Dear LCS families,
Today’s message includes a lot of important information. After reviewing this information, if you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher, school, or go to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
We want to make sure families understand the Return to Learn process. Below is more information about preferred learning options, school day procedures, school hours, safety plans, and more. Individual schools will reach out to families to provide more specific details about the school day procedures.
What instructional options will LCS students have access to during the 2020-2021 school year?
Remote-only: As we transition, the remote instructional model will remain the same. The teacher of record may change due to staffing needs.
Hybrid: Students in cohorts will receive part of the instruction in an LCS building and part of the instruction out of an LCS building. Student participation is expected Monday through Friday in the school calendar. The plan is for cohorts to come to school two days a week and engage in remote instruction for the remaining 3 days of the week. The teacher of record may change due to staffing needs.
- PreK-2nd grade students will start the cohort model of instruction on the week of October 5th. Cohort A will report to an LCS building for the first time on Tuesday, October 6th. Cohort B will report to an LCS building for the first time on Thursday, October 8th. Students will receive in person instruction from an LCS teacher. Teachers will provide direct and small group instruction, which will be an integral part of the learning day. The Health Mitigation Plan will be followed.
- The Cohort model for 3rd-6th grade students will begin the week of October 12th. Cohort A will begin Tuesday, October 13th. Cohort B will begin Thursday October 15th. Teachers will provide direct and small group instruction which will be an integral part of the learning day. Elementary students will remain in their classrooms for instruction. The Health Mitigation Plan will be followed.
- The cohort model for 7th-12th grade students is scheduled to begin the week of October 26th. Cohort A will begin Tuesday, October 27th. Cohort B will begin Thursday, October 29. Teachers will provide direct and small group instruction which will be an integral part of the learning day. The Health Mitigation Plan will be followed.
IMPORTANT: If you have not been contacted yet by your child’s teacher to select your preferred learning option (hybrid or remote) please reach out to the teacher or your child’s school on Monday. If we do not hear from you about your decision by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, we will record the remote only option as your preferred learning model choice. This means your child will remain in the current remote-only setting until January 15, 2021.
Will students and staff be required to wear a face covering?
Yes, at this time, students and staff are required to wear a face mask or covering while in an LCS school building, in another LCS facility, on school-provided transportation, property and/or LCS sponsored event(s).
This information below was presented to the school board on September 1:
Until further action by the Superintendent/School Board, all students in pre-kindergarten through the 12 grade and beyond shall be required to wear a mask or face covering: (a) while attending school or a school function in any school building, facility, or other area of a school campus, including at the time of school entry and exit; (b) on an approved trip at any location and, in the case of athletic events, at any home or away athletic site; and (c) when riding in school-provided transportation. All masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth of the student and may not contain holes, valves, or mesh material. This policy applies to students waiting outside school buildings before and after school. When two or more students are waiting at the bus stop before or after school they are required to wear a face mask or covering. Students shall wear masks and face coverings at all times, except for the following: Students may remove masks and face coverings for eating and drinking while maintaining six (6') feet or other physical distancing measure as approved by the Superintendent/Designee; Students participating in physical education, active recess, sporting events, and practices do not need to wear a mask or face covering if a physical distance of ten (10’) feet can be maintained however, masks or face coverings are required for participants not actively engaged in physical activity, a game, or practice, such as when standing on the sidelines, in a dugout, and off the field of play any time where six (6’) feet or other physical distancing measure as approved by the LCS is not possible; Students may remove masks and face coverings on a case-by-case basis for specific instructional needs or activities, or as otherwise determined by an administrator or a staff member, including to provide a brief respite from wearing a mask or face covering in which case the staff will utilize six (6’) feet or other physical distancing measure as approved by the Superintendent/Designee; Students may be exempted from this policy by the school principal due to a documented medical condition, or developmental or other disability of the student; and Students may also be exempted from this policy due to special behavioral or individualized needs as determined by the Superintendent/Designee or Director of Special Education; For students who refuse to or otherwise do not wear a mask or face covering at school, on school transportation, or at a school function under this policy, every attempt will be made to ensure that the student and the students’ parents understand the importance of wearing a mask or face covering. LCS will then work with families to identify an appropriate learning setting, including remote learning, if students fail to comply with the requirement to wear masks and face-coverings as detailed above. In addition, the measures specified for violations of policy JFC Student Conduct and policy JFCC Student Conduct on School Buses may also be imposed, where applicable, to violations of this policy.
What will lunch be like during the school day?
Schools have worked closely with School Nutrition to develop a plan for eating breakfast and lunch that is safe and efficient for students, which can vary from school to school. Models utilized will be food delivery to classrooms or eating in the cafeteria following social distancing recommendations.
What are the LCS school day hours for students?
The hours have been updated from the original Return to Learn draft as we have worked with transportation. These are now the hours for the start and end times for school.
- Elementary Schools - 9:35 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
- Middle Schools - 8:35 a.m.-2:35 p.m.
- High Schools - 7:35 a.m.-1:35 p.m.
What else do I need to know about how to prepare my child for hybrid instruction?
We ask that all parents/guardians please take time to review the Health Mitigation Plan. This plan provides information about the many health, safety, and reporting measures we are taking to maintain a safe environment for staff and students.
This information is general across the school division, but there will still be school-specific procedures that best fit the needs of each site. Please contact your child’s school if you have additional questions.