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Return to Learn Plan

Introduction

As a requirement from the federal government, public schools who received ESSER funds are required to have a Return to Learn Plan updated annually through June of 2024. The following information reflects our current practices in mitigating the spread of viruses in a school setting. 

As new guidance comes from the Centers for Disease Control, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Scott County Department of Health, this document will be updated accordingly. 

Although this document provides a detailed overview of what the 2022-23 school year could look like, we will be responsive to our students’ needs and future guidance from the aforementioned organizations. Any part of our plan may change due to the fluidity of the situation. 

The Iowa Department of Education requires school districts to offer a face-to-face education for all students. With on-site instruction, we are confident that we will be able to deliver a high quality, rigorous education to all students that will accelerate student learning.

North Scott understands that not all students will be able to return for on site instruction due to health and safety reasons as well as other unique circumstances.  We are committed to providing a high quality, rigorous education for our resident students (open enrolled students do not have this option). The district will be in contact with these families to make arrangements for remote instruction. For online instruction, the district contracts with Edgenuity, an online education provider, which is approved by the state of Iowa. 

Health and Safety 

We have learned a lot from the past two years which has prepared us to meet the health and safety needs of our students and staff for the 2022-23 school year.  The procedures and guidelines below details the safety precautions we will be taking. 

Increased Hygienic and Disinfectant Routine

  • Surface Disinfection
    • High touch areas will be disinfected. Lockers, walls, bathrooms, door knobs, handrails and desks and table tops will be priorities. 
    • All lunch tables will be disinfected with Quatstat before and after students are dismissed from lunch.
    • Buses will be disinfected regularly. 
  • Hand Sanitizer
    • Provided on each bus.
    • Provided in each classroom for students and staff to use regularly.
    • Stations will be placed throughout each of our school buildings.
  • Hand Washing
    • The district encourages thorough and regular handwashing throughout the day. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • PPE is optional. Our students and staff should take the measures that they feel are necessary. 
    • The only exception to this is when a person who has tested positive for COVID returns five days after the onset of symptoms. In this case, students and staff must wear a mask up until day 11 from the onset of symptoms. See below for more information. 

CDC Guidance for Positive Cases

  • CDC guidance states that students, teachers, or other staff members with a COVID-19 infection should stay home 5 days from symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic). If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms have greatly improved, they may return to school on day 6 if they wear a well-fitting mask for 5 additional days.

Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment

  • Acceleration - As we continue to navigate recovering from learning loss due to COVID-19, our focus remains on the acceleration of student learning.  Focusing on acceleration will strategically prepare students for success in the present. Teachers collaboratively and thoughtfully select the specific prior knowledge that will best help students grasp the upcoming standard. Accelerated learning requires that students consistently receive grade-level materials, tasks, and assignments, along with appropriate scaffolds that make the work accessible. Teachers are focused on filling in only the most critical gaps and at the moment they are needed. 
  • Strength Based Approach - As we focus on accelerating student learning, our teachers utilize a strength-based approach. We emphasize a student’s existing strengths, capabilities and resources. We focus on what a student can do rather than what they cannot do. 
  • Interventionists - With ESSER funds:
    • We hired seven math interventionists to serve all elementary buildings as well as our Junior High school. 
    • We have increased the amount of reading intervention support at the K-6 level to further support in the recovery of learning loss due to COVID-19. 
    • We have increased the classroom support in our early childhood classrooms. 
  • Students with Disabilities - The Department of Education requires a continuous learning plan as part of Individualized Learning Programs (IEPs). This continuous learning plan will be discussed as an IEP team at initial IEP, annual review or reevaluation meetings. 

Emotional Supports and Basic Needs 

  • The 4 major topics of instruction for social, emotional and behavioral health
    • Establishing a routine and maintaining clear communication
    • Relationships and well-being
    • Sense of Safety
    • Connectedness
  • The ways the 4 areas of focus will be addressed will be through:
    • Classroom activities, such as classroom meetings, team building, and a focus on establishing school wide expectations with students (The Lancer Way and Respectful, Responsible, Safe). 
    • Weekly guidance lessons at the elementary and junior high
    • Tiered counseling services (small groups, individual, and developing plans of assistance)
    • Each building with have a school based therapist on-site that will provide services for students (Provided by Bethany for Families and Children)  
    • Each building will host events to encourage school and community spirit such as “Days of the Week” or “Spirit Day!”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If my child is showing signs of emotional stress, who do I contact? 
    • We would encourage parents to reach out to their child’s classroom teacher, school counselor, or principal for guidance or additional support. 
  • Who do I contact if we need help with basic necessities (food, shelter, etc.)
    • We would encourage families to reach out to the school counselor at their building. Our school counselors have resources and contacts to help support families who may be in need.  
  • If my child is learning online, how can I set up a successful routine and structure? 
    • Establishing a routine will be vital to the success of online learning. 
    • Set a Regular Schedule

      • Set reminders for online classroom chats

      • Start with youngest-oldest in household

      • Plan day together as a family

      • Review curriculum & homework at night

      • Set schedule for specific times on parents’ days off

      • Start online learning first thing in the morning.

      • Daily/Weekly checks through canvas dashboard

      • Set a schedule like a normal school day

      • Always check google classroom and homework before submitting

      • Use planner or whiteboard to stay organized

      • Co-create schedule

    • Create a consistent workspace
      • Set up homework location
      • Change location to keep them engaged
      • Create quiet space for online chat and homework
    • Set goals
      • Earn Fridays off or play time breaks
      • Set daily and weekly goals
      • Require work to be completed before fun
    • Plan for social/emotional health
      • Consistent group chats with friends
      • Schedule outdoor time for mental/emotional health
      • Supplement with art and other electives/specials

Resources