Keystone Central Outlines School Opening Details; First Day(s) in early September
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Keystone Central School District Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin has announced more detail on the planned reopening of district schools. The announcement was circulated Monday to the school community. It reiterates choices that parents will have, announces a staggered Sept. 2 – 3 start to the school year and notes the plans are contingent on the area staying in the state’s “green” or “yellow” categories (the district which overlaps into Centre and Potter counties, in addition to Clinton, is currently “green.”)
The posting informs parents they will have until July 30 to choose their child’s option. Further details will be provided through online Zoom presentations beginning on July 21.
The complete announcement to parents:
July 6, 2020
Dear KCSD Parents and Guardians,
Our administrative team has developed a detailed plan to welcome our students and staff back into our schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
Keystone Central School District, encompasses most of Clinton County, and a few municipalities in Centre and Potter Counties. The reopening of our schools is dependent on Clinton County, Centre County and Potter County being in Green Phase or Yellow Phase designations when school begins.
We will have three different school environments that give our families a voice and choice in the most appropriate learning experience for their children. Please review each of these options in detail so that you can make an informed decision.
The following options will be available for KCSD students for the 2020-2021 school year:
• Learning at Home. This environment offers the lowest risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19. There are two different options for remote learning in the home:
o KCSD curriculum and KCSD teachers (synchronous – same time as on-site classes each day). In this option, students will stay on pace with the curriculum that is being taught in the face-to-face classroom and will have opportunities to interact with their teacher and classmates. Each student will have their own Chromebook provided by the school district and use a standardized learning platform (Google Classroom or Schoology).
o KCSD Virtual Academy (asynchronous learning – flexible time schedule within each week, students work at their own pace and at a time of their choosing) with CIOLA Courses. There is little to no live interaction with a teacher or other students and it is mostly self-directed. Each student will have their own Chromebook provided by the school district and use a standardized learning platform (Genius). More information on this option can be found at https://oll.kcsd.k12.pa.us/ or you may contact the Virtual Academy Principal, Justin Evey at jevey@kcsd.us or by calling 570-893-4900 extension 4506. Enrollment is open to any KCSD student.
Because these options keep students at home, interactions with people and hygiene practices are monitored by parents and guardians. Both options require active parental involvement in the learning process.
• Hybrid Learning – Students work on remote learning (KCSD curriculum or KCSD Virtual Academy) at school in a learning environment that follows increased safety precautions. In this environment, students will report to school via the bus, parent drop off, walking or driving. Students who ride on district transportation will have an assigned seat (likely with another student) and be expected to wear masks during transport. Each student will have their own Chromebook provided by the school district and use a standardized learning platform (Google Classroom or Schoology). In this environment, teachers, staff, and students are required to wear masks or face shields, social distancing of six feet is maintained throughout the day and limited interactions with a smaller number of students and staff (approximately 20-30 people each day). All buildings and classrooms will have proper ventilation, and we will utilize outdoor spaces for lunch and learning when feasible. All facilities will be cleaned and sanitized daily. We will also promote proper hygiene practices and provide hand sanitizer to students and staff.
• Learning at school with precautions in place. In this environment, students will report to school via the bus, parent drop off, walking or driving. Students who ride on district transportation will have an assigned seat (likely with another student) and be expected to wear masks during transport. Each student will have their own Chromebook provided by the school district and use a standardized learning platform (Google Classroom or Schoology). All staff will be required to wear masks or face shields except in their classrooms/offices or when eating or drinking. It is strongly recommended that students wear masks when transitioning to and from classes. All executive orders by the state and federal government will be followed. All students and staff will have a health screening (temperature check) upon entering their school building. Social distancing (3 – 6 feet apart) will be implemented when possible, large group areas will be used sparingly and hallway traffic will be limited when feasible. At the elementary level, student interactions will be limited to their homeroom and grade level where possible (approximately 30-60 people each day). At the secondary level, the new block schedule will also limit interactions with a smaller number of students and staff (approximately 75 -100 people each day). All buildings and classrooms will have proper ventilation, and we will utilize outdoor spaces for lunch and learning when feasible. All facilities will be cleaned and sanitized daily. We will promote proper hygiene practices and provide hand sanitizer to students and staff.
This flowchart may also help you in making your decision.
We will be having a “soft reopening” for the first two days of the school year. This is necessary so that we can teach everyone the new safety procedures and determine all individual technology needs.
• Wednesday, September 2, 2020 – First Day for Students in Grades K*,1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and Virtual Academy
• Thursday, September 3, 2020 – First Day for Students in Grades K*, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and Virtual Academy
• Friday, September 4, 2020 – All students attend
*Kindergarten students will report on their assigned day – you will be notified of more details in August.
We need to know your choice by July 30, 2020. Please complete this PARENT CHOICE FORM for each one of your children, or call your child’s school to speak with a secretary in order to provide your information. At any time, you can change your preference by contacting your child’s principal.
If any of your children have medical issues, I recommend that you seek advice from your child’s doctor before making a decision.
Remember that these plans are contingent upon our community staying in the GREEN or YELLOW Phase. While I am confident that our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community will help to mitigate the virus, the reality is that we cannot be sure that it will work.
In the RED Phase schools are required to close. I strongly recommend that all families have an emergency plan in place for childcare in the event that schools need to close again. If our schools are closed:
• All students will move to the KCSD Remote Learning at Home model. Students will be required to participate synchronously with their classes and have structured learning expectations.
• All KCSD Virtual Academy students will continue their learning via Genius as they did in the green phase.
This has been an incredibly challenging time for our entire school and community. Our plan for reopening schools will certainly impose some inconveniences on everyone. If each one of us do our part by following the recommendations every moment possible and exercise patience, I believe that we can balance quality education with safety during this national pandemic.
If you still have questions, please review this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document or contact your child’s principal. There will also be three different opportunities for you to ask questions at any of the following Parent Choice Information Sessions (Zoom meetings):
• Tuesday, July 21 8:30 a.m. Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
• Thursday, July 23 6:30 p.m. Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
• Tuesday, July 28 6:30 p.m. Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
**Zoom password is kcsd for all sessions**
