Reopen SMART Reopen SAFE

  • Updated plan for the Reopening of Diman RVTHS

    Download the plan here (PDF).

    Last updated - 8-14-2020

    Dear Diman Family,

    As the Assistant Superintendent-Principal and on behalf of the School Board and Administration, I am honored to welcome students, educators, support staff, parents, and community partners to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Diman RVTHS is about to embark on the most important school reopening in history. Never has resilience, preparation, empathy and patience been more important. Together, we will prevail.

    We recognize how different education looks during this era of COVID-19. It is a complete shift from our traditional educational practices. However, two things remain constant. Our educators are some of the finest in the world and are completely committed to delivering a world-class education to every student we serve, no matter the learning model or location.

    Throughout the summer, Diman educators, parents and community members served on our Reopening School Task Force. I commend this group’s hard work as we prepared for our reopening and envisioned what a safe return to our building could look like. The plan contained within this report leverages the best thinking of the task force and the most up-to-date health data, as well as feedback we have received from across the community -including survey responses from over 700 families, staff members and students. We recognize this preliminary report does not answer every question about reopening school. Please know that more details will be provided leading up to the first day of school.

    From our intensive planning and preparation, with the health and safety of our staff and students guiding us, we have decided to reopen our school with a phased hybrid model. The school start date for students is Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Students will follow their normal week schedules and school calendar. Students in academic week cycles will attend their classes remotely while students in vocational shop cycles will have the opportunity to attend school for in-person instruction in a hybrid manner. If conditions improve, it is possible that more students will be phased in to academic and vocational areas. We will reevaluate our area health data on a daily basis and be prepared to pivot based on the trajectory of the virus.

    We know that not every family feels comfortable sending their child back to school right now. In addition to being able to physically return to our school buildings in the hybrid model, we are also going to offer a remote learning only option for our students. Diman will continue working with medical experts to ensure the health and safety of students and staff throughout the year. We will continue to follow strict health guidelines -wearing masks, socially distancing and keeping our buildings clean.

    The pages that follow will serve as guide to help navigate the next several months together. We are committed to making sure that every child is fully supported, engaged, and safe as we embark on 2020-2021. I remain honored to serve as your Assistant Superintendent-Principal.

    Andrew D. Rebello
    Assistant Superintendent-Principal

    Five Guiding Principles for Reopening Our School

    • Ensure the safety and wellness of students and staff
    • Deliver high-quality instruction to students, regardless of delivery model
    • Develop three (3) reopening models, with opportunity and flexibility to pivot from one plan to another, in case the trajectory of COVID changes
    • Optimize use of resources
    • Communicate with all stakeholders clearly and effectively.

    Diman Response to COVID-19 (March –July)

    Chart of changes

    Moving Forward: A Comprehensive, Informed Approach

    Color-coded metric from DPH/ COVID-19 Command/DESE –August 5, 2020 Data

    Charts

    *Measured as a 14-day rolling average and will be reported weekly as part of the online DPH dashboard

    https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-august-5-2020/download

    Updated Chart Color-coded metric from DPH/ COVID-19 Command/DESE –August 12, 2020 Data

    The most recent health data was released just as we were preparing to share the details of our plan. We will continue to monitor this metric in the coming weeks as well as seek input from the DPH and the Department of Education.

    If the trajectory of the virus continues to increase, we may have to pivot from our phased hybrid reopening plan.

    https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-august-12-2020/download

    Considering Your Options for 2020-2021

    1. Be informed and stay engaged!
      • Make sure you are receiving emails/calls, follow Diman on social media, and check the Diman website!
      • Attend a virtual info session(s) in early September. A Welcome Week schedule will be finalized and shared with families.
    2. Read through this Reopening Guide (Reopen SMART, Reopen SAFE)
    3. Decide if your child will participate in the phased hybrid model (vocational only) (#4) OR the full time remote option (#5).
    4. If your child will participate in our phased hybrid model, you are all set!

      Please ask any questions pertaining to our reopening in the link provided through email. Stay informed and look out for our FAQ!
    5. If remote only, please complete the link below. (also emailed)
      Remote Only

    School Reopening Checklist

    • Phased Hybrid Model to vocational cycles
    • Continued reevaluation of health data and preparation to make decision based on trajectory of virus
      • If conditions improve, more students may be phased in to vocational and academic areas
    • Health & safety protocols for all students and employees
    • Protocol training and PD foremployees
    • Stakeholder communication
    • School culture/SELsupports
    • Scheduling
    • Facility sanitation and overallsafety
    • Arrival, dismissal, lunchprocedures
    • FAQ quick sheet for parent and student reference

    The Student Experience

    • Opening day of school: Wednesday, September 16, 2020
    • All students will follow the Diman calendar for A & B week cycles and letter days, as normal.
      • (calendar will be mailed and emailed)
    • All Diman academic classes will take place remotely.
      • During students' academic week cycles, they will stay home and follow a normal academic daily schedule.
    • A hybrid model will be used for vocational education. During students' vocational week cycles, they will attend shop in-person for one week and complete shop assignments from home (remotely) the other week.
    • All Freshman students will receive an exploratory schedule detailing which shops will be explored in-person and which shops will be explored remotely as well as the specific dates. During academic week cycles, they will stay home and follow a normal academic daily schedule.

    The Academic Student Experience

    Academic Class Format

    • Students will follow the Diman calendar for academic week cycles and letter days, as normal.
    • Academic classes will occur in a livestream, synchronous manner.
    • Academic classes will occur via the Google Meet platform. Students must use Diman email addresses to access these classes. Students attempting to login with alternate email addresses will be counted as absent from class.
    • Students will follow a bell schedule that includes 45 minute academic periods and 15 minute passing periods. This will allow students to transition between online classes.
    • The academic bell schedule will be sent to students with their individual student schedules at the start of September.

    Academic Attendance

    • Attendance will be mandatory for all academic classes. Credit recovery and/or attendance failures will be assigned as needed.
    • Tardiness to class will be recorded and disciplined appropriately.

    Course Syllabi

    • Diman teachers will share course syllabi with students during the first week of school. Students and parents should review all practices, grading expectations, extra help days, etc. within each course syllabus.
    • Course questions should be emailed directly to course teachers.

    Class Assignments

    • All course due dates will be assigned by course teachers. Students submitting late work may face point deductions.

    Shop Time Assignments

    • Shop time assignments will be mandatory for all academic classes ranked at 5.0 credits or above.

    Teacher Extra Help Days

    • All academic teachers will host one extra help day per week.
    • Teachers will post their extra help days in course syllabi.
    • Extra help will occur via Google Meet from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

    Technology

    • Any student in need of a device or internet connectivity should complete this form: https://forms.gle/nLKd9woipPPrrZmF8
    • All Diman freshman and sophomore have been issued Chromebooks. Diman juniors will all receive a Chromebook during the first few weeks of school. Pending funding, seniors will also receive a school issued device.
    • These Chromebooks must be used with a Diman email address for all course assessments. Students in need of a hot spot should contact Diman’s IT Department.

    The Vocational Student Experience

    Vocational Cycle Format

    • Students will follow the Diman calendar for vocational week cycles, as normal.
    • During a students vocational week cycle, they will attend shop in-person for one week and complete shop assignments from home (remotely) the other week.
    • Students will be assigned which week, during their normal shop cycle, they will attend their vocational shop in-person. Students will be assigned a week and number: A1,A2, B1, B2. An email will go out when schedules are available to view in Aspen. Our target date is September 4th.
      • Example: If a student receives B week 1: Students will attend their vocational shop in-person the first week of their vocational cycle. The second week of their vocational cycle will be completed remotely.
      • Example: If a student receives B week 2: Student will attend their vocational shop in-person the second week of their vocational cycle. The first week of their vocational cycle will be completed remotely.

    Vocational Attendance

    • Attendance will be taken daily and reported to the state as normal. Credit recovery and/or attendance failures will be assigned as needed.
    • Tardiness will be recorded and disciplined appropriately.

    Remote Learning and Assignments

    • Students must complete all assignments during the remote part of their cycle. Failure to complete the work assigned will have a detrimental affect on their overall grade.
    • Students will receive program and remote learning expectations during the first week of their shop cycle.

    Social Distancing

    • Students and staff will strictly adhere to 6ft social distancing at all times in the building, as well as entering and exiting the building.

    The Freshman Student Experience

    • All Freshman students will receive their schedules and week cycles (A/B) prior to the start of the school year.
    • All Freshman academic classes will take place remotely.
      • During students' academic week cycles, they will stay home and follow a normal academic daily schedule. (see Academic Student Experience)
    • All Freshman students will individually receive with their exploratory shop schedule.
    • All Freshman students will explore 6 or more vocational shops in-person and 6 or more vocational shops remotely. Prioritization and exploration will be based primarily on the students top choices.
    • Students will receive a personalized schedule which will specifically states which days and shops to attend in-person and which days and shops they will explore remotely.

    Special Education and English Language Learners

    • Diman will make every effort to provide in-person instruction for students with disabilities, particularly those with complex and significant needs. Our Department of Special Education will be reaching out to all students individually regarding the possibility of in-person instruction.
    • Students will continue to receive all services documented in their IEPs, no matter which learning model they choose.
    • English Language Learners will also be contacted regarding potential in-person instruction.
    • Students and staff will strictly adhere to 6ft social distancing at all times in the building, as well as entering and exiting the building.

    Remote Only Option

    • Every district in Massachusetts is required to provide a fully remote option for families who wish to have their child home.
    • If you plan on keeping your child home, to learn remotely, you must complete the following link:
    • Our Remote Only students will follow the same Academic and Vocational Student Experience as described in the prior slides. (Please see Academic and Vocational Student Experience slides)
    • Full remote students vocational certifications and apprenticeship hours may be affected.

    Mask Requirements

    • Masks, with ear loops, are mandatory for all staff and all students. Gaiter masks or bandanas are not permitted
    • Student masks will be provided by families, although masks will be available for students if they do not have them.
    • Face shields may be used for students who are unable to wear masks due to medical, behavioral, or sensory issues. Students and parents must provide documentation and/or receive approval to opt out of wearing a mask. Please contact administration with concerns.
    • Masks should be solid colored, without designs, graphics or images.
    • The Diman Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced for students who violate the Mask requirements. An amendment to our Student Handbook and Dress Code, containing specific Mask requirements and discipline, will be shared prior to the start of school.

    Transportation and Bus Procedure

    • We are encouraging students to walk or drive to school rather than take a school bus, in order to maximize safety and minimize exposure to other students on the way to and from school each day.
    • DESE transportation guidance and CDC regulations mandate that only 25 students can ride per bus (77 passenger, see diagram below).
    • Based upon our Transportation Request Form that was sent to parents, our full complement of buses (16), and our phased hybrid model, we will be able to abide by the aforementioned transportation regulations.
    • Further Bus and Transportation regulations will be issued prior to the start of the school year and can be found here:

    Bus design

    Services and Wraparound Supports

    Through these uncertain times, Dimanis dedicated to providing all students not only with a quality academic experience but to supporting students’ social emotional and mental health. Poor mental health is a barrier to the learning and overall wellbeing of students, and the District will continue provide support services to ensure all students have access to programs and services matched to their strengths and needs.

    During remote learning and our hybrid model, school-based mental health professionals including counselors, social workers, psychologists, mental health coordinators and teachers will utilize a full array of services and programs for our students.

    Campus Readiness: PPE

    Personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies for our school will be secured, including:

    • Hand sanitizer
    • Hand washing
    • Sanitizing wipes
    • Masks
    • Gowns
    • Face shields
    • Gloves

    Hand washing and hand hygiene procedures will be enforced daily. Signage throughout the building will reinforce our procedures.

    Social Distancing

    • Students and staff will strictly adhere to 6ft social distancing at all times in the building, as well as entering and exiting the building.

    Campus Readiness: Sanitation

    Our custodial staff will continue deploying additional disinfecting treatments in our buildings daily.

    The chart below provides details as to how often high touch surfaces (like door handles) will be cleaned, in addition to furniture and other items found throughout the building.

    Cleaning Frequency

    Examples

    Daily

    Academic/Vocational classrooms,desks, tables, shared spaces

    Multiple times per day

    Door handles, light switches, handrails, sink handles, restroom surfaces, cafeteria surfaces, elevator buttons

    Between uses

    instructional materials, vocational equipment,keyboards, phones, printers, copy machines, seats on bus

    Food Service

    We are prepared to serve breakfast and lunch five days a week regardless of whether we are remote or in person. The food service team is ready to provide a combination of grab and go and on-site food delivery, dependent upon the needs of our families.

    In-Person Meal Service

    • We are prepared to provide breakfast for students upon arrival to school. Meals will be individually packaged and students will have a specific amount of time in the cafeteria to avoid congregating and potential spreading of illness.
    • Lunches will be ordered first thing in the morning in shops and classrooms. Payments will also be taken first thing in the morning. Meals will be served in shops and classrooms due to spacing concerns in the cafeteria.

    Remote/Hybrid Meal Service

    • The Greater Fall River Vocational School District will provide grab and go meals for students if these model are utilized. Meals will be available at Door 3 (Room 251 Restaurant). Cafeteria staff will have checkpoints where students can pick up meals (breakfast and lunch).

    Quick reference sheet: Key actions for individual COVID-19 events

    • Checking for symptoms each morning by families and caregivers is critical and will serve as the primary screening mechanism for COVID-19 symptoms.
    • While specific protocols vary, there are some common elements for each possible COVID-19 scenario - evaluate symptoms; separate from others; clean and disinfect spaces visited by the person; test for COVID-19 and stay at home while awaiting results.
    • It is important for students and staff to stay at home if they are feeling sick.

    Quick reference sheet: Key actions for individual COVID-19 events

    Chart of Covid events

    Chart 2

    Workforce Readiness

    Diman is committed to preparing our workforce for the challenges of the upcoming school year. Diman educators will be prepared to ensure the highest level of health and safety is met on a daily basis and prepared to deliver a world class education for students, not matter the learning model.

    Dimanhas spent significant time and resources to equip our building with the necessary resources and space for COVID-19 response. We have bolstered our nurses area and will have sufficient space for students and staff who are symptomatic.

    Educators will participate in intensive health and safety trainings and professional development for remote learning, socio-emotional well being and curriculum development from September 1 – September 15.

    We will not waver from our commitment to provide a high quality academic and vocational education for our students.

    Student and Family Readiness

    Please look out for virtual information sessions regarding our return and additional opportunities to increase engagement! All opportunities will be emailed and posted to our website!

    Stay informed! Please view our current reopening FAQ for our COVID-19 protocols and more! https://www.dimanregional.org/Page/4081

    Do not forget to fill out the form below with any and all questions!

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdw8EkNH46l73B4za5X0LZUDd2ojI2WLy0HMcSeVwzpUZHohA/viewform?usp=sf_link

    Stay connected! Families are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the latest school information by visiting the district website, following the district Facebook and Twitter pages, and by making sure your contact information is up-to-date so you can receive phone calls and email notifications from Diman. Our school calendar will continue to be updated as we finalize student schedules!

    Important Dates:

    • September 4 or sooner: An email update will be sent when students' schedules are ready to be viewed in ASPEN! Students' schedules will notify them of their week cycles and if they are A1, A2, B1, B2.
    • September 8 –September 11: Welcome Week! Look out for virtual information sessions regarding our reopening, COVID protocols, Socio-emotional learning strategies, and more for parents and students!
    • September 16: First day of school! (remote and in person)