Minooka 201 Return to Instruction Plan

Phase	Minooka's Plan for Support	Additional Details
1	Remote Learning Plan	All students/staff Remote Learn
2	Remote Learning Plan	All students/staff Remote Learn
3	Remote Learning Plan	All students/staff Remote Learn
4	Blended Learning with Option of Remote Learning	Families may opt to Remote Learn or attend abridged school day; Selected staff will instruct Remote students while remaining staff instructs in person
5	Full Capacity-Resume Typical Instruction with No Restrictions	All students/staff resume in person learning

• All schools will fully reopen using social distancing guidelines where possible and with face masks/coverings being required at all times
  • Students that do not wear a mask will not be allowed to attend school and will be assigned to remote instruction.
  • Student and Staff safety is paramount. All IDPH/ISBE guidelines will be followed to ensure our facilities are safe and the students and staff are protected.
• Remote instruction will be offered to all students that wish to utilize it and for those that do not intend to comply with the mask requirement
  • Families choosing this option would be committing for an entire academic period (quarter/trimester). 
• Each day will be an early release day.
   

Phase 4 Remote Instructional eLearning Plan PDF

Remote Learning Track

Remote instruction will be offered to all students that wish to utilize it and for those that do not wish to comply with the mask requirement.  Families choosing this option would be committing for an entire academic quarter or trimester. Returning to in-person instruction would not be allowed prior unless a significant life event occurred or we move to Phase 5 / Full Reopen.

• Remote learning will be approximately 5 hours of learning per day (combination of Instruction, practice, digital media, independent study, feedback, or activities).
• The Instructional day will be a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded/independent) teaching and learning.
• Attendance will be expected and recorded.
• Remote assignments will use the current Minooka 201 Grading Scale and Practices.
• Remote curriculum will closely resemble the major standards of the core curriculum of Minooka 201, Including the use of similar, District approved learning materials, texts, and instructional technology.  
• Students enrolled in Remote Learning may return to the traditional classroom at quarter or trimester break, Phase 5, or in the event of a significant life event.
• Students may choose to transfer to remote learning on a rolling basis with administrative approval.  

Blended Learning

All schools will fully reopen for four hours of student contact time and one hour of Remote Instruction time.  In person instruction will occur using social distancing guidelines where possible and with face masks/coverings being required at all times.    At this time, this is not "guidance" but a mandate. Students that do not wear a mask will not be allowed to attend school and will be assigned to remote instruction.  Student refusal to comply with the health protocols will be subject to appropriate discipline based on age and development. 

During the in-person instructional day we will prioritize the core subjects as much as possible, with modified curriculum and schedules for the fine arts and physical education classes. The hour of remote learning later in the day is expected to be a mix of core, fine arts and physical education lessons and activities throughout the year. Our teaching and administrative staff are still collaborating on how the day will run and more details will be released as information becomes known.
 

Our Academic Calendar is published on our website. The first day of school is August 19, 2020. With the recent enactment of a statute that makes November 3, 2020 a state holiday, we will be amending our school calendar to push the final day of school back one day to account for this change. The final school day is now scheduled to be Friday, May 28, 2020. No other changes are expected during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan.

The School Hours for In Person Instruction in our buildings are:

• Minooka Intermediate School - 7:35 - 11:35, followed by one hour of remote learning off site later in the day.
• Minooka Junior High School - 7:40 - 11:40, followed by one hour of remote learning off site later in the day.
• Elementary Schools - 8:35 - 12:35, followed by one hour of remote learning off site later in the day.
• Minooka Primary Center - TBD based on enrollments and transportation schedules. There will be at least one session every day for Prekindergarten instruction.

The above calendar and school hours are subject to change as more details become known.
 

Methods of Communication

The primary method of mass communication of information to our families will be through the SchoolMessenger system, which can broadcast phone, email and SMS text messages to our families. Where appropriate, messages will be sent in both English and Spanish. Parents that need to change contact information after they have completed registration should contact their school office for assistance.

Parents, students and community members can also access much information on our website, www.min201.org, which is smartphone enabled. Our website will be updated often as more details are developed for our return to school and is the best avenue for the most current information. 

We also have a  smartphone app which can be found in most searches as “Minooka School District 201,” and we regularly share our information on social media platforms such as Facebook.
 

Maintaining Social Distancing

All schools and facilities are taking actions to ensure all campus spaces support health and safety. These actions include signage and floor markings to remind students of social-distancing practices. There may be some changes to foot-traffic flow through buildings and furniture placement in the classrooms.  Students with disabilities and employees who work with them are expected to practice social distancing when possible.  Elementary students will remain in their homeroom classroom as much as possible, with fine arts instruction within the homeroom classroom.  Classroom seating will be configured with maximum allowable space in between students as possible. 

• Where possible, desks will face the same direction and/or students will sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart, in assigned seats.
• Students will not share school supplies; students will use their own school supplies and keep belongings separate or in their backpacks during the day.
• Students are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle from home to school. Bottles may be refilled throughout the day using a sink. School drinking fountains will be shut off.
• Hand sanitizer will be readily available in each classroom and students will be given time to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water several times throughout the day.
• All classrooms will have disinfectant spray sanitizer available for staff and students to disinfect high touch areas as needed throughout the day.

Handwashing

The CDC recommends everyone wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.  Schools will be incorporating handwashing breaks into the school day and reinforcing handwashing during key times throughout the school day.  If your child has sensitivities to hand sanitizer, please communicate this with your child’s teacher so they can provide your child other opportunities to clean their hands.  Hand-Sanitizing Station/dispensers will be provided in each classroom and readily available throughout all buildings. 

Face Masks

Face coverings are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and social distancing.  Personal protective equipment required for use by employees will be provided by the district.  The district will require students attending in-person learning to wear a face mask at school and on the bus.  Minooka 201 will have a limited amount of extra masks for students and staff to use in case of an emergency.  

CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Consistent with guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health, students must wear face coverings at all times while in school buildings (except when eating or if necessary to play an instrument), on school buses, and outside when social distancing of six feet or more cannot be maintained. Students are expected to wear a face covering to school each day. Students who arrive at school without a face covering will be provided a disposable face covering at no cost.

Face coverings should be replaced or washed after each use. According to CDC guidelines, cloth face coverings can be machine washed with regular laundry detergent at the warmest appropriate water setting. Cloth face coverings can also be hand washed by soaking for 5 minutes in solution of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water; rinse thoroughly with water.  Machine dry at the highest heat setting or air dry in direct sunlight. 

The only exemptions to the face covering requirement are for students who are younger than two years of age, have trouble breathing, or are incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance. Students who have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering may also be provided with appropriate accommodations to ensure the safety of that student and the rest of the school community.
 
A note from the student’s physician will be required for a student requesting an exemption from the face covering requirement. District personnel will contact the parents/guardians of all students requesting exemptions to discuss appropriate accommodations. To request an exemption to the face covering requirement and an appropriate accommodation in lieu of a face covering for your student, please contact your building administrator.  
 
Students who refuse to wear face coverings, including those students whose parents/guardians prohibit the use of face coverings, may be required to participate in remote learning. In addition, students who refuse to wear face coverings may be subject to disciplinary consequences consistent with the Student Code of Conduct and Board Policy 7:190, Student Behavior.

Lunches

To eliminate use of the cafeteria with more than 50 students in one space, student lunch will not be served while at school.  Students choosing to purchase a lunch or eligible for Free-Reduced Lunches will obtain a lunch at the end of the school day to eat at home.  Lunches from the school cafeteria will be handed out as sack lunches.  Lunch pickup available for qualified remote learning families; more information to come.

Lockers/Locker Rooms

Hallway and locker room lockers will not be utilized.  Students will not be changing into Physical Education uniforms throughout the Phase 4 timeframe.

Custodial Services/Cleaning and Sanitizing

Enhanced Cleaning Daily Cleaning (days with student attendance) 

• Cleaning and disinfecting student desks/chairs daily. 
• Main touchpoints will be cleaned and disinfected (switches, handles, doors). 
• Bathroom touchpoints will be cleaned and disinfected on scheduled intervals throughout the school day. 
• Additional disinfecting throughout the school day to the following: 
  • Push bars
  • Door handles 
  • Soap/Sanitizer dispensers 
  • Partition doors (inside and outside of doors) 
  • Toilet seats 
  • Flush handles- urinals & toilets 
  • Hand dryer push buttons 
  • All faucet handles in restrooms 
  • All sink handles in classrooms, lounges, etc 
  • Handrails 
  • Main Office countertops
• Staff will use disinfecting spray sanitizer between students using common spaces.
• Students sanitize &/or wash hands throughout the school day.
• Disinfect back of chairs.
• Attempt to spend less time on carpet/floor to help eliminate germs (hard surface to disinfect).

After School Cleaning Process 

• Confirm proper dwell time is used for disinfectant on all areas discussed above 
• Deeper clean/disinfect to chairs and desks 
• Deeper clean/disinfect to all classroom countertops, lounge tables, lounge counter tops, sinks, toilets, urinals
• Deeper clean to all dispensers, partition walls, restroom doors, office doors, etc Detailed Cleaning (days with no student attendance) 
• All touchpoints in the building will be cleaned and disinfected. 
• Deep cleaning to restrooms throughout the facility 
• Additional deep cleaning and disinfecting will be done in classrooms. 
• Conduct a thorough cleaning of all surfaces discussed to remove any and all disinfectant residue off all surfaces. 

Transportation

Minooka CCSD 201 strongly encourages all families that are able to drive their students to and from school.  School buses will be limited to no more than 50 individuals at a time.  All students and staff must wear face masks while on buses.  Social distancing will be maintained where possible while on the buses and students will have assigned seats.  Students must undergo symptom and temperature self-certification prior to loading the bus from home.

Students who use bus transportation can expect clean and sanitized buses. All Minooka 201 buses will be cleaned and sanitized four times per day following each bus route. An EPA registered disinfectant will be used on all hard surfaces including the fronts and backs of seats and handrails. All buses will have hand sanitizer located at the front of the bus that students may utilize upon entering and exiting the bus. The first row of seats will be left vacant in order to provide appropriate social distance to the bus driver along with a space for any student that becomes symptomatic while riding the bus. Weather permitting, the roof vents and windows will be opened to maximize ventilation.  All students and staff must wear face masks while on buses.

Recess & Playgrounds

Buildings will not hold grade level recesses.  Classroom teachers will be able to take students outside for pre-scheduled fifteen minute fresh-air breaks.  Playground equipment will not be accessible.  

Athletic and Extracurricular Activities

The District will continue to monitor all information per IESA, ISBE, IDPH, and IHSA, as there have been many changes over the past few weeks.  The District will follow the IESA’s phased re-entry plan for athletics and follow all district Operational Health and Safety Protocols for extra-curricular activities.  Remote activities will be offered as enrichment.  

Fall Sports Update: Minooka 201 is planning to hold sports tryouts over the next few weeks.  Tryouts will run as planned for students who appropriately registered on time.  Athletics will not look the same way they have traditionally looked in the past, but our goal is to have a positive experience for the students and coaches.  Our goal is to provide student-athletes a “Developmental Season” with a focus on skill practice.  Students will need to continue to provide their own equipment for tryouts as well as the season.  Students who select remote learning will be able to participate in athletics during the developmental season. 

We appreciate your patience as we work to give students a meaningful experience through Minooka 201 athletics during the fall season. Please note: Students MUST be registered for school in Minooka CCSD #201 for the 2020-2021 school year in order to register for any sport.

Band and Chorus

Band is still scheduled to be offered at both Minooka Intermediate and Minooka Junior High. 6th grade band will be offered through virtual instruction to any student who has completed one year of band instruction whether selecting in-person or remote instruction.  Band at Minooka Junior High School is planned to be a mix of live practice and instruction in person when appropriate distancing between students can be achieved as well as through remote learning where the student will use an online platform to practice and receive feedback.

At this time chorus is not expected to be offered as an activity during Phase 4.

Field Trips

For the upcoming school year, in-person field trips have been suspended to ensure the safety of our students and staff. The District does encourage virtual field trips.

Before and After-School Programs 

Minooka CCSD 201 continues to partner with the Greater Joliet Area YMCA to provide before and after school care options for our families at our elementary buildings and Minooka Intermediate School. Interested families can access more information at the Galowich Family YMCA Kid Care website.

Visitors to the Buildings

In an effort to protect the health and safety of our community, only essential visitors will be allowed on school campuses to minimize the number of people on-site.  No outside guests will be allowed to visit the classroom.  All efforts will be made to keep necessary visitors to a minimum, including the use of virtual or telephone meetings with families and guests.  Parents meeting on-site with school staff must follow social-distancing guidelines and wear facemasks when appropriate.

Use of Facilities 

Facility use will be limited to use of school related activities to limit exposure of school buildings.  

Health and Wellness

Student and Staff health and wellness will be monitored daily through a self-certification process. Click here for self-certify questionnaire.  Children and staff are encouraged to remain at home if they are displaying any symptoms on the CDC COVID-19 Symptoms list.   NOTE: we are working to create an online certification process using an app or website to facilitate this. Further information will be released as it is developed.

GUIDELINES FOR IDENTIFYING STUDENTS OR STAFF WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS 

One or more of the following symptoms: 

• Fever (100 F or higher without fever reducing medication)  
• Cough, new or worsening 
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chills or muscle aches
• Congestion or runny nose
• Extreme fatigue 
• Headache (new/unusual onset that is not related to migraine history)
• Sore throat  
• Loss of taste /sense of smell   
• Nausea /Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Inflammatory symptoms: bright red rash, swollen lips, swollen hands or feet, and reddened or darkened palms or soles. 

Exposure in the past 14 days:

• Close contact with an individual diagnosed (positive test) with COVID-19
  • Close contact: 15 minutes or longer within 6 feet of individual with or without a mask 

Procedures if a student/staff member is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19

• A student or staff member will immediately report to the school nurse/isolation room. 
• Parents will be contacted to pick up their child within an hour. 
• If there is an immediate serious concern regarding the individual’s health, 911 will be called. 
• A staff member or parent will be recommended to contact their healthcare provider to see if testing is needed. Staff members are required to report test results to the school. Parents will be recommended to report test results to the school. 
• All areas used by a person that is sick will be cleaned and disinfected before further use. 
• All students who had contact with a student or staff member (15 minutes or longer within 6 feet of an individual with or without a mask) who is suspected of having COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19 will also be sent home to monitor for symptoms for 14 days. 
• The school/district will report any case of confirmed COVID-19 to local health departments, staff, and school families.

Guidelines for Returning to School Following Exposure or Symptoms  

Student or staff member that thinks/knows that they have COVID-19 can return to school if they meet ALL of the following criteria: 

• It has been 10 calendar days since symptoms began or received two negative COVID-19 tests in a row taken 24 hours apart on or after 5th day of isolation.
• No fever (without fever reducing medicine) or other symptoms for at least 3 calendar days 

A student or staff member that tests positive for COVID-19, but does not have any of the symptoms listed above, can return to school if they meet ALL of the following criteria:

• It has been 10 calendar days since the positive test result or received two negative COVID-19 tests in a row taken 24 hours apart on or after 5th day of isolation.
• Has continued to have no symptoms 

A student or staff member that is showing symptoms but refuses a COVID-19 test may return to school if they meet ALL of the following criteria: 

• It has been 10 calendar days since symptoms began 
• No fever (without fever reducing medicine) or other symptoms for at least 3 calendar days 

A student/staff member that has been exposed (within six feet for more than 15 minutes) to another person (family, friend, other student) that has tested positive with COVID-19 must follow the criteria below: 

• Quarantine for 14 calendar days after the last exposure or receive two negative COVID-19 tests in a row taken 24 hours apart on or after 5th day of isolation.
• Monitor and remain free of COVID-19 symptoms

A student or staff member exhibiting symptoms (that do not have a confirmed exposure to the virus) may return to school with negative test results or a doctor’s note stating that a medical evaluation determined that their symptoms were due to another cause. The student must still abide by all health regulations for the cause of the symptoms. 

A physician’s note will be required for a student or staff member to return to school after any confirmed case. 

A student or staff member who is living with a family member who tested positive  can return to school if they meet ALL of the following criteria: 

• Quarantine for 14 calendar days after the date the family member with COVID-19 ends home isolation. Any time a new household member gets sick with COVID-19 and the student or staff member had close contact,  the quarantine will need to be restarted.
• No fever (without fever reducing medicine) or other symptoms for at least 3 calendar days 
• If exhibiting symptoms or tests positive, then a student or staff member must follow those guidelines to return to school. 

CDC When You Can be Around Others after You Had or Likely Had COVID-19

CDC Quarantine Scenarios If You Might Be Sick

Guidelines for Exposure or Closure Guidelines For Exposure In School (Based on IDPH Guidelines) 

• Pre-Kindergarten and Elementary Family Model 
  • A Student who is sick will remain home for 10 calendar days from the first sign of symptoms and must be without fever (without fever reducing medicine) or other symptoms for at least the last three calendar days. 
  • Students in the class will wear masks and social distance when able. 
  • The Administration and school nurse will work with local health officials to determine exposure risk to other students/staff.

For any positive COVID-19 case at a school in Minooka CCSD 201 Schools, district and school leadership teams will work with local officials from the Department of Health and Center for Disease Control in determining a course of action on a case-by-case basis.

Important Definitions: This information was collected from the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health: 

Quarantine - This is used to separate people who are in close contact of someone with a contagious disease, such as COVID-19, from others for a period of time (14 calendar days for COVID-19) to see if they become sick. 

Isolation - The act of remaining at home or a place where a person was told to isolate and avoid contact with other people until their isolation period is over. Isolation is recommended for those who are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 and have tested positive or are waiting on results of a test. 

Close Contact - This is defined as being within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for at least several minutes (usually about 15 minutes).

	Phase 5	Phase 4	Phase 3
Professional Development	SIP Days/ Staff meetings in person GCN trainings  - including Covid related topics PD offerings in person and remote District training for substitutes - In person and/or remotely	SIP Days/ Staff meetings remotely GCN trainings  - including Covid related topics Remote PD offerings  No approval for In person Workshops  Remote Onboard training for New Staff District training for substitutes - remotely	SIP Days/ Staff meetings remotely GCN trainings  - including Covid related topics Remote PD offerings  No approval for In person Workshops Remote Onboard training for New Staff
Procedural Guidelines	Resume practices and expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements	May require MOUs to modify practices/expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements	May require MOUs to modify practices/expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements
Bargaining Agreement Implications	Resume practices and expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements	May require MOUs to modify practices/expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements	May require MOUs to modify practices/expectations as outlined in MEEA & MESP Bargaining Agreements

Employee Health and Safety Guidelines: The District will implement the following enhanced health protocols to provide for the safety of employees. 

• Staff are encouraged to work remotely when able to.  
• Employees will complete a daily health assessment, before reporting to work to determine if they are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. 
• All employees must practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC and will be required to wear personal protective equipment. 
• The District will provide employees with a cloth face mask.  
• The District plans to provide each classroom with disinfectant products so that community-use items and tools can be cleaned after each use. 
• Employees who need to be away from work due to sickness or personal reasons will use accrued sick and personal leave. A supervisor must approve personal leave. Employees who request leave under the guidelines of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act must contact the Business Office and provide necessary documentation according to the reasons outlined in the Act. 
• Staff Guidelines Throughout the Workday:
  • Masks must be worn while in the school building. 
  • Avoid touching your face at all times. 
  • Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • If your job requires the use of gloves, wash hands after removing gloves. 
  • Before and after eating, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Do not eat in groups if you are not six feet apart. 
  • Re-apply masks after lunch if social distancing is not possible. 
  • Staff must wipe down commonly touched items used throughout your workday. 
  • Remember to use proper hand hygiene before and after removing cloth face covering. 
• Custodians will implement Enhanced Safety Protocols for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and areas.

Students with Special Needs (IEP/504)

Students with special needs will continue to have access to their services through either in person instruction or remote instruction.  As our typical school day has been amended due to the COVID-19 restrictions, specific plans may need to be adjusted to fit within the learning model each family has chosen.  Based on parent registration at the beginning of the school year, each child’s case manager will be contacting families to set up a meeting to create a Remote Learning Plan or Blended Learning Plan based on student needs throughout the quarantine.  

Evaluations for special education services can now be completed during Phase 4.  Special Education teams at each building will contact families to set up evaluations that are to be completed.  Contact building administration if you have specific questions about special education services. 

Multi-Lingual Programming

Students qualifying for English Language support will continue to receive support through either in person instruction or remote learning.  Specific information on these services can be obtained by contacting building administration.  

Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Students will have access to tiered instruction through either in person instruction or remote instruction.  A focus will be to provide interventions within the child’s environment through differentiated instruction and individualized interventions.  

Social-Emotional Supports

Social-Emotional Learning and Social-Emotional Supports will be available to students through either in person instruction or remote instruction.  Additional information Social-Emotional Supports can be obtained from building social workers and counselors.  

• Set up a remote learning area in your house 
  • Have technology used for RL and cords available
  • Put school supplies in this area
  • Think about your family’s needs… should you have separate areas for each child or have all the children in one area? 
• Create a Remote Learning Daily Schedule or Checklist
  • Individualize this for your children
  • Use a sheet protector to allow your child to check off what has been completed
  • Include school activities and a place for “extra” activities
  • Follow the daily routine for consistency 
• Include breaks in the remote learning schedule
  • Schedule opportunities for movements breaks
    • Go Noodle, bike riding, short walks, Cosmic Yoga on YouTube

 

• Seesaw Registration Video
• Seesaw Tutorial Video

Check back for additional information on the topics below! 

Minooka 201 PLACE Remote Learning Training:  https://www.min201.org/departments/curriculum/summer-professional-development
Self Certification Checklist
Signs for Buildings:  CDC Print Resources
Adjusted School Supply Lists

Social Stories:

COVID Related Social Stories for School:  https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/2020/07/covid-19-related-stories-for-schools.html
COVID Related Social Stories:  https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/search/label/COVID-19?m=1 

Videos for Children

Handwashing
Proper Use of Masks
Welcome Videos of the Schools