Manara Model Transition to Campus Learning Plan 

2020-2021 

A Time for Learning • A Time for Safety

Manara Academy Transitions & Procedures 

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Dallas County Guidance on Reopening of Schools 3

Tarrant County Guidance on Reopening of Schools 3

Prevention/Mitigation Strategies for 4

Manara Learning Plans 4

Return to School Start Dates 5

Changing Learning Models 6

Attendance 6

Compulsory Attendance Law 7

90% Rule 7

Credit Loss Defined 8

Absences Due to Illness 8

Remote/Hybrid Learning Attendance 8

Truancy 8

Pre-K and Kindergarten Attendance 9

Return to Learning Plan in All Learning Models 9

In-Person Learning Student Expectations 9

In-Person Learning Teacher Expectations 9

In-Person Learning Parent Expectations 10

Classroom Precautions 11

Commons Area Precautions 11

Special Programs 12

Technology 12

Library Services 12

Extra-Curricular Activities 12

Grading 13

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Operational Plan 13

Required Staff Prevention Screening Processes 13

Required Student Prevention Screening Processes 14

Lab Confirmed or Symptomatic Individuals 14

COVID-19 Symptoms 14

Close Contact Defined 15

Transportation 15

Questions Regarding Bus Employee Health and Safety 16

Questions Regarding Student Health and Safety on the Bus 18

Questions Regarding Vehicle Cleanliness 19

Student Drop Off & Pick Up 19

Cafeteria & School Nutrition 19

Building Cleaning 20

Daily Operations & Protocols 20

Carpool 20

Bathrooms and Drinking Fountains 21

Daily Procedural Practices 21

Physical Education Classes 21

Outdoor Recreation 22

Manara Facility HVAC Air Filtration Systems 22

COVID-19 Standard Response Protocol 22

Student Confirmed Case 22

Student With Symptom(s) Before Entering 23

Student With Symptom(s) During Day 23

Student With Prolonged Close Contact 23

Irving Elementary Plan Specifics 24

Manara STEM Academy Plan Specifics 25

Manara Leadership Academy Plan Specifics 25

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MANARA TRANSITION TO LEARNING MODEL The Manara Transition to Learning Model has been created to provide information to parents, teachers and students regarding the reopening, transitions and procedures for the 2020-2021 school year. This year more than ever is important that we have procedures in place to maximize learning for students while creating a safe environment. This document will be continually updated as new information, best practices and responsiveness is necessitated.

Dallas County Guidance on Reopening of Schools

Dallas County has designed recommendations for Dallas County in reconstituting the traditional face-to-face classroom instruction, disinfecting campuses, and ensuring the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors following the COVID-19 pandemic response. These recommendations balance public health concerns against the importance of education and the services schools provide to the community.

Implementation of onsite classroom instruction requirements should consider that the “best” decision is in accordance with the current public health guidance and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas state law, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), school culture and school districts, as well as community safety and welfare of the staff and student population.

The primary mission of this process is to provide a way for schools to continue servicing the public while dealing with the COVID-19 virus. Dallas County Health and Human Services recommends that face-to-face sessions resume only after the following criteria have been met, so long as social distancing guidelines adhered to and the movement of students is limited:

● There is a consistent 14-day downward trend of COVID-like cases in the community. ● A downward trajectory of documented cases for a consistent 14-day period. ● A downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests. ● Hospitals are able to treat patients without crisis care or a strain to the system.

* Please be aware that items in this document are subject to change based on regulations from the State of Texas, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and local governing officials.

Tarrant County Guidance on Reopening of Schools

With parental, student, and governmental desires to return children to classes in our area, the Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) feels compelled to reiterate the continuing high rate of COVID-19 transmission within the county. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools resulting in repeated cycles of opening and closing, TCPH supports the opening of our schools for virtual learning but warns that in-person teaching will subject students, teachers, and staff to an

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increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 until the following community metrics are met. TARRANT COUNTY METRICS FOR SAFER IN PERSON INSTRUCTION

✓ The seven-day moving average percent of people who test positive (Positivity Rate) is 10% or less, ideally less than 5%. The lower the positivity rate, the less likely COVID-19 will be introduced into the schools. ✓ The rate of cases reported for Tarrant County needs to be 100 cases per 100,000 population, or less than 2000 cases per week. ✓ At least the last 4 weeks of data showing stable or declining case counts. This is to compensate for incomplete data in the most recent 2 weeks due to typical reporting lags. ✓ The seven day moving average for COVID Like Illness (CLI) percent should be trending lower for at least the last 2 weeks. ✓ The percent of hospital beds occupied in Tarrant County by COVID-19 cases at or below 10%. ✓ ISDs and/or schools have presented plans for reopening, including the elements outlined in this guide, to TCPH LHA and as applicable to Arlington and Burleson Local Health Authorities (LHA) for review and comments. *These criteria may be adjusted as information about the pandemic evolves. For latest information regarding these Tarrant County metrics, tarrantcounty.com/covidtestinfo. The ISDs and schools have ultimate decision-making authority over the plans they implement. However, the Local Health Authorities in Tarrant County, City of Arlington, and City of Burleson and the personnel supporting those Local Health Authorities will guide the responses to COVID- 19 school outbreaks. Thus, the following recommendations are offered: PREVENTION/MITIGATION STRATEGIES

● At the present time, remote learning is safest ● Screening of all persons before entering the building for COVID-19 symptoms and

exposure; with temperature measurements as well. When there is more community transmission, the likelihood that individuals with symptoms actually have COVID-19 is higher. Therefore, symptom screenings will be helpful when COVID-19 transmission in the community is high.

● Restrict visitors to a minimum. ● Restrict class sizes to as small as possible per TEA guidance.

Manara Learning Plans Manara Academy will offer At Home Learning, Hybrid Learning and In Person Learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Parents may choose to enroll students in one of three educational programs: Students will have the opportunity to transition to a new learning plan at the beginning of any new grading period. (Every 9 weeks) Parents are asked to notify the school 2 weeks in

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advance of the new grading period of their intent to change their child’s learning plan. Any time a parent has concerns about the public health situation and wishes to have their child move to At Home Learning they may do so, but will then be required to remain in that learning plan until a new grading period begins before resuming Hybrid or In Person Learning.

Option 1: At-Home Learning

Full-time Learning at Home • Teacher Supported, Asynchronous Learning • Five Days a Week Full School Days At Home

Option 2: Hybrid Learning

Part-time Learning at School • Part-time Learning at Home • Teacher Supported, Asynchronous Learning while at home • 2 Days a week In-Person Learning on Tues/Thurs & 3 Days a week At-Home Learning on Mon/Wed/Fri

Option 3: In-Person Learning Full-time Learning at School • Five Days a Week • Regular Full School Days • Access to Digital Learning RETURN TO SCHOOL START DATES Manara Academy will begin the fall semester on August 17, 2020 and offer Remote Learning to begin our school year for ALL PRE-K-GRADE 12 STUDENTS. WEEK 1 - COHORT 1: Transition to In-Person or Hybrid: The transition to In Person Learning and Hybrid Learning begins on the following dates FOR COHORT 1:

○ In-Person (for those having selected this model for learning): ■ Monday, September 28 - Grades Pre-K - 3 (Irving Elementary &

Manara STEM ■ Monday, September 28 - Grades 7 & 8 (Manara Leadership)

○ Hybrid Learning (for those having selected this model for learning): ■ Tuesday, September 29 - Grades Pre-K - 3 (Irving Elementary &

Manara STEM ■ Tuesday, September 29 - Grades 7 & 8 (Manara Leadership)

WEEK 2 - COHORT 2: Transition to In-Person or Hybrid: The transition to In Person Learning and Hybrid Learning begins on the following dates FOR COHORT 2:

○ In-Person (for those having selected this model for learning): ■ Monday, October 5 - Grades 4-6 (Irving Elementary)

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■ Monday, October 5 - Grades 4-8 (Manara STEM) ■ Monday, October 5 - Grades 9-12 (Manara Leadership)

○ Hybrid Learning (for those having selected this model for learning): ■ Tuesday, October 6 - Grades 4-6 (Irving Elementary) ■ Tuesday, October 6 - Grades 4-8 (Manara STEM) ■ Tuesday, October 6 - Grades 9-12 (Manara Leadership)

CHANGING LEARNING MODELS A parent who chooses At Home Learning or Hybrid Learning for their child and would like for their child to switch to In Person Learning, may do so. However, the transition to In Person Learning may occur only at the beginning of each new grading period. Parents have already chosen their model for learning for the first 9 week marking period. The school has documented the parent/family decision. There will be no changes to the first 9 week learning model, unless a parent chooses to stay in remote learning and had earlier indicated they would transition to In-Person or Hybrid at the start of the school year.

NOTIFICATION DATES and PROCESS FOR CHANGING LEARNING MODELS: At Home, Hybrid, In-Person

QUARTER 1: AUGUST 17-OCTOBER 16, 2020 August 3, 2020: Notification Date Deadline for Learning Model Decision for Quarter 1 August 17-October 16, 2020: Dates of obligation to Learning Model September 28, 2020: Notification Date to inform school you will be changing the Learning Model for Quarter 2. October 19, 2020: Newly chosen Learning Model Decision Begins ANY DATE: CHANGE TO REMOTE LEARNING, but are required to remain in this learning model until October 16, 2020 QUARTER 2: OCTOBER 19-DECEMBER 18, 2020 September 28, 2020: Notification Date Deadline of CHANGE to Learning Model Decision for Quarter 2 - if no change to learning plan, notification is NOT required October 19-December 18, 2020: Dates of obligation to Learning Model November 30, 2020: Notification Date to inform school you will be changing the Learning Model for Quarter 3. January 5, 2020: Newly chosen Learning Model Decision Begins ANY DATE: CHANGE TO REMOTE LEARNING, but are required to remain in this learning model until December 18, 2020

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QUARTER 3: JANUARY 5-MARCH 12, 2021 November 30, 2020: Notification Date Deadline of CHANGE to Learning Model Decision for Quarter 3 - if no change to learning plan, notification is NOT required January 5-March 12, 2021: Dates of obligation to Learning Model February 22, 2021: Notification Date to inform school you will be changing the Learning Model for Quarter 4. March 22, 2021: Newly chosen Learning Model Decision Begins ANY DATE: CHANGE TO REMOTE LEARNING, but are required to remain in this learning model until March 12, 2021 QUARTER 4: MARCH 22-MAY 21, 2021 March 22-May 21, 2021: Dates of obligation to Learning Model ANY DATE: CHANGE TO REMOTE LEARNING, but are required to remain in this learning model until May 21, 2021 Attendance Compulsory Attendance Law:

The State of Texas requires that all students at least 6 years of age and not yet 19 attend school until they obtain a diploma. It is important that students attend school each day. There is a very strong connection between student attendance and academic performance in school. Therefore, when students miss class, they miss out on learning. Under §25.085(c), compulsory attendance also applies to students below the age for compulsory attendance during any period that the student is voluntarily enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten.

90% Rule:

In addition to the Compulsory Attendance Law, there is the 90% law. In order to receive credit for a final grade for a class, a student is required to attend class 90 percent of the days a class is offered regardless of whether the student’s absences are excused [see FEA] or unexcused. Atty. Gen. Op. JC-0398 (2001). If the student does not meet this requirement, the student must go through an Attendance Recovery Process.

If the student drops below 90% but attends class at least at 75% of the days the class is offered, the student may earn credit for the class by completing a plan approved by the principal.

Submission of the attendance appeal must occur within 30 school days of the end of the semester in which the credit was denied. The campus attendance committee then meets and renders a decision based on the circumstances as presented by the student and parent within 30 school days of the end of the semester in which the credit was denied.

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Credit Loss Defined:

When students do not meet the 90% attendance rate in a class, it is reflected on their report cards as course credit denial or in the number of recorded absences in their student attendance records.

Absence Due to Illness (All Learning Models):

We do recognize, however, that perfect attendance is not always possible. Ill children should be kept at home to allow recovery and to keep other students from contracting the illness if contagious.

If your child is absent from all or part of a school day, the student—upon arrival or return to school—must bring a note signed by the guardian or health care professional that describes the reason for the absence. All notes should be provided within two days of returning to school. The campus will update attendance records based on the provided documentation.

If you have any questions about your child’s attendance record, please ask your child’s school.

Remote/Hybrid Learning Attendance:

Daily attendance, while in remote learning, is the same attendance requirement as if a student is learning on campus in person. Every enrolled student is required to check in with each teacher in their respective daily classes for every day school is in session in order to not be marked absent from a school day, part of a school day, or a class period.

Manara Academy is offering Asynchronous Learning when learning remotely. This is where students complete studies and classwork independently. However, there are daily opportunities for Synchronous Instruction (learning with their content teachers). In order to be marked present for daily and hourly attendance, students must attend their synchronous instruction sessions (virtual instruction) and complete their asynchronous work and submit their work daily on days school is in session according to the school calendar. If you are experiencing technical connectivity issues, are unable to successfully meet the requirements of asynchronous learning, require or request low tech learning (work packets) please contact the school, teacher or principal for support.

Truancy: If a student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year:

(1) The student's parent is subject to prosecution under Section 25.093; and

(2) The student is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.

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Pre-Kindergarten (4) and Kindergarten Attendance:

Although Pre-K and Kindergarten are not compulsory grade levels according to the State of Texas, a parent choosing to enroll a child in Pre-K (4) or Kindergarten has the same attendance expectations as all students in other grade levels. Under §25.085(c), compulsory attendance also applies to students below the age for compulsory attendance during any period that the student is voluntarily enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten.

Return to Learning Plan in All Learning Models We understand the need to plan for possible shifts between learning models during the 2020-2021 school year. We also understand that some students may have underlying health conditions or families have decided that At Home Learning or Hybrid Learning is safest during this time. All learning models will require continual effort from parents, students and teachers. Our goal is to support academic growth through engaging all students in quality equitable learning experiences while balancing student, and staff health and wellness.

Student Expectations Include:

● Face Coverings (When Learning In-Person or Hybrid)

All students (and staff) will be required to wear a face completely covering the mouth and

nose area, for arrival, dismissal, on the bus, in common spaces and in classrooms. Special

circumstances will be taken into consideration per (Executive Order No. GA-29).

All Learning Models ● Participation in Class activities, Discussions, and Assignments ● Readiness to Engage ● Daily Attendance and Engagement in All Classes in All Learning Models ● Adherence to Code of Conduct and Dress Code - In Person & Hybrid

Teacher Expectations Include: ● Utilizing district curriculum and resources to design instruction and learning tasks ● Engaging with students through in-person, live, and pre-recorded sessions ● Designing lessons using a consistent lesson design so students can join virtually according to a designated schedule (for example, direct instruction occurs during the first 20-25 minutes of class or shared reading occurs at a specific time) ● Communicating learning expectations and assignments through school LMS ● Monitoring student progress and provide tutorial sessions, as needed ● Providing feedback to students regarding progress and mastery of course content through verbal or written form, including posting grades to the Ascender Gradebook

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● Informing students and parents about concerns with attendance, grades, class participation and missing assignments ● Following all personal safety precautions as outlined in this document for themselves and their students (including wearing a mask covering the mouth and nose area completely.) ● Requiring students to follow all health and safety precautions when under their care

Parent Expectations Include:

● Daily Temperature Screenings Prior to Sending Child to School ○ Fever Above 100.4 - Child Stays Home

● Daily Symptom Screenings for:

○ Cough

○ Shortness of Breath

○ Fever

○ Body Aches or Muscle Pain

○ Chills

○ Headaches

○ Loss of Taste or Smell

○ Sore Throat

○ Fatigue

● Retrieving Child from School Immediately when Child is Ill

○ If the child is symptomatic you will be contacted by the school to pick up your

child.

○ Please have emergency contacts listed with the school and keep your contact

information current with the school.

○ Please have pre-arranged transportation available to you in the event of an

emergency or required to pick up your child from school.

● Accessing School Systems to Monitor Learning

○ Ascender Parent Portal and Monitoring Grades and Attendance

○ Accessing personal email for school communication

○ Accessing Parent Resources (Google Classroom, Schoology, Digital Learning

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Platforms, School Website)

○ Supporting Child in Creating a Place of Study in the Home

○ Checking in with Classroom Teacher to Monitor Grades and Class

Engagement

Classroom Precautions Students will be distanced in the classrooms as much as possible. All students will be required to wear a face covering for arrival, dismissal, on the bus, in common spaces and in the classrooms.

Desks, chairs or students’ personal space in classrooms will be spaced, with the goal of at least six feet of separation. When students are completing independent work, they will be oriented in the same direction.

Students must have their own individual supplies including paper, pens, markers, glue sticks, etc. Use of manipulatives will be limited, and the teacher will sanitize any shared items after each use. Hand sanitizing stations are located in all hallways and students will be taught to apply the sanitizer upon entry and when exiting into the rooms. Students will be remaining in their cohort according to each individual campus plan. Students will eat breakfast and lunch within their cohort. Masks are removed for receiving nutrition only. Proper handwashing will take place prior to and following meal times.

Commons Area Precautions Students and Staff are asked to bring their own water bottles to school. Drinking from fountains without a mask is prohibited. Students and Staff are required to wear masks throughout the school day, including commons areas, shared locations, classrooms, bathrooms, hallways and when entering and exiting the buildings. Students won’t be allowed to wander the school or hallways freely, move from room to room

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for purposes of errands, or move throughout the school without explicit permission from

staff. Bathroom breaks will be taken as a class cohort with classroom teacher hallway

supervision.

Staggered arrival and departure will be determined by each campus, but will include a plan

for students awaiting buses and parents in an open air setting, 6 feet apart.

Special Programs: Students will be provided services based upon their current Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Continuity Plan, and/or 504 plan and LPAC. The ARD committee will make service recommendations for students in the At-Home Learning program. The nature of special education interventions will likely require a heavier concentration of synchronous supports and services to ensure that individual student needs are met. Teachers will communicate the learning plan and designated times for services. Progress will be carefully monitored. ARD and/or 504 teams will convene as needed to make appropriate recommendations. This will ensure continued progress toward student goals.

Special Education Letter to Parents

TEA Special Education Covid Support

At Home Learning for Students With Disabilities

BiLingual ESL Supports

COVID-19 Support: Special Education and Special Populations

Technology: Technology may be provided when need has been indicated and demonstrated in an effort to support our At-Home Learners, however, school technology is limited. Personal technology is encouraged when and if possible. Manara Academy will provide technology for families that have demonstrated necessity for technology following the checkout policy. If and when a student were to return to full time in person learning or transition from the district loaned technology devices must be returned to the school within 2 business days of a return to school or a withdrawal from school.

Library Services: All Manara Academy have access to MyOn Reader and MyOn News. MyOn personalizes reading for students by recommending books based on their interests, reading level, and ratings of books they've read. MyOn is a student-centered, personalized literacy environment that gives students access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to each individual student's interests, grade and reading level. We want our students to read every day!

Extra-Curricular Activities: Manara Academy school sponsored activities, clubs, before and after school activities, and sports are currently suspended. If the local health situation improves as

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http://manaraacademy.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=58109&pageId=32867965https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/covid/covid-19-support-special-education-0https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/ic_guiding_questions_for_students_with_disabilties_acc_4.30.pdfhttps://www.esc20.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1670019&type=d&pREC_ID=1820575https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/covid/covid-19-support-special-education-and-special-populations

 

 

 

the school year progresses in the upcoming weeks and months this determination will be revisited.

Grading: Student work will be graded by the teacher of record for each grade level/course. Grades will be published to the Ascender Parent Portal. Manrara grading policies apply to students in all learning models, including policies related to late work and GPA calculation.

Operational Plan

Prior to Opening

Manara Academy has addressed the following items prior to the start of school to ensure the

health and wellness of our students and staff:

● Creating an inventory of cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and personal

protective equipment to be used throughout the school year;

● Ensuring compliance with all governmental agencies and following directives from

CDC;

● Conducting staff training on procedures and guidelines

● Constructing procedures when students and staff have tested positive or may have been

exposed to someone who has tested positive. (See chart labeled “COVID-19 Student

Scenarios.”)

● Organizing student training on health and wellness protocols to be presented when students

arrive for class.

Required Staff Prevention Screening Processes:

● Daily screening of teachers and staff will be required prior to entering campus. ● Self-screening will be conducted prior to coming to campus each day, including daily

temperature checks.

● Staff will use a Manara web link to submit their health screener prior to arrival from a

computer or mobile device.

● Campus administration will receive notifications of any positive responses from the

screener.

● Individuals will be provided timely notification in the event of a self-quarantine due to

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contact tracing.

● Teachers and staff must report to their assigned supervisor if they have COVID-19

symptoms or are lab-confirmed with COVID-19. They must remain off campus until

they meet the criteria for re-entry.

● Employees must also alert their supervisor should they have close contact with

individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19.

Required Student Prevention Screening Processes:

● Parents are required to ensure they do not send a student on campus if the student has

COVID-19 symptoms or is lab-confirmed. Students will receive at-home instruction if the

student is removed from in-person instruction due to health concerns. Students will also

receive at-home instruction if they have had close contact with an individual who is lab

confirmed.

Lab Confirmed or Symptomatic Individuals:

● Individuals who themselves are either lab-confirmed or experience the symptoms of

COVID-19 cannot return to campus through the incubation period and must meet the

following conditions prior to returning to school:

○ Are fever free without medication for 24 hours; ○ Have improving conditions in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND

○ Are ten days removed since the first appearance of symptoms.

● Individuals that are lab-confirmed are required to report confirmed Covid-19 Exposure, or Covid-19 confirmed results to school officials immediately.

● Symptomatic individuals are asked to report they are symptomatic and what precautions

are being taken to confirm they are NOT Covid Positive.

COVID-19 Symptoms

In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19,

consider the following questions:

Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms in a way that is not normal for you? ○ Loss of taste or smell ○ Cough

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○ Difficulty breathing ○ Shortness of breath ○ Headache ○ Chills ○ Sore throat ○ Shaking or exaggerated shivering ○ Significant muscle pain or ache ○ Diarrhea ○ Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4

degrees Fahrenheit ○ Have you had close contact with someone who is lab-confirmed to have

COVID-19?

Close Contact Defined This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.

Close contact is determined by an appropriate public health agency. For clarity, close contact is

defined as:

● being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); OR

● being within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, however, additional factors like case/contact

masking (i.e.,both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been

consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case

symptomatology may affect this determination.

Individuals identified as having been in close contact are presumed infectious at least two days

prior to the confirming lab test.

Bus Transportation

DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES For more than 100 years, we have been committed to the health and safety of our employees and passengers and this commitment has only strengthened during this pandemic. A number of our customers have asked questions about how we are responding to COVID-19 and how we will provide student transportation services once schools reopen. While we did not provide any student transportation services during the school shutdown, our Public Transit Division continued to provide service and we relied upon guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to direct

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our actions to keep our employees and passengers safe. This experience will help us as we resume student transportation services. Durham School Services is a member of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA), which is the national association that represents private providers of student transportation services. Several members of our Executive Team are members of the NSTA Board of Directors and hold leadership positions within the association. Our Chief Safety Officer is the chair of NSTA’s Safety and Security Committee. Our participation in NSTA and our experience providing student transportation services in over 500 districts in 39 states gives us direct access to industry best practices in safety and security. The answers to the questions below regarding employee safety, student safety, and vehicle cleanliness reflect our current thinking and approach, based upon CDC guidance and our recent transit experience. We are monitoring the CDC website daily for additional information as well as information from state and federal governments and are committed to applying the latest thinking on how to provide safe transportation, as it becomes available. We also expect to engage in a great deal of dialogue with you, our partner, to prepare for school to resume. We need to be completely aligned on our process to give parents confidence in their student’s safety while riding the bus to school. Questions Regarding Bus Employee Health and Safety

Does Durham plan to screen employees before allowing them to return to work? Our plans are consistent with our current process being used where we operate transit services or where we are delivering meals to students. In line with CDC recommendations, Durham School Services has implemented screening of employees for COVID-19 symptoms on a daily basis prior to the start of their first shift of the day. The screening consists of a temperature check using a non-contact thermometer and asking questions to determine whether employees have symptoms of COVID-19. If an employee’s temperature is 100.4 or greater, or if the employee is experiencing any other symptoms of COVID-19, the employee is sent home. Before returning to work after being sent home, employees must either: ▪ Have clearance from their health care provider or public health official, or ▪ Three days must have passed without a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and since any symptoms of respiratory infections were present, and at least ten days have passed since their symptoms first appeared. What is Durham's plan to purchase face masks and other Personal Protective Equipment for drivers and other staff?

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Where we are currently operating, based upon guidance from the CDC, Durham School Services is providing non-medical face masks for employees and requiring their use while in the workplace, including when driving vehicles. We are also providing gloves for use when performing tasks like wheelchair securement or touching surfaces that may be contaminated. These practices will continue when school resumes. How will the company’s procedures for interviewing and training new employees change in light of COVID-19? All visitors to our Customer Service Center are screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to being allowed to enter; this includes applicants. If an applicant shows symptoms of COVID-19, he or she is not allowed to enter the CSC. If no symptoms are present, applicants are allowed to enter but are required to wear a face mask at all times while in the CSC. We will practice CDC-recommended social distancing measures when interviewing new applicants as well as when conducting classroom and behind the wheel training. Will Durham install physical dividers or protective barriers for drivers? While Durham School Services is exploring the potential for installing protective barriers to separate the drivers from passengers with our bus manufacturers, at this time no decision to install barriers has been made. Any device installed would not interfere with state and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for school buses and must be approved by state regulators. We will keep you informed of our final decision on installing vehicle barriers prior to any potential installation. What is Durham’s procedure if an employee becomes ill while at work or test positive for COVID-19? Employees who are ill are directed to stay home. All employees are screened prior to starting their shift as outlined above. If an employee becomes ill after starting work, they will be sent home immediately. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, we follow CDC guidance and require any employee who was in close contact with the infected employee within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to self-quarantine for 14 days and report to us immediately if they develop any symptoms. If the employee who tests positive was in close contact with any students or school personnel within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, we will notify the District and work together to ensure school personnel and the parents of the students who may have been exposed are notified.

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 Questions Regarding Student Health and Safety on the Bus

Will Durham require students to wear masks when riding the bus? Where required by state regulation or customer policy, passengers are expected to wear masks when riding our buses. The decision on whether or not to transport regular or special education students who either do not have a mask, refuse to wear a mask, or are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, will be made in consultation with each District partner. Will Durham provide masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) for students? While we are not currently distributing PPE to passengers, we are open to discussing it as an option should the District wish to provide face coverings or other PPE for students when school resumes. Will Durham expect to take students' temperatures before boarding? We are currently not screening passengers by taking their temperatures prior to boarding. Should CDC, state or federal guidelines recommend or require screening of passengers, we will discuss it with customers at that time. What is Durham's guidance in terms of the number of students that should be allowed on the various sizes of the buses? How will this impact routing? While the CDC has not provided specific guidance for school bus operations, in Transit operations the CDC recommends maintaining at least six feet between passengers and the driver, as well as six feet between passengers. If we apply these principals to school bus operation, it would significantly reduce the capacity of the bus. Prior to the start of school, we will discuss CDC, state and federal guidelines for social distancing and work with you to develop a transportation plan. This plan will include bus capacity and seating arrangements, loading/unloading procedures to encourage social distancing, signage, and recommendations for social distancing at bus stops. Will additional bus aides be put on buses to help encourage social distancing? We do not have plans to add additional bus aides on the vehicles, but are open to discussing it with you if state guidelines call for them. What additional procedures will you put in place for special education students?

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The needs of special education students will be considered individually and we will work with the district to implement safety measures without resulting in harm to students because of their disability. Examples of this may include requiring the use of face masks during transport or keeping windows open to increase ventilation. Questions Regarding Vehicle Cleanliness

What is Durham’s plan for disinfecting buses? As we start the school year, we will implement disinfecting of vehicles twice per day; once after the AM route and again after the PM route. In addition, we will provide anti-bacterial cleaning supplies to drivers to enable them to spot-clean any surface that becomes contaminated during the route prior to the start of school. If we learn a driver or passenger on a bus has tested positive for the virus, we will take that vehicle out of service for a minimum of 24 hours prior to disinfecting and putting it back into service. Student Drop Off & Pick Up

● Times will be staggered for drop-off. We ask that parents wait in their car with their

children so a staff member can screen for temperature. Please do not drop off your child and

drive away. When a staff member has cleared your child for entering campus they will walk

directly to their class/cohort. Mask wearing is required.

● Parents will not be allowed to walk their students into the building nor be allowed to “walk

up” to pick up their students in the afternoon. Please wait in your car and your child will be

safely dismissed to your care.

● Students will report directly to their classrooms.

Cafeteria & School Nutrition ● Students will be eating breakfast and lunch with their class cohorts in an area designated by each campus principal.

● Students will be instructed to keep a space between them and their nearest schoolmate at all times and should not sit across from each other.

● Hand sanitizing and hand washing will be required prior to eating and following eating.

● Parents will not be allowed to have lunch with their children at this time or drop off lunch at the school. If you wish for your child to have lunch from home please send prior to school. Reheating lunches are not an option at this time, so please send lunches that do not require reheat or

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refrigeration.

● Meals are available for pick up by the week for remote learners and hybrid learners.

Building Cleaning

Manara Academy has contracted with a new cleaning contractor - Service First Janitorial.

● Custodial staff, days and hours have been added and schedules adjusted to provide for

continual cleaning support.

● Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Soap dispensers will be checked regularly

to make certain they are filled and in good working order.

● Custodians will provide support to teachers and staff for restocking PPE and hand sanitizer

throughout the day.

● High touch surfaces will be wiped down and sanitized daily.

● Custodial staff will conduct cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms every night.

● Electrostatic sprayers have been purchased for every campus and are utilized to

disinfect in addition to scheduled electrostatic sprayers used by the night cleaning staff.

Daily Operations & Protocols ● No visitors will be allowed in the building at the present time unless for scheduled

maintenance, vendor purposes or as requested by the district for purposes of operations. ● Parents may enter after screening, including temperature checks for required purposes

only. Parent visits will be limited for the purpose of scheduled meetings or submission of required paperwork. Any parent meetings that can be conducted remotely by way of video meetings are the current protocol.

● Large event gatherings such as student assemblies or school wide celebrations nights will be held virtually or in outdoor gatherings.

Carpool ● As students exit their car, they will be expected to maintain social distancing guidelines

when walking toward the building entry. ● Parents should not drive away until all temperature screenings are completed. ● Students should not congregate with other students on the campus when walking toward

the school. ● Parents should not drive away until all temperature screenings are completed. ● Teachers will not be allowed to open car doors or assist with carpool arrival. ● Campus staff will be visible at carpool drop-off and pick-up to help monitor safety

expectations including wearing PPE and social distancing.

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● Students will report to their cohort location as assigned by the campus principal. ● Parents and students will open their own car door and carry their own school materials. ● Parents should remain in their car and refrain from congregating with other parents as they

wait for arrival or dismissal.

Bathrooms and Drinking Fountains ● Water fountains will not be allowed for use for drinking from by mouth. Students are

asked to bring two clear water bottles labeled by student name from home filled with water only.

● Regular bathroom breaks will be scheduled in cohorts. ● Students will be escorted to the bathroom with teachers providing supervision from

outside of bathroom entrances to ensure social distancing and hand sanitization.

Daily Procedural Practices

● Students will be provided instruction on appropriate hygiene practices, hand washing,

proper ways to place and remove face coverings, and campus health and wellness

protocols on the first day of instruction.

● Signage, including directional signs, will be added to each building to remind students

about social distancing and provide landmarks for spacing.

Physical Education Classes Students will stay in a constant “cohort” style grouping when attending physical education

classes. Physical education activities will be limited to learning about physical education

through the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills and activities that can be performed solo,

outdoors, (weather permitting) or in large open space (gymnasium or outdoors) activities

can not require physical contact or aerobic activities and allow for social distancing. It is at

the discretion of the Physical Education teacher as to if basic physical education can occur

outdoors, such as walking, stretching or non-aerobic type activities. No contact sports or

physical activity resulting in higher levels of exhalation should take place during this time.

Outdoor Recreation Outdoor recess or recreation activities such as playing on playground equipment or

recreational physical activities will NOT be taking place at this time. Teachers will provide

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students with brief breaks such as a brief outdoor walk with school safety and physical

distance in mind as well as stretch breaks in the sunshine on good weather days.

Manara Facility HVAC Air Filtration Systems ● Gulf Engineering services Manara’s HVAC systems and filters. ● Manara is using a recommended higher efficiency filter.

● Manara will spray our filters with a recommended solution.

● Manara will change 1x per month instead of the normal every 3 months.

● Manara will turn our system fans to run 24 hours a day

COVID-19 Standard Response Protocol COVID-19 Student Scenarios Student is either lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 in a way that is not typical for the student. ● Lab-confirmed case is reported to the Campus Registrar and Principal. ● School Officials report to the Campus Principal, and Local Health Department. ● The student does not report to school or participate in other school activities. ● Upon notification of a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case on a campus, the district will communicate with the entire campus, staff and guardians, that there was a positive case, and then a second communication will be made to those who were potentially in close contact. ● The student may return to campus:

○ After 10 days have passed from positive test result or symptom onset; ○ AND the student has improvement in symptoms; ○ AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication. ○ OR release from a physician indicating an alternative diagnosis.

● The student will report to the campus principal to be cleared on the first day back before returning to class. Student Reports one or more symptoms BEFORE entry to building using screening tool. ● If the student is running fever greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees fahrenheit, the student does not report to school or participate in other school activities.

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● If the student is experiencing other symptoms in a way that is not typical for them, the student should remain at home and contact the school for further guidance. ● School Officials will report to the Campus Principal of a possible COVID case. ● The student may return to campus:

○ After 10 days have passed from symptom onset; ○ AND with improvement in symptoms; ○ AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication; ○ OR release from a physician indicating an alternative diagnosis.

● The student will report to the campus principal to be cleared on the first day back before returning to class. Student reports experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day. ● The student will be sent to the campus isolation room. ● The student will be assessed by campus staff to determine possible COVID symptoms. ● If determined that the student has possible COVID symptoms: ○ The student will continue to wear a face covering until the student is picked up by

a parent or guardian. The parent will be notified of criteria for re-admission into school activities. ○ School Officials report to the Campus Principal, and Local Health Department. ○ The isolation room and affected campus areas will be disinfected using germicidal agents.

● The student may return to campus: ○ After 10 days have passed from symptom onset; ○ AND with improvement in symptoms; ○ AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication; ○ OR release from a physician indicating an alternative diagnosis.

● The student will report to the campus principal to be cleared on the first day back before returning to class.

Student reports having prolonged close contact with someone who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.

● The student does not report to school or participate in other school activities. ● The campus registrar, and school principal are notified. ● The student or guardian should contact their primary care physician for guidance. If asymptomatic, the student must remain home for a 14-day waiting period. If symptomatic, the student should follow guidance under the “experiencing one or more symptoms” section above. ● The student will report to the campus principal on the first day back to school before returning to class.

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Student reports someone in their home was exposed to someone who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. ● The student may report to school as usual. This is not considered to be prolonged close contact. Prolonged Close Contact: ● being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on) OR ● being within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes; however, additional factors such as case/contact masking (i.e.both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomatology may affect this determination. Irving Elementary Arrival/Dismissal:

Arrival: Starting at 7:30 a.m., designated staff will screen students for temperature that arrive by bus and in the carpool line before students leave their vehicles. Staff members will guide and monitor students to their classrooms. Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms.

Dismissal: Starting at 3:45 p.m., students will remain in their classrooms until their name is called for dismissal. Carpool students will exit through the school’s center back door at the gym. Parents will form a single pickup lane and remain in their vehicles. Bus students will exit through the front door and proceed to enter their assigned bus. Breakfasts/Lunches: Breakfasts and lunches will be delivered to each classroom. Students will eat in their classroom. School Supplies: Students must bring all of their own necessary school supplies with them to school each day. Students will not share their supplies with other students. Masks: Students will wear masks properly while at school. Exceptions will be during breakfast and lunch when students will be allowed to lower their masks to eat during that time. Transitioning: Students will be staying with their cohort throughout the school day. Transitions to classes will be kept at a minimum. Restroom Breaks: Scheduled restroom breaks will take place to allow the bathrooms to be frequently cleaned.

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Manara STEM Academy Arrival/Dismissal: Arrival: Starting at 7:30 a.m., designated staff will screen students for temperature before students leave their vehicles. Staff members will guide and monitor students to their classrooms. Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms. Dismissal: Starting at 3:45 p.m., students will remain in their classrooms until their name is called for dismissal. Students will exit through the door next to the lunchroom. Parents will form a single pickup lane and remain in their vehicles. Breakfasts/Lunches: Breakfasts and lunches will be delivered to the classroom. Students will eat in their classroom. School Supplies: Students will not share their supplies with other students. Students will not bring backpacks to school to reduce the chance of transferring any germs between school and home. Masks: Students will wear masks properly while at school. Exceptions will be during breakfast and lunch when students will be allowed to lower their masks to eat during that time. Transitioning: Students will be staying with their cohort throughout the school day. Transitions to classes will be kept at a minimum. Restroom Breaks: Scheduled restroom breaks will take place to allow the bathrooms to be frequently cleaned. Manara Leadership Academy Arrival/Departure: Students will be allowed to enter the building - 7:45 a.m.

a. Students will remain in parent cars until 7:45 a.m. b. Buses - If arrival prior to 7:45 students must remain masked-6 ft apart along side of

school building c. Rain/Cold Days - Students will be admitted to classrooms early as we can’t have

lobby congregation d. Students will be screened for temperature prior to entering building e. Anything above 100.4 is considered a temperature

i. Parents are to remain in vehicles until child is screened for temperature and admitted into the building before driving away

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ii. Bus students are screened for temperature prior to entering the building

1. Bus student with temperature will be asked to move to isolation room a. Clinic b. Parent Contacted

Hand Sanitizing Stations

Students Use Hand Sanitizing Stations Prior to entering the classroom/s

Student Cohorts

Students will remain in grade level cohorts in an assigned area and classroom.

Hallways

Students will use designated hallways

f. Travel to and from classroom when entering and exiting the building g. Travel to and from bathrooms when provided breaks h. Travel to and from indoors/outdoors when/if provided classroom breaks i. Travel to and from P.E. Class when/if provided low level activity

Restroom Breaks

Students will be provided with assigned bathroom break opportunities as a cohort during the school day as determined by the teacher.

j. Students will use their transition hallway to and from the bathroom k. Students will be allowed to enter the bathroom no more than 2 at a time l. Students must continue to wear masks while in the bathroom m. Students must wash hands thoroughly prior to exiting the restroom

Water Fountains

n. Students may not drink from the water fountain unmasked/using mouth o. Students will be provided with a Water Bottle (or be allowed to bring their water bottle

to school with them. p. Water Bottles should be clearly labeled with student names. q. Water Bottles should contain water only. (No energy drinks, sports drinks,

Red-Bull/Monster etc)

Assigned Seating/Table/Cohort Location

1. Students will remain in an assigned seat and area of the classroom for the entire school year. r. Assigned Chair w/student name s. Assigned Table area w/student name t. Socially distanced 6 x 6 area for student when possible

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2. Students will be provided with a container for school supply belongings that remain in their

designated space. a. Box, Crate, Container b. Large enough to hold books, school supplies, small personal belongings

(non-valuable) c. Lockers will not be issued this year d. Backpacks and other unnecessary items should be left at home

Breakfast/Lunches

e. Breakfasts and Lunches are eaten in cohort classrooms.

Upholding School Safety Procedures

f. School Wide Norms Imperative - All students support the school norms i. Personal Safety ii. Staff Safety iii. Peer Safety

g. Reinforcing Expectations with Students i. All students expected to follow the school safety norms to remain in their

cohort learning environment ii. All parents expected to follow safety norms as outlined in this plan

1. Child Safety 2. Staff Safety 3. Household/Family Safety

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