Transition Programming - Parent Resource Guide
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Overview
On Friday, August 7th, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York State will be able to reopen at the start of the 2020-2021 school year provided they are able to develop a comprehensive reopening plan.
District and BOCES reopening plans must adhere to regulations and align with guidance provided by the NYS Department of Health, the CDC and the NYS Education Department.
The Monroe One BOCES Reopening Plan is accessible at Monroe.edu/ReopeningPlan.
In-person Instruction
Students will return to in-person instruction at the start of the 2020-2021 school year and attend a full day program five days per week.
Hybrid
Model A -
This hybrid model will have students attend in-person instruction four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday).
Remote instruction will be provided on Wednesdays through synchronous and asynchronous teacher directed learning activities.
Related Services will be prioritized to occur during in-person instruction days.
Model B -
This hybrid model will divide students into two groupings. Each grouping will attend in-person two days per week (i.e. Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday) and will participate in remote learning on the opposing three days throughout the week.
Related Services will be prioritized to occur during in-person instruction days, however, some services may be scheduled to occur remotely based on individual student needs/schedules.
Remote Instruction - Parent Choice
In collaboration with a students district of residence, a full-time remote option will be available to any student enrolled in a Monroe One BOCES special education program that is unable to return to school due to medical reasons or general discomfort.
This option will provide daily instruction in an online format aligned to New York State Learning Standards and a student's individualized IEP goals.
This option will require some level of at home support and is best suited for self-directed learners. Students participating in this model will be reassessed at each quarter for a potential return to in-person instruction.
If a parent intends to choose this option, they should inform their child's program principal and district of residence CSE Office as soon as possible.
Models By Program
Fully In Person:
- Bird/Morgan School
- Grades K-8
- Grades K-8
- eSTART
- Grades 9-12
- Grades 9-12
- O'Connor Academy
- Grades 9-12
- Grades 9-12
- Transition Programming
- TOUR
- SEARCH
- SELF
Hybrid
- Transition Programming
- LIFE 101 Model A
- LIFE 201 Model B
- Creekside
- Elementary Students - Model A
- Secondary and Transition Students - Model B
- Bird/Morgan School
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Communication/Family and Community Engagement
To help form its reopening plan, Monroe One BOCES sought feedback and input from stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, parent/guardians of students, local health department officials and health care providers, employee unions and community groups. Engagement efforts included online surveys, virtual forums/meetings and one-on-one conversations.
Community Commitment
Monroe One BOCES remains committed to communicating all elements of this reopening plan to students, parent/guardians, staff and visitors.
- The plan is available to all stakeholders online at Monroe.edu/ReopeningPlan
- It will be updated throughout the school year, as necessary, to respond to local circumstances and guidelines.
- Significant changes will be communicated directly to parents/guardians, using a variety of methods; including email, robocalls, website and social media postings.
- Communication can be translated into one's preferred language, as requested.
- Monroe One will create and deploy signage throughout its buildings to address public health protections surrounding COVID-19.
- In addition, Monroe One will encourage all staff, students and visitors through verbal and written communication to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the use of personal protective equipment and healthy hygiene practices.
- Information forums will be held with parents and guardians.
School Closures
School building administrators will communicate with each other regularly and, if needed, will consider closing school or program if absentee rates impact the ability of the school or program to operate safely.
- Specific conditions that warrant the closure of schools or programs will be identified and displayed to all stakeholders in advance.
- Monroe One will be in close communication with state and local health departments to determine when the school or program is unsafe for inperson instruction.
Classrooms
Each classroom will be set up to allow appropriate social distancing of at least six feet or a barrier between all students and staff.
- Class sizes will allow for enough space for each student inside the classroom to maintain social distancing.
- Markings will be on the floor when appropriate to indicate spacing and to
serve as a reminder of 'traffic patterns' inside the classroom/ program space. - Desks and tables will be spaced six feet apart.
- A staff member will always be present in a classroom when it is open to students.
- Signage will also be within each space to indicate social distancing and face coverings.
- Students will engage in lessons on social distancing protocols, non-touch affection/greetings and proper hand washing techniques.
- Classroom spaces and items will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Classroom Items
- Students will be provided individual items and sensory bins, no items will be shared between students.
- Each student will have their own dedicated seating area, which will be set up in the appropriate distance from another person.
- Staff members will develop individual sensory supports and alternate seating based on IEPs.
Hallways
- Floor markings and signs will be in place as necessary within each program.
- Face coverings are required for staff and students, who are medically able to wear one, in all common areas of the facilities and as determined by the program.
- Strategic staggering to reduce crowding for arrivals, dismissals, and expanding the use of alternate exits and entrances is used.
- Inviting visitors into the facilities is discouraged for all programs.
Student Property and Supplies
As an ongoing effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and per NYS guidelines, Monroe One will reduce/eliminate the use of shared items.
- Students will be provided a space their classroom for their belongings.
- A supply list will be developed for students to bring own materials if necessary.
- Resources will be in place to provide supplies for students if unable to bring their own
- 1:1 electronics will be used as needed in each instructional program.
- A cleaning protocol will be in place for in-classroom items.
- Staff members will incorporate lessons on technology use that will prepare students for the possibility of returning to remote instruction.
Instructional Accessibility
- Monroe One is committed to providing instruction that is accessible to all students, regardless of attendance or social distancing.
- A system will be created for assigning and turning in assignments.
- Teachers will be using different technology to support a more virtual platform.
- Support services will be clearly aligned to students' needs and will be provided within a social distancing plan.
Therapy Spaces
- In addition to social distancing and face coverings, Therapy spaces will no longer have shared items between students.
- Staff will replace furniture and items that cannot be properly sanitized with appropriately distanced furniture within the sensory space.
Student Restrooms
- Restrooms will be set up to allow for appropriate social distancing.
- Students and staff will follow all work place protocols, including face coverings, social distancing, proper hygiene, etc.
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Attendance Guidelines
Schools are responsible to develop a mechanism to collect and report daily engagement or attendance regardless of instructional setting.
- Daily attendance reported each day for students present in program.
- Daily attendance reported by end of day Monday for students who participated remotely the previous week.
- Follow existing protocol for students reported absent.
- Follow MCH protocol for any student reported absent for COVID-19 exposure or diagnosis.
Attendance Notes
Each time a student is absent, a parent/guardian must contact the Attendance Secretary/Teacher to report the absence and reason. For any absence, a written note or email must be submitted to the Attendance Secretary/Teacher.
A written note should include:
- the date the note was submitted
- the date(s) of the absence(s)
- the reason for the absence(s)
- the signature of the parent/guardian
- any needed medical clearance/doctor's note(s)
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic Absenteeism= missing 10 % or more of enrolled school days.
This includes both excused and un-excused absences
- Use these guidelines with your team as a framework for working with students/families who have chronic attendance issues
Excessive absence protocol
When a student accumulates 10 unexcused absences in a half-year period (2 quarters).
- The case manager will be responsible for flagging the team when ten unexcused absences are reached in a half-year period.
- Subsequent checkpoints will go into effect no matter what quarter we are in after the initial flag by the case manager.
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Food Service
Cafeteria and Classroom Procedures
- A program specific schedule will be developed for meal times and breaks.
- Social distancing will occur during breakfast/lunch.
- Students will have individual meals and will not be sharing food or drinks.
- Students and staff will wash hands before and after every meal.
- Students and staff will follow all work place protocols, including the use of a face covering, social distancing and proper hygiene.
Free and Reduced Meals
- Due to the impact COVID-19 closures had on our families, Monroe One is aware many more families may now qualify for free and reduced meals. We will run a direct certification list from SED monthly to identify students who are automatically eligible.
- All families have the opportunity to access and print meal benefit
applications on our website. Applications are also available at the front office
of each school. - At this time, Monroe One is not accepting online signatures, as most of our students qualify through the CEP process or on the direct certification list from SED.
- Information for summer meal distribution sites are posted on our website, for students to pick up meals from their school districts.
- Karen Clark will also serve as the in-person to support families in applying.
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Entering and Exiting the Building
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure
- When picking up or dropping off a student, families are asked to call from the program parking location and wait in the car.
- Staff will escort student.
- Security measures will be in place for verification.
- Arrival and dismissal times will be staggered, with staff members coordinating the timing of students entering and exiting the bus.
- Social distancing and hygiene practices will be in place during arrival/dismissal times.
- Social distancing and hygiene practices will be in place during arrival/dismissal times.
Visitor Policy
- All visitors to programs will be asked to adhere to individual building/ program protocol.
- Outside visitors will be discouraged, unless for essential tasks.
- Advanced notice would be required.
- All visitors will be required to do a temperature check and health screening upon entry.
- When picking up or dropping off a student, families are asked to call from the program parking location and wait in the car.
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Screening Protocols
Routine health screening of students, faculty, staff and, where applicable, contractors,
vendors, and visitors will be performed to identify any individuals who may have COVID-19
symptoms or who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.- Individuals will have their temperature checked each day prior to entering any school/
program facility. - If an individual presents with a temperature greater than 100 F, the individual will be
denied entry, or sent directly to a dedicated area prior to being picked up or otherwise
sent home.
Screening
- Screening is a questionnaire that asks if the individual has:
- knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19.
- tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
- experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including temperature of greater than 100 degrees F in the past 14 days.
- traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per NYS Travel Advisory in the past 14 days.
- Screening will be performed remotely, by telephone or electronic survey which may involve the parent/guardian, before the individual reports to school, in addition to on-site screening measures.
- Remote screening will be coordinated to identify individuals who should not go to school/ program, they will be referred to their health care provider for further evaluation and potential COVID-19 testing.
- Temperature checks prior to entering programs will be conducted on-site in adherence with site protocols as applicable. Any student presenting with a temperature greater than 100 F will not be allowed access to the program.
- All vendors/ visitors will follow site protocols, including necessary temperature checks and risk screening.
Symptoms & Screening Protocols
- According to the CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus,” COVID-19 may have the following symptoms or combinations of symptoms:
- fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Parents/guardians will be reminded that students may not attend school if they have had a temperature of greater than 100 F at any time in the past 14 days, regardless of fever-reducing medication or if the student no longer has a fever.
- Monroe One BOCES will remain aware that quarantine of students, faculty, or staff may be required after international travel or travel within certain states with widespread community transmission of COVID-19, pursuant to current CDC and DOH guidance, as well as Executive Orders.
- Personnel performing screening activities, including temperature checks, will be trained to conform to CDC, DOH and OSHA protocols and provided with PPE for exposure to infection. Screener’s PPE will include a face mask, face shield and gloves, with a gown available.
- Screening will be done in a confidential manner.
Positive Screen Protocols
- An individual who screens positive for COVID-19 like symptoms will not be allowed to enter the school and will be sent home with information and instructions to contact their health care provider for assessment and testing.
- Students sent home because of a positive screen will be given a mask if not already wearing one and will be brought to an isolation area, separated 6 feet from all students.
- The student will be supervised until their parent/legal guardian or emergency contact can pick them up from school. Students with a positive risk screen or temperature greater than 100 F will not be transported home by school transportation and are required to have a guardian or emergency contact pick them up from their program site.
- A designated central point of contact(s) will be responsible for receiving and reviewing all screening activities and disseminating information.
- Individuals will have their temperature checked each day prior to entering any school/
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Health and Safety
Face Coverings
Monroe One BOCES requires all students, staff and visitors, who are medically able, to wear a face covering when entering a bus or building and within all common areas and restrooms of the facilities, regardless of expected occupancy or crowding.
- Regardless of setting, staff, students and visitors must wear a face covering at all times, unless they have an exemption (face covering breaks will be provided).
- Face coverings must completely cover the nose and mouth and be securely fastened. Alternative face coverings such as those with transparent mouth areas are approved.
- Monroe One BOCES encourages all staff and students to provide their own face coverings in an adequate number to keep a fresh, clean supply ready for everyday use. However, Monroe One BOCES maintains a supply of disposable face coverings, as well as reusable face shields, for replacements, forgotten and otherwise missing face coverings.
- Program specific sites have further guidance and regulations around face coverings for given site.
Students
Students in Pre-Kindergarten through the 12th grade are required to wear a mask or face covering, as long as they are medically able to do so, while they are:
- within a school function in any facility.
- on the school/ program campus, including the playgrounds and outdoor areas.
- outside school/ program buildings before and after school/ program.
- at bus stops as well as when riding within any school provided transportation.
- Students will be able to remove masks and face coverings when eating or drinking during breakfast, lunch and snack periods.
- Teachers and school administrators will also set aside dedicated breaks for students to remove any face covering.
Student Engagement
We recognize that in order for students to learn, grow and remain connected to our school community, regular and substantive interactions with students must occur.
- As outlined in the Monroe One BOCES Continuity of Learning Plan, all teachers in collaboration with their supervisors must develop a schedule that provides the above to each student.
- Additionally, instructional staff will work with parents and other providers to remove any barriers to student engagement that may exist.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Monroe One BOCES made a special effort during the school closing period to thoroughly clean and disinfect all facilities. Cleaning routines have long been in place to negate pathogens borne by blood and other body fluids, as well as to maintain a pleasant, orderly environment.
- Classrooms in all program locations will be sanitized between students.
- Restrooms, health suites, isolation rooms and respiratory therapy rooms are disinfected after cleaning.
- Cleaning logs will be maintained of the date, time and scope of cleaning and/or disinfection of each room or area.
Gatherings and Activities
- Whenever possible all large gatherings will be held virtually.
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Emergency Evacuations and Drills
Safety Drills
Schools are required to conduct evacuation and lockdown drills. During a pandemic, steps will be taken to minimize the risk of spreading infection while conducting drills. Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies. Drill protocol will be dependent on the specific program site.
Evacuation drills during a pandemic
- Drills will be modified to ensure appropriate distance is kept between individuals to the evacuation site.
- This will be accomplished by using a staggered schedule, where classrooms or areas are evacuated separately with the goal of minimizing contact of individuals in hallways, stairwells and the evacuation site.
- Individuals will need to wear face coverings during drills if unable to maintain physical distancing.
- In the event of an actual emergency the most imminent concern is safety, meaning that social distancing may not be possible and should not be the first priority.
- In the event of an unplanned fire alarm activation, face coverings should be worn and social distancing maintained to the extent possible.
- If schools reopen in a hybrid model, then drills must be performed so that all students receive instruction in emergency procedures and participate in drills.
Lockdown drills during a pandemic
- Drills will be modified so that social distancing is maintained in classrooms/offices.
- Specifically, during a lockdown drill doors and windows should still be locked but individuals should not stay out of sight/hide. Rather, instruction should focus on discussing where to hide and what to do in the event of a real lockdown.
- In the event of an actual emergency lockdown, the most imminent concern is
safety, meaning that social distancing may not be possible and the response
should be as normal and involve locking doors and staying out sight. - Face coverings/masks should be used as appropriate.
- Drills will be modified to ensure appropriate distance is kept between individuals to the evacuation site.
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Transportation
The School Bus
Mandatory Requirements
- Students, who are able, will be required to wear masks/face covering and socially distance on the bus wherever possible.
- Students whose physical or mental health would be impaired by wearing a mask will not be required to do so but will be socially distanced from other students on the bus.
- The cleaning protocol listed below will occur daily (including shuttles and field trips).
Daily Cleaning
- Remove all trash
- Sweep floors
- Spot clean bus walls and windows
- Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces:
- bus seats and seat backs
- door handles
- driver operator area
- equipment - star seats, safety vests, etc.
- Cleaning after each run: disinfect high touch surfaces
- School buses shall NOT be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible nature and potential liability to the BOCES.
- School bus drivers and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on our school buses.
- Buses equipped with roof hatches may travel with them open for air flow, when temperatures are above 45 degrees (only if students can handle the change in temperature).
- Bus windows may be opened for air flow when temperatures are above 45 degrees when tolerable.
Students on Transportation
Mandatory Requirements
- As was outlined in the Health and Safety section of the NYSED Reopening Guidance, all parents/guardians will be required to ensure their child/children are not experiencing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and do not have a fever of 100 degrees or more prior to them boarding the school bus.
- Students will be taught and provided with periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID19.
- Students will be taught and provided with periodic refreshers on the proper use of social distancing.
- Students, who are able, will be required to wear masks/face covering and socially distance on the bus whenever possible.
- Students who are unable to medically tolerate a mask/face covering, including students where such covering would impair their physical health or mental health, are not subject to the required use of a face covering. In such a situation, the student will be socially distanced from other students.
- Students who do not have a mask/face covering will be supplied with a mask by the driver/attendant.
- Students will not be denied transportation if they do not have a mask/face
covering. - Siblings or children who reside in the same household (Group Home) will be encouraged to sit next to/near each other.
- When students embark and disembark the bus, they should follow social distancing protocols.
Pupil Transportation Routing
Mandatory Requirements
- Student routing will take into consideration a student's IEP requirements.
- BOCES will work with districts who need special transportation for students in a hybrid schedule (going to school only on specified days, etc.).
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Social Emotional Well-Being
Monroe One BOCES understands the important role of climate and culture, more specifically, social and emotional learning (SEL) and how critical it is in re-engaging students, supporting adults, rebuilding relationships, and creating a foundation for academic learning. We have extended current strategies and initiated plans for developing positive school climates, educator well-being, and recommendations on how to prepare for, and integrate SEL and behavioral health support for both in-person schooling and remote learning.
Mental Health and Trauma-Responsive Practices
After almost 6 months of school closure, 2020 – 2021 will build on the developing capacity of educators to support all students through practices that are grounded in the core values of trauma-responsive schools and services.
- Reestablishing relationships and connectedness across staff and students.
- Building systems and practices that support wellness.
- Investing to promote welcoming, nurturing environments.
- Furthering training in and use of restorative practices and processes across the organization.
- A committee including Mental Health professionals will oversee the reentry process and the specific needs of staff and students.
COVID Related Services
The abrupt and extended closure of schools has undeniably stressed our students and families. Students will return to school facing uncertainty about their daily structure, supports, academics and social contexts. For some, this worry may be a burden that compromises their readiness to learn.
- Monroe One will administer universal screenings for anxiety and school readiness at all grade levels. This will be led by the Behavioral Health Services team of School Social Workers and School Psychologists to identify students who may need additional supports.
- Initially, the screening will be repeated weekly as students adjust to the
return to their classrooms and the newly implemented health and safety
protocols.
- Initially, the screening will be repeated weekly as students adjust to the
- Monroe One is currently collaborating with our component districts in the development of valid, age-appropriate screening instruments.
- These tools are being developed with attention to accessibility, equity and will be able to be administered in–person or remotely.
- Where students are identified to need more intensive mental health or psychiatric intervention, relationships have been built with the behavioral health community of our county.
- In order to facilitate referral and access to services in anticipation of a growing need in this current environment, Monroe One is an active participant in:
- Connecting for Kids: a workgroup linking education, pediatrics behavioral health and community partners for the social and emotional health of youth.
- Collaborative Care Through Communication Work Group: a county-wide committee with representatives from medical, school and behavioral health providers to promote communication between systems.
- The Consortium Trauma, Illness and Grief in Schools (TIG): evidence based/best practice inter-district system to meet the holistic needs of students and enhances a district’s ability to respond to crisis.
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Technology and Connectivity
Access
- Monroe One BOCES will determine the level of access to devices and internet all students and instructional staff have in their places of residence by surveying families and staff.
- Monroe One BOCES will address the need to provide devices and internet access to students and teachers who do not have sufficient access.
Training
- All teachers and instructional leaders will have the opportunity to participate in professional development on designing effective remote learning experiences by instructional technology specialists.
- Teachers will also have access to resources and training on best practices for instruction in an online environment.
Tools and Support
- Monroe One BOCES will utilize technology tools that are compliant with NY
Education Law 2-d and Part 121 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. - Student learning management systems will be used to provide consistent instructional content to students, and communication to parents/guardians regarding instructional tasks and materials.
- Monroe One BOCES will also use video conferencing tools to meaningfully connect and engage with students while in a remote learning environment.
- Students who are not able to access high-speed internet will receive phone calls home and hard copies (or flash drives) of materials until a more meaningful solution for computer access and internet connectivity can be resolved.
- Technology resources and training will be available to students and parents via the Monroe One BOCES website.
- Monroe One BOCES technology staff will provide technology support for teachers, students and parents.
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Site Reopening Plans
- SEARCH - Monroe One BOCES
View Monroe One BOCES Reopening Plan webpage - SELF - Strong Museum of Play:
The museum reopening document will be emailed to families of students attending this program. - TOUR - University of Rochester
Visit University of Rochester Reopening Plan website - LIFE 101 - Brighton Administration Building
View Brighton Central School District Reopening Plan (pdf) - LIFE 201 - Minerva Deland Fairport
Visit Fairport Central School District Reopening Plan website
- SEARCH - Monroe One BOCES