COVID-19

FAQ Regarding the Latest COVID Response Protocol Update

Click here for the most recent COVID Response Protocol Update

 

 

Help Stop The Spread: Contact Tracing Forms

Editable Contact Tracing Form    Click Here

Printable Contact Tracing Form    Click Here

After Testing; What Do I Do Now?   Click Here

 

Community Resource Guide

View our community resource guide here.

 

 

Reopening Plans

Opening of School-September 2021 (Summary, Highlights, and FAQ's)

 

Reopening Summary & FAQ

The reopening plan summary and frequently asked questions are available to view in this link: CPCS Reopening Plan Summary

 

Testing and Contact Tracing Plans

 

Testing: According to New York State Department of Health: (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing#can-i-be-tested-) As New York State aggressively expands COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity, the Department of Health has revised guidance to increase testing for frontline workers, including all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees who interact with the public, while continuing to prioritize resources. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider for individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the individual has an underlying health condition; or

  • An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19; or

  • An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine; or

  • An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working; or

  • An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing; or

  • An individual is included under other criteria set by the NYS Dept. of Health based on an individual's geographic place of residence, occupation, or other factors that the Department may deem relevant for COVID-19 testing purposes; or

  • Any individual who would return to workplace in Phase 1 .


Testing in Schools

Universal SARS-CoV-2 testing of all students and staff in school settings has not been systematically studied. It is not known if testing in school settings provides any additional reduction in person-to-person transmission of the virus beyond what would be expected with implementation of other infection preventive measures (e.g., social distancing, cloth face covering, hand washing, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting). Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend universal testing of all students and staff. Implementation of a universal approach to testing in schools may pose challenges, such as the lack of infrastructure to support routine testing and follow up in the school setting, unknown acceptability of this testing approach among students, parents, and staff, lack of dedicated resources, practical considerations related to testing minors and potential disruption in the educational environment.

 

Types of Tests:

Viral tests approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are recommended to diagnose current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Viral tests evaluate whether the virus is present in a respiratory sample. Results from these tests help public health officials identify and isolate people who are infected in order to minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Antibody tests approved or authorized by the FDA are used to detect a past infection with SARS-CoV-2. CDC does not currently recommend using antibody testing as the sole basis for diagnosing current infection. Depending on when someone was infected and the timing of the test, the test may not find antibodies in someone with a current COVID-19 infection. In addition, it is not currently proven whether a positive antibody test indicates protection against future SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore, antibody tests should not be used at this time to determine if someone is immune.

CDC recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 testing are based on what is currently known about the virus SARS-CoV-2 and what is known about it continues to change rapidly. Information on testing for SARS-CoV-2 will be updated as more information becomes available.

  • Employees may be required to furnish a negative test result prior to returning to work.

  • A note from a healthcare provider denoting a negative test result may be required to be provided to the HR office prior to returning.

  • Testing may also be required prior to the return from school breaks of greater than 3 days.

  • If an employee receives a positive test result, they must immediately notify their supervisor and follow all orders from the Public Health Department and furnish a negative result before returning.

New York State continues to increase testing capacity for COVID-19 on a daily basis. The guidance below enables New York State to prioritize resources to meet the public health need. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov.

Please call the testing site or your health care provider before you go for testing.

  • If you go to a test site run by New York State, there is never any charge for your test.

  • If you go to a test site operated by local governments, private companies including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations, you are advised to check with the testing site and your insurer in advance of being tested to confirm you will not be responsible for any fees associated with your test.

 

Contact tracing will be conducted by the department of health to limit the community spread of COVID-19. Districts/BOCES should take steps to make contact tracing easier for Public Health workers. Districts/BOCES should keep a log of any visitors to their buildings, which includes the individual’s name, the time they arrived and left, their intended destination in the building, and their phone number which may be provided to Public Health officials for contact tracing purposes. 

  • Districts/BOCES should also ensure that employees use their issued badges/fobs to “swipe in” to gain access to the building so that a timestamped record of entry is maintained.Tracing will be conducted by Public Health for close contacts (any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) of laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients.

  • Tracing functions in the following ways:

    • For COVID-19, a close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

    • The public health evaluation of close contacts to patients with laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 may vary depending on the exposure setting. Contacts in special populations and/or congregate settings require additional considerations and may need handoff to a senior health department investigator or special team.

    • Remote communications for the purposes of case investigation and contact tracing should be prioritized; in-person communication may be considered only after remote options have been exhausted.

    • Testing is recommended for all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients.

    • Those contacts who test positive (symptomatic or asymptomatic) should be managed as a confirmed COVID-19 case.

    • Asymptomatic contacts testing negative should self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure (i.e., close encounter with confirmed or probable COVID-19 case)

    • If testing is not available, symptomatic close contacts should self-isolate and be managed as a probable COVID-19 case.

    • If testing is not available, asymptomatic close contacts should self-quarantine and be monitored for 14 days after their last exposure, with linkage to clinical care for those who develop symptoms.

Remote Learning Plans

Reopening Plan-Remote Learning

The following information is an overview of our Remote Learning Plan expectations for staff and students.  We will start the school year offering in-person instruction for our students Monday through Friday.  At the same time, we will offer a remote learning option for students and parents who believe it is in the best interest of their families.  The remote learning option will look different for students in Pre-k-6 than for students in grades 7-12. 

Please know we are planning lessons and units with remote learning in mind as the backbone of our instruction.  This will ensure everyone is prepared for full remote learning if it is dictated by the pandemic. 

Pre-K-6 Remote Learning Plan Summary:

Students in Pre-K-6 will be provided with asynchronous lessons assigned by their grade level teachers.  Students will be responsible for completing this work based on deadlines set by their classroom teacher.  The remote student will be required to connect in a synchronous format at least once per day for a minimum of 45 minutes.  This time will be critical to help track attendance and provide support for remote learners.  The time will be determined by the classroom teacher.

Grades 7-12 remote Learning Plan Summary:

Students in grades 7-12 will be in a synchronous format for their remote learning.  Students will be required to follow their schedule and connect with each class and teacher throughout the day to access their learning. 

Expectations for Remote Learning

DEFINITIONS:

Synchronous Learning:
Synchronous learning refers to a learning event in which a group of students is engaged in learning at the same time.  (We also have categorized this as with the teacher)

Asynchronous Learning:
Asynchronous learning is the idea that students learn the same material at different times and locations. Asynchronous Learning is also called Location Independent Learning.  (We also have categorized this as without the teacher all the time)

Online Participation Expectations

  • Students will respond to each academic assignment or assigned task with a substantive post (with enough detail to garner credit).  Teachers will determine the minimum number of posts required for each course.  

  • The responses need to be timely and connected to topics that are current.  Since asynchronous learning is heavily dependent on timeliness of the response/feedback loop, responses well outside the current topic will not be accepted for credit. 

  • Students will review the ground rules for asynchronous learning and review and sign a syllabus acknowledgment agreement. 

  • When inclement weather (snow days), a scheduled absence, or emergency occurs, asynchronous opportunities can provide continuity in learning and/or recover lost class time.  Students are expected to use asynchronous learning during these times as well as during scheduled asynchronous sessions. 

  • Assignments on Google Classroom have to be “turned in” or they will not receive a grade.

Technical Issues Procedures

  1. Email Mr. Munn and Mr. Edwards describing your technical problem immediately

  2. Email instructors describing how your problem impacts their class, ccing Mr. Munn

Ex. Your microphone is not working on your chromebook. You send an email to Mr. Munn and Mr. Edwards as soon as it quits then write a follow up email to all of your instructors, CCing Mr. Munn. Your email is properly formatted and very polite. 

  • Students are expected to use the school-issued Chromebook* to complete tasks.  Mobile devices are not ideal for completing the majority of the tasks.  

Technical Issues Procedures

Expectations for Asynchronous Learning Spaces 

(In School or From Home)

  • Students are required to be in a specified location on asynchronous class periods (assigned teacher classroom, room 123, room 152, google room, Library…).  The teacher has the ability to assign the location for the student, groups of students, or the class.

  • Students completing asynchronous tasks from home need to do so in a timely fashion.

  • It is possible that assigned periods in some upper level classes will be asynchronous up to three or four times per week.  The teacher reserves the right to require the attendance of specific students or the entire class at any point in the week for instructional needs.

  • It is the expectation that students will remain on campus during asynchronous class periods

  • Students will communicate with the teacher daily through email, the Classroom Management System, or other media established in the syllabus

  • Students will uphold all classroom and building expectations, while working in asynchronous learning spaces.

IN-CLASS ETIQUETTE

OUT-OF-CLASS ETIQUETTE

  • Students must be on time to class: in the room before the bell rings ready to work.

  • Students must be respectful with materials and behavior.

  • Students must keep a clean classroom and workspace

  • Students must have a charged chromebook for class.

  • Students must come to class with all learning materials, including daily completed homework assignments. 

  • Students must demonstrate all professional behaviors consistent with school setting (sitting up and  respectfully paying attention, manners etc). 

  • Students' attire should be consistent with dress code.

  • Students must mute and unmute appropriately

  • Students should have a “quiet” background with minimal “traffic” and sound distractions must try their best to be in a quiet room where they have little space behind them

  • Students must be on time (2 minutes prior to start time) to any digital meetings

  • Chat features are to be used for engaging in tasks and class content

  • Students should participate free from distractions/other devices.

  • Students must have camera turned on with your face visible

  • Students must come prepared to participate, with a positive attitude

  • Students must email teacher in advance if they will miss a live meeting

  • Students should promptly email instructors when they find they have a conflict 

  • Students will use manners during live sessions (please, thank you, say goodbye before leaving)

Reopening Plan:  Students Utilizing Fully Remote Learning with More Standardization

Pre-k-6

  • Instruction in all disciplines will be aligned to the New York Learning Standards.

  • Instruction will be provided by certified teachers in all disciplines.

  • A blend of asynchronous and synchronous instruction will be conducted using Google

    Education G-Suite.  Grade level teachers will determine the synchronous time for the remote students.  This synchronous time will be a minimum of 45 minutes a day and will coincide with a specific lesson connected to ELA or Math.

  • Teachers will use Google Education G-Suite (Classroom) to upload daily lesson activities,

    assignments, and assessments.

  • The district has in place, a remote learning team and a technology team to guide staff, students, and parents through the remote learning experience. The team will review past remote learning protocols from the spring to ensure a successful learning experience for everyone.

  • The district will assist parents in acquiring proper technology required for remote learning

    such as Computers and the internet.

  • We will utilize a common learning platform (Google Classroom) for remote instructional

    delivery. Remote learning and technology team members will assist parents in learning and navigating this platform.

  • Remote learning expectations will be shared with staff, parents, and students and added to

    the student code of conduct.

  • Each teacher will have contact via phone, email, Google Classroom, or Google Meet to

  • provide academic assistance and/or answer questions.

  • All Special Education teachers will provide programming and modifications as indicated in

    the child’s IEP. These modifications include, but are not limited to; replacement instruction, re-teaching of material, tests read, modified curriculum, checking for understanding. In addition, Special Education and related service providers will meet with parents virtually every week to discuss progress.

  • The district will be responsible for the delivery or pick up needed tools for learning such as

    textbooks, learning packets, etc.

  • All independent work will be graded and shared with students via Google Classroom in

    a timely fashion. Parents will be asked to assist teachers when appropriate with the virtual delivery of all assessments to ensure fairness and equity.

  • Report cards and AIS/ Special Ed. quarterly reports will be provided at the completion of

    each marking period. Academic outcomes will focus on standard mastery for course credit.

  • All UPK students will receive learning packets with various activities designed to be

    completed with parents at home and shared with the classroom teacher via Google

    Classroom.

Grades 7-12

  • Instruction in all disciplines will be aligned to the New York Learning Standards.

  • Instruction will be provided by certified teachers in all disciplines.

  • Synchronous instruction will be conducted using Google Education G-Suit.

  • Teachers will use Google Education G-Suite (Classroom) to upload daily lesson activities,

  • assignments, and assessments.

  • Students will be provided an electronic device (Chromebook) for remote instruction, assignments, and assessments.

  • Students and staff will follow the daily schedule that is utilized during in-person instruction.

  • Blocked Courses 7-12: Will reduce the number of students scheduled in each of the four core classes.

  • Science Laboratory Requirements:  Virtual Labs will be conducted.

  • Art Class:  Focus on projects and assignments that can be done in a digital format.  Hands-on projects will utilize household materials that will not place a financial burden on families. Individual student sketchbooks will be used for drawing assignments. When finished, students can take a picture, upload, and send it to their teacher.

  • Chorus/Band:  Students will be assigned independent practice assignments and gather collectively through  Google Meet to conduct virtual ensembles when feasible.

  • Physical Education:  Teacher planning will focus on activities that promote sport-specific skill development, improve agility and athleticism, and provide opportunities that consider the mental wellbeing of students, such as yoga, individual exercise, and other stress reduction strategies that will benefit students during remote learning.  Students will keep an online journal to communicate daily exercise and activities.