Frequently Asked Questions About Reopening Plan (PDF Version)
FAQs on the Reopening of the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools
Elementary Schools
1. We have a soon-to-be kindergartner. We’re wondering what will be the standard procedure if he takes off his mask at school (non-mask break time)?
Teachers will work with individual students to help them to become more comfortable with wearing a mask for extended periods of time. Those who are encountering difficulty will be asked to utilize their desk shields along with the mask. Individual training and/or incentive plans will be developed with students as needed.
2. Will specials be pushed into the classroom?
This is outlined in the building plans found here. Computer instruction and health instruction will be pushed into the classroom at all grade levels. At Mile Creek, Spanish instruction will be pushed into the classroom in grades K-2 and will be in the Spanish classroom for grades 3-5. All Spanish instruction will take place in the classroom at Lyme Consolidated School. Library Media will take place in the library media center but may be pushed into the classroom at times if the lesson requires technology for younger students not capable of transporting their devices. Art instruction will take place in the art room, PE will take place outside or in the gymnasium, health instruction will take place in the classroom, and music will take place in the classroom. At Lyme Consolidated School, music will take place in the music room on most days. When the lesson is mostly singing, the instruction will move to the cafeteria.
3. If there is a spike in cases throughout Connecticut, will I have the option to take my son out of school to start homeschool?
Parents may choose to opt out of in-person learning at any time. The district may need up to five days to transition students to remote learning or to transition students from remote learning to in-person learning.
4. Will before and after school programs run as usual?
Before and after school programming will run at the individual schools through the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center if there is enough interest. PK students will have before and after programming provided by the Valley Shore YMCA at Center School.
5. Will all kids need to wear masks then, including PK?
All students will be required to wear their masks when in the school building, including PK.
6. Will Plexiglass desk shields be installed on student desks?
Individual desk shields have been ordered for each student at Lyme Consolidated and Mile Creek as well as at Center School. The shields are transportable and may be brought to special/unified arts classes, to support services provided outside of the classroom, and to GAT/E (Gifted and Talented/Enrichment) groups taking place outside of the classroom.
7. How strongly are you considering a hybrid plan at the elementary level?
Based on current health metrics in our area, our plan is for a full in-person reopening.
8. How often and how long will recess times be?
Daily for 25 minutes.
9. What is the max/min size of a cohort group per classroom?
At present our largest class size is 22 at Mile Creek, 18 at Lyme Consolidated, and 14 at Center School. These numbers are based on 100% of our students returning to in person instruction.
10. For children who have chronic asthma, continual cough, a runny nose because of allergies etc., will parents/guardians be required to fill out some type of questionnaire so the nurse knows the child’s baseline?
Yes, parents are encouraged to inform the school of chronic conditions that may manifest as a COVID-19 symptom. When performing the daily self-assessment, families are encouraged to pay special attention to symptoms that are not typical for a student.
11. Will there be increased outdoor classroom time in warm weather and into the fall?
Yes, students will have increased outdoor time for learning and for mask breaks.
12. Do you have specific guidelines for the masks the children should wear?
All students PK -12, all staff members, and anyone who enters any of our buildings must wear a self-provided face mask. This is a change from our previous position, specifically in regard to PK. Our mask guidance is based on the CDC face covering guidelines but is more stringent in that all masks must cover the nose, mouth, and chin area. Bandanas, gators, balaclavas, buffs, masks with one-way valves or vents, or any other face covering that does not meet the administration’s determination of appropriateness are prohibited. Students or staff who arrive without the proper mask will be provided one for use that day and will be expected to return the following school day with an approved mask.
13. Has there been study on the feasibility of using the excess space in the Center School for certain classes to "thin out" the population in the other facilities?
Due to increased participation in the PK program, there is currently no space at Center School for thinning out the populations in other schools.
14. What will happen if one kid in the classroom gets sick with COVID-19...will the whole class and teacher need to quarantine for two weeks?
Decisions regarding quarantining will be made on a situational basis in consultation with our district medical advisor and Ledge Light Health District.
15. If many parents choose to drive their kids to school, will we have a window time to drop off our kids so no traffic is created?
Yes, suggested times for drop off and pick up have been developed in hopes of avoiding traffic backups and can be found in the building-based plans.
16. With regard to remote learning, will there be direct instruction, such as done via Google Meet, and, if so, how often will this occur?
Live instructional hours vary based on whether remote learning is due to opting out of in-person learning or whether we are experiencing a full closure. More details will be provided to families who choose that option or if we need to transition to remote learning for all students.
17. Will we be able to enroll children in the before and after school programs after the school year starts?
That question should be directed to the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center or Valley Shore YMCA.
18. What is being done to explore using outdoors as a place for lessons and learning on a regular basis?
Outdoor spaces will be utilized frequently, weather permitting.
19. If you are able to install the Plexiglass on the desks, can students remove their masks when sitting at the desk?
Students will only be permitted to remove their masks when the desk shield is in place and they are eating. They may be allowed to remove their masks for very brief periods of time during instruction when a desk shield is in place and when a teacher may need to see a student’s face (such as during literacy or speech instruction). Mask breaks have also been built into the school day.
20. Is the district considering reopening plans similar to others in the region or strictly based on LOL health data?
We are utilizing data provided by the Ledge Light Health District, which reflects regional numbers.
21. The district plan mentioned having the children enter the school through several different entry points. Can you describe any additional safety/security measures that will be put in place to account for this?
Staff will be assigned to man each entry/exit point, and our school security officers will also monitor exit and entry points.
22. Is distance learning available in the event that a child or sibling of child is under a "14 day stay home mandate" following testing protocol?
Yes.
23. I thought I read in the guideline that parents would be able to see the classrooms prior to the opening of schools. Will we be able to do so? If so, when?
The district has created a video for parents to view which displays classroom setups and other aspects of the buildings. That video can be found here.
24. What is the plan for social distancing, sanitizing and mask requirements on the buses?
Students are required to wear masks on the bus and will have assigned seats. The maximum distancing possible will be utilized, and family members will be asked to sit together.
25. I'm concerned regarding my child being assigned homework after a full-school day with these guidelines that will add additional stress into their day. Will homework be assigned and, if so, can we opt out of this if we feel it is best for our child?
Parents are encouraged to talk with classroom teachers should any concerns arise regarding homework.
26. Will health checks be performed on students and/or staff as they enter the buildings?
No, the self-assessment guide that can be found here should be utilized each morning.
27. Will teachers be tested for COVID-19?
No. Teachers will seek out testing if they have concerns regarding exposure, but the district will not be testing employees prior to the start of school.
28. I am still having trouble understanding the cohort concept. It sounds to me like it is simply equivalent to "the children in a particular class." Is that correct?
Yes, the cohort will include the children in a given class and/or grade level..
29. Will there be a hand washing schedule for students and access to hand sanitizers?
Yes.
30. Will parents be able to visit the mock or planned classrooms prior to September 1?
Individual tours may be requested or you may view the video on the reopening page of our website.
31. Will remote learning count towards the 180-day requirement?
As long as the student is in attendance on those days, yes.
32. What will the classrooms be cleaned with? Will Lysol wipes be allowed?
We are utilizing the cleaning procedures and solutions recommended by the DPH and Yale School of Public Health. Students may not bring their own cleaning materials including hand sanitizer and wipes.
33. Is there a plan for additional support for student emotional/mental health needs given the drastically changed atmosphere at school?
Yes, this will take place during each classroom’s Morning/Community Meeting and during health classes.
34. Once the school year is underway, how much notice is needed if we choose to switch to remote learning from in classroom learning?
Five days.
35. If student has a mild fever and kept home for the day, can they participate in remote learning for just that day and avoid absence?
They can access what is provided online for that day, but full remote learning materials cannot be provided (i.e., workbooks, individual learning kits) on such short notice. If devices are required, parents will have to call the school and pick up the device from the school’s vestibule.
36. Will kindergarten students have an opportunity to meet their teacher before the first day of school?
Teachers will send home videos introducing themselves to their students.
37. When will we find out our child’s teacher?
The recommendations for reopening per the Connecticut State Department of Education has required us to make revisions to classroom assignments. We will inform families about who their child’s classroom teacher will be ahead of the opening of school on September 1, 2020.
Please send any additional questions to lolreopening@region18.org.
Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School
1. Will mask breaks be scheduled or at teacher discretion?
The middle school will have a minimum of three mask breaks scheduled throughout the day.
2. An entire grade seems like a large cohort. Will there be smaller groups within the larger grade cohort? There are no recommended guidelines as to cohort sizes. A grade level is the smallest cohort feasible at the middle school.
3. Will the students be placed 6 feet apart during lunch since masks will need to be removed?
Yes, there will be a minimum of six feet distance between students during lunch waves.
4. Will you address sports/clubs afterschool?
As of this time, both sports and clubs are scheduled to run. Our sports will abide by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and the Shoreline Conference guidelines.
5. Will students have all of their classes in the same classroom and will lunch be delivered directly to the room if they choose to purchase lunch?
As the entire grade makes up the cohort, students will be moving room to room with a different mix of students within their own grade level. We have established a one-way directional flow in the hallways and staggered passing times to ensure that cohorts will have as little contact as feasible with other cohorts.
6. Will students wear masks during PE?
Students are required to wear masks unless they are outside and at least six feet apart.
7. Will there be a change in the amount of materials (binders, folders, etc.) if the students are not using lockers? My kids had really heavy backpacks with all the binders and materials they were required to have. Also, band and chorus - how are these classes being social distanced?
Yes, with the addition of Chromebooks, digital materials, and a more efficient binder model, we expect backpacks to be more manageable. Both band and chorus will utilize outdoor spaces when feasible, and chorus has been moved to the auditorium to allow for maximum physical distancing between students.
8. Will desks be cleaned in between the students switching classrooms?
Students will be provided with disinfecting wipes at the conclusion of each class. They will be responsible for wiping down their desk area, chair, and any classroom materials that they used.
9. Are there initiatives in place for managing student stress with all of these new rules in place?
Following our middle school model, we will focus on learning rather than punitive measures. Students will be explicitly taught our expectations, and they will be reminded about the rules and the health and safety reasons behind them. We have amended our advisory program to help meet the situational needs of this crisis. The responsibility of supporting and monitoring students will be shared by all of the middle school staff.
10. Since you’ve encouraged parents to bring students to school rather than take the bus, will there be an expanded window of time to drop kids off, and/or a revised procedure for doing so? Seems like this could cause a lot of congestion in front of the building and be time consuming.
The middle school has a 20-minute window between 7:20-7:40 before homeroom attendance is taken. Based on survey responses, over 40% of our families will still utilize our buses. Therefore, because approximately 60% of our students will be dropped off, we have implemented a staggered arrival schedule. Parents who are dropping off will use the following arrival schedule, which is organized by last name:
7:20-7:25 A-F
7:25-7:30 G-M
7:30-7:35 N-Z
11. You've mentioned all children are required to wear a mask...will all teachers/staff be required to wear a mask?
Yes, teachers will be supplied with clear masks so the students can see their mouths when speaking. All other staff will wear CDC and Region18 approved masks.
12. How will art class function with sharing of tools?
Students in classes that use shared tools or equipment will be provided gloves or disinfecting wipes.
13. Will touchless bathroom devices be installed?
No, not at this time.
14. Is there any thought about installing desk shields?
A select group of teachers and students may be utilizing desk shields based on the type of instruction and proximity between teachers and students.
15. Is anything being done to the HVAC system, i.e., changing filters, opening windows, etc.?
Yes, we are following the recommendations of the DPH and the Yale School of Public Health in regard to HVAC systems and airflow.
16. What happens when we have a positive case?
We will follow the guidelines in Addendum 5 of the state’s plan in consultation with our local health district and district medical advisor.
17. If/when we go to a hybrid model, will there be consideration for families with students in different buildings throughout the district - having them home or in school on the same days?
Yes. Should we need to go to a hybrid model, we will make sure to schedule family members on the same days.
18. Will the traditional “meet the teacher day” still take place before school officially starts?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold our traditional teacher meet and greet for all students, but we are planning a controlled limited orientation for 6th grade students on Monday, August 31.
Please send any additional questions to lolreopening@region18.org.
Lyme-Old Lyme High School
1. Can you clarify acceptable masks.
All students PK -12, all staff members, and anyone who enters any of our buildings must wear a self-provided face mask. This is a change from our previous position, specifically in regard to PK. Our mask guidance is based on the CDC face covering guidelines but is more stringent in that all masks must cover the nose, mouth, and chin area. Bandanas, gators, balaclavas, buffs, masks with one-way valves or vents, or any other face covering that does not meet the administration’s determination of appropriateness are prohibited. Students or staff who arrive without the proper mask will be provided one for use that day and will be expected to return the following school day with an approved mask.
2. I am assuming we can send our kids in with hand sanitizer in their backpacks?
No. Hand sanitizer and wipes will be supplied throughout the building.
3. Can siblings be in the same cohort if we need to move to a hybrid model?
Yes.
4. If our child has mild symptoms and we need to keep them home, can they attend classes online that day to ensure they don't miss anything?
You should use the daily health checklist to make the determination of whether or not to send your child to school. Should they not be able to attend, they will have access to the remote learning option.
5. Based on the survey results, do you have an idea of the percentage of families sending their children back? My child said none of his friends are going back - which is probably not true!
Around 90% of those who responded to the survey are expected to return based on the results of the first survey.
6. How does the change in position from the Governor (no longer requiring all students to be served in-person in the building) affect the current high school plan?
We intend to open fully as originally planned as the current health data supports such a move.
7. Will mask breaks be taken outside or in a larger area than a classroom so that students can be far apart?
Yes. We plan on using a combination of larger inside areas and outside areas for mask breaks.
8. What precautions will be in place for science labs or other classes where students traditionally work together or share equipment?
Students in science labs will be provided with gloves and masks to wear while sharing equipment. These areas will also be provided with disinfecting wipes for the students to clean the equipment after use.
9. What is being done differently for distance learning this school year in comparison to last spring? Was a distance learning consultant involved in plans for this new school year? Are there changes based on lessons learned? Can distance learning students have daily instruction per class such as following their schedule and/or be included in the live classroom teaching?
The high school has developed a remote learning plan that includes daily live instruction. In order to avoid confusion over the temporary opt out remote learning model and a full distance learning model, details of the plan will be shared should we need to implement it.
10. Will lockdown drills still be conducted and what will they look like?
Yes, lockdown drills will take place. They may be more focused on “tabletop exercises” but will still take place.
11. How will band and physical education instruction be handled?
The band has been relocated to the auditorium to support physical distancing and we have secured music-specific PPE equipment. PE curriculum will focus more on individual exercise and health and steer away from team sports activities that require the sharing of equipment and close physical contact.
12. How will chorus, school plays, clubs, sports be affected?
Each club or activity advisor is required to submit a meeting plan to the administration in advance that outlines the location of the meetings/activities and the physical distancing protocols that will be implemented.
13. Will kids still be moving from class to class as normal when the bell rings? How will hallway passing work?
Our new daily schedule has reduced the number of transitions throughout the day. We have also created a one-way traffic pattern throughout the school.
14. What are you doing for lunches so students will be six feet apart during the day?
Student seating has been arranged to provide the appropriate distance. Additional lunch waves have been added to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at a time. Only three students will be permitted to sit at a table that is capable of seating 12. Satellite eating areas have also been established to spread the students out.
15. Will students be required to wear any type of identification or their student IDs because their faces will be covered?
No, not at this time.
16. Are backpacks allowed?
Yes.
17. Is anything being done to the HVAC system, changing filters, opening windows, etc.?
Yes, we are following the recommendations of the DPH and the Yale School of Public Health in regard to HVAC systems and airflow.
18. Will parents be notified before school starts if there will be a teacher or student in their child’s class who will not be wearing a mask because of medical conditions?
As of today, we do not have any such requests from parents or staff members. If someone has a condition that prohibits their use of a mask, it is most likely that they should not be out in public anyway and therefore will opt for the remote learning model.
19. Will doors be able to be propped to avoid students and staff having to touch them each time to open them?
Only during passing times. Our ventilation system is designed to work at peak efficiency when the classroom doors and windows are closed.
20. With the expected increase in parent drop off, what plans will be put in place to prevent traffic jams affecting Lyme Street, Halls Road and the 95 on-ramp?
We are working with the town and local police to manage the expected increase in traffic on Lyme Street and Halls Road. In addition, we will implement a staggered drop-off. Parents who are dropping off will use the following arrival schedule, which is organized by last name:
7:20-7:25 A-F
7:25-7:30 G-M
7:30-7:35 N-Z
21. I understand you cannot choose day of the week for remote learning. Is there an option to be remote on an A day and in-person on a B day depending on the student’s schedule for example? Can a student be remote for lecture and in person for science labs?
No. For planning and consistency of instruction, families must give the school a five-day notice of return to school.
22. Was the education budget increased to cover additional costs related to COVID-19?
No, the budget was developed long before the pandemic hit Connecticut.
23. How is busing going to be handled?
Based on our initial survey results, we expect ridership to go down therefore creating more opportunities for physical distancing on the bus. Students will be expected to wear a mask at all times while on the bus.
24. Will late buses still run?
Yes.
Please send any additional questions to lolreopening@region18.org.