Manchester School District
Return Plan
Fall 2021
Dear Manchester Community,
The following document is the result of a year of successes, of challenges, of learning, of reviewing, of revising, and of committing to improve upon our successes and learn from our mistakes. Our initial Re-Entry Plan for the Fall of 2020 represented countless hours of research, discussion, planning, writing, and reviewing by district leadership, staff, and community members. Our Return Plan for the Fall of 2021 builds from that work and incorporates the feedback and experiences of hundreds of parents and staff. Our focus is learning from what we have done over the past year, and the primary guiding principles will remain the health and safety of our students, staff, and community members.
We are excited that many of the changes to this document represent a return to a normal school experience with plans of what we will do in the unlikely chance we have to shift to more mitigated instructional models. We know that returning to a model closer to normalcy is in the best interest of our students — academically, socially, and emotionally. We will continue to make decisions based on health data, not personal preferences, emotions, or politics. Specifically, we will look to guidance from the Manchester Public Health Department. The district-established COVID-19 Response Team will continue to meet periodically to assess real-time information to our staff and community members.
Please know that the information presented here is based on the most current information at the time. As we have all learned this year, the situation is fluid, and we will likely be making changes throughout the 2021-2022 school year. The plan that follows demonstrates our confidence that the 2021-2022 school year will represent the Manchester community putting much of the pandemic behind us and moving forward toward recovery and resiliency.
The last eighteen months were filled with many types of uncertainty for all of us. I cannot imagine moving through those challenges without the dedication of the staff of the Manchester School District. We are pleased to provide you with a plan that is based on more certainty, an eye to recovery, and the building of resilience for our staff, our students, and the Manchester community.
Sincerely,
John Goldhardt, Ed.D.
Superintendent
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement of the New Hampshire Department of Education to have a Reopening Plan for the 2021-2022 school year, Manchester School District has developed the following Return Plan for the 2021-2022 school year. The central aim of the plan is to return to an in-person model of instruction with meaningful and intentional plans in place to be used in the unlikely circumstance that we need to shift to more rigorous levels of mitigation.
The expected starting point for the safe return of students and staff to MSD schools is Blue Phase operating conditions. When school is operating in the Blue or Green Phase, school buildings will be open for full in-person instruction. The District’s COVID-19 Response Team will assess conditions for school operation periodically and will respond in turn by moving to a different level of the metric if the transmission or school impacts show higher rates or impacts.
Significant shifts in operating conditions, i.e., those that would warrant a transition from one phase to another, will be communicated to the public by the Superintendent or his designee.
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations will be used throughout this Plan:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted multiple facets of everyday life. Public education has been no exception. MSD has worked to respond to the evolving circumstances surrounding the pandemic by constantly monitoring the state of public health in the district, region, state, and country while planning, revising, and implementing adaptive school programming.
In this document, you will find the details for the district’s return in the Fall of 2021. We explain the overall approach and provide information for what school will look like during each phase.
Due to the significant drops in community transmission, we are enthusiastic about welcoming all of our students back to school for in-person instruction at the beginning of the school year. We have developed models at the elementary, middle, and high school levels with specific safety precautions in place. While this document outlines plans for the coming school year, it is important to note that we may need to adjust the plans in accordance with federal, state, and local health guidelines.
Building from our planning process that first began in the spring and summer of 2020, we have reflected on experiences, and feedback from the 2020-2021 school year and to put together this Return plan for stakeholders to review and provide their thoughts on.
While there are risks and uncertainties involved with any planning process that takes place during the current pandemic, the implementation plan for returning focuses on the safety of staff and students, and an unwavering commitment to the education of the children of the Manchester School District.
This work is not finished; we are asking for feedback and providing a period for public and staff comment so that we can adjust if necessary to meet the expectations of the MSD community. As in the past, this document will need to remain fluid for an evolving situation. The work will continue by examining implementation, maximizing effectiveness and efficiency, and creating a successful pathway for students, staff, and the community into the 2021-2022 school year.
The COVID Response Team was charged with overseeing, consulting, and responding to pandemic issues during the 2020-2021 school year. The team will continue to function during the 2021-2022 school year and will continue to monitor national, state and local data as a means to inform and guide decision making in regard to COVID-19.
COVID RESPONSE TEAM MEMBERS
Leslie Want, Vice Chair, Board of School Committee
John Goldhardt, Ed.D., Superintendent
Anna Thomas, Director, Manchester Public Health
Jaime Hoebecke, Manchester Public Health
Josh Gagne, Facilities, City of Manchester
Phil Alexakos, Manchester Health Department
Todd Markowitz, Aramark
Mike Whitten, Manchester Transit Authority
Kelly O’Brien Hebert, Director, MSD Transportation
Amy Allen, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching, Learning & Leading
Jennifer Gillis, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Operations
Andrew Toland, Director, Communications
Katie Cox Pelletier, Chief Policy and Legal Officer
Karen DeFrancis, Chief Financial Officer
Mary Steady, Chief Student Services & Wellness Officer
Tina Kim Philibotte, Chief Equity Officer
Sue Hannan, President MEA
Lisa Hanel, President AFSCME/Para’s
Rick Chreitien, Vice President, AMP, Assistant Principal, Weston
Lynn Standish, President, MESPA
The district is charged with providing for health and sanitation in the school buildings as evidenced by the response to COVID-19 since February 2020. This duty includes “the daily administration and provision of educational services to students at the school facility including . . . staff, student and parent safety. . .” (see RSA 194-C:4, II(j)). We will continue to seek and apply current research and data to inform and guide all actions regarding the response and planning for the district regarding COVID-19.
To this end, the district will continue to implement a variety of layered mitigation strategies aimed at keeping people safe. While the following routines outlined by the MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools (see Appendix A).
We plan on opening school in the Blue Phase, in this phase transportation will return to traditional bus routes based on geography with students assigned to seats. We will resume the typical scheduling process for bus rosters and routes as we anticipate remaining in blue. All routes and rosters will be posted on our webpage (under transportation). In addition, school messenger alerts will be sent in mid to late August.
In the event that the COVID-19 status and CDC/Manchester Public Health/NHHHS recommendations dictate, the district will shift to a different phase. Should the District need to transition into the Yellow Phase, in order to minimize the risk of community spread, it will be strongly recommended that family members drive students to and from school or that licensed students drive themselves. School transportation will be provided but will not be guaranteed during the Yellow Phase.
Masking and physical distancing guidelines related to waiting at bus stops, entering a bus, traveling on a bus, and exiting a bus will follow the recommendations of the CDC/ MHD/NHHHS.
Signage will be posted at entrances indicating that all persons — students, staff, contracted service providers, or parents/guardians — are subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19. All persons awaiting screening will be required to stand in a physically distanced line outside of the building.
Screening procedures will follow the MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools.
Students and staff members will promote and practice frequent hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and by using hand sanitizer. At a minimum, hand hygiene is encouraged:
All students and staff members will follow the most recent guidance from the CDC, MHD, NHHHS, and the Board of School Committee regarding the use of face masks while on school grounds. If face masks need to be worn, regularly scheduled mask breaks will be incorporated into the daily schedule.
Staff from Aramark will continue to maintain healthy school environments according to CDC/MHD/NHHHS guidance. In the Blue Phase, Aaramrk will use Virex. In the Green Phase, Yellow Phase and Red Phase, Aramark will continue to use Oxivir.
During the Fall of 2020 the District installed new MERV 13 filters that capture 90-95% of particulate 1-3 microns in size and 100% of particulate 3-10 microns in size and larger.
Additionally, the District installed HEPA filter units in schools that had HVAC systems that could not tolerate the MERV-13 filters and do the air exchanges.
We will continue to maximize outside air introduction into the HVAC systems throughout the day for all classrooms and school wings. This programming which provides air exchange between outdoors and indoors will be increased to three exchanges per hour. The air flow system will be opened two hours prior to to the opening of school and remain open 1.5 hours after the school day ends.
MSD had an independent third-party evaluation (ASHRAE) of the air quality in our 21 schools. The evaluation concluded:
HVAC equipment is maintained in a condition that either meets or exceeds the guidelines for ventilating schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will follow the MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools.
While we will need to operate within newly established safety guidelines for students, staff, and families, we will continue to put forth our best efforts to support all children PreK-12, including those with disabilities, during return. The District will comply with federal law and will, at all phases of operation, offer in person education as necessary to students with disabilities.
We will continue to follow our approach to adapt, plan, innovate, and partner along with families to meet the unique needs of their children. Through ongoing planning and implementation, the district, schools, and staff will work to support individualized educational needs as well as ensure access to an appropriate education for MSD students.
Elementary students will each be assigned a device to prevent sharing. Devices will remain at school during in-person learning and be sent home with the student if it becomes necessary to transition to remote learning.
Middle and high school students will continue to be issued a device as part of the 1:1 Chromebook initiative. Students at these levels will be expected to bring their device to and from home daily.
Should the need arise, the district will work with local vendors to procure hotspots. The hotspots can use a cellular signal to create a Wi-Fi network to which laptops, Chromebooks, and other devices can connect. These devices will be made available to families who have inadequate Internet access at home to support remote learning.
The district will provide digital resources to staff and families to support training on the technology platforms that are being used with in-person and remote learning. The Technology Committee will seek ongoing feedback from the community to identify technology training needs and provide additional resources and support to address those needs.
Before and after school programs will continue to be offered. Protocols outlined in the MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools will be followed.
In an effort to serve all preschool students equitably, and if there continues to be low community transmission, Preschools will plan to open and follow the “Blue Phase” for the Fall 2021 reopening. The instructional model in the Blue Phase reflects the traditional Preschool schedule. This model allows students the ability to make personal connections with teachers and peers while helping them to achieve a sense of normalcy by maintaining a predictable schedule.
Preschool return will be consistent with the relevant Elementary School procedures in this plan.
In an effort to serve all elementary students equitably, and if there continues to be low community transmission, MSD Elementary Schools will plan to open and follow the “Blue Phase” for the Fall 2021 return. The instructional model in the Blue Phase reflects the traditional Elementary School schedule. This model allows students the ability to make personal connections with teachers and peers while helping them to achieve a sense of normalcy by maintaining a predictable schedule.
Definition | Blue Phase | Green Phase | Yellow Phase | Red Phase |
No detectable or minimal community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Moderate community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial, controlled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial uncontrolled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | |
Curriculum | In-person instruction. Remote learning is not available. Students remain home when sick/absent with no option to remote in. Work will be provided via google classroom or hard copy as needed. | In-person instruction. Remote learning is not available Students remain home when sick/absent with no option to remote in. Work will be provided via google classroom or hard copy as needed. | Remote instruction for most. In-person instruction for small groups of Specialized Instruction students. | No in-person instruction – only exceptions are for Specialized Instruction students. All students are remoting into their classes |
Mitigation Levels | Based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Mitigation Strategies | Use of masks optional. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom Typical spacing prior to the pandemic. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Use of masks optional in the classroom, but must be worn in all other areas of the building. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom Physical Distancing at least three feet. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Use of masks required in all school areas. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom Physical Distancing is six feet. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | No in-person instruction for majority of students. Majority of students are remoting into their classes Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Student Grouping | By grade-level classroom as determined by individual school | By grade-level classroom as determined by individual school | Remote instruction for most. In-person instruction for small groups of students needing Specialized Instruction. | No in-person instruction (other than those in need of Specialized Instruction) All students are remoting into their classes |
Entrances | Students enter school via identified main entrances. | Students enter school via predetermined identified entrances. | Students enter school via predetermined identified entrances. | No in-person instruction Majority of students are remoting into their classes |
Student Arrival and Screening | Students report directly to their classroom. | Student screening at school will be based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Student screening at school will be based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | No in-person instruction Majority of students are remoting into their classes |
Lunch and Recess Routine | Cafeteria Open Eat indoor/outdoor Traditional recess | Cafeteria Open Eat indoor/outdoor Traditional recess | Grab and Go lunch options Eat in classrooms or outdoor as much as possible Recess by instructional group | No in-person instruction Majority of students are remoting into their classes |
Bus Routine | Assigned seats on bus Bus routes based on geography. | Assigned seats on bus Bus routes based on geography. | Encourage parents to drive to and from school Assigned seats on bus | No in-person instruction Majority of students are remoting into their classes Only exceptions are students needing Specialized Instruction. |
After School Activities | Extracurricular activities following MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Extracurricular activities following MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Before/After School are remote only. | No in-person instruction; extracurricular activities are remote only |
Specials Program | Art, Music, Wellness, etc. run in same manner prior to the pandemic | Art, Music, Wellness, etc. as a special outside when possible | Art, Music, Wellness, etc. as a special outside when possible and/or remotely | No in-person instruction; specials are remote only |
Library | Library is fully open and accessible | Library is fully open and accessible | Library learning has limited student access | No student access to Library |
In an effort to serve all Middle School students equitably, and if there continues to be low community transmission, MSD Middle Schools will plan to open and follow the “Blue Phase” for the Fall 2021 return. The instructional model in the Blue Phase reflects the traditional Middle School schedule. This model allows students the ability to make personal connections with teachers and peers while helping them to achieve a sense of normalcy by maintaining a predictable schedule.
Definition | Blue Phase | Green Phase | Yellow Phase | Red Phase |
No detectable or minimal community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Moderate community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial, controlled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial, uncontrolled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | |
Curriculum Delivery | In-person instruction available Students remain home when sick/absent with no option to remote in, Work will be provided via Google Classroom or hard copy as needed. | In-person instruction available Students remain home when sick/absent with no option to remote in. Work will be provided via Google Classroom or hard copy as needed. | Remote instruction for most. In-person instruction for students needing Specialized Instruction. | No in-person instruction, except for those needing Specialized Instruction. All students are remoting into their classes. |
Mitigation Levels | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Mitigation Strategies | Mask usage is optional. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Typical spacing prior to the pandemic. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Mask usage is optional in classrooms, but must be worn in all other areas of the school. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Physical distancing at least three feet Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Mask usage is required in all areas of the school. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Physical distancing is at least six feet. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | No in-person instruction (with the exception of those receiving Specialized Instruction). All students are remoting into their classes. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Student Grouping | Traditional middle school groupings | Traditional middle school groupings | Most students are remote, but those needing Specialized Instruction will be in person. | No in-person instruction All students are remoting into their classes. Only exceptions are students needing Specialized Instruction. |
Entrances | Students enter school via identified main entrances. | Students enter school via predetermined identified entrances. | Students enter school via predetermined identified entrances. | No in-person instruction All students are remoting into their classes. |
Student Arrival | Students report to their assigned classrooms | Student screening at school will be based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Student screening at school will be based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | No in-person instruction. Only exceptions are students needing Specialized Instruction. All students are remoting into their classes. |
Lunch | Cafeteria Open Eat indoor/outdoor | Cafeteria Open Eat indoor/outdoor Eat outdoors as much as possible | Grab and Go lunch options Eat in classrooms or outdoors as much as possible | No in-person instruction. Only exceptions are students needing Specialized Instruction. All students are remoting into their classes. |
Bus Routine | Assigned seats on bus | Assigned seats on bus | Encourage parents to drive to and from school | No bussing (with the exception of those needing Specialized Instruction) |
After School Activities | In-person, co-curricular activities and clubs will be offered. | In-person, co-curricular activities and clubs will be offered. | Extracurricular activities are remote. | No in-person instruction; extracurricular activities are remote only. |
Music Program | Traditional Band and Chorus | Traditional Band and Chorus | Band and Chorus are remote. | Band and Chorus are remote only. |
Library | Library is open | Library is open to students by small instructional groups only. | Library has limited student access | No student access to Library |
In an effort to serve all high school students equitably, and if there continues to be low community transmission, MSD High Schools will plan to open and follow the “Blue Phase” for the Fall 2021 reopening. The instructional model in the Blue Phase reflects the traditional High School schedule. This model allows students the ability to make personal connections with teachers and peers while helping them to achieve a sense of normalcy by maintaining a predictable schedule.
Definition | Blue Phase | Green Phase | Yellow Phase | Red Phase |
No detectable or minimal community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Minimal to moderate community transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial, controlled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | Substantial, uncontrolled transmission (based on MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools) | |
Curriculum | All in-person learning, no remote option | All in-person learning, no remote option. | All remote learning except for identified students needing Specialized Instruction who may be in-person. | All classes offering synchronous learning, with asynchronous option available. In-person option available for those needing Specialized Instruction. |
Mitigation Levels | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Mitigation Strategies | Mask usage is optional. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Typical spacing prior to the pandemic. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Mask usage is optional in classrooms, but must be worn in all other areas of the school. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Physical distancing at least three feet Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | Mask usage is required in all areas of the school. Hand hygiene encouraged upon arrival, before and after eating, after using the bathroom. Physical distancing is at least six feet. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools | No in-person instruction (with the exception of those receiving Specialized Instruction). All students are remoting into their classes. Follow MHD COVID-19 Response Plan for Schools |
Student Grouping | None, all students fully in-person. | None, all students fully in-person. | Most students are remote, but those needing Specialized Instruction, and may be in person. | All students and staff fully remote, (other than Specialized Instruction) |
Student Arrival | Students must attend in person, unless called in by parent/ guardian. | Students must attend in person, unless called in by parent/ guardian | Students must attend classes remotely, unless there is a need for Specialized Instruction. | Students must attend remotely. Exceptions for students needing Specialized Instruction. |
Afterschool Activities | In-person, co-curricular activities and clubs will be offered. | In-person, co-curricular activities and clubs will be offered. | No in-person co-curricular clubs or activities will be offered. Possible remote opportunities. | No in-person co-curricular clubs or activities will be offered. Possible remote opportunities. |
Synchronous and Asynchronous Instruction | In-person, no remote option | In-person, no remote option. | Synchronous for remote students and in-person for Specialized Instruction students | Synchronous remote learning, asynchronous option – except for Specialized Instruction students. |
Daily Schedule | A-B Block Schedule | A-B Block Schedule | A-B Block Schedule | A-B Block Schedule |
The 2020-2021 school year was a formidable challenge. As we shift our focus from reopening to recovery, we will need the cooperation of all students, staff, and community members. In order to continue in-person instruction, to provide opportunities for recovery, and to build the resiliency and adaptability of our District, it will be necessary for students, staff, and parents to cooperate with the procedures and protocols outlined in the phases of our plans and any updates that may be instituted as the situation evolves.
As outlined in our Return Framework, it is our goal to work toward having students on a normal curve of learning by the end of the 2021-2022 school year. This will require the District, the School Board, and the community to look beyond the traditional school calendar and implement not only differentiated instruction for students, but recognize that some students may need additional instructional time and support through extended school days and structured year-round learning opportunities.
We can do this. We must do this. This generation of students will be known for their resiliency and remembered forever in history as the students who attended school during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then rebounded to levels no one could have imagined.