In an effort to ensure the safety of our students and staff, we have put forth this set of guidelines that will become common practices for the school setting, where CDC Guidelines will be followed when feasible. While Gulf District Schools has provided a framework for each school’s plan, each plan is unique to its student and staff population, as well as its facility’s design and layout. We realize that our understanding of Covid-19 is ever-changing, and for that reason, we will continue to re-evaluate our practices and make changes when and where necessary. Students will be informed of the CDC recommended guidelines for practicing safe hygiene and social distancing https://www.cdc.gov/…/…/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. In the event that a student or staff member tests positive, the Gulf County Health Department will be responsible for notifying the individual and any others who may be at-risk. If a student needs to self-isolate he or she will continue to have access to daily classroom instruction through our Shark Virtual Learning Platform.
Points of Entry
• Each of the three designated entrances (Front Bus Loop, Rear Middle School Loop, and Gym/Student Parking) will consist of screening stations where staff will administer temperature checks and students will sanitize hands.
• Once students have completed the screening, they will report, by grade, to designated areas throughout the building to maintain social distancing until the first bell rings.
• Any student or staff who has a temperature above 100.4 will be sent to the isolation area until necessary contacts are made and will then exit the campus.
• Students will be encouraged to wear masks during class and in the hallways. It will be the student’s responsibility to properly sanitize his/her mask(s) to prevent further contamination.
Hallways and Lockers
• Students will make direct transitions from one class to the other without gathering in the hallways.
• Traveling counter-clockwise in the pods will alleviate face to face contact.
• Utilizing backpacks and digital resources will assist in reducing contact at the locker areas
• UV lighting will be placed in hallways and common areas to assist with the reduction of potential germ-spreading bacteria.
• Quality Air Filtration systems are being adding throughout the building.
• Water fountains throughout the buildings will NOT be accessed, therefore students will need to bring personal, CLEAR, beverage containers from home. Bottled water will be available for purchase ($.25) for those who need to do so.
Classrooms
• Staff will wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing as much as possible
• If close contact is necessary, staff will limit that contact time.
• Student seating will be carefully designed and implemented to meet CDC guidelines where feasible.
• Seating charts will be made to contact trace if and when necessary.
• All classroom desks and table-tops will be sanitized at the end of each period before a new group enters.
• Students will be assigned personal electronic devices that will travel with the student, so there will be NO sharing of devices.
• Hand sanitizer will be readily available to every student during class time.
• Each teacher will have a thermometer to check temperatures should the need arise.
Lunchroom
• Lunchroom tables will be placed at least 6 feet apart.
• Due to on-going campus renovations, outdoor eating areas are not feasible.
• Groups of students will be assigned to alternative locations throughout the building to reduce number of students in commons area and allow for additional social distancing (ex: athletes and/or club members may be asked to eat in a location with coaches/sponsors).
• There will be a reduced number of seats at each table.
• Seating charts will be made to contact trace if and when necessary.
• To-Go trays will be prepared to reduce the number of students needing to access lunch line.
• Tabletops will be sanitized at the end of each group, before a new group enters.
• Lunchroom staff will wear appropriate safety gear while preparing and serving meals.
PE/GYM
• Locker-rooms and weight-rooms will be sanitized between student use and each period.
• Students will participate in non-contact games and activities.
• As often as possible, games and activities will take place outside or in large open-areas.
• Students will be encouraged to bring his/her own work out towel to wipe sweat from brow and hands.
Dismissal
• Student drop-off/pick-ups will be closely monitored to ensure the students are not congregating in large groups.
Special Events
• At this time there will be no school-wide assemblies.
School-Re-Opening Options
Live On-Campus Instructional School Day with Covid-19
• Any student absent, quarantined, or placed in In-School Suspension or Gulf Academy will use Shark Virtual Learning Platform to maintain assignments as though he/she were on-campus.
Distance Learning- Shark Virtual Learning Platform Option
• Any student who is unable to participate in on-campus instruction, due to a Covid-19 related issue, may remain a PSJHS student and access daily instruction through our Shark Virtual Learning Platform.
• Student access to daily lessons will begin at 10:30 AM ET.
• A student can return to on-campus instruction during this Covid-19 State of Emergency, upon Administrative Approval.
• Each student will be provided a Chromebook (electronic device) to use at home. If a student does NOT have internet access/cell service, he/she will need to notify PSJHS-850.229.8251, so that arrangements can be made.
• Any distance learning student who has an IEP, 504 Plan, or ELL Plan may also to have access to print resources as prescribed in the student’s plan or upon request.
• The student will enter each classroom period, mark him/herself present.
• The student will access the instructional content posted by each teacher/each period.
• The student will complete and submit lessons, daily to his or her teacher, as though he/she were present in the on-campus class.
• The student will take proctored assessments as designated by the teachers through the Google Meet feature of the platform.
• The student/parent will communicate with teachers through Google Meet email, phone calls, text, etc.…
• All traditional, on-campus grading requirements will apply to Shark Virtual Learning Platform students.
FLVS Florida Virtual School
• Students enrolled in Florida Virtual School are NOT students of Port St. Joe High School. They fall under the Home School Program definition.
• Students enrolled in FLVS are eligible to participate in athletics and extra-curricular activities.
• Students enrolled in FLVS do NOT have access to the Shark Virtual Learning Platform.
• For FLVS option, please contact Mrs. Martha Weimorts at Gulf District Schools OIS, 850.229.6940.
To make changes to your child’s enrollment status, please visit the PSJHS Guidance office July 27th -August 7th, 7-4 PM ET.
Again, we thank you for your partnership and support as we support our students and staff. If we can be of assistance to you or your student, please feel free to contact us at your convenience 850.229.8251. The best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is to avoid exposure to this virus and use healthy habits.