The Overton County School District plans to open for the 2020-21 school year with students first full day scheduled for August 7. The district is offering students and parents the option of enrolling for traditional, in-class instruction or on-line classes. Surveys will be sent to parents July 14 so that they may select the option that best suits the needs of their families. OCS’s registration date has been rescheduled for July 20. Families returning surveys do not need to do anything additional to register. Parents may call their children’s schools on July 20 to register if they choose not to complete the registration survey. Registration paperwork and free school supplies may be picked up at each school during Back-to-School Bashes held as drive through events at each school location on August 3 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Parents are asked to pick up packets and supplies from the school that their children will attend.
While OCS is offering traditional classes this school year, the following changes will be made to better protect students and employees from COVID-19:
- Everyone entering school buildings will have a temperature check. Anyone who is running a fever will not be allowed to enter the school buildings.
- If parents think their children have been exposed to COVID-19 or if someone in the home has tested positive, parents should keep children at home for fourteen days. Virtual education will be provided during this time.
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19, he or she must have a negative test before returning.
- School employees will wear masks. Students are encouraged but not required to wear masks.
- Frequent handwashing and sanitizing will be encouraged.
- When practical, teachers will rotate classes instead of students moving from class to class. This includes non-classroom teachers such as librarians, PE teachers, etc. Students will be given brain/body movement breaks throughout the day.
- Students will stay with homerooms during outside recess and will not share equipment.
- When possible, porous surfaces will be removed from classrooms and supplies will not be shared among students.
- Visitors will not be allowed in school buildings. The only exception to this policy will be during the kindergarten phase-in days.
- Water fountains will not be in use. Please send a water bottle with your students that can be refilled at school water stations.
- Parents are encouraged to transport their students to and from school when possible.
- Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures will allow for students to practice social distancing.
- Each school will plan to limit hallway congestion.
- Buildings will be sanitized throughout the day as well as each afternoon and teachers will disinfect desks if students must change classes. Bus drivers will disinfect seats daily.
- Student desks will be distanced as much as practical and an effort will be made to distance when movement throughout the school is necessary.
- Students breakfasts and lunches will be in classrooms or outside.
While OCS is offering a virtual school option this year, it will differ from the on-line offerings during the spring school closure. OCS plans to offer on-line instruction that allows students to view the same lessons on-line that they would participate in if attending school. If students do not have internet access, they can access lessons via a USB provided by the school system. The following details may assist parents in deciding if on-line instruction is right for their families:
- Students will be assigned a device or may use their own for virtual instruction.
- Students' attendance will be monitored through participation in virtual classes and assignments completed. Students who do not have satisfactory on-line attendance and assignment completion may not continue enrollment in on-line learning.
- Students will submit assignment both on-line and on-paper. Assignments will be the same as those for students attending in-person and will be graded on the same scale.
- Students will have a period of two weeks to determine if the on-line format is the best option. Those who continue beyond the first two weeks must continue virtually until the end of the first semester. At that time, parents and students may continue virtually or elect to return to school.