Board Approves Fall 2020 Reopening Plan

Board Approves Fall 2020 Reopening Plan
Posted on 06/18/2020
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Boise School Board Approves Fall Reopening Plan
Five Days a Week In-Person School and Online Learning Options Approved
 
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
 
Boise, ID -- 06/18/2020 -- The Boise School Board today approved a Fall 2020 Reopening Plan for students in the Boise School District. The plan provides students and families with the option to return to school in the Fall for in-person learning or enroll in the District's online learning program.
 
"Every student in our District deserves access to a great education, delivered by a highly-qualified Boise School District teacher, regardless of whether the teaching and learning occurs in a traditional classroom or online," said Board President Nancy Gregory.
 
"Whether our schools are open, we have students who are unable to attend their traditional school, or we find ourselves in a COVID-19 closure similar to what we experienced this spring, we will be prepared to support, care for, and, most importantly, teach our students," added Gregory.
 
The Board-approved plan reflects input from hundreds of community stakeholders, including parents, educators, health professionals, state officials, as well as Boise School District health, safety, food, transportation and facilities administration.
 
The plan, while comprehensive, is neither exhaustive nor static. Day-to-day school-level operational plans, athletics and activities guidelines, as well as detailed information regarding the District’s new online school, will be available in the near future.
 
"The plan we adopted today creates a framework for our principals to work with in customizing their own building plans. It also honors the choice of families and provides flexibility to respond to changing conditions in our community," explained Gregory. "We appreciate the dedication of our administration and staff through this challenging time. We are all focused on how to best serve our students.” 
 
Fall 2020 Reopening
Boise School District Pandemic Operation Plan
 
Our Promise to You: Core Beliefs & Interests
Our neighborhood public schools play a critical role in the vibrancy, unity and well-being of our community. While pivoting to respond to an unpredictable future, we will remain firmly grounded in our core beliefs and interests. With that in mind, we will:
 
  • Offer students a high-quality, comprehensive educational experience five days a week, whether in-person or online
  • Respect the U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines and adopt practices we can control
  • Be creative, flexible and sustainable in our instruction, school operations and problem-solving
  • Be responsible stewards of our resources
  • Ensure every student has a meaningful connection to a responsible and caring adult 
  • Be empathetic and respectful of each individual’s choices and individual needs
  • Provide the social and emotional services necessary for our students and staff to be successful
  • Consider input and feedback from students, staff, families and patrons with respect and compassion 
  • Provide our parents, students and staff with the training and tools needed to adapt to an ever-evolving educational environment
  • Maintain credibility and trust through sincere and timely communication
 
Highlights of Fall 2020 Reopening Plan  
  • Provide Monday through Friday in-person learning at all Boise Schools beginning the start of the 2020-2021 school year on August 17, 2020.
  • Provide an option for students to enroll in an online learning program with a robust learning curriculum that mirrors the District's in-person curriculum, as much as possible. Registration for the online learning option will open July 13th and run through July 31st. Further information about online registration will be announced in the near future.
 
School Specific Pandemic Operation Plans
School teams will now create school-specific pandemic operation plans to support the District's Elementary School Pandemic Operation Plan and Secondary School Pandemic Operation Plan. School principals will obtain input from their staff and parents and communicate about those plans in their July school newsletters/communications.
 
Each school's Pandemic Operation Plan will support the following personal protective equipment (PPE) strategy (per CDC guidelines):
 
  • Use of masks and face shields by staff. (Recommended)
  • Use of masks or face shields by students. (Recommended)
  • Sneeze guards -- Main office space in each school.
  • Mobile hand sanitizer stations in each school. 
  • Hand washing stations/sanitizing stations in each classroom.
  • Intentional physical distancing measures.
  • Take measures to reduce class size and maximize space -- remove furniture, master schedule changes
  • Digital thermometers in each school.  
  • Disinfectant wipes available in each classroom.
  • Disinfectant spray bottle in every classroom.
 
"We sincerely appreciate all the input received, including the results from our parent and staff surveys and public comments, explained Superintendent Coby Dennis, Boise School District. "Parents clearly told us that our priorities must include creating an online culture that reflects, to the best of our ability, the level of student engagement found in a traditional school environment, while providing the flexibility parents and students need to thrive online. This plan provides families a choice between in-person and on-line education so they can choose the best option for their student’s needs.”
 
In making today's announcement, District leaders reassured parents, students, staff and the Boise community that the District is committed to seeing that every student has a meaningful connection to a responsible and caring adult.
 
“In short, Boise School District will continue to foster the power of the teacher-student relationship as we move forward with our plans to provide an excellent and safe learning environment for all students," added Superintendent Dennis.
 
Further information about Boise School District's COVID-19 response can be found on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources webpage.
News Media Contact:
Dan Hollar
Public Affairs Administrator
Boise School District
(208) 854-4064