Here is the reopening drafted plan for the Cumberland County School System for August 2020 to be reviewed by the school board at their special called meeting at 6 p.m. tonight:

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS REOPENING PLAN FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES 2020-2021

**Data and information regarding COVID-19 changes very often; therefore, this plan will be adapted accordingly. Plan date: 7/20/2020

Dear Cumberland County Schools Families,

We are looking forward to the start of a great school year!

With the opening of school only a couple of weeks away, we wanted to share with you what the beginning of school will look like for our students and families. Although we are in uncharted waters, it is critical that we provide for the health and safety of our students while providing them with a high-quality education.

It is essential that everyone understands that this plan is constantly evolving and changing based upon data and new information related to COVID-19. There are vast differences across our state regarding reopening plans. When all the guidance provided from numerous organizations is condensed, it is clear that plans will look very different from county to county. While many families plan for their children to return to in-person classes, we recognize that some families prefer to keep their children at home during this time.

Recognizing the differences that exist, Cumberland County Schools will be offering both in person instruction on our school campuses and the Cumberland Connect Online option for families this school year. On the following pages, you will find the educational opportunities that are available for your child(ren). Also included are community metrics based upon minimal (low) community spread, moderate (medium) community spread, and substantial (high) community spread.

Please reference the School Day at a Glance regarding what students can expect during the school day. If you choose for your child to attend school in-person, you can expect daily temperature checks, social distancing when feasible, frequent hand washing and the recommendation that cloth or disposable face coverings be worn by students and staff in different parts of the building and in certain spaces.

If you choose the Cumberland Connect Online Program, there will be daily teacher interaction along with assignments delivered through the online platform.

Please know that information and guidance from health authorities continues to change frequently.

With that said, we will adjust our plan as conditions continue to change.

Thank you for working with us to provide the best possible educational experience for your children. We have missed your children and are so looking forward to seeing them soon!

Dr. Ina Maxwell

Director of Schools

How Will My Student Attend School?

Students may attend Cumberland County Schools in 2020-2021 with two

Options – Traditional or Online/Virtual:

• Traditional: Students will receive in-person instruction with their teacher(s).
• Online/Virtual: Students will receive instruction delivered through Google Classroom.

Regardless of the option selected, it is mandated by the State of Tennessee that students attend school for 180 days. Compulsory Education Laws regarding attendance will be in place, whether in-person or online/virtually.

Definition of Terms

Asynchronous learning – students learn the same material at different times and locations (location independent)

Learning Management System (LMS) – software application for a variety of education programs conducted online

Reopen – the time period covering the initial weeks of school building and offices opening after closures

Remote Learning – primarily defined as when students and teacher are not housed in a classroom or school building together

Synchronous learning – students learn at the same time and location using the same or similar activities

Virtual learning – a form of distance or online learning that is done using the internet and electronic instruction and usually involves both synchronous and asynchronous learning methods

Source: Tennessee Department of Education, Reopening Schools: Overview Guide for LEAs

Cumberland County Schools COVID-19 Community Spread Metric

Formulas based on ACTIVE cases in Cumberland County

Normal – Operations 0 Positive COVID-19 active cases

Low Spread – Less than 0.5 % of positive COVID-19 active cases (fewer than 302 active cases)

Medium Spread – Between 0.5%-1% of positive COVID-19 active cases (between 303-606 active cases)

High Spread – Greater than 1% of positive COVID-19 active cases (more than 607 active cases)

Total Population from 2019 Census: 60,520

If community spread reaches the Medium or High level, Cumberland County Schools will consult with the Health Department and evaluate the need to apply the Medium or High Cumberland County Schools COVID-19 Community Spread Metrics. Cumberland County will also consider the presence of the virus in buildings, the impact of on-campus school on the community spread, information available from contact tracing, and Cumberland County student and staff attendance rates.

Student Physical Health Protocol

-Parents should take their child’s temperature before leaving home each day.

-Parents should ask the following questions to or about their child each day:

-Have you been in close contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19?

-Have you had unusual cough or shortness of breath?

-Have you had a sore throat or other flu-like symptoms?

-Have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater in the last 72 hours?

-Have you had new loss of taste or smell?

-Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?

-If your child’s temperature is 100.4F or above OR if your child answers Yes to ANY of the questions, please keep your child at home and contact your health care provider.

-When students arrive at school, temperature checks will be conducted for all students.

• If your child’s temperature is 100.4F or above or if your child answer(s) yes to any of the screening questions asked by the school nurse, your child will not attend class and you will be called to pick up your child.

-If, during the school day, your child presents a fever or COVID-19 type symptoms, the child will be required to wear a mask and will be placed in a supervised area away from other students until parent pick-up. Students should be picked up within 30 minutes of parent notification.

-At that time, parents should contact the Cumberland County Health Department at (931)484-6196 or their medical provider for guidelines regarding testing of student or further recommendations.

-Exposure is defined as being in direct contact, less than 6 feet away and for a period of at least 10 minutes with a person that has tested positive for COVID-19. Students exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the last contact per the CDC guidelines.

-When can the student return to school?

-With documentation from a medical provider that the illness was not due to COVID-19.

-With documentation of two negative COVID-19 tests and symptom free for 72 hours.

-If diagnosed with COVID-19, the student may only return with documentation from a medical provider that the student has quarantined for a minimum of 10 days and had been symptom free for 72 hours.

-Talk to school nurse for more details.

-Students must be reassessed by the school nurse upon return to school.

-Parents should communicate with their school about their child’s or family’s qualifying COVID-19 medical treatment. Please call your school nurse if you have questions.

-Should concerns arise regarding possible COVID-19 exposure, please contact the school principal or school nurse with any concerns.

Online/Virtual Learning

Cumberland Connect is Cumberland County’s online learning option for parents/guardians that choose an online option instead of traditional in-person classes. Here are the details of Cumberland Connect:

• The Cumberland Connect program provides a home-based option to students for whom an online, virtual education is appropriate.
• An application must be completed and submitted to Central Services, at 368 Fourth Street, Crossville by July 29, 2020.
• Both student and parent/guardian are required to attend a Cumberland Connect orientation. This orientation will detail expectations of the online/virtual learning.
• The State of Tennessee requires all students receive 180 days of instruction. Because we stockpile days, each student in-person or virtual must attend school for 7 hours per day.
• Students who participate in Cumberland Connect will receive the same rigorous, relevant curriculum used in the classroom, with guidance from certified, highly-qualified Cumberland County teachers to complete the state-required curriculum from home or any place where a computer and a high speed internet connection are available.
• The online programming will be a blend of direct and non-direct instruction with Cumberland County teachers.
• Participation in and completion of all assignments are required.
• Students will earn grades which will become part of their permanent academic record and receive report cards.
• Student attendance will be required.
• If this option is requested and approved, you must complete an application and participate in the Cumberland Connect orientation to review student learning expectations.

Remote Learning

In the event that schools are closed due to COVID-19, remote learning will go into effect for all students.

Unlike the emergency closing last spring, it is mandated by the State of Tennessee that students complete 180 instructional days. Each day is 7 hours. Completion of all assignments is required. Attendance will be taken.

Below is a list of expectations for remote learning:

• Students will be required to continue their 7 hours of instruction per day.
• Assignments and instruction will be made through Google Classroom.
• County and school specific announcements will be posted on Google Classroom, recorded on Skylert/School Messenger, and posted on district and school websites.
• Students will be required to complete all assignments.
• Students will earn grades which will become part of their permanent academic record and receive report cards.
• Should your child not have a device when remote learning goes into effect, device check-out and pickup will be facilitated through your child’s school.
• For those that do not have any form of internet service, assignments will be printed and provided to the student. It is expected that arrangements will be made for assignments to be picked-up at the school they attend. Attendance and instruction will take place via telephone communication.

Additional Information:

• Visitors: Cumberland County Schools will limit access to all school facilities at this time for the protection of students and staff. Should an event arise that requires a visit, please contact the school. Visitors will be screened, which will include temperature check and screening questions per CDC guidelines. Face coverings are recommended for visitors. Lunchtime visitors must be discontinued at this time.
• Transportation Protocols:

-Bus drivers will not be taking student temperatures. Upon arrival at school, student temperatures will be taken.

-Face masks are recommended, but not required for both students and bus drivers during the route.

-Face masks/coverings will be provided for drivers and passengers upon request.

-Students from the same household/bus stop will be required to sit together on the bus.

-Students will not be allowed to change seats.

-Hand sanitizer stations are provided on each bus.

-Weather permitting, bus windows will be kept open to increase air flow.

-Buses will be cleaned before and after each trip.

• Safety of Students and Staff:

-Practice social distancing where feasible. Classrooms will be set up in such a way to facilitate distancing to the extent possible while allowing for optimal learning.

-Practice frequent hand-washing and hand-sanitizing. Hand-sanitizer stations will be available throughout the buildings.

-Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

-Social-emotional health of students and staff is critical. School counselors and our district-wide mental health counselors are available.

-Facility cleaning and sanitation is a top priority. All spaces will be cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening. All employees are expected to clean and sanitize workspaces throughout the day as needed with custodial staff performing deep cleaning during their designated cleaning time. Special attention will be given to high touch surfaces and common areas. Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after each use.

-Approved cleaning products will be available for staff.

-Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day. Options will vary by school, but could include allowing

children to eat in the classroom, outdoor spaces, small groups in the cafeteria, etc.

-At this time, face masks are suggested but not required for students and staff. Face masks may be provided for those that wish to wear them. All masks must follow dress code (no political or inappropriate slogans, no tobacco, alcohol or drug products).

-Food and/or snacks should not be shared between students and/or staff.

• Staff Physical Health Protocol

-Cumberland County Schools will open under the Critical Infrastructure CDC Guidelines.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safetypractices.html Principals and supervisors will have detailed information available upon request.

-Employees’ temperature will be taken prior to starting work each day. In addition, employees will be required to answer a set of COVID-19 screening questions.

-If an employee has a fever or answers “yes” to any screening question, they will be asked to leave and go immediately to the Health Department or medical provider to be tested for COVID-19.

-Employees will not be allowed to return to work until test results are received or a health care provider provides documentation that the illness is not related to COVID-19.

-More definitions and protocols may be found in the CDC guidance document referenced above.

-Should an employee need to make a COVID-19 related claim under Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), please contact Human Resources to receive the form and further instructions.

Please remember that we are in extremely unusual times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we attempt to make every reasonable effort to adapt to the changing conditions.

To see the entire draft, click on the following :

Cumberland County Tennessee Reopening Plan.docx