CISD Parent Newletter

On behalf of the the CISD Educational team, we would like to welcome all of you to the 20-21 school year.

At this time, if you are new or returning to the school year there are some areas within education that has been impacted by COVID-19 within our schools. Our teams have been working diligently to ensure that the education, safety and learning be our top priority throughout this school year.

Your child will be provided learning opportunities both in person and virtually throughout the Phased Return to Learn this school year. Each calendar for CISD programs are linked below. Please make sure that you have selected the appropriate calendar for your child's enrolled program.

School Schedules:

Doris Klaussen Developmental Center (DKDC) (Center) students will attend M/T/Th/F in person, and Wednesday will be remote learning.

Doris Klaussen Developmental Center DKDC (Marshall MS/HS) students will attend M/T/Th/F in person and Wednesday will be remote learning.

Doris Klaussen Developmental Center (DKDC Battle Creek: Ann J Kellogg and Battle Creek Central HS) students will attend M/T/Th/F in person and Wednesday will be remote learning.

Adult Training Program (ATP) (WK Kellogg) students will be guaranteed two days in person by cohorts A and B (M/T for A, Th/F for B) and three days per week will be remote learning. When our region moves into Phase 5, ATP will move to four days of in-person (M/T/Th/F) at the nearest marking period break and Wednesday will remain a remote learning day.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) (Crowell) students will attend M/T/Th/F for a ½ day in person with Wednesdays intentionally scheduled for virtually based instruction on ECSE Calendar.

Calhoun County Juvenile Home (CCJH) students will attend 5 days a week.

*Reminder, all absences continue to need to be called into the attendance line.

ATP/DKDC Programs 269-441-4044

ECSE Program 269-441- 4040

Aug. 28th No School - Staff PD Day

Sept. 4th No School- Holiday Observance

Sept. 7th No School- Labor Day

Within your Skyward Portal Log in you will have the ability to acknowledge and sign these documents electronically.

If you need assistance with your login and or how to access please contact your school office for assistance.

Attached you will find a link for CISD's Return to Learn Safe Start Plan. CISD's Board of Education approved this plan on Aug. 12, 2020. The plan provides guidance around the supports required while our State is in each of the phases of the Pandemic Learning environment.

Linked here is the CISD Return to Learn Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

• Guidance on symptoms of COVID-19.
• All students should be screened for signs of illness prior to arrival by parents to school each day.
• Teachers, bus drivers, staff should watch students closely for signs of illness including fever, cough, runny nose, congestion, loss of smell or taste, pain/diarrhea, vomiting/nausea, headache/dizziness.
• If a student's temperature is above 100.4 the student will remain at home. Also, based on reported symptoms in collaboration with the school nurse, a student may be directed to remain at home.

Screening your Student

Wearing/using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene is required in our Stage 4 return to school plan per the Return to School Road Map.

• All staff will wear masks during the day except when in their office independently.
• Students are encouraged to bring a facial covering to school each day however school will provide them if the student does not have one.
• Staff and students utilizing cloth or re-usable masks must wash them between uses.
• Students within our programs will remain in their classroom with the same group of students and staff the majority of the day.

• Students grades Pre-K-12 will wear a face mask in the classroom and when travelling to common areas (unless medically unable).

• Teachers will collaborate with parents to discuss facial coverings to create individual face covering plans. Those that are medically able to wear facial coverings will wear them in the required areas. Those that their disability impacts their ability to wear a facial covering will have a plan created that includes direct instruction on wearing a facial covering and a plan to incorporate wearing a facial covering in intervals that are tolerated by the student. Those that are not medically able to wear a facial covering will not be required to wear one.
• All students will receive lessons on the importance of wearing a facial covering by a CISD staff.
• Clear masks or clear masks with shields will be used by staff and students to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing, social emotional and speech and language needs.
• Outside community agency staff visiting any CISD Program will be expected to wear a mask throughout the duration of their stay.

• Classrooms and common areas will be provided with approved supplies to support safe hygiene behaviors.

• Students will be taught by CISD staff on the proper way to cough and sneeze in a tissue.

• Maintenance and/or a CISD Staff will ensure that all soap and hand sanitizers are refilled each day. If needed, staff can complete a maintenance ticket during the day to access more materials.

• Students and staff MUST have scheduled hand-washing breaks every 2-3 hours.

• Classrooms will create a CISD Safe School Plan: Classroom Checklist & Plan this will ensure that the proper safety procedures:

• meet student needs,

• taught to students and staff that work within the classroom

• information shared with parents

• Items to be included in plan are not limited to:

• schedule for handwashing

• procedure for sanitizing personal items

• storage of items

• procedure for disinfecting between groups of students

• end of the day classroom cleaning

At this time, CISD programs and staff are following the guidance provided by the CDC to ensure that our areas/spaces are being sanitized.

• Frequently touched surfaces, outside of the classroom, will be cleaned by maintenance every 4 hours.

• Classroom staff will clean desks, countertops and other hands-on classroom areas at least every fours of instruction and at the end of each day.

• If a common area is used, it must be cleaned after the classroom is done.

• Step by step instruction will be provided to ensure that staff comply with the cleaning requirements. Using approved disinfectant.

• Playground structures will be disinfected each night by maintenance staff.

• Communal bathrooms will be disinfected throughout the day.

• Masks MUST be worn in common areas such as the copy room, break room, bathrooms, hallways, conference rooms, etc. However, masks are not required to be worn while you are alone in your office
• Teachers will keep desks and/or tables spaced as close to 6ft apart as possible
• Family members and/or guests will not be allowed in the building except under extenuating circumstances
• Guests that are permitted to enter the building (such as therapists, case workers, etc) must be screened, wear a facial covering, and sanitize hands before entering the building. Records will be kept by the building secretary with time, date, contact information and purpose of visit. Guests will also complete prior to entering the building.
• Signage will be posted to include reminders for social distancing, hand washing, facial coverings, etc.
• Visual Markers will be used to indicate 6 ft intervals in places where students will line up
• Within CISD Safe School Plan: Classroom Checklist the teacher will indicate classroom set up to ensure that students are social distancing as best as possible
• Signage will be posted throughout the building, in student friendly language, that reinforces facial coverings, social distancing, hand washing and hygiene techniques
• District approved adhesive will be utilized to mark six week intervals as a visual reminder of social distancing
• District approved adhesive will be utilized to mark the floor to support with building traffic
• Any Building with Air Conditioning and or student medical needs that prohibit windows will NOT be opened as some buildings are an air conditioned building. Instead, the outside air dampers will be open for maximum outside air flow.
• Buildings with the ability to open classroom windows should be open as much as possible, weather permitting. Considerations should be made for students with allergy-induced asthma.
• Students will primarily remain in one classroom throughout the day unless meeting with ancillary staff, nurses, etc in hallway areas to work on independence skills, sensory opportunities or gross motor activities to support self regulation
• A CISD Safe School Plan: Common Area Checklist will be developed for areas of the building that are not able to be brought into the classroom or moved outside such as sensory room, gross motor, physical education etc.
• Library Procedure
  
• Gross Motor/Sensory Room Procedure
  
• Gym Procedure
  
• Computer Lab Procedure
  
• Seclusion Room Procedure
  
• Hallway Procedure
  
• Speech & Social Work Areas Procedure
  
• Classrooms will be assigned entrance and exit doors to limit congestion during arrival and dismissal. As buses arrive, staff will radio classrooms to indicate arrival of students. Students will enter the building at designated

Phase 1-3:

• In the event that school is moved to remote learning , families will be provided a list of local district food service locations and options available.

• Local District Food Service staff will coordinate as able

Phase 4

• Assemblies will not be held in person but through the use of technology if appropriate

• Students will not use the lunch room. Each classroom will be assigned a meal cart. The cart will be delivered to the classroom and kept in the hallway. Students will eat in their classrooms.

• Each program location may have additional requirements for food distribution.

• Staff and students must wash hands before and after every meal

• All food service will continue to adhere to the food and drug administration guidance

• Off-Site CBI, WBL and/or field trips are not allowed

• Recess will be outside, weather permitting. A schedule will be created to ensure that all students have an equitable opportunity for outside activity but also ensure that the playground is limited to one class at a time.

Phase 5 All items in Phase 4

• For students who require practice and direct teaching on eating in the cafeteria and going through the lunch line, accommodations will be made in collaboration with food service, teacher and administrator
• Off-Site CBI, WBL and/or field trips can occur following all guidelines and mandates put in place by the State of Michigan and approval from your direct supervisor.

• Assemblies and other school-sanctioned events if able will be telecasted

While being transported to school through district transportation, the following protocols will be in place.

• Hand sanitizer will be used by staff and students as they enter the bus.

• All staff will wear facial coverings while on the bus.

• All students, who are medically able to, will be expected to wear a mask.

• Bus staff will clean and disinfect after each route, when no students are present

• If a student is to be found sick or has a fever after riding into school, students will not be allowed to ride home on the bus. Parents will be expected to pick their student from school.

• Windows will be open when cleaning (weather permitting).

• Buses that are equipped with air conditioning will utilize it to support maximum airflow. Windows will be kept closed.

• CISD Programs will continue to utilize bus support plan to support students who are unsafe to be transported home.

Each School Building has established protocols to ensure that staff and students are safe and are doing our part to provide safe environments for our students.

At this time, no outside visitors are permitted within school buildings. Building access by visitors are prohited unless approved by Administration.

We understand how difficult this time has been for everyone. Please reach out to your child's teacher to request further information and or support.

Attached here is a visual demonstration to support families with additional information and guidance Link

Special Education Department

Website: https://www.calhounisd.org/
Location: Calhoun Intermediate School District, G-Drive North, Marshall, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 781-5141