Bethel Grade School

Bethel Grade School District #82 created a planning team that worked collaboratively with various stakeholder groups of the school community. The team has worked to create a tentative back-to-school plan for students returning for the 2020-21 school year. The Bethel Grade School District #82 plan complies with existing guidelines and recommendations of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This plan is fluid and subject to change with the release of new guidelines.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: AUGUST 14, 2020

• Start time will remain at 8:20 am
• Students eating breakfast at school may arrive no sooner than 7:40 am. If they are not eating breakfast at school and you are providing transportation, please plan to arrive around 8:10 am.
• Dismissal will be at 2:00 pm
• Two options for families (selected one quarter at a time):
  • Five days a week in-person
  • Remote learning, with devices provided as necessary. Students will be required to do daily assignments and regular grades will be taken.

ENHANCED

CLEANING

PROTOCOL

• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building.
• Hand-washing will be expected more frequently.
• Appropriate cleaning products that meet the guidelines will be used throughout the day in all high-contact areas in the school/classrooms and on the bus
• Extensive cleaning of all areas at the conclusion of the school day

COVID-19 HOME QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

RETURNING AFTER ABSENCE RELATED TO COVID-19 LIKE SYMPTOMS (UNTESTED)

At least 72 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever reducing medications, and improvement of symptoms and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

RETURNING AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST WITH SYMPTOMS

At least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms, at least 72 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever reducing medications, and improvement of symptoms and two negative COVID-19 tests in a row, at least 24 hours apart, or a doctor’s not authorizing safe return to school.

RETURNING AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST WITHOUT SYMPTOMS

At least 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive test, and no symptoms have developed and 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row at least 24 hours apart, or a doctor’s note authorizing safe return to school.

RETURNING AFTER EXPOSURE TO COVID-19

14 days have passed since the date of exposure, with no onset of symptoms. If the exposure was from a member of your household, an additional 14 days has passed since the positive person was released from quarantine.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

CARE LOCATIONS

Designated areas will be used for any student who is displaying symptoms until they are able to be picked up.

SEATING

Seating will be assigned on all buses, classrooms, and other areas throughout the building. Siblings will be seated together on buses when possible.

MASKS

The district will provide students with a reusable mask. Due to ISBE and IDPH guidelines, masks are required by everyone while inside the building, on buses, and if social distancing cannot be maintained outside of the building. There are no exceptions to these guidelines.

TRAINING

All students and staff will be trained at the start of the school year on prevention, social distancing, screening, and contact tracing.

MEDICAL

Students who present a medical exemption for the use of face coverings will be placed in the remote learning program.

VISITORS

Visitors will only be allowed in the building with prior approval. They must wear a mask and have their temperature taken upon entry. If a parent is bringing items for their children, a staff member will meet you at the main entrance.

SCREENING

All students and staff will be screened via temperature checks before entering a bus or school building. If anyone presents symptoms of illness, they will be sent home.

WATER BOTTLES

The district will provide students with a reusable water bottle to be kept at school. They will be cleaned daily. All water fountains will be used only for the purpose of refilling water bottles.

CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL AND CLASSROOMS

BREAKFAST/LUNCH

• Breakfast/lunch will be served in the cafeteria by grade level. Some teachers may opt to have students eat in their classrooms.
• No visitors for lunch
• Students will be assigned seats in the cafeteria with social distancing

PE/RECESS/EXTRACURRICULARS

• PE/Recess will be outdoors as much as possible and will be conducted by grade level
• If PE/Recess must be indoors, structured activities will be planned with social distancing
• Extracurriculars will follow SIJHSAA guidelines

CLASSROOMS

• Changes will be made to classrooms to allow for social distancing
• Students will go directly to their classroom upon arrival
• No sharing of supplies
• Outdoor classrooms will be established and used as much as possible

SCHOOL EVENTS

• Family events will be cancelled or limited during Illinois’ Phase 4
• Field trips will only be considered if they are to outdoor locations where social distancing is possible
• Facility usage for groups has been suspended at this time

BUS TRANSPORTATION

• Students under 12 must be supervised by an adult prior to temperature check
• Students will have their temperature checked upon entry to the bus
• Masks must be worn by students and staff while on the bus
• Students will have assigned seats (siblings together)
• Windows will be opened if possible
• The number of individuals on the bus will be limited to 50