High schools not part of proposed return-to-school plan

DPS plans to present its ‘Plan B’ recommendation to the school board tonight regarding students returning to school in January. 

The plan would allow Pre-K through fifth grade to attend in-person learning two days a week. Students with special needs Pre-K through twelfth grade would be allowed to attend in-person learning 4 days a week.

One cohort of students would attend in-person school on Mondays and Tuesdays while a second cohort would attend on Thursdays and Fridays. Students would receive virtual instruction from their teacher(s) on days that they are not on-site.

For students who wish to remain virtual, DPS will offer Ignite! Online Academy. 3,267 kindergarten through fifth grade students have already opted for Ignite.

The 6:30 PM school board meeting will be streamed live on YouTube and public comment submissions are accepted until 3:30 PM. 

DPS listed key components of the Plan B recommendation in a press release:

• Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings while on campus and school buses to ensure safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  
• Signage has been purchased and will be placed on the exterior and interior of schools with directional markers and reminders that everyone should wear their mask, wash their hands, and social distance.
• Schools have designated classrooms for Exceptional Children’s that will be equipped with PPE and HEPA filtration systems
  
• Touchless thermometers will be used to check staff and student’s temperature.
  
• Hand sanitizer stations will be set up for use in various areas of our schools.
  
• Training for staff on the proper use of PPE, handwashing, disinfecting, and social distancing will occur before the return of in-person learning.
  
• Schools/facilities will be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
  
• Outdoor air intakes have been increased and schools will be using MERV-13 air filters that capture airborne viruses and bacteria from coughs and sneezes.
  
• Daily transportation protocols include pre-route inspections, driver and monitor symptom screening before entering the bus, cleaning, and disinfection of high-touch areas and seating each day along with the stocking of PPE and cleaning supplies. No more than one passenger may be seated per school bus bench seat, with the exception that members of the same household may share a seat.

Cases continue to surge around the country. As such, this plan is subject to change.