RE-OPENING PLAN
2020 - 2021
Dear RFCA Families,
I hope and pray that you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy. Since our last communication and update, the RFCA Covid Task Force has been working diligently .We have sought wisdom and guidance from health officials and educational experts and have sought wisdom from the Lord daily for His best plans for Revival Fire Christian Academy.
I am happy to share that Revival Fire remains committed to returning to school in August We will offer a remote synchronous class participation option that will be available throughout the 2020-2021 school year. K-12 families may select into this option to support short term health concerns or quarantine requirements on a QUARTERLY basis. All enrolled families must select what mode of education they are choosing- by July 31st. This gives us ample time to get everyone prepared.
From the entire RFCA family, we are asking for a full community commitment to respect and follow the parameters and precautions put in place for the continued health and safety of the entire RFCA Family. We ask that you remain committed to the partnership with RFCA in your student's education.
You will see RFCA Re-opening Plan which outlines two operational modes that may be employed during the 2020-21 school year. Our Key Decision Drivers are:
Remain on campus when safe and permitted. Consider guidance for public schools when formulating plans and making decisions; however, we will embrace the blessing of our independent school status. Shifts between operational modes will be driven by: Governmental mandates (ie: stay at home orders) Community health metrics RFCA Community outbreaks
As we have all learned, much can transpire in a few short weeks. We are return to campus, but hold these plans loosely, prepared to respond and regroup in the event of any significant shift prior to August 24.
We are excited to see the Lord’s BEST as it unfolds throughout the coming school year! I am so grateful for your partnership!
Revival Fire Christian Academy
Summary of Reopening
During the COVID-19 pandemic, RFCA has monitored and considered guidance provided by CDC as well as state and local authorities. We will continue to evaluate such information to make good and reasonable decisions that uphold the RFCA purpose while preserving the health and well- being of our community. Despite many uncertainties about the fall, the RFCA team is planning with multiple scenarios in mind to employ effective and engaging solutions throughout the school year.
Our planning assumptions during the pandemic will continue to be an issue in the greater Longwood community as school begins in the fall and throughout the school year. On-campus education may be disrupted during the course of the year by either state or local directives or an outbreak of COVID-19 in our school community. On-campus learning is our primary goal; however, we have developed an innovative solution for an alternate mode of instructional delivery that may be selected or become required in the event of school closures. We will do all we can on campus to preserve the health and well-being of the RFCA family.
Our Priorities: health & safety, flexibility, opportunities, & spiritual growth.
Our Goals: Define, design, and develop a model for remote learning that advances all educational goals and objectives. Create academic schedules for maximum learning within synchronous on- campus and Abeka remote learning models. Adjust the physical environment for heightened public-health. Identify tools and resources to make work more effective in this environment.
Our Key Decision Drivers: Remain on campus when safe and permitted, while offering an online synchronous remote learning option, consider guidance from public schools when formulating plans and making decisions; however, we will embrace the blessing of our independent school status.
Shifts between operational modes will be driven by: Governmental mandates (i.e.: stay at home orders) Community health metrics RFCA community outbreaks Effective and engaging delivery of the RFCA mission.
Critical Policies and Procedures Applicable to Reopening
- Masks must be worn by all entering school unless a medical concern prohibits the wearing of a mask. See below for more information on conditions that qualify as a medical exemption.
- In order to prevent hallway congestion, foot traffic in the hallways will be routed one way schoolwide.
- School wide assemblies will be live streamed into classrooms, or provided to smaller groups of students who can be effectively social-distanced.
- Field trips (unless virtual) will be suspended until further notice.
- Arrival and dismissal procedures will be revamped to encourage social distancing.
- Open House/Meet the Teacher procedures will be altered. See below for more details.
- Sanitation efforts will be constant in an effort to sanitize all high touch areas often throughout the day. - Computer check-out will be made available for families in need of a computer or additional computers if choosing the distance learning option.
- Visitors must make appointments through school administration and be approved as an essential function before arriving on campus. Examples of some essential functions may include, but are not limited to, mentors, food pantry support, counseling, educational meetings etc. (as determined by individual administrator).
Instructional Models for the 2020-21 School Year
RFCA is committed to maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff. As a school, we are working hard to meet the unique needs of our students, families, and staff. The following options represent what RFCA is able to accomplish in order to meet those unique needs while maintaining our mission and vision. These options are subject to change as we receive more information and updates regarding best practices for safety during the pandemic. ALL students enrolled receive robust progress monitoring and be provided intensive interventions if needed. Students in virtual model who are not making adequate progress will be given intensive interventions and an opportunity to transition to a face-to-face traditional model.
Full-Time Instruction through RFCA Distance Learning Plan
RFCA students who choose to participate in the Distance Learning Plan model will be with a full-time virtual experience. Students will remain at home and all courses would be offered via streaming computer for RFCA students.
Teachers would provide students with the same curriculum being used in the traditional classroom setting aligned with Florida State Standards. Students would participate in live synchronous instruction of all core content areas daily and a mix of live and asynchronous recorded sessions for elementary specials and middle school electives. Parent involvement is needed to support student learning and technology use. Students choosing this option would be required to work at the same pace as the students in the traditional setting, as they will be attending the live class, but attending virtually. Students in the Distance Learning model are required to take all required local and state assessments. Teachers would provide conferences with parents as needed to ensure adequate growth and progress is being made by the student. If adequate growth is not being made, our instructional team will make recommendations/changes as needed to provide support for each learner. RFCA Distance Learning will require student remote attendance daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the traditional classroom. Students will have lunch at their normally scheduled time.
For the 2020-21 school year, families who elect the Distance Learning model will have the option to return to RFCA for the beginning of the second semester in January, 2021. A sooner option may be available depending on scheduling and/or improved health conditions in the local community.
Guidance for Reading and Math Intervention Support for Students Participating in Remote OR Face to Face Learning
Elementary students receiving support for intervention in reading and math who are participating in remote learning, interventions will be provided through a combination of Easy- CBM online instruction and synchronous, digital, teacher-led, small-group instruction. For secondary students with an Intensive Reading/Math course on their schedule, support will be provided through a combination of digital curriculum, remote teacher-led synchronous “face to face” skills lessons, and individualized feedback from the teacher. Progress monitoring of skills will occur through Easy- CBM and Khan Academy Growth Monitoring assessments and teacher-assigned assessments via digital instruction. These results will be reported to school to show adequate growth for students receiving instruction via distance learning.
Students with Disabilities
RFCA will continue serve Students with Disabilities. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504s will continue to receive Specially Designed Instruction and accommodations in both face-to-face and distance-learning models. Teachers are available to provide services in both face-to-face.
Progress Monitoring
● Quarterly assessments and observations will be used to monitor each student’s progress.
● K5-8 Easy CBM and 9-12 Khan Academy.
Attendance
Daily/Class Attendance by teacher
Health and Safety Protocols
Face Coverings for Students and Staff
Wearing face coverings is required and should be consistent with state and local guidelines. COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouth or nose of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel around 6 feet (about two arms lengths). Face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Face coverings, as used in this plan, mean a uniform piece of material that securely covers a person’s nose and mouth and remains affixed in place without the use of one’s hands, whether store bought or homemade, concurrent with CDC guidelines. Face coverings can be made from household items but must be made from material that will not allow for liquid to easily flow in and out, concurrent with Seminole County Health Department guidelines.
RFCA staff members and visiting adults will be required to wear face coverings in alignment with current state and local guidance, when they are unable to be 6 feet away from others. A face covering shall not be required for the following individuals: (a) persons under the age of 2 years; (b) persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition or disability and a determination is made that an accommodation is not reasonably available; (c) persons engaging in high intensity physical exertion (e.g. exercising during PE, recess, etc.); (d) persons eating or drinking; (e) public safety, fire, and other life safety and health personnel that are on RFCA campuses, as their personal protective equipment requirements will be governed by their respective agencies; and (f) persons communicating with someone who is hearing-impaired and must see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate and a determination is made that an accommodation is not reasonably available. Some staff members may be required to wear additional protective gear to ensure the safety of the individual.
Elementary students (grades K-5) will be required to wear a face covering when they are not socially distanced during the school day. This includes the wearing of a face covering while walking in hallways, waiting in the cafeteria, and when working in small groups with a teacher or peers. Face coverings/masks may be removed during high intensity outdoor activities, while in their classroom when working at their desk and appropriate distancing is occurring in their class group, and while seated for dining within their class group.
Secondary students (grades 6-12) are required to wear face coverings/masks when they are not able to be 6 feet from others, are in hallway transitions/class changes, in large common areas, and are in line in the cafeteria area. Face covering/masks may be removed for high intensity outdoor activities and when seated at the dining tables for eating. Accommodations for face covering protocols can be made for students/staff based on their individual health needs.
Isolation from School and Protocols to Return to School
Students and employees must be isolated from school if they test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 based on CDC Guidance. Determinations for student removal to home isolation will be made in collaboration with families, school-based administrator, and the Department of Health. Once a student or employee is isolated from the school environment, they may return once they satisfy the recommendations of the CDC/Department of Health. RFCA and the Department of Health will continue to collaborate to refine and implement COVID-19 protocols to assess risk and respond to school-specific matters based on all relevant factors and current information.
Campus Cleaning
Disinfecting throughout the day in high-traffic and high- touch areas and restrooms hourly, using EPA approved cleaning products and following CDC recommendations and industry best practices while wearing face coverings.
Community Health
Healthy habits education
Health Rooms separate sick and well patients
Daily required symptom & exposure pre-screening
Screening for Illness
RFCA will employ a combination of self-screening and observational screening protocols for universal screening of illness of staff and students. The schools will communicate information to parents and employees about the symptoms of COVID-19 and require them to self-screen before coming to school. Students and employees exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 without being otherwise explained, are prohibited from coming to school, and if they do come to school, they will be sent home immediately. According to current Florida Department of Health guidance, Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Employees and students will be trained to recognize the following COVID-19-related symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update the list as they learn more about COVID-19. In addition, RFCA staff will take the temperature of students, employees, and visitors daily upon arrival to the school and when there is reason to believe that the person may be ill. Touch free thermometers will be utilized and will be provided for use in classrooms,,at front desks, cafeteria, and any other areas where a team has determined a specific need.
Lunch/ Cafeteria
Students may bring their lunch from home. During lunch, 40% of all students on campus will eat in the cafeteria with additional spacing between table and groups of students. One class group level will eat lunch in the classroom in order to allow for additional spacing in cafeterias. Students eating lunch in the classroom will be spaced appropriately and have additional sanitation inside the classroom. Schools will increase the amount of space between tables to the greatest extent feasible. As well as frequent sanitizing of high contact areas.
Meet the Teacher
Teachers may offer video orientations to the greatest extent possible OR schedule small groups to visit (according to current state and local guidelines) with parents/students, when possible. Teachers will send parents a virtual tour of their classrooms to familiarize students with their new space. A limited number of small group visits may occur.