FAQ's State/District Levels

WHO DETERMINES THE COLOR OF OUR STATE?

The Governor in consultation with the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).

HOW DO I KNOW THE COLOR OF MY COUNTY?

Currently, the entire state is in the GREEN-Low Risk Level. North Dakota’s K-12 Smart Restart will follow what is identified at the state level. If the state adjusts from statewide color to a county color, communication will occur among the NDDoH, NDDPI, and the Governor’s Office and local Public Health will be informed.

WHO CHOOSES THE COLOR FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT?

The Governor, in consultation with the NDDoH.

HOW DO WE HANDLE A POSITIVE TEST RESULT OR ASSESS SYMPTOMS?

Every school district must follow the protocol provided by the NDDoH response to a positive test.

COVID-19 Recommendations for Schools

HOW DO WE HANDLE A CLOSE CONTACT OR OTHER SCENARIOS?

Every school district must follow the protocol provided by the NDDoH in response to a close contact.

COVID-19 Close Contacts in Daycare/School Settings

Families can do many things to help keep Thompson Public Schools open this school year:

• Nightly/Morning Self Screen Checklist

• Following social distancing, face covering and hygiene guidelines

• Communicate with school staff on the status of your child’s illness

• Thompson is adding a school nurse for an additional resource

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I’M NOT COMFORTABLE SENDING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL FOR ONSITE LEARNING?

All students can choose a distance learning option for 2020-2021 to meet the individual needs of students and families due to COVID-19. Please contact your child’s building principal if you have questions.

If a family chooses to distance learn, they are committing to that option on a quarterly basis.

Knowing that children can be sick without COVID, they will be able to keep up with their classwork as we have done previously.

Additional information regarding the online learning option is available.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE AND HOW WILL SCHOOL LOOK DIFFERENT?

Face coverings will be used when not in a classroom and in situations in which social distancing is not possible. Staggered release times, lunch and recess schedules will also be utilized. Departmentalization in the elementary will be delayed for a year. We will also have some of our speciality teachers travel so we can use their rooms for some of our bigger sections.

WHAT WILL BE THE PARENT/VISITOR/VOLUNTEER POLICY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN 2020-21?

For the fall semester, TPS will restrict all visitors and volunteers from entering the schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our students and staff. We will have a protocol in place for student pickup, drop off, and parent meetings. Activity and Athletic attendance guidelines will be released prior to the season.

WHEN WILL PARENTS/FAMILIES BE ALLOWED TO DROP-OFF STUDENTS PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL?

Please refrain from dropping off non-ESP students before 8:05 a.m. Students will be allowed to enter the building at 8:05 to stop by their locker and then go directly to their classroom. School begins at 8:25 this year. The elementary gym, commons, and hallways are not available before or after school. ESP, school sponsored activities, zero hour class, and appointments with teachers are the only exceptions.

WHAT ARE THE PUBLIC FITNESS CENTER HOURS WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION FOR THE PUBLIC?

The fitness center will be available from 5:00 - 8:00 AM and 5:00 - 8:00 PM Monday-Friday for the public. The fitness center will also be open 5:00 AM - 11:00 AM on Saturdays. The fitness center will be closed on Sundays. Bathrooms will remain off limits to the public.

WHAT IF MY STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?

The below link will discuss current situations and scenarios.

ND Department of Health Recommendations for Schools

Priorities:

• Ensure students and staff who are symptomatic stay at home.

• Implement reasonable accommodations to reduce school-wide and community spread.

Districtwide Practices:

• Social distancing where possible and reasonable.

• Buildings routinely cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines with special focus on high touch/traffic areas

• Support and train parents on use of technology tools and online curricular resources

Schools:

• Protective measures will be implemented in office spaces.

• Some school events, assemblies and gatherings may be changed or cancelled.

• Access to the school may be limited, with new protocols

Type of Learning:

Traditional or Distance Learning Option

• Blended Learning at the discretion of the school

Screening:

• Students screened by parents prior to entering the building using Appendix A

• Staff self screen prior to entering the building using Appendix A

• Students report symptoms to teacher or parent(s) immediately

Standard Precautions/PPE

• Encouraged to wear face coverings when feasible

• In classrooms, when unable to maintain 6 feet social distancing and/or at the discretion of Administrator/Teacher

• Required to wear face coverings:

• School bus transportation

• At all times when not in a classroom and when unable to maintain social distancing of 6 feet.

• Maintain social distancing of 6 feet as much as possible

• Hand Hygiene to include hand washing and use of hand sanitizer integrated throughout the day

• Cleaning/Disinfecting of any shared materials according to CDC guidelines

Classrooms:

• Students issued a device and trained on how to access online learning resources including the online learning platform.

• Limit use of shared materials and supplies.

• Desks arranged to allow for cohort groups and social distancing where possible and reasonable.

Common Areas:

• Lunch times and location may be altered to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at any one time.

Extracurricular & Activities:

• Guidance and directives from the NDHSAA and other governing boards will be used to guide these activities.

Communications:

• Share information with parents/staff in the weekly Administration emails as deemed necessary

Priorities:

• Ensure students and staff who are symptomatic stay at home.

• Maximize social distancing cohort where possible.

Districtwide Practices:

• Based on identified COVID cases of students and staff targeted closures may be implemented (class, grade, department, etc). While other schools remain open and meet students in person.

• Social distancing where possible and reasonable.

• Buildings routinely cleaned and disinfected according to CDC guidelines. Special focus on high touch/traffic areas.

• Handwashing integrated throughout the day.

• Hand sanitizer available throughout each building.

• Support and train parents on use of technology tools and online curricular resources.

Schools:

• Protective measures will be maintained in office spaces.

• Some school events, assemblies and gatherings may be changed or cancelled.

• Access to campus may be additionally limited, with new protocols.

Type of Learning:

• Blended Learning at the discretion of the school

Screening:

• Staff self screen prior to entering the building using Appendix A

• Students screened by parents prior to entering the building using Appendix A

• Students report symptoms to teacher or parent(s) immediately

Standard Precautions/PPE:

• Encouraged to wear face coverings when feasible

• In classrooms, when unable to maintain 6 feet social distancing and/or at the discretion of Administrator/Teacher

• Required to wear face coverings:

• School bus transportation

• At all times when not in a classroom

• Maintain social distancing of 6 feet as much as possible

• Hand Hygiene to include hand washing and use of hand sanitizer integrated throughout the day

• Cleaning/Disinfecting of any shared materials according to CDC guidelines

Classrooms:

• Students may be attending school on a hybrid schedule.

• Students will be expected to engage in learning opportunities online using the directed online learning platform when they are not in school.

• Limited use of shared materials and supplies when students are in school.

• Desks arranged to allow for cohort groups and social distancing where possible and reasonable.

Common Areas:

• Assigned seating in groups and spacing will be used in the commons area.

• Staggering release times before the bell will be an option.

• The lunch schedule will vary to keep the number of students eating in the commons at one time to a manageable number.

Extracurricular & Activities:

• Guidance and directives from the NDHSAA and other governing boards will be used to guide these activities.

Communications:

• Share information with parents/staff in the weekly Administration emails as deemed necessary

Priorities:

• Reduce the risk of community spread by closing schools.

Districtwide Practices:

• Online instruction will be used district wide in all courses at all grade levels.

• Instruction will focus on essential learning targets.

• Attendance and academic progress will be expected.

• Grading policies will not be suspended.

• Implement internet access (wifi) hot spots around schools, to support distance learning for those that may not have it in their homes.

• Local food distribution may be implemented by food service program.

Schools:

• Closed to the general public except by special arrangement with the district office.

• Small group meetings or instruction may be allowed, particularly for special needs students or academic interventions.

Classrooms:

• Students will engage in learning at the home.

• Students will be expected to engage in learning opportunities online (whatever your LMS system).

• Teachers are expected to make direct student/family contact at least one time per week.

Extracurricular & Activities:

• Guidance and directives from the NDHSAA and other governing boards will be used to guide these activities.

• Athletic and other extra/co-curricular activities likely suspended.

Communications:

• Clear communication about academic expectations and grading shared with students and families.

• Share technology support resources for parents.

• Student/family support hot-line opened.