Livingston Schools Announce Reopening Plan for 2020-2021 School Year
Livingston Parish Public School Superintendent Joe Murphy announced July 16 that the district has developed three distinct reopening plans that will allow for optimal student instruction while adhering to state guidelines for each recovery phase as determined by the state.
“Our three-phase plan allows our district to be flexible, yet efficient, in adhering to the state’s guidelines for reopening schools,” Murphy said. “We believe these plans are the most advantageous for all our students. It is our intent to maximize face-to-face instruction as much as possible, while remaining within the mandated guidelines we have been given.”
Murphy noted that the state is currently in Phase 2 recovery status. If that were to remain in effect through Aug. 7, which will be the first day of classes for students, the district would implement its Phase 2 reopening plan. However, if the governor declares a change in that status, the district can swiftly adjust accordingly, he said.
Phase 1 Plan
A Phase 1 reopening would require all students, pre-K to 12th grade, except for a small group of students who need assistance, to be provided instruction through distance learning. Under this format, students will receive instruction through Google Classroom, SeeSaw, or Microsoft Teams digital platforms, as well as live virtual instruction.
Other requirements would include:
- Students would be seated one per seat in every other seat when riding a bus.
- No more than 10 people, including teachers and staff members, will be allowed in a classroom.
- Students would receive hand sanitizer throughout the day, given multiple opportunities to wash hands and be required to wear masks to the greatest extent possible if they are in 3rd grade or above. All employees at the campus would be required to wear masks.
- Temperatures will be checked every day by the end of first hour. Anyone with a temperature reading of 100.4 degrees or above will be isolated for parental pick up, and next step guidance will be provided.
- All students will be offered lunch, and possibly breakfast, as “grab-n-go” meals that will be available for drive-by pick up Monday through Friday.
- All fall sports, as well as band and music, will not be allowed.
Phase 2 Plan
The Phase 2 reopening plan presents a diversified, hybrid model of instruction, based on grade level and capacity. Students in pre-K to 2nd grade, as well as students needing special assistance, would follow the traditional model of instruction by attending school at their home campuses five days per week. Students in 3rd to 12th grade would return to school on an assigned schedule and receive a blend of face-to-face instruction at their home campuses and distance learning from their homes or remote locations. Students at each campus will be divided evenly into an “A” group or “B” group, with one group attending class on Mondays and Wednesdays and every other Friday, and the other group attending class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday.
Other requirements would include:
- Students will be required to complete assignments online using Google Classroom, SeeSaw, or Microsoft Teams digital platforms on those days they are not on campus.
- Parents will be encouraged to drive their children to and from school as possible. Buses will run with no more than 50% capacity (36 students per bus), and riders will be required to wear masks and to sanitize their hands upon entering.
- No more than 25 people, including teachers and staff members, will be allowed in a classroom.
- Students would receive hand sanitizer throughout the day, given multiple opportunities to wash hands and be required to wear masks if they are in 3rd grade or above. All employees on campuses would be required to wear masks.
- Temperatures will be checked every day by the end of first hour. Anyone with a temperature reading of 100.4 degrees or above will be isolated for parental pick up, and next step guidance will be provided.
- Students will not dress out for physical education. Locker rooms will be closed.
- Students will refrain from contact and high-risk sports, as well as band and music. Some fall sports and extracurricular programs may continue within guidelines.
- All students will be offered breakfast upon entering their school campuses. Students will eat in their classrooms or designated areas. Students will pick up lunch in the cafeterias in groups no larger than 25 students, and they will eat in designated areas. Students enrolled in virtual learning, or who are receiving instruction through distance learning that day, will be offered “grab-n-go” meals that will be available for drive-by pick up. The students must be in the cars to receive the meals.
Phase 3 Plan
A Phase 3 reopening would allow all students, pre-K to 12th grade, to receive face-to-face instruction five days per week on their home campuses. This traditional model of learning would be possible due to larger-allowed group sizes in classrooms and reduced restrictions on transportation.
Some requirements would still be place:
- Buses would run with no more than 75% capacity (54 students per bus), and riders would be required to sanitize their hands upon entering.
- No more than 50 people, including teachers and staff members, would be allowed in a classroom.
- Students would be given multiple opportunities to wash hands and masks would be recommended for students in 3rd grade or above, as well as for employees.
- Temperatures will be checked every day by the end of first hour. Anyone with a temperature reading of 100.4 degrees or above will be isolated for parental pick up, and next step guidance will be provided.
- Contact and high-risk sports, as well as band and music, will be allowed within defined groups. Wrestling and soccer may practice and conduct intra-squad scrimmages; football may practice only. Some fall sports may compete, and extracurricular programs may continue within guidelines.
- All students will be offered breakfast upon entering school campuses. Students will eat in their classrooms or designated areas. Students will pick up lunch in the cafeterias in groups no larger than 50 students, and they will eat in designated areas. Drive-thru meal service will be discontinued.
Livingston Schools Institute Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines
Guarantee Restoration Services CEO Shawn Folks, standing center, oversees the work of his employees as they clean and disinfect a sports training room in the Denham Springs High School gymnasium. GRS has been hired to clean all school campuses and the district’s bus fleet during the month of July to prepare for the reopening of school in August. GRS was the school system’s lead contractor for the clean up following the 2016 flood.
Superintendent Joe Murphy emphasized that the number one priority of the district is the safety, health and well-being of students, employees, and local communities during this time of planning for reopening school.
“We have made every effort to ensure Livingston Schools will offer quality instruction and educational opportunities for all our students, no matter their individual circumstance,” Murphy said. “At the same time, we are following guidelines, working to create cleaner, safer environments and supporting healthier choices and habits to ensure our schools remain safe for everyone.”
He noted that district guidelines enforce enhanced cleaning efforts and tight restrictions on person-to-person interactions. Those guidelines are posted on the Livingston Parish School website at www.lpsb.org.
The district has employed Guarantee Restoration Services to thoroughly clean all parish campuses and buses this summer. GRS uses Bioesque botanical disinfectant that minimizes harmful chemicals being introduced into the school buildings. The company services clients in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast region. GRS was the lead contractor hired to clean and disinfect campuses in Livingston Parish after the flood of August 2016.
Once schools reopen, classrooms and buses will be cleaned and disinfected daily with the use of electrostatic sprayers.