Return to Learn Plan 2022-2023

MISSION “To Be Positive Difference Makers”

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The Vinton–Shellsburg Community School District offers educational opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This statement is true regarding any and all educational programs including cooperative and/or work–study programs. The school district is committed to the policy that no otherwise qualified person will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any school district program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Further, the school district affirms the right of all students and staff, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity to be treated with respect and to be protected from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and/or harassment.

The Vinton–Shellsburg Community School District is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The school district requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status (in programs), gender, socioeconomic status (in programs), creed, or genetic information (in employment) in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities, and in employment practices, pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable state and federal laws.

Any person having a complaint or grievance regarding educational or employment opportunities with the Vinton–Shellsburg Community School District should contact: Equity Coordinator or the Superintendent at: Vinton–Shellsburg Community School Administrative Offices, 1502 C Ave., Vinton, Iowa 52349 Phone: (319) 436–4728

BOARD POLICIES

All Vinton-Shellsburg CSD Board Policies are found on the V-S Simbli Website located here.

Return to Learn Plan

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this plan is to provide Vinton-Shellsburg CSD students with face-to-face learning experiences in a pre-pandemic manner.

IDPH COVID-19 Education Update May 14, 2021:

Identifies that COVID-19 in the school setting should be approached like other child illnesses including the elimination of quarantine procedures for exposed students regardless of mask usage.

Senate File 160

Requires school districts in Iowa to provide on-site learning.

DPH Common Child Illnesses and Exclusion Criteria:

Identifies COVID-19 as a common child illness that results in exclusion from the education setting for the positive individual.

House File 847

Prohibits K-12 schools from mandating face masks effective May 20, 2021

COVID IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

CONTACT TRACING 

  • VSCSD Families can anticipate that their child may be exposed to COVID-19 during the school year. 
  • VSCSD will not contact trace to identify individuals as “close contacts” who may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the school setting. 
  • The IDPH has identified that school districts should handle COVID-19 as an everyday illness such as the flu.

NOTIFICATIONS 

  • VSCSD will approach COVID-19 like all other child illnesses. 
  • VSCSD will not publish data on the number of active positive cases, historical positive cases, or exposures.

EXPOSURE 

  • Individuals who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 in or outside of the school setting should coordinate with their doctor/county health officials to identify when they may safely return to school. 
  • Families should notify the school nurse with information regarding their return.

ILLNESS 

  • Individuals feeling ill should not attend school. 
  • It is possible that symptoms of illness may be a result of COVID-19. 
  • IDPH guidelines will be followed

MITIGATION

FACE COVERINGS 

  • Face-coverings are not required for students, staff, or visitors.

 

SOCIAL DISTANCING 

  • Social distancing will not be required or maintained in the school setting. 
  • A priority will be placed on maximizing instruction and collaboration in the classroom environment.

 

CLASS COHORTS 

  • Classes will not be required to cohort and will be allowed to intermix as deemed appropriate for instruction and play. 
  • Desks and tables will be arranged to maximize instruction and collaboration rather than maximizing physical distance.

 

VISITORS & VOLUNTEERS 

  • Visitors and volunteers will be allowed in VSCSD classrooms following typical pre-COVID procedures and guidelines.
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DEPARTMENTS

TRANSPORTATION

  • Transportation will return to pre-COVID mitigation operations, following all legal capacity limits for buses and other transportation vehicles. 
  • Hand sanitizer will be available for student use when entering and exiting the bus 

  • High touch surfaces on the school buses and vehicles such as seats, handrails and seat belts will be disinfected regularly by transportation staff.

FOOD SERVICE

  • Food service will return to pre-COVID mitigation operations. 
  • Social distancing will not be required or maintained in food service and cafeteria settings. 
  • All lunch rooms will operate at normal capacity.

BUILDING & GROUNDS

  • On a daily basis, custodians will disinfect, sanitize, and clean, in the following areas within each building: Classrooms, Restrooms, Weight Rooms. Locker Rooms, Hallways & Common Areas, Media Centers, Offices, Lunchrooms

NURSING SERVICES

  • Nurses will be available to provide assistance when a health concern arises for students and staff. 
  • The district will take direction from the Iowa Department of Public Health as to the up-to-date protocol and procedures when addressing COVID-19

FEDERAL ALLOCATION AMOUNTS & DISTRICT EXPENDITURES

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund are meant to sustain the safe operation of schools, and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. Of the total amount allocated to a district from Iowa’s ESSER III award, the LEA must reserve at least 20% of funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions (e.g., summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs, extended school year programs) and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups (i.e., each major racial and ethnic group, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care).

CARES/ESSER 1
PROJECT 4052

ALLOCATION
$68,400.00

Expense

  • Mitigation supplies
  • Hot Spots
  • Chromebooks
  • Mini Ipads

CARES/ESSER 2
PROJECT 4055

ALLOCATION
$744,053.00

Expense

  • Additional Teachers for classroom size reduction
  • Interventionist Teachers
  • Instructional Materials
  • Canvas LMS
  • Summer School

CARES/ESSER 3
PROJECT 4043/4045

ALLOCATION
$1,672,193.00

Learning Loss Reservation
$334,439

Expense

  • Interventionist Teachers
  • Canvas LMS
  • Summer School
  • Curriculum Materials
  • Middle School HVAC Project