Greenville County Schools is pleased to announce its final back-to-school plan for 2020-21.
The plan is pending approval by the South Carolina Department of Education.
It’s important to note that it does NOT include the attendance schedule for the first week of school (August 24) as we don’t yet know what the COVID-19 spread-rate will be.
Our number one goal is shared by many parents and the South Carolina Governor, and that is to return to five-day-a-week in-person instruction.
We plan to do that just as soon as it’s safe to do so. Pending GCS Board of Trustees’ approval, any decisions we make will be based on objective information from scientific, public health and medical experts.
While social and emotional well-being are important, our primary consideration must be physical safety.
Our return to school will be a stepped process that allows us to analyze trends before moving closer to our goal of full-time in-person instruction.
The full plan is attached, along with a two-page summary for your convenience.
Here’s a breakdown of what the plan includes:
Virtual option
Our Virtual Program provides families with the option of a consistent platform of virtual instruction, provided by certified GCS teachers using a Chromebook supplied by the district and continued access to local-school supports and activities. Tests will be proctored remotely and instruction will be structured.
Traditional option
Our traditional option (in-person instruction) involves three scenarios that will be determined by the district, based on the COVID-19 spread-rate:
Low Spread Medium spread High Spread
Traditional In-Person Hybrid: In-Person 100% eLearning or
Instruction and eLearning minimal In-Person
When GCS is on 100% eLearning, students will have an experience similar to the Virtual Program, with structured chunks of instruction, proctored tests, and daily interaction with teachers.
In the hybrid plan, students get the benefit of in-person, small group, intensive instruction one- or two-days a week.
The remainder of the week they will work remotely by watching instructional videos, reading, conducting research, and completing assignments.
Their classroom teacher will be available during his/her planning period if students need to ask a question or get clarification.
Attendance Plan five is 100% in-person learning, with students attending school five days a week.
It is possible that during the upcoming year different attendance plans could be in effect for different schools or school levels, based on conditions ranging from the community spread rate for COVID-19 to variable weather conditions across the county.
Students who opt for our traditional school program will follow the district’s Attendance Plan Roadmap to determine in-person attendance at school.
Under the GCS Roadmap, Plan 5 reflects a regular school schedule, with five-day-a-week, in-person instruction.
Attendance Plan 1 has ¼ of students in the school buildings each day, Monday through Thursday; Plan 2 has ½ of students in attendance each day Monday through Thursday; On Plan 5 all students are in attendance five days a week.
Social distancing is only possible on Attendance Plans 1 and 2, but a return to Attendance Plan 5 does not necessarily signal a return to “normal.” All precautions will be followed until further notice.
Temperature checks
GCS will strictly adhere to COVID-19 prevention protocols, including daily temperature checks and health screenings for employees and any school visitors allowed beyond the office. Students who are symptomatic must also be screened.
Social-distancing
Students, teachers and other staff must maintain social-distancing (six-feet of physical distance in all directions) throughout the school day.
Social-distancing will be required on Attendance Plan 1 and when possible on Plans 2 and 5.
To assist in this effort, class transitions will be staggered. Hallways will be marked with lanes to maintain spacing.
Visual cues and reminders will be placed throughout buildings.
Bathroom breaks will be staggered. Entrances will be monitored to prevent overcrowding.
Masks
Masks will be worn by staff and students (grades 2-12) when social-distancing (6 ft.) cannot be maintained. Examples include entering or leaving the building, moving about the hallways, using restroom facilities, riding the bus, etc. Required distancing is only possible in Attendance Plans 1 and 2. Visual cues will be in place to remind everyone to follow precautions.
Meals
Students will eat in the cafeteria when operating under Attendance Plan 1. They will eat in the cafeteria OR classroom depending on the layout of the school and other factors when operating under Plan 2. Students will eat in their classrooms when operating under Plan 5. Breakfast will be available free to all students. Families with free and reduced status can pick up meals at select locations when on 100% eLearning.
Disinfecting/air quality
Students and employees can rest assured that all protocols will be followed to keep GCS buildings safe. Outdoor air ventilation rates have been adjusted for maximum air exchange. All domestic water systems have been flushed. Custodians will be equipped with electrostatic sprayers to provide quick and thorough sanitation of large spaces. High-touch areas will be sanitized regularly throughout the day. Desks will be sanitized between occupants. Hand sanitizer will be provided in all classrooms and throughout all facilities. Restroom soap dispensers will be checked and filled regularly.
Quarantine/exposure
To learn more, visit www.greenville.k12.sc.us and click on the Parent Resource Page, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for Parent BackPack! We provide resources in English and Spanish and our website has a Google Translate feature that will convert pages into the language of your choice.
Questions or comments about the re-opening plan can be directed to infoline@greenville.k12.sc.us or you can call the Service Center to speak to a representative. Any Virtual Program questions should be directed to GCSVirtual@greenville.k12.sc.us.
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