• The Westonka Public Schools COVID-19 Health Coordinator is District Nurse Kelly Mattson, BSN, RN, LSN.

• Each school will designate a school-level COVID-19 coordinator and create a building-specific plan

• All staff will be trained on COVID-19 awareness and the proper use of cleaning materials

• Nonessential visitors, volunteers and activities involving external groups or organizations will be restricted.

• Schools will discontinue activities that bring together large groups of people or activities that do not allow for social distancing, including assemblies, in-person field trips, etc.

• In order to plan for bus capacity, ALL families must indicate whether or not their student(s) will be using bus transportation for the 2020-21 school year in Skyward Family Access no later than Aug. 17.
  • Skyward Registration Instructions:
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• Westonka Bus Service will ensure 6 feet of distancing between the driver and all riders.
• We will create as much space between riders as possible. In the hybrid model, we will ensure 50% maximum occupancy on transportation vehicles.
• Buses will load from back to front
• Siblings will be asked to sit together whenever possible
  
• Parents are strongly encouraged to drive their child(ren) to and from school if they have the ability to do so. Fewer riders will help limit potential exposures to COVID-19 and allow more room for those who are in need of transportation.

• Staff will monitor arrival and dismissal to curtail congregating and ensure students go straight from vehicle to their classroom.

• Schools will have new signage, floor/seating markings, spaced out or removed furniture in common areas, and clear barriers in reception areas to promote social distancing.
• In the hybrid model, schools will ensure 6 feet social distancing in school buildings

• Classroom seating arrangements will be created according to state guidelines.
• In the hybrid learning model, classrooms will be arranged to maintain 6 feet social distancing at all times (see example below). Alternative indoor spaces (e.g., MWHS Little Theater) and outdoor areas will be used if social distancing is not possible in a particular classroom.

• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at school entry points and high-traffic locations (e.g., lunch lines)
• Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom
• Teachers will encourage students to frequently wash their hands during the school day
• Signs will be placed around the school to remind students to practice healthy habits that prevent the spread of germs

In-Person Model

• Schools will follow the MDH Restaurant Guidance
• Students will eat in cafeteria, classrooms and other spaces. Outdoor eating areas will be utilized when appropriate.
• Primary school students will remain in classroom cohorts during lunch.
• Meals will be available to students participating in distance learning via curbside pick-up. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

Hybrid Model

• Schools will ensure sufficient social distancing during lunch with at least 6 feet between people at all times.
• Students will eat in cafeteria, classrooms and other spaces. Outdoor eating areas will be utilized when appropriate.
• Primary school students will remain in classroom cohorts during lunch.
• Meals will be available to students for distance learning days. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

Distance Model

• Meals will be available to students via curbside pick-up and bus stop delivery. Visit the Westonka Foodies page for more details.

• At the middle school and high school, passing times may be staggered and traffic patterns revised in order to reduce the number of students in hallways at the same time.

• Grades 5-12 students will not use school lockers in the hybrid model. Locker use may be staggered at other grade levels or in the in-person model.

• Students will be discouraged from sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect, and classroom practices will be modified to minimize sharing.
• Some furniture, equipment and commonly shared items will be removed from use

• Schools will encourage students to bring their own water bottles as opposed to using drinking fountains. Bottle refill stations will be available.

• Facilities staff, along with technicians and engineers, have reviewed and will continue to inspect school ventilation systems to ensure they operate properly and will increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible

• Outdoor areas such as playgrounds will be open. Students will be encouraged to spread out. Student cohorts will be used to limit mixing. Additional cleaning will take place on hard surfaces.

• Alternate indoor spaces and outdoor areas will be used to the extent possible in order to enhance physical distancing. Outdoor classrooms, fields, courts and open areas will be used as additional learning spaces when appropriate.

• A portion of federal dollars is available for additional health and safety-related purchases related to COVID-19.
• Educators will provide input on purchases that will be most helpful in their schools and classrooms.

• Custodians will perform routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and shared equipment throughout the day

• Custodians will routinely use foggers to disinfect floors and hallways in accordance with safety guidelines.

• Custodians will perform deep cleaning in reaction to a COVID-19 case in the building.

• Teaching staff will be trained on the proper use of cleaning materials in their classrooms
• Nurses and health specialists will implement cleaning and disinfecting procedures for equipment and school isolation rooms

• Schools will ensure the availability of appropriate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors. Custodians will frequently check and refill supplies (e.g., hand sanitizer, soap, disinfectant wipes)

• Facilities staff, along with technicians and engineers, will review school ventilation systems to ensure they operate properly and will increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible