School Opening Plan and Protocols for School Year 2020-2021
In a coordinated effort with all school districts in Stanislaus County and the Stanislaus County Health Officer, we are pleased to announce that Salida schools are planning on a traditional opening on August 12, 2020. All schools will have significant virus-related protocols in place to help create the safest environment possible for our students, staff, and community. Physical distancing will be practiced where possible.

Any family that is uncomfortable with a traditional opening will be offered Independent Study. Students who choose Independent Study will receive instruction closely aligned to that of students in the traditional education setting. Parents that choose Independent Study will be able to contact their home school for scheduling effective July 27, 2020.

All schools will utilize established methods of communication and organization for students physically returning to school. The community can look for communication on opening procedures from their respective school site in the coming weeks. Provided below are some of the specific protocols that will be in place effective August 12, 2020. The listed protocols are not inclusive of all Salida schools safety actions but are provided to give the community a general sense of what schools will have in place.

General Guidelines

• If you are sick, please stay home. Parents should begin the practice of taking student temperatures daily. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 F or higher should not go to a school site.
• All students and staff will be encouraged to wash/clean their hands regularly.
• The wearing of masks is encouraged. Students should plan to bring their own masks. However, in the event they do not have one, one will be provided.
• Staff at all school sites will be conducting daily temperature checks for students and staff.
• Each school site will have a separate quarantine room for any student displaying symptoms of the virus.
• If any student is confirmed to have the virus the entire school community will be notified and the County Health Officer will direct next steps for that respective student population.
• Schools will follow disinfection guidelines developed by Stanislaus County Public Health for classrooms, workspaces, outdoor spaces, and playgrounds, etc.

Classroom Protocols

• Desks will be spaced to allow maximum space available between students and staff to minimize risk of exposure.
• Handwashing stations with soap and/or hand sanitizer will be made available in all instructional areas.
• Classroom entry/exit routines will be established to support physical distancing.
• Student device keyboards, screens, and mice will be wiped clean by each student at the end of their use on each school day. This will be the end of the day for 1^st through 5^th grade classrooms where devices are assigned to a specific student for the entire school day.
• Tissues will be available within each classroom. Any student displaying signs of sickness will be immediately referred to the school site nursing station for assessment.

Transportation Protocols

• All bus routes are continuously evaluated for maximum efficiency.
• Students will be required to sanitize their hands upon entering the bus and will be required to wear a face mask while on the bus.
• Physical distancing will be utilized when possible.

Cafeteria Protocols

• Lunchtime schedules will be staggered to reduce the number of students being served at one time.
• Tables will be available both inside and outside, including classrooms.
• Students will maintain physical distancing while eating.

Restroom Protocols

• Scheduled breaks will be developed to support physical distancing.
• All restrooms will be routinely checked by staff for cleanliness, sanitation and appropriate supplies.
• Students will be frequently reminded to wash their hands.

Recess Protocols

• Students will be reminded of physical distance practices.
• Use of balls and equipment will be evaluated for use on August 12, 2020.
• All students will be required to sanitize hands before reentry into the classroom.

Choir/Band/Drama Protocols

• Instruction in these areas will be classroom-based instruction and not practical, until it is determined by the County Health Officer that they are safe.
• Performances and competitions are suspended until it is determined by the County Health Officer that participation is safe.
• Strings/Percussion will continue with sanitization of instruments at the end of each session.
• Physical distancing will be maintained during instruction.

Physical Education Protocols

• Students at the middle school will take roll outside the locker room and will not be required to dress out.
• When it has been determined by the County Health Officer that it is safe to utilize locker rooms, students at the middle school will be/required to sanitize their hands before entering the locker room.
• Showers at the middle school will not be allowed until the County Health Officer rules them safe.
• Social distancing will be maintained during indoor and outdoor activities for all students participating in physical education.

Athletic Sport Protocols

• At this time, all organized team activities have been suspended until June 15, 2020.
• Effective June 15, organized team activities can occur with the following protocols:
  • The team activities must be conditioning and skill-based only.
  • No equipment may be used.
  • All activities must be done outside.
  • Social distancing will be followed where practical and possible.
  • Athletes are to come dressed for the activities. No locker room will be available at this time.
  • Athletes must not be in groups greater than 25 per coach.
• In the coming weeks, both the County Health Officer and the California Interscholastic Federation will make a determination of the sports that can be safely played this fall.

Before and After School Program Protocols

• Before and after school programs will be offered and will follow the same safety procedures as the regular school day.

Extra-Curricular Activity Protocols

• All extra-curricular activities related to the 2020-21 school year will be suspended until the County Health Officer deems them safe.
• Assemblies, rallies, field-trips and any school-wide gatherings are not permitted.
• Mass gatherings of any kind are not permitted.

Community Protocols

• No outside or parent classroom volunteers will be allowed until the County Health Officer approves their participation.
• Use of school facilities by outside entities will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Use of outside space may be permitted. Use of indoor facilities will largely depend on the entities proven ability to sanitize the facility after use.

This communication is meant to provide initial guidance as we progress through the summer. Again, this plan has been developed in accordance with County Public Health Officer and the other school districts of Stanislaus County. It is clearly understood that the state of California could issue a mandate that would supersede this plan.

Stay safe and expect further communication from your respective school site as we move later into July.

Sincerely,
Twila Tosh, Superintendent

 School Year Planning Guide - English / Spanish