In an effort to assure high-quality teaching and learning, a continuity of learning plan has been developed for the 2020-21 school year. This plan considers and plans for teaching and learning  in-person, remotely, and through hybrid models of instruction.   Our plan assures that curriculum is aligned with prioritized New York State Learning Standards and that instruction is framed with equity and quality for all learners. 

Instruction in our district will be designed with clear,  comprehensive, and accessible learning opportunities for all students whether it is delivered in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model.  Please review the proposed instructional models section for more information. 

Our teaching and instructional plan outlines routine, scheduled times for students to interact, engage with new material,  and seek feedback and support from their teachers.  The plan is centered on Instruction and academic programming that  includes regular and substantive interaction with an appropriately certified teacher regardless of the delivery method.

Our teaching and learning plan includes a clear communication plan for how students and their families/caregivers can contact teachers with questions about instruction and/or technology. This information will be accessible to all, available in multiple languages, widely disseminated, and include clear and multiple ways for students and families to contact schools and teachers (e.g., email, online platform, and/or by phone) in an effort to assure learning for each individual. 

As we enter the new school year, teachers will prioritize building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching respiratory hygiene and social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.  

When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, special education students, English language learners, students identified for academic support, and students with technology or connectivity needs.

Assessing student learning gaps or areas of need will be critical. Formative assessment before a unit of instruction to assess student understanding of pre-requisite skills will be common practice. 

Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study. 

Rhinebeck Central School District will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines. Students and school staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated) and should maintain appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable. 

Students will be required to wear masks and social distance on the bus to the extent practicable; however, students whose physical or mental health would be impaired are not required to wear a face covering, but must be appropriately socially distanced. Members of the same household may be seated within 6 feet of each other. Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to drop off or walk students to school to reduce density on buses.

All buses that are used every day by districts and contract carriers will be cleaned/ disinfected once a day. High contact spots will be wiped down after the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) run depending upon the disinfection schedule. 

School buses shall not be equipped with hand sanitizer due to its combustible composition and potential liability to the carrier or district. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses. 

Wheelchair school buses will configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of 6 feet.

Whether Rhinebeck Central School District is in session remotely or otherwise, pupil transportation will be provided to nonpublic, parochial, private, charter schools or students whose Individualized Education Plans have placed them in out-of-district settings and whose schools are meeting for in-person instruction and have already requested transportation previously for the upcoming year and are within the 15-mile limits.

All students are entitled to transportation by the district to the extent required by law. Transportation departments do not have the ability or the right to deny transportation for children who are in foster care, homeless or attend private or charter schools.

Cleaning and Disinfecting  

The district will work with the contracted transportation provider to ensure appropriate cleaning and disinfection which will include:

• Buses and other transportation vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected daily (focus on high touch areas) and in between runs if scheduled for multiple routes. At the end of the day clean and disinfect the entire bus
• Daily Cleaning
• All trash removed
• Floors swept and dust mopped
• Walls and windows cleaned 
• High Touch Surfaces
• Bus seats and seat backs
• Seat belts 
• Door handles, handrails
• Driver operator area 
• Cleaning and disinfecting products approved by the EPA will be used according to instructions. 
• Eating and drinking will be prohibited on the bus
• Buses will be inspected to ensure cleaning/disinfecting protocols are followed 
• All cleanings/inspections will be documented (via trackable log)

Bus protocols for a reported case of Covid-19 on a school bus 

Assistant Superintendent for Support Services or his/her designee will be notified, the district will then notify building administration and a plan will be implemented to contact parents of students on that bus.

Bus will be taken out of service for 24 hours before the bus can be used again after a report of COVID-19. Bus will be disinfected following CDC guidelines.

Students on Transportation 

• As was outlined in the Health and Safety section of this 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 their method of transportation to school; 
• Students must wear a mask on a school bus if they are physically able. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, including students where medical documentation indicates that such covering would impair their physical health or mental health are not subject to the required use of a face covering; 
• Students who do not have a mask may NOT be denied transportation; 
• Students who do not have masks must be provided one by the bus driver; 
• Students with a disability which would prevent them from wearing a mask will not be compelled to do so or denied transportation.

Training (Office Personnel, Drivers, Mechanics, Aides) 

• Hazard Communication/Right-To-Know (annual)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Exposure Control/Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP)
• COVID Awareness
• New cleaning Protocols (buses, transportation center)
• Handwashing
• Face Covering (sizing, use, wear & care)
• Personal Health and Hygiene
• Special working conditions with face coverings (strenuous activity)

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Disposable gloves
• Face Covering/Mask
• Face Shield (if applicable)

Transportation Communication

• Rhinebeck Central School District will emphasize to parents and students prior to reopening schools that the District has thoroughly disinfected all buses and student transportation vehicles 
• Rhinebeck Central School District will communicate with parents and students about how student transportation vehicles are included in the district’s COVID-19 plans and what part students, parents, bus personnel, and the school district will play in ensuring the safe transportation of students to minimizing the risk of infection while utilizing District transportation services
• Advise parents not to send their children to school or board the bus if sick and to conduct and affirm clearance via the health screening tool daily
• The district will survey parents regarding transportation including an “opt-out” option
• The district will remind students/parents/guardians that social distancing requirements extend to the bus stop
• Communication will occur with administration and the transportation provider regarding multiple routing scenarios for different instructional scheduling options (split session, alternating days, hybrid option)

Density Reduction, Social Distancing, Bus Capacity

• Based on NYSED Guidance,  the district will:
• as a density reduction strategy, commit to seating one student per bench, when all students are wearing masks. If a student is medically unablet o  wear a mask appropriate social distancing will be enforced.
• Allow siblings or those that live in the same household to sit together, this will increase capacity.
• Place floor decals or tape to indicate where students should sit 
• request the transportation company install sneeze guards to protect the driver
• not seat students directly behind the driver
• As practicable, the district will assign personnel to take student attendance/screening assurance upon arrival on campus. To assist with contract tracing efforts, the attendance sheets should be documented in writing and retained for contact tracing

Routing

• The Rhinebeck Central School District had developed multiple routing scenarios for administration to analyze different instructional scheduling options 
• Split sessions 
• Alternating days 
• Hybrid schedules – some grade levels in person learning at school buildings, other grade levels virtual remote learning
• Limit rotation of substitute drivers
• Limit student movement between bus routes 
• Discontinue allowing students to ride different buses on different days of the week unless parent or guardian makes plausible requests (childcare, custody arrangements)
• If possible, mirror AM and PM routes, so bus riders are the same group each day 

Loading/Unloading & Pickup/Drop-off

• Students shall be loaded in sequential route order. First student on the bus sits in the back, when going to school, last student off sits in the back when going home from school 
• Dismissal times will be staggered to best suit building needs and to promote social distancing 
• Adjustments will be made by buildings:
• For unloading and entry, and loading and departure 
• Route timing which will be affected by delayed loading/unloading processes
• Arrival and departure activities shall be supervised to ensure social distancing
• Will add or modify bus routes to reduce load levels on buses 

Transporting to BOCES

• Rhinebeck Central School District will be transporting to BOCES and will follow similar protocols as previously described 
• Rhinebeck Central School District will keep a log of attendees on the trip in both directions from the BOCES building. Upon request, schools may need to supply the log of passengers in addition to cleaning logs in the event BOCES must assist in contact tracing due to exposures either at the BOCES buildings, or during transportation

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the district, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. 

Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.

The function, position and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens (and are automatically released by the fire alarm system), will remain unchanged.

The Rhinebeck Central School District plans to meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”

Upon reopening, the district plans to increase ventilation, to the greatest extent possible.   

The following actions will be taken as needed: 

• Work with engineers to establish sufficient fresh air exchange.
• Drinking Water Facilities: Reduce number of drinking fountains and replace with touchless bottle fillers. Drinking fountains are a code required plumbing fixture. 
• Alterations to the configuration of existing classrooms or spaces or the introduction of temporary and/or movable partitions, the change will be submitted to OFP, the local municipality and/or code enforcement officials for review.
• For offsite facilities, communication with the project manager at NYSED Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) and a Temporary Quarters (TQ) Project submission.
• Tents, both temporary and permanent are regulated by code and must be submitted for a building permit.
• Minimum number of toilet fixtures that must be available for use in a building is established in the building code.
•  Maintain adequate, Code required ventilation (natural or mechanical) as designed.
•  If other air cleaning equipment (e.g. new technology) is proposed, submit to OFP for review and approval.

Engineering Controls

• Alcohol based hand sanitizer will be available near each entry, all corridors, and each classroom.
• Bathrooms 
• Reduced capacity in bathrooms
• soap dispensers are in place at each sink
• we’re looking into barriers
• Entry doors to gang bathrooms will be left open where applicable to reduce the need to handle 
• Greeter/Reception Areas
• Polycarbonate barriers will be installed to provide protection for Rhinebeck Central School District  staff and individuals presenting 
• Barriers have been designed in accordance with New York State Fire Code
• Water Fountains
• As required by New York State Code a potable water supply will be provided per 150 occupants, but not less than one source per floor.  
• To reduce cross contamination the bubbler/drink spout has been disabled.
• Automatic/touchless bottle filling equipment is installed..  
• Additional bottle filler stations will be installed where necessary.  
• These appliances will be routinely cleaned and disinfected as described in the Cleaning and Disinfection Section.
• Floor Demarcations
• All entrances or areas of static wait have floor signage installed allotting for a minimum of six (6) feet of separation between all individuals
• All Corridor floors and Stairway treading have been fitted with stripping to indicate directional traffic flow and social distancing.
• Corridor doors will all be affixed open using electromagnetic hold-open devices to minimize the need to touch doors.  
• The district is exploring acceptable tenting options

Ventilation

Rhinebeck Central School District will ensure sufficient ventilation and fresh air to all spaces of occupancy by means of:

• Modifications to the Building Management Systems to allow fresh air dampers to introduce more outside air. 
• Air handling systems have been inspected for function 
• Where applicable filters will be replaced
• all filters in all unit ventilators, air handlers, univents 
• Spaces where fresh air is limited due to original building systems, fresh air will be introduced through open windows and doors.  
• Options for replacement and modification to existing systems will be explored.
• Fan motors speeds will be reviewed where applicable to ensure optimal volume and flow
• More frequent maintenance and inspection of the systems will occur to mitigate extra strain on systems.
• Filter replacement schedules will be more frequent. 

Computer Labs

In our current model planning, computer lab spaces will not be utilized in order to limit shared access to computing devices. 

• The use of shared space and equipment use will be limited where feasible. 

• Students will have access to space to use their own personal computing devices. 

Library Spaces

In our current model planning, library spaces will not be utilized in typical fashion order to limit shared access to materials.

• To facilitate cleaning procedures, the district will remove all soft covered surfaces that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected.
• Bean bag chairs
• Upholstered couches or chairs
• Area rugs
• If utilized for any reason, reconfiguration will occur to ensure social distancing.
• Tables will be limited to one individual at a time where applicable.
• Polycarbonate barriers may be installed to create a physical barrier.

• Small reading nook use should be discontinued unless:
• limited to one person at a time.
• Cleaned and disinfected routinely 
• Borrowing  of materials such as books will be coordinated with supervision.

All schools in the Rhinebeck Central School District will follow the School Food Authority (SFA) policies when communicating about school meal services, eligibility, options and changes in operations. 

All meals provided during the public health emergency were available at no cost to all children, but this provision has not yet been reauthorized and is subject to change at any time. Information regarding any orders related to child nutrition will be communicated from the district.  

Food Service Communication

 Rhinebeck Central School District has identified Larry Anthony, as the contact person to receive and respond to communications from families and to school staff. Mr. Anthony may be contacted at [email protected] All communications regarding food services will be provided through a variety of communication methods including website, social media, emails, and regular mail and translated into the languages spoken by families.  

 Families will be reminded in food service communications during the summer and periodically that they can submit a new application for free and reduced-price meals any time during the school year.  Applications are available in each school building, on our website and through email or regular mail as needed.  Phone and in-person support to complete the application is available from our Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Support Services, Donna Ellis at 845 871-5500 *5523 or [email protected]

 School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely.

 For information about how essential district communication, including meal information will be communicated, visit the Communication section of Rhinebeck Returns at https://www.rhinebeckcsd.org/portal/returns/index.php 

Food Service Helpers/Kitchen.

• Staff will complete the district approved health screening prior to arrival at work
• All staff will be socially distanced, and wearing face coverings.
• All employees will implement safe food handling protocols per CDC, SED and DOH.
• All kitchen equipment washed, rinsed, and sanitized per CDC, SED and DOH protocols. 

Meals Onsite

For students on campus, meals will be provided while maintaining appropriate social distancing between students. Students do not need to wear face coverings when seated and eating so long as they are appropriately socially distanced. 

The district will ensure social distancing between individuals while eating at the school. When necessary, meals may be served in alternate areas (e.g., classrooms, outside) or in staggered meal periods to ensure social distancing and proper cleaning and disinfection between students.

The sharing of food and beverages (e.g., buffet style meals, snacks) is prohibited, unless individuals are members of the same household. Adequate space will be reserved for students, faculty, and staff to observe social distancing while eating meals.

BUILDING SPECIFIC PLANS FOR FOOD SERVICE

Chancellor Livingston Elementary School

If we are in an in-person learning model, CLS students who wish to partake in either the breakfast or lunch programs will be led to the cafeteria at the appropriate time by their teacher and/or designee. All students will be brought to the cafeteria, one class at a time. Before going to the cafeteria, elementary teachers will remind students of the hand washing protocols, sharing of food and beverages is not permitted, and to maintain social distancing going to and from the location.

Whether it is for breakfast or lunch, students will have three meal options, but each of these options will be prepackaged in order to move students through the lines with adequate social distance and without slowing the process down by choosing individual items.

After receiving their meal, the student will proceed to the cashier for checkout. At that time, the cashier will review the student’s account for allergies to ensure that none of the items on the tray could cause a known allergic reaction.

After the cashier has processed the student, the student will proceed to the eating area(s). The preferable area will be located outside, under a tent. If the weather becomes too cold or for other weather-related reasons can’t be held outside, then the cafeteria and/or gymnasiums will be used as the eating areas.

A cleaner is assigned to these “eating” areas so that someone will be continually circulating throughout eating areas, ensuring that as students leave the “eating” area, the cleaner will clean and disinfect that “eating” area for use by the next cohort of students.

Bulkeley Middle School/Rhinebeck High School

If we are in an in-person learning model, BMS/RHS students who wish to partake in either the breakfast or lunch programs they will go to the cafeteria social distanced at the appropriate time. All students will have a common lunch time. Before going to the cafeteria, the principal and/or designee will remind students over our public announcement system of the hand washing protocols, sharing of food and beverages is discouraged, and to maintain social distancing going to and from the location.

Whether it is for breakfast or lunch, students will have 3 meal options, but each of these options will be prepackaged in order to move students through the lines social distanced without slowing the process down by choosing individual items.

After receiving their meal, the student will proceed to the cashier for checkout. At that time, the cashier will review the student’s account for allergies to ensure that none of the items on the tray could cause a known allergic reaction.

After the cashier has processed the student, the student will proceed to the eating area(s). The preferable area will be located outside, under a tent. If the weather becomes too cold or for other weather-related reasons can’t be held outside, then the cafeteria and/or gymnasiums will be used as the eating areas.

A cleaner is assigned to these “eating” areas so that someone will be continually circulating throughout eating areas, ensuring that as students leave the “eating” area, the cleaner will clean and disinfect that “eating” area for use by the next cohort of students.

Food Service during Remote Learning

If we are in a remote learning model, or for students who are engaging remotely at any point during the school year, all students who wish to partake in either the breakfast and/or lunch programs will be provided the opportunity to obtain meals.

THIS FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY STUDENT WHO IS ENGAGING IN A REMOTE LEARNING MODEL AT ANY POINT IN THE YEAR.

Breakfast and lunch meals will be provided on Mondays and Thursdays.

Prepackaged meals that meet USDA requirements will be available for pickup. On Mondays, 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches are provided and on Thursdays, 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches are provided. These schedules will be modified as schedule models change and in the event the district, or student, moves from in-person hybrid models to remote,etc. 

Exact times and locations will be determined and provided to all families, as other scheduling details are required before making final determination of pick up times.

The district will create a list of volunteers to help deliver meals to those who are unable, for any reason, to come to our campuses to pick up meals.

When picking up meals the name of the student must be provided, so that we can verify the student’s account for allergies and to ensure that none of the items in the packages could cause a known allergic reaction.