Original: Jul 2020
Revisions: Nov 2020 / Jun 16, 2021 / Aug 9, 2021 / Oct 21, 2021 / Dec 16, 2021 / Jan 20, 2022 / Feb 9, 2022 / Aug 22, 2022 / Sep 15, 2022

As we enter into the 2022-2023 school year, Bolivar Schools is focused on in-person learning. Having students in school buildings gives us the best opportunity to meet the educational, social, emotional, and nutritional needs of our students. We also take seriously the responsibility of keeping our students and staff safe.

The Bolivar R-1 School District continues to maintain health and wellness efforts based on the following parameters:

·         The Bolivar R-1 School District desires for students to have access to a safe and in-person learning environment;

·         The Bolivar R-1 School District, in response to a contagious or infectious disease, will implement health and safety measures which may include excluding students from school; and

·         The Bolivar R-1 School District, based on current information and guidance, will revise the Return to Learn Plan to reflect the applicable District obligations noted in the Missouri Statutes (167.191, 160.011, 162.261, 162.471, 171.011, and 177.031).

§167.191: “It is unlawful for any child to attend any of the public schools of this state while afflicted with any contagious or infectious disease, or while liable to transmit such disease after having been exposed to it. For the purpose of determining the diseased condition, or the liability of transmitting the disease, the teacher or board of directors may require any child to be examined by a physician, and exclude the child from school so long as there is any liability of such disease being transmitted by the pupil.“

§160.011: The board of education has "general control of the property and affairs of any school district[.]"

§§162.261 and 162.471: A school board has "government and control" of its school district.

§171.011: The school board may make “all needful rules and regulations” for the government in the school district.

§177.031: The school board “has the care and keeping of all property belonging to the district … and shall provide fuel, heating apparatus, and other material and appliances necessary for the proper heating, lighting, ventilation and sanitation of the schoolhouses[.]" (emphasis added)

In addition, the Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that school boards can enforce reasonable rules to prevent disease in schools. State ex rel. O'Bannon v. Cole, 119 S.W. 424, 429-30 (Mo. 1909).

Masks are recommended for students and staff but are optional. Nurses can evaluate students or staff who exhibit symptoms and may "exclude" those students or staff from school based on the contagious or infectious disease response needs. Bolivar R-1 School District does not quarantine any students or staff but may exclude them from school until a physician approves a return or symptoms are reduced to an acceptable level.

Welcome Back
Our 2022-2023 school calendar indicates students will report back to school on Monday, August 23rd. All students will attend school five days per week.

Parents who would like to choose online learning via a vendor approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may contact their child’s school and visit with the school counselor(s). Online learning options via outside vendors will be available to all students unless it is determined that online learning is not in a child’s best educational interest.

Local Virtual or Distance Learning
Local Virtual/Distance Learning options or AIM (Alternative Instructional Methods) will only be offered in PreK-12th Grades in the case of inclement weather.

While at School

Home Health Self Screenings
It is important that all families and staff partner with us in monitoring health. We ask that students and staff take their temperature daily at home prior to coming to school or school activities, following the self-screening checklist below. No student or staff with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher may enter the building or attend activities. No fever reducing medication may be taken to reduce fever prior to coming to school or events.

☐ A fever (100 degrees or higher) or chills

☐ New muscle or body aches

☐ Cough, sore throat, headache

☐ New loss of taste or smell

☐ Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty

☐ Congestion or runny nose

☐ Extreme Fatigue

☐ Nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea

Health/Wellness at School
If a student or staff member develops a fever of 100 degrees or higher at school, they will immediately be sent to a safe isolation area. They must be picked up from school immediately or leave (if a driver). They cannot return to school until they have been fever-free for an appropriate wellness time without the aid of fever-reducing medication. A licensed school nurse will be at the four main attendance centers and assist with all health related matters.

COVID-19
Students or staff members who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for five days from the onset of symptoms. If asymptomatic, they should stay home for five days from the date they received the positive test. If symptoms are not resolving after five days, they should continue to stay home until symptoms are resolving and they are fever free for at least 24 hours. In both cases, the student or staff member should wear a mask when around others for an additional five days to minimize the risk of spreading the infection. Please reference the Protocol for COVID-19 section of our Comprehensive Safe Return & Continuity of Services Plan SRCSP 2022-2023 for details.

Schools may identify options to conduct meetings with families remotely (conference call or videoconference) so parents can continue to engage with teachers (e.g. parent-teacher conferences) and participate in necessary discussions (e.g. Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 plan meetings; discipline conversations).

If visitors are unable to join a remote meeting or conduct their business without entering the building, schools may screen the visitor for COVID-19 by asking questions about symptoms and performing a temperature check, and then limit the visitor’s movement throughout the school building. Schools may designate a visitor space/room where physical distancing measures are enforced.

High Risk Populations (Children with Disabilities)

All families and staff are encouraged to review the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pertaining to high risk populations.

Any student who may be considered to be at higher risk should consult with their physician to determine whether it is safe for them to participate in face-to-face instruction, or whether they are better suited to participate virtually. Depending on CDC guidance and potential concerns regarding your student, the District may require a physician’s note prior to allowing face-to-face instruction.

Testing
The Polk County Health Center offers free PCR testing for individuals who are symptomatic (with a one-day notice). In addition, the Binax-Now Rapid Antigen Test is available for staff and students who are symptomatic, and may be provided by our school nursing staff with prior notification.

Vaccinations
COVID vaccinations are available for students ages 5 and older at most medical and pharmaceutical facilities within Bolivar.

Protective Face Masks
Face masks are recommended for students and staff. Our goal is to keep students and staff safe and to engage students in high quality learning & activities.

Social Distancing
Teachers will stress the importance of social distancing while at school. Elementary students will maintain a core group of 50 students. This group will go to lunch and recess together. We will do our best to maintain social distancing as much as possible when students are not with their core group. We will arrange classroom desks and common seating areas (including tables) to maximize space between students.

Water Fountains and Water Bottles
Students will need to bring a reusable water bottle to school every day. Water fountains at school will only be used to refill students' water bottles and not to directly provide drinks.

Breakfast and Lunch
Students eating school meals will eat a grab-n-go breakfast in the classroom. During lunch time, students will stay with a cohort group of 50 or fewer students and eat in the cafeteria or commons while maintaining social distances. Parents/visitors will not be allowed to eat lunch at school, and at this time, we continue to ask parents/guardians to not deliver food items from outside vendors to students at school in efforts to minimize possible exposure to contagious or infectious disease. Our nutrition staff will wear protective face coverings during meal preparation and serving.

Transportation
While the District intends to provide transportation, it will be difficult to provide social distance on the bus. The District strongly encourages families to provide personal transportation for their students. Families must designate a need for transportation during registration, enabling transportation to plan routes and ridership. Buses will seat members of each family together, disinfect busses between trips, and will open windows when weather permits for increased air circulation, following CDC guidelines. Parents at all buildings will release/pick up students from the drop-off and pick-up lines. Staff will be on-site to assist students in the building and help them safely to class.

Attendance
It is important for all students to learn remotely on days when they have a fever or other symptoms of illness. Students who have a health reason verified by a parent/guardian or medical professional will receive a verified absence.

Cleaning and Disinfecting
Custodial staff will increase the disinfection of high-contact surfaces throughout the school day. Frequent hand-washing and other health protocols will be practiced and highly encouraged for all staff and students. Teachers will teach and review hygiene lessons and social distancing expectations, and hand sanitizer will be easily accessible throughout the building and in classrooms. School buildings will be thoroughly disinfected upon notification of a positive case.

Academic Progress
Teachers will closely monitor student progress and recommend additional academic supports as needed. These supports may include remediation and targeted instruction embedded within the school day, additional time and support in after-school tutoring and credit recovery options for students at Bolivar High school. Should a student be excluded from school due to illness, students will engage in daily lessons via their Canvas learning management system. Teachers, school resource officers, and building administration will continue to carefully monitor student engagement and progress during AIM instruction.

Social, Emotional, and Mental Wellness
Students will be invited to attend a host of school activities including academic performances and athletic competitions. School counseling staff will be available to students, including options for students who need individual counseling sessions. Wellness checks will be conducted by principals, school resource officers, school counselors, and instructional staff during periods of distance learning (AIM).

Canvas
Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) for the Bolivar R-1 School District. Teachers will use this platform during in-person and distance learning instruction.

Volunteers and Visitors
At this time, only students, staff, and essential support staff will be allowed in school buildings. Virtual meetings will be highly encouraged. As our health environment changes, these restrictions may change.

Elementary

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO ELEMENTARY & EARLY CHILDHOOD

Arrival and Dismissal
Arrivals: Students at the Bolivar Primary School (BPS) and Bolivar Intermediate School (BIS) may arrive at school as early as 7:15 a.m. BPS students will enter through the front door and BIS students will enter through the back door. Staff will supervise early arrivals in a common space that will allow for social distancing until students are released to go to class. Students at the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) may arrive at school as early as 7:50 a.m. Staff will be on hand to assist children as they enter the building. As an additional safeguard, the school will not permit parents, guardians, and other visitors to enter schools or escort students to class.

Dismissals: The school will direct students to remain in the classroom or designated commons area until their bus number, car name, or daycare is announced.

Student Supplies
Sharing of student supplies such as crayons, markers, scissors, and pencils will not be allowed. Students will keep their supplies separate from those of others in individually labeled containers.

Computer Labs/Classroom Devices and Manipulatives
Technical devices and learning manipulatives needed for instructional purpose will be disinfected before shared with another student.

Encore Classes (P.E., Music, Tech, Art)
Students will attend special area classes once per week for 50 minutes. Teachers and students will disinfect equipment and workspaces on a routine basis. Students will follow social distancing options as much as possible when lining up and traveling in the hallways to Encore classes.

Recess
Students will attend recess in a constant cohort group of 50. Students will wash their hands before and after recess. Each elementary site will develop a schedule that will allow for daily outdoor playtime. Recess equipment will be disinfected daily and will stay with the cohort group.

Library Media Centers
Library Media Centers will be open for lessons and for checking in/out books. Students will wash hands or disinfect hands before and after visits to the Library. At the present time, book fairs will be virtual.

Chromebooks
Bolivar Intermediate School students will be assigned a Chromebook to use and take home during the school year.

School-wide Assemblies
Large group gatherings may take place at the discretion of the building principal in consultation with district superintendent. Each school will develop procedures and protocols to carry out gatherings and assemblies, and may conduct such events through a virtual experience or with smaller groups.

Outside Snacks and Birthday Treats/Parties
In efforts to reduce risks to students, parents and students will not be allowed to bring edible food items or small party favors for birthday treats. Principals may continue to "celebrate" with announcements over the intercom and well-wishes in the classroom.

Field Trips
Principals and the assistant superintendent will assess requests for field trips and approve/deny these based upon the most current wellness information.

Secondary

INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

Arrival
Middle School: Bolivar Middle School (BMS) students who need to arrive at school early may be dropped off at the Field House no earlier than 7:00 a.m. Front doors at BMS will not open until 7:30 a.m. Students will practice social distancing during early arrival times.

High School: Bolivar High School (BHS) students should not arrive at the building earlier than 7:00 a.m. Students will practice social distancing during early arrival times.

Hallways, Passing Periods, and Lockers
Students will walk on the right side of the hall and make efforts to adhere to social distancing options as much possible. Lockers will not be used at BHS unless specifically requested. BMS students will be allowed to carry backpacks throughout the school day, and lockers will be utilized as needed.

Chromebooks
BMS and BHS students will be assigned a Chromebook to use and take home during the school year.

Library Media Centers
Library Media Centers will remain open with adjusted guidance for checking out and returning resources. Books will be disinfected before re-circulation.

Lunch
All secondary schools will operate with several lunch periods to decrease the number of students eating in the cafeteria. Students will eat with limited seating at each cafeteria table and will practice recommended social distancing options. In efforts to minimize possible exposure to contagious or infectious diseases, food items from outside vendors cannot be delivered to BMS or BHS students during the school day.

School Assemblies
Large group gatherings may take place at the discretion of the building principal in consultation with the district superintendent. Each school will develop procedures and protocols to carry out gatherings and assemblies and may conduct such events through a virtual experience or with smaller groups.

Athletics and Activities
Our Bolivar R-1 Schools’ athletic director, coaches, and trainers have been instrumental in preparing athletes and families for healthy athletic environments and procedures. Bolivar athletic programs will continue to follow district safety protocols and work closely with the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) regarding practices and sanctioned sports events.

Band, Musical, and Drama Performances and Productions
Band, vocal music, and drama and speech teachers will assess programs designed for public performance and make modifications that allow for smaller audiences and the practice of social distancing as needed. The district will consider virtual performances as an option for program alternatives.

Field Trips
Principals and the assistant superintendent will assess requests for field trips and approve/deny these based upon the most current wellness information.

Equity of Access

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

During a closure, the District will provide access to accommodations and related services to the extent possible. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) team will make determinations under each individual student IEP on form G. Students receiving support under section 504 will be provided access to accommodations to the extent possible. Parents or staff members with concerns related to section 504 should contact their student’s counselor and request that a 504 meeting be scheduled.

• All students with a disability will be provided instruction relative to their IEP goals.

• A child’s case manager will work with families to ensure a child’s IEP accommodations are being made.

• In the event of a school closure, students will continue to receive their services to the extent possible.

• The IEP team will develop an “alternative methods of instruction” (AMI) plan for students with an IEP, which will be implemented in the event virtual instruction is requested or directed by the District.

English Language Learning (ELL)

• In the event of a school closure, students will continue to receive ELL support online from their ELL teacher.

Talented and Gifted (TAG)

• In the event of a school closure, students will continue to receive TAG support online from their TAG teacher.