Staff, Teachers, Students, and Community Members-

In anticipation of having students and staff back in our school buildings, the district will implement a variety of health and safety measures. These include the following:

General Health and Safety Protocols

• Campus staff will be trained in COVID-19 safety protocols.

• Disinfectants will be used for deep cleaning campuses.

• Students, teachers, staff, and essential campus visitors will be encouraged to sanitize and/or wash hands frequently.

• Tissues will be provided in classrooms and common areas to encourage students and staff to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and if not available, to cover with their elbows. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer should be used.

• Sneeze Guards have been added to public reception desks.

• Social distancing and safety signage will be added and visible throughout school facilities.

• NCSD will limit visitors on campus only to conduct essential school business- Ex: attending a scheduled meeting that cannot be held virtually, picking up a child from the nurse's office, etc.

• NCSD is permitted to prevent any individual who fails the health screening criteria from being admitted to the campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry to the campus.

• Currently, all locker rooms and shower rooms are "CLOSED" per guidance from NYS Health Department.

The district will use multiple channels to keep all stakeholders informed of the plans and updates throughout the whole reopening process.  The various modes of communication include the following:  district website, district mobile app, building social media accounts, Blackboard Connect robocall/text/email system, mobile app notifications, and the United States Postal Service for mailings.

In addition to the communications, the district's Reopening Task Force is represented by more than forty key constituents to the district and they are working hard to create, revise and refine building reopening plans which are due on July 31, 2020.

Over the summer, we will be seeking and receiving more feedback about the reopening of schools.

Parents are expected to monitor for temperatures and symptoms prior to sending their child(ren) to school on a bus or personally transporting them to school.

Staff will be required to monitor their own temperatures prior to arrival on campus and throughout the day.  Anyone whose symptoms response changes from a NO to YES during the day, must contact their supervisor immediately and await further instruction.

Students and staff will be regularly reminded about the importance of proper handwashing. Teachers may allow for more breaks to give students the opportunity to wash their hands, either at a classroom sink or in a restroom.  In addition, we will place hand sanitizer units throughout our buildings. Students and staff will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer regularly.

Created July 26, 2020

Contact:  Mr. George Noon, Director of Buildings and Grounds ~ gnoon@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6586

Face masks are an important part of employee and student protection, as well as personal hygiene, social distancing, and frequent cleaning efforts. Face masks are required for all students who ride on school buses to and from school each day.  Once in school buildings, face masks are also required but may be taken off for necessity (eating) or when social distance is achieved and only at the teacher's direction.

Contact:  Mr. George Noon, Director of Buildings and Grounds ~ gnoon@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6586

Regular cleaning and disinfection of the facilities will occur, including more frequent cleaning and disinfection for high-risk and frequently touched surfaces. This will include desks and cafeteria tables, which should be cleaned and disinfected between each individual’s use. Cleaning and disinfection will be rigorous and ongoing and will occur at least daily, or more frequently as needed.

Signage will be enhanced throughout the campus to inform students, staff, and visitors of appropriate practices in all buildings and rooms.

Additional hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the campus.

Contact:  Mr. George Noon, Director of Buildings and Grounds ~ gnoon@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6586

Our trained custodial staff will significantly increase wiping down and disinfecting of public spaces and high-touch surfaces across our buildings and throughout the school day. We will also provide greater access to cleaning materials for our teachers and staff so they can clean and disinfect spaces, as needed.

Contact:  Mr. George Noon, Director of Buildings and Grounds ~ gnoon@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6586

We are discouraging students from using the drinking fountains at this time. Instead, we recommend all students bring water bottles to school so they can refill them. Students should not share water bottles with others.

For students onsite, meals will be provided while maintaining appropriate social distancing between students. Students do not need to wear face coverings when seated and eating so long as they are appropriately socially distanced. 

The district will ensure social distancing between individuals while eating in the school cafeteria.  Student movement will be designed to facilitate single directional flow and seating will be socially distant.  The cafeterias will be outfitted with hand sanitizer stations at each entrance and exit. Students will be encouraged to utilize them upon entering and exiting the cafeteria.  Directional arrows and floor markings will be used to maintain social distancing while students are in line.  After students exit the lunch line, the serving line will be wiped down with an approved disinfectant before the next set of students arrive. After each lunch period, the tables and chairs will be wiped down with an approved disinfectant by the cafeteria monitors.

The sharing of food and beverages (e.g., buffet style meals, snacks) is prohibited, unless individuals are members of the same household. 

Meals will be provided for students who are learning remotely, whether every day or on an alternating A/B schedule.  Meals may be picked up at school by the parent/guardian, or when necessary, delivery service will be arranged.

Contact:  Mrs. Joanne Huntington, Director of Food Services ~ jhuntington@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6561

The district contracts busing with Student Transportation of America (formerly Ridge Road Express) and is in regular contact with our carrier regarding reopening and protocols.  The following has been established:

Bus drivers must not report to work if they suspect they are sick or if they have symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing, or have been in contact with other people who have any confirmed respiratory illness or disease the last 7 days. When possible, bus windows will be opened to allow outside air to circulate the bus. Parents are encouraged to drop students off, carpool, or walk their child(ren) to school to reduce possible virus exposure on buses. ASSIGNED SEATING WILL BE IN PLACE until further notice.

Contact:  Mr. Michael J. Baumann, Superintendent of Schools ~ mbaumann@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6850

All students in grades 5-12 will begin the school year with a Chromebook.  Parents and students should carefully review the Chromebook Handbook which contains information about how to care for the devices and much more.  The devices should be taken home daily and returned to school each day.  For students who forget their device at home, there will be loaner Chromebooks which must be returned to the school library and sanitized.

In grades 3 and 4, we have equipped all classrooms with enough Chromebooks so that each student will have access to the same device each day while at school.  Should it become necessary to shift to remote instruction, children will be provided the same device to take home.  Teachers will use Google Classroom platform from the beginning of the school year so children are familiar with the system should the district or building close down for any time.

In grades K-2, the district is purchasing Apple iPads and protective covers.  Grade level apps including Google Classroom will be installed on all devices.  Each child will use the same device daily while in school.  Teachers will use the Google Classroom platform and children will become familiar with the system.  In the event of a district or building closure, children will be able to bring the devices home to continue instruction via Google Classroom.

Contact:  Mr. Peter F. Young, Director of Technology ~ pyoung@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6462

As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, the NYSPHSAA has delayed the fall sports start date until at least Monday, September 21.   The Newfane Central School District will comply with and follow the recommendations of the NYSPHSAA, Section VI and the Niagara Orleans League when making decisions regarding the possible resumption of interscholastic athletics for the 2020-2021 school year.

All extracurricular activities have been placed on hold in the Newfane Central School District until at least October 1, 2020.  Any resumption of extracurricular club or activity meetings or events will be contingent on our ability to ensure that all practices pertaining to social distancing, PPE usage, cleaning and hygiene can be followed with fidelity.

Contact:  Mrs. Danielle Hawkins, Athletic Director ~ dhawkins@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6550

On July 22, a questionnaire was sent to all district parents and guardians with questions pertaining to the preferred mode of instruction for the reopening and many more topics.  The results of the questionnaire are shown below.  Over 75% of district children are represented in the results.

To be considered exposed to COVID-19, individuals must have prolonged close contact with a sick person who has the virus.  Close contact includes living in the same household, caring for a sick person with the virus, being within six feet of an infected individual for more than fifteen minutes without the use of a face covering, or being in direct contact with secretions from a sick individual.

Return to Work Criteria

• At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery.  No fever without the use of fever reducing medicines.
• Improved respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, etc.
• At least ten days have passed since symptoms first began.

Important Information

• Determine the last date the employee was physically at work and the time the employee was six feet or less from an individual.
• Determine all areas that may have been exposed in the past 72 hours.
• Close off areas used by employee.
• Deploy disinfecting protocols.
• Determine additional closure response and communications if positive test occurs.

• In person, every day (2.5 hours)
• A.M. / P.M. model
• Social distance lessons / teaching children how in all instances
• Masks / explicit teaching
• Handwashing / explicit teaching
• Home pre-screening
• Use of cafetorium for meals
• Visitors and volunteers not in building
• Mid-day shuttle bus cleaned between bus runs
• Individual supply boxes

NECC Reopening

Contact:  Mr. Peter Young, pyoung@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6351

• In-person, every day
• Utilize existing staff (special ed, remedial) to reduce class sizes to approx. 12; schedule provides for staff movement to students
• Utilize existing spaces (library, cafeteria) to provide instructional spaces
• Food service in classrooms
• Student day shortened (9:10am- 3:00pm)
• Common instructional planning period (8:30am-9:15am)
• Specials adjusted - for instance, "Art on the cart"

Newfane Elementary Reopening

Contact:  Mrs. Holly Staley, hstaley@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6376

• In grades 5 through 12, we are anticipating running an A/B day schedule, with half the student population attending in person on A day, and the other half in on B days. On A days, the B students will have virtual instruction; and the opposite for A students. 
• Students in our 12:1:1 education program will attend school every day, regardless of the grade
  level. 
• There will be NO afterschool clubs or activities at least for the first month of school. Once we
  get past September, we will re-evaluate.
• We are encouraging parents whenever possible to transport your children to school yourselves.
• It is the District’s expectation that parents will be screening their children’s temperature each
  morning before putting them on the bus or taking them to school.
• Chromebooks have been distributed to all our students in grades 5 -12 and will be in use daily.
• Middle School Plan
• NMS 20-21 Supply Lists

As plans develop and solidify, we will post the details here. Check back for more updates.

Contact:  Mr. Mark Przybysz, mprzybysz@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6451

• In grades 5 through 12, we are anticipating running an A/B day schedule, with half the student population attending in person on A day, and the other half in on B days. On A days, the B students will have virtual instruction; and the opposite for A students. 
• Students in our 12:1:1 education program will attend school every day, regardless of the grade
  level. 
• Juniors and seniors who are enrolled in a BOCES Occupational Education program will attend
  that program every day.
• There will be NO afterschool clubs or activities at least for the first month of school. Once we
  get past September, we will re-evaluate.
• We are encouraging parents whenever possible to transport your children to school yourselves.
• It is the District’s expectation that parents will be screening their children’s temperature each
  morning before putting them on the bus or taking them to school.
• Chromebooks have been distributed to all our students in grades 5 -12 and will be in use daily.
• HS Reopening Plan

As plans develop and solidify, we will post the details here. Check back for more updates.

Contact:  Mr. Daniel Bedette, dbedette@newfanecentralschools.org / 716-778-6550