PHS Restart Safety Guide

Perkins High School
2020-2021 Reopening Plan

Please note that the Reopening Plan for Perkins High School could change due to recommendations from the Governor’s Office and our Local Health Departments.

Our No. 1 priority is to make sure our students, staff, and community members are kept safe during this time. We also realize the importance of getting our young students back to school in order to minimize the academic and social concerns caused by schools being closed. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through these unprecedented times together. Please continue to check the Perkins Local School District website at www.perkinsschools.org for updates.

I will also be communicating through email so if you have not completed your child’s online forms through PowerSchool, please do so as soon as possible. During this process you will be required to provide us with an active email. Please make sure to check this email regularly as we will use this as a form of communication. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me at jharbal@perkinsschools.org.

Thanks,

Jeff Harbal
Perkins High School Principal

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR 2020-21 IN-PERSON RESTART
Our current Return to Learning Plan calls for safety procedures and protocols that will help mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus. These key steps outlined below will be critical for our day-to-day activities that take place here at PERKINS HIGH SCHOOL before, during, and after school.
Please note that the reopening plan for Perkins High School could change due to mandates from the Governor's Office, Ohio Department of Health, and our Local Health Department.

Our Guiding Principles include the following safety protocols:
• Parents and guardians should check their child’s temperature every morning before school.
• Perkins Local Schools Mask Policy will be strictly enforced.
• Physical Distancing with a minimum of 3 feet between students while wearing masks.
• Frequent hand washing or application of hand sanitizer.
• Wiping down materials and surfaces used or belonging to students.

General information regarding sanitizing and cleaning procedures:
• Extensive cleaning will be done in the evening using disinfecting agents for desks, tables, chairs, and other high contact areas.
• Clorox 360 sprayers will be used to sanitize and disinfect the building
• All door handles and push bars will be coated with Nanoseptic self-cleaning coatings for increased safety on high contact areas
• Disinfecting wipes or spray will be used in classrooms each period as needed to disinfect high contact surfaces.
• All classrooms have hand sanitizer readily available for staff and students.

An overview of our daily protocol for various locations or activities is outlined below:

VISITORS: At this time no visitors will be permitted access to the building except for the main office. All visitors, including parents and guardians will need to enter the front door and report to the main office.

OFFICE: Staff and students will have limited access to the office to minimize traffic.

AM ARRIVAL: Bus riders will enter the north end of the building through the north entrance. Student drivers and parent drop offs will enter the south end of the building. Students will go directly to their locker prior to reporting to the designated areas. (CAFETERIA, GYM, AUDITORIUM)

HALLWAYS: Students will follow the normal traffic patterns established. Traffic flow is two-way in all hallways. Students will follow their daily schedule and move quickly between classes. There are 4 minutes between each class, so students should move quickly and orderly.

CLASSROOMS: Desks, tables, and chairs will be set up in rooms to provide a minimum of three feet of physical distance between students. Plexiglass dividers will be used on teacher desks and areas where 1 to 1 teacher or parapro interaction with a student is required for educational services.

RESTROOMS: Bathroom usage will be eliminated during class changes. In-class restroom usage will require students to sign out and will be limited to one student at a time. Floors, urinals, and stalls will be marked and labeled for restroom safety and physical distancing.

LOCKERS: School lockers will only be accessible in the morning, at lunch time, and at the end of the day to minimize traffic and hallway congestion. Staff will monitor usage and assist as needed.

LUNCHES: Student lunches will be provided and served in a modified process with limited handling of food, beverages, and ala carte items. Students will be split into 6 lunches of approximately 75 students to accommodate physical distancing and safety procedures. Chairs will be placed at each table to accommodate proper distancing and can not be moved at any time. Cafeteria and kitchen floors will be marked and labeled for physical distance and traffic flow. Students will wear masks until they begin eating and will put their masks on after finishing their meal.

COUNSELOR: All counselor services will be available to our students. Social distancing and mask policy will be followed, as well as protective dividers used in certain counseling or individual support situations.

NURSE: A nurse will be available every day during the school day to address illness and medical concerns both covid and non-covid related. A child or staff member with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be evaluated in the nurses clinic to determine next steps.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS: Students will be able to refill their personal bottles on the touchless filling stations, however, the spout of the drinking fountains will be disabled to limit points of contact.

BAND & CHOIR: Music programs will continue as scheduled at PHS. Safety procedures such as instrument covers for band and mask policy coupled with physical distancing for choir.

DISMISSAL: Students will be dismissed in a staggered fashion. Exact details will be given to staff and students at a later date.

BUSES: All students are required to wear masks as they enter the bus. Students riding the bus will have predetermined assigned seats. The seat directly behind the driver will remain empty. Safety protocols dictate that only two students be assigned to a seat; family members may sit three to a seat if applicable. The bus driver, along with all students will wear a mask on the bus. Hand sanitizer will be available to all students daily. While waiting to get on the bus or getting off to go home, students should follow social distancing practices.

STADIUM: Students will follow all social distancing policies while using the stadium, track, or football field.

LOCKER ROOMS: Locker rooms will be accessible and utilized by athletes only. During our covid-restriction sessions, Phys Ed students will not be required to change for PE class.

EXTRACURRICULARS: At this time all after school programs, including athletics, are permitted. Perkins High School Clubs can continue to meet as long as masks are worn and physical distancing is followed.