Let's Talk: 2021-2022 Return to School - 100% in-person learning August 19, 2021

Let’s Talk:
2021-2022 Return to School
       100% in-person learning

                        August 19, 2021

Goal

Health and Safety will continue to be at the forefront
of our decision making in Stamford. The goal of the
Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is
for all students to return to school for 100% in-person
learning.

Mask Guidance

According to the current Executive Order 13A, masks are
required indoors in all local school districts until
September 30. According to CSDE, a federal order
requires masks on all public transportation, including
school buses. We will continue to work with the Stamford
Department of Health to make decisions moving forward.

Physical Distancing

According to CSDE and State Department of Public
Health (DPH), students should maintain 3 feet social
distance to the greatest extent possible. When a mask
is removed for eating and drinking, distance will be
expanded to 6 feet to the greatest extent possible (a
barrier may be used in certain situations).

Hand Hygiene

Good hand hygiene continues to serve as a key
mitigating strategy in combating COVID-19. Hand
sanitizer will be available at all sites, both in
classrooms and in common areas. Students and staff
will be encouraged to wash hands for at least 20
seconds regularly throughout the day.

Quarantine Requirements

Non-sports-related quarantine – students may return to
school after 10 days without the need for a negative
test, providing there are no COVID-19-associated
symptoms throughout the 10 days. All students must
be monitored for COVID-19-associated symptoms for
a 14-day period.

Screening / Testing

During the 2021-2022 school year, Stamford Public
Schools will participate in a voluntary, free-screening,
testing program. While not required, unvaccinated
staff and students have the opportunity to be tested
weekly at their school site. The testing provider is
assigned by DPH.

Vaccination

DPH describes vaccination as an important mitigating
strategy and encourages families to consider
vaccination as an option for age eligible students and
other members of their families. Go to the COVID-19
Vaccination Information page of the city website for
more information.

Facilities
Ventilation
SPS is following the recommendations of DPH and CSDE
to re-commission HVAC systems across the district.

Water Fountains
All water fountains will be reopened for bottle filling only.
The Facilities Department will use the DPH Return to
Service guidance for reopening water fountains, which will
also include testing by the local health department.

Families / Visitors
Temporary Restrictions on Nonessential Visitors to School
Facilities--In order to secure the health and safety of SPS
students and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and in
accordance with the recommendations of the Connecticut DPH,
nonessential visitors will not be allowed access to school
facilities before, during, or after the school day when school is in
session. This restriction will not apply to visitors or employees
who need to access SPS Central Office in order to process
paperwork, to attend meetings with school officials, or who want
to attend a meeting of the board of education or other public
meetings being held at the Central Office.

Remote Learning

According to Interim Guidance (July 2021) from CSDE, in
general, students will be returning to school for the 2021-
2022 and there is currently no option to offer a remote
learning model. However, we will be considering specific
individual student needs and developing plans for students
with disabilities or 504 plans, students who are isolating or
quarantining, and students who live with vulnerable family
members.

SPED and 504
● Planning and Placement Teams (PPTs) and Section 504 teams
  must continue to make individualized placement and
  programming determinations based on students’ unique needs.
● When PPTs recommend remote learning as an option in the
  home, they must make every effort to provide a comprehensive
  remote learning experience and implement the IEP as
  developed for in-school learning.
● For medically fragile students that require instruction in the
  home, PPTs and Section 504 teams must follow the
  homebound instruction process.

Students in Isolation or Quarantine
● Families and school administration will be notified of the need to
  isolate or quarantine a student through a letter from the Stamford
  Department of Health. The dates of these required isolation or
  quarantine periods will be noted in PowerSchool so that the student’s
  teacher(s) is aware.
● When a student(s) is required to isolate or quarantine, the student(s)
  will participate in their learning through remote instruction provided
  by their teacher(s).

Localized Outbreak

● If there is an outbreak in a particular classroom, grade
  level or school, which requires a temporary closing for a
  period of time, remote learning will be provided to all
  students impacted by the closure.

Students with Vulnerable Family Members

Per CSDE guidance, remote learning opportunities may be
necessary in rare and individualized circumstances, for students
with elevated risks from COVID-19 exposure due to cohabiting
family members with documented vulnerability to COVID-19. Any
parent/guardian who wishes to request an accommodation for
remote learning must go through a formal process to request
approval through the Office of Family and Community
Engagement. Students granted the accommodation for remote
learning through this process will have access to online curriculum
with support from an SPS teacher.

Sports and Other Extracurricular Activities

According to CIAC, Fall sports in Connecticut are scheduled to begin on-time and with
a full season. Masks must be worn for any indoor sports with a limit of 2 guests per
athlete. High school athletic teams will follow guidance from the CIAC for individual
sports. The higher the vaccination rate on a team, the higher the likelihood of that
team to be able to keep practicing, maintain their current schedule, and complete their
season.

Outdoor extracurricular activities are encouraged to the greatest extent possible.
All safety protocols should be followed with students maintaining 6-feet of distance to
the greatest extent possible. Attendance in these programs must be taken in the event
that contact tracing is necessary. Prior to the first day of the program, each program
plan must be submitted by the building principal and be approved by the Associate
Superintendent.

Instrumental Music and Band

 SPS will continue to follow the State Music Guidance
for Instrumental music and band. As updated
guidance is released, SPS will determine any necessary
changes.

Recess and PE

Students should spend time outdoors, as much as
possible for recess and PE. No masks are required.
Hand-hygiene protocols before and after will be in
place at all sites.

Family and Community Engagement

SPS will engage with our families and communities and foster
opportunities for regular two-way communication.
 ● Host Parent Pop-Up Webinars on reopening procedures and other
    important topics.
 ● Encourage all to abide by mitigating risk practices at home and in the
    community.
 ● Make information available to parents and families in multiple
    languages when possible.
 ● Utilize communication tools that provide opportunities for two-way
    communication between staff and families.

Social Emotional Learning and
                     Mental Health Supports
Teachers should plan activities that support opportunities for students to connect with
staff and each other socially as we reopen schools in August. Some examples
include:
  ● Bridge Programs prior to the official first day of the 2021-2022 school year.
  ● Getting to Know You Activities.
  ● Implementing structures such as greeting students at the door, check-ins,
      morning meetings, restorative practices, connection time, student advisory, etc.
  ● Opportunities for students to share their voice.
  ● Teaching skills and strategies on self-awareness, self-management, social
      awareness, relationship building and skills, and responsible decision-making.
  ● Support staff (i.e., psychologists and social workers) should introduce
      themselves, explain their roles to all students and should also be available as
      much as possible to support these activities.

Bus and Student Drop Off
SPS continues to encourage families to drop off and
pick up students to allow for additional distancing on
school buses. As noted, masks are required on all
school buses. As recommended by DPH, students will
have assigned seats to the greatest extent possible and
windows will be open to assist with ventilation.

Meal Service and Lunch
The USDA Free meals for all students program has been extended through the 2021-2022 school year.

Students must follow appropriate social distancing protocols when eating breakfast/lunch in the cafeteria
and/or classrooms. This includes two primary options:
  1. Students seated 6 feet apart facing the same direction.
  2. Students seated 3 feet apart must have a physical barrier.

Please note:
  ●   Students must be taught to eat behind the barrier, as their masks will be off at this time.
  ●   Students must be assigned a consistent seat in the cafeteria and/or classroom.
  ●   Students may either go through a meal serving line or may have meals that are delivered to the
      classroom.
  ●   All meals will be available at no cost for all students and will continue to be served pre-packaged
      as Grab and Go Meals.

Any additional questions can be
          directed to:
spsreopening@stamfordct.gov