New start times for the district:
The Swanton Local School District is also implementing a new form of communication between teachers and parents called ParentSquare.
FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS’ COMMON REOPENING AGREEMENT
PREFACE: All Ohio schools closed for the remainder of the school calendar beginning on March 16, 2020, by order of the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health Director in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 2, 2020 Governor DeWine released the Reset & Restart Planning Guide for Schools and this Agreement was created with those recommendations in mind. This Agreement is the result of collaboration among the seven Fulton County superintendents and the Fulton County Health Commissioner.
These general principles will guide each school district as they move forward with reopening schools throughout Fulton County:
1. Each school district will implement safety protocols as realistically as possible.
2. Each school district will work closely with the Fulton County Health Department to promote safety in each school building.
3. Daily Health Assessments: Students and personnel are expected to take their own temperature before reporting to school and to stay home if above 100F or if experiencing other symptoms. Additional health monitoring at school may occur due to an increased risk of COVID-19 in our community.
4. Each school district will be transparent with all stakeholders that some level of risk will always be present when children and school district employees occupy school district facilities.
5. School districts recognize the need for consistency in areas of operations while recognizing that individual differences in classroom sizes, school facilities, and building operations may lead to some inconsistencies.
6. School districts are planning to maintain their previously-approved school calendars with some possible professional development adjustments.
These principles will be common to all Fulton County public school districts:
Communications when a student/staff member has been diagnosed with a COVID-19 positive case
Communication will be developed by the Fulton County Health Department, not the school district. A common template will be developed to include the following:
Communication will be shared per Health Department protocol.
The school district will cooperate with the Health Department’s work in contact tracing and quarantine requirements.
The Fulton County Health Department, consistent with statewide protocols, will define what is considered “exposure” to COVID-19.
Food Service
All districts will offer food service. Logistics will be determined by each district and school building in order to maximize social distancing. Additionally, the following will take place:
Individual condiment packets will be used.
Cafeterias will be seated at reduced capacity.
Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands before and after lunch.
Cafeterias will be sanitized between lunch periods.
Traditional meal options will be served.
Classroom Occupancy
Districts will inform parents that safety protocols are in place but any student who attends school will incur some level of risk. Districts will decrease the likelihood of infection with hygiene, cleaning, and safety procedures, but being in a public place has a certain level of risk that cannot be eliminated.
Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands before and after classes.
Classroom occupancy will be determined based on each individual circumstance with the maximum amount of safety considerations possible.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are recommended and encouraged for all students. Face coverings are required for all staff when in close proximity to other people. Face coverings may become required due to increased risk of COVID-19 in our community.
Online learning
School districts will offer online learning for parents who do not choose to send their child to school.
Parents may choose two options:
1. Send their child to school (assume some level of risk), or
2. Choose online learning.
Students will not be permitted to come in and out of online learning based on district guidelines.
Visitors/Volunteers/Parties:
There are different levels of school visitors, and each district will make decisions for each situation.
Visitors are discouraged from being in school district facilities during school hours. Safety precautions will be implemented for all visitors.
Transportation
Fulton County districts will allow two students per seat and in some instances three students if the children are younger and therefore smaller.
Districts will attempt to seat siblings together.
Seating charts are recommended to assist with contact tracing if that is needed.
Face coverings are recommended and encouraged for all students. Face coverings are required for drivers when in close proximity to other people. Face coverings may become required due to increased risk of COVID-19 in our community.
In the event State policies require school districts to use alternative schedules, districts may adopt minimum requirements for transportation to reduce the number of students who are eligible for school district transportation.
Recess
School districts will make every effort to maintain consistency with other safety procedures.
Students will be encouraged to sanitize their hands before and after recess.
Start and End of School Day
Measures will be taken to prevent students from congregating before and after school.
Field Trips
Classroom based field trips will not take place until further guidance is provided.
The Fulton County Schools’ Common Reopening Agreement is subject to change throughout the school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. If mandated, districts are prepared to implement alternative learning environments.
Dr. Jayson Selgo, Superintendent - Archbold Area Schools Mr. Eric Smola, Superintendent - Evergreen Local Schools Dr. Angela Belcher, Superintendent - Fayette Local School District Dr. Steve Switzer, Superintendent - Pettisville Schools Dr. Ted Haselman, Superintendent - Pike-Delta-York Local School District Mr. Chris Lake, Superintendent - Swanton Local School District Mr. Troy Armstrong, Superintendent - Wauseon Exempted Village School District Mrs. Kim Cupp, RS, MPH, Health Commissioner - Fulton County Health Department
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