Othello Blended/Hybrid Learning
Distance Learning FAQ
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Please click on each link below for answers to frequently asked questions about the blended/hybrid learning model.
Click "view all" at the bottom of the list to see more questions and answers.
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Can a student or staff member wear a face shield instead of a mask?
The department of health requirement is that all students and staff will wear appropriate cloth masks. Exceptions can only be made with health department approval based on a valid health reason.
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What will happen if a student or students get COVID?
If a student has a confirmed diagnosis, they will be quarantined until they are no longer contagious. All students and staff who had close contact with that student will be notified.
If TWO or more students in a cohort group are diagnosed, the entire cohort group will be quarantined for ten days. -
How will you determine what kids are in each group (AM/PM)?
AM and PM groups will be geographically defined. Children living inside Othello city limits will be in the AM group. Students outside city limits will be the PM group, with transportation.
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Will students be required to wear masks?
Yes. All students and staff will be required to wear an appropriate cloth facial covering. Exceptions can be made to allow an alternate type of face covering with valid health reasons.
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Will bus drivers have extra masks for students who don’t or won’t wear them?
Every student is expected to wear a mask at all times. Students will not be permitted to ride a bus without a mask. Drivers will have a limited number of masks available, but hte expectation is that each student will bring their own.
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What if a student refuses to wear a mask, or their parent refuses to make them wear one?
Facial coverings are a health department requirement. Students who refuse to wear an appropriate facial covering will not be able to remain in class.
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Will parents have a choice on whether their child will go back face-to-face?
Yes. We are offering an online-only plan for families who are not ready to send their children back yet. It will not be the same as the current online model.
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Will kids get to participate in recess?
Yes, recess is a very important part of the learning day! Social distancing guidelines will be in place but recess will continue.
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Will temperature checks be taken? If so, where? At the school or upon entering the bus?
Parents will be expected to submit a daily screening form stating that their child does not have any COVID symptoms. Schools will be equipped to take temperatures in limited cases. Universal screenings at schools are not recommended by the CDC due to the high percentage of asymptomatic cases.
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How can you guarantee the safety of my kids from getting sick and bringing it home to the parents that have pre-existing conditions?
As with any other illness, we can’t provide that kind of guarantee. We are offering an online only option for families who have health and safety concerns that prevent them from wanting to send their children back to school at this time.
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What air quality precautions are being taken?
We have installed MERV 13 filters in all of our HVAC systems. These are the highest level of filtration we can purchase and they can filter the COVID virus. Our HVAC systems are not designed for this level of restriction and we may have to switch back to MERV 11.
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What will the daily sanitization process look like? Will classrooms be cleaned between AM and PM groups
Custodial staff, continue normal daily cleaning and sanitizing practices they have been doing even before covid-19 and help with any other duties wherever possible.
Current normal daily cleaning and sanitizing:
- Vacuuming, sweeping and mopping
- Garbage removal
- All restrooms (everywhere)
- Classrooms sinks, faucets and drinking fountains and countertops around the sink
- Common drinking fountains
- High touch points such as doors, door windows and door handles/crash bars.
- Common areas touch points such as staff rooms, work rooms, and lunch rooms
Teachers, Para's, Secretaries, etc. (all hands on deck approach) will be responsible to sanitizing or have students help:
- Personal workstations
- Student Desks
- Student Chairs
- Classroom tables
- In between students or parent transitions (cohorts)
Classrooms will only be “cleaned” once a day, but sanitization will be done frequently throughout the day.
Cleaning and sanitizing are two different things and should not be characterized as the same.
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Do the kids have to go to school or can they continue with zoom meetings like right now?
The current online model will not be an option. Students who opt out of returning in the blended model will continue their education online using a learning management system.
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Will students who come back to school still have to do online work?
There will be asynchronous online resources for students that compliment their in-person lessons. In the blended model, your child will only be in school for about 50 percent of their normal time. The rest of the time will be filled with online learning.
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Do I have to send my children to school?
Children over age 8 are required by law to attend school. You may opt out of the blended learning plan and remain fully online. The online experience will be different from what we currently have.
Ask a Question
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