South Orangetown Central School District

Reopening Plan At-A-Glance (updated 8/14/20)

Hybrid Learning for All Students

  • 50% capacity with social distancing for general education students in grades K-12. Groups will physically attend school on alternating weeks.
    • Group A: Students with last names beginning with A-K. Group A will attend the first week of school in person (September 8-11).
    • Group B: Students with last names beginning with L-Z. Group B will attend the second week of school in person (September 14-18).
  • Students with IEPs in grades K-12 will attend school on a 50% basis and receive services according to their plans. Space permitting, on their off-weeks, IEP students in grades K-12 will be provided with an extended learning space to receive synchronous instruction and in-person program accommodations and related services according to their plan.​. Those with 504 Plans will attend school on a 50% basis and receive services both in-person and virtually.
  • English Language Learners will attend school on a 50% basis and will receive supports according to their plans. Every effort will be made to schedule for additional in-person instruction.
  • Students will participate and learn the material at the same time (synchronous format), whether they are physically in their classroom or learning remotely.
  • Teachers and student support staff will be in school to engage with students and colleagues in person
  • Live, daily instruction for all students, whether participating in person or virtually
  • Consistent class schedules will remain the same whether students are attending school in person or remotely.
  • SOCSD will continue to provide mobile devices, cellular hotspots  and information regarding local broadband service offerings to support learning for students in need.
  • Hybrid learning guides will be developed for families and for staff regarding expectations.

Enhanced Social Emotional Learning & Supports

  • Administrators and staff will be trained on the District’s trauma-informed reentry plan, which will include non-academic check-ins with all students and activities to engage families and ease their return to their school campus.
  • The full complement of student support, including academic and career counseling, social work and mental and behavioral health services, will be available to students attending school in-person and virtually.

Keeping Students & Staff Healthy

  • Before physically reporting to school each day, students and staff must take their temperature and complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire. Those with a temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or greater and/or experiencing symptoms must remain at home. Students should report absence to school attendance staff; Staff should record absence in AESOP and inform their immediate supervisor.
  • Students and staff will be screened for symptoms as they arrive at school. Those identified as potentially exhibiting symptoms or risk factors will be re-screened and have their oral temperature taken. Those with an oral temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or greater will be isolated from others and sent home within 30 minutes.
  • Students are always required to wear a mask or cloth facial covering, with the exception of meal service times, this includes: 
    • In all common areas of the school buildings; 
    • In all hallways; 
    • In all restrooms; and 
    • During recess.
  • Classroom seating capacity will be reduced to create socially distanced work spaces. 
  • Frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer will be promoted throughout the day.
  • High-touch surfaces will be disinfected throughout the school day. Schools will be cleaned and disinfected nightly.

Promoting Expanded Transportation Options

  • Buses will operate at reduced capacity to allow for socially distanced seating to the fullest practical extent.
  • Students and families must social distance and/or wear masks at bus stops and in loading/unloading zones.
  • Bus drivers and passengers must wear face masks at all times.
  • Buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice per day, after the completion of morning and afternoon routes, and implement proper ventilation procedures post-disinfection prior to the next route.
  • Hand sanitizer will not be available or permitted on buses due to combustibility.
  • SOCSD students who require transportation to school buildings within the district will be required to register for transportation for the 2020-2021 school year. Tappan Zee High School students residing within the 1.5-mile walk zone, are ineligible for transportation and do not need to submit a form.
  • Schools will support families who opt for alternative transportation methods, including walking, bike riding and driving/carpooling. The District has purchased additional bicycle racks for installation at its buildings and is working with the Town to determine whether additional crossing guards are needed to accommodate more walkers.
  • There will be no late buses for the fall semester.

Food Service for Students Both In School and At Home

  • Fresh, pre-packaged and sealed breakfast and lunch will be available for students at school and learning remotely.
  • Meals must be pre-ordered one week in advance.
  • All payments must be made through MyPaymentsPlus.
  • Food Service staff will deliver meals to designated spaces within each school for students on-site.
  • Logistics to provide meals for students learning remotely are being developed, but are likely to include weekly drive-through and pickup options. In cases where students are unable to access meal distribution options when learning remotely, arrangements for delivery will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Sharing of food and beverage will be strongly discouraged.
  • Meals brought in from home must comply with school rules for addressing allergies, such as nut allergies, and be kept in a sealed bag/container.