Q: Why was the deadline of August 14 for the at-home/virtual learning model (Model B) not pushed back further? I would like more time to make this decision?
A: We would love to give you more time, but to be honest we are going to have to do a lot of re-adjusting and planning. Student and staffing numbers are crucial to help deliver the same quality education expected from Springboro Schools. This deadline was set, in order for administration to implement exact class numbers and staffing arrangements for both Model A and Model B.
Q: In the Model B option, will my child still be able to take electives/specials?
A: Students in Grades K-5 will not have electives/specials virtually. Students in Grades 6-12 will have electives/specials virtually, although there may be some exceptions. The school building will community this directly to families.
Q: I’m considering homeschooling my child or moving to another school which offers an outside virtual learning option to begin the school year. What if I withdraw and wish to return later?
A: Students withdrawn for any reason will have records transferred appropriately and will give up their space in class. Students interested in returning to Springboro Schools, must re-register as a new student, per our district’s registration policy. All documents and records will be required, as for any new student. View Registration Page Here.
Q: What is the district’s policy on face coverings?
A: The district has a Face Coverings Policy, which can be read on our COVID-19 webpage.
Please Note: On Saturday, August 15, 2020 the Ohio Department of Health said the state will follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and not allow face shields to be substituted for face masks unless a child meets certain exceptions. The Ohio Department of Health says in instances covered by the exceptions such as the need for lip reading, when eating or drinking, and when playing at recess, or if an individual has a medical condition, then a face shield may be appropriate.
This state order supersedes the district's current Face Coverings Policy. Springboro Schools will follow this updated State order. The district does believe that our practitioners (Speech Pathologists and/or Classroom Teachers) actively engaging in instructional practices should be able to wear face shields when social distancing at 6 feet apart. This ultimately allows our Speech Pathologists and Classroom Teachers to instruct and utilize facial cues. A face mask would be utilized during all other interactions when within 6 feet.
Q: Based on the district’s Face Coverings Policy, if my child has high anxiety or another medical/social/emotional concern, will you accept a doctor’s note saying he/she does not have to wear a face covering?
A: We understand there will be several students with different needs. Face coverings does include masks or gaiters (parent/student discretion). We are creating an appeals process that will go through our school nursing staff, and communicated to parents from each school building. Also, please click here to view the district’s policy on face coverings.
Q: What will the classrooms look like?
A: The classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned before the start of school (as well as cleaned daily throughout the school year) with only essential furniture inside the classroom. By removing the excess furniture, we are able to stage the student desks and maintain distancing (as best as possible, but not always 6 feet apart), while allowing all students to attend school in-person for full-day instruction.
Q: Are there going to be changes to the cleaning and sanitization of the school?
A: The school buildings are currently cleaned each evening. Deep cleaning and sanitizing will occur each evening during the school year, with specialized antimicrobial cleaning occurring routinely, unless a positive case arises, and then the school will be treated overnight.
Bathrooms will be cleaned periodically throughout the school day, and common surfaces like: handles, rails, desks, hard surfaces will be sanitized multiple times each day.
Hand-washing and sanitizing will be reinforced and encouraged, and additional hand sanitizing units will be placed strategically around each school.
Q: Will the district provide mental health support for students, teachers, and staff?
A: Yes, our Director of Mental Health and District Nurse are working with their teams, including school counselors, to continue to focus on student mental health and social/emotional concerns. Teachers and staff for Springboro Schools can visit the district’s COVID-19 Support webpage for further details. Students are encouraged to visit the district's Mental Health Service's Web Page for support.
Q: If any individual (teacher, staff, or student) has already had COVID-19, do they still need to wear a mask?
A: Yes, until we are told by the health experts that it is not necessary, all teachers and staff will be required to wear a face covering. Students will be required to wear face coverings on buses, when entering/exiting a building, in hallways, in lunch lines, and in classrooms with masks breaks scheduled during the school day.
Q: What will we do with school supplies and will students share them?
A: No, there will be no sharing of school supplies. Each student will need his/her own school supplies.
Q: Will you do away with the Springboro High School (SHS) attendance/exam policy this school year?
A: There will be no perfect attendance/exam policy this school year (2020-2021).
Q: I am concerned about the shared drinking fountains; can I send a water bottle for my child?
A: The drinking fountains will not be usable, but there are water bottle filling stations throughout the school. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school in all grade levels and will be able to keep them at their desks.
Students are only permitted to have water in their water bottles, rather than juice, coffee, tea, soda, etc.
We ask that spill-proof, reusable water bottles be sent with children. We do understand that in a morning rush, a disposable water bottle may be necessary, but appreciate the effort to send the other types most often.
Q: Will SHS or SJHS be switching classrooms this school year?
A: Yes.
Q: Will lunch take place in the cafeteria this year, or elsewhere (classroom, etc.)?
A: Lunch will take place in the cafeteria with a limited number of students to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Students in the same lunch period could also have their lunch take place in the gymnasium or a designated classroom. This will depend on the school building, and be communicated directly to parents from each school building.
Q: With the quarantine of a COVID-19 positive patient, will siblings in other classrooms also have contact tracing/quarantine?
A: Springboro Schools will work in conjunction with the Warren county health department to determine who will have to quarantine in the event that a person has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Students and staff that have been exposed within a 6 feet circumference for more than 15 mins will need to quarantine. This will be determined by the Warren County Health Department. Those who have been in the same classroom as someone who tested positive for COVID-19, will be notified but may not be required to quarantine. Per the CDC guidelines, any immediate family member in the same household as a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days.
Q: If a teacher gets COVID-19, does their time off come from their own sick bank or is it covered?A: The United States Department of Labor has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which applies to our workforce from April 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. This Act requires employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
Q: If a staff member travels to a red/purple zone, will they be required to self-quarantine?
A: The United States Department of Labor has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which applies to our workforce from April 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. This Act requires employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
Q: Were the Building Reopening Meetings (Virtual - Facebook Live Events) recorded?
A: Yes. Each meeting was recorded and posted to the district COVID-19 webpage, as well as the district Facebook Page.
Q: When can I get my yearbook?
A: Yearbook Pass Out will occur August 25th and 26th in the cafeteria. Please reference the parking pass and yearbook pass out schedule that was sent in the Principal's Update on Wednesday, August 19. You must come at your designated time. If you have graduated, you may come to the cafeteria anytime between 8am and 12pm on the 25th or 26th. If you cannot pick up on those days, you may pick the yearbook up from the front desk starting September 10th. Extras are available for purchase. Checks are payable to SHS for $75.
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Still Didn't Find the Answer to Your Question? Call the District Communications Coordinator at 937-748-3960.