East Knox Schools Reopening Plan

Dear Parents, Students and Community Members,

As you are aware, the pandemic landscape continually evolves. Knox County school officials have worked with Knox Public Health to ensure we are in compliance with the Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Education. The result is the plan outlined below to open East Knox Local Schools on time for the 2020-2021 school year in a safe manner for our students and staff. Please be advised that plans may change at any time. We look forward to what will be another interesting and exciting school year!

Sincerely,

Steve Larcomb, Supt.

Opening East Knox Local Schools
for the 2020-2021 School Year
as of 9 July 2020

The following plan for opening East Knox Local Schools follows the current rules and restrictions from the Governor’s office, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Education. It was developed in consultation with Knox Public Health professionals, Knox County Superintendents and the East Knox Administrative Team. The Administration continues to work closely with Knox Public Health and other Knox County schools to ensure the safety of all students and staff to the best of our abilities. With that in mind, please see the details outlined below for opening the East Knox campus for the 2020-2021 school year.

East Knox Schools will open on time for the 2020-2021 school year on August 19th per the Board-approved calendar for all students.

Parents may elect to keep their student(s) home fulltime and enroll their student(s) in remote learning provided by East Knox Local Schools. The District will provide a learning platform device (i.e. Chromebook) for online students to learn remotely. However, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure internet service is provided. The District will work to establish wi-fi hotspots where needed.

Parents of students attending school will be required to supply their student(s) with a minimum of two masks/face coverings per school day. The decision for reusable versus disposable masks/face coverings is each parent’s decision.

Students in Grades K-12 are required to wear a mask/face covering at all times while riding a bus. Students will use hand sanitizer upon entering a school bus.

Parents who drop off their student(s) at school must ensure the student(s) is wearing a mask/face covering upon exiting the vehicle.

Students in Grades K-12 are required to wear a mask/face covering when entering and/or exiting a school building. Teachers and/or Principals may allow students to remove their masks/face coverings when social distancing of 3’-6’ separation can be maintained especially during classroom time. There is no lost and found for masks/face coverings. Any remaining in sight at the end of the school day will be discarded. Please be advised that the mask/face covering policy may be adjusted at any time, as necessary.

Parents/students and staff members will conduct health/safety checks every day before coming to school. Students and/or staff members who have a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees or exhibit signs of illness (cough, sore throat, body aches, etc.) should stay at home.

Students may be subject to a temperature check upon entering a bus and/or school building. Students who have a temperature at or above 100.4 or exhibit signs of illness anytime during the school day will be dismissed and should be picked up immediately. Note: Please do not have your child go to school and “try” if he/she is feeling ill.

Staff members may be subject to a temperature check upon entering a school building. Staff members who have a temperature at or above 100.4 or exhibit signs of illness anytime during the school day will be dismissed as soon as practical.

Hand sanitizer will be available in high traffic areas including, but not limited to, building entrances, classrooms, cafeterias, and school buses. Everyone will wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer when entering a building periodically throughout the day.

Restrooms will be sanitized after Elementary recesses and Jr/Sr High lunches using approved disinfectants and/or wipes labeled and/or approved for use against Covid-19.

Buses will be sanitized after morning and evening routes using approved disinfectants and/or wipes labeled and/or approved for use against Covid-19.

Recess equipment shall be washed and/or sanitized using approved disinfectants and/or wipes labeled and/or approved for use against Covid-19 after each recess period.

There will be no in-person Open Houses for the beginning of the school year. Teachers are encouraged to hold virtual Open Houses to introduce themselves and their classrooms to students and parents.

Visitors and/or parents will not enter a school building beyond the office entrance during the school day without authorization.

Grades K-8 teachers will change classrooms to the greatest extent possible rather than students moving from classroom to classroom.

Meals will be served in the cafeteria if social distancing is maintained according to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations including lines and tables. Meals will be served in classrooms if necessary.

There are no field trips permitted until further notice.

Please keep in mind that conditions may change at any time.