The Bristol Warren Regional School District released its full reopening plan, following a review and feedback from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Following are a few excerpts from the …
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The Bristol Warren Regional School District released its full reopening plan, following a review and feedback from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Following are a few excerpts from the 62-page plan.
All masks, all the time
The plan now makes it clear that all students are expected to wear masks or face coverings at nearly all times throughout their school day. In its original plan, the district stated that K to 5 students — and teachers — could remove their masks once they were socially distant within their “stable groups.” That has now been amended, and everyone must keep their masks on throughout the day anywhere on school grounds. Aside from medical or health reasons, the only exceptions would be when students are outside and at least six feet apart at all times.
Frequent sanitizing
Hand sanitizing and washing will be as common as bells ringing …
New hires
To support the new procedures, the district plans numerous new hires …
If things shift to distance learning …
If the district is forced to once again close the buildings and shift to a full distance-learning platform, it will …
Social Emotional supports
Recognizing the anxiety and stress of the Covid-19 era, the district is working to increase its Social Emotional and mental health supports through the district. Every building will have its own “social emotional team,” led by a school psychologist and social worker. There will also be additional training for staff on recognition and intervention strategies.
Chromebooks for everyone
The district already has a Chromebook (laptop) for every student in Grades 3 to 12, plus laptops for all staff. This fall it is expanding the program to everyone in Pre-K to Grade 2 as well, at a cost of $402,000.
Money for internet connections
To assist staff who may be required to run their classrooms from home, as well as families who either can’t afford internet service or have bad connections, the district is dedicating $20,000 to upgrade internet access in those households. It also plans to add internet access on buses, for staff who will be communicating information about student health and attendance.
A healthy surplus
The district saved $2.5 million by closing the schools last spring (mostly on buses and lunches), plus it received another $485,476 in federal stimulus funding.