2020 Supplemental Reopening Plan

Remote learning is a model that brings a range of teaching methods and materials together to assure dynamic teaching and learning takes place when school buildings cannot be open.  High-quality remote learning and teaching require knowledge of the curriculum, awareness of student populations, planning, and creativity to assure that all students learn in an equitable manner, relative to the standards. 

In order to assure successful remote learning, OU BOCES has designed our implementation of this model to meet the needs of the students in our two student-facing divisions: Special Education and Career and Technical Education.  There are approximately 1,000 students enrolled in our grades K-12 Special Education Division and 1800 students in our grades 11-12 Career and Technical Education Division. 

In order to assure high-quality outcomes for all learners, our remote learning uses: 

• low tech and high tech options, 
• traditional/classic and innovative methods, as well as  
• hands-on manipulatives/materials/books/ebooks.

With the inclusion of quality virtual and actual materials, we are providing remote learning that mirrors our hybrid and full-time live, in-person instructional practice and vision.  This continuity of teaching and learning is foundational to reaching all students and assuring access and engagement for all.  At the heart of our remote learning model is a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences provided by our teachers on an ongoing basis. 

Access to technology is essential for the successful roll-out of this plan. In order to make remote learning mirror our hybrid and full-time live, in-person instructional practice and vision, we have issued students a learning device (chromebooks or laptop.)  We operate a multi-lingual technology help desk for students and their families to make sure that when learning is occurring remotely, there is support for any questions or issues they may experience.  Our student and family help desk is reachable at helpdesk@ouboces.org.  All devices are distributed with information on vendors who provide free internet access options. In the event students do not have sufficient access to devices and/or high-speed internet, OU BOCES will provide the students with alternate methods to access materials and instruction - pick up materials at school, drop off materials to students’ homes, etc. OU BOCES will also schedule opportunities to connect with families to educate them on how to use the technologies and connect to the instructional activities.

The in-person, hybrid, and remote 2020-21 curriculum will address any achievement gaps that may have occurred due to the extended school closure.  We will identify key standards and skills that students must know and be able to demonstrate understanding in order to be successful going forward.  Pacing charts and key instructional strategies will be used so that the curriculum is taught with equity at the forefront of educators’  thinking. These instructional strategies will be used during in-person learning, hybrid learning, and remote learning. 

The school schedules below have been developed to address in-person, hybrid and remote learning for Special Education and Career & Technical Education students.

Special Education

The Division of Special Education operates programs for students from 5 to 21 in center-based and satellite locations throughout Orange County. Student schedules are individualized according to their IEP and in accordance with New York State Education Department’s requirements for graduation.
The charts below represent samples of student learning schedules for an elementary self-contained program for students with multiple disabilities and for a secondary program, which serves students in a Regents track program.  

Student schedules will be created on an individual basis following all services outlined in the students’ IEP.  Following a period by period schedule, instruction will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers providing live instruction and lessons to students where possible. Teachers will ensure that their students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis.

In-Person and Remote Elementary Special Education Schedule

   

In-Person and Remote Secondary Special Education Schedule

Career and Technical Education

When school reopens in the fall, CTE students will be able to demonstrate mastery of learning standards through instruction offered using a blended model.  CTE technical and academic instructors will deliver synchronous and asynchronous lessons via Google Classroom as part of the remote learning experience for students. These instructional experiences will be immersed in theory and supplement the practical, hands-on experiences students may receive. Students will receive a “Week at a Glance” document each week from their instructors to help them complete assigned tasks and follow a schedule of activities.

For our remote learning sessions, students assigned in the AM session will be required to be available for online activities between 8:05-10:35 a.m. For our PM students, students will be required to be available online between 12:30-3:00 p.m.  A mandatory check-in time for AM students will be 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for PM students using Google Forms. Students will complete a daily questionnaire using a Google Form to log in for attendance purposes. At the discretion of the teachers, students will be required to complete independent activities or engage in synchronous or asynchronous events as scheduled. Morning students will log into their Google Classrooms between 10:00-10:35 a.m. for virtual log-in sessions with their instructors or advisory personnel for critical feedback (Teaching Assistants or Occupational Aides). Afternoon students will log into their Google Classrooms between 2:30-3:00 p.m.  

Students will be required to complete tasks, projects, or independent activities during these online sessions. 

The chart below represents two scenarios for student learning in different options for re-opening.  The Blended Hybrid 50/50 Capacity Model is designed to meet and maintain the six (6) feet social distancing guidelines as required by New York State. The model reduces the attendance for students each day by 50%

Blended Hybrid Model: 50/50 Capacity Rotating Schedule

 

• Emergency Response - Employees or students with symptoms of illness must be sent to the designated isolation room where the school nurse (Registered Professional Nurse, RN) will assess individuals. Chronic conditions such as asthma and allergies or chronic gastrointestinal issues may present as symptoms of COVID-19; they are neither contagious nor pose a public health threat. Proper PPE will be required any time a nurse may be in contact with a potential COVID-19 patient.
• Isolation - Students suspected of having COVID-19, awaiting transport home by a parent/guardian, will be isolated in a designated isolation room with a supervising adult present, utilizing appropriate PPE. Multiple students suspected of COVID-19 may be in an isolation room, if they can be separated by at least six (6) feet. If they cannot be isolated in a separate room from others, face covering (e.g., cloth or surgical mask) will be provided to the student, if the ill person can tolerate wearing it and does not have difficulty breathing, to prevent the possible transmission of the virus to others while waiting for transportation home.

Effective November 4, 2020, New York State amended its rules regarding travel outside of New York. Should you intend to travel outside of New York State, please be advised of the following travel requirements:

International Travel to a Level 2 or 3 Designated Country:

Employees who travel internationally to a Level 2 or 3 designated country shall be required to quarantine for 14 calendar days upon their return to New York State. There is no option to be released early from this 14 calendar day quarantine requirement by testing negative for COVID-19.

Travel to New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont:

Employees traveling to New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Vermont (hereinafter referred to as the “Five Contiguous States”) for any length of time, will not be required to quarantine for any duration of time upon their return to New York.  In addition, employees are not required to be tested for COVID-19 while traveling in the Five Contiguous States or after returning to New York.

Travel to Any State (other than one the Five Contiguous States):

• Travel is for Less Than 24 Hours:

Employees who travel outside of New York State for less than 24 hours to any other state, other than the Five Contiguous States, will not be required to quarantine for any duration of time upon their return to New York.  However, in accordance with New York State’s new travel requirements, such employees are still required to take a COVID-19 test on the 4th day after returning to New York.  If such COVID-19 test is positive, the employee will be required to quarantine for such period as the Department of Health Requires.

• Travel is for 24 hours or More:

Employees who travel outside of New York State for 24 hours or more to any other state, other than the Five Contiguous States, shall be required to quarantine upon returning to New York State for 14 calendar days.  However, employees who follow the following testing protocols may be released early from the 14 calendar day quarantine period:

1. An employee must be tested for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours prior to returning to New York State; and
2. Upon return to New York State the employee must quarantine for three calendar days; and
3. An employee must be tested for COVID-19 on the 4th day after returning to New York State.

If both COVID-19 tests are negative, the new rules permit the employee to be released from quarantine and return to work immediately without having to quarantine for the remainder of the 
14 calendar day period.  If either test is positive, the employee must quarantine for such period as the Department of Health requires.

Please be advised that if an employee voluntarily travels: (1) internationally to a Level 2 or 3 designated country; or (2)  to any other state for 24 hours or more (other than the 5 Contiguous States), the employee will not qualify for the New York State COVID leave during the duration of his/her applicable quarantine period.  Accordingly, please be advised that any required absence during a period of quarantine following  voluntary travel outside of New York State, could result in the employee being unpaid for the duration of his/her applicable quarantine period.

Public Health Officials assume the task of contact tracing, once notified.
To ensure OU BOCES employees comply with contact tracing and disinfection requirements, we will do the following:

• Have a plan for cleaning, disinfection, and notifying Public Health in the event of a positive case. In the case of an employee testing positive for COVID-19, CDC guidelines will be followed regarding cleaning and disinfecting the building or facility, in which someone has been identified as sick. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
• Close off areas used by the person who is sick.
• Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
• Wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.
• Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment like tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and copier machines.
• Vacuum the space if needed. Use a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, if available.
• Consider temporarily turning off room fans and the central HVAC system that services the room or space, so that particles that escape from vacuuming will not circulate throughout the facility.
• Workers without close contact with the person who is sick can return to work immediately after disinfection.

Working collaboratively with the Orange County Health Department, we have been provided with testing locations throughout the County.  Staff and students will be provided with this information so they may choose a location that best meets their needs and where they live.

COVID-19 Testing Information

Steven M. Neuhaus, Orange County Executive  -   Dr. Irina Gelman, Commissioner of Health

Question	COVID-19 (Swab Test)	Antibody Test (Fingerstick or Vein)
What is it testing?	Tells you if you are currently infected and/or contagious for COVID-19	Test you for previous infection. Test for immune system molecules that fight off the virus.
Will this test determine if I am currently contagious?	Yes	No
What is the test like?	Q-tip swab in the mouth or nose	Simple blood sample
When is the disease detected?	2-3 days after contracting virus	Cannot be detected for up to  10-14 days after contracting virus
How long will it take to get results?	3-4 days	1-2 days

 

COVID-19 Testing Locations

Disclaimer: Below is not a complete list of all testing facilities and is accurate as of the date of creation of this document (May 8). Please contact your primary care provider or hospital for updated testing information.

Facility	COVID-19 Testing (Standard or Rapid)	Antibody Testing (Finger Stick or Vein)
Anthony Wayne Recreation (888) 364-3065 APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED. Individuals who would like to be tested must make an appointment by calling NYS COVID-19 Hotline 888-364-3065. NO WALK-INS allowed. All patients must remain in the vehicle.	Standard	N/A
Bon Secours (845) 858-7000	Standard	Vein
Cornerstone Healthcare (845) 563-8000	Standard	Vein
Crystal Run Healthcare (845) 703-6999	Standard	Vein
Elite Healthcare (845) 782-4000	Standard	Vein
Excel & Orange Urgent Care (845) 703-2273	Standard	Vein
Ezra Choilim (845) 782-3242	Standard	N/A
Horizon Family Medical Group (800) 859-0085	Rapid	Vein
Middletown Medical	Rapid	Vein
Orange Regional Medical Center (845) 333-1000	Standard	N/A
Rambam Care (845) 472-6226	Standard	Vein
Rite-Aid (657 Broadway Newburgh)	Standard	N/A
Rite-Aid (393 Windsor Highway, New Windsor)	Standard	N/A
St. Anthony’s (845) 986-2276	Standard	Vein

OU BOCES will take the following actions related to COVID-19 symptoms or exposure.

Schools must follow guidance from New York State Education, state and local health departments and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for allowing a student or staff member to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or testing positive for COVID-19. The following is the current guidance provided by the Orange County Department of Health as of September 18, 2020:

A health care provider’s note will be required to return to school if any member of the school (student, staff, or faculty) is not attending due to potential symptom(s) of COVID-19, confirmed positive/ diagnosis of COVID-19, and/ or post-exposure to COVID-19 positive case quarantine, including but not limited to the following scenarios:

1. For a COVID-Related Symptom: If a student/staff/faculty member displays a COVID-19-related symptom, they must obtain a healthcare provider note to return to school. Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are NOT limited to: fever or chills (100 degrees F or greater), persistent cough, shortness of breath of difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rash, pinkeye. 
2. For Pertinent Exposure: Examples of this could include recent travel including international travel or travel to a state listed on the NYSDOH travel advisory website  (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory) where precautionary quarantine should be completed for 14 days from the date when the person left the restricted state or after completion of mandatory quarantine following exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case. 
3. Following COVID-19 Diagnosis and Subsequent Isolation Period: If a student/staff/faculty member tests positive for the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, they must have a health care provider note AND the following conditions must be met: symptom resolution, at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms for symptomatic individuals or 10 days from the collection date (test date) of the positive COVID-19 test for asymptomatic individuals; AND at least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication. A negative COVID-19 test will not be required, unless specifically requested by the Department of Health, but may be provided in addition to the health care provider’s note.

Healthcare provider notes must include AT MINIMUM the following information: 

1. The individual is cleared to return to school/work. 
2. The individual has an alternate diagnosis unrelated to COVID (for scenario number 1 above) OR the individual has no subsequent illness after completing their quarantine period (for scenario 2 above) OR the individual has successfully completed their isolation period and meet the current CDC clearance guidance (for scenario 3 above). 
3. The alternate diagnosis does not have to be listed in the note, but may need to be discussed confidentially with the school nurse and/ or the local health department.

The health care provider clearance note will assist with mitigating the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 in a congregate school environment, as we work collectively to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and residents. 

School nurses CAN use their clinical judgment when deciding to send a child or staff/faculty member home from school or work due to suspected potential COVID-19-related illness, and or based on exposure potential. 

Please note that individuals exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days from their last date of exposure. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 may be released from isolation as soon as 10 days depending on symptom resolution. This is due to the incubation period of the virus, how long it may take someone to become ill after being exposed to the virus.