Return to School Plan

Families Have a Choice - Online or In Person Learning
All PLCS Families will be given an option for how they return to school for the 2020-21 school year. All families can choose if they want to attend school in person with a teacher teaching the classroom, or the remote learning program conducted online. Details for both programs can be found below. If you choose to attend the in person program you do not need to do anything. Enrollment for the remote learning program closed on Friday, July 31st.

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Protect the Physical & Mental Health of Students and Staff

What is PLCS doing to keep students and staff healthy & safe?

Requiring masks for all students and staff.

Implementing social distancing where feasible.

Implementing personal protective equipment (PPE) like face shields and acrylic barriers.

Cleaning of desks between student use.

Cleaning of high touch areas frequently throughout day.

Extensive cleaning and disinfecting every night.

All supplies & equipment cleaned between uses - limit sharing of supplies.

Limiting visitors to schools during school day and use of school facilities by outside groups.

What will families do to keep everyone safe?

Wear Masks! Masks are required for all staff and students. Built in mask breaks at all levels.

Complete daily screening at home via the app or link provided.

Stay home if sick or showing any symptoms - Don’t take a chance!

Practice good hygiene (hand washing, cough etiquette, etc.) at all times.

Social distance where feasible.

New guidelines to keep students and staff healthy & safe in school

Essential visitors to school by appointment only. No outside speakers or volunteers in classrooms.

Hand sanitizer used before entering and exiting classroom & lunchroom.

Hand washing times built into the schedule.

Parents must remain in cars during drop off and pick up or meet child off school property while social distancing.

No outside food deliveries or any deliveries.

Virtual school assemblies only.

Field trips & guest speakers brought to the classroom virtually.

Transportation vehicles will have increased cleaning between uses. All students and drivers will wear masks.

All large group parent gatherings such as open house and family nights will be remote.

Two health offices in all schools, one for sick kids and one for routine business like distribution of medications.

Drinking fountains will be closed - students encouraged to bring water bottles.

Currently all middle school and high school athletics and activities are scheduled to proceed

Provide Students With Quality Education Face to Face

First Half-Day of School: August 11th

NO SCHOOL for 8th grade or 10-12 grade

K-6 Early Release 11:40 a.m. -12:10 p.m. (staggered)

7th grade Early Release 11:00 a.m.

9th grade PLSHS Release 12:00 p.m.

9th grade PLHS Release 1:00 p.m.

First Full Day of School: August 12th

K-12th grade

*Reminder: All middle school and high school students have late start on Wednesdays.

Click below to view plans for each school level:

Elementary School Plan
Details specific to your school will be shared by your principal.
- Staggered start times (7:50-8:15) and dismissal times (2:30-3:00) to minimize large groups of students.
- Students report directly to classroom - no walking club.
- Students will primarily remain with their classroom group throughout day.
- All instruction occurs in the classroom.
- Specials held in the classroom.
  - (PE may be outside when possible)
- Reteach key curriculum concepts from prior year.
- Prioritize reading, math and social emotional learning.
- Lunch delivered to the classroom.
- One morning and one afternoon recess with time for hand washing.
- Outdoor Ed will continue, but no overnight stay.
- Built in mask breaks.
- Limited after school clubs.
Middle School Plan
Details specific to your school will be shared by your principal.
- Expanded lunchtime and seating to social distance and limit large gatherings.
- Students report directly to designated area by team.
- Staggered dismissal times and exit doors.
- Limited number of students in lunch line.
- Lunch will have no self serve buffet lines.
- Students remain with their team throughout the day, teams will not mix.
- To keep students moving in hallways, no hallway lockers will be used - backpacks can be carried at all times.
- All food service staff will wear masks & gloves.
- Reteach key curriculum concepts from prior year.
- Built in mask breaks.
- Classroom labs will use social distancing and small groups of students.
- Limited after school clubs.
- Limited number of students allowed into PE locker room area at one time. PE lockers will be used.
High School Plan
Details specific to your school will be shared by your principal.
- Students who arrive prior to 7:35 a.m. report to designated area and social distance.
- Expanded lunchtime and seating to social distance and limit large gatherings.
- Limited number of students in lunch line.
- After 7:35 a.m. students report directly to 1st hour classroom.
- To keep students moving in hallways, no hallway lockers will be used - backpacks can be carried at all times.
- Lunch will have no self serve buffet lines.
- Students will need to keep moving in hallways with no congregation of large groups.
- All food service staff will wear masks & gloves.
- Classroom labs will use social distancing and small groups of students.
- Staggered dismissal times by grade level - exit different doors.
- Reteach key curriculum concepts from prior year.
- Built in mask breaks
- Limited number of students allowed into PE locker room area at one time. PE lockers will be used.
Remote Learning Program
PLCS Offers Remote Learning Option
At the July 27, 2020 Board Meeting the PLCS Board of Education voted to offer parents a choice on the return to school plan. All students can choose if they want to attend school in person with a teacher teaching the classroom, or the remote learning program conducted online. Below are more details specific to the newly added remote program. Families will need to enroll students by Friday, July 31, 2020 if they would like to participate in the remote learning program.

Remote Learning Program Commitment
- PLCS is committed to providing students the basic education necessary to keep students on grade level and obtain credits for graduation.
- The remote program will look different from a traditional learning day at school. It is a completely separate program from the face to face direct instruction.
- Courses will be taught by PLCS teachers separate from the regular classroom teachers providing direct face to face instruction in the classroom.
Logistics
- Remote learning will begin on August 18, 2020.
- Students must enroll for a semester. At semester students may choose to move to on campus or continue remotely.
- Each grade level at the elementary will be assigned a district teacher(s) to facilitate remote learning across buildings.
- Each course at the middle school and high school will be assigned a teacher to facilitate remote learning.
- Teachers will be giving instruction over zoom and/or assigning work for students to complete. Work will be graded accordingly.
- All completed assignments will need to be submitted electronically to the teacher.
- A specific schedule will be assigned once all of the enrollment is complete.
- Attendance will be taken and students will be expected to be online during their scheduled times.
- There will be an hour break for lunch. The rest of the day students will need to be online or completing assignments.
- Course offerings/curriculum will be limited at each level, elementary, middle school and high school.
- Limited technology will be available for families, priority will be given to those with the greatest need.
- Students enrolled in the remote program will NOT be allowed to participate in athletics or activities at the school. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Students will be enrolled in the remote learning program at PLCS with students from throughout the District. They will not be assigned to their current school and therefore will not receive communication and update from their school.
- Students with IEPs and 504s will continue to receive services.
How do I enroll in the Remote Learning Program?
Enrollment for the remote learning program closed on Friday, July 31, 2020.

Course Offerings
ELEMENTARY
- Learning will focus on reading, writing, math science and social studies.
- A limited number of specials will be offered.
- Can not participate in activities or athletics.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Core subjects will be taught at both 7th and 8th grade. This includes, English language arts, math, science, social studies.
- A few electives will be offered. There will be no band or chorus offered.
- Can not participate in activities or athletics.
HIGH SCHOOL
- General core classes will be offered (example: 9th English language arts, math, science, and social studies).
- Only general level courses will be offered.
- Some elective courses will be offered using APEX and previously offered online course work.
- If you enroll in the remote program, you cannot participate in the academy program.
- Can not participate in activities or athletics.
Remote Learning Program Teachers
Remote teachers are currently being identified.
PLCS is committed to protecting our already hard working teachers and our goal is to not increase their workload.
Classroom teachers that would like to earn extra money may have the opportunity to do so by teaching a class or working with students via the remote program. This would be volunteer only and will be paid as an extra duty.

Masks Required for all students and staff

Mask Guidelines

PLCS is requiring masks for anyone over the age of 2 entering a school or school property. Each school is planning designated mask breaks for students throughout the day. Mask breaks will be built into the day at all levels. Masks will not be required by students when exercising during PE, at recess or during lunch. Accommodations will be made for students with a medical condition that prohibit them from wearing a mask.

Students and staff can wear their own masks or a reusable mask will be provided. Masks must follow the district dress code.

Why Masks?
As we focus on keeping students and staff safe and in school as long as possible, masks are a critical factor. In the event that a student at school tests positive for COVID-19, wearing masks is a key factor in determining what other students and staff need to be quarantined or removed from school and activities. Masks will help keep students and staff safe and keep students in school!

Click for more information on masks and what national and state organizations support masks in schools.

Complete Daily Screening

All staff and families will need to complete a daily screening prior to arriving at school each day.

It is VERY critical that if showing any symptom - stay home.

Today, we ask ALL students and staff to stay home if you have even the slightest symptom of COVID-19.

PLCS partners with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center to help families conduct daily screening for COVID-19

Through a partnership with Children’s Hospital, all PLCS families will have access to a screening app that can be completed daily on your phone or any device.

The app will be located in the PLCS district app, a link will be on the PLCS website and a QR code will be available.

This screening tool will walk families through a series of questions and give you action steps that need to be taken based on your answers.

Daily screening is critical in keeping all students and staff healthy and in school.

COVID-19 & PLCS

Return to School Plan

Protect the Physical & Mental Health of Students and Staff

Provide Students With Quality Education Face to Face

Click below to view plans for each school level:

Elementary School Plan

Middle School Plan

High School Plan

Remote Learning Program

Masks Required for all students and staff

Mask Guidelines

Complete Daily Screening

PLCS partners with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center to help families conduct daily screening for COVID-19

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