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    2021 In-Person Learning Plan

    Current Status Remote and Phased Return

    graphic with laptop and building text Stage 3

     

    In-Person Learning Plan

     

    Re-Entry Stages

    graphic with laptop text Stage 1
    graphic with laptop and building text Stage 2
    graphic with laptop and building text Stage 3
    graphic with building text Stage 4

     

     

    Top 10 Things SPS Families Need to Know

    6th - 12th Grade Students

    1. There will be a required, daily health screening.
    2. Students will be required to wear a mask.
    3. All students will confirm their required, daily health screening once they arrive at school.
    4. There are two in-person cohorts, A and B, and Cohort C is 100% Remote.
    5. In the classroom, students will be assigned to seats that are six feet apart and face the same directions.
    6. Students will have their own materials for daily use and items will not be shared.
    7. Meals won't be eaten at school except for in unique circumstances.
    8. Hand washing will be prioritized throughout the day including but not limited to on arrival, after recess, and after using the restroom.
    9. Daily cleaning of common areas will be done in compliance with CDC and Public Health recommendations.
    10. When heading home, students will line up maintaining six feet between them.

    Top 10 Things on the Return to In-Person Learning infographic flyer students in 6th - 12th grade.

     

    Kindergarten - 5th Grade Students

    1. There will be a required, daily health screening.
    2. Students will be required to wear a mask.
    3. One student will be assigned to each bus seat, unless from the same household.
    4. All students will be met by staff at a designated drop off area.
    5. All classrooms are 15 students or less.
    6. In the classroom, students will be assigned to seats that are six feet apart and face the same direction.
    7. Students will have their own materials for daily use and items will not be shared.
    8. Hand washing will be prioritized throughout the day including but not limited to on arrival, after recess, and after using the restroom.
    9. Daily cleaning of common areas will be done in compliance with CDC and Public Health recommendations.
    10. When heading home, students will line up maintaining six feet between them.

    Top 10 Things on the Return to In-Person Learning infographic flyer students in K-5th grade.

    Forms

    Spring 2021 Forms to be Returned to Schools

     

     

    Planning Updates

    Get the most up to date information including next steps.

     

     

     

    Grades 6 - 12 Returning to In-Person Learning

    Returning to In-Person School: Grades 6-12 from Seattle Public Schools (SPSTV) Vimeo.

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    Kindergarten - 5th Grade Returning to In-Person Learning

    Returning to In-Person Learning at SPS from Seattle Public Schools (SPSTV) Vimeo.

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    Cohort Model (Stages 2 and 3)

    The Washington Department of Health Decision Making Tree for K-12 Students at Public and Private Schools, recommends phasing in small groups of students, starting with elementary students and students receiving special education services. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Seattle Public Schools is taking a cohort approach.

    A cohort is a small group of students that stay together throughout the school day.

    Cohort Models for 6th - 12th Grades

    For our students in grades 6-12, there will be two in-person cohorts, Cohort A and Cohort B, and a third Cohort C, which is 100% remote. Cohort A will attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays each week, while Cohort B will attend in-person instruction on Thursdays and Fridays. Students attend in-person classes with students from their assigned cohort and receive instructional support from their regular teachers. All cohorts will learn remotely on Wednesdays. Read more about Instructional Models for grades 6 - 12.

    Meals

    District meal distribution at our 40 meal sites will now be open from 10:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m. Bus routes will deliver meals on Wednesdays only. Wednesday bus routes, times, and stops will remain the same. Grab and go breakfast and lunch will be available for students learning in-person at each school site.

     

    Cohort Models for K - 5th Grades

    Teacher-Student Ratios

    • K-5 grade classrooms will support up to a 1:15 teacher-student ratio.
    • Preschool, including Special Education Preschool, will operate in small subgroups with a maximum group size of 6-10 students.
    • Intensive Service Pathway classes (SEL, Moderate Intensive, Focus, Distinct, and Medically Fragile) will meet the cohort ratio of 1:15 or less.

    Cohort Zones

    school building map with student groups

    Working with five architectural firms, SPS facilities has organized elementary and K-8 schools into "cohort zones" with separate entrances/exits and bathroom facilities to reduce physical interaction between different groups of students.

    Recess

    Outdoor access and physical movement are important for learning. Students will be released for recess with their cohort zone and will only interact with students from their specific classrooms. The playground structures will be wiped down once a day. Playgrounds will remain closed to the public during non-school hours to support social distancing. Cohorts will have their own playground equipment that can be easily cleaned and disinfected between use.

    Meals

    Preschool, K-5, and most K-12 students served in Intensive Service pathways will be learning on a 1/2 day schedule or remotely. For those students, meals will be available Monday-Friday by bus route and meal sites across the district. Grab and go lunches will also be available from school sites. Students will not eat meals in the classroom, except in rare cases. For programs that require meals, an outside or large socially distanced space will be used.

     

     

    School Day Schedules (start and end times)

    March 20 New Elementary and K-8 Bell Schedules

    Elementary and K-8 schools will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. for students in both the remote and hybrid, in-person model (part-time in person and part-time remote).

    This change is subject to Board approval. This change does not include 6th-8th grade comprehensive middle schools. Comprehensive middle schools will continue to begin at 9 a.m.

    Read more about the K-8 school schedules.

     

    Curriculum

    Priority Standards

    In a typical school year, student learning is aligned to the Washington State Learning Standards. This year, educators across the district, state, and country need to prioritize some of these learning standards to address disruption to instruction in Spring 2020 and the constraints of the remote learning schedule in 2020-21.

    The SPS Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction team has selected priority standards from the Washington State Learning Standards for each grade-level and course. Whether students are learning remotely or in-person, they will be supported in mastering these standards.

    Grading

    At Seattle Public Schools, we are focused on anti-racist, equity-aligned grading practices that support greater accuracy, anti-bias, and student motivation and growth mindset in classroom grading.

    On August 12, 2020, the SPS School Board voted to temporarily suspend portions of the district's high school grading policy (Policy 2420pdf icon ) so that students taking high school or middle school courses will earn "A-C-" or "Incomplete" final grades as measures of their learning progress.

    Elementary will be reporting progress toward prioritized standards for the 2020-21 school year.

    This revised grading scale, along with associated grading practice guidance given to educators, seeks to minimize harm to students and promote equity during remote learning and our response to the pandemic.

    Specialist and Support Services

    Students receiving in-person learning will continue to have access to specialists including physical education, arts, music, etc. remotely.

     

     

    Athletics

    As of Monday February 1, 2021, Governor Inslee moved the Puget Sound region into Phase 2, which allows for some sports to be offered in-person.

    Middle School

    Middle School Athletics Update Spring 2021 The Athletics Department has been working closely with middle school building leaders and staff to determine middle school athletics programming for the remainder of the school year. After extensive consideration, middle school athletics will not be provided this spring. Read more about the middle school athletics update.

    High School

    In alignment, Seattle Public Schools' high school athletic programming began February 22, 2021. All sports will operate following guidance and protocol from the Governor’s Office, Department of Health (DOH), Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), and school district.

    The Metro League adopted a two-season sports model for this year only. This format protects participants’ safety while providing student-athletes the best possible quality athletic experience.

    Season 1: Feb. 22 to April 17

    • Boys: Football
    • Girls: Bowling, Soccer, Slowpitch Softball, Swim and Dive, and Volleyball
    • Co-Ed: Cross Country and Golf

    Season 2: April 19 – June 12

    • Boys: Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Swim and Dive
    • Girls: Basketball and Fastpitch Softball
    • Co-Ed: Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling

    Seasons and/or sports may need to be adjusted based on Puget Sound Region's metrics.

     

     

    Health and Safety Protocols

    Reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission is everyone's responsibility. Local, state, and federal health guidelines have informed the development of the SPS COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols pdf icon. The district has been using these protocols since the beginning of the pandemic, and while there have been COVID-19 cases at some school sites, they have been isolated and contained.

    These health and safety protocols are updated as our understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve.

    To see health and safety in action, watch a Day in the Life of a 6th - 12th Grade Student

    Returning to In-Person School, 6th-12th Grade Day in the Life from Seattle Public Schools (SPSTV) Vimeo.

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    To see health and safety in action, watch a Day in the Life of a K-5th Grade Student

    Returning to In-Person School: PreK - 5th grade Day in the Life from Seattle Public Schools (SPSTV) Vimeo.

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    Keeping our Facilities Safe

    Classroom Setup

    Classes are limited to a cohort of 15 students or fewer. Only the assigned student cohort, educator(s), and assigned custodian will have access room to reduce exposure.

    • Furniture from classrooms has been removed or rearranged to accommodate six feet between each student and 10 feet in the front of the classroom for the teacher. Desks are now arranged facing the same direction with required distancing in all directions
    • Students will be assigned seating, and physical distancing visuals/signage added to the floor and walls.
    • Group resources have been removed from classrooms. Students will use individual resources at their desk/individual area, including individual books, learning packets and computers.
    • Student belongings will be separated using designated areas or individual containers.
    • Excess furniture and soft furniture have been removed and countertops cleared of all extra items.
    • A hand sanitizer station is positioned by the door.

    Plexiglass barriers have also been installed in the school offices and in some specialized classrooms to support students who may not be able to wear a mask.

    Improved Air Quality and Ventilation

    Following the guidelines provided by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Washington State Department of Health, and Seattle-King County Health Department, the following actions have been taken/are being taken to provide staff and students a safe facility:

    • All HVAC systems in each school building has been inspected and repaired, if needed.
    • Every school's HVAC system has been evaluated to determine if we are maintaining air circulation rates of 25 CFM per occupant and CO2 at a maximum level of 700 parts per million in classroom spaces. Protocols to increase airflow have been developed and custodial staff has been trained.
    • The Facilities Department is using the highest rated filtration compatible with the school's installed HVAC system. In most cases, filters are being upgraded from MERV 8 to MERV 13 – a hospital grade filter.
    • Free standing filtration systems (HEPA air purifiers) are being added to classrooms and other spaces where an airflow of 25 CFM can't be achieved through other measures.
    • Ventilation systems have been adjusted to their maximizing ventilation rates while maintaining occupant comfort.
    • Building temperature set points have been adjusted up to off-set for the additional colder outside air.
    • System running schedules have been extended two-hours, pre-and-post-occupancy to flush the schools with fresh air.
    • Window systems have been inspected and repairs are being made to increase the outside air ventilation.

    Signage

    Signage is placed throughout the school to remind students and staff about the daily health screening, face covering, and physical distancing. Signs will be placed to direct foot traffic throughout the hallways and entry and exit doors to indicate directional flow.

    Door signage in each classroom, workspace, or shared space will show when the room was last checked and when the next maintenance is scheduled for CO2 and airflow requirements, occupancy with 6-foot physical distancing, and that the room meets state public health guidance.

    Daily Cleaning

    Seattle Public Schools follows the Washington Department of Health, Public Health, and CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting guidelines.

    Daily cleaning schedule:

    • High touch surfaces/points cleaning and disinfectant occurs at least three times a day and includes but is not limited to the following: doorknobs, door hardware, drinking fountains, stair rails, common areas, desks, tables, light switches, elevator buttons, and any other touchpoints in high traffic/common spaces.
    • All restrooms are serviced and disinfected three times per day, with at least 2 hours between servicing. Common spaces used by childcare (hallways, gyms, cafeterias, etc.) are cleaned and disinfected daily.
    • If there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, Seattle Public Schools will follow the CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting guidelines and communication plan for staff, families, and students.

    The work to reorganize classrooms, set up plexiglass barriers, check and update HVAC systems, and deliver PPE continues. View the Re-Entry Preparation Status for all Schools.

     

     

    Childcare and Outdoor Education

    Childcare

    Sustaining current childcare or increasing access will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis for each school building and provider. We are working to balance space availability and ensure health and safety protocols can be met. Read more about child care providers.

    Child care partners may have slightly different protocols related to when and for how long they close programming if there is a positive COVID case because, in addition to Department of Health, the guidance they follow is also influenced by licensing requirements from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Like SPS, they consult with the Department of Health to determine the safest course of action.

     

    Outdoor Education

    The School Board adopted Resolution 2020/21-4, which calls for outdoor/community education pilots to be developed. This is one solution to bring back more students for in-person learning. We encourage educators and schools to consider this innovative approach to provide more in-person learning opportunities for students. 

     

     

    Snow Days and Power Outages

    Planning for winter weather in 2020-21 is different than in past years. As a result of remote learning, we are better positioned to continue school even when it is snowing, and or the roads are icy.

    If winter weather requires the cancellation of in-person learning or the closure of school buildings, all students will learn remotely. In the event of an extreme weather-related power or connectivity outage impacting large numbers of families and staff, the district will close and cancel all buildings, services, and remote learning. Learn more about weather response.

     

    Feedback

     

    Remote Learning Resources and District Announcements

    Online Educational Tools Overview of remote learning tools, FAQ, and contact information. Technology Tools for Students

    Sample Remote School Schedules School specific remote learning schedules are provided on each school's website. The sample schedules reflect fall agreements with SEA and general approach to remote learning and instruction. Sample School Schedules

    Priority Standards The SPS Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction team has selected priority standards from the Washington State Learning Standards for each grade-level and course. Whether students are learning remotely or in-person, they will be supported in mastering these standards. Priority Standards

    Meals for Students Student meals are served at forty school sites and via bus routes. Meals for Students

    Child Care Child Care with SPS Partners

     

    Health and Wellness Resources

    COVID-19 Data Dashboard – King County Data are updated daily in the early afternoon and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before. King County Health Data Dashboard.

    SPS Health Services and Resources Quick links to SEL family supports, Public Health information, and mental health supports. District Health Resources