Steele Restart Plan

AJH Restart Plan

Nord Restart Plan

Powers Restart Plan

As we go through the school year, all staff and caregivers of students will be required to check symptoms daily before leaving home for school. Parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

For purposes of personal health screenings, Lorain County Health officials recommend asking the following questions:  

• Do you have a Fever (temperature above 100F)? 

• Do you have a Cough?

• Do you have Shortness of Breath?

• Have you, or anyone you have been in close contact with, been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been placed on quarantine for possible contact with COVID-19? 

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, then students and staff members are not to report to school. This standard also applies to any parent or visitor that is needing to enter the building for a pre-approved situation.

Students will be asked to wear face coverings when in the cafeteria and not in the process of eating if social distance cannot be maintained.

Students will eat in the cafeteroriums, gymnasiums, outside spaces, classrooms, or  another designated area to maintain appropriate distancing. Each building will establish their own breakfast and lunch procedures. 

Students will sit in designated, assigned seats to better monitor possible exposure in the event of an infection.  

Distancing guidelines will be followed if going through the cafeteria line. Specific information regarding this will be provided by each building.

To the extent possible, social distancing will be practiced in all classrooms. In many classrooms, six feet of social distancing will not be possible depending on the number of students and square footage of the classroom. We will, however, maintain as much social distancing as possible in our classrooms.

Each building will have a schedule that will minimize student transitions to limit the amount of movement of students in order to minimize group interaction. 

Staff will rotate to the students to the fullest extent possible.

Instructional materials will not be shared or will be sanitized between uses.

All staff members will wear masks and/or face shields while in class with students and in common areas where staff and students are present.

All classrooms will have all doors open, during class, to allow for better air circulation. 

Students will have assigned seats in each classroom.

Students and staff will disinfect their desks, chairs, and common touch surfaces regularly.

Students/staff will wash or sanitize their hands at the start of each school day, before lunch, and after lunch at minimum.

Principals will work with the maintenance and cleaning staff to determine a cleaning schedule for special classroom equipment.  

Custodians will be deep cleaning each building every evening for the following school day. 

When possible, all hallways in school will be one way traffic only.  

For hallways where one way traffic is not possible, all persons must stay to the right.

Students are required to wear face coverings in all common areas outside of the classroom. (i.e. restrooms, locker rooms, hallways, cafeteria, gym, etc.) if social distance cannot be maintained.   

Lockers will not be utilized at Nord, AJH, or Steele. Use of personal storage cubbies at Powers will be limited and grade level specific procedures will be shared in detail.

Students will need to carry most course materials in their backpacks. 

Hall passes will be significantly limited, as determined by each building principal.

Passing period times will be adjusted to account for one way traffic, by building principals prior to the start of the school year.

Water fountains will not be used. 

Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Specific information regarding this will be provided by each building.  

Staff and students will practice as much social distancing as possible in all common areas.

Common area access will be limited to ensure student safety.

The district is securing and providing supplies to all buildings and all staff for daily deep cleaning and sanitizing. Daily deep cleaning, which includes sanitizing all high touch surfaces, will be performed by our custodial staff. In addition, desks, chairs, doors, and other high touch surfaces in classrooms, will be sanitized on a regular basis. Students and staff will work together to ensure our classroom surfaces remain clean throughout the day. Information regarding the specific cleaning and sanitizing products used in the district will be available on the district website.

All students and staff are required to check their temperature and symptoms each day before arriving at school. If students and staff have any COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay at home.  

The nurse’s offices will have thermometers available for students & staff that need checked during the day.

Student dropoff and pickup locations will be spread throughout the school building.

Multiple doors will be used to reduce crowding. Specific details for each building will be created by building principals.  

Students will report directly to homeroom (Powers and Nord) or first period (AJH and Steele)

Students will be released at the end of the day in smaller groups using multiple doors at staggered times. 

PikMyKid will be used. (Powers, Nord). Specific instructions on how to access the  PikMyKid application will be sent out by each building principal.  

Parents needing to pick up their child early during the day, should remain in their cars, contact the school by phone and wait in front of the building for your child or a staff member to help you.

While we understand the concerns with wearing face coverings and challenges they present for students, we need to follow the guidance of the health experts.   

Consistent with guidance from health officials, Amherst Schools are requiring that all students have a face covering that is available to be worn in school and on the bus when social distancing is not possible. We reserve the right to require student face coverings be worn in any situation in order to keep our schools open and safe, or if required by local or state officials. Students and staff will be provided breaks from face coverings whenever possible.

We believe our students need to be in school to maximize their learning and growth potential; and for their social-emotional health. Amherst Schools may not be able to continue school in-person if we have a spread of the virus in school. To ensure school continues without a district or building closure, we will all need to work together.

Please, share a positive take on face coverings with your children. Helping them prepare by trying on different styles of face coverings and finding one that is most comfortable for them will help in the effort to make them feel comfortable coming back to school. Consider breathability and comfort around ears/nose/chin. Plan for each of your children to have 3-5 face coverings to wear and launder on a regular basis. Our schools will have disposable face coverings available for emergency situations when a student forgets to bring one to school or on the bus.

Students and staff should use designated entrances and exits (where applicable) in and out of the clinic.

Follow six feet social distancing protocols while in the clinic.

Students and staff are required to wear a face covering while in the clinic.

Wearing a face covering is required if students and staff are determined to have a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms.

If a student/staff member experience COVID-19 symptoms while on school grounds, they must follow the following protocol:

• Notify a teacher, administrator, or staff member immediately.

• Wear a face covering immediately.

• Make plans to leave school and go home/doctor’s office as soon as possible.

• While waiting for parent pickup, students must stay isolated in a specific quarantine area, designated in each building. Staff will be present to support students.

Parents are encouraged to schedule meetings virtually or by phone, rather than in person.

Parents should conduct a personal health screening before entering the building.

Follow six foot social distancing protocols to the extent possible.

Parents must wear a face covering at all times while on school grounds.

Zoned recess activities (Powers and Nord)

Playground equipment will be cleaned and sanitized.

Teachers are encouraged to go outside for classes when appropriate.

The district will encourage, promote, and enforce social distancing throughout school grounds. However, six feet of social distancing is not always possible in every situation within our schools. In those instances, other best practices like face coverings, barriers, washing hands, and sanitizing will be utilized.

All students in grades 3-12 will be issued a Chromebook for the school year. 

Students will be in charge of ensuring the proper care of their Chromebook.  

All Chromebooks will be used and integrated into daily classroom activities.

Families will be charged for any lost Chromebook or charger that needs fixed or replaced.

Students are asked to charge their Chromebooks overnight to ensure a full charge during the school day.

Students will be instructed on the proper way to clean and sanitize their Chromebooks.

If required by the teacher, grade level, or school, students will be responsible for taking their Chromebook home and bringing it back to school each day.

Students will be permitted to sit on bus seats with no more than two to a seat.

Students will have assigned seats on the bus.

Students must wear face coverings at all times when on a school bus.

Each bus will have all windows open, to allow for air circulation, weather permitting.  

All students are required to do a full symptoms check, including temperature, before leaving their homes in the morning. If student temperatures are 100 degrees or above, they are required to stay home from school until symptom free for 24 hours, without the use of medication.

Students will be given time and reminders to wash or sanitize their hands throughout the day, especially before and after:

• The school day

• Eating

• Recess

• Changing classrooms

• Using the bathroom

Visitors will not be permitted, however; there may be exceptions (police, fire department, utility worker, etc.).

Visitors should complete a personal health screening before entering the office.

Visitors must wear a face covering at all times while on school grounds.

Visitors must wear a visitor’s badge before entering the building. Badges can be obtained upon entry to the building through the main office.  

Each office will have a plexiglass barrier at the front counter.

Seating areas will be properly social distanced.

Each building will determine a maximum safe capacity in the office at any point in time. 

All office spaces will be disinfected on a regular basis.

Parents needing to drop off items during the day, should remain in their cars, contact the school by phone and wait in front of the building for a staff member to help you.

eCampus Restart Plan (August 25, 2020) 

Individual teachers or teams of teachers may adjust the general eCampus schedule slightly based on the needs of the students, class, or team.

The green time frames are the scheduled times for live instruction for the entire class or a small group of students. Students are required to attend live instruction when requested by the teacher.

Live instruction may be scheduled for the full time frame or part of the time frame. Teachers will communicate the exact times and schedule on a weekly basis.

NOTE: The weekly summary of the schedule, live instruction times, and assignments can change or be adjusted on a daily basis just like in a general onCampus classroom. Teachers must have the flexibility to deliver instruction and adapt to the needs of the class or individual students.

Powers eCampus General Schedule (K-3)

Nord eCampus General Schedule (4-5)

AJH eCampus General Schedule (6-8)

Steele eCampus General Schedule (9-12)

Students electing the Amherst online program will attend school from home using our Extended Campus or eCampus option. Students will attend Monday through Friday.

Students and families will only be permitted to request a change in enrollment back to in-person or onCampus learning at the end of a semester/trimester. Requests will be approved, provided there is space and class availability. 

Once we have your written commitment via our online form, we will enroll your child. It will be expected that each family honors that commitment for a minimum of one semester/trimester. Written commitment will need to be submitted by Monday, August 3rd to allow for planning and preparation.  

Families interested in returning to onCampus learning at the end of the semester/trimester must communicate their request, in writing, to their child’s respective building principal no later than 14 days prior to the end of the semester/trimester.

The schedule for eCampus school hours will closely follow the schedule for onCampus school:

• Powers Hours  8:45 am - 3:45 pm

• Nord Hours  8:30 am - 3:30 pm

• AJH Hours  7:25 am - 2:25 pm

• Steele Hours  7:45 am - 2:45 pm

Students not logged into school on time will be considered tardy. Students who do not log into school at all during the school day will be considered absent. Absences will be monitored and tracked per HB 410, as outlined in each building’s handbook.

The eCampus student school calendar will be the exact same calendar as the onCampus school calendar.

Our Commitment

• Amherst Schools are committed to providing the best learning opportunities for all students with planning that is safe, flexible, and tailored to our community. The safety of our students, staff, and community is our number one priority. All school administration and staff in Amherst are committed to provide the best learning options for students.

• The Amherst Schools Extended Campus (eCampus) program is dedicated to providing the high-quality education our families have to come to expect by utilizing Amherst teachers to provide instruction to our students in the home setting.

Your Commitment

• It will be expected that each family honors their commitment to participate in the Amherst eCampus program for the entire semester/trimester.

• Students will be required to meet with all of their teachers, everyday online in some capacity. This could be through a quick class meeting, a small group conversation, one-on-one support, or other ways to connect.

• Students must commit to being actively online, participating in live instruction, and working on coursework during normal school hours.

• Students must be self-starters and have the maturity and motivation to work independently. 

• Students must use time wisely, be organized, be self-directed, and be willing to use new modes of communication and learning.

• Students must check communication frequently, get all assignments in on time, and discuss any concerns and questions with the teacher.

The building eCampus schedules will be revised and will change before the first day of school.

Each building's eCampus team, along with our Technology Innovation Specialists, will finalize and communicate the building eCampus schedules in full detail before the first day of school.

Communication will be delivered through district Gmail accounts and Google Classroom.

eCampus students in grades K-3 will have one teacher as a point of contact who will facilitate effective instruction and efficient communication through one Google Classroom.

eCampus students in grades 4-8 will have a small team of teachers who will facilitate effective instruction and efficient communication through one Team Google Classroom.

eCampus students in grades 9-12 will have two teachers per trimester who will facilitate effective instruction and efficient communication through individual teacher Google Classrooms.

All weekly lessons and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom and through Gmail by Monday mornings at 10:00 am (but is subject to change before the first day of school).

Teachers and administrators will provide students with login information, usernames, and passwords for any online program or resources when necessary.

eCampus classes will be facilitated by Amherst teachers. Depending on the number of students enrolled in different courses, we could have some teachers educating students in both programs - onCampus and eCampus.

The eCampus curriculum will be the same or very similar to the onCampus curriculum. Due to the uniqueness of some courses and online learning, not every course offered in the onCampus setting will be available on eCampus.

The goal is to match current student schedules with equivalent courses. In cases where this is not possible, our school counselors will reach out to families to share other options available.

Daily instruction will be a combination of teacher-delivered live instruction via Google Hangout/Meet, classroom meetings, structured activities, projects, and independent work/homework.

eCampus students will be permitted to participate in after school activities whenever possible. The only challenge will be with activities that are extensions of classes held during the school day. Contact the advisor of the activity you are interested in to be sure you can participate.  

School sponsored sports will be fully open to eCampus students, provided the student meets all eligibility requirements.

The eCampus program is NCAA approved.

The Amherst Schools will maintain high expectations for learning.

eCampus teachers will grade all assignments and homework using the same grading scales and criteria as the onCampus teachers.

Teachers in grades K-3 will continue to use the S (Satisfactory), N (Needs Improvement), and U (Unsatisfactory) grading scale in combination with the A, B, C, D, and F grading scale.

Teachers in grades 4-12 will continue to use the A, B, C, D, and F grading scale for all subjects.

Teachers will continue to grade student work and provide feedback during home instruction.

If a student is having difficulty completing or managing school work, first contact the classroom teacher for support. If the issues extend beyond the classroom, please contact the school counselor and principal for assistance.

Students will utilize their home internet access to complete assignments and communicate with their teachers.

Before selecting the online option as the best option for your family, parents should consider the internet bandwidth they currently have available in their homes and ensure it is enough to support online learning requirements for their students. 

Parents who have concerns with their internet capacity at home are encouraged to contact the teacher, school counselor, or principal for assistance. School counselors and the social worker can also help families access additional resources. 

School-issued devices will have content filtering enabled.

COVID-19 has impacted the mental health and well-being of many Amherst students and families. Some signs of stress and anxiety:  muscle tension, trouble sleeping, heart racing/increased heart rate, restlessness, or racing thoughts

At-home stress/anxiety management:

• Talk to a trusted adult/friend

• Practice deep breathing/relaxation techniques

• Self-talk/reframe the situation

• Self-care

• Journaling, drawing, listen to music

• Exercise or take a walk

If stress or anxiety become out-of-control or unmanageable:

• Ask if you or your child can speak with your school counselor.

• Contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment. (Many are still providing telehealth options.) 

• Contact a mental health provider to schedule an appointment. (Many are still providing telehealth options.) 

Social-Emotional learning and Mental Health awareness will be a weekly component of the eCampus program.

eCampus students will receive a school-issued Chromebook and charger.

All technology use is subject to the district Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).

Students will be required to take care of their school issued device while it is in their care, ensuring that it remains in the same condition it was given to them at the end of the school year.  

Students will be required to turn their Chromebook and charger back into their school for inspection and collection at the end of the school year.

Our plan is to use Amherst teachers to teach online students.  Depending on the number of students enrolled in different courses, we could have some teachers educating students both online and in-person.

Counselors and principals will be the same counselors/administrators currently serving you in your home school. They will be fully available to support your needs in the same way they are for students learning in-person.

We recognize that technology related problems may occur during home instruction with school-issued devices.

The Amherst Tech Department has created a Student & Parent Tech Hotline for technology support. Please call 440-988-1907 for assistance. Our goal is to support you as much as we can!

Chrome Remote Desktop software will be utilized to access student devices to troubleshoot and fix technology related problems.

For students with 504 plans:  

• School counselors will still be available for questions regarding students who are receiving accommodations through 504 plans.

• 504 plans will be communicated to all eCampus instructors and accommodations will be provided through virtual instruction.

For students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs):  

• Students receiving specially designed instruction through an IEP will be assigned to an intervention specialist to ensure delivery of services.  

• Team meetings will be held for students who will be participating in the eCampus option during the first few weeks of school in order to discuss how services will be provided.  

Parents that have questions or concerns about implementation or access to services are encouraged to contact our Director of Student Services, Sarah Walker, at 440-988-1990 or sarah_walker@amherstk12.org.