Loudon County students will return to school August 4, 2021.  Our number one priority remains the health and safety of our students while being able to provide appropriate academic instruction and meet students’ social-emotional needs.  Registration dates for traditional in-person instruction will be communicated by individual schools.

Academics

• The traditional daily instructional model provides instruction in-person while adhering to additional safety protocols

• Teachers will assess student’s current instructional level and adjust instruction to address students’ individual needs

Health & Hygiene

• Additional hand sanitation stations available throughout the school and at entry points

• Increased cleaning and sanitation of high contact areas throughout the school

• Parents are requested to check temperatures prior to sending students on the bus or to school

• Training for staff and students on recommended healthy routines

• Staff and students are encouraged to stay home if they are sick or running a temperature of 100.4 or greater

• Face coverings are recommended for students and staff but not required

Facilities and Routines

• No water fountain use: students are encouraged to bring a water bottle

• Increased cleaning and sanitation of high contact areas throughout the school

• Increased air circulation in classrooms through windows, doors, air purifiers as feasible and practical

• Large group assemblies will be limited for essential purposes only and will follow guidelines as feasible and practical

• Academic field trips that can be conducted safely given current conditions

• Social distancing within the classroom as much as feasible and practical; six feet may not be possible in all classrooms

• Schools will alter arrival and departure procedures to minimize contact and congestion

• Physical activity will be conducted outdoors whenever possible to group students safely

Bus Transportation

• Bus drivers will disinfect buses routinely

• Bus drivers will open at least six windows to create air flow on the bus (or more depending on weather conditions)

• One seat per student (families sit together), until the need for two or more students per seat is necessary

• Bus unloading from front to back to minimize contact

• Face coverings for students are recommended but not mandatory and will be provided by the school district

Cafeteria Procedures

• Thorough handwashing and/or hand sanitizing prior to meals

• Adjust lunch periods and arrange seating with a minimum of one seat separation as conditions warrant

• Student groups may eat in places other than the cafeteria as determined by school administration

• Cleaning and disinfecting tables between groups

• Grab & Go breakfast will be provided as feasible and practical

School Clinics

• Every Loudon County School has a nurse on staff

• Students who have temperature above 100.4 will be placed in a separate area with a mask and monitored until parents arrive

• Some typical clinic cases may be handled in the classroom

• Clinics will be thoroughly cleaned throughout the day as needed

Campus Visitors

• Visitors to buildings during normal operating hours will be limited to appointment only

• All visitors will have COVID-19 symptom screener

• Parent lunch visits will not be allowed until lunchroom seating returns to normal

• Arrivals and dismissals will be performed without congregation of adults

• Use of school facilities from outside groups will be limited depending on present conditions

• Volunteers will be allowed in buildings with same screening as staff

Student Supports

• Attendance modifications for quarantined students will be made as necessary to support students.

• Modified attendance incentives for 2020-2021 school year

• Students will be screened as needed for mental health support and referred to School Counselors.

Extended Learning Programs

• Before and after school extended learning programs will continue at all school sites

• Programs will follow all school safety guidelines

Athletics

• Follow TSSAA mandates

• Updates will be provided as available from TDOE, TSSAA, and TDH

COVID-19 Procedures for Confirmed Cases

• If a positive test for COVID-19 occurs in a school with a student or staff member, the district will work with local health officials and take the lead in notification and contact tracing

• School administrators will maintain confidentiality in accordance with ADA (American Disabilities Act) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).

• Potential school closure will be based on the level of risk determined by the district

• If schools close due to COVID-19, then virtual learning will be initiated for impacted students within 3 days

• If a closure is needed for intensive cleaning, communication will be provided

• The student/staff member with COVID-19 will be allowed to return to school adhering to TDH guidelines.

• It is our intent for the Health Department to help with contact tracing to minimize disruption to the school setting

• Classroom/school/district closures will only occur if a significant need warrants the closure or if it is mandated by the state or local health officials

Individual school plans will include specifics that are age and space appropriate and may vary from these general district protocols.  As the need lessens, these protocols will expire allowing programs and procedures to return to normal.