COVID-19 (artist formerly known as Wuhan strain novel Corona virus)

Is testing the reason we have so many more deaths than other countries, too? It's a weird fixation, but he's massively lost the plot on the pandemic response. He just can't help himself, though.

 

Yea, I struggled with that one too, and I've got weird maths.

 

If we stop checking pulses, there will be WAY fewer deaths! LAW AND ORDER!

 

SOME COUTNRIES [sic] DON'T EVEN TEST PULSES, THEY JUST THROW PEOPLE IN GRAVES. LAW AND ORDER!

 

If we stop letting Butch Jones coach, we'll start winning games!!

Wait, that one worked. Never mind.

 

If someone dies from a car wreck, or in hospice with days to live, or shot, but has covid at time of death, are states still counting those as covid?

 

I believe so. The question is what percentage of those are the case.

 

For the 1/100th time! Deport all dead people! No American deaths! Facts!

 

I dont know. Would be interested to see a graph to see if automobile, cardiac etc deaths are on same trajectory as usual or downward due to some being labeled covid.

 

I think that is why people are using excess deaths.

 

Not immediately, ask Brady Hoke

 

Nashville schools going virtual until, at least, Labor Day.

 

Anderson County is saying "[uck fay] it!" and going wide open, baby. August 10th, get your ass into class!

 

At this point, I may need a map to remember where my classroom is.

 

As an educator, what are your thoughts regarding virtual vs in class? Shelby co leaving it up to parents to decide for fall semester.

 

So is Cheatham county

 

Pretty sure Maryville City was the first to announce a while back. And nothing has changed.

 

This is the plan below -

HEALTH MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Students or staff who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms with a corresponding fever above 100.4 will be sent home
2. Students and staff should not return until one of the following conditions are met:

• A health care provider has confirmed that the individual’s illness is not due to COVID-19 because another explanation has been identified (e.g., fever due to urinary tract infection, strep throat confirmed by a positive strep test, rash from poison ivy, etc.). Diagnoses of upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, or viral illness, does not exclude the diagnosis of COVID-19 and will not be considered adequate to authorize a return to school.
• The individual has evidence of a positive COVID-19 molecular/PCR test and has isolated for 10 days with no symptoms for 72 hours immediately prior to returning. The results of antibody tests will not be considered proof of immunity or lack of infection.
• The individual has been well for at least 72 hours and has documentation of TWO negative COVID-19 molecular/PCR tests at least 24 hours apart during the most recent absence. Results of tests that precede the dates of the most recent absence are not acceptable, nor are results of antibody testing.
• The individual has self-isolated for a period of 10 days with no symptoms for 72 hours immediately prior to returning, regardless of test results (whether negative, positive, or not obtained).

OTHER HEALTH-RELATED CONSIDERATIONS:

• Families will be informed when there is a confirmed case in a school building. Contact tracing and communication of any confirmed cases will be managed on a case-by-case basis, in cooperation with local health authorities.
• All students who have been in close contact (defined by TN Department of Health as within 6 feet for 10 or more minutes) with a confirmed case will need to be quarantined at home for 14 days.

Review the full MCS Health Management Plan at this link.


STUDENT ABSENCES DUE TO COVID-19

Students isolated at home for 10 days (suspected/confirmed case) or 14 days (close contact to a confirmed case) will continue to receive daily instruction. Students will be counted present for attendance purposes during the isolation period as long as they are engaging in the instruction. The regular classroom teachers will continue to be responsible for the student’s instruction. School administrators will track the extent of absences to engage additional support as needed.



DIGITAL LEARNING

will begin on July 30, along with those returning for traditional classroom instruction. Review the full student plan at this link.



MASK-WEARING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

• All faculty and staff are required to wear a face-covering in common areas, large gatherings, class changes, anytime outside their classroom, and in the classroom when they cannot social distance of at least 6 feet.
• All school visitors are required to wear a mask.
  
• K-7 GUIDANCE: Every effort will be made in elementary (K-3) and intermediate (4-7) schools to keep students in small cohorts and minimize mixing between groups. Students are strongly encouraged to wear a face-covering on buses, during congested transitions (changing classes, dismissal), and when working in close proximity to peers and adults. Staff members will wear masks and model those opportunities with their students and families will be asked to also support responsive mask-wearing. Teachers will implement social distancing, strategic seating/grouping, and extra handwashing/hygiene as often and feasible as possible.
• 8-12 GUIDANCE: Students in grades 8-12 are expected to wear face coverings when physical distancing is difficult. While the district does not intend to require mask-wearing as part of the enforceable dress code, the faculty and staff will make it clear it is a strongly encouraged and expected practice. When students can be socially distanced of 6 feet within classrooms, then mask prompting and encouragement will lessen. However, in crowded spaces (changing classes, riding a bus, transitional breaks, close proximity environments, interactive student work sessions) reminders and prompts to wear a mask will be issued from teachers and administrators. In addition, announcements, posters, and daily communication will detail the merits of wearing a mask throughout the school day. Staff members will wear masks and model those opportunities with their students, and families will be asked to also support responsive mask-wearing. A face covering will be provided to every student and staff member in grades 8-12. Teachers will implement social distancing, strategic seating/grouping, and hand sanitizing/handwashing as often and feasible as possible.

 

It probably depends on the environment and certain conditions within the school and school system. It will be more of a challenge for me to get inclusion for a number of kids in my particular school due to accessibility and other issues, but it can be done. Other schools will have little issues, like private or parochial schools, who often provide students with computers.

As far as the learning experience, it has its benefits. This allows students more time and independence to work at their own pace and schedule. It even helps with in-class distractions, at times, too. Putting a kid on silent during a Zoom discussion is something I wish could happen in the classroom. But, there's no substitute, otherwise, for in person discussions and explanations of the material. So, I hope this is the last of the classroom delays or we'll fall behind in instruction.

 

Anderson County:

Parents,

Below you will find the Anderson County Schools: Reopening Plan for the 2020-2021 School Year.

The plan was developed in line with state guidance and with input from staff, parents and the community. This plan focuses on the health and wellness of every student and every staff member every day. The plan also provides students with the maximum face to face instruction within the state and local COVID-19 safety guidelines. As always, all plans are subject to change. Below is information and a timeline to open school.

Communication:
● The district uses Skyward to call, text, and send emails to all parents and staff; therefore, it is critical that you make sure your information in skyward is up to date.
● We will use Facebook, Twitter, ACTV (Comcast 95) / at www.AndersonCounty.tv , and the district website to share information.
● You can send any questions about the reopening plan to plan2020@acs.ac

Student registration:
● Parents can complete new student registration at New Student Registration
● There will also be onsite registration at individual schools, you will receive information from your child’s principal on dates and times.
● All other questions about registration and out of zone requests need to be sent to psellers@acs.ac

School calendar:
● The first day of school for students will be August 10th . The first three days will be a staggered start to allow staff and students to become familiar with new safety and daily operating procedures. Principals will send information regarding the staggered start schedule.
● Click here for the ACS Calendar - all scheduled breaks will remain the same.
● The daily school schedule will be the same as last year and will include the early out schedule for Wednesday.

Transportation:
● All buses will run on a regular schedule. Students will be required to wear a mask on the bus to/from school. Masks will be provided.
● Buses will also be sanitized after morning and afternoon runs and hand sanitizer will be provided for students.

Health and Safety protocols:
● Students/staff should stay home if they are sick or have a fever.
● Schools will have designated entry/exit points for staff and student car/bus riders, signage will be posted to provide guidance.
● Sanitation stations will be placed at all entry points.
● Every school will have a full time nurse on staff.
● COVID-19/nursing guidelines will be followed when students/staff become ill or do not pass health screenings.
● Temperatures will be taken at all entry points.
● Students with a temperature will be quarantined. Parents will be required to pick up their child.
● Face covering for students/staff are recommended but not mandatory, Anderson County Schools cannot be responsible for students who refuse to keep the mask on for the entire day.
● Face covering for staff will be required for certain instructional settings.
● A mask will be provided for all students and staff.
● Students may be asked to wipe down their desk and other materials.
● Water fountains will not be used; water filling stations will be available in hallway for students to fill personal water bottles
● Outside food will not be allowed for student celebrations (i.e., cupcakes or treats for student birthdays)
● Intensive cleaning daily throughout all buildings.
● Emphasis will be made on frequent hand washing and sanitizing.

School Nutrition:
● All staff will wear masks during food preparation and service.
● Grab and go breakfast options could also be available in bus and car rider entry areas at most schools.
● Visitors will not be permitted in the cafeteria for, at a minimum, the first 30 days of school; access will re-evaluated after 30 days.
● Lunch schedules will be adjusted to maximize social distancing.
● Schools will be encouraged to use badges with barcodes to utilize touchless entry of Student ID at point of sale.

Technology:
● All students in Grades K-12 will be assigned an individual chromebook with access to Skyward, Google Classroom and Zoom.
● Insurance is provided at a cost of $30.00 per student, this covers all damages. Lost chromebooks are not covered under the policy.

Academic plan: Classroom Setting:
● Resume normal academic plan for each grade/subject
● Classroom seating arrangements will be adjusted to allow for adequate separation of students during class time
● In classrooms, all students will face the same direction whenever possible. Peer-to-peer collaboration will be reduced when possible to avoid face-to-face exposure.
● When changing locations, hallway traffic and interaction will be limited (schools will maximize space to allow for adequate separation of students)

Academic Plan: Short-term Virtual:
● Applications for short term virtual learning must be received by July 21st.
● Virtual Learning will be available for families for all students unable to attend due to sickness/quarantine.
● Students accepted into the short term virtual program will be required to meet with their principal and complete an individual learning plan.
● All students receiving virtual instruction are required to participate in 6.5 hours of instruction per day, as required by state law, this includes 0.5 hours for lunch.
● A virtual classroom with ACS teacher-led live instruction shall be instituted (Meet-up, Google classroom, Zoom, etc). Instruction will be in accordance with ACS adopted curriculm. These courses will be planned in conjunction with special education teachers,
aides etc. to ensure that all student needs and areas of concern are met.
● Students will be issued a chromebook. Parents must verify internet access.
● Students will be required to come to their home school to attend meetings, take tests, and receive extra support if needed.
● Application can be found at elementary, middle, high school can be found below.

Whole Child:
● Teachers/school staff will regularly check students well-being.
● Student Support Specialists and school counselors will provide non-academic focused check-ins with high-risk students at school, check-in via zoom and/or home visit, if needed. School Resource Officers will be utilized for wellness checks, as needed.
● Student and family resource information will be readily available (tele-health, school counselors, student support specialists, family resource center, food bank, housing, and clothing information, etc.).

Visitors:
● Access to schools will be limited to essential personnel and students for a minimum of 30 days. Access will be re-evaluated after 30 days.
● If there are extenuating circumstances that necessitate a parent/guardian entering the school, approval must be given by the school administrator.

Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities:
● We will not allow any field trips during the first nine weeks of school.
● Athletic activities will follow TSSAA and TMSAA recommendations.
● No summer athletics camps will be held.
● Only enrolled students will be allowed on campuses for physical conditioning.
Reopening Plans and Temporary Online Learning Contracts for students who choose to work from home.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN

MIDDLE SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN

HIGH SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN

TEMPORARY ONLINE LEARNING FORM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

TEMPORARY ONLINE LEARNING FORM MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

TEMPORARY ONLINE LEARNING FORM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Ryan Sutton
Communications/PR Coordinator
Anderson County Schools