Jefferson Davis Parish Schools have announced plans for returning for the 2020-21 school year.
Superintendent Kirk Credeur says that while he wishes that all students could return as quickly as possible to a normal schedule, he had to consider student safety and the ability to follow proper guidelines
The school system says that after discussions, they have developed a plan they believe can obey all health directives and maximize student attendance.
School will begin on August 17, 2020.
The plan includes the following:
1. Students in Pre-K through 5th grades will come to school 5 days a week where we will maintain them in static groups to the maximum extent possible.
2. Students in grades 6th through 12th students would adhere to an AB-AB schedule. The A group will attend class on Monday and Wednesdays; the B group will attend class on Tuesday and Thursday. Fridays are designated distance learning days. While students aren't at school, they will have assignments to complete. The reduced number of students in attendance at the upper levels allow us to adhere to the state Phase II number mandates.
3. Students that can't return to school because of documented health problems will be provided homebound services.
4. Parents who are concerned about their children returning to school will be allowed to register their children in the Jeff Davis Parish Virtual Program.
Temperatures will be checked when students and staff arrive on campus; anyone with a fever will be isolated and sent home. Exact protocol for reporting positive COVID-19 cases in teachers and/or students is still in the works. Credeur says those cases will be looked at on an individual basis because of the many different variables involved.
Any parent whose child is enrolled in the virtual program where Carnegie units are provided will have to complete the semester before they will be allowed to return to the regular campus. Non Carnegie unit course enrollees can return to the regular campus at the end of a grading period. Students in the virtual program will not participate in any co or extra-curricular activities on 3 school campus. The enforcement of this rule will occur no matter which Phase the district toggles to.
The final version of this plan will not be complete until BESE releases its guidance on August 14th and we reconcile their guidance with our plans. This plan is the culmination of hours of phone calls and webinars with the Department of Health and the Department of Education and is by no means perfect but this pandemic has provided global uncertainty to levels that many of us have never experienced. Thanks you for being patient and understanding and helping us to create as positive a learning environment as we can given the current constraints. Please stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.
The plan also outlines how school will continue if the state is pushed backwards or forwards to different phases.
Phase 1
- School operations are limited to virtual learning only
- Facilities are closed to the public
- All Jefferson Davis Parish School District employees are classified as essential and may be required to report to their assigned locations.
- All employees will be required to utilize face protection to the maximum degree possible.
- Strict cleanliness guidelines will also be followed.
Phase 2
- Schools may offer limited on-site activities following strict hygiene protocols.
- Students in grades Pre-K through 5th will attend school 5 days a week and be contained in static groups to the maximum extent possible.
- Students in grades 6th through 12 will attend school on an AB-AB rotation, and Fridays will be dedicated to distance learning, and until we are 100 percent able to go online, this will include some physical transference of student work.
- Both employees and students in the third grade and above will wear masks to the maximum degree possible.
- Maintaining a six foot distance will be enforced to the maximum extent possible.
- Strict cleanliness guidelines will also be followed.
Phase 3
- Schools will open for all students Monday through Friday based on recommendations and data from LDOE, CDC, Governor’s office, and applicable local and state agencies.
- School operations will resume with restrictions or guidelines.
- Distancing, cleanliness and masking recommendations will be followed.
The plans also discusses attendance and transportation for students as well as instruction during the different phases.
In terms of transportation, buses will run at 50% capacity, with students required to wear a mask while on the bus. Students will get hand sanitizer upon boarding and will not be able to share seats unless they live in the same household. Windows will be kept down and buses will be cleaned in between routes.
Students enrolled in virtual learning as well as those on the A-B schedule will be given breakfast and lunch for the days they will be learning at home. That schedule won't be released until September, Credeur said.
READ MORE: Getting Answers: What can Jeff Davis teachers and students expect returning back to school?
The full plan can be viewed here
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