The district plans specify additional staff as needed to support students.

does this mean in the schools or on-line virtually?

Answer ~ If the County Department of Health allows individuals in the school buildings, faculty will work from the building.

and can’t teach their class? How will students be accommodated if their teachers are sick?

Answer ~ The district will continue to utilize in-house staff for immediate concerns and substitutes to fill any teacher vacancies.

If so, will they be involved in the virtual learning program as an alternative? Does the school have replacements selected?

Answer ~ All teachers to our knowledge are returning to the classrooms.

Lake George CSD’s goal is to safely return to in-person instruction through a gradual approach of bringing students into school and ultimately returning to in-person instruction for all students. The first two days back are orientation days. During this phase, students will attend school in person for one-half-day session. After the orientation days, students will begin transitioning to an in person model. This will allow targeted subgroups in-person instruction from day one while communicating and practicing expectations and routines/procedures with a reduced capacity of students for health reasons. Our goal is for all students to return to in person learning daily beginning on September 28, 2020.

When a hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for daily in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, younger students, special class students, English language learners, and students who did not engage in remote learning during the spring of 2020.

With the understanding that the district will prioritize in person instruction for our younger students, the hybrid model for students in grades K-6 will depend greatly on the need to initiate a hybrid model. Any reduction in the number of students able to attend daily in the elementary school will begin with the oldest students alternating daily between in-person instruction and remote learning on an A/B day rotation.

Students will receive laptops or iPads for in-person and Virtual instruction, but not for Homeschool.

Yes

Please see the previous question about Remote Learning vs. Homeschooling; homeschooling is not affiliated with the LGCSD. Parents who select Remote Learning for K-6 students will have the opportunity to reenter after the first trimester.  7-12 students will have the opportunity to reenter after 10 weeks.

The Remote Learning Model provided by the district entails district personnel teaching children who are enrolled in the district via online learning tools such as Google Classroom. This is not to be confused with Homeschooling. Parents who Homeschool their children agree to unenroll their children from the district and educate them themselves or with the help of a tutor using curriculum and standardized assessment tools they have identified and purchased. Please review the Board policy on Homeschooling.

Yes, the district has created “Virtual Models” for parents who choose to keep their children at home. Students will be assigned a Remote Lake George Jr.-Sr. High School Staff Mentor (not necessarily a classroom teacher) that will check-in with the student daily for attendance and progress checks. This may be done via live meets or an electronic method. Daily attendance, student engagement, and academic progress will be taken and recorded. Failure to attend, engage and successfully complete requirements may require a reevaluation with the student’s family, student, guidance counselor, Principal, and remote mentor. 

The district is requiring a minimum of a 10 week commitment to the decision, preferably a semester.

Students and parents will acknowledge agreement to these guidelines and expectations of virtual learning options.

The devices that were purchased are calibrated for environmental conditions. Any student who registers a temperature will be sent to the isolation room to have his/her temperature taken again by the school nurse.

and will the surface be sanitized every time a 6 year old plants their hand firmly on it?

Answer ~ Yes and yes (the temperature devices we will use will read foreheads)

The district is making concerted efforts to minimize exposure this year. As a result, hallway traffic patterns will be different. There may be one-way hallways, and students may have to take different routes than they are used to.

are healthy and practicing good hygiene?

Answer ~ District employees are required to complete a daily temperature check and self-health screening prior to arriving at work. In addition, hand sanitizing/hand washing stations are provided for all staff in transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/breaks rooms, and bus garages.

must have direct physical contact with a child?

Answer ~ District employees will be required to wear gloves, which the school district shall provide to ensure their safety and health.

Students will not be denied service or entry to the school bus, however, they will be provided with a disposable face covering from the bus’ supply. Additionally, students with disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask will not be denied service or forced to wear a mask during transportation. 

nonpublic, parochial, private, charter schools, or out-of-district to schools?

Answer ~ Yes, the district will continue to transport those students whose schools are meeting and conducting in-person session education when/if the district is not.

Staggered dismissal from buses will help maintain physical distancing during arrival. Staff supervision has been increased to help teach the new routines.

supervised from the car to the door?

Answer ~ Parents will not enter the school; they will utilize the drop-off zones, and students will be supervised into the buildings and classrooms. More detailed plans for picking up and dropping off will be shared through Principal Welcome Back letters in the coming weeks.

Yes

Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies. All students will be instructed by staff on how to safely follow the new procedures.

Yes

or through photos or in-person?

Answer ~ Yes

Markers in hallways and classrooms will help students follow physical distancing procedures.

Answer ~ Grades 3-5 and 7-12 will eat in the cafeteria this year. Grades K-2 and 6 will eat in their classrooms. The plan is for students to eat meals at a desk, spaced 6 feet apart. The cafeteria staff will prepare and distribute meals to students while adhering to CDC and NYS DOH guidelines.

Students will wash hands before and after eating

Sharing food and beverages will be strictly prohibited

The district will protect students with food allergies when meals are in spaces outside the cafeteria

Water fountains (unless configured as bottle refilling stations) will be temporarily closed. Staff and students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

parents who don’t want their children exposed to these and other high-risk, high respiration, super-spreader activities?

Answer ~ A distance of 12 feet will be maintained while participating in activities that require projecting the voice (e.g., singing), playing a wind instrument, participating in gym classes).

Do students change classrooms or will Specials Teachers come to the room?

Answer ~ Specials may be taught in their classrooms with appropriate physical distancing. LGES has large enough spaces to accommodate our students outside of the classrooms. General music will be in the Little Theater, band lessons will be in the general music room.

If there is an unmasked child in the class, what steps will the school take to protect my child and the rest of the class?

Answer ~ Masks are required to be worn by students and staff every day.

Mask breaks will be held outside whenever possible. Items we will consider for mask breaks:

Keeping 6-ft apart when mask is off

Is this fresh air? Outdoors/Windows open when possible

Using social courtesies when your mask is off- always covering your cough or sneeze, and washing hands when necessary.

Students will only carry necessary items to and from school. Teachers will be mindful of this and make appropriate adjustments as relevant.

Storage bins, desks/chairs will all be utilized to store belongings. As we enter the winter season, cubby and locker plans will be reviewed and potentially revised.

All field trips will be postponed and virtual trips will be encouraged.

Locker rooms and the weight room will be closed until conditions permit reopening

The district will be closed in the evenings

We will encourage virtual meetings and presentations as much as is practical.

Building use will not be open to the public under the current plan.

When was the last air balance report done? Do ALL spaces provide adequate air exchange as required by current code, or are some spaces “grandfathered”?

Answer ~ We meet the current NYSED Codes.

Yes

comply with? What ventilation/fresh air exchange is proposed for spaces that have radiant heating? Will the school be completing the recommended re-commissioning of their HVAC systems to comply with CDC, SED, and ASHRAE standards, and confirm the systems are working properly?

Answer ~ The district meets all NYSED air distribution requirements. Filters will be changed more frequently on unit ventilators that do not accommodate MERV 13 filters. In rooms with radiant heat, we are installing HEPA air filtration units. Our HVAC contractor is doing preventative maintenance on all units and checking for proper operation. The windows are all being repaired to allow them to be utilized for increased air intake.

The district has purchased ample sanitizer and PPE supplies, and our BOCES is stockpiling these items as well.

(wood alcohol) and are safe?

Answer ~ The district is purchasing all hand sanitizers from a single source to make sure they are on the approved EPA approved list.

of the room. Has this been considered?

Answer ~ We will continue to review the most up-to-date Department of Health recommendations for cleaning and disinfection. 

Both buildings have day cleaners devoted to this task. High touch areas will be wiped down on a continuous basis and deep cleaned every two hours.

High touch areas will be wiped down on a continuous basis and deep cleaned every two hours.

Most toilets at the Jr.-Sr. High School are motion activated; sinks are not. We are installing motion activated paper towel dispensers.

The district will continue to follow New York State requirements to use green cleaning products

If EPA- and DEC*-registered products specifically labeled for SARS-CoV-2 are not available, the district will use a disinfectant labeled to be effective against rhinovirus and/or human coronavirus. If such products are unavailable, the district will prepare a fresh solution of approximately 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach in 1 quart of water.

District will follow the label directions when using disinfectants to ensure the target viruses are effectively killed. This includes adequate contact times (i.e., the amount of time a disinfectant should remain on surfaces to be effective), which may vary between five and ten minutes after application.

like symptoms, can my child return to school?

Answer ~ If your child has seen a healthcare provider and has a diagnoses with a medication order on file, please have your doctor provide the school with a diagnosis and medication that your child can have if needed to treat his/her symptoms during the school day. The nurse can assess the student’s symptoms, match the symptoms related to his/her diagnosis, provide the medication as-needed at school per orders on file. If the student feels better s/he can return back to class. If s/he does not feel better and needs to go home, s/he still needs to see a healthcare provider and tested for COVID.

After a failed screening, the school district will require, at a minimum, documentation from a health care provider of a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result and symptom resolution.

If the student’s COVID test comes back negative the student may return to school when:

• They have seen a Health care provider and have a doctor’s note that includes a diagnosis and clears them to return to school.

• There is no fever, without the use of fever reducing medicines, and they felt well for 24 hours.

If the student’s COVID test comes back positive they will NOT be in school and must stay home until:

• They have been released from isolation from the DoH

• It has been at least 10 days since the student first had symptoms;

• It has been at least three days since the student has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine); and

• It has been at least three days since the students symptoms improved including cough and shortness of breath

• The student must have a healthcare provider written note stating they are clear to return to school.

The isolation area will have appropriate physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and constant visual supervision.

Students who are experiencing COVID symptoms will remain in an isolated area that has access to a restroom and sink until they can be picked up by a parent and taken to a healthcare provider. Adults who are experiencing COVID symptoms will leave immediately to see his/her healthcare provider.

Schools must follow DoH and NYSED guidelines and will need to rely on parents/guardians screening their child at home each morning before coming to school for signs of illness including careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19. 

Any student with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection should not be present in school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keep an up to date list of symptoms of Coronavirus on its website.

This list is not all inclusive as some individuals may display other symptoms or none at all. As of 7/13/2020, the following are listed as the most common symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever or chills (100°F or greater)

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If a student stays home for symptoms, please contact your health care provider for further instructions.

Meals will be delivered by district staff according to a schedule developed in conjunction with parental requests.

so children can see each other/talk?

Answer ~ The desks need to remain where they are placed, however, students will be able to turn and talk with each other.

throughout the lunch line and seat-finding process.

Answer ~ Lunch lines will be marked on the floor to ensure physical distancing. Masks are required while in the line and on route to the seating area. All students will receive instructions on this during the first few days of school.

The district will ensure social distancing between individuals while eating in the school cafeteria. If not feasible, meals may be served in alternate areas (e.g., classrooms) or in staggered meal periods to ensure social distancing and proper cleaning and disinfection between students.

And if yes, will children have to wear masks?

Answer ~ The YMCA informed us that they will not be offering the Aftercare Program at LGES this year due to the level of compliance needed to provide a safe environment for students. The YMCA will revisit this decision in December 2020. Parents who currently use the Y Aftercare Program at LGES should contact the Glens Falls YMCA directly regarding possible enrollment at the Queensbury location. LGCSD cannot offer transportation as it is outside the district’s boundaries.

Signage is not an appropriate method of enforcing the rules with the elementary school aged groups.

Answer ~ During the first few days of school, all students will be instructed on effective hygiene practices, with reminders throughout the year as necessary.

for children who may not have access or be able to afford this option?

Answer ~ The district will provide disposable face masks for any student or staff member who needs it.

(including how to prevent aspiration of vomit while in a mask)?

Answer ~ During the first few days of school, all students will be instructed on proper use of face masks. Students will be taught to avoid vomiting in their masks.

lunch? Are they expected to bring hand sanitizer?

Answer ~ K-2 students will place their masks in small paper bags as they eat lunch. 3-12 students eating in the cafeteria will place their masks on their individual, sanitized tables. Both cafeterias will have an ample supply of hand sanitizer.

are already socially distanced?

Answer ~ Face coverings are “strongly recommended” by the New York Department of Health at all times, except for meals and instruction with appropriate social distancing.

student, teacher, or staff who…

Refuses to wear a mask

Does not wear mask properly

Does not have a mask that meets a minimum standard

Violates social distancing

Answer~ Reasonable accommodations will be provided on a case by case basis in accordance with education and employment law. The district mandates the following process in the case a mask can not be worn and will be determined on a case by case basis:

Student: Parent/Guardian will provide a written request/documentation to the building principal. Principal or designee will work with the family to determine next steps

Faculty/Staff: Written request with accompanying documentation will be sent to the immediate supervisor. Supervisor or designee will meet with employee to determine next steps

We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, live with a person who is at an increased risk, or simply do not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment. It is our goal that these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided on a case by case basis in accordance with education and employment law.

No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses, except for the safety and well-being of students. Parents/guardians will report to the front office and not go beyond unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. Parents will not be allowed to volunteer in classrooms and/or participate in classroom or school events. Essential visitors to facilities will be required to wear face coverings and will be restricted in their access to our school buildings. All visitors will have to have screening and temperature checks before entering the building.

with someone positive, will all students in the cohort be notified?

Answer ~ The District will follow the DOH’s contract tracing notification requirements.

before returning to school if they traveled to a state or country on the list?

Answer ~ Yes, families will be asked to complete a weekly self-screening questionnaire to affirm they do not have COVID symptoms, have not been exposed to an individual who has tested positive of COVID, and has not traveled internationally or to states identified with high rates of infections.

Not unless they are required by NYS or County Department of Health

No

Once schools open at Phase IV below 5% for a 14-day rolling average, schools can remain open even if the rate continues to rise above 5% until it reaches 9% for the 7-day average.

School administrators may consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely.

Schools may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. If infection rates are rising above 5%; consider modifying school operations for medically vulnerable students and staff if they are participating in in-person activities.

The district will consult its medical director and/or the local department of health when making such decisions.

Would it be just 1 or would it need to be more than 1? Would it matter if the person is a student or staff member?

Answer ~ LGCSD will partner with the County Department of Health for guidance. 

Will schools need to be closed for deep cleaning? What is the protocol for informing those that came in contact with the person(s)? What will the requirements be for contact tracing and testing? How long will staff or students need to be quarantined?

Answer ~ The District will work with the County Department of Health in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school. This includes:

Immediately notifying the state and local health departments if/when we become aware of a positive case and

Assisting in contact tracing efforts using logs and attendance records

Referring the individual to the County Department of Health for diagnostic testing as necessary

The specific return-to-school requirements of individuals who:

Fail a screening

Test positive for COVID-19 through a diagnostic test

Or have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19

If a laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 occurs, and the individual was symptomatic while in the school setting, the area(s) he/she was in or had contact with will be quarantined for 24 hours before the cleaning process will take place.

All staff will be informed of quarantined area(s) so they can take proper precautions.

The custodial staff will perform cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched areas throughout the school.

LGCSD is committed to providing our students as many of their end of year ceremonies and events to the extent that it will be possible. In the coming weeks, we will share further information about specific ceremonies/graduation/events as we receive more guidance from NYSED.

Teachers are utilizing video conferencing when appropriate. However our district’s expectation right now is to engage students and through a variety of tools to include video conferencing. In addition, there are additional barriers we are working through to ensure students and teachers have access and flexibility to allow connection and instruction at varying times and with varying tools.

Teachers, K-12, will be using Google Classroom as their main form of communication with students. Here they will be sharing engaging activities and tasks, both online and offline. They may also be sharing videos and or utilizing Google Meet to interact with the students based on their goals, needs, and accessibility. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any specific needs or accommodations.

All teachers are using Google Classroom. Parents and guardians can receive Guardian Summaries that will show Class Activity (announcements, assignments, teacher questions), Upcoming Work, and Missing Work. Parents and guardians can email their teachers to request a Guardian Invitation.

We committed to postponing as many events as we can while we await further information about how long the state wide closure will be. Many of these decisions hinge on the Governor’s Executive Order and the extension of school closure right now.

 Please try not to worry. We are mindful of the stress students and parents are experiencing right now, and we appreciate everything you’re doing at home to continue learning. We are committed to maximizing every students’ opportunities as much as possible right now. The guidance we have received and are following from NYSED is to provide continuity of education to ensure our students do not encounter any regression. This means our teachers are planning lessons around condensed standards and concepts to allow expansion of topics already learned. While we can’t know how this time will impact every student, we can assure you we are committed to staying connected and engaged with every student at LGCSD, and each teacher is monitoring the progress for each of their students.

We are mindful of the needs of all students, along with issues of equity. Please know that we are going to do everything we can to help all students, not just this school year, but next year and beyond. The general education teachers are in close communication and coordination with special education teachers and service providers. Related services are being offered to students, and compensatory or Extended School Year (ESY) services will be considered at CSE meetings. If you have specific questions about your child and their academics, please reach out to their teacher and/or guidance counselor.

We were disappointed that we had to cancel our K-12 Family Fun Night due to the coronavirus. However, right now, our highest priority is supporting our students, faculty/staff to engage and connect with the new shift to delivering new instruction. We are committed to hosting another “Family Fun Night” in the future. However, priority events such as awards ceremonies, spring concerts, graduation, moving up ceremonies, class trips and other “right of passage” events and getting back to teaching and learning (at school) will take precedence when we are able to transition back to physical school.

LGES will send home a report card in June that addresses the content that was covered.

At the Jr.-Sr. High School, students will have the opportunity to make up Third Quarter work through April 17, 2020. Students are encouraged to reach out to their teachers for guidance if needed. Third Quarter grades will close on April 20, and report cards will be mailed on April 24. We are discussing the nuances for Fourth Quarter report cards. We are mindful of accommodations for students with disabilities, equity, and implications on future standings. We expect further guidance on this from the region and state.

Please know that we are going to do everything we can to help all students succeed. The general education teachers are in close communication and coordination with special education teachers and service providers.

On March 27, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order regarding the extension of school closure through April 15, 2020. While we believe it is highly unlikely, please be aware that if the Governor does not extend the school closure past April 15th, we would have to return to school on Thursday, April 16. We will continue to monitor all available guidance and directives and keep you informed if this changes. Again, from everything we have seen and heard thus far, we anticipate the April 15 date will be extended.

Our K-12 counselors have collected a wide variety of resources to support students and families during this stressful time. Please visit the "Support" tab on this website by clicking here and explore all the links.

We are collaborating with all 31 districts in our region, along with the WSWHE BOCES, on problem solving, best practices, and remote learning. This has truly been a region-wide effort.

With the knowledge that the school closure will last (at the very least) through April 15, the LGCSD Leadership Team came together to revise the district-wide plan for continuity of learning. On Monday, April 6, 2020, we will incrementally shift from review and enrichment to instruction of new material.  Parallel to the shift to new instruction, we will move into new structures for curriculum and remote learning. These structures will help teachers, students, and families manage time and expectations in a meaningful way. Additionally, teams, departments, and grade levels will develop a condensed curriculum that prioritizes and condenses the NYS learning standards that are the foundation of future learning. We can not recreate school as we know it and we do not expect teachers and students to cover all of the curriculum that they would typically cover in person.

 On Monday, April 6, 2020, we will begin moving into the new structures for curriculum and remote learning outlined below. These structures will help teachers, students, and families manage time and expectations in a meaningful way. Students should be expected to spend the following amount of time on their school work at home, including: learning new material, watching instructional videos, participating in class chats, and completing assigned work:

K-6: 

1-2 hours daily of instruction (this includes AIS and RtI interventions) 

½ hour special daily (PE, Art, Music, Library, STEM)

7-12: 

2 hours/week individually for each subject (ELA, math, science, social studies and world language)

1.5 hour/week individually for each other subject

These guidelines were structured with the intent of giving families the flexibility of creating daily schedules that work best for them.

Yes, with the Governor’s executive order regarding the extension of school closure through April 15, 2020, we will incrementally shift from review and enrichment to instruction of new material. Teachers may begin exposing students to new learning for the weeks ahead during the school closure. This will begin taking place in the Elementary School on Monday, April 6, and for the Jr.-Sr. High School by April 20. The curriculum will be condensed and focused on foundational learning. We can not recreate school as we know it and we do not expect teachers and students to cover all of the curriculum that they would typically cover in person.

Yes, please check in with your child’s teacher on Google Classroom or by email. Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation ~ it’s very important from a social-emotional point of view that we all stay connected!

On Monday, April 6, 2020, we will begin moving into the new structures for curriculum and remote learning. These structures will help teachers, students, and families manage time and expectations in a meaningful way. Additionally, teams, departments, and grade levels will develop a condensed curriculum that prioritizes the NYS learning standards that are the foundation of future learning. We don’t expect teachers and students to cover all of the curriculum that they would typically cover in person.

These are difficult times for all of us and sometimes it’s hard to recognize the signs of mental/emotional exhaustion in our children because they present different symptoms. We encourage you to look through the resources our counselors have put together on our COVID-19 webpage by clicking here . Please reach out to us if you need someone to talk to.

The NYS assessments are a benchmark for students; they don’t factor into grade-level determinations. Please be assured our teachers are doing everything they can to help all children and get them to the next grade level on time.

The prom committee is working closely with Mr. Cocozza to reschedule the date of the Junior Prom. Communication about this item will be coming in the very near future.

Some suggestions ~

•  Drop off a grocery gift card at the HS little theater between 8:00- 9:00am for those LG families in need at this time. 

•  Send a photo with a message to a local nursing home

•  Send us your #518Rainbow photos, learning at home photos, or other optimistic photos (we love to see learning with pets!) to share at sullivanT@lkgeorge.org