COVID-19 Update to Parents 8-16-2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers, First,  let me apologize for sending this to you on a Sunday afternoon.  While I respect your family time, with the onset of school so close and changes continuing to occur it became necessary to send what I hope to be my last communique before Wednesday’s opening.  Here are a few updates: Masks Mandate   As most everyone is aware the Ohio Department of Health has mandated that our face shields are not acceptable and students in grades K-12 must wear masks.  The unfortunate part of this story is that as late as Friday afternoon we had a Director’s Order from the Governor’s office allowing our shields and confirmation in writing from Public Health Dayton-Montgomery County that our shields were acceptable.  Then by Saturday morning the Ohio Department of Health ruled to the contrary. If you remember in one of my earliest videos, in June, I informed you that the Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Health and Public Health Dayton-Montgomery County were the three agencies that would direct most of what we do.  Unfortunately, this latest turn of events is evidence of the fact that these three agencies have seldom been on the same page or communicated a consistent message to us. I understand this may cause some of you to change your decision on in-person or online learning for your child(ren).  If necessary, we will respect and facilitate those changes (contact  denlingerw@brookvilleschools.org to make the change).  I have been contacted by a number of parents if we might be willing to contest or defy the ODH ruling.  Such a move would eliminate our insurance company from protecting us against a wrongful neglect suit.  Therefore, it would not be in the best interest of our schools or community.   In conclusion of this explanation, please be advised that all K-12 students will be expected to wear masks to school.  If you do not have masks available at this late notice, we have had many donated that can be given to your student.    Transportation Our transportation department wants to pass on that only those students who will be entering kindergarten and 4th grade this upcoming school year will be receiving, or have already received, a letter from the transportation department. Students in all the other grade levels will be riding the same bus and have the same pick-up/drop-off time as last school year unless you have been notified of a change.   All new students to the school district please contact the transportation department for bus number and pick-up/drop-off times.  Everyone should be prepared that changes in unloading, boarding procedures and cleaning the bus between routes may cause these times to fluctuate over the first few days of school. If you have any questions or need to make changes please contact the transportation department at 937-833-4724. Option 2 or Online Learners Please go to our website brookvilleschools.org to keep up with information on the start of school for online students.  Right now the information is under PLP Remote Learning.  There will be a parent orientation to this program this Thursday, August 20, 7:15-8:15pm.  Information on tech pick up and a Frequently Asked Questions page full of PLP information was sent via ParentSquare last week and will be added to the website as early as tomorrow morning. Athletics and Extracurricular Programs This is another area where state agencies and county authorities have been contradictory.  Worse yet, they have continued to kick the can down the road to what seems like the last possible moment.  We expect decisions to be announced by the Governor this Tuesday, August 18, literally 4 days before our first scheduled soccer and volleyball games.  We have no definitive answer at this time as to whether these contests will be allowed to happen or who may attend them.  This creates multiple issues regarding the scheduling of special events such as senior nights and the sale of tickets.  We have prepared various plans for implementation as soon as we know more answers.  And Finally I know I have said this a lot, but please be patient.  While the challenges ahead may be great, it will work.  We look forward to seeing those who are returning to our buildings.  I anticipate that everyday we will reflect and adapt to what we have learned.  As you develop questions,  reach out to the proper district personnel to share those questions/insights.   What can you do as a parent?  First, the morning self health assessment everyday is really important.  If you notice unexplained medical symptoms,  please help us by keeping children home.  Second, begin now encouraging your kids and preparing them to meet the new protocols with a positive mindset.  Life has always been what we make of it.  Right now that is more important than ever.  Help them approach school day with a positive attitude!!   Thank you for your continued support.       

Sunday, Aug 16 2020

Scheduled Start Confirmed With Some Changes

August 5, 2020 Dear Parents,  Daily, government agencies in charge continue to make changes relevant to COVID-19 and the return to school. The Board of Education and I met last evening and discussed all the most recent recommendations, regulations, and data sources. We are trying to assess those announcements and respond accordingly. Very early in this saga I mentioned to you that there are recommendations and there are requirements. Those are different and each has to be evaluated accordingly. Likewise, as redundant as it seems, I continue to caution that what I tell you today may look different tomorrow. I don’t like that, however, it is the world we live in right now. With that noted, the following is a bulleted list of the most recent additions/changes to our school restart plans: School will still open for students August 19, 2020.  At the intermediate and high school students will be permitted in the building at 7:30 and the tardy bell will ring at 7:50.  At the elementary students will be permitted in the building at 8:45 and the tardy bell will ring at 9:00. You likely saw that yesterday, the Governor mandated face coverings for all students K-12 throughout the day.  We have confirmed that our face shields are still acceptable.  Therefore, by mandate, whether they choose to wear a shield or their own mask, they will be worn now in all settings.  Obviously, lunchtime, outside classes and recess will still offer those opportunities for a break.  If you feel this mandate causes you to change your selection of in person (Option 1) or online education (Option 2), please email that request to denlingerw@brookvilleschools.org by Monday, August 10. We are excited to announce that we have joined numerous school districts and higher education institutions in adding the application of GermStop an antimicrobial to our buildings and buses.  GermStop will be applied by certified trained technicians on the hard services in our facilities every 28 days.  This spray is both EPA and FDA approved and protects against germs and viruses for 30 days. If you are interested,  you can learn more at  https://aobuildingservices.com/covid-19-services/ . Latchkey will still be offered in grades K-3 with safety protocols in place.  More information will soon be sent to elementary parents.        Each classroom is being outfitted with a “disinfectant basket” which will have disinfectant spray, wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, additional gloves and masks.  Paper towel dispensers are being added to all classrooms. Watch on our website, over the next week we will be posting the Safety Data Sheets on the disinfectants used.  Finally, we have pre-determined that if our county moves to a Level 4 Purple status on Ohio’s COVID-19 Advisory System or if we have a significant outbreak in our schools/community, it will trigger a move to remote learning.  That change to remote instruction would last a minimum of three weeks.  It is important that you understand this scenario so that families can begin planning and thinking ahead about potential childcare.  

Wednesday, Aug 05 2020

Please Complete Your Learning Option Survey

July 31, 2020 Dear Parents, As we continue to plan for the 2020-2021 school year this is a reminder that your survey to register for  Option 1 - Attending school in a Face-to-Face setting, or  Option 2 - Remotely at home through a third party vendor needs to be completed by  T OMORROW, August 1 .  This was sent to you via ParentSquare on Thursday, July 23.  It is vitally important in our preparation for the new school year to know your intentions.  If you have not, please complete this form.  Remember that regardless of your choice the survey needs to be submitted.   One recurring question has been Latchkey.  Before and after school Latchkey will be held this year ONLY for grades K-3.    Safety protocols will have to heeded during this time as well.  We are working out the details and will be sending a registration form out to elementary parents in the near future.

Friday, Jul 31 2020

Reopening Our Schools Day 2 Release of Video's 4,5 a...

July 22, 2020 Parents and Caregivers, These are the final three videos that give clarification to our school reopening plans.  These three videos cover: Video 4 - Transportation, Entering & Exiting the Building and Hallways & Lockers Video 5 - Lunch, Deliveries, Visitors  and Volunteers Video 6 - Remote Learning, Option 2 Online, Contact Information and Future Information We have had a handful of parents ask where they might learn more about Schools PLP.  You can explore their website here:   https://sites.google.com/mcesc.org/mcesc-online-learning/home These are the email addresses of school personnel that may be able to answer your specific questions: Curriculum or Technology - hindss@brookvilleschools.org High School - bronnerc@brookvilleschools.org Intermediate School - wheate@brookvilleschools.org Elementary School - thomass@brookvilleschools.org Transportation - requarthj@brookvilleschools.org Athletics - spradab@brookvilleschools.org Food Service - porterm@brookvilleschools.org Health Services - daflerk@brookvilleschools.org or spradaa@brookvilleschools.org General Information - hopkinst@brookvilleschools.org Thank You!!

Wednesday, Jul 22 2020

Brookville Local Schools Fall 2020 Reopening Plans

July 21, 2020 Hello Parents, Students and Staff, After approval by the Board of Education, at this time we are posting the Brookville Local Schools Fall 2020 Reopening Plans.  I want to thank the Restart Committee that worked many hours in an effort to develop a plan that provides the best educational experience possible in the healthiest environment possible for our students and staff.  The plans are explained for you in three different documents: A Quick Reference Guide The Complete Fall Re-Opening Plans document Frequently Asked Questions They are being sent out this afternoon via ParentSquare and social media and will be on our website.  I will also be offering six short videos to give some level of clarification to the plan.  Three of those videos are being sent to you now.  They cover: An Overview and the available Learning Options Self Health Assessment and Protocol for Positive COVID-19 Cases Face Coverings, Assigned Seating, Hand Cleanliness, Social Distancing & Water Bottles  Three more short videos will come out tomorrow describing how our plan will be implemented.   We continue to emphasize that multiple agencies have the opportunity to edict changes in our plan on a daily basis.  We will need to remain flexible for those situations.  We also understand that the status of COVID-19 cases in our state may also result in changes in our plans.   Look for more information to be released tomorrow .   For now, please review the written plan along with some video explanation reflecting portions of the plan.   Thank You!!

Tuesday, Jul 21 2020