COVID -19 FAQ
What will face-to-face instruction look like?
Classrooms will be set up to provide as much social distancing as possible. Extra furniture will be removed to help create more space. We will focus on handwashing, social distancing, and strategically timing the movement of students in hallways and common areas as much as possible.
Will all students come to school every day?
All face-to-face students will come to school every day (unless otherwise determined by the state). Grades will be given, along with progress reports and report cards, as usual. High school students will have grades calculated toward a GPA.
Do the students have to wear a mask?
Masks are required for all students on buses, in hallways, and in common areas. Elementary students will be in their classroom, without changing classes, and will not be required to wear a mask in class. Specials teachers will come to their classrooms. Elementary gym classes will be held outside as much as possible or in the gym with activities that provide for distancing. When in the gym, masks are required.
Middle and high school students will wear masks throughout the day, except when eating breakfast and lunch. Lunch schedules will provide for social distancing. Movement throughout the building will be scheduled to allow for social distancing.
Will the district be providing masks, or can my child wear their own from home?
Students will be able to wear their own clean masks to school. The district will also provide masks for students if needed.
What will bussing look like? What will be in place for safety precautions?
All students must wear masks in order to ride the bus and will use hand sanitizer as they board the bus. All students will have assigned seats. We will distance students to the extent possible. Buses will be cleaned/sanitized after each trip.
Will students use lockers?
All students will be issued a locker with scheduled locker access times. Principals will communicate specific details to students at the beginning of the school year. During Phase 4, High School and Middle School students will be able to carry a backpack to classes during the school day.
What precautions are being taken for lunch on all levels during Phase 4?
Elementary students will eat lunch in their classrooms. Lunches will be delivered to the classrooms approximately ten minutes before their lunchtime. Pioneer High School students in attendance during drop-in learning will be eating in the classroom.
Middle and high school students will be eating in their cafeterias (and expanded areas if needed). Lunch periods have been added to reduce the number of students together at one time.
Water fountains will be closed. Students should bring their own labeled water bottles to refill at available water bottle filling stations.
Will there be band and gym at the middle school and high school?
Yes, safety protocols will be followed as recommended by the Return to School Roadmap. During Phase 4, students will wear masks. These classes will be held outside as much as possible.
What will 100% virtual classes look like for students?
Students will work in an online program and will have online lesson content, teaching videos, and assignments from the curriculum provider at home. Cros-Lex teachers will schedule times to meet with students online two or more times per week for additional instruction, support, and assessments.
The online program is aligned with Michigan content standards and NCAA standards. Grades will be given, with progress reports and report cards, as usual. Middle School and High school students will have grades calculated toward a GPA. Daily online attendance and participation is required.
Who will teach the virtual classes? How much time will my child have with a teacher?
Cros-Lex teachers will facilitate online classes. Cros-Lex teachers will schedule times to meet with students online two or more times per week for additional instruction, support, and assessments.
Can I switch my child back from virtual to face-to-face?
Families must select one option, either face-to-face or virtual (for each of their students) for the semester. Changes can be made at the end of the semester (in December) to move back to face-to-face when the new semester begins in January.
Can my child take a combination of face-to-face and virtual classes?
High School virtual students who are current band students and students who plan to attend the Career Center for half-day classes will be able to do so. Parents will be responsible for dropping off and picking up students at the high school. Middle School virtual students will not participate in band. For all other students, parents will choose one option and may make a change at the end of the semester.
What are the symptoms of COVID?
Symptoms of suspected COVID-19 include:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or Body Aches
Headache
Loss of tastes of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
What will happen if there is a suspected case of COVID in a classroom?
We are still waiting for guidance from the Sanilac County Health Department. However, we anticipate the health department’s guidance to be as follows:
Any individual(s) who were in close contact with the potential carrier of the suspected COVID-19 individual 15 minutes or more will be asked to self- quarantined for up to 14 days after the exposure (from the MI Return to School Roadmap p. 26).
Any student or staff person who either exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher while at school or at any school activity should be sent home and instructed to get tested for COVID-19.
If at school or at a school activity, the student or staff person should be required to wear a face-covering and wait in an isolation area until they can be transported home or to a healthcare facility.
Per the County Health Department guidelines, students with suspected cases will be referred to the office and parents will be contacted. Students who are suspected to have contracted COVID-19 can only return to school with a negative COVID-19 test or have completely recovered according to CDC guidelines (from the MI Return to School Roadmap p. 24).
Will I be contacted if another student or staff member in my child's class is positive for COVID-19?
As stated in the MI Return to School Roadmap p.25, we will contact parents of students that are in classes with confirmed cases and will follow their protocols, which may include a 14-day quarantine at home.
If a child or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, when can they return?
We will follow the guidance of the Sanilac County Health Department (as indicated in the MI Return to School Roadmap, p. 25).
Are parents allowed in the buildings?
Parents and visitors will be limited to extenuating circumstances. When parents and visitors come to the office, face masks are required. All visitors, including parents, substitute teachers, maintenance, etc. will be logged, with time entering and leaving the building
How will COVID-19 related absences be handled? Will they be counted as excused?
We are still waiting for direction from the Michigan Department of Education regarding attendance policies.
What is the difference between Brightspace and 100% virtual?
Brightspace is a Learning Management System (LMS) similar to a Google Classroom. If a student is enrolled in traditional, face-to-face learning and becomes sick or quarantined, the Brightspace platform will allow the student to continue learning from home with their current classroom teachers. The 100% virtual students will also use Brightspace as their primary tool to access their online learning program. Pioneer High School students will use the same program as they did in the 2019-2020 school year.
Will there be school assemblies, dances, and concerts during Phase 4?
No, during Phase 4 these events will not be allowed.