Alva School Board President Jane McDermott turns to face administrators and staff attending the special board meeting Wednesday. On behalf of the board she thanked them and all who have worked on protocols for returning to school. From left are McDermott, board member Shane Hansen and Superintendent Tim Argo. The meeting was held in the high school library to allow for social distancing.
When in-person classes begin Aug. 13 in the Alva Public Schools, students will probably be required to wear face masks. The criteria for face masks and other restrictions will be based on the color coding of the Oklahoma COVID-19 Alert System reported each Friday by the Oklahoma State Health Department (OSHD). That website is coronavirus.health.ok.gov.
In a special meeting Wednesday, Alva Board of Education members wearing masks approved policies and plans meant to protect students and staff while allowing students to learn and socialize. Board President Jane McDermott thanked Superintendent Tim Argo and all the others who worked on the policies. "We will get through this and be stronger and better," she said.
Board members were provided with printouts of the Return to Learn plan, which Superintendent Argo summarized. The information is also posted on the school's website at http://www.alvaschools.com under the COVID-19 Information tab. A video of the school board meeting may be viewed at http://www.alvareviewcourier.com.
In making a motion to approve the Return to Learn Plan, Tiffany Slater added that Supt. Argo would be allowed flexibility to change the plan as needed, and the other board members agreed. Argo said that would be helpful and any changes would be communicated. All agreed that communication is key to the success of these plans.
General Information
To facilitate the mask wearing policies, Argo said the school is providing a neck gaiter for each student. These are stretchy fabric masks that may be worn around the neck and pulled up to cover the nose and mouth as needed. The masks should be washed each night after wearing. Students and staff may wear their own face covering provided it follows the school dress code policy. Face coverings must be worn properly covering the mouth and nose.
Argo said there will planned opportunities through the day to allow students to remove masks and social distance instead.
Classrooms will be sanitized daily. The school district has purchased electrostatic sprayers that will be used twice a day at all sites. High touch areas will be wiped down periodically during school hours.
Although water fountains will be available and sanitized, students and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to minimize use and touching of water fountains.
Students will be spaced out as much as possible in classrooms, and seating charts will be established for students at all age levels. The seating charts will be helpful in tracing contacts if someone should be confirmed positive for COVID-19. Shared supplies will be kept at a minimum.
Elementary students will have music, counseling and library in their classrooms. Students will go to the gym for physical education classes.
Communication is being emphasized. Argo said the school will communicate changes as soon as possible on the school website under the COVID-19 tab, through e-notes, the Goldbug app notification, and the district Facebook page.
Questions are also encouraged. Argo said policies include education terminology which may be confusing. Parents may phone the schools with questions. An email address has been set up to specifically handle questions about the COVID-19 policies. It is schools@alvaschools.net.
Board member Karen Koehn commented, "There is no such thing as a silly question."
Three Learning Options
Previously the board approved three learning options for students. Option 1 is traditional in-person instruction with the student allowed to participate in all extracurricular activities. Option 2 is blended learning with a mixture of in-person and distance learning. Students in this option will also be able to participate in extracurricular activities. Option 3 is full virtual learning, and the student is not allowed any extracurricular participation.
Once an option has been chosen, those in option 1 or 2 may change options during a semester. Those in option 3 cannot change until the semester ends.
Color Levels
A determination will be made each Friday about school protocols after the latest color levels is released by the state.
Like most of the state, Woods County is currently at the "yellow" level as determined by the state. This is one step above "green", the level of lowest infection. At the "green" level, Alva schools will "strongly recommend" masks for all staff and students.
If Woods County is in the yellow level on Aug. 13, masks are required for all staff and students in grades 4-12 when social distancing is not possible. For younger students in Pre-K through third grade, masks will be required in hallways, common areas and during times of school transportation. Inside the classrooms if the classroom cohorts (students and staff) remain grouped together throughout the day or if social distancing is possible, masks may be removed. Staff will be required to wear protective face shields and/or masks (clear-paneled masks are preferred) when social distancing is not possible.
If numbers of those testing positive move Woods County up to "orange 1," those doing in-person classes (option 1) will be moved to distance learning. At this level, school sites may be closed. "Orange 2" will include some further restrictions. The "red" level will mean all sites closed and distance learning provided until the county moves back to "yellow" status.
Face Covering Exemptions, Accommodations
Special provisions have been set up for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading. Persons with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering must wear a face shield. Other exemptions and exceptions are detailed on the school's website.
Visitors and Service Providers
Argo said the schools are discouraging visitors as much as possible. However, if a visit is absolutely necessary, the visitor will be screened using the Daily COVID-19 School attendance Questionnaire.
Common Areas
In the cafeteria, students will be spaced out as much as possible and staggered schedules will be used when possible.
Elementary students will have recess on a staggered schedule.
Staff will work to minimize traffic in hallways through routines and schedules.
There will be no student assemblies when social distancing is not possible for students and staff.
Visitors to the sites will be limited. If you plan to visit schools, please make an appointment. There will be no mentoring programs this year.
Food Service
In the event of a school closing, a notice will be sent out regarding the locations for pickup of a grab and go breakfast/lunch.
Bus driver staffing will determine if delivery service will be available during a school closing.
Students enrolled in option 3 (virtual instruction) that would like a grab and go meal must call the site where they are enrolled for lunch count by 9 a.m.
Transportation
If parents are able, they are asked to take students to and from school to maximize the school's ability to physically distance students on a bus.
Protocols to be used at the beginning of the school year include:
A cloth face covering will be required to ride the bus to and from school.
When weather allows, windows will be down to circulate air.
Students will be seated to maximize physical distance when possible and encouraged to sit by siblings.
Business will be disinfected multiple times a day.
A seating chart will be used on each bus.
Leadership Advisory Team
The initial policies have been determined through numerous meetings of the leadership advisory team. This team consists of the following:
Administration: Superintendent Tim Argo, High School Principal Cory Smith, Middle School Principal Stephanie Marteney, Lincoln Principal Jenny Webster, Longfellow Principal Alysson Tucker, and Washington Principal and District Curriculum Coordinator Shane Feely.
Alva School Board: Jane McDermott, president; Tiffany Slater, vice president; Karen Koehn, clerk; Larry Parker, deputy clerk; and Shane Hansen, member.
Community Members: Share Medical Center CEO Kandice Allen, Waynoka Family Clinic MD Liz Kinzie, Share Nurse Practitioner Jeremy Logsdon, Woods County Department of Health Ashley Ferguson, and Northwest Career Tech Superintendent Daren Slater.
Alva Schools Site Mitigation Strategies: Shannon Vore, Cindy Baker, Megan McMurphy, Christa Fraire, Dani Cushenbery, Audra Halliburton, Kendi Wooten, Crystal Clapp, Kandee Almgren, Chesnei Thomas, Paul Hamilton, Jaci Heaton, Adam Steuart, Mary Tyree, Dalton Beeler, Dixie Meyer, Yesenia Buckhaults, Heather Hall, Keri Pannell, LaLonie Kern, Laura Lamkin, Richard Anderson and Terry Smithey.
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