By Jean Perry, Neighb News Correspondent
School administration presented the district’s safety protocol methods for the return to school during the Fairhaven School Committee meeting on 8/19 highlighting the critical areas where policy and practice will protect students and staff from COVID-19.
Federal and state guidance on best practices for safety continue to develop on a weekly basis, something Assistant Superintendent of Schools Tara Kohler said would continue as the science advances and data fluctuates. Through working closely with the local Health Department as well as with groups led by experts, Fairhaven schools will remain current as safety standards evolve.
Much of what will be implemented is based on the core public health principles for school reopening developed by the Parabola Project, an initiative established to provide resources to minimize COVID-19 risk while maximizing learning.
Focus is heaviest on masks, social distancing, and small cohort sizes, which when combined, offer a drastic reduction in risk. In addition, schools have addressed airflow and filtration, surface sanitization, and personal hygiene, with communication protocols and screening measures to form a multi-layered approach to health and safety.
Only two-ply facemasks will be allowed — no gators, bandanas, or reusable masks with only one layer. Schools will have extras on hand, and students are encouraged to have an extra mask with them at all times.
Ms. Kohler said the first screening for symptoms or fever should occur at home before school, adding, “This is the most important [thing] that our community hears tonight: if your child has new symptoms, has a fever of over 100 [degrees], sore throat or sudden loss of taste or smell, they need to stay home.”
Ms. Kohler pointed out how some schools in the country had to close during the first week. Keeping cohorts at 25 and learning pods at 11 will make the difference in Fairhaven. At the high school, teachers may likely do the traveling between classrooms instead of students who might remain in the same room and use that time for socially-distanced mask breaks.
HVAC systems have been inspected and outfitted with upgraded filters, and open windows and fans will be encouraged where appropriate, so students should expect to dress appropriately during the cooler months. Windowless rooms will have new portable air purifiers. Ms. Kohler gave a show-and-tell of some of the products the district has stockpiled, including paper towels, hand sanitizer, disinfectant sprays, all of which will be placed in each room. Schools will also be disinfected via new fine mist foggers at least once a week.
The committee also discussed busing, which will include reduced numbers and carpooling for groups.
The school hours will be the same as they have been for the individual schools, but dismissal will be one hour earlier. The district is also considering having seniors arrive later in the day for an “afternoon shift.”
Dr. Baldwin lamented that some courses such as phys-ed, band, and chorus might be canceled due to the risk of transmission during those activities.
Administration also addressed some requests for clarity from the public and explained the difference between “remote” and the virtual aspect of the hybrid model, saying that remote students will be instructed only by the online academy (TECCA). Hybrid students during the virtual week will receive support and guidance from Fairhaven teachers that work closely with the in-person teacher that instructs students in school and builds the curriculum using several online platforms.
He also clarified that the remote TECCA school start date is 9/1, while the hybrid and in-person learning models start 9/15.
We are all grieving the loss of what once was, said Ms. Kohler, but finding the positive in this “global collective trauma” is essential.
“We’re all doing the best we can and we need our kids to come in with a positive attitude and feel safe and know that the school that they’re going to is doing the best they can to give them the best they can,” said Ms. Kohler. “It’s a global year that everyone’s going to miss stuff. It’s really hard to recognize that, but it’s a fact.”
She and Dr. Baldwin emphasized the important role the community plays in making the school year successful.
“The more people behave now, the more likely a return to ‘normal’ happens,” said Ms. Kohler. “I feel we have a really strong plan in line with all the best practices that are out there….”
Fairhaven is currently shaded green, fewer than five cases per 100,000 people, in the state’s color-coded metric.
“If you can help us, it takes a village and it’s gonna take the entire town to keep us green … so we can do this for our kids for the entire year,” said Dr. Baldwin.
He also cautioned residents against social media rumors and mass hysteria.
“Somebody is going to have symptoms or be deemed to have this,” said Dr. Baldwin. “We aren’t going to be immune to this and when it happens we just need to react matter-of-fact and following protocols…. We know it’s gonna happen.”
School Committee Chairperson Brian Munroe insisted on optimism: “If we approach this with a positive tone and basically try to make the best experience out of this big dumpster fire of a year … I do believe we can make this a memorable year in a positive way … so, enough with the negative.”
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 8/27/20 issue: 08-27-20 CarCrash
