Middle School Students Moving to Phase 1 Instruction
Jan. 21, 2021
Dear Lindbergh Families,
Thank you for your continued partnership and support this school year as we have worked to provide students with safe, positive learning experiences both at school and online. Today I am writing to announce that students in grades 6-8 will transition to four days of in-person learning each week, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 2. Mondays will remain at-home learning days, and all students will attend school in person Tuesdays-Fridays. Students in the ARC program will continue full-time virtual learning with live Zoom instruction every day.
The decision to bring back middle school students in person is based on multiple factors. COVID-19 positivity rates continue to be low among students. In addition, we have seen the positivity rate in our community continue to decline. Finally, we know that in-person learning is best for most students, both academically and socially.
Please read this email for several important updates. Your principal will follow up early next week with schedule information and school-specific details to support your student.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Lake
Superintendent of Schools
Daily Schedules: Middle School Phase 1
- Monday, January 25: This date will be entirely asynchronous at home learning (no live Zoom instruction), to provide teachers with time to prepare for the transition to Phase 1. All other Mondays will follow the schedule below.
- Mondays: All students in grades 6-8 will participate in at-home learning. School begins at 10:45 a.m. and concludes at 2:50 p.m. This day each week will allow dedicated time for contact tracing, to support a healthy school environment.
- Tuesdays-Fridays: School begins at 7:40 a.m. and dismisses at 2:40 p.m. each day. This includes in-person and ARC students.
COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies
Even though people are starting to receive vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not changing its recommendations for social distancing, use of face coverings, isolation or quarantine.
Lindbergh Schools will continue to implement these five key mitigation strategies the CDC recommend to support safe learning environments and reduce the spread of COVID-19. While these strategies do not eliminate COVID-19 from our schools, they do lower the risk of transmission significantly:
- Consistent, correct use of face coverings
- Social distancing to the largest extent possible
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Contact tracing in collaboration with the local health department
Social Distancing and Consistent Seating Charts
Phase 1 learning will bring together A and B group students who previously have only attended school together on Zoom. As we add more students to each classroom, we will do our best to social distance as much as possible. We will also use consistent seating charts to minimize each student’s number of contacts throughout the day. These stable seating charts are designed to reduce the number of students who have to quarantine in the event that a classmate tests positive for COVID-19.
Student Transportation
At the beginning of the school year, families were required to sign up for bus service for each student. If you have any questions about your student’s transportation status, please contact your building administrative assistant.
Please allow a few extra minutes at the bus stop since more students will be riding the bus each day. Families can check your student’s bus information in the SIS Portal. To view bus stop details, look under the Daily Student Activity menu, and click Transportation. This section includes bus stop location, bus number, and pickup and drop-off times.
Social Distancing During Lunch Periods
Medical professionals now know that most COVID-19 spread comes from unmasked activities where social distancing is not taking place, such as gatherings, meals and large events. During school lunch periods, students will be seated at least six feet apart to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission while eating, and they will limit unmasked eating time to 15 minutes or less. This may mean that some students will be eating lunch in an assigned location other than the school cafeteria. School principals will send additional communication next week that will include details about lunch periods and locations.
Free Meals Provided by USDA
Lindbergh Schools will provide breakfast and lunch free of charge during the 2020-21 school year. No signup is required. This meal service is being made possible by a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture, which also extends free meal service to all children age 18 and younger who live in Lindbergh Schools district boundaries.
Family To-Do: Daily Health Screening
All staff and students must complete the following screening before coming to school or work. This check is to assure that individuals have not experienced one of the following symptoms within the last 14 days:
- A fever (100.4 or higher)
- Sore throat
- Congestion/runny nose
- Headache
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- Body aches
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste/smell
- or if they or a close contact has been diagnosed or presumptively diagnosed with COVID-19.
Stay Home If...
Students and staff must stay home from school if they are sick, if anyone in their household is being tested for COVID-19, or if they answer “yes” to any of the symptoms listed above.
Family To-Do: Face Coverings Required
All staff and students in grades K-12 must wear a face covering while at school, and on the bus. We recommend that students pack an extra face covering in their backpack as well.
Face coverings must be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible, but are not required to be worn during periods of physical exertion.
Please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend use of face coverings with an exhalation valve or vent.
Green Light Plan: Looking Ahead
The health and safety of our students and staff is at the forefront of every decision we make. We are committed to doing our part in this shared responsibility to ensure all of our students and staff have a safe and healthy place to learn.