Reentry Planning

Just One Thing

School Breakfast and Lunch

August 31, 2020


September 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

Welcome to the 2020-20201 school year!  I don’t think any of us could have ever imagined that this is how the year would begin, but that hasn’t stopped our team from working hard to keep mealtime a bright spot in a student’s day. Even though we understand plans may continue to evolve, we want you to know that the one thing that won’t change is our commitment to continue creating the best dining experience for our students and keeping mealtime a safe, happy, and healthy experience for all.

In addition to serving foods that kids love to eat and offering great-tasting menus developed by our chefs and dietitians, health and safety remain our top priority. Our team has been working collaboratively with the district to determine what plans will fit best with each school and the instructional activities. For Barrington Schools, this means grades K-6 eating in the classroom and grades 7-12 small groups being served in the cafe. This means:

  • Classroom Delivery – Instead of having students visit the cafeteria, meals will be delivered directly to their classrooms. Students will order in the morning and food will be served in a closed individual compostable container and transported in insulated bags. 

  • Cafeteria – Students will still have the opportunity to visit the cafeteria to pick up and eat their meals, however, they will enter and be released in appropriate waves to ensure proper social distancing.

  • Take-Home Meals – As students continue distance learning, meals may be picked up at BHS  from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM with student ID, student schedule, or report card. Meal pricing is the regular school lunch price and free or reduced if qualified. 

Health and Safety Remains a Priority

While the logistics and location for how meals will be served is different, students, staff, and parents can have peace of mind knowing that Chartwells K12’s plans are rooted in the most stringent health and safety practices aligned with federal and state regulations, along with local health department recommendations.

All Chartwells K12 associates will participate in COVID-19 specific training developed in consultation with the Cleveland Clinic, undergo health screenings before each workday, and follow strict guidelines for the glove, mask, and physical distancing protocols. Enhanced cleaning and sanitation measures help assure the safest environments possible.

Menus and Nutrition Facts at Your Fingertips with the Nutrislice App

Chartwells K12 continues to bring technology to the forefront of the dining experience to help students and their parents prioritize healthy food choices and understand ingredients to help protect their children from allergic reactions.  Through Nutrislice, an innovative app, students, parents, and faculty have access to school menus, including nutrition information, allergens, and photos, available on desktop and mobile devices. Everyone is encouraged to download the free Nutrislice App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and search for your menus or find them on the web at www.barringtonschoools.nutrislice.com

Free/Reduced Meal Applications

We recognize that many families may have experienced a change in financial circumstances and may be seeking additional help.  We want to make sure you know that Free or Reduced Meals are available for students and that the application process is easy and confidential and can help your children stay well-nourished. You are encouraged to check out this website https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/lunch-program--7 for more information and to apply. Signing up only takes a few minutes and the information submitted is only used to determine meal eligibility. 

Paying for meals online

Parents are able to access the website myschoolbucks.com to monitor their children’s lunch account. By signing up for a free account, parents will be able to:

  • Put money on lunch accounts by credit card, debit card or e-check

  • View purchase activity

  • Sign-up for low balance alerts

  • Set up recurring payments

Parents have found this user-friendly website to be useful in managing student lunch accounts and appreciate the convenient and secure online payment system.  All you need to sign up for your free account at myschoolbucks.com is your child’s student ID number and name.  We encourage parents to prepay for student lunch purchases by the week or month as there is a small transaction fee of $2.49 for each electronic transaction. Lunch is $2.85 for elementary and $3.10 for secondary schools. Breakfast is $1.00 for elementary and $1.25 for secondary.

Through sharing our passion for great tasting food, instilling a desire for food discovery, and most importantly, providing nourishing meals, we're excited to continue serving up happy and healthy to your children in the year ahead.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. 

 

Thank you,

Kimberley Orr, FSD

Kimberley.Orr@Compass-Usa.com

401-253-1452



Just One Thing

Practice and Pay with Social Distancing

August 25, 2020

Many parents have been asking how to teach young children how to social distance and what socially distanced play will look like in school. We have created this edition of Just One Thing with tips for home and examples of play we will engage in at school. 

Articles with strategies that you can use at home to practice distancing

We know that children benefit from practice. We provided some resources to help your understand what distanced activities look like through fun and practice at home with their families below.

https://www.kindercare.com/lp/explaining-social-distancing-kids - the ribbon game sounds like fun!

https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/blog/explaining-social-distancing-to-kids - includes videos from their favorite PBS characters

Playground and Movement Games at School

We have been working with Blue Cross Blue Shield on many playground strategies. The below resources include activities like those we have been training to use.

https://www.asphaltgreen.org/blog/rep-it-out-games-for-social-distancing - games and activities divided by grade level and space

A few examples of outdoor recess games

https://youtu.be/C_E014VqeMI


Just One Thing

August 21, 2020

Re-Entry Phases

https://docs.google.com/docume...


Just One Thing

August 20, 2020

Outdoor Spaces

We know from science that outdoor spaces and environments add additional health and safety layers for students and staff. Parents and staff are asking great questions about access to outdoor spaces throughout the day. 

Our current plans provide for the following access to outdoor spaces:

  • Elementary School

    • Scheduled Recess

    • Assigned areas and times for outdoor learning

    • Physical Education

    • Mask Breaks with extended physical distancing

    • Opportunities for outdoor lunches

    • Space for outdoor teacher preparation areas

    • Tents will be added for shade and to allow for outdoor access in inclement weather

  • Middle and Secondary School

    • Assigned areas and times for outdoor learning

    • Physical Education

    • Mask Breaks with extended physical distancing

    • Opportunities for outdoor lunches

    • Opportunities for movement breaks, such as class walks around the track or building

    • Space for outdoor teacher preparation areas

    • Tents will be added for shade and to allow for outdoor access in inclement weather

Teachers have been asking about the schedules and locations for the spaces. The principals are currently working on these plans and will share them as soon as possible. 

Safety

  • Classrooms will be assigned specific entry and exit doors when accessing the outdoor spaces. We will provide teachers with access to keys or fobs for these doors.

  • Students and staff will wash or sanitize their hands when leaving and returning to the classrooms.

  • Classes will adhere to distancing and hallway directions when entering and exiting.

  • Additional staff will be available to monitor distancing, masks, and general outdoor safety.

What can you do as a parent to help?

  • Students should be dressed appropriately for the weather to allow access to the outdoors regardless of the weather. 

  • Students in grades 6-12 are not in the practice of going outdoors during the school day. Please remind them to have jackets, hats, gloves, or rain gear depending on the weather. We will go outside rain or shine, within reason.

  • Your child’s teacher may request a garden knee pad protector or something similar for students to sit on. These pads can be easily carried, cleaned, and labeled.

What might instruction look like outside?

Instruction will vary depending on the course and grade. Some learning opportunities may include independent reading and writing, class discussions, independent math, and science investigations. Outdoor learning is also additional time for social-emotional learning using our RULER tools and community building. Teachers may engage in similar activities with the students at home through station rotation during class or office hours.

At times students at home may be able to join in; however, most outdoor learning is an opportunity for all students to turn off their screens. For example, while students in school are reading outside, students at home may do the same without connecting to Zoom. Teachers will communicate the schedules to the students at home.


Just One Thing

August 19, 2020

Water Bottles and Student Hydration

During our practice run in the schools yesterday, we were asked questions about student hydration and being able to bring water into the classroom.

Each of our schools will be equipped with a touchless hydration station that will provide access to water for their reusable water bottles. 

When selecting a water bottle, it may be helpful to select one with a straw or a mouthpiece that can be slipped under the mask. This will allow students to take a sip of water throughout the day without removing their masks. Students will have mask breaks outdoors and will be able to take their masks off outside and during lunch and snack. We have provided some examples of water bottles with extending mouthpieces below.

To maintain safety and hydration, water bottles with a straw feature will allow students to drink water throughout the day. We recommend that students practice drinking from their water bottles with their masks on for the next few weeks at home.


Just One Thing

August 18, 2020

District Practice Run

https://docs.google.com/docume...


Just One Thing 

August 17, 2020

School Supplies

We have received many questions regarding supplies and supply lists for the start of the school year. It is important to note that we will not allow students to share most tools or resources in their classrooms. We are in the process of ordering and receiving supplies, but do allow and encourage donations if families are inclined. This year’s donations will only be used for your child(ren), as we are not sharing resources from home with other classmates.

We have asked teachers to develop basic lists to share out with you over the next two weeks. To help you begin thinking about school supplies, items that will be included on the donations lists regardless of grade or teacher will include

  1. Facial tissues

  2. Pen or Pencil

  3. Ruler

  4. Colored Pencils or Crayons

  5. Highlighters

  6. Dry erase markers (low odor)

  7. Folders

  8. Wide -Ruled Composition Books for elementary and Notebooks at the older grades

Most importantly, the best resources that we can all bring into the schools are a positive attitude and a flexible mindset.


Just One Thing

August 14, 2020

Technology

Introduction

Nationwide shortages of devices have pushed back delivery dates for our yearly purchase.  We cannot guarantee a device for every student until our new shipment for the year arrives, is processed, configured, and distributed.  Current priority will be placed on students opting for distance learning.  Please be patient as we navigate these times with the goal of being able to fully support all of our students’ technology needs.

Procedure for Receiving a Device in Elementary Schools

  • The majority of requested devices will be distributed prior to the first day of classes. Anyone requesting distance learning should have their device for the first day of school. A request form will be emailed by the end of the month to families who need a device.

Who is eligible for a device?

  • All students enrolled in Barrington Public Schools for Distance or In-Person Learning.

Process for receiving a device back that was given back for repairs

We are in the process of having secondary level devices with issues repaired and developing distribution protocols.  Information on the specifics will be emailed before the start of school.

Process for requesting repairs

Middle School and High School students who have 1 to 1 devices should fill out our Summer Warranty form and bring the device to the High School.   Issues included are webcam, microphone, sound, keyboard, mouse pad or not powering on.  We are not currently fixing broken screens.   Devices can be dropped off in the vestibule in the main entrance at the High School.  The High School is open until 3:00 on weekdays.  If you have an elementary school student with a device that is currently having issues, please drop it off at the High School as well.  Replacement or loaner devices are not currently being issued.

Extension to limit student access to YouTube

There is an extension we have unblocked that can help with YouTube.  We can't set timers or blocks for individual students through our filtering system, but this extension can help with distractions.  Install the extension below on the student Chromebook logged in to their account.  It can be set to block YouTube completely, or be used only at specified times.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search/site%20blocker 

Update on Canvas and Training for Parents and Students

  • Canvas is our new system so that parents and students can access all of their assignments, materials, and links in one place. 

  • Canvas will replace logging into Google Classroom and provide a parent portal. 

  • Aspen will still be used by teachers to take attendance, IEPs documents, and RtI forms.

  • The District is in the process of developing videos and easy to follow directions for families and students. The directions and videos will be sent out before the start of school. 

  • To learn more about the Canvas Parent Portal, please view this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-5sWZODhY8


Just One Thing

August 13, 2020

RIDOH Playbook

During our family and faculty forums, we have received questions about the protocols for quarantine when there is a probable or positive case of COVID in the buildings. In an effort to support schools with these decisions and processes, The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) have developed and released a Playbook to support schools. 

The Playbook is publicly available and can be found by visiting https://health.ri.gov/publications/presentations/Outbreak-Response-Protocols-PreK-12.pdf

To support our administrators and school personnel in following the requirements of the Playbook, we have developed a companion protocol which will be added to our re-entry plan’s illness protocols. We have included the portion of the companion protocol regarding decision-making processes regarding probable and positive cases below.

BPS Decision-Making Processes Regarding Probable and Positive Cases

Sick Day Guidelines  Based on RI Playbook for K-12 from RI Dept. of Health     

If students show any signs or symptoms of illness when at school or complain of not feeling well, the teacher will contact the school nurse before sending the student to the health office.  The student may be directed to go to a separate area from the Health Office. The nurse will provide guidance where the student is to be sent for evaluation, or the student will be met by the nurse before leaving the classroom, and ensuring a facemask is in place over the nose and mouth, on the student before entering the hallway.

Definition of Symptoms for suspect COVID-19:

  • Probable Cases are defined as having either: 

One of the following symptoms: 

Cough (new), Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, New loss of taste or

 smell

OR

Two of the following symptoms: 

Fever/Chills, Muscle/body aches, Headache, Sore Throat, Fatigue, Congestion/runny nose (new), Nausea/Vomiting, Diarrhea

Emergency warning signs for COVID-19

If anyone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble Breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, New Confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, Bluish lips or face

Protocols for Managing all Case Scenarios in School/

Communication with Staff/Families/Students

  • Symptomatic but Not Probable Case (one symptom in 2nd set or has other symptoms (e.g., rash) not on the above list)

    • Isolate; Send home, if at school; Medical advice; Test as advised by a pediatrician

    • If no testing is advised, may return to school (with guardian/staff attestation) after fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications and the symptoms are improved (back to usual health).

    • No notification or management of close contacts required.

    • NO COMMUNICATION REQUIRED

  • Symptomatic and Probable Case (see above list)

    • Isolate; Send home, if at school; Medical advice; COVID-19 testing required

    • Further action dependent on results of COVID-19 testing

    • No action while awaiting test results, unless there have been recent positive COVID-19 cases in school (in which case, RIDOH will be involved).

    • Families in K-6 Classrooms/Cohorts will receive a letter or email.

  • Symptomatic and Tests Positive

    • Isolate for 10 (plus) days from the start of symptoms

    • May return to school (with guardian/staff attestation) after fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications, the symptoms have improved (back to usual health), and at least 10 days have passed from the start of illness symptoms.

    • RIDOH will direct quarantine of close contacts for 14 days from the last contact.

    • Communication depends on the response directed by RIDOH. Families will receive a letter or an email.

  • Symptomatic and Tests Negative

    • May return to school (with guardian/staff attestation) after fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications, and the symptoms have improved (back to usual health). If symptoms persist, should check with a Health Care Provider regarding additional evaluation for the underlying cause of symptoms.

    • No management of close contacts required.

    • No additional communication required

Asymptomatic and Tests Positive

  • Isolate for 10 (plus) days from date of a positive test

  • May return to school (with guardian/staff attestation) after fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications, symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed from the start of illness symptoms.

  • RIDOH will help direct quarantine of close contacts for 14 days from the last contact.

  • Communication depends on the response directed by RIDOH. Families will receive a letter or an email.

Close Contact of a Confirmed Case

  • If close contact does not live in the same household, then quarantine is 14 days from last exposure to a confirmed case.

  • If close contact lives in the same household, then a 14-day quarantine starts when the confirmed case ends isolation at day 10—so a total of 24 days from the first day of symptoms seen in the confirmed case. (If another family member tests positive, that resets the clock from 10 days from the start of that person’s isolation plus 14 days of quarantine.)

  • In either case, testing should be done under medical advice or if symptomatic.

  • May return to school (with a note from RIDOH or Health Care Provider) if asymptomatic and has completed the required quarantine.

  • No communication to the community unless student/staff tests positive and was in the school when potentially contagious, in which case, see above.

Travel to place with >5% positive, as defined by RIDOH

  • 14-day quarantine with guardian/staff attestation that quarantine is complete.

Exception to testing: If staff/student tested positive in the past 90 days, it is not indicated to retest or quarantine per CDC guidance, related to short term immunity. Guardian/staff attestation is required.

If a student, staff, or visitor test positive for COVID-19 after being on the school campus, the principal must be notified. This is a reportable condition to both the local and state health departments. In most cases, the healthcare provider who diagnosed COVID-19 has already reported.


Just One Thing

Family and Staff Edition

August 12, 2020

Face Masks/Coverings in Barrington Public Schools—What works & what doesn’t work

Video: You Should Wear This

Face masks/coverings are required.

All staff and students are required to wear a face mask or cover whenever they are in our school buildings unless a previously discussed exemption has been arranged with BPS. Recent research highlights that some masks are better than others. With that research in mind, we will require disposable surgical or 2-3 layer reusable cloth masks. 

No mask or unacceptable mask/face covering?

If a student or staff member comes to school with a single layer cloth mask (a neck gaiter or bandana), we will provide a surgical mask for that day and ask that you please acquire a better mask for the next day you or your child will be in the school buildings.

Just one part of the plan to protect staff and students

As always, face masks/coverings are not the only way to protect yourself and others, which is why we also encourage physical distancing, frequent hand washing, barriers when needed, and staying home when sick.  

Masks

While N95 masks are the most protective, they are still in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare providers, front line workers, and people at the highest risk of exposure. They are also challenging to wear all day and require proper fitting to be effective.


Disposable surgical masks are also relatively in short supply, and the CDC recommends that those be reserved for health care workers and others at a higher risk of exposure. However, since they are becoming more available, many people wear them, and we’ve included them here.

  • To fit correctly, the nose piece must be pinched against the nose, and the bottom part pulled under the chin.

  • Also, the elastics should not be twisted to make it smaller. Twisting the elastics causes a gap at the side. Either tying, using a tiny hair elastic, or using a small bead to slide up and down the elastic works better. (Check out the Tech-ni-Ally video for more suggestions!)

  • As long as they are not soiled, they can be stored in a labeled (name and date) paper bag for up to 5 days. They can last longer if used as a filter under a cloth mask.


Cloth masks are best when made with tight-knit cotton fabric  (if you can see the light passing through the fabric, it’s not tight enough) and have 2 to 3 layers.

  • A 2-layered mask with a space for a filter is ideal—and a folded 2-ply tissue as the filter can work quite well as does polypropylene, a synthetic fabric available at most craft stores. (Coffee filters are too difficult to breathe through, forcing air out the side of the mask without filtering it.)

  • The mask should fit snugly around the nose and chin, and no gap at the side. If the ear loops are too big or loose, the mask will fall off while speaking (see above for tightening it up).

  • If the mask becomes wet for any reason, it is more difficult to breathe through. It should be put aside to dry, and a new mask should be worn, which is why we ask that every student and staff member have a back-up mask with them every day. 

  • Cloth masks should be washed at the end of the day.  

acceptable. Mask with valves are not acceptable. Unfortunately, although many people find these comfortable, some may be less protective than no masks. Additionally, most of them are a single layer and don’t allow for a filter. Therefore, Barrington Public Schools will not accept single layer neck gaiters, bandanas, or single-layer masks to satisfy the face mask/covering requirement outlined above. Masks with valves let out droplets and are not acceptable.

 

If you have questions about what is acceptable, please consult the resources below—and if you still have questions, contact your building principal or school nurse for further guidance. 

Resources:

1. Low-cost Measurement of facemask efficacy for filtering expelled droplets during speech in Science Advances, 07 August 2020.

2. A User’s Guide to Masks: What’s Best at Protecting Others (and Yourself) NPR, 01 July 2020.

3. CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html



Important Updates for Families and Staff

August 11, 2011

Re-Entry Forum

A reminder that we will host a re-entry forum for families in grades PK-6 on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 PM and for grades 7-12 on Thursday, August 13 at 6 PM. The Zoom links for families are below. (Staff, your Zoom link was sent in an email to your school address today.) Students are welcome to attend and participate.

Grades PK-6

https://zoom.us/j/93601326576?pwd=N0FISVBRcWZMMU0yYWtiV1hvczlvZz09  

Grades 7-12

https://zoom.us/j/98198359234?pwd=aEtaWGo2eG5iUnJWNVI3azZCYVQrUT09

Student Schedules

As you may have heard in today’s news, it is likely that the Governor will release a new start day for school during her press conference tomorrow. In addition, we are still in the process of collecting learning model choices from families. As such, we are extending the date for the release of individual student schedules and teacher/course assignments and bus schedules. 

During the week of August 16th, after the Governor releases the re-entry phase for Rhode Island, we will issue the survey one last time for families to select the learning model for their children. Once we have collected this information, we will be able to finalize schedules. To date, 1,601 out of 2,200 families have responded. 

Our school start and end times will mirror last year. The principals will send out specific times for arrival and dismissal. We have staggered arrival and dismissal to allow families with children in multiple buildings to schedule drop-offs and pickups.

Contact Tracing

To support the Rhode Island Department of Health in conducting contact tracing when we return to school, we encourage all families and staff to sign up for the Crush COVID App. https://health.ri.gov/covid/crush/

Rhode Island Re-Entry Playbook

The Re-entry Playbook was released on Friday, August 7. The Playbook includes the protocols schools will follow in the event of a probable and confirmed case in schools. We are updating our re-entry plan accordingly. You may access the Playbook here: https://health.ri.gov/publications/presentations/Outbreak-Response-Protocols-PreK-12.pdf

In-House Childcare

Due to space constraints, safety requirements, and the inability to maintain stable pods, Barrington Public Schools will not offer in-house child care through Springboard or the YMCA, at least for the start of the school year. We will re-evaluate this decision throughout the year.


Just One Thing

August 11, 2020

Contact Tracing

What is Contact Tracing?

According to UC Davis, contact tracing is the process of tracking down an individual who has had an infectious disease and the people that person has potentially been in contact with. It’s a confidential process that has been used by health departments for years to help stop the spread of infectious diseases and avoid outbreaks.

Contact tracing is a crucial part of good public health. It enables health departments to determine where there might be an increased risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. That gives an early alert to people who may have been exposed so they can take precautions and not further spread any disease. The public plays a key role in providing contact tracers with complete information, which helps to limit the number of new cases.

Why is it important?

According to the CDC, Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by

  • Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

  • Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested.

  • Asking people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19 or self-quarantine if they are a close contact.

Contact tracing provides you with a way to keep the community safe and helps the Rhode Island Department of Health with the information they need to inform people if they may have been in close contact with a positive case.

Why is it important for schools?

It is critical that schools be able to provide the names of those in close contact with one another in the event of a probable or positive case.

How do I keep track of my contacts or my child’s?

The Governor of Rhode Island has offered two possible options. For those comfortable with the technology, individuals may sign up to have the Crush COVID app installed on their cell phone. For those without a mobile device or who prefer a low-tech method, she recommends a COVID journal where you note where you have been and the people that you come in close contact with (6 feet or less, especially if masks are not worn).

What else can I do?

Limit close interactions to those within your bubble of family and friends when not in school. Also, avoid visiting hotspots. See our communication from August 7, 2020.

How will the schools help?

We will assign students to seats on the bus, in their classes, and in communal areas. We will note the staff and students within 6 feet of each student and provide that information to the Rhode Island Department of Health in the event of a probable case. We will also use this information if we must notify families or staff of a probable or positive case. 


Just One Thing

Limiting Circle of Friends 

August 7, 2020

During Wednesday’s Press Conference with Governor Raimondo, she and Dr. Alexander Scott reminded us of the importance of limiting our interactions to 15 people, including our families. In limiting our interactions to the same people, we significantly decrease the likelihood of contracting or spreading COVID-19. As we reflected on her message, we thought that today’s edition should serve as a reminder to begin to create our bubble group of family members and friends and to avoid hot spots. As Dr. Chan notes, let’s “agree to be COVID free.”

In taking this step, we will be preparing our students for school re-entry while also increasing the likelihood of in-person learning. We will also be able to better help the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) with Contact Tracing. 

Governor Raimondo further discusses the importance of creating a circle of friends and family members in her interview with Dr. Philip Chan, a local infectious disease expert.  The conversation also includes the other strategies necessary to keep us safe, the most up to date information that we know about COVID-19 right now, and the Playbook that RIDOH will release the week of August 16, 2020. 


Just One Thing Family Edition - Handwashing

August 6, 2020

The Importance of Handwashing

Next to mask-wearing, Barrington Public Schools wants to remind all of our students about the importance of handwashing. We also want to take this opportunity to talk about the difference between washing hands with soap and water and using hand sanitizer. 

Throughout the school day, we will be providing handwashing and sanitizing opportunities upon arrival, when moving from one location to another, before and after recess, before and after using the restrooms, before and after snack and lunch, and when exiting the classroom. It is critical that all staff and students take part in these opportunities. 

We know from the Centers for Disease Control, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the American Pediatrics Association that frequent hand washing can decrease the likelihood of contracting COVID, especially if we are very careful about mask-wearing and not touching our face, eyes, nose, and mouth.  Frequent handwashing can also prevent the spread of other illnesses, like seasonal flu. Because it is so important to wash our hands frequently and use the best strategies to do so, we have included several resources for you to learn more. 

  1. Stanford Children’s Health Organization - Teaching children how to wash their hands and the difference between handwashing and using sanitizer

  2. CDC - Handwashing for Families - includes a downloadable sign you can post at your sinks

  3. CDC Video Presentation on Washing Hands


Just One Thing - Family Edition August 5, 2020

Just One Thing for Families

August 5, 2020

Barrington Public Schools recognize the social-emotional challenges children may be faced with returning to school in August. Many of their routines will be different. The school layout, mask-wearing, and social distancing may be different. They may feel isolated from their friends due to the pods and schedules. We would like to remind you that our counselors, teachers, and principals are here to help you and your child transition. Here is a link to the mental health professionals in our District

During our return, we will focus heavily on rituals, routines, and the social-emotional well-being of students. Our teachers will receive training in mental health first aid and trauma-based instructional strategies. We will increase opportunities for students to connect with trusted adults and advisors. 

Also, we want to provide you with some resources to consider as you engage in return to school, distance or in-person, conversations with your children.

Unicef has developed helpful strategies and resources for families.

Supporting your child’s mental health as they return to school during COVID-19: How parents can help their children navigate their feelings during school reopenings.

The National Association of School Psychologists has also developed helpful strategies.

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19



8/4/2020

8/4/2020

Important Update for Families and Staff

Re-entry Plan

RIDE has reviewed Barrington’s Plan, and the plan is available on the District Website. No changes or revisions were required at this time. 

Re-entry Criteria

The Governor outlined the process for making decisions regarding school re-opening models and dates. The primary deciding factors will be the criteria established by the Rhode Island Department of Health, including access to rapid testing. The requirements are outlined here: https://www.back2schoolri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/7.29.20_SchoolMetricsSlide_FINAL.pdf

“As with every decision we've made during this crisis, our efforts to reopen our schools will be driven by science and data. We’ve identified a clear, comprehensive set of benchmarks we need to hit in order to be confident we’re ready to fully reopen schools. Those metrics are: statewide readiness, municipal readiness, testing readiness, supply readiness, and operational readiness. And we’ve assembled a team of local and national health experts to guide us during this process. The week of August 16, we’ll make a determination about the start of this school year.  

It's our job to work day and night to get to a point where we can say with confidence we check every box on this list. If not, then it means we’re not ready to fully reopen on August 31. Every school district must be prepared with both in-person and remote learning options, and parents will be able to choose the option they’re most comfortable with.” (Governor Gina Raimondo)

Rhode Island will be issuing an updated Health and Safety Playbook for schools. The Playbook will be used to guide all safety decisions, such as contact tracing and quarantine. We anticipate access to the document the week of August 17. We will continue to keep you informed regarding any changes made by the State for re-entry.

First Day of School 

In an effort to support groups of students transitioning to new buildings or who may struggle with transition, the Task Force has determined the following

  • August 31st will be an in-person day for the following groups

    • Kindergarten

    • Grade 4

    • Grade 6

    • Grade 9

    • Students with learning plans who are attending five days a week, regardless of their grade level

    • All staff 

  • August 31st will be a virtual meet and greet, course introduction, and socialization day for all other students

  • September 1st will be the first in-person day for all other K-5 students and all other students in grades 7-12 with last names starting with A-K

  • September 3rd will be the first in-person day for all other students in grades 7-12 with last names starting L-Z

Re-Entry Alphabet

In our partial plan for PK-6 and our Hybrid Plan for students in grades 7-12, the Task Force determined that it was critical to keep families together. In an effort to accomplish this, we have divided our students alphabetically Group A Blue Day: A-K and Group B Gold Day: L-Z.

We recognize that some families are blended and have last names that may span A-K and L-Z in the same house. For example, a family may include children with the last name Anderson and Smith. In these instances, the families will have the option to send all their family members who live in the same home to the days designated for A-K.

If you are a blended family in one home and would like your family members to be on the same daily schedule, please complete the linked form.  

https://forms.gle/rtgHam4vYbXGYdJW7

Re-entry Trial Run

The Barrington Re-entry Task Force has developed a re-entry trial run for each school in the District. A team of teachers, administrators, and parents will run through a modified schedule to determine our protocols’ strengths and opportunities. The event will occur on August 18.

Frequently Asked Questions

As we prepare for our forums, we will update the FAQ form on our website. As a reminder, our PK-6 Forum is on August 12th at 6:00 PM, 7-12 Forum is on August 13th at 6:00 PM, and Staff Forum August 13th at 8:30 AM.

If you have additional questions to add, please do so. Questions and answers will be updated by August 11th. 

Form to Ask Questions

Responses to Questions



7/8/2020

Good morning,

As you know, the District Task Force on Re-entry has been working since school officially ended.  We created and sent surveys to staff and families for feedback.  That data has been collected and is used to inform our work.  As stated in a previous email I sent on June 23, and there will be an opportunity for families (parents/guardians and students) to participate in a webinar on July 13 at 6 pm during which your feedback on several topics will be solicited.  The topics that will be open for feedback include the following:

  • Schedule
  • Health & Safety
  • Instructional strategies and support
  • Transportation
  • Lunch
  • Activities
  • Hybrid Model
  • Other

As a reminder,  this meeting will serve the purpose of gathering information from you; it will not be a meeting to provide concrete answers about re-opening since our model will still be in the planning stage at that time.  However, there will be another webinar in August set up for staff after the plan is approved by RIDE.  At that point, we will be able to provide answers to your questions.

Please complete this form if you intend to participate. https://forms.gle/mcuAykupCuAQ8QZCA

To see our guidelines, guidance from RIDE and RIDOH, and FAQ, please visit our District Page 
https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/reentry-2020-2021

It is important to note that we must adhere to the guidance on the RIDOH and RIDE documents for all of our plans.

An email with the link for Zoom was sent to you. If you need the link, please contact Nancy Gladney gladneyn@barringtonschools.org



7/2/2020

We will be adding the below opportunities for students to the Summer Learning Page shared earlier.


Hello,

I am writing to let you know that RWU|UC has Great News!  The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is offering a Summer Academy for Interactive Learning (SAIL).  This means that your students can sign up for Roger Williams University|University College courses for FREE!  We are offering 17 classes this summer.  Four of these courses are offered for college credit.  ALL classes are offered ONLINE synchronously (live) on the days and times listed on the RIDE website.  Please share with your networks.  I am happy to answer questions you, your staff, or your contacts may have.  Respectfully, Pamela Pereira

 

+++++++++++

I am writing to let you know that RWU|UC has Great News!  The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is offering a Summer Academy for Interactive Learning (SAIL).  This means that you can sign up for Roger Williams University|University College courses for FREE!  We are offering 17 classes this summer.  Four of these courses are offered for college credit.  ALL classes are offered ONLINE synchronously (live) on the days and times listed on the RIDE website.

 

You can take college credit courses and enrichment courses with RWU|UC.  Below are just a few of the 17 courses that we are offering this summer.

·       Are you interested in Virtual Reality?  Take our Virtual Reality course and design and build your own VR-Headset – and get college credit! Virtual Reality Course

·       Are you thinking about being a baby sitter?  Take our Caregiving of Siblings and Other Young Children course - Caregiver Course

·       Are you interested in growing your own food indoors?  Take our Introduction to Hydroponics course – you will receive a kit with all the supplies needed - Hydroponics Course

·       Are you going to be a senior in the fall?  The Adulting 101: What happens next? Is the course for you!!  - Adulting 101 Course

·       Do you have great ideas and want to learn how to plan events and parties?  Check out our Event Planning and Project Management course - Event Planning Course

·       Do you want to learn how to sew and make things for yourself and others?  Check out our L.I.F.E. course – you will receive a kit with all the supplies needed for the course -  LIFE Course

·       Are you thinking of starting a group at your school to have a place where your classmates can work out conflicts? Check out our Conflict Management/Resolution course – get college credit! - Conflict Management Course

Go to the following link and search for Roger Williams to see all of our summer offerings:  SAIL Summer Courses.

Email or call me if you have questions!

 

Regards,

Pamela Pereira, Assistant Director of Retention and Student Services

University College | Roger Williams University

1 Empire Street  – 3rd Floor Providence, RI  02903 ☏ 401.254.3582| ✉ ppereira@rwu.edu

FAX: 401-254-3560 P Please consider the environment before printing this email.



6/23/2020

The re-entry task force is hard at work developing an all-in, partial-in, and limited-in plan for our Augst re-entry. We would like to take this time to receive your feedback on important areas to help us build the best possible plans. Please complete this survey by 8 am Monday, June 29th. https://forms.gle/xF8bo6HDonec...

We will also be inviting you to participate in an optional focus group. Please save the Date: Monday July 13th at 6:00PM. The purpose of the focus group is to provide the task force with information that we can use to build our plans. An additional meeting will be provided for Q & A after our plans are accepted by RIDE.

In the meantime, if you would like to submit questions, read our FAQs, or review the guidance we have received from RIDE, please visit our site : https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/reentry-2020-2021.


6/19/2020

 

Good afternoon,

 

As yesterday was the last day of school for our students, I would like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize the vital role our families played during the spring in supporting our schools and, most importantly, your children.

What makes Barrington Public Schools an exceptional place for our students to learn and grow is due to our dedicated educators and our supportive families.  Your partnership with our educators has enabled us to continue providing our students with educational opportunities. Without the support of our families, our high level of students’ engagement and attendance would not have been possible.

I understand the many challenges and disappointments you, along with your children, may have faced during this pandemic. I have heard and seen the commitment of families to overcome the obstacles you met for the good of your children and the community. Equally important, I celebrate the amazing accomplishments, and successes students and teachers had during this same time.

Ae we look ahead to the 2020-21 school year, we recognize that we face many unknowns. The District has established a reentry task force that includes school and district-level leadership. The task force will draft a reentry plan for three possible scenarios: a traditional start, a hybrid start, and a distance learning start. The District has made a page available to the public to access all up to date information. Also, we have created an opportunity for immediate community feedback and questions regarding school reentry next year.  As you may have many questions and ideas, please access this https://forms.gle/mYSCntugF3vSvSDA8, and the reentry task force will review and answer all comments and questions as information becomes available. Over the summer, we will be providing timely and transparent information about our plans as they begin to take shape.

Please note that next week the District will be sending you a critical survey to be complete to assist us in our reentry planning process.  Also, please pay attention to District email over the summer as we will provide you with updated reentry information and opportunities to engage in focus groups.

I hope all of you have a chance to take time this summer with your children to relax, get outside, and have fun.  As a District and as a school community, we have accomplished much together this year. We look forward to our return to our schools on August 31st.

Sincerely,

Mike Messore

 

Michael B. Messore III

Superintendent

Barrington Public Schools

283 County Road

Barrington, R.I. 02806

(401) 245-5000 ex1

(401) 245-5003 fax

www.barringtonschools.org

messorem@barringtonschools.org

 

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Our mission for the 2020-2021 School Year is to Ensure the Health and Safety of all Staff and Students, while ensuring that instruction is not interrupted. Although we are still in the early planning phases, we are confident that we will be able to collectively implement a plan that meets the unique needs of our learning community.

In an effort to answer questions and to keep our community informed, Barrington Public Schools will provide regular updates, surveys, and responses to frequently asked questions on our website. Please follow this link to access all up to date information: https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/reentry-2020-2021

We know that you will have many questions along the way. We will answer questions as the information is made available through our Superintendent’s Task Force. Please use this form to submit questions. https://forms.gle/mYSCntugF3vSvSDA8 We ask for patience, as there are many questions without answers or with answers that are changing rapidly with every new day. In the next few weeks, we will provide opportunities for interactive focus groups. More information to come...