This plan is based upon

• Input and research by the Reopening Advisory Committee
• DOE & CDC guidance for reopening schools
• Administrative team initiating work with school-based planning teams
• Results from recent parent survey regarding return to school plans

Tiered Return Strategy:

PreK – Grade 2 & Grade 6  – Full Return

Gr 3-5 & 7-12 – Hybrid Model

Full-Time Remote Learning Option

1. The RSU 26 reopening plan is a tiered hybrid model. This is based on the premise that we return to in-school instruction for all students while doing what we can to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 in our community. In summary, a tiered return will look as follows:
   1. For Grades PK-2 & Grade 6 – Full Return:
      1. Students will attend school 5 days/wk in group sizes allowing for social distancing in classrooms.
      2. In-person instruction will introduce platforms that can be used remotely, should a transition to full remote learning be required further into the school year.
      3. These groups are prioritized for full return in the first wave as we work our way up the grades where, in our opinion, the earliest grades in Asa and OMS buildings have the highest priorities to return to in person instruction.
      4. Also considered is the overall load on the building for the challenges of social distancing for times when students are not in class. Building routines and new habits will be more successful with a lower load in the building.

1. 1. For Grades 3-5 & 7-12* – Hybrid Return:
      1. Monday & Tuesday – 50% of our students will attend in-school instruction
      2. Thursday & Friday – the other 50% of our students will attend in-school instruction
      3. Wednesday – Building will be cleaned between student cohorts; teachers would work from school or home and classes would be engaged with remote learning with both synchronous & asynchronous elements.
      4. On days when students are not attending in-school classes they would be engaged with remote learning with both synchronous & asynchronous elements (e.g. – work on assignments, check-in with teachers, participate in live classroom activities, and monitor their school progress).

*Some students with special needs may be recommended for full return (as space permits) if hybrid does not adequately allow access appropriate educational services.

1. 1. Full-time Remote Learning will be provided as an alternative for students in grades K-12 If requested by their parent.   Families will be asked to commit to this model for the first trimester (Asa)/first semester (OMS/OHS).
   2. All professional staff will work from school on days they provide in-person instruction, enhancing the delivery and consistency of educational instruction and planning in our school buildings. Staff with documented medical needs will be provided work accommodations as work is available meeting these identified needs and work assignments.  Additionally, if a state or county mandated stay-at-home order is enacted, all staff would shift to remote work as much is feasible.
   3. All students and all staff will be required to wear masks at all times inside the buildings (exception – when students are eating or outdoors at a distance of 6ft from one another or teachers/staff alone in their own classroom).
   4. Substantial modifications to the physical plant (e.g. plexiglass shields, increased ventilation, increased hand washing stations) and to norms and behaviors (e.g. increased surface cleaning, changes to transitions between classes, modification to lunch practices) will be adopted. (see the Advisory Committee’s Physical Health and Safety Workgroups Recommendations at the end of this document).

See the full reopening plan here