Orchard FarmSchool District

*Following input from community stakeholders and guidance from health officials, on December 21, 2021, the following modifications were made to the District’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP)

American Rescue Plan ESSER Funds Required Language

BACKGROUND

Orchard Farm School District will receive a one-time allocation of COVID-relief money from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds. To receive funds allocated under the ARP, school districts must publish information on their website that addresses mitigation and prevention strategies, continuity of services during interruptions to in-person learning, and periodic review and revision of the District’s plan.

It should be noted that the Orchard Farm School District successfully offered both in-person and virtual learning for the entire 2020-2021 school year. See the District’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP), also known as the Return to School Plan. Many of the health and safety protocols in place last year will continue this fall.

MITIGATION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

• Universal and correct wearing of masks - On August 4, 2021 the OFSD Board of Education made the decision to begin the school year mask optional for all students and staff. The District will continue to seek guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the St. Charles County Department of Public Health, as well as COVID-related data published on the St. Charles County COVID dashboard. 

• Physical distancing – Students and desks in classrooms will be spaced apart to the extent possible, with a goal of at least 3 feet when possible.

• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette – Good hand hygiene, consistent with CDC guidance, will be encouraged for all students and staff. Hand sanitizer will be provided in classrooms and common areas.

• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities – Custodial staff follow a daily cleaning protocol in all classrooms and school buildings.

• Contact tracing, isolation and quarantine – All known positive cases of COVID-19 among OFSD students and staff are reported to the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. Positive individuals are not allowed to attend school or participate in activities until released from isolation. In accordance with the health department’s current protocols, contact tracing is performed by District staff. Those identified as being in close contact of a positive case are evaluated for standard quarantine, modified quarantine (if masks are worn by both parties at the time of exposure), or no quarantine (if the individual is fully vaccinated). The order of quarantine is issued by the health department and communicated to families by a representative of the District with follow-up communication from the St. Charles County Department of Public Health.

• Diagnostic and screening testing – At this time, students and staff are referred to the local health department or medical provider for testing.

• Efforts to provide vaccinations to educators, other staff and eligible students –The District encourages eligible staff and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 since fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine when exposed to a positive case. This will help ensure our students and staff have fewer disruptions to learning and work schedules. While the District has on occasion shared vaccination opportunities with those eligible, there are no plans at this time to coordinate or provide additional vaccination opportunities for staff or students, given the wide availability of vaccination appointments in our area.

• Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities – The District will continue to provide accommodations as necessary or as mandated by a student’s IEP.

CONTINUITY OF SERVICES - The District tended to students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs during the 2020-21 school year. Technology resources such as the Canvas learning management system, Google Classroom, and Edgenuity learning platform were utilized to provide continuity of learning during quarantines. Many teachers provided links for quarantined students to participate in classroom instruction, and students were able to access lessons and assignments via their grade-level learning management system. The District provided weekly meal pick-up and delivery for virtual students and students on quarantine. Many of these same supports and services will continue for the 2021-22 school year, including but not limited to an increase in counseling and nursing staffing.

PERIODIC REVISION – The District will periodically review and revise, if necessary, its plan, no less than every six months. Revisions will be made in consideration of current pandemic conditions and in collaboration with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. The district will continue to seek input from many stakeholder groups, including teachers, support staff, principals and District leaders.

PUBLIC INPUT - Guidance provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that return-to-school plans adopted as part of a public board meeting satisfy the ARP’s initial public input requirement. The Orchard Farm School District successfully offered both in-person and virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year. The District’s, Board approved, Return to School plan can be found on the District website. The District continues to hear from patrons at monthly Board meetings and other forums regarding face masks and other COVID mitigation measures for the 2021-22 school year.