Heartland Christian School - Council Bluffs, Iowa

We are GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!!

10-5-2020

HCS Family,

As you all know we have been in our Distance Learning model for the past week and will do so until Friday of this week. We will return to in class learning Monday, October 12th. Returning to in class learning was discussed with our county health department and with our HCS board of directors, so that we could come back with a plan that would keep us in the building learning. Many of you have expressed the need for a mask mandate and some of you have expressed the opposite. Our decision for the proper protocol was made, due to the sole purpose of what is best for the most involved and what keeps us in the building learning.

The county health department made it known to us that if we were under a mask mandate for our staff and students we would not need to close our building due to a positive COVID-19 test result. That information was presented to our board, and our board voted unanimously to madnate masks as a part of our Return to Learn Policy.

As I stated before, some of you will agree and some of you will disagree, and I for one have my own belief on the results of masks, but I do know that if it keeps us learning together in what we know as Heartland Christian School, then I am ALL for it!

The following is the new Return to Learn Policy, the drop off and pick up have not changed. The main two changes are the mask mandate and the change to seating charts in all classes. Here is the Policy:

Heartland Christian School

“Return to Learn” Plan

2020-21

Dates:
- Return to school Monday, October 12th with an all day (8:00 AM-3:15 PM) everyday (Monday-Friday).

“Return to Learn” Roll Out Plan:
- Board Approval on Monday, October 5th

Student/Staff Arrival/Drop Off Procedures (Unchanged):
- Conduct mandatory temperature checks for staff and for children upon drop-off every day using thermal scanners and/or thermometers at the designated entrances. DO NOT allow staff or children with temperatures of 100.4 F or higher to attend.
- 7:30-7:45 Drop Off Procedures:
  - The building will open at 7:30 AM as normal. Preschool through 12th grade arriving prior to 7:45 AM (with parents) will need to be dropped off in the front drop off lane, enter door #1, and sit in their class assigned group in the gym or high school commons. This will be staffed.
  - Jr High and High School student drivers with siblings in other areas of the school, (arriving without parents), will park in back parking lot and enter Door #5, and sit in their class assigned group in the gym or high school commons. This will be staffed.

- 7:45 Drop Off Procedures:
  - Preschool:
    - Parent Driver:
      - Use School parking lot and students will enter the outside preschool classroom doors.
      - If parent of preschooler also has student siblings, Kindergarten through 12th grade, those students will enter through the main front doors (Door #1).
    - Student Driver:
      - Prek-12th grade students will enter through door #5 only (Back parking lot by Mr. Lewis’ room) Students can park in The Dock parking lot as normal or be dropped off along the fence by The Hut or The Dock parking lot.
  - Kindergarten-6th:
    - Parent Driver:
      - Use the drop off lane. Students will enter through main front doors (Door #1).
    - Student Driver:
      - PreK-12 students will enter through door #5 only (Back parking lot by Mr. Lewis’ room.) Students can park in The Dock parking lot as normal or be dropped off along the fence of the The Hut or The Dock parking lot.
  - 7th-12th grade:
    - Parent Driver:
      - Students will enter through door #5 only (Back parking lot by Mr. Lewis’ room.) Parents can park in The Dock parking lot as normal or drop students off along the fence of the The Hut or The Dock parking lot.
    - Student Driver:
      - PreK-12 students and their siblings will enter through door #5 only (Back parking lot by Mr. Lewis’ room.) Students can park in The Dock parking lot as normal or be dropped off along the fence of the The Hut or The Dock parking lot.

Student Pick Up/Leave Procedures (Unchanged):
- Preschool:
  - Park in the parking lot and pick up your student from the outside classroom door.
  - Kindergarten through 2nd grade sibling students will be at the front of the building. (Door #1) Parents will need to walk to door #1 to pick up their Kindergarten through Second grade sibling students..
  - 3rd through 6th grade sibling students will be dismissed from the playground door. (Door #8)
  - 7th through 12th grade sibling students will be dismissed from the parking lot high school door. (Door #3)
- Kindergarten-2nd Grade:
  - Students will be dismissed from the main front door. (Door #1)
  - Parents will use the drop off lane and street to park to pick up students.
- 3rd-6th grade:
  - Students will be dismissed from the playground door. (Door #8)
  - Parents will use the drop off lane and street to park to pick up students.
- 7th-12 grade:
  - Students will be dismissed from Door # 5 only.
  - If the Junior high/Senior high student has siblings, please refer to the instructions above.
  - Student drivers who need to pick up PreK-6th grade students will be dismissed prior to the 3:15 bell to pick up their siblings. Student drivers will still need to use door #5 upon dismissal.
Building Signage:
- Post signage where visible mandating a mask be worn while in the building.
- Post signage where it is visible indicating no one should participate if they

currently have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath),

have tested positive for COVID-19, or live with someone with symptoms or

confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days

Staff/Students In School Onset of Fever/Symptoms:
- Staff or student with fever or visible symptoms:
  - The staff member will go home immediately.
  - The student will continue wearing a mask and immediately will be escorted to a quarantine room.
  - Parents will be contacted to pick up the child immediately.
  - The quarantine room will be cleaned & disinfected once the child has gone home.

In Class Procedures:
- Desks/Tables:
  - Max numbers will remain the same.
  - Space as far as possible. Utilize empty desks and chairs for spacing when possible.
  - Each class Pre K-3 through 12th grade will have mandatory seating charts in all classes, this includes lunch, music, library, and resource classes.
- Masks/Face Shields:
  - Masks are mandatory for all staff and students (will need to provide your own masks).
    - Teachers may wear face shields at appropriate times for teaching.
  - HCS will provide masks for staff/students in the case the mask is broken or unusable.
  - Teachers will periodically give masks-breaks during safe distances.
- Bathroom breaks:
  - Space along the wall if the whole class goes at once.
  - Wear masks at all times.
- Lunch:
  - Utilize ¾ of the gym for tables and spacing.
  - Normal disinfecting procedures at the end of each period will remain as Current procedures.
  - Microwaves will be disinfected at the end of each period.
  - All periods will have mandatory seating charts.
  - Masks may be removed only while eating. Masks are to be worn at all other times in the lunchroom.
- Recess:
  - Will be conducted and monitored as normal.
  - Wear masks during recess.
- Physical Education/Rec Sports/& other Physical Activities:
  - Utilize outside as much as possible.
  - More individualized activities.
  - Sanitizing equipment after each class.
  - Masks will be worn during all PE and physical activities.
- Music:
  - Spread students out in chairs with as much spacing as possible.
  - Or, one music class a week with only one class in the room. (based on classroom size).
  - Seating charts & masks will be mandatory.

- Library:
  - Spread craft tables out.
  - Spread students out to read.
  - Seating charts & masks will be mandatory
- Chapel:
  - Elementary:
    - Possible live feed chapel to the classrooms.
    - Possibly one class can be in chapel a week and rotate classes that go into chapel.
    - Outside chapel when weather permits.
    - Seating charts & masks will be mandatory.
  - JH/HS:
    - HS will alternate chapels with JH attending once every other week on Fridays.
    - Whichever classes are not in chapel, they will attend a discipleship training offered through Bible teachers.
    - Seating charts & masks will be mandatory.
- Retreats:
  - Elementary: Canceled
  - JH/HS: Canceled
- Field Trips:
  - Elementary:
    - Field trips will be cancelled/not scheduled at this time.
- Christmas/Spring Programs:
  - In person programs will be canceled
  - Virtual Programs for the 2020-21 school year are an option.
- Athletic Events:
  - Athletic practices & events will resume Monday, October 12th.
  - Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, & Track will be offered as normal.
  - We will adhere to the IHSAA/IGHSAU guidelines and procedures.
  - Masks will be required at all Athletic events.
- Distance Learning during a 24-48 hour shut down:
  - If a positive COVID-19 test has been confirmed the school may be closed for a period at which time the school will be sanitized.
  - Depending on the time frame of the closure:
    - Elementary will have work sent home for the 24-48 hour closure depending on access to the building.
    - Secondary will need to check Praxi during the closure.
- Distance Learning during a long term mandatory shut down:
  - Preschool:
    - Scheduled Zoom meeting.
    - Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
    - Recorded video of lessons being taught.
    - Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
  - Elementary:
    - Scheduled Zoom meetings for core subjects.
    - Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
    - Recorded video of lessons being taught.
    - Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
  - JH/HS:
    - Core subjects assignments will be listed on Praxi.
    - Zoom, Marco Polo, Google Hangouts will be utilized by teachers.
    - Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning if needed.
- HCS at Home Learning:
  - Preschool:
    - Possible recorded video of lessons being taught.
  - Elementary:
    - Recorded video of lessons being taught.
    - Tests/quizzes proctored at school.
  - JH/HS:
    - Core courses will be offered by recorded video.
    - Homework assignments will be required by set due dates
    - Tests will be taken on site at HCS by appointment.

Daily Disinfecting Procedures:
- Hand Sanitizing:
  - 12 touchless hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the school. 1 in the office, 5 located by bathroom doors, and 6 located around the school.
  - Hand sanitizer will be available in the classroom.
- End of Day Cleaning:
  - Teacher:
    - DHS approved sanitizer spray on to contact surfaces included, but not limited to desks, chairs, light switches, door handles, & counter tops.
  - Constant Care:
    - Clean room as normal according to DHS protocol.
    - Sanitize playground equipment.
- Janitorial:
  - DHS protocol will be used throughout the building on restrooms, water fountains, and contact surfaces.

Closing School requirements:
- If a positive COVID-19 test has been confirmed the school may be closed for 24-48 hours during which time the school will be sanitized.
- If multiple students or staff have positive COVID-19 tests the school could be closed for 14 days.
- If Iowa’s Governor declares schools to be shut down for short term or long term the school could be closed.

Learning Requirements During a Closure:
- Short Term closure
  - Elementary will have work sent home for the 24-48 hour closure depending on access to the building.
  - Secondary will need to check Praxi during the closure.
- Long Term Closure
  - Preschool:
    - Scheduled Zoom meeting.
    - Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning.
    - Recorded video of lessons being taught.
    - Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
  - Elementary:
    - Scheduled Zoom meetings for core subjects.
    - Drop Off Box set up for extended distance learning.
    - Recorded video of lessons being taught.
    - Or, in class sessions with fewer students in the classrooms (determined by DHS procedures).
  - JH/HS:
    - Core subjects assignments will be listed on Praxi.
    - Zoom, Marco Polo, Google Hangouts will be utilized by teachers.

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Fall 2020

HCS Family,

First, we want to say “thank you” for your patience in allowing us the time to roll out the best possible plan for our fall reopening.

Second, the Executive Committee has finalized our 2020-21 “Return to Learn” plans, and the HCS board has approved these plans as well. Of course there are some new procedures that we all will need to adjust to, and we also ask for your continued support and flexibility as this plan may be adjusted due to state and/or federal government declarations. When changes are made to this plan we are committed to get the adjustments out to you as soon as possible.

We will be operating according to the school calendar that was approved by the board in January.

Important Dates:

Return to school as normal. See Approved school calendar for 2020-21.
August 18 Sneak Peek (More information to come)
August 20 First Day of School

Important Information to the “Return to Learn” Plan:

The entire building, including carpets will be cleaned and sanitized by an outside cleaning company prior to the staff report date.
School will be in session as a normal school year for Pre K-3 through 12th grade students.
8:00 AM-3:15 PM Monday through Friday.
- The building will open at 7:30 AM as normal. Any student arriving prior to 7:45 AM will need to be dropped off in the front drop off lane, enter door #1, and sit in their class assigned group in the gym. This will be staffed.
Staff and Students will enter through designated entrances with thermal temperature scanners checking each staff and student's temperature upon arrival.
- Any staff with a temperature of 100.4 will not be allowed to enter the classroom, and will need to go home. Any student with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be masked and escorted to the isolation room for parent pick up.
The wearing of masks will be optional for staff & students.
- Anyone choosing to wear a mask will need to provide their own.
Classroom sizes and max numbers will be as previous years.
Field trips, programs, and concerts will be postponed until further notice.
Athletics (Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, and Track) will follow the guidelines of both the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Frontier Conference.
New and additional equipment:
- Live stream cameras will be installed in each classroom for students who are uncomfortable for in class learning, transition to distance learning should a shutdown occur, and for any students who may be absent due to sickness.
- All lead & resource teachers will be issued new laptop computers to allow for an easy transition to “Distance Learning” should a shutdown occur.
- All staff will be equipped with personal thermometers.
- (12) new hand sanitizer stations will be installed in the building.
- The drop off/arrival and the releasing of students at the beginning and end of the school day will remain at the same time, but will be at designated entrances.
- Student desks will not be set up in pods and have the max amount of space between them as possible.

Read The Entire Board Approved “Return to Learn” Plan

In His Service,

The Executive Committee