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Return to Instruction

District Plan for Safe Return to
In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

February 15, 2024
 
PART I.
 
Describe how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other 
staff and the extent to which it has adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on 
each of the following safety recommendations established by the CDC:


(A)      Universal and correct wearing of masks.

Masking is optional in USD 305 facilities for all individuals, regardless of vaccination 
status.

 

(B)       Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding).

USD 305 will provide as much space as practical between students in classrooms.

 
(C)       Handwashing and respiratory etiquette.

Hand sanitizing and respiratory etiquette will be encouraged.
  1. Students will be taught and reminded of proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
  2. Frequent hand sanitizing will be encouraged.
  3. Hand sanitizer will be available.
  4. Directions for proper handwashing will be posted in restrooms.
  5. Reminders about respiratory etiquette will be posted in USD 305 buildings.

(D)       Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation.

USD 305 facilities will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
  1. Frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected regularly (i.e., door handles, faucets, paper 
    towel dispensers).
  2. Cleaning resources will be provided in classrooms and offices.
  3. Custodial staff will define cleaning procedures including frequency, equipment, materials and 
    products to be used.
  4. Ventilation will meet or exceed local building code.
 
(E)     Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with 
the State, local, territorial, or Tribal health departments.


The Saline County Health Department is the agency with the statutory authority to order quarantines 
and order isolations.
  1. Contact tracing in schools will be the responsibility of the Saline County Health Department.
  2. USD 305 will comply with quarantine and isolation orders issued by the Saline County Health 
    Department.
 
(F)      Diagnostic and screening testing.

USD 305 will use regular school communication to remind parents/guardians about the need to screen 
students for illness.
  1. Families will be encouraged to screen students for illness before school and keep students who are symptomatic home.
  2. Reminders to stay home if sick will be posted at building entries used by the public.
  3. USD 305 will not require COVID-19 testing.
  4. USD 305 will share community testing events with USD 305 families and staff.
 
(G)     Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities.

USD 305 will communicate opportunities for vaccination with USD 305 families and staff.
 
 
(H)      Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and 
safety policies.


The IEP (Individual Education Plan) teams and/or Section 504 teams will determine appropriate 
accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies.
  1. Individual needs will be considered as plans are developed by the IEP or 504 team.
  2. Development of plans will include the parent/guardian and student (when age appropriate).
  3. Individual plans will be shared with staff directly responsible for implementation.
 
(I)       Coordination with state and local health officials.

Regular communication and coordination with state and local health officials will occur.
 
  
Part II.

Describe how the district will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to:

 
(A)       Services to address students' academic needs.
 
USD 305 will provide a variety of academic programs to support student learning.
  1. High quality instruction will be provided in classrooms each day.
  2. Small group and individual support will be available during the school day through small 
    -group instruction, title services, interventionist support, advisory and extended learning 
    opportunity (ELO).
  3. Programming for support beyond the classrooms will vary by building and will be designed with 
    the student population, and individual student learning needs in mind.
  4. Building principals will work with staff to identify students who need academic support beyond 
    what is provided through regular instruction.
  5. Parents/guardians and students may bring academic concerns to the attention of a staff member.
  6. When academic concerns arise, academic support options will be discussed with the 
    parent/guardian.

(B)           Students' and staff social-emotional and mental health.
 
Counseling and social-emotional support will be available as a part of the well-rounded educational 
opportunities provided by USD 305.
 
  1. Counseling staff will be available in all buildings to provide academic and social-emotional 
    support.
  2. Social workers will be available in all buildings to provide mental health, social-emotional 
    and family support.
  3. Regular social-emotional instruction will occur at elementary and middle school using the 
    Second Step curriculum.
  4. Programming for support beyond the classroom will vary by building and will be designed with 
    the student population and individual student social-emotional health needs in mind.
  5. Salina Public Schools will partner with community mental health organizations through the USD 
    305 mental health school liaisons.
  6. Building principals will work with staff to identify students who need social-emotional and 
    mental health support beyond what is provided through regular instruction.
  7. Parents/guardians and students may bring concerns about social-emotional and mental health 
    needs to the attention of a staff member.
  8. When social-emotional needs arise, social-emotional and mental health support options will be 
    discussed with the parent/guardian.
  9. An employee assistance program (EAP) will be available for USD 305 staff through the Salina 
    Public Schools benefits office.

(C)       Other needs, which may include student health and food services.
 
A comprehensive school food service program, including breakfast and lunch, will be provided throughout the school year.

School nurses will be available at each attendance center.
  1. Families may discuss health concerns with school nurses.
  2. School nurses will serve as a liaison between the building and the Saline County Health 
    Department.
  3. The school nurse will work with the school social worker, health providers and mental health 
    partners if community resources are needed for a student or family.
Public comment on the USD 305 Return to In-Person Instruction Plan is welcome.
Please email  feedback or suggestions to [email protected].