FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COVID-19 PATHWAY TO REOPENING

Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and support as we develop our reopening plan.
Additional information will be added as it becomes available. This information is subject to
change.

When is the first day of school for the 2020-21 school year?

The 2020-21 school year will begin Monday, Aug. 10. Students in grades 1-9 will attend with a
10:45 a.m. dismissal. Students in grades 1-12 will attend a full day Tuesday, Aug. 11. The first
day of school for Pre-K and kindergarten students is Monday, Aug. 17. Currently, the district
plans to start the year on the traditional (in-person) model. However, families have an
opportunity to choose a virtual learning option. The decision to move from the traditional
model to the hybrid or remote models will be based on the number of active COVID-19 cases in
Cheatham County.

Will Gov. Bill Lee’s extended state of emergency declaration through Aug. 29 affect the start
date of the school year?

No. The school year will still start Monday, Aug. 10.

If the district doesn’t start on the traditional model due to an increase in active COVID-19
cases in Cheatham County, when will that decision be made?

The district will make the final decision regarding the opening of the 2020-21 school year based
on the most recent and relevant information from local and state health officials. If we start
outside of the traditional model, it is anticipated that the decision would be made by Monday,
Aug. 3.

What is the current number of active COVID-19 cases in Cheatham County and where can I
find it?

The Tennessee Department of Health tracks the number of COVID-19 cases in each county and
includes the information on its website. A data dashboard on the website features the number
of confirmed/probable cases and recovered cases. The direct link to the dashboard is
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/cedep/ncov/data.html. To determine the number of
active cases, you need to calculate the difference between the two and then divide by
Cheatham County’s total population (approximately 41,000). The district monitors these
numbers daily and we will be looking at long-term trends as we make decisions to move from
one model to another. We will not move daily from one model to another. If a decision is made
to change from one model to another, it is anticipated that families will be given a minimum of
one weeks’ notice.

Will parents have the option to choose in-person attendance or virtual learning for their
children?

Yes. Parents can choose a fully in-school learning option with daily in-class instruction or a fully
virtual model with teacher-led instruction at home based on the needs of their child and the
format they feel will best support his/her learning. We are currently asking families to commit
to a choice so we have adequate time to plan for all of the necessary supports students and
families will need when the school year begins. All parents will have an opportunity to re-
evaluate their choices during the school year.

Will students be required to wear a mask?

No. Face masks will not be required by employees and students under the traditional model.
However, masks will be recommended and encouraged when they are in close contact with
each other. Under the hybrid model, masks will be required for employees when they are in
close contact with others. Mask requirements may change over time due to the latest
guidance from health officials.

What health and safety measures are being implemented on buses?

Masks are recommended for students who opt to ride the bus. Mask requirements may
change over time due to the latest guidance from health officials. Buses will be cleaned and
disinfected after each use. Buses will run, at capacity, on regular routes so parents must decide
if they want their child to continue to ride the bus or find another option of transportation.

Will the district be providing or requiring COVID-19 tests for students and staff?

No. We will not administer or require COVID-19 tests of employees or students.

How will parents be informed if there is a COVID-19 case at a school?

We will continue to work closely with state and local health officials to ensure we follow the
proper guidance for responding to any potential cases of COVID-19 in our schools. We will be
implementing safeguards, such as creating isolation areas in all buildings for anyone displaying
symptoms to help prevent the spread of illness. We will also strongly encourage all students
and employees who are not feeling well to stay at home. In the event that a positive case is
identified in our schools, families will be informed in a timely manner and through our normal
means of communication such as an all-call or email. The communication will include any
possible Health Department guidance regarding precautionary testing that may be necessary.
We will not be able to provide any specific details about who has been diagnosed.

What are the protocols if a student or employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or they
have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

We continue to seek guidance from health officials and more information will be forthcoming
regarding these protocols.

What if my child does not have a laptop and Internet access?

Families that choose the virtual learning option will need to have adequate access to the
Internet and technology to complete the instruction. The district is purchasing laptops for
students in grade 5-6 this year so all students in grades 5-12 will have a laptop. Students in
elementary school will have to provide their own device. Elementary schools will utilize the
collaboration platform Microsoft Teams, and middle and high schools will use the learning
management system Schoology to send out instructional materials, gather feedback and assess
students. We will be equipping some buses with hot spots in the event that we can help
support short-range connectivity within neighborhoods that do not have other Internet
options. We are currently working with community partners to determine where the buses will
be available and more information will be shared with our families about this and additional
wireless access locations.

Will there be training sessions for families to understand how to use devices and digital
learning platforms?

Yes. We plan to host virtual parent trainings to learn how to use both Microsoft Teams and
Schoology, which are the district’s online platforms for virtual communication between
students and schools. Additionally, middle and high school students will be trained in the
classroom on how to use Schoology so they will be familiar with them if we move to the hybrid
or remote models.

If we decide the virtual option, will my child be able to pick their laptop back up for use?

Yes, we will distribute laptops for all students in grades 5-12 this year.

If there is an outbreak and schools have to close, what is the plan for continued instruction?

In the event of an outbreak, the district will operate on a remote model. Students will continue
to receive instruction from their assigned teacher of record virtually through the use of
Microsoft Teams or Schoology, the district’s online platforms. Elementary schools will use
Microsoft Teams and middle and high schools will use Schoology.

How will you ensure appropriate physical distance in classrooms, hallways, etc.?
Schools will be utilizing all available classroom and learning spaces and making necessary
modifications to help ensure social distancing to every extent possible. While social distancing
may be challenging at times in smaller buildings or where there are very large student
populations, additional safeguards will be in place for all schools. We will also be limiting
interactions of classes and discouraging all group gatherings.

Will grading be the same for in-school and virtual learning?

Regardless of the type of learning environment provided to our students, teachers will continue
to follow all district grading protocols.

Will the district be logging students' “online” time? Do the parents certify that 6.5 hours were
spent on instruction? Do parent instruction hours count?

Daily attendance is mandatory under all three models (traditional, hybrid and remote). We are
required by the state to provide 6.5 hours of active instruction each day for students in grades
1-12 and four hours for kindergarten students. Parents who choose the virtual option will have
to adhere to these guidelines. Teachers will take attendance each day and completion of work
will be monitored daily.

Will online teaching be supplied “live” (synchronous) and taught by CCSD teachers or is it
asynchronous (not simultaneous) and available at any time of day? Will the materials be
created and/or taught by CCSD teachers, or will there be lessons from a website such as
iReady or non-CCSD teachers?

Online instruction will be a mixture of both synchronous and asynchronous and classes will be
taught by our teachers. For example, remote learners will have the opportunity to participate
via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc. or the lessons may be recorded and can be accessed at a later
time. There will be many methods of delivering online instruction such as Microsoft Teams and
Schoology.

Will remote learners interact with their teachers or their peers?

Yes, we expect there will be opportunities for remote learners to interact with their teachers
and peers during the day when live instruction, through Zoom or other online platforms, is
being offered.

Will schools offer before- and after-care programs?

The district recognizes that before- and after-school care is important for working parents. So
long as schools are open, regular before- and after-care programs will be offered.
If the district operates on the hybrid or remote models, how will that affect before- and after-
care programs?

The district is currently reviewing how the before- and after-care programs would operate
under both the hybrid and remote models.

How will pick-up and drop-off procedures be handled at schools?

Parents will hear directly from their principals about pick-up and drop-off procedures, as it will
vary by campus. Parents should not expect to walk their students to class when school opens.
Staggered drop-off and dismissal schedules may also be implemented to reduce the volume of
people on campus at one time.

Will students eat breakfast and lunch together in the cafeteria?

Convening a large number of students in cafeterias for the purposes of breakfast and lunch
increases the risk of virus spread. Therefore, students will eat breakfast in their classroom.
Students will go to the cafeteria or designated area to pick up breakfast and take it directly back
to their room. The entire building will be utilized to consume lunch.

Will after-school/extracurricular activities and athletics be offered?

Involvement in after-school/extracurricular activities is an important part of a student’s school

experience. However, when schools open, we must take all precautions to limit the potential
spread of the virus, so group gatherings and activities will be limited. Guidelines and availability
of certain activities may vary by school and program type, so parents should expect to hear
from their principals about the available after-school/extracurricular offerings at their school.

How will buildings and items be sanitized and cleaned often when products are hard to find
right now?

Staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles,
water bottle fillers) within the school. Use of shared objects (e.g., gym or physical education
equipment, art supplies, toys, games) should be limited when possible, or cleaned between
use. Each room will be provided with a cleaning solution and paper towels to disinfect and will
be placed in a secure location when not in use.

Will elementary school children have recess in the traditional and hybrid models? Will they
have gym, art, music, library, etc.?

Elementary school students will have recess and all the related-arts classes. Some will be
outside of their classroom when necessary.
Will students in middle school and high school be switching classrooms throughout the day?
Will the students be staying in the same classroom all day and teachers switching
classrooms?

Middle and high schools will be switching classes. High schools will have four transitions during
the day and middle school will have five transitions. In both middle and high school, the
students will be changing classes.

Will students be able to participate in band and choir if the virtual option is chosen? Will
these classes be offered under the traditional model?

Yes, these classes will continue. We are currently working with our music teachers to determine
the most effective way to offer these classes both traditionally and virtually.

To meet the needs of students with food allergies will the grade level or classrooms of the
student with documented allergy be kept allergen free by utilizing a set area of the cafeteria
for all breakfasts, lunches and food celebrations?

Our nurses do a great job of educating our teachers about food allergies. We will work to
ensure that the same guidelines are followed in classrooms as they are in the cafeteria.

Will seniors choosing virtual classes be able to meet with counselor (either in person, by
email or Zoom) to make sure they are on track and to help with scholarship applications to
apply for college based on individual needs?

Yes, our counselors will be available to assist our students with any needs or services,
regardless of which model we are operating under.

If the virtual option is chosen, will dual enrollment classes be more modeled like in-person
classes instead of just videos or website reading (meaning having more lecture time with
teacher)?

Students who take dual enrollment classes and choose the virtual option will be taking their
classes online through Austin Peay State University. Further plans are still being developed.

What is the procedure for doctors/dentist appointments if a student is signed up for online
only classes?

Appointments will be handled just as if the student was in school. However, we always
encourage families to make appointments after-school hours or on days when we are not in
school.
These procedures are intended to mitigate, not eliminate risks. No single action or set of actions
will completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19 transmissions, but the implementation of several
coordinated interventions can greatly reduce the risk.