The research from schools that have returned to face-to-face learning indicates that it is necessary to have fewer people in school buildings compared to a non-pandemic year.  We have a set of key strategies for decreasing the risk of transmission. These strategies include cohorting, physical distancing, ventilation system modifications and other measures that require fewer people in the building at one time.

We have a five-step district protocol for contact tracing, which we have used several times since the fall. First, there is notification; the staff person or the family member, as soon as possible, notifies their principal or supervisor that they have a case of COVID-19.  Second, there is an investigation; we ask that families to answer the district contact tracer's questions so we can determine the critical contagious period. Third, we work through the principal to communicate to the cohort or teacher about the case, which happens as soon as possible. Information about any cases of COVID-19 is kept confidential, so the letter to families will be similar to other communicable disease letters we have sent in the past. Step number four may include quarantining some students and staff and sharing additional communication as needed. Our goal is to complete the first four steps within 24 hours, which means we need individuals to notify the district immediately and speak with contact tracers. The fifth step is the return to school after the isolation or quarantine is complete.

Some parts of the day will look familiar, and some will be different. The most significant change you will see is the number of students in the classroom and the proximity to one another. We don't envision all the students gathering on the carpet or working closely at a table, simply because of our social distancing requirements. However, we expect there will be opportunities for whole-class instruction with our in-person and remote students together, whole-class instruction with just the in-person students and small group or partner work, all while socially distanced.

At this time, we are working to ensure a safely-distanced and cohorted environment. For this reason, our special classes will continue to be taught virtually. It is important for families to know that our goal is to provide as many quality face-to-face learning opportunities as it is safe to do. When possible, we will be layering in additional opportunities.

One of our top priorities throughout the planning for this entire COVID school year has been to keep teaching and learning consistent with teachers and classrooms remaining constant. We will do everything we can to ensure our classrooms are stable as we begin this option of a hybrid in-school learning opportunity. Of course, we know it's always possible there could be staff changes or some reason why a teacher may need to change. But for the most part, we are doing everything we can to keep the relationships and classroom learning community stable.

Each elementary building will have an opportunity to work with their school team to ensure we are physically and socially distant during recess. During lunch recess, the playground will be zoned off to determine which cohorts will play in each designated area.

AAPS will be providing breakfast and lunch at no charge this year for all students as part of the USDA program until the end of the school year. In the morning, students will pick up breakfast and take it to their designated eating area, depending on the school. At lunchtime, we will also be operating in the same way, trying to maintain our cohorts. Each building will have its own designated eating areas. Students won't necessarily be going through a cafeteria line but will have pre-prepared lunches and breakfasts available for them. We ask families to please register and sign up for these meals through the new meal magic program. More information about meal magic will be shared shortly.

We will continue to provide our food distributions at all of our food distribution sites, but we will be moving to a one-day-a-week distribution on Wednesdays. At that point, we will be distributing either five days' worth of food for the families that have chosen to go hybrid or seven days' worth for the families that are staying virtual. These meals will also include dinner for the students. Again, we will give ample time and information before any change occurs. Please watch for information coming shortly regarding the meal magic program.

The CDC has consistently recommended that students do not share their school supplies, and we will uphold that in the learning plan. Each student will have their own supply kit kept in the classroom. In addition, students will not transfer or bring their supplies back and forth between home and school. It is important that students have access to their supplies while at home learning virtually.

We know that as students return to a school environment, they will need to learn new routines. Routines are already a large part of a school-day setting and will happen again naturally as we enter into the hybrid learning environment. Our teachers, principals and other building staff will do their very best to make all of these mitigation measures a natural and routine part of the day.

This is a concern for some parents. First, we know that it will be rare for a student to have a medical condition requiring a doctor to sign off that they are exempt from wearing a mask. Because of privacy concerns, we can never reveal the name of a student with a medical condition, so in this case, we wouldn't be able to notify parents about a specific. In the rare situations where this might happen, we will provide a plexiglass unit for the student to use on his or her desk, preventing direct droplets spray in the classroom. We need all families to understand as you are choosing hybrid, in the rare event that a student cannot wear a mask, they will have a plexiglass unit. There may not be notification to families, but we will put in safety measures to account for that.

Our teachers will provide instruction to both students who are face-to-face and at home in exceptional ways. The daily schedule will include some whole group and small group times. We already have some adeptness in putting students into breakout rooms so that the teacher can work with small groups. Teachers, families and students can expect a similar pathway when they are learning face-to-face. When they are virtual, there will be plenty of time for students to see each other and plenty of time for teachers to be with smaller groups after whole group instruction. We do know that it is not going to be perfect on day one. We want to make sure families know there will be a period of learning together in the first few weeks when we come back to hybrid. It is critical for us all to remember to be patient and engage together in positive ways and to expect good things to come.

Students in the classroom will not be on zoom all day. There will be some times when the hybrid students will be learning with the students at home. However, while at school, we will be taking advantage of face-to-face instruction throughout the day. There will be numerous times when students are not on their devices at all. Additionally, beyond zoom, students will have an opportunity to use their devices to participate with virtual peers in small group instruction, participate in activities and submit their assignments.

No. While we look forward to the time we can welcome parents and visitors back into our buildings, we know that to ensure safety, it is not possible now. We will make appointments with parents for certain matters, such as medication drop-off.

To maintain health and safety within our community, all activities will remain virtual for the remainder of the school year.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer before or aftercare. We are not able to because of the cohorting required to keep our schools safe. Our physical distancing within the school day takes up the building space where childcare was held in the past.

As we move toward a transition to the addition of an in-school hybrid option, we ask parents to make their choice for their students. At the time of that transition, this will set our course for the end of the school year to plan and prepare for the cohorts. We also understand that at any time, either through rising cases or a quarantine necessity, the classroom may revert to fully virtual.  You may remember we called it the turning of the dial rather than the flipping of the switch. It may be necessary for a family or a classroom to move from being in-person to a fully virtual status.