is going
to be our best one yet.
Love,
Mini’imah Shaheed
Chief Executive Officer
KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
4It Takes A Village - Our Family Partnerships Commitment
We believe that our scholars, families, and teammates deserve a safe and excellent school experience. We
have adjusted in-person learning to adhere to the provided Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance while
maintaining quality instruction and meaningful connections. Primary and Academy scholars who elect to
return to schools will attend class in-person on Monday through Friday. High school scholars have the option
to return to attend class in-person or continue at-home learning Monday through Friday.
Although learning might look different from what scholars experienced before COVID-19, we have worked
diligently to learn from and respond to successes and mistakes from our national KIPP network of charter
schools and local district neighbors. We are incredibly proud of the programming we have co-created with
feedback from our little KIPPsters, big KIPPsters, and our families.
This upcoming reopening for the 2021-2022 school year is an opportunity. We have spent a good deal of time
reflecting on our practices and imagining new ways to deepen our partnership with our families in support of
our KIPPsters’ learning.
Our approach to reopening our schools has been developed with the following 5 Guiding Principles at heart:
Families First - We love our families and strive to ensure that our efforts to design quality learning
experiences are achievable, rather than overwhelming.
Equitable - We believe that returning to face-to-face learning should be accessible to 100% of our
KIPPsters. This accessibility includes technology, materials, resources, and learning modalities.
Connections - Our schools are built on love and human connection. We believe that our KIPP learning
experiences should continue to build and maintain community as we smile, collaborate, and partner
during this time.
Meaningful - We believe that our KIPPsters deserve meaningful lessons. Our learning experience
elevates powerful priority standards while maximizing the curriculum and engagement strategies that
inspire our scholars, empowering families to choose the best solution for their child to opt to continue
virtual learning or return to the school.
Tailored - We believe that learning can be both meaningful and focused, yielding an excellently tailored
experience for KIPPsters, families, teachers, and leaders.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
5Our Commitments
We believe that our words and actions must match. In alignment with the guiding principles detailed above,
we make the following actionable commitments:
Nurture Love + Joy - We commit to expressing and nurturing love and joy among and between every
member of our community - big KIPPster to little KIPPster, little KIPPster to little KIPPster, big KIPPster
to families, and big KIPPster to big KIPPster.
Build Capacity + Confidence - We commit to honoring our families as our scholars' first teachers. We
will employ practices to ensure that our families are prepared to and feel confident about supporting
their KIPPster's hybrid learning journey.
Communicate Scholar Progress - We commit to frequent and effective communication with our
families about their KIPPster's progress - both academic and character. We will utilize multiple and
varied means of communication.
Empower Feedback + Collaboration - We commit to proactively seeking input, feedback, and
collaboration from our families each step of the way. We honor that feedback comes in many forms -
not just from surveys. We will use many means to hear and empower our families.
Initiatives for Winning School-Home Partnership
Learning Support For As our scholars’ first teachers, we know that providing support for our families
Families is critical. There will be Family Culture Night events at our schools to welcome
our families and scholars to start the school year and schools will provide
ongoing support for our families.
Technology Access Technology is key to ensuring that our learning models are successful! All of
our scholars will have the technology they need. We are putting multiple
support systems in place to troubleshoot, repair and replace technology as
quickly as possible to ensure there are no barriers to your scholar’s learning.
School Newsletters Our schools will send weekly school newsletters.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
6Report Card Conferences We are committed to sending regular progress reports so that you know exactly
+ Progress Reports how your scholar is progressing in school. We are committed to ensuring that
every family attends a conference with their scholar’s teachers to review the
report card in detail.
Phone Tree Everyone loves an old school phone tree! We will leverage a phone tree to
share important reminders and messages, allowing us to get the word out and
helping you get to know your scholar’s friends and their families.
Frequent Feedback We commit to proactively seeking input, feedback and collaboration from our
families each step of the way. We honor that feedback comes in many forms -
not just from surveys. We will use many means to hear and empower our
families.
Subject Syllabi As your scholar’s first teacher, we know it is critical to keep you up to speed on
their learning plans. We will share subject syllabi so you know what your
scholars are learning. A syllabus is a detailed outline of the teacher’s plan for
that specific subject.
Special Populations Our exceptional learners will receive comparable accommodation and services
that existed in our traditional school setting before the pandemic. We also
understand scholars’ needs may vary and are committed to evolving and
offering new support as we reopen to ensure our scholars’ success.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
7Our Beliefs
Your Voice Matters
Communication and Feedback Cycle
We are committed to providing regular updates to our community while also proactively seeking feedback
from our stakeholders.
School Contacts
As you have feedback or questions, we invite you to reach out according to the suggestions below. We are all
eager to partner with you!
Who? For What? How?
Teacher - specific feedback on Email, Phone or Virtual
scholar progress Conference
- feedback on class
experience
Assistant Principal - support navigating Email or Phone or Virtual
teacher-parent partnership Conference
- feedback on grade level
experiences
Assistant Principal of Scholar - support navigating IEP’s Email or Phone or Virtual
Support and 504’s Conference
- specific questions or
feedback about Special
Education supports
Director of Operations - non-academic Email or Phone
processes/logistics
including nutrition, health,
technology, registration,
etc.
Principal - support navigating parent Email or Phone or Virtual
partnership with any Conference
school employee
- feedback on school-wide
experiences
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
8DAY AT A GLANCE
Primary School (Sample Day)
Learning Day
King wakes up at 6:30 am, super excited to run to school and see his friends again. Since he hasn’t been in class with all his
friends at the same time in a year, he cannot wait to get to school. When he gets downstairs, his mom double checks his
backpack to make sure that he has his assigned Chromebook, charger, headphones, homework folder, and his face mask for the
day. His mom places his carpool tag in the dashboard, and logs into Pikmykid to do his COVID Health Prescreening before
leaving the driveway.
When King and his mom arrive in the carpool lane, a teacher greets him with a smile. Another teacher checks in with his mom
to make sure his prescreen is done and then King gets out of the car and heads into school.
Once in the classroom, King sits at his assigned seat, which has been arranged as far apart as possible from his classmates.
At 9:30 am, Kings enjoys his math lesson with his teacher and he and his classmates use manipulatives at their desks. At around
10:30, his teacher knows that everyone’s brain needs a break. So everyone gets to have a wiggle dance break.
At 10:55 am, King’s teacher declares herself the winner of the wiggle break competition and reminds King that the next lesson is
ELA. After a 30 min class where the teacher and scholars dug into the author’s main purpose, King begins silently reading his
passage and completing his reading reflection. As he finishes reading the passage, King’s tummy starts to rumble and he knows
that it’s time for lunch. King’s teacher takes the class to wash their hands, one at a time. King grabs the meal that the cafe’ team
made and is excited to see what type of fruit he has today. After enjoying lunch, King is excited for recess. While some days his
class plays games in the classroom, today is his homeroom’s day to play outside. King is excited because during outside play he
can take his mask off for a break.
After recess, King’s teacher provides one more engaging lesson where he and classmates are learning about non-fiction. King is
super excited to discuss a video about dinosaurs.
Whew, it’s been a busy, but very fun day. King packs up his materials--he makes sure to bring his assigned Chromebook, charger,
and headphones --and waits for his teacher to dismiss him from the classroom using PikMyKid where scholars are leaving one at
a time. When his mom arrives, the PikMyKid app alerts his teacher and his name pops up, he gives his teacher an air hug and
heads out to go home.
Middle School (Sample Day)
Learning Day
Olivia wakes up rested because she was able to sleep a little longer due to the new school start time. Olivia and her dad get
ready to leave their home to drop Olivia at school. Olivia’s dad places her carpool tag in the dashboard, and logs into Pikmykid
to complete the COVID Health Pre Screening before leaving the driveway. Olivia checks her book bag one more to make sure
she has her assigned Chromebook, charger, headphones, and face mask.
When they arrive in the carpool lane, a teacher greets Olivia with a smile. Another teacher checks in with her dad to make sure
the PikMyKid prescreen is done. A staff member greets Olivia and asks if she had her book bag. Olivia quickly steps back to the
car to grab her book bag and proceeds to the arrival doors with joy. She is greeted by another staff member and every staff
member she meets. She begins to hear music and laughter through the hallways.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
9As Olivia enters the building, she grabs her breakfast meal and heads to her homeroom. Once she enters her homeroom, her
ELA teacher, Mr. Jackson, greets her warmly and reminds her to sit at a specific desk/table. The room has been set up for
scholar and staff safety, so everyone is spread out as much as possible. Once she sits down, Olivia is comfortable removing her
mask and enjoying her breakfast.
Olivia’s day at school this year starts with her math intervention, then she has an hour of ELA, an hour of Math and an hour of
Science before lunch. At 12:15, lunch begins. Lunch is served in the cafeteria. Sometimes, Olivia’s class has the option to eat
outdoors, get a break from her mask, enjoy the sunshine and enjoy her friends. Olivia’s glad that this transition gives her
options for how she can spend her mid-day break.
The cafe’ staff continues to demonstrate their excellence serving a variety of meals each day. After lunch Olivia has an hour of
social studies followed by an hour of enrichment. The teachers do a great job of mixing up activities during class to keep things
interesting, and this year, Olivia and her classmates are transitioning between classrooms instead of staying in the same room
all day.
Finally, it’s time to start packing up. She gathers her materials and her teacher reminds her to take her assigned Chromebook,
charger and headphones with her. When Olivia’s dad arrives, the PikMyKid app alerts her teacher and her name pops up, she
gives her teacher an air dap and heads out to go home.
High School (Sample Day)
Learning Day
The twins Jordan and Michael wake up rested because they both got extra sleep now that school arrival time starts later this
year. Jordan is so happy about the change because she had Purple Reign practice last night and needed the extra time this
morning. Michael is excited about the new arrival time because now he does not have to fight for the bathroom since his twin
Jordan sleeps in and he gets time in the restroom. When they come downstairs, their grandmother reminds them to make sure
that they have everything they need for school: text books, face masks, their assigned Chromebook, charger, headphones and
practice gear for their after school activities. Both Jordan and Michael double-check before heading out the door to catch the
Marta train. Since their mom and dad leave the house for work before they get up, both Jordan and Michael are happy that
they have their grandmother there to remind them. They love having her with them everyday because she is always making
sure they are good. They know their grandmother reminded their parents to complete the PikMyKid COVID pre screening
before leaving for work.
While on MARTA, they follow the distance guidelines posted around the station, making sure to keep their mask on, they check
the PikMyKid app to double check that their mom completed the survey because if not they would call her before the next stop
and remind her. They checked and mom had already done it. Jordan and Michael are happy because it means that they won’t
have to wait in line long to get into the school building. Once they leave the train they make sure to use hand sanitizer to
disinfect their hands. They walk to the school with a friend and make it to school by 8:15 am and are greeted by a staff member
with a warm, “Good Morning,” as they enter the building and have their PikMyKid status checked Once Jordan and Michael
enter the building, they grab bagged breakfast and Jordan heads to the second floor and Michael heads to the third floor where
each have senior advisory. They sit in their assigned seat near the window and wait for their advisor to take attendance.
From 8:35 - 9:00 am, Jordan and Michael spend time with their advisors. And even though they are in different advisory groups,
they talk about some of the same things, such as what they did over the weekend and then checking grades to see where they
need to focus on improving grades. Jordan didn’t do well on the last quiz in Mr. Kosoff’s AP Statistics class, so she scheduled
time to hop on FaceTime with Haleigh that night since she already took the class last year. Michael is doing well with everything
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
10but needs to do a better job at turning his assignments in on time so that he can get full credit.
At 9:00 am, the bell rings and they walk to their first class for the day. Jordan goes down the hall to her Environmental Science
class and Michael goes to Spanish 3.
They both have four, 90-minute, block classes with a third period taking a break for lunch. Jordan and Michael wave at each
other and head off to the cafeteria to eat lunch.
At 4:00 pm, the bell for dismissal rings and they wait in the classroom until their group is dismissed. Jordan has Purple Reign
practice and Michael has a Spanish club meeting today, so they wait until after the MARTA riders, car riders and walkers leave
the campus. While Jordan is waiting she checks her email and sees that her college counselor has reached out to schedule a
zoom meeting on Friday with her parents. She sends a quick text to her grandmother and Michael explaining the request and
asking her grandmother if she wants to help them build a college wish list. Michael responds that he already saw the email and
is excited about schools on the west coast.
Finally, at 4:20 pm, the Purple Reign team members are dismissed and report to the gym for practice and the other clubs report
to their assigned classrooms. It’s weird only practicing two days a week in person but Jordan is glad they still have sports and
Michael is happy that scholars still have a chance to meet. Mr. Washington set strict rules for afterschool clubs/programs and
Michael is making sure that all of his friends and classmates follow them. The GHSA has provided strict guidance for sports
activities that they all take very seriously.
At 6:00 pm, practice and the club meetings are over. Jordan meets Michael in front of the gym and walks back to the MARTA
station for the ride home. Before leaving for the day, they both check to make sure they have their assigned Chromebooks,
chargers, headphones, and materials for homework. When they get home, they sit down to dinner with their parents and
grandmother and share all about their day. Then they help with the dishes and cleaning of the kitchen and then sit down to
complete their homework for the night.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
11GENERAL INFORMATION
KIPP Metro Atlanta 2021-2022 School Calendar
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
12School Closing Information
Any school in any community might need to implement short-term closure procedures regardless of
community spread if an infected person has been in a school building. In such cases, we will follow the
Georgia Department of Public Health’s (GDPH) and Centers for Disease Controls (CDC) recommendations
regarding school closures.
We will coordinate with local health officials. Once learning of a COVID-19 case in someone who has been in
the school, we will immediately notify and partner with local health officials for assistance in determining a
course of action. We will seek guidance from local health officials to determine the type of closure required
and when scholars can return to school. We may implement targeted, short-term closures requiring classes
to pivot to virtual learning. In some cases, we may pivot to long-term closures resulting in the entire region
pivoting to virtual learning.
We will consider the following when determining the need for partial or total virtual learning:
● Size and characteristics of student and staff population (e.g., population includes individuals
with special healthcare needs and/or who are at higher risk for severe illness).
● Setting characteristics and environmental factors that affect transmission (e.g., length of school
day, intensity of hands-on instruction, ability to maintain physical distancing, need for/sharing of
common equipment, physical spacing in classrooms, movement through buildings, proportion
of time spent outdoors, involvement in activities that may be more likely to generate aerosols).
● Possibility of spread to others, including to additional individuals outside of the facility (e.g.,
exposures at large assemblies, on field trips, at extracurricular activities that include students
from other schools, on school buses that transport riders from multiple schools).
● Absenteeism among educators, students, and/or staff that is high enough to limit the ability of
the school to function effectively.
● High suspected number of cases or greater case rate within the educational setting compared to
the case rate in the community.
● Additional indicators (e.g., increased absenteeism) that might suggest undiagnosed or
unreported COVID-19-like activity among students or staff.
We will communicate with staff, families and scholars. We will communicate as soon as possible all
COVID-19 exposure, dismissal and closure decisions that result in pivoting to virtual learning.
We will clean and disinfect thoroughly following GDPH and CDC guidelines. Closing off areas used by the
individuals who test positive with COVID-19 and, if possible, waiting up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning
and disinfection. We will clean and disinfect all areas known to be used by the ill persons, focusing on
frequently touched surfaces and cleaning the entire facility.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
13STUDENT INFORMATION
COVID-19 Health and Safety
We are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of scholars and staff and providing a safe, secure
learning environment for all. We are implementing strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of
COVID-19 based on the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) guidance. We are providing information to staff, scholars and their families about when they
should stay home if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are waiting for test
results, or have been exposed to someone with symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case, and when they
can return to school.
Families are required to complete the Scholar COVID-19 Report Form and call the school immediately if their
child(ren) have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.
(scan QR Code to access the Scholar COVID-19 Self Report Form)
Any scholars or staff directly exposed to an individual with COVID-19 or that received a positive COVID-19
result must remain at home during their quarantine/ isolation period per the Georgia Department of Public
Health’s guidance as listed below.
● Quarantine/Isolation DPH COVID-19 Guidance procedures and protocols to help
stop the spread
● The timeline ranges from 7 to 14 days or more and is based on the specific guidance
from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Quarantine or Isolation: What's the difference?
● Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from
others.
● Isolation keeps someone who tested positive with the COVID-19 virus away from
others, even in their home.
What Counts as Close Contact?
Close Contact through Proximity and Duration of Exposure: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected
person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more
over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An
infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
14asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date), until they meet criteria for
discontinuing home isolation.
What is not Close Contact?
In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6
feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) where both students were
engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks; and other K–12 school prevention strategies
(such as universal and correct mask use, physical distancing, increased ventilation) were enforced.
This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
What is the time frame for reporting exposures to parents?
Once a case has been identified, parents are contacted within the same day if possible via email to inform
them of potential exposures. Written communication is sent per our procedures for notification that include
the date of exposure, length of quarantine period and public health resources. Following the written
communication a case investigator will contact families by phone.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
15KIPP Metro Schools COVID-19 Reporting Requirement to the Georgia Department of Health
As with all health information, COVID-19 diagnosis are treated as confidential, however, we are required to:
● Notify the local public health department immediately when a positive laboratory COVID-19
case is identified in a school setting (as required by § OCGA 31-12-2)
● Notify the local public health department of clusters (also referred to as outbreaks) of COVID-
19 immediately:
1. Clusters of illness are reportable to public health under notifiable disease reporting rules. This
includes clusters or outbreaks of COVID-19 or other illnesses. Local epidemiologists will work
with each school to collect information about a cluster or outbreak, including but not limited to
the number of students and staff at the school, the number which are sick, and the number
which are laboratory-confirmed.
2. COVID-19 clusters or outbreaks in a school setting is defined as: Three (3) or more laboratory
confirmed COVID-19 cases among students or staff with illness onsets within a 14-day period,
who are epidemiologically linked (e.g., have a common exposure or have been in contact with
each other), do not share a household, and were not identified as close contacts of each other in
another setting during standard case investigation or contact tracing.
● For questions regarding reporting COVID-19 to public health and the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA) please refer to details here.
If you have any medical questions about COVID-19, please contact the following agencies:
● Fulton County Board of Health
http://fultoncountyboh.org/boh/index.php/about-boh/contact
● Georgia Department of Health
https://dph.georgia.gov/contact-dph
● 24/7 Public Health Emergency Line 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584)
Health Services
Reducing the Spread Strategy – Face Masks
Scholars should bring a cloth face mask to school with them everyday.
Wearing a face mask will protect others in case you are infected, but do not have symptoms. Face masks are
not a substitute for physical distancing.
Face masks are required to be worn by anyone (staff, scholars, essential vendors/providers) upon entering the
school building and worn at all times while in school buildings. Face masks are required while waiting for or
riding on a KIPP school bus.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
16Removal of face masks are permitted during meal service and recess.
Scholars and staff excluded from face mask requirements include: (1) anyone who has trouble breathing or is
unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance and (2) scholars
with special needs who are unable to tolerate a face mask. If a scholar is unable to wear a face mask for the
duration of the school day, families should contact the school principal to discuss the scholar’s specific
circumstances and work towards a solution together.
KIPP will provide one cloth face mask for staff and scholars. Staff and scholars can also wear their own face
masks they bring from home, provided that the mask is cloth or a disposable surgical face mask that covers the
nose and mouth. Masks with vents and gaiters are not permitted.
Face masks should:
● Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face.
● Cover the nose and mouth.
● Be secured with ties or ear loops.
● Include multiple layers of fabric.
● Allow for breathing without restriction.
Masks with vents and/or gaiters are not permitted.
Putting on the Face Mask
● Wash hands or use hand sanitizer prior to handling the face mask.
● Ensure the face mask fits over the nose and under the chin.
● Place the face mask properly with nose wire snug against the nose (where applicable).
● Tie straps behind the head and neck or loop around the ears.
● Throughout the process, avoid touching the front of the face mask.
Taking off Face Masks
● Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing the face mask.
● When taking off the face mask, loop your finger into the strap and pull the strap away from the ear, or
untie the straps.
● Wash hands immediately after removing.
Care, Storage and Laundering of Face Masks
● Keep face masks stored in a paper bag when not in use.
● A cloth face mask should be washed regularly (daily is recommended).
● If a cloth face mask is soiled, damaged (e. g. ripped, punctured) or visibly contaminated it should be
replaced immediately.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
17● If using a disposable surgical face mask (not a cloth one), it must not be used for more than one day
and should be placed in the trash at the end of the day.
Reducing the Spread Strategy – Hand Hygiene
Scholars will wash or sanitize their hands when both entering and exiting a classroom, between activities, after
leaving the restroom and before and after meals.
We will have tissues readily available in classrooms; scholars and staff should sneeze/cough into their elbow if
tissues are not available, then throw all tissue in the trash and wash both hands or use hand sanitizer after
sneezing or coughing.
All scholars will be provided their own learning materials in designated and labeled bags or bins.
Reducing the Spread Strategy – Cleaning and Disinfecting School Buildings
We are frequently cleaning and sanitizing high-touch common areas (e.g. desks, door handles, light switches,
etc) throughout the school day, and each school will receive nightly cleaning. We clean all of our buildings with
EPA approved products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces. We deep clean school buildings when
scholars are not present.
Hand cleaning supplies are available in classrooms, bathrooms, and offices. Hand sanitizing stations are located
throughout the school building.
All buildings have been upgraded with high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters). The HEPA air filters
increase airflow to improve air quality. Also the HVAC systems run additional hours prior before and after
occupancy.
All water fountains have been taken offline and water flushes weekly at each school in addition to preventative
Legionella pneumonia testing at each school. Scholars will be provided with bottled water daily. Scholars are
encouraged to bring their own bottled water as well.
Reducing the Spread Strategy – Temperature Screenings
All entrances will have signs instructing scholars, staff, and visitors not to enter schools if they have any
COVID-19 symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing,
fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, recent loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose,
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Schools will not conduct temperature screening but will entrust this important steps to families to conduct
each day as part of the daily COVID pre-screening using the PikMyKid app. School leaders may screen scholars
for temperature checks to confirm families entry for accuracy. The Health Services team may conduct
temperature screenings as part of our surveillance and audit of the school’s health. Any scholars or staff with
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
18any identified COVID-19 symptoms and/or a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be sent home immediately
until their medical evaluation has been conducted by the KIPP COVID Case Investigation team.
Each school has a designated area for scholars and staff that exhibit symptoms that is separate from the area
used for routine healthcare.
Essential visitors without access to the PikMyKid app will be required to complete the COVID-19 prescreening
via Google Forms onsite including a temperature check.
Reducing the Spread Strategy – Pre-Arrival Health Screenings of scholars before arriving to school
Scholars’ parents/caregivers are expected to conduct COVID-19 Pre-screening at-home, prior to arrival at
school via the PikMyKid app. Parents/caregivers may complete it as early as 6:30 am each school day.
To track completion of COVID-19 Pre-screening, families will record the response in the PikMyKid app for
transmission to the school each morning prior to or upon arrival to school. Families of walkers, student-drivers,
Marta riders are required to complete the COVID-19 pre- screening before their scholar arrives at school using
the PikMyKid app. KIPP Woodson Park, KIPP Soul Primary School, and KIPP Soul Academy families of bus riders
are required to complete the COVID-19 Pre-screening before their scholars board the school bus using the
PikMyKid app.
The pre-screening questions on the PikMyKid app are listed below:
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
19KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
20Attendance
Attendance is a key lever to the foundations of holistic scholar success. Empowering our partnerships with
schools and families, it is our daily duty to ensure that scholars are engaged and ready to learn every day. As a
result of scholars being present and engaged every day, they will be able to develop the academic skills,
scholarly habits, and character traits to succeed in a choice-filled life.
Core Beliefs and Actions:
● We believe as partners in scholar education it is our daily duty to collaborate with families to
continuously support families to find a way or make one to get scholars to school every day.
● We believe every stakeholder will be held accountable to engaging scholars every day.
● We insist upon an approach to attendance challenges with heart, empathy and individuality.
● We believe we will keep attendance at the top of our minds every day and that each team member has
a role in supporting our attendance philosophy.
● We believe schools and stakeholders will collaborate and share resources to ensure scholars are
present and on time.
● We believe above all else having scholars engaged in high-quality instruction is of the utmost
importance and if scholars encounter barriers, we will partner with families for the best solutions
within our reach.
The Georgia Board of Education allows for documented absences due to:
● Personal illness
● Death or serious illness in the family
● Recognized religious holidays
● Absences caused by order of government
● Inclement weather or dangerous conditions
● Voter registration or voting in a public election, not to exceed one (1) day per school year
When a scholar is absent, a parent or guardian should communicate via phone or electronic communication
with the school. This communication should clearly state the reason(s) for the absence.
Any absence that is not supported with written documentation and/or does not fall within the guidelines of
excused absences as defined by the Georgia Board of Education will be considered unexcused.
If a scholar is sick in the morning, parents are asked to communicate in the morning to inform the school of the
child’s absence and to arrange a way to receive the scholar’s makeup work. Please see procedures for make-up
work under academic policies.
To be considered “in attendance” for a school day, a scholar must be present for at least one half of the school day,
excluding the lunch period. Scholars leaving school before meeting that requirement will be considered absent for
the day.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
21Food Service
Scholars will be served meals in the cafeteria, classroom or in an outdoor space based on individual school
routines. Scholars will not be allowed to share meal items. Each scholar will be provided an individually
packaged meal, utensils and condiments. There is no fee for meals this year because all KIPP Metro Atlanta
Schools are participating in the USDA Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program, a federally funded meal
program that provides well-balanced free meals.
Note - some schools may require families to complete the Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application
and in doing so it will not impact scholars ability to receive free meals this school year.
Technology
Your scholar will have daily access to a Chromebook provided by KIPP to ensure access to all instruction. It is
essential that the following guidelines be followed to ensure the safe, efficient, and ethical operation of this
device.
Families agree to:
● Ensure devices are utilized just for school related assignments.
● Discuss your family's values and expectations regarding the use of the Internet, email and other
types of electronic communication (video conferencing) at home.
● Discuss the importance of proper use and maintenance of devices.
● Review in detail the “Scholarly Technology Habits” below.
● Ensure that your scholar keeps the device in good working condition. We have a very limited supply
and will not be able to replace devices in the way that we did last year. Parents/caregivers may be
required to cover the cost of replacements.
● Reach out to your scholar’s teacher if you have any questions, concerns about educational
assignments.
● Reach out to your scholar’s teacher if you need assistance with any online learning platforms,
accessing or submitting assignments.
Please review the entire 2021-22 SY - Scholar Take Home Device Program click here.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
22Scholarly Technology Habits
Downloads and Social Media
Scholars only use electronic communication designated by the instructor (ex. Google Meet, Zoom) and only
when such communication is utilized for educational purposes or co- curricular events or activities.
Netiquette
Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful
manner. Users should recognize that among the valuable content online there is also unverified, incorrect, or
inappropriate content. Users should only use known or trusted sources when conducting research via the
Internet.
Scholars should remember not to post anything online that they would not want scholars, parents, teachers,
future colleges, or employers to see. Once something is online, it cannot be completely retracted and can
sometimes be shared and spread in ways the user never intended.
Scholars should report any inappropriate posting to their parents/guardians and teachers. Scholars should also
tell parents/guardians and teachers if you receive any messages, emails, or posts from strangers.
Support for Chromebook Issues
In the event that a Chromebook becomes damaged or is no longer working properly, we will work with families
to repair and/or replace the Chromebook. Please continue to follow the same process to notify your child’s
teacher of any issue with the Chromebook. Families are asked to continue to contact their child’s teacher for
Chromebook repair issues (such as keyboard issues, damaged screens, mouse pad issues, etc).
Damaged Devices
We have a limited supply of devices, therefore scholars are expected to keep the devices issued to them in
working condition. If it is determined that a scholar deliberately neglected to follow the care instructions or
deliberately damaged the device, parents/guardians may be required to pay for part or all of the
replacement/repair of that device. Because we have a limited supply of replacement devices and staff able to
repair devices, we ask parents/guardians to ensure that scholars take care of their Chromebooks.
Parents/guardians may be responsible for repair/replacement costs if scholars demonstrate negligence with
maintaining their devices (please refer to the fee schedule below) before a new device is issued.
Deliberate Damage or Neglect Estimated Repair/Replacement
Broken screen $100.00
Broken keyboard/Replacement adapter/cord $50.00
Device replacement (i.e. damaged beyond repair) $350.00
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
23Transportation
KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools provides school bus transportation to KIPP Soul Primary School, KIPP Soul Academy
and KIPP Woodson Park Academy scholars. Families will receive separate communication about bus stop times
from their school for scholars who have been assigned a seat on the bus.
KIPP Soul Primary School, KIPP Soul Academy and KIPP Woodson Park Academy families are expected to wait
with their scholar at the bus stop in the morning to ensure that scholars are wearing face masks and
maintaining 3 to 6 feet distance from others. Families are expected to complete the COVID-19 Pre-Screening
via the PikMyKid app to attest that your child is not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and has not had exposure
to anyone with COVID-19. If symptoms are present or exposure has occurred, keep your child home.
Additionally, the following protocols will be followed on the school bus:
● Scholars are required to wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth. Bus drivers will have
a supply of disposable surgical face masks on each bus.
● Scholars will load from the back of the bus to the front.
● Scholars will have assigned seats.
● Scholars from the same family should be instructed to sit together whenever possible.
● To the extent possible, we will maximize physical distance between scholars on the bus by
limiting available seats to the extent practicable.
● Buses cleaned and disinfected daily and after each bus route.
● Buses identified as transporting anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will not run a bus route
for 24 hours, followed by disinfecting.
Academic and Counseling Program
Learning Platforms
Primary
For grades kindergarten through fourth grade, staff and scholars will have access to the Google Classroom. All
scholars will have login access using Clever.
Middle
For grades fifth through eighth grade, scholars will continue to use the Google Classroom platform.
High
For grades 9 through 12, scholars and instructional staff will continue to use Blackboard as the platform for
virtual learning. Scholars participating in remote learning at home will use the Zoom platform to log in to
classes.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
24Scholar Counseling and Social Work Program
We have a team of highly trained, skilled professional counselors and social workers who bring a wealth of
knowledge around child development, relationships and mental wellness to ensure our schools are built for all
scholars we serve.
Social Workers and Counselors are adept at meeting a variety of needs of scholars and families. Our scholar
support team will continue to assess and respond to scholars’ needs, designing our interventions accordingly.
The team has drafted the guiding principles below to inform their support & engagement.
Scholar Support
1. Individual Counseling
a. School counselors respond to staff referrals and support individual scholars around discipline,
attendance, social/emotional, and academic concerns.
b. School counselors identify issues that affect a scholar’s performance in school, and work with
scholars to develop skills such as organization, time management, and study habits.
2. Groups
a. School counselors facilitate group counseling sessions and/or partner with community
organizations who facilitate group sessions on topics including but not limited to, social skills,
grief and loss of support, single gender support, etc.
3. Classrooms Lessons
a. School counselors support scholars as needed in the classroom setting with personal/social
emotional needs, academic success, and career development.
b. Erin’s Law is one of the many classroom lessons instructed by school counselors. Erin’s Law is
required by all public schools in each state to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual
abuse program.
4. Conflict Resolution
a. School counselors help mediate conflict between scholars and support scholars in developing
skills to effectively communicate across lines of difference in order to repair harm.
5. Crisis Management
a. School counselors respond to and manage scholar crises, contacting various agencies (e.g.
Mobile Crisis) if required, report possible cases of neglect and abuse (DFCS), and refer families
to outside resources when needed (e.g. counseling, wraparound services).
b. Counseling and Social Work will respond to computer generated alerts through Securly Software
to ensure scholars are safe and connected to the necessary resources. Outreach is done directly
to scholars and families when alerts arise.
Family Support
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
251. Outreach to families to assess problems affecting their scholar’s educational adjustment
2. Partnering with families to understand their scholar’s developmental and educational needs (i.e.,
special education services)
3. Assisting parents to access school and community resources
4. Financial hardship support (uniforms, food, housing assistance, etc.)
5. Strengthen parenting skills
6. Attendance/Truancy
How to reach us?
Referrals can be made via the school counselor, regional social worker, or Assistant Principal of Scholar Support
for your school via phone or email.
Special Populations
Our Beliefs
KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools (KMAS) will provide the most supportive learning environment that takes into
account scholars’ academic and behavioral needs while also implementing services as outlined in IEP’s, ELL
plans, and Tier 2 and Tier 3 plans to the maximum extent possible. We will ensure that scholars have access to
quality instruction which includes a priority on inclusion first. KMAS will utilize co-teaching models and
progress monitoring on IEP and ELL goals, while partnering to meet compliance requirements.
Guiding Principles
● Seek to make decisions based on an inclusion-first mindset
● Individual scholars’ needs should be met academically & behaviorally
● All scholars deserve access to quality instruction
● Plan for the most marginalized at the center
● Compliance & implementation of IEP and ELL services/accommodations
● Intentional grading/progress monitoring systems
Special Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Schedule Guidance ● Exceptional learners will be scheduled according to the services in their IEP.
Instructional Resources ● Schools will use the same software program(s) to build familiarity for
teachers, scholars, and families
Progress Monitoring ● Routine monitoring of IEP goals to help ensure scholar growth.
Co-Teaching ● Exceptional learners receiving co-taught services will receive appropriate
accommodations as outlined in the IEP.
● All teachers have knowledge of exceptional learners in their classrooms.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
26● Teachers will use small groups and remediation as needed for scholars.
Small Group Classes ● Exceptional learners will have access to grade-level material and
instructional-level material
● Lessons and materials will be modified and/or accommodated to meet
scholar needs according to service plans
IEP Compliance ● IEP meetings will be facilitated as required.
● Parents should request meetings, as needed.
Behavior Support ● All behavior intervention plans will be implemented with fidelity.
● All disciplinary decisions will be made in collaboration with the Assistant
Principal of Scholar Support (APoSS).
Outreach and Support ● Case Managers will make live contact with scholars at least once per week.
Communication will be documented per guidance of our local charter
authorizer.
Intervention
In Tier 2 and Tier 3, RTI is the process and SST is the structure. Teachers will facilitate sessions with scholars
who receive intervention to review progress monitoring, assess needs and provide remediation as needed.
● Teachers call/email parents to check in and remind them of program usage
○ (Ex: Phone, Text, Scheduled Email Blast, Remind, Parent Square, Google Classroom, etc.)
Intervention Programs offered through KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools
Primary School
Reading Math
● Really Great Reading ● Zearn Math
● Leveled Literacy Instruction
Middle School
Reading Math
● Lexia ● Zearn Math
● Additional decoding interventions as
needed
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
27High School
Reading Math
● Reading Plus (comprehension) ● ALEKS (computation & problem solving)
Instruction at Tier 2 will be:
● Targeted to the area of need based on diagnostic measures
● Evidence-based intervention/practices that supplement the core instruction
● Progress Monitoring should be completed bi-weekly & tracked in Infinite Campus
● Every 6-8 weeks an SST meeting is held for each scholar in Tier 2 to analyze data and determine
effectiveness of intervention
Instruction at Tier 3 will be:
● Targeted, research-based intervention tailored to individual needs based on diagnostic measures to
identify specific needs
● Frequency, duration and/ or intensity must be increased from Tier 2 plan
● Evidence-based intervention/ practices that supplement the core instruction
● Every 4-6 weeks an SST meeting is held for each scholar in Tier 3 to analyze data and determine
effectiveness of intervention
● Progress Monitoring should be completed weekly & tracked in Infinite Campus
Universal Screener: The testing schedule for Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and Star Math, as well as STEP
(K-4 only) will be communicated by each school.
Behavior Support: Teachers and Assistant Principals of Scholar Support are available to assist teachers and
parents with behavior support. Parents should reach out to their scholar’s teacher to discuss concerns.
Teachers and AP’s of Scholar Support will work together with the parent to develop a plan to support the
scholar.
IEP, 504 and SST Meetings
Before Meeting During Meeting After Meeting
IEP Meetings ● Notice of meeting ● Actively participate ● Review finalized
504 Meetings will be sent 2 weeks ● Ask questions if you documents
in advance need clarification ● Provide signatures or
● Confirm meeting consent statements
date & time with provided by case
case manager manager
● Review the draft
copy of IEP or 504
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
28plan sent prior to
meeting
● Finalized documents
will be sent via email
or mail (family
preference)
● Call if unable to
attend meeting in
advance
RTI/SST ● Notice of meeting ● Actively participate ● Review finalized
Meetings will be sent 2 weeks ● Ask questions if you documents
in advance need clarification ● Provide signatures or
● Confirm meeting consent statements
date & time with provided by case
case manager manager
● Finalized documents
will be sent via email
or mail (family
preference)
● Call if unable to
attend meeting in
advance
Required IEP Meeting Participants:
Meeting notices should be sent to all participants at a minimum of 2 weeks before the meeting
LEA Representative
Case Manager and/or Special Education Teachers
General Education Teacher (at least 1)
Parent/Guardian
Related Service Providers
Scholar (when appropriate)
Required 504 Meeting Participants:
Meeting notices should be sent to all participants at a minimum of 2 weeks before the meeting
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
29LEA Representative
Case Manager
General Education Teacher
Parent/Guardian
Medical Personnel (when appropriate)
Scholar (when appropriate)
Required RTI/SST Meeting Participants:
Meeting notices should be sent to all participants at a minimum of 2 weeks before the meeting
Case Manager
General Education Teacher
Parent/Guardian
Scholar (when appropriate)
Counselor/Social Worker (when appropriate)`
Grading
We believe that the primary purpose for grading is to communicate with scholars and families about their
achievement of learning goals. Your scholar will continue to receive grades in each subject, and you will
receive these grades through progress reports and report cards.
Throughout the year, scholars will be assessed on different standards at different times. By the end of the year
scholars would have had multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery on all standards.
The school year is broken into several grading periods (e.g., quarter or trimester, depending on grade level).
The grading periods are long enough to allow scholars several opportunities to demonstrate mastery of
specific skills. Also, multiple means are used to determine scholars’ grades and assess their skill levels. At the
end of each grading period, scholars will receive grades in all core academic classes.
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
30All teachers will continue to assess scholar progress and mastery of skills through a variety of assessment tools,
including daily “exit tickets”, weekly quizzes, and tests. Depending on the content and nature of the particular
class, teachers may also use other assessment tools, such as labs, journals, and projects.
We will continue to use many ways to communicate scholar grades with families:
● Online grading portals will be available for families to access scholar grades at any time and from any
computer via either Illuminate or Infinite Campus (BlackBoard for high school). Login information for
each scholar will be provided by the school.
● Progress reports provide scholars and families with a more detailed look at the scholar’s grade. The
progress report is not part of the scholar’s formal academic record. Rather, it is an opportunity to
communicate with families about how their scholar is doing at an interim point in the grading period.
Based on the progress report, families may call or request a conference with any teacher.
● Report cards will include information on scholar performance up to that point in the year. Academic
and behavior grades should be separate categories so that academic grades are only based on scholar’s
content mastery.
We continue to believe in making personal contact with each family during report card distribution in order to
discuss scholar academic and character performance. Timing of conferences will be offered at a variety of
times to best support family schedules.
Assessments
At KIPP, we believe that we must have a deep understanding of our scholars’ learning and areas of growth at all
times. Therefore, frequent and ongoing assessment is a fundamental part of our academic program.
Each year we design a comprehensive, balanced K-12 assessment strategy to meet all our data needs. At the
start of this year, we have made adjustments to that plan to prioritize the most necessary data, reduce the
amount of time spent on assessments.
Beliefs/Guiding Principles:
● Assessment data allows for data-driven instruction, targeted re-teaching, and meaningful progress
monitoring of scholar learning.
● We only administer assessments that include a clear, specific plan for using the data.
● We only use time for assessments that are necessary for immediate instructional purposes.
○ Know where scholars are when they return.
○ Know if scholars “got it” after each lesson.
○ Measure retention of learning and/or synthesizing learning across lessons
○ Collect required assessment data for certain programs/compliance
Assessment Type Examples Frequency/Timing Scholars/Subjects
KIPP Metro Atlanta – 22 SY Scholar and Family COVID 19 Handbook
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