Return to School 2020-21

Welcome to our Return to School page! We will be updating this page regularly to keep you informed so please visit often.

While we do not know what lies ahead, CCDS remains committed to providing a healthy and safe learning environment for all students, staff and community. Thank you for your continued support in these unusual times.

COVID-19 Re-Opening Guidance

New pick-up times beginning March 1, 2021:

TK-5th Grade - Pick-up time is 12:20 p.m.

Sibling Pick-Up: 12:30 p.m. Siblings will meet at the youngest siblings pick-up location

Middle School: Pick-up remains the same -12:30 p.m.

Return to School Addendum

CCDS Weekly Eflyer - 5/17/21

Device Information and Technology Assistance

Need Technology support? Please complete the following form if you need assistance and our Tech Department will reach out to you ASAP.

Technology Support Form for Families

Travel During COVID-19

COVID-19 OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL

CDPH issued an updated travel advisory on January 6 for non-essential travel requiring those who arrive in California from other states or countries to practice self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Californians are encouraged to stay at home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel. Upon your return to school, make sure you fill out your STOPit Safe Screener. Please also notify the office if you have traveled and will be in a 10-day quarantine. Use this link to learn more about the risk level for each State: US COVID-19 Tracker Percent Positive.

COVID-19 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Based on the risk assessment level for COVID-19 in the country of travel, CCDS will follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for quarantine. As of November 2020, all international travel is considered “ Level 3 Risk is High”; therefore, a 14-day quarantine after your return will be required regardless of a negative COVID-19 test since it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show regardless of a negative COVID-19 test. Upon your return to school, make sure you fill out your STOPit Safe Screener. For more information and up-to-date risk level, see the CDC website.

International COVID-19 Tracker

Planning for 2020-21 Slideshow

FAQ's

Health and Safety

Will face coverings (masks) be required? All CCDS employees and 3rd-8th students will be required to wear a face covering (mask) while inside the building unless medically exempt. Students in 2nd grade and below are strongly encouraged to wear face masks.
Will facing coverings be provided? The state will be providing disposable face masks for all students and staff and CCDS has purchased additional PPE for staff and students. Families and employees may purchase their own face masks. If cloth masks are worn, they should be washed daily. All employees and students will be expected to wear face coverings/masks unless medically exempt while in school and at work.
Will the school provide medical services if a child needs them? CCDS has a Nurse who has protocols for a range of health scenarios, including the display of symptoms of COVID-19.
Kids need to take breaks from wearing masks/not wear masks for extended time frames. How will this be handled? As we approach Levels 2 – 5 and the eventuality of returning to school, requirements regarding face coverings will continue to update. As of the writing of this response, the requirements in California include the wearing of face masks for all staff and students grades 3-12.
How will staff monitor and ensure proper use of masks and hand washing? Staff, students and families will all be engaged in training on this subject during an orientation process. Regular time will be allocated to each daily and regular monitoring will occur.
Will the school provide medical services if a child needs them? CCDS has a Nurse who has protocols for a range of health scenarios, including the display of symptoms of COVID-19.
What will happen if one student tests positive for COVID-19? You will find our protocol documented in the Return to School Handbook. In short, a positive case launches several steps including consultation from Butte County Public Health which leads to contact tracing and could shift a classroom, grade level, or the entire school back to Level 1: Distance Learning.
Will parents be restricted from coming into the building and walking their children into their classrooms, the gym or the cafeteria? Yes. As a health and safety measure, all visitors are restricted to designated drop off and pick up areas until conditions relax further. Volunteer opportunities are also suspended.
How is CCDS maintaining physical distancing requirements? Physical distancing will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. Furniture in classrooms will be set up to maintain ideal six-foot distances. CCDS will implement alternate school assembly methodology and other mass gatherings of non-school and school-based personnel (e.g., streaming, alternating groups). CCDS is taking measurements of each space now to determine capacities for each classroom and school based on physical distancing guidelines.
What health screenings will be required? All staff, students and essential visitors to campus will be asked to self-screen before leaving for campus, then will undergo a verbal screening and a temperature screening upon arrival.
When a child is screened at the entrance and is “negative” for all the symptoms, yet a teacher is noticing symptoms while in class (example: fever or frequent coughing – not due to a known or chronic condition), I understand the child will go to a separate area to wait to be picked up at the office. Will the staff taking care of that child have proper PPE on for a potential COVID positive student? Is there a school nurse or doctor available to handle these scenarios or called upon as a resource? We too are concerned for the health and safety of not only our students, but staff and community as well. PPE will be a part of our protocols within the classroom and our Nurse and office staff have a specific set of protocols for handling any person who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19.
What will cleaning procedures be? CCDS will be modifying schedules and extending the hours of current custodial staff on in-school days. Per CDC guidelines, custodial staff will conduct enhanced daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, handles, fixtures, etc.) with approved products in school buildings. Staff will be provided with a return kit including supplemental hand sanitizer and wipes.
Do the doors remain shut during in-class instruction? If they are left open to increase circulation, will that then pose other safety risks? We are investigating how we might reprogram our HVAC systems to pull in and blow only fresh, not recycled air, while potentially leaving the doors open to increase ventilation.
How do teachers handle students who are not following social-distancing guidelines or masking policies? As with all behavior, we are focused on teaching the correct behavior and collaborating with families regarding the redirection of behavior that is not considered appropriate.

Academic and Social Emotional Learning

Is CCDS considering the AM/PM model that Chico Unified has suggested? We don't have the capacity for cleaning the facility thoroughly between groups that would be needed to consider this model. We are also hopeful that we can limit the teachers' exposure to COVID19 by having fewer students on campus each day.
I work full time outside of the home, so it will be difficult for me to help my child logon to the computer during the day. I think asynchronous learning should be an option. For example: Can we work on schoolwork in evenings or do we have to align with the hours of school? We will offer a mix of activities for students - both with and without screens. Teachers will also offer asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities. We will be working hard to create a balance of opportunities for students.
For middle school students that are doing the full time Distance Learning, how much interaction will they have with the CCDS teachers? For students that have 504 Plans or IEP’s that need to do Distance Learning, how will pull-out programs or additional supports be provided? Each family will be contacted by the Special Education staff or 504 Coordinator to discuss the most appropriate supports to meet your child’s needs, with health and safety protocols in place. The IEP or 504 team will meet to amend or adjust IEP or 504 supports or services as needed.
What specific programs are you evaluating to use at while students are learning at home? We have looked into a few options. We evaluated Edgenuity and iReady which CUSD is using. We are most excited by the Project Based Learning format called Altitude Learning that is available.
Will recess and P.E. still be offered outside the classroom? Yes. We are working with our specialties teachers to embed PE, Art and STEM as a part of our school week, as well as utilizing time during Distance Learning to help students develop in these areas. Recess will be structured to assist with social distancing, but we believe that recess must be a part of every school day!
Will the teacher be more available during online class? If that will be the route we choose? Whether Distance Learning is full time or used as a part-time solution to allow students to take turns coming into the classroom, it will include daily live interaction with staff and peers. Our Distance Learning is being reimagined and redesigned so that students have more access and a wider variety of learning mediums.
Will the teachers be teaching the kids during distance learning at the same time they are teaching the class or just providing busy work? In class and Distance Learning activities are being developed so that all students, whether they are Distance Learning or in the classroom are moving together at the same pace. Students engaged in Distance Learning will have daily attendance, daily live connections with staff and peers, and daily expectations that are equal to the students who are in class on that day.

Special Education

Logistics and Operations

How many hours will the children go to school for? The state of California has updated the daily instructional minutes requirements to the following number of minutes: Kindergarten: 180, 1st-3rd: 230, 4th-8th: 240. In addition to these minutes there is time each day for recess and lunch. The start and end times have been updated on page 19 of the Return to School Family Handbook.
What will the attendance policy be for this school year?CCDS will take students' attendance and participation during distance learning and follow our current attendance policy. * Subject to change depending on further CDE guidance
Is it possible to switch between distance learning and in person learning and vice versa? How do we do indicate we want to switch? When can we switch? Can we change our mind? We are developing a method to allow for families to change their mind. This is a key part of our plan. Because your student is assigned to a classroom, they will always have a seat to return to.
If we use staggered starts and dismissals, how will that work for siblings in different grades? We have received the instructional minutes regulations prepared for the Governor as a part of the budgeting process at the state level and will be working to release a draft of staggered start times. Our current best thinking is that we will have staggered start times. We are developing protocols to assist with siblings who arrive together.
I would prefer both children who are in cohort A to come at same time AM or PM. Yes, all siblings should be in the same cohort and the same AM or PM orientation schedule based on the survey you filled out.
How will hot lunches be handled? Will free meals be offered if we qualify? CUSD Nutrition services will be providing lunches available for pick-up at Chico Junior High, Bidwell Junior High, Chapman, Citrus, Little Chico Creek and Emma Wilson 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (M-F). Free or reduced meals will be offered to those who qualify. Please make sure you fill out the application. It will be mailed to you next week.
Will ASP be offered once the distance learning period ends? What will be the hours and how will this work with social distancing? We are working with county officials to be able to offer after school program during distance learning as well as in the other phases once we are able to return to school.