Masks, buses, meals. Here’s what school in 2020-21 will look like in Clover, for now.
The Clover School District has a plan for how school will run in 2020-21. Three plans, actually, with everything from a family model to A-B-SEE.
On Thursday, the district posted a Facebook video where superintendent Sheila Quinn outlined plans. Many of them hinge on how widespread new COVID-19 cases are during the year.
For some students, that won’t matter. A June survey indicated a quarter of district families want an all-virtual option.
Clover will join districts in Rock Hill, Fort Mill and elsewhere by setting up its own K-12 virtual academy. District teachers will lead lessons, and will be available for in-person assistance at the district resource center on Clinton Street.
“(The virtual academy) will have a designated campus,” Quinn said.
Students in the virtual academy will be able to participate in extracurricular activities at the school they would typically attend, where those extracurriculars happen.
If coronavirus cases become more widespread, the entire district could move to virtual as it and others did this past spring.
“We also recognize that other families want to come back to the traditional school environment for face-to-face instruction,” Quinn said.
Low virus spread or the availability of a vaccine could lead to the return of a traditional model.
“This model allows for all students in all grades to attend school every day,” Quinn said.
There would be new protocols to disinfect. There would be hand sanitizer, frequent hand washing, limits on large indoor gatherings. Masks would be optional but recommended.
For now, York County is in the moderate viral spread range, which wouldn’t allow the traditional model. That’s why the district intends to start somewhere in between traditional and all-virtual setups — with a hybrid model.
Quinn, like administrators throughout the area, said plans can change due to the spread of coronavirus. She also noted community interest in setting a course.
“This hybrid model is where we will begin the school year,” she said.
Elementary schools
Elementary school students will use the family model. School will run 7:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m. five days per week.
“We know that families need to have their children in school so they can get back to work,” Quinn said.
Students will be in a single classroom all day. Meals and related arts will happen there. Students will go outside for breaks, recess and physical education, but just as a single class at a time. Students will remain in the same smaller reading and math groups.
Masks will be worn at arrival and dismissal, when students transition to outdoors or in smaller reading and math groups.
“Teachers will wear shields,” Quinn said. “Shields are clear, so that the students can see their faces and their mouth. They will be worn throughout the instructional day.”
Buses will run at half capacity. Families will register for bus use to get modified pick-up times. Schools will be cleaned with COVID-19 approved disinfectant spray and an electromagnetic spray mister nightly.
Middle and high schools
Middle and high school will use the A-B-SEE model.
“They also have a greater level of independence to stay at home,” Quinn said.
Student bodies will split into A and B groups. Middle school will start at 8:30 a.m. and high school at 9 a.m. That will allow time for older siblings who drop off brothers or sisters at middle school. Families will have students in the same A or B group.
Students in group A will have in-person instruction Monday and Wednesday. Those in group B will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. When not on campus, students will use devices for virtual learning.
“Students will have a reasonable amount of work to do in each class when they are at home,” Quinn said.
Friday is “SEE” day.
Instruction will take place at school and virtually. Fridays will be for small groups, extra help and electives. Larger classes like band and chorus will meet in larger rooms to allow social distancing.
Working out other details
Teachers will wear shields at the middle and high schools. Students will wear masks on buses, in small groups, at arrival and dismissal, while changing classes and in common areas.
“All other times they are mask free, unless they choose to wear it,” Quinn said.
Breakfast and lunch will be served in classrooms. There will be grab and go options and prepackaged meals. Service will include gloves and masks. Quinn said details will come later on meal service for virtual learners.
“We’re still working out the details of many parts of the plan before school starts,” she said.
The hybrid model comes from metrics in York County from July 6. Plans could be modified if conditions change.
Clover, like other area districts, moved the start of school up a week. Staff will return Aug. 3 and students Aug. 10. A staggered re-start for students will allow orientation to the new social distancing and scheduling model — whatever it will be by then.
This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 10:36 AM.
