Schools to return to daily attendance

Students in the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District will attend school five days per week this fall with a virtual option for those not comfortable going back.

The School Board last week unanimously approved the framework to return to school amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with some details to be ironed out as time goes on.

A survey of families was taken into account in developing the plan. Of 481 responses, 70% preferred in-person learning and 14% preferred a combination of in-person and remote school.

Students and staff will be asked to social distance when possible and to wear face coverings when in close proximity.

“The plan would be to give every student and staff member a mask and have extras for purchase beyond that,” Supt. Chad Brakke said.

Masks will be given to families who can’t afford them.

From his discussions with attorneys, Brakke said the school can require masks.

 Board member Laura Schieffer suggested having a table or chair where students may go to get a break from wearing a mask.

“The goal is not to have students in masks all day. I don’t know if I could wear a mask all day,” Brakke said.

While the Centers for Disease Control and state and county health departments recommend masks be worn when social distancing isn’t possible, the majority of survey respondents don’t want to require masks during the school day and at school-sponsored events when people are closer than six feet from each other.

A total of 34.4% families said yes and 63.2% said no to requiring masks.

In asking if staff members should be required to wear masks, 36.5% of families said yes and 60.6% said no.

Students showing symptoms of Covid-19, including coughing, are to be sent home, according to guidance from the Sheboygan County Health Department, Brakke said, though he wasn’t sure if that’s recommended or required.

“Just a cough? That’s ridiculous. Nothing like allergy season in Wisconsin,” board member Nancy Niebauer, who works as a nurse coordinator, said. Then she nearly laughed herself into a coughing fit.

“Clearing your throat could be considered a cough,” board member Dan Bruhn said.

Brakke said the health department’s advice may change by the time school starts.

“At least we’re going to have guidance,” he said.

“If we do this right, there should be less of every kind of sickness.”

Students and staff members’ temperatures will be taken. Students with fevers of 100.4 degrees or more will be isolated to control the possible spread of the virus.

Staff members will try to keep students in cohorts to limit the number of people they contact.

Hand-washing techniques will be taught, and students may receive more breaks to wash their hands.

All students may receive additional breaks, including time outdoors when possible.

One-way directions will be implemented and traffic patterns between classrooms adjusted to prevent large groups from gathering.

Middle and high school students will carry supplies and books in backpacks to limit hallway congestion by going to their lockers.

The number of lunch periods will increase to prevent large groups of students gathering.

Touchless water bottle filler stations will be installed. Students are encouraged to bring personal water bottles.

Clear shields will be installed to protect office staff members. Protective clothing covers and specialized face coverings and shields will be provided for employees working in high-risk situations with students.

Every night, regular cleaning will be done, and disinfecting foggers will be used in each room. The district bought three disinfecting machines for $2,000 to $5,000, one for each school, Brakke said.

High-touch surfaces will be disinfected throughout the day. Teachers and students will be asked to help disinfect surfaces.

 Existing custodial staff members are expected to be able to handle the workload but hours may need to be adjusted. Staffing levels will be evaluated over time, Brakke said.

The district saved some money this spring due to schools being closed, but that’s not enough to cover the spending required to prepare for school this fall, he said.

“We are just moving forward and ordering supplies and doing whatever we have to do to provide quality education to our students while also doing whatever we can to keep our students and staff safe,” Brakke said.

“We will definitely have to monitor our spending as the year goes on to do everything we can to stay within our budget. If we do end up having to hire more staff, that would be very challenging within our existing budget.”

Arrival and dismissal procedures are being developed to allow for social distancing. The district is working with Johnson Bus Service to develop a safe travel plan.

Buses, Brakke was told by Johnson Bus, will be sterilized between routes and at night. Plexiglass will separate drivers from children and windows will be open when the weather allows. Seats will be limited to one student each, unless children are from the same family.

The district has asked parents to let it know if they choose the online option. The plan is to use existing staff to teach online, Brakke said.

“Once we have an idea of how many students we are looking at then the building teams at each level will be working through that. For now, we are looking at utilizing our existing staff whether it would be in a synchronous or asynchronous format,” he said.

Board member Laura Schieffer suggested that if a large number of students attend online that teachers leading these classes receive some professional development.

“I think that’s a different skill set than they’re typically used to in the classroom,” she said.

“That’s a good idea,” Brakke said.

How to offer classes such as music, art and physical education online is being examined.

“We have to decide if that is possible or if we are just going to focus on the core subjects,” Brakke said.

Parents are to receive letters explaining the district’s reopening procedure.

Brakke said processes may change as guidance from the health departments change. While all the district’s schools are in Cedar Grove in Sheboygan County, the district covers Belgium in Ozaukee County as well. Brakke said he plans to check into the guidance of the Washington Ozaukee Health Department as well.

“Our goal is to stay in school and educate the kids, to try not to be sick and be flexible,” he said.