September 23, 2020
Good Evening,
At the North Union Board of Education Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2020, the board voted unanimously to approve moving forward with the Reset and Restart Plan that would bring all students, Kindergarten through 12th grade back to school every day, all day starting October 5, 2020. This is Learning Level 1 in the Reset and Restart Plan. We are currently working in Learning Level 2, the hybrid plan. Pre-school will remain on its current schedule.
Learning Level 1 - Lowest Risk Level - The Board of Education voted at the September 21, 2020 meeting to begin Learning Level 1 on October 5, 2020. All students will be in session all five days of the week. The North Union Digital Academy is available for students and families who choose this option. At School Learning within recommended protections and guidelines Ohio Public Health Advisory System - Active exposure and spread (yellow) to Increased exposure and spread (orange) Follow health and safety guidance Include all social emotional personnel and services Student Cohort Groups: To reduce exposure and assist with tracking, when possible, student exposure to others will be limited when possible. (100% of students in the building) Full food service for students in school Grab and go lunches for students leaving or not on campus Grades and attendance will be taken daily Staff reports to buildings with safe practices Two students per seat on school transportation with masks
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You may access the complete and updated Reset and Restart Plan at the district COVID-19 web page at https://www.n-union.k12.oh.us/ResetandRestartGuide.aspx.
We have had a great start to the year with students finding success in the classroom. Our community is in a good position during this pandemic. It is best for students, staff, and community to return to a full schedule. This is not a time for complacency, but a time for vigilance, patience and understanding. All of the health and safety procedures are still in place. Although the order asks that we maintain six feet of physical distance when possible, we understand and know that it is not and will not always be possible. We have worked with our local health department to come up with strategies to help mitigate these risks including physical barriers and cohorting of groups.
It is important to understand that your child must stay home with symptoms. It is important to understand proper sanitation and cleaning procedures. It is important to communicate any positive cases with your school as soon as possible. It is important to continue to discourage large group gatherings and to practice safe practices outside of school as well as in school.
Going back to school full time is necessary, but inherently presents risks of further exposure and a wider scope of spread. I will continue to share that our staff, students, and administrators have taken every precaution that has been recommended to protect, but we also understand that at any time, we could have to pull back to the hybrid model or move to a fully remote model. We must remain flexible and ready for whatever is presented to us.
If you would like to change to or from the Digital Academy or if you have any questions as we move forward, please contact the guidance counselors at your child’s building. We ask that final decisions be made for this semester by Friday, October 2, 2020. This will allow us and the students to settle into this model.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Baird
Please see the video message below.
https://www.loom.com/share/c5ddc2e10fda4934880d4dec880311de