ELEMENTARY REOPENING INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN

As we reopen our schools to our Elementary students, we are so grateful for everyone’s efforts to provide and support our virtual instruction in the first quarter. After much collaboration and planning, FCCPS is offering our K-5 parents/guardians two instructional model options from which they may choose, for the second quarter. The details are provided below. If you have any specific questions in regard to reopening, please email: reopening@fccps.org

  • Cohort 2 (Grades K-5) will remain in hybrid instruction until April 6, when they will return to full time in-person instruction, five days a week with a teaching force of staff who are fully vaccinated.

  • Teams at each school are finalizing the in-person, five days a week model. Parents have until March 15th to make their Intent choice known.

OPTIONS BEGINNING APRIL 6TH

  • 5 Full Days of In Person Learning
    This will be on the regular "pre-pandemic" schedule for both TJ (8:50-3:50) and Mount Daniel (8:50-3:50), with the traditional early release Wednesdays at 1:15 pm in place for the remainder of the year. Each school will implement mitigation procedures and work to ensure that as much continuity of instruction as possible is provided.

  • Virtual Instruction
    We will continue to offer families a virtual model. Please be aware that as we reopen to larger numbers of students in person, we are going to have to make some adjustments. It is the case that virtual students likely will not keep the teachers they currently have for the remaining portion of the school year. A schedule for their instruction will be provided and will involve approximately 3-4 hours of direction instruction plus access to encore/specials via projects, choice boards and other virtual activities for support.

Upon our return to full in-person instruction, all cohorts will remain in in-person instruction except those who have opted to remain in the virtual model. Any moves to virtual will be based on the need to “pause” isolated groups to allow for contact tracing or other similar issues. FCCPS will make these decisions in collaboration with the Fairfax Health Department.

CURRENT INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL OPTIONS

LEARNING MODEL SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Hybrid Learning Environment Overview

  • Access to core curriculum in person and encore classes online

  • Tuesday-Friday, ½ day in the school building, ½ day virtual

  • Monday independent learning with a live virtual morning meeting

  • Students remain with current teacher and class

  • Students are assigned to either the morning or afternoon in-person session based on the last name

  • Live virtual instruction with current classroom teacher if students have to be out of school for any reason 

All Virtual Learning Environment Overview

  • Access to core curriculum via a live feed from the classroom and encore classes online

  • Tuesday-Friday, two ½ day virtual sessions

  • Monday independent learning with a live virtual morning meeting

  • Students remain with current teacher and class

  • Students are assigned to session based on results from the FCCPS Elementary Intention Form and availability of classroom cameras

Please review the detailed information below to help provide information that will guide decision-making. 

OPTION 1: HYBRID INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Friday

Students in grades K-5 will receive access to core instruction (math, language arts, science, and social studies) via face-to-face live instruction in the school building with their current assigned classroom teacher.

  • Instruction will occur Tuesday-Friday for 3 hours a day, using a half-day model.

  • Students with last names beginning with the letters A-K will attend school during the morning session from 8:50 a.m.-11:50 a.m.

  • Students with last names beginning with the letters L-Z will attend school during the afternoon session from 12:50 p.m.-3:50 p.m.

  • Please Note: Special consideration regarding assignments to an AM/PM schedule will be given to families with multiple students in their household and those with transportation needs.

  • The additional three hours of the day for a student will include live encore instruction via Schoology from their current encore teachers and independent self-paced learning time.

    • During this time, activities will be provided by classroom, encore, intervention teachers, and/or specialists. Some examples include; Dreambox, MyOn, choice boards, and practice work.

Sample Hybrid Student Schedule

*Each school is developing its own detailed daily schedule  

Time

8:50 - 11:50
AM

11:50 - 12:50
PM

12:50 - 3:50
PM

Hybrid Student 1
Tuesday-Friday
Morning Session in Person

  • Morning Meeting

  • Mathematics

  • Recess

  • Language Arts

  • Science/Social Studies

Lunch
Bus Movement
Classroom Cleaning

  • Encore

  • Independent Work

  • Choice Work

Hybrid Student 2
Tuesday-Friday
Afternoon Session in Person

  • Encore

  • Independent Work

  • Choice Work

Lunch
Bus Movement
Classroom Cleaning

  • Morning Meeting

  • Mathematics

  • Recess

  • Language Arts

  • Science/Social Studies

MONDAYS ARE INDEPENDENT LEARNING DAYS:
School buildings will be closed for students. There will be no in-person learning for students on Mondays.

  • Every Monday, students will engage in a live virtual morning meeting with their classroom teacher for 20-30 minutes. This will allow students to connect with their peers and continue to provide social-emotional learning opportunities.

  • Teachers will also assign self-paced independent work for students to complete for half of the day. Some examples include; Dreambox, MyOn, choice boards, and practice work.

Monday Schedule for All Students (Hybrid AM & PM Groups)

  • Classroom Meeting (SEL)

Independent/Self-Directed Work for students, which could include:

  • Dreambox for Math

  • MyOn for Reading/Language Arts

  • Pioneer Valley

  • Choice board or Project Activities

  • IXL for Special Education Students (Language Arts & Math)

  • Independent Reading

  • Independent Skills Practice

Interventions & Other Supports with

  • Specialists

  • ESOL Teachers

  • Special Education Teachers & Related Service Providers

  • Gifted Services

LIVE STREAMING FROM CLASSROOM TO SUPPORT CONTINUITY OF LEARNING:
Classroom teachers will be using a camera to stream instruction to the virtual students via Schoology Conferences. These lessons will continue to be recorded.

  • The content from live streaming is kept safe and secure by being integrated into Schoology and allows only students enrolled in the class to view the live streaming.

  • Classroom teachers will be working with both hybrid and virtual students concurrently to ensure all are engaged in the learning.

  • This strategy supports continuity of learning should school be interrupted for any reason.

  • If students are attending in a hybrid model and need to be out of school for any reason, they will continue to receive instruction virtually from their classroom teacher. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES:

  • Special education students participating in the Hybrid model will have their IEPs implemented. Some services will be provided in person and some virtually.

  • Students will have access to special education and related services, as outlined in their IEP. IEP Case Managers and the Special Education Administrator will work with families to ensure continuity of learning.

  • IEP teams will reconvene, if needed, to address any issues.

  • Schedules will be individualized based upon the individual needs of students. 

STUDENTS WITH 504 PLANS:

  • Students with 504 Plans will continue to have access to their accommodations and supports. These will be provided during both in-person and face-to-face instruction.

  • 504 Case Managers will work with families to ensure students are supported.

ESOL STUDENTS:

  • English learners will participate in the hybrid model and have their ESOL services embedded throughout the face-to-face day. 

  • ESOL teachers will provide small group and co-taught instruction meeting the language needs of the English learners while also supporting general education teachers in supporting students.

GIFTED EDUCATION STUDENTS:

  • Gifted learners who participate in the Hybrid model will engage with GT services embedded concurrently through large and small group virtual instruction. The type of service will depend on the student’s GT level and scheduling. All students will receive appropriate services based on their GT levels. 

  • GT specialists will provide virtual and/or face-to-face support to meet the gifted needs of the GT learners and will assist general education teachers in supporting GT students.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROVIDED TO ALL STUDENTS: 

There will be a one hour block from 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. for students to transition to/from school and eat lunch. 

  • All students will have access to breakfast and lunch at no cost. 

  • Students attending school in the morning may pick up a breakfast upon arrival and will be provided a bagged lunch to take home with them upon dismissal. 

  • Students attending in the afternoon may pick up a bagged lunch upon arrival and eat it in their classroom when they arrive. 

  • Afternoon students are encouraged to eat lunch at home, but may bring their lunch from home if necessary.

  • All students will eat socially distanced, opportunities to eat outside will be available if the weather permits. 

  • Food sharing is not allowed, and no other outside food will be permitted. 

  • There will be no school instructional activities involving food permitted. 

  • Any family with a virtual model student can continue to participate in our food pick-up support services.

RECESS & OUTDOOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Students will be provided with opportunities to go outside for recess, weather permitting. 

  • Outdoor areas will be used to provide additional learning spaces as the weather permits. 

  • Portable canopies have been provided to each school to help facilitate this process. 

  • Please monitor the weather and send your student with a jacket as needed.

TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM SCHOOL:
The number of students being bused will be limited due to physical distancing (one student per seat)

  • Increased walk zones due to limited numbers of students that will fit on each bus to maintain social distancing. 

  • If you reside in the expanded walk zone, transportation will not be provided. 

  • If you reside outside the walk zone and will not need transportation, we’ll ask you to let us know so we can potentially allocate that space to another student. 

  • The new walk zone maps for each school are available here: https://www.fccps.org/page/bus-routes

EXTENDED DAY CARE PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES:
Before School Care for AM class students and After School Care for PM class students will be available to current Extended Day Care families. 

  • There is a waiting list but will consider new families after all of the current families have been accommodated. 

  • FCCPS will continue to monitor space and staffing, and both Extended Day Care and Recreation and Parks may offer additional services to families as we move forward. 

  • Please contact Katie Clinton via email at clintonk@fccps.org with questions and for additional information.

WATER FOUNTAINS & WATER BOTTLES: 

  • Based on guidance from the CDC and Fairfax County Health Department, water fountains or “bubblers” will not be available to students in school. 

  • Water bottle fillers will be open to students where available. 

  • Students are encouraged to bring their own personal water bottle from home for use during the school day.

  • Water will be available to students.

BUILDING/CLASSROOM CLEANING PROTOCOLS:

  • All buildings are deep cleaned and sanitized every night. 

  • High touch areas are cleaned multiple times during the day. 

  • Classrooms and other areas will be cleaned in between AM & PM groups. 

  • Shared materials will be cleaned at night as well as needed.

VENTILATION INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS:

  • TJES - The HVAC system at TJ was installed in 2016 and being one of our newer systems has a computer controlled economizer that adjusts airflow based on outside conditions. The economizer uses a system of sensors and dampers to adjust the amount of outside air brought in, amount of recirculated air and the amount exhausted from the building. The purpose is to increase operational efficiency of the system by reducing the energy consumption by reducing the amount of cooling/heating needed. The average position for the units are ranging around 20%, but the system can go up to 30% if needed. It will never fall below 12% as that is what we have the minimum setpoint set to. 

  • Mt. Daniel ES -  The HVAC system at Mt. Daniel has 3 separate systems installed in 2005, 2016 and 2018 respectively. The 2005 system is much like the system at MEHMS and has manually adjustable dampers. Currently the dampers in that space are set to 20% outside air. The 2016 and 2018 systems, being newer systems, have a computer controlled economizer that adjusts airflow based on outside conditions. The economizer uses a system of sensors and dampers to adjust the amount of outside air brought in, amount of recirculated air and the amount exhausted from the building. The purpose is to increase operational efficiency of the system by reducing the energy consumption by reducing the amount of cooling/heating needed. The average position for the units are ranging around 20%, but the system can go up to as much as 50-60% if required by the economizer sensors. It will never fall below 12% as that is what we have the minimum setpoint set to. 

  • Jessie Thackrey PreSchool - The HVAC system and JTPS was installed in 2014 and being one of our newer systems has a computer controlled economizer that adjusts airflow based on outside conditions. The economizer uses a system of sensors and dampers to adjust the amount of outside air brought in, amount of recirculated air and the amount exhausted from the building. The purpose is to increase operational efficiency of the system by reducing the energy consumption by reducing the amount of cooling/heating needed. The average position for the units are ranging around 20%, but the system can go up to 30% if needed. It will never fall below 12% as that is what we have the minimum setpoint set to. 

IMMUNIZATIONS & FLU SHOTS:

  • All students who attend in person must have all immunizations and/or physicals completed prior to attending school in the Hybrid Learning Model. Students who do not have updated documentation on file with their school can not access the school building. Please contact your school if you need more information or support with this process. 

  • All students are encouraged to obtain a flu shot prior to attending school. This is not required but highly encouraged. Please consult your health care provider regarding this topic.

DAILY HEALTH SCREENINGS:

  • It is required that families self-monitor, remain home, and inform the school immediately if the student or any member of the household: 

    • Is sick with COVID-Like Illness; or 

    • Has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14-days; or 

    • Are being tested for COVID-19; or 

    • Has a COVID positive person in their household; or 

    • Has some other known exposures and have been instructed to quarantine by a health official or health care provider 

  • Families are required to conduct a daily health screening prior to sending their student to school, and any “YES” answer(s) to the questions below will require the student to remain home 

    • Does your student have any of the symptoms listed below that are not caused by another known condition? (Please answer “YES or NO” since their last day in the building.) Has the student had any of the following: 

      • A new fever (100.4°F or higher) or a sense of having a fever? 

      • A new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition? 

      • New shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition? 

      • New chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition? 

      • A new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition?

      • New muscle aches (myalgia) that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity (such as physical exercise)?

TEMPERATURE CHECKS: 

  • All students will have temperatures checked before entering an FCCPS building.

  • Temperatures will be checked by staff prior to any student riding a school bus. 

  • Each school will have a process for checking the temperatures of: 

    • Car Riders (check temperatures prior to exiting the vehicle) 

    • Walkers (check temperatures prior to entering the building) 

    • Late Students (temperatures will be checked upon arrival) 

    • Visitors (check temperatures upon arrival) 

  • Any student with a temperature of 100.4 F will not be able to access in-person learning.

FACE COVERINGS/MASKS: 

  • All students and staff will wear a face covering while at school and on the bus. 

  • We recognize that some students may struggle with this at first, but school staff will work in collaboration with parents to support children with this process. 

  • Additional support will be provided to students will medical conditions, developmental issues, and disabilities which make wearing a face-covering difficult. 

  • While the goal will be to increase the stamina of students wearing face coverings, “mask breaks” will be allowed as needed/appropriate. 

  • Please send your student with an extra face covering if possible. 

  • Face coverings will be provided by the school should a student forget theirs.

SOCIAL DISTANCING: 

  • Everyone should observe social distancing guidelines. 

  • Staff/students should remain 6 feet apart as possible. 

  • Passing someone is not a high risk. 

  • Remaining near someone for greater than 15 minutes creates a potential exposure. 

  • Visual supports and reminders for social distancing have been strategically placed across our school buildings to support students with social distancing.

HAND WASHING/ HAND SANITIZING: 

  • Frequent handwashing is the most critical practice for preventing the spread of disease.

  • Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the gold standard. 

  • Both staff and students should wash their hands upon arriving in the classroom, before/after eating, before/after using the bathroom, and before/after recess at a minimum. 

  • Sanitizing is appropriate when the opportunity for hand washing is not available. 

  • Hand sanitizing stations have been placed strategically throughout buildings across the division.

HEALTH CLINIC SERVICES & PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES: 

  • Each school’s health clinic is open and staffed daily by School Health Aides. 

  • Clinics are essential to the health and well being of the school setting. 

  • Public Health Nurses are in place to support each school in the division. 

  • Please contact the school regarding any health or medical needs your student may have before attending in person.

PROCESS FOR WHEN STUDENTS ARE ILL AT SCHOOL: 

  • Any student who becomes ill at school will be sent to the health room. 

  • The School Health Aide will screen students. 

  • Students who meet the criteria for COVID Like Illness will be sent to a designated isolation area in the school with one/one supervision and support from staff. 

  • Parents will be called to pick up their student immediately (Please note: Any siblings or household members enrolled in our schools must go home as well.) 

  • Any students sent home with COVID-Like Illness symptoms will be required to provide a statement from a health care provider, clearing them to return OR provide a negative COVID test result in order to return to in-person learning. 

  • These procedures are in place to ensure all our students, staff, and families’ health and safety.

SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES: 
When the division is notified of a COVID positive case in our schools, all those who could be impacted will be placed on a brief 2-day “pause” for in-person learning. 

  • This allows for deep cleanings to occur and for the Fairfax County Health Department & FCCPS to conduct contact tracing. 

  • Students and staff who could have come in contact with a COVID positive case will transition to virtual learning, online activities and/or independent learning for two days to allow for cleaning and contact tracing to occur. 

  • Individuals identified as a direct contact or exposure (closer than 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) will remain in a virtual learning environment for approximately ten additional school days for quarantine based on guidance from the Fairfax County Health Department. 

  • Individuals who are not considered direct contacts or exposures will return after the 2-day pause to in-person learning. 

  • FCCPS will notify families regarding the need to “pause.” 

  • The Fairfax County Health Department will contact families during contact tracing only if their student was exposed. 

  • A general notification will be provided to the impacted school community regarding the outcome of the event. NO SPECIFIC INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY FOR ALL INVOLVED. Again this process is ONLY implemented when there is a COVID-19 positive case result.

OPTION 2: VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

SCHEDULE:
Tuesday-Friday 

Students in grades K-5 will receive access to core curriculum (math, language arts, science, and social studies). 

  • This will occur on Tuesday through Friday, following the same schedule as the hybrid students (8:50-11:50 a.m. and 12:50-3:50 p.m.). 

  • Virtual students will watch live lessons as the teacher concurrently instructs the in-person hybrid students. 

  • Virtual students will engage in small groups with their teacher and peers using a camera placed in the classroom. This is a different format than what students have been experiencing online thus far. 

  • Virtual students will be assigned to either a morning or afternoon core curriculum session with their current teacher, based on the results from the FCCPS Elementary Intention Form.

The additional three hours of the day for a student will include live encore instruction via Schoology from their current encore teachers and an independent self-paced learning time.

  • Activities during this time will be provided by classroom, encore, intervention teachers, and/or specialists. Some examples include; Dreambox, MyOn, choice boards, and practice work.

Sample Virtual Student Schedule

*Each school is developing its own detailed daily schedule  

Time

8:50 - 11:50
AM

11:50 - 12:50
PM

12:50 - 3:50
PM

Virtual Student 1
Tuesday-Friday
Core Curriculum Session in the Morning

  • Morning Meeting

  • Mathematics

  • Recess

  • Language Arts

  • Science/Social Studies

Lunch Break

  • Encore

  • Independent Work

  • Choice Work

Virtual Student 2
Tuesday-Friday
Core Curriculum Session in the Afternoon

  • Encore

  • Independent Work

  • Choice Work

Lunch Break

  • Morning Meeting

  • Mathematics

  • Recess

  • Language Arts

  • Science/Social Studies

MONDAYS ARE INDEPENDENT LEARNING DAYS:
Teachers will be engaged with professional development and collaborative planning on Mondays. School buildings will be closed for students. There will be no in-person learning for students on Mondays 

  • Every Monday, students will engage in a live virtual morning meeting with their classroom teacher for 20-30 minutes. This will allow students to connect with their peers and continue to provide social-emotional learning opportunities. 

  • Teachers will also assign self-paced independent work for students to complete for half of the day. Some examples include; Dreambox, MyOn, choice boards, and practice work.

Monday Schedule for All Students (All Virtual Students)

  • Classroom Meeting (SEL)

Independent/Self-Directed Work for students, which could include:

  • Dreambox for Math

  • MyOn for Reading/Language Arts

  • Pioneer Valley

  • Choice board or Project Activities

  • IXL for Special Education Students (Language Arts & Math)

  • Independent Reading

  • Independent Skills Practice

Interventions & Other Supports with

  • Specialists

  • ESOL Teachers

  • Special Education Teachers & Related Service Providers

  • Gifted Services

LIVE STREAMING FROM CLASSROOM TO SUPPORT CONTINUITY OF LEARNING:
Classroom teachers will be using a camera to stream instruction to the virtual students via Schoology Conferences. These lessons will continue to be recorded. 

  • The content from live streaming is kept safe and secure by being integrated into Schoology and allows only students enrolled in the class to view the live streaming. 

  • Classroom teachers will be working with both hybrid and virtual students concurrently to ensure all are engaged in the learning.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES: 

  • Special education students participating in the Virtual model will have their IEPs implemented. 

  • Students will have access to special education and related services, as outlined in their IEP.

  • IEP Case Managers and the Special Education Administrator will work with families to ensure continuity of learning. 

  • IEP teams will reconvene, if needed, to address any issues. 

  • Schedules will be individualized based upon the individual needs of students.

STUDENTS WITH 504 PLANS:

  • Students with 504 Plans will continue to have access to their accommodations and supports in the virtual setting. 

  • 504 Case Managers will work with families to ensure students are supported.

ESOL STUDENTS:
English learners who participate virtually will engage with ESOL services embedded concurrently with face-to-face services or small group virtual instruction. The type of service will depend on the student’s language level and scheduling. All students will receive appropriate services based on their WIDA levels.

GIFTED EDUCATION STUDENTS: 

  • Gifted learners who participate virtually will engage with GT services embedded concurrently through large and small group virtual instruction. The type of service will depend on the student’s GT level and scheduling. All students will receive appropriate services based on their GT levels. 

  • GT specialists will provide virtual opportunities to meet the gifted needs of the GT learners and will assist general education teachers in supporting GT students.

LUNCH & NUTRITION SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IN THE VIRTUAL MODEL: 

  • Students will have a break for lunch each day. 

  • Any family with a student in the Virtual Model can continue to participate in our food pick-up support services.

EXTENDED DAY CARE PROGRAM: 

  • Extended Day Care will not be available to students in the Virtual Instructional Program.