New London School Board approves guidelines

By John Faucher

The New London School Board approved a plan to reopen certain spaces within the district for student use starting July 6.

District Administrator Scott Bleck presented reentry expectations and guidelines to the board at a June 22 special school board meeting.

The statewide “Safer at Home” order that closed school facilities will expire on June 30.

“The intent is to slowly reopen select spaces within the district for student usage,” said Bleck.

A district reentry subcommittee met June 17 and will continue to meet throughout the summer to further develop a districtwide reentry plan for the start of the 2020-21 academic year.

The July 6 reopening of activity spaces, such as athletic fields, gymnasiums, locker rooms and the fitness center, will follow approved procedures that outline general expectations, staff responsibilities, student responsibilities and custodial responsibilities.

The district fitness center will remain closed to the general public.

Bleck noted the guidelines are “a starting point for programs” and are subject to change at any time for the safety of students and district employees.

“This would address between now and the beginning of the academic year when students would come back. So for our activity spaces and students coming in, this would be their expectations,” said Bleck.

“Districtwide reentry guidelines for a mass reopening are still in the process of being developed with the release of recommendations and guidance from the state,” Bleck reported.

“I vision that expectations of our back to school reentry plan will look slightly different, or some elements may be similar in nature.”

Bleck said communication with the board will be ongoing as reentry planning for the academic year is developed.

Guidelines

All instructors, coaches, advisers and students must complete a UW Health COVID 19 Screening Form each day upon entering facilities and participating in any programming.

The six-point checklist, including temperature monitoring, will be managed by staff with daily screening record protocol.

Anyone with a yes response or temperature of 100.3 or higher will be sent home.

Wearing a mask is voluntary and social distancing will be recommended and used when appropriate.

Attendance records will be kept of all individuals present, and each participant must sign up for specific days and times prior to entry.

No more than 20 students may be present in the fitness center room or gym at one time.

Other spaces will be determined on an individual basis.

Instructors will teach and reinforce healthy hygiene practices.

Supplies to support those practices will be provided.

Equipment will be cleaned before and after each individual use and surfaces and objects that are frequently used will be routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Students will be required to wear appropriate clothing to prevent sweat from transmitting onto surfaces, and they are not allowed to share items between each other.

Participants shall bring their own water bottles, and drinking fountains will be out of service.

Extra custodial cleaning will be completed frequently in used areas.

Movement within the building will follow prescribed routes of travel to get to the fitness room, gym, activity room, team rooms and outdoor facilities.

Locker rooms and bathroom facilities will be available.

However, lockers and showers will not be available.

Students and staff are asked to keep all personal items in a gym bag that will stay with the owner.

Students must also provide a signed guideline agreement acknowledgment from a parent or guardian before using facilities and participating in activities.

Bleck said the complete list of July 6 re-entry expectations and guidelines have been forwarded to Waupaca County Public Health Services for feedback.