Fort Plain Central School District > Reopening Plan

Reopening Plan

Use the links below to view Fort Plain’s Reopening Plan that was submitted to the New York State Department of Education. Fort Plain schools will open for the 2020-21 school year following the hybrid instruction model. The first day of school will be Monday, Sept. 14. It will be an “A” day for in-person attendance at the Harry Hoag Elementary School, and grades 7-9 are scheduled to attend for the Jr./Sr. High School. 

Plan Overview | Back-to-School Information Guides: Harry Hoag Elementary School & Jr./Sr. High School

Health & Hygiene: Symptoms of COVID-19 | Protocols to promote healthy hygiene habits | Cleaning & Disinfecting| Identifying signs and symptoms | Screenings | Signage | Personal Protective Equipment | Return to School Protocols

Communication & Engagement

Teaching & Learning: In-Person Instruction | Remote/Hybrid Instruction | Attendance & Chronic Absenteeism | Special Education | Bilingual Education/World Language Program 

Technology & Connectivity

Extra-Curricular Activities, Athletics, Physical Education and Performing Arts 

Transportation

Safety Drills

Nutrition/Food Services

A Message from Superintendent Bishop

Dear Fort Plain School Community,

On Monday, July 13th, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York State can follow plans to reopen in September for in-person schooling providing the COVID-19 infection rates remain at 5% or lower in a given region.

On Thursday, July 16th the New York State Education Department (NYSED) issued a comprehensive reopening guidance document “Recovering, Rebuilding, and Renewing: The Spirit of New York’s Schools.”

School districts are required to submit plans for three scenarios:

  1. In-person learning at school
  2. Remote learning at home
  3. Blended learning (a “hybrid” combination of in-person & remote learning).  

Each school district must submit plans to NYSED by July 31. The governor plans to announce how schools will reopen in early August.  His decision will be based upon the local/state COVID-19 infection rate at that time.

The Fort Plain CSD has been preparing multiple scenarios for how school will reopen in September. The plans are being developed with the assistance of and feedback from several key stakeholders.  These groups include:

  • Reopening Task Force focused on teaching and learning
  • Facilities and Operations Task Force
  • Reflections on Remote Learning – End of year survey to faculty
  • Parent Survey on Remote Learning – End of year survey to parents
  • Parent Reopening Survey 
  • Faculty Focus Groups at Harry Hoag Elementary School & Jr./Sr. High School

Among other requirements, there are strict health and safety regulations which must be followed.  Health and safety of the children and adults is paramount and must be the first consideration in the development of plans.  There is a clear directive that face coverings must be worn at all times when social distancing cannot be achieved.

The Fort Plain plan is strategically designed to maximize student – teacher contact time in all settings. That being said, the ability to physically space children and adults will limit our ability to have all students in attendance at the same time.  

The reopening plans will continue to be shaped by state and federal guidance as well as through consultation with health departments.

This is a tentative framework of the reopening plan for Fort Plain CSD. The plan is subject to change based on resources, community/stakeholder feedback and guidance from the governor, Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and NYSED.

Stay safe and healthy,

John Bishop
Superintendent of Schools

Plan Overview

The following plan is for the reopening of schools in the Fort Plain CSD for the 2020-21 school year. The plan includes procedures that will be followed in the following schools:

The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

It is possible that we may need to alternate between in-person and remote learning throughout the year. Decisions will be based on recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from the Governor. The level of infection, the spread of the virus and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision making as we move to open our schools.

Summary of information

  • Daily health screenings are required for employees and students. The district is currently developing these procedures and more information will follow in the upcoming weeks.
  • Parents will be asked to keep children home if they are sick.
  • The district will coordinate  with the local health department to adhere to guidelines for contact tracing.
  • Students and staff will wear face coverings when social distancing cannot be achieved.  Face covering will be removed when seated at desks and physically distant from peers and staff.  This includes during meals and instruction.
  • Daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols based on CDC guidance will be followed, with an emphasis on frequent cleaning of high-touch/high-traffic areas. Classroom surfaces will be disinfected  during each student transition. The district will conduct deep-cleaning on a nightly basis, including the use of defogging equipment.
  • Sharing of books and supplies will be minimized. 
  • School visitors will be restricted to those required for school business.
  • Students and staff will be trained in the following areas:
    • proper hand and respiratory hygiene 
    • face covering practices and protocols
    • Signs and symptoms of COVID-19
  • The use of facilities by the community will be restricted. Specific protocols are being developed.
  • The district is developing options/programs to accommodate the needs of the medically vulnerable/high risk population.  This includes students who have family members who are in high risk groups.