EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Utah’s 41 school districts unveil reopening plans for fall

Aug 6, 2020, 3:20 PM | Updated: Aug 11, 2020, 10:18 am

KSLNewsRadio

SALT LAKE CITY — In Utah, there are 41 school districts serving more than 600,000 students. Every district seeks to fulfill its mission of teaching young residents of the state during the coronavirus pandemic, but each district has its own plan for reopening for the 2020-21 school year while balancing a safe learning environment with an effective instruction model. Accordingly, each district plans for either in-person teaching, remote learning or a hybrid of the two. Here are their plans:

Alpine School District
Date: Aug. 18

Plan: The Alpine School District released its “Return to Learn” Plan and will resume daily face-to-face instruction for students while also providing an online learning option.

Guidelines: Students, teachers and school staff must wear a mask or face covering while on buses, in common areas, during transition times, in classrooms and when arriving and leaving school. Occasional allowances may be made by the teacher with appropriate distancing. Students and teachers are asked to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their faces. Breakfast and lunch will be served each school day in a “grab-and-go” format. Eating areas throughout the school will be designated, including areas for students who have food allergies. Classrooms will not be required eating areas.

Beaver School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: Beaver School District has a plan for the 2020-21 school year here. Curricula and lessons will be prepared for in-person and remote learning.

Guidelines: Reusable masks will be provided to all employees and students. School visitors will also be asked to wear a mask.

Box Elder School District
Date: Aug. 31

Plan: The district has a “Return to Learn” plan that can be found here. The district is planning on opening schools with added protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In-person or online learning are both available.

Guidelines: Social distancing, increased hand-washing and wearing masks are included in the plan.

Cache County School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: The Cache County School District reopening plan for 2020-21 can be found here. The school day will be shortened by 45 minutes at the end of each day for all students at all campuses. Teachers will be available during this time to provide open office hours for both in-person and remote-learning students and to prepare instruction for both of these learning modes.

Guidelines: All students and employees are expected to have a clean face covering and wear it when physical distancing is not possible. Cloth face masks will be supplied to all students. Cloth masks and shields will be available to all employees and staff. Accommodations will be made for students or staff who are unable to wear masks for medical reasons.

Canyons School District
Date: Aug. 17

Plan: The District’s Back-to-School plan can be found here.

Update: School administrators have been tasked with designing operational plans aimed at physical distancing based on each school’s individual layout. As part of the Canyons District plan, each school has created its own site-specific safety plan.

Guidelines: Schools will be cleaned during the day and evening. Canyons District, which will follow the governor’s order to require the use of face coverings, will supply hand sanitizers, soap and other Personal Protection Equipment, such as Plexiglas, in high-traffic areas and face shields and coverings.

Carbon School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The District plan is based on all healthy students being physically present in school and can be found here. Students who cannot be physically present in school on a temporary basis will participate in remote learning.

Guidelines: According to the executive order from Gov. Gary Herbert, all students and staff will be required to wear face masks that cover both nose and mouth at school and on buses. Any person with a medical condition, mental health condition, disability, deaf or hard of hearing, Individual Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan that prevents wearing a face covering may be exempt.

Daggett School District
Date: Aug. 24

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website.

Davis School District
Date: Aug. 25

Update: Davis School District originally planned on a “normal” school opening with required face coverings, enhanced hygiene/sterilization procedures and — wherever possible — physical distancing. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in our community and in order to further limit the spread of the virus, the district will need to increase our capacity to provide physical distancing in our schools. To accomplish this, the district will implement an alternate-day, hybrid (in person/remote) learning model.

Guidelines: To mitigate spread of COVID-19, the district will encourage physical distancing, proper hand hygiene, sanitization, wearing masks, staggering class start and release times, hallway flow adjustments, modifying lunch times and seating, recess modifications and spacing of students in common areas.

Duchesne County School District

Date: Aug. 26

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website.

Emery County School District
Date: Aug. 25

Plan: The district plan for the new school year will be updated here. The plan calls for teachers and students to return to schools, in-person, on Aug. 25.

Guidelines: The plan will be based on the State Board of Education’s “Planning Requirements and Recommendations for K-12 School Reopening” as well as input received from teachers, staff and parents.

Garfield County School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The district is preparing for students to return to a traditional environment on Aug. 19. Information can be found here.

Guidelines: The district is committed to state government and health officials to go above and beyond to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the COVID-19. We ask for your help and support as we implement what may feel like cumbersome safety protocols.

Grand County School District
Date: Sept. 8

Plan: The district supports reopening schools in a safe and thoughtful manner. Information can be found here. The district also supports Utah’s 55-day plan to quell COVID-19 by Labor Day. As a result, the first day of school (except for preschool and kindergarten) will be Tuesday, Sept. 8. You may choose to have your child attend school in person or learn online by a certified teacher (elementary) or through SEATS – the Utah Online Education Program (secondary).

Guidelines: All staff and students are required to wear facial coverings at school and on buses (clear shield, mask, buff, gaiter, bandana, etc.) when 6 feet or greater physical distancing is not possible and will be urged to wear them at all times. Face coverings will not be required for any person with a medical or mental health condition or disability that prevents wearing one. The district will provide staff and students with face coverings and gloves.

Granite School District
Date: Aug. 24

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website.

Iron County School District
Date: Aug. 11

Plan: Together with the Southwest Utah Health Department, teachers, staff, administrators, nurses, doctors, parents, and community stakeholders, the district has developed guidance for opening school — with all students having the opportunity to attend on a regular schedule. But the district realizes the risk of infection and the need to follow health guidelines increases as students, teachers and staff gather return to schools. If you would like your child — for any reason — to not attend school in a traditional in-person setting, the district has two full online school options. The plan for reopening and guidelines for the 2020-21 school year can be found here.

Jordan School District
Date: Aug. 17

Plan: More information can be found here. The district will resume face-to-face instruction for students on a regular school schedule, Monday through Thursday. Students will not be required to attend in-person learning on Fridays. Fridays will be structured around meeting individual student needs and extending learning from earlier in the week.

Guidelines: Jordan School District will meet any applicable state or county mandates requiring face coverings in schools. Students are strongly encouraged to wear a face masks at school. Students may be required to wear a face covering in some circumstances, such as assemblies, higher-risk classes and offices. Alternative activities will be offered for students who choose not to wear a face covering. Regular, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting will take place in all buildings.

Juab School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: A Monday through Thursday full-day schedule, and a Friday digital learning and development day, will happen each week to give teachers time to schedule student interventions, manage in-person and online instruction and to develop instructional programs. More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Employees will mitigate risk and spread by encouraging physical distancing, following proper hand-washing and sanitizing, wearing masks, staggering class start and end times, adjusting hallway flow, modifying lunchtimes and seating, creating recess modifications and spacing of students in common areas.

Kane County School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The school reopening plan can be found here. The district is now planning a normal school opening on Aug. 19. The district hopes is to have all students return to school and participate in-person instruction while taking precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Guidelines: In an effort to comply with Gov. Gary Herbert’s recent mandate, Kane School District will require employees and students to wear face coverings on buses and in schools when appropriate.

Logan City School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: Information about the new school year can be found here. The district is planning a “soft-opening” that will allow us to work with students and staff to implement routines and monitor their impact before enacting a yearlong plan. This soft-opening will last from Aug. 19 through Sept. 25.

Guidelines: All students and staff will be expected to wear face coverings in schools and on buses in accordance with Gov. Gary Herbert’s mandate. Students who do not wish to wear face masks at school (due to personal choice, medical need or a disability) may choose to receive their instruction through the district online system. Students who wish to participate in-person learning at school will be expected to wear face coverings while in school. Staff will also be expected to wear face coverings, either masks or face shields, in accordance with Herbert’s mandate. Students will be provided two masks by the district. If a student prefers a different type of face covering (i.e. gaiter), those will be allowed. All school visitors will be required to wear a mask while in school.

Millard School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: District schools will reopen Aug. 19 as per the original schedule. While it is anticipated that the schools within the Millard School District will maintain as nearly a regular schedule as possible, accommodations are recommended where possible to reduce crowding and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information about the 2020-21 school year can be found here.

Guidelines: Cloth masks will be provided for students and employees. Students will be strongly encouraged to wear masks in schools. Employees will be directed to wear face masks when physical distancing of 6 feet or more is not possible. Accommodations will be made for staff and students who have respiratory problems. Schools will increase instruction and monitoring of students’ hand-washing.

Morgan School District
Date: Aug. 25

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website

Murray School District
Date: Aug. 17

Plan: The current plan (subject to approval by the school board) will offer classroom, online and hybrid options for learning. We will also address safety for students, staff and patrons. More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Students, teachers, staff and visitors will be required to wear a face covering. Mealtimes will be staggered to improve physical distancing.

Nebo School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website

North Sanpete School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: Information and guidelines about the 2020-21 reopening can be found here.

North Summit School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The district is planning a normal school opening on Wednesday, Aug. 19, with the same Monday through Friday schedule as in the past. Updates can be found here.

Guidelines: The plan calls for encouraging proper handwashing, sanitization, face coverings, hallway-flow adjustments, physical distancing, lunchtime adjustments for serving and seating, and recess modifications.

Ogden School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: Keeping Ogden Healthy focuses on six key areas to ensure a safe and healthy return to school:

Sanitation and Hygiene,
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
Physical Distancing,
Student Well-Being,
Staff Well-Being, and
Student Learning & Engagement.

More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Keeping Ogden Healthy mitigates the spread of COVID-19 through the use of face masks and encouraging proper hygiene and sanitization, physical distancing, hallway flow adjustments, modifying lunch times and seating, recess adjustments and physical distancing of students in common areas.

Park City School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: In-person, full-time school will begin Aug. 20 for K-12th grades following the regular school calendar. Families can choose a fully online-learning option. Students will not lose their seats in their 2020-21 school if they choose this option. More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Park City School District has worked on backup plans and scenarios to mitigate risk to our staff, students and community while planning our return to school for in-person learning on Aug. 20.

Piute County School District
Date: Aug. 26

Plan: The 2020-21 reopening plan can be found here.

Guidelines: All school administrators and supervisors will be trained using protocols with the expectation that they will train employees working under their supervision.

Provo City School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The Return to School Plan can be found here. We are focusing the majority of our resources and efforts toward having all students receive at-school learning at schools, every day. As indicated by the responses to the parent survey sent out by the district, a majority would like to see students return to school. The district also recognizes that this approach may not work for some families or students, and so, we will also offer digital learning.

Guidelines: Parents perform daily wellness checks of each student before school. Physical and social distancing will be implemented where possible. Bus riders must wear face masks and will have assigned seating. Enhanced sanitizing practices will be implemented. IEP and 504 plans will be met.

Rich School District
Date: Aug. 24

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website.

Salt Lake City School District
Date: Sept. 8

Update: The district plan includes students beginning the year by remote learning. Remote learning will be in place until the end of the first quarter OR until health conditions in Salt Lake City improve and allow students back into the classroom.

Guidelines: Salt Lake City is now in the “orange” or moderate risk phase of Utah’s COVID-19 recovery plan. If we remain in this phase or move backward to the “red” or high risk phase, all instruction will be conducted only remotely. In the “yellow” or low risk phase, our schools will be able to operate on a modified schedule in which students will spend time each week learning in class and remotely. We will continue to support student learning in all Core content areas, as well as fine arts, music, physical education, and library services. Parents will be contacted by their school principals in the next few weeks with information on which days their student will attend school in our modified schedule.

San Juan School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: This plan is fluid and will be modified as conditions change and additional directives are released by local health departments, Navajo Nation authorities or state authorities. More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Protocols will focus on hygiene etiquette, social distancing wherever possible, faculty, staff and students wearing masks when distancing is not possible, increasing sanitizing efforts and having students and staff stay home when sick.

Sevier School District
Date: Aug. 18

Plan: The reopening protocol for schools can be found here. The goal is to welcome all students for face-to-face instruction every school day.

Guidelines: Schools will be expected to screen students. There is a screening document to help with this process. Face coverings and masks are likely considered the second most important mitigating factor.

South Sanpete School District
Date: Aug. 20

Plan: The district plans to start the 2020-2021 school year with students coming back to our classrooms for in-person instruction. Working closely with state and local officials, the district is in the process of developing plans to assist all students and faculty in staying healthy and safe while present at school. More information can be found here.

Guidelines: Masks will be strongly recommended/required when safe distancing is NOT possible. Schools will do their best to social distance students inside classrooms. Teachers will continue to use iPads (packets for Pre-2 grade) to instruct students in their traditional face-to-face classes and/or the online home learning.

South Summit School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: The district seeks the return of students to school every day while also needing to develop a plan designed for the flexibility of students in classroom physically and learning virtually as the pandemic can cause rapid enrollment changes. More info can be found here.

Guidelines: Faculty and staff will wear appropriate face coverings as mandated under state and county orders and when social distancing is not possible. Students will wear appropriate face coverings as mandated under state and county orders and when social distancing is not possible.

Tintic School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 reopening is not now on the district website.

Tooele County School District
Date: Aug. 25

Plan: The school reopening plan can be found here. To ensure students receive a robust education, the district is offering full-time in-person and remote-learning options. Families will be able to choose to enroll their children in either online or in-person classes.

Guidelines: Nurses and trained staff will help to educate and screen for COVID-19 symptoms. Parents are asked to take an active role in their child’s health and also screen for symptoms before sending them to school. Students will have assigned classroom seating to help with contact tracing.

Uintah School District
Date: Aug. 25

Plan: The plan for the 2020-21 school year can be found here. Students can participate in a blended model of in-person and online instruction. They can also participate in a home-based virtual school.

Wasatch County School District
Date: Aug. 17

Plan: Information about the 2020-21 re-opening is not now on the district website.

Washington County School District
Date: Aug. 13

Plan: The district will open for in-person school Aug. 13 on a traditional Monday through Friday schedule. Friday will be an early-out schedule for all grades K-12 for teacher and for staff professional development and training, and also deep cleaning of schools. Friday exit times: Elementary-1:15 pm, Intermediate-11:45 am, middle and high schools-12:30 pm. More info can be found here.

Guidelines: Face coverings are required for all staff and students (exceptions for qualifying health condition to be determined on an individual basis). Face coverings will not be required while eating and at recess per the Governor’s Public Health Order. We will all need to do our best to: protect the most vulnerable, mitigate risk and potential spread of coronavirus. Parents are encouraged to wash face coverings daily, Monitor this and adjust according to the Governor’s Executive Order.

Wayne County School District
Date: Aug. 19

Plan: Wayne County School District plans to return to school in the fall with students and teachers returning to class for live, in-person instruction. More info can be found here.

Guidelines: Steps will be taken to mitigate risk and keep all individuals safe, including staggered lunch and recess times, adjusted cleaning schedules and protocols. The district will comply with any applicable state or county mandates requiring face coverings in schools. Per state requirements, faculty and staff will wear face coverings (e.g., masks and/or shields) when physical distancing is not feasible.

Weber School District
Date: Aug. 26

Plan: Weber School District will follow guidance from state and local health department officials regarding school opening or possible closures. This year’s return to school will come with some new protocols and procedures in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. Here is a link to our Safe Weber—A Responsive Framework to COVID-19.

Guidelines: As schools reopen for in-person instruction, it is important everyone recognizes their role in protecting themselves and others. It is imperative that if anyone experiences flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, chills, nausea, etc.) they stay home. The Board of Education has suspended high school attendance credit requirements for the 2020-21 school year so that no student feels compelled to attend school. Likewise, elementary and junior high administrators have discontinued any type of perfect-attendance awards. Each school will place a heightened emphasis on facility sanitation, including the regular cleaning of touch points, horizontal surfaces and the use of electrostatic sprayers to maintain a clean and healthy school environment. Hand hygiene is vital so hand sanitation stations are placed throughout schools. Students will be encouraged to regularly wash their hands as a way to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others. The school district will provide face coverings for students and teachers. These face coverings are durable, washable and reusable. They will come in school colors and include the school logo. A face shield will be available for every teacher and staff member.