The following is Broadalbin-Perth Central School District’s complete reopening plan as required by New York state. View a summary of the plan, including highlights for parents of current students.
On Monday, July 13, 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that school districts in New York can follow plans to reopen for in-person schooling in September if COVID-19 infection rates stay at 5% or lower in a given region.
Determinations will be made by region about opening and closing schools as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. If a region is in Phase 4 and has a daily infection rate of 5% or lower over a 14-day average, schools in that region could hold in-person instruction. If daily infection rates exceed 9% over a seven-day average, however, schools in that region would not reopen. Similarly, should a region see such an average after reopening, schools in that region would also be directed to close.
While school districts have been instructed to prioritize efforts to return all students to in-person instruction, the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District is also planning for remote/distance learning as well as for a hybrid model that combines in-person instruction and remote learning. Parents have the choice to keep their children in the remote learning model. Throughout the 2020-21 school year, or until the pandemic ends, there will be opportunities for parents to move their children from remote to in-person instruction, or vice versa.
The plan outlined here is for the reopening of schools in the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District for the 2020-21 school year, following the closure of schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan includes procedures that will be followed in the following schools:
- Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School, 1870 County Hwy 107, Amsterdam, NY 12010
- Daniel Casey, Principal — caseyd@bpcsd.org, 518-954-2700
- Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School, 100 Bridge Street, Broadalbin, NY 12025
- Mark Brooks, Sr. High School Principal (grades 9-12) — brooksm@bpcsd.org, 518-954-2600
- Wayne Bell, Jr. High School Principal (grades 7-8) — bellw@bpcsd.org, 518-954-2650
The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
At this time, in-person instruction is one of the options available for Broadalbin-Perth families. This option is feasible because school facilities allow students and staff to maintain appropriate social distancing; the district will make disposable and/or reusable face coverings available to all who enter the buildings; the district will safely transport students to and from school with social distancing and face coverings; and local hospital capacity is sufficient to respond to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region.
It is possible that we may need to alternate between in-person and remote learning throughout the year based on recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from Gov. Cuomo. The level of infection, the spread of the virus, and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision making as we move to open our schools.
Lori Nellis, high school nurse, will serve as the district’s COVID-19 health coordinator. She is the main point of contact upon identification of positive COVID-19 cases and is responsible for subsequent communication regarding positive cases. Nellis may be reached at nellisl@bpcsd.org or 518-954-2610.
Stephen Tomlinson, superintendent of schools, is the district’s COVID-19 safety coordinator. He is responsible for continuous compliance with all aspects of Broadalbin-Perth’s reopening plan.
Communication/Family and Community Engagement
To help inform our reopening plan, the district has sought feedback and input from stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents and guardians of students, local health department officials and health care providers, employee unions, and community groups. Engagement efforts included online surveys, virtual meetings, and one-on-one conversations.
The district remains committed to communicating all elements of this reopening plan to students, parents and guardians, staff, and visitors. The plan is available to all stakeholders via the district website at bpcsd.neric.org, and will be updated throughout the school year, as necessary, to respond to local circumstances. The link to the plan appears at the top of the website homepage and on each school homepage. Every effort has been made to ensure that the plan is accessible to all individuals in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level A/AA. The plan can also be translated into other languages via Google Translate.
As part of its planning for the reopening of schools and the new academic year, the district has developed a plan for communicating all necessary information to district staff, students, parents, guardians, visitors, education partners, and vendors. The district will use its existing communication channels — including the district website, emails, SMS text messages, and mobile app push notifications — as well as appropriate signage and training opportunities to support the dissemination of consistent messaging regarding new protocols and procedures, expectations, requirements, and options related to school operations throughout the pandemic. Through Broadalbin-Perth’s mass notification system, ParentSquare, users will automatically receive notifications in their preferred language.
The district is committed to establishing and maintaining regular channels of communication and has reviewed and determined which methods have proven to be the most effective in communications with our school community. The district will rely on the district website, emails, SMS text messages, and mobile app push notifications to communicate news, requirements, and updates related to reopening and in-person instruction, including social distancing requirements, proper wearing of face coverings, and proper hand and respiratory hygiene.
In support of remote learning, the district will make computer devices available to students and teachers who need them. The district will assess student and teacher remote learning needs through a survey, then the technology team will prepare technology for distribution to those who need them. Families will be invited to pick up devices from the school. The district transportation department will deliver devices to families who are unable to pick up devices from the school. The district will provide students and their families with multiple ways to contact schools and teachers during remote learning, including email, phone, and direct messaging through ParentSquare.
The district will use existing internal and external communications channels to notify staff, students, and families or caregivers about in-person, remote, and hybrid school schedules with as much advance notice as possible. Broadalbin-Perth will use the district website, emails, SMS text messages, and mobile app push notifications to communicate about schedules prior to the scheduled start of the 2020-21 school year.
The district will follow its existing engagement and communication protocols with parents regarding the provision of special education services for their children. Each student’s case manager will be in regular contact with parents and legal guardians via the parent or guardian’s preferred mode of communication.
The district will make every effort to ensure that communication to all parents and legal guardians is in their preferred language and mode of communication. The district’s mass notification system, ParentSquare, automatically translates emails and direct messages into the user’s preferred language.
The district is committed to ensuring that all of its students and their families are taught and re-taught new expectations related to all public health policies and protocols. As part of this continuous training, the district will assess the best approach to communicating the information for each student age group and will provide frequent opportunities for students to review these policies and protocols. This targeted education will help ensure that all students and their families know what is expected of them as they successfully return to the school setting. Trainings will be shared with families through established district communication channels, including the district website, emails, SMS text messages, and mobile app push notifications, as well as virtual meetings. These trainings will cover:
- Hand hygiene;
- Proper face covering procedures, including how to wear and remove face coverings;
- Social distancing;
- Respiratory hygiene, including covering coughs and sneezes; and
- Identifying symptoms and notifying the school if a child develops symptoms.
The district will create and deploy signage throughout the schools to address public health protections surrounding COVID-19. Signage will address protocols and recommendations in the following areas:
- Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Acceptable face coverings and requirements related to their wear;
- Hand washing;
- Adherence to social distancing instructions; and
- Symptoms and prevention of COVID-19.
During the first days of in-person instruction, faculty will instruct all students how to follow protocols safely and correctly, including hand hygiene, proper wearing of face coverings, social distancing, and respiratory hygiene. Faculty will reinforce these protocols with students regularly throughout the school year.
The district is committed to creating a learning environment that protects student and staff health, safety, and privacy. Broadalbin-Perth will operate under a standard procedure for addressing situations in which an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 or appears symptomatic. These procedures are outlined in the Health & Safety section of this reopening plan.
In the event that a student or staff member is sick or symptomatic, notification to exposed individuals will occur pursuant to the state’s contact tracing protocols as implemented by the local health department. The district will not notify the wider community unless specifically directed to do so by local health officials.
School Closures
Broadalbin-Perth is preparing for situations in which one or both school buildings need to close because of a significant number of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 or a considerable regional increase in COVID-19 cases.
The district is in weekly contact with the Fulton County Department of Health regarding increased absenteeism or increased illness. The district will collaborate with county health officials to determine if or when it might be advisable to close one or both schools.
The district may choose to modify operations in one or both schools prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. The district will consult with local health officials when making such decisions.
School building administrators will communicate with each other regularly and, if needed, will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. If the school has to close to students for in-person instruction because of an increase in illness or absenteeism, all employees will continue to report to their assigned school building and teachers will conduct learning remotely. Essential operations including cleaning and sanitizing as well as food services, will continue as usual.
Because the district is in regular contact with the Fulton County Department of Health, the district will have up-to-date information regarding absenteeism and illness. To the extent practicable, the district will shift specific cohorts of students to remote learning to mitigate the spread of illness before shifting an entire school building to remote learning. Information about any shift to remote learning by cohorts or school buildings will be communicated to employees, parents and guardians with as much advance notice as possible, in their preferred language and in their preferred mode of communication.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe returning to school campuses. Our reopening plan incorporates recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
The following protocols and procedures will be in place in all district schools, including the before- and after-school child care program, for the 2020-21 school year should in-person schooling resume. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact the district’s COVID-19 safety coordinator, Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson, at tomlinsons@bpcsd.org or 518-954-2500.
For more information about how health and safety protocols and trainings will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Health Checks
Broadalbin-Perth has developed resources to educate parents, guardians, and staff members regarding the careful observation of symptoms of COVID-19 and health screening measures that must be conducted each morning before coming to school. The resources include the requirement for any student or staff member with a fever of 100°F or greater and/or symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus infection to not come to school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list of Coronavirus symptoms was used to develop these resources.
Prior to the start of in-person instruction, Broadalbin-Perth will share explicit instructions with parents and guardians about how to observe their child for signs of illness, including an elevated body temperature, and that they must keep their child home from school if their child shows any signs of illness. The district will regularly remind parents of this protocol throughout the school year.
Broadalbin-Perth will implement the following practices to conduct mandated health screening:
- Employees and parents will complete a daily online health self-screening tool through ParentSquare. Employees and parents may access the daily tool starting at 8 p.m. the evening prior.
- School health staff and other trained personnel will perform daily temperature checks and complete the screening questionnaire before students board school buses in the morning and as students and staff enter the school building.
- Main office staff will perform temperature checks and complete the screening questionnaire for all essential contractors, vendors, and visitors to the school before they leave the main office for their destination in the school building.
Employees performing daily temperature checks and completing the screening questionnaire will use a checklist to mark individuals cleared or not cleared. This data will be retained by the district indefinitely. The district will review this data and attest that screening has been completed.
Anyone who registers a body temperature of 100.0F or higher using a temporal or infrared thermometer, or who answers “yes” to any of the questions on the health screening questionnaire, will not be able to board a school bus and will be denied entry to the building. Any student who arrives at school without a parent and registers a temperature of 100.0F or higher, or who answers “yes” to any of the questions on the health screening questionnaire, will be isolated in a designated room with supervision by a member of the health services team until the student can be picked up by a parent or guardian.
Students and staff must notify the school if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 or if their answers to the health screening questionnaire change during or outside of school hours by calling Lori Nellis at 518-954-2610 or emailing the school nursing staff at covid@bpcsd.org.
The district will send weekly reminders of this health screening policy to employees, parents and guardians via email, SMS text message, and mobile app notification in the recipient’s native language.
Social Distancing, Face Coverings & PPE
Broadalbin-Perth has developed a plan with procedures for maintaining social distancing of all students, faculty, and staff when in school buildings, on school grounds, and using district transportation.
In consultation with the district’s architects, district leaders have reviewed all instructional spaces in Broadalbin-Perth’s schools and identified the maximum number of students who can occupy each space while maintaining appropriate social distancing of six feet of space in all directions between individuals. Students will be assigned to cohorts based on this new maximum occupancy in each instructional space. When the weather allows, teachers will have the option to take students outside for instruction.
Broadalbin-Perth will utilize signage to encourage social distancing in common spaces, including directional arrows in hallways and floor markers spaced six feet apart in areas where waiting in lines is common, such as in main offices.
If social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained, proper face coverings must be worn in common areas such as hallways or school buses. Those medically unable to wear face coverings will not be required to do so and every effort will be made to space those individuals at least six feet apart from others.
Students, staff, and visitors to our schools will be expected to wear face coverings indoors and outside, including on the school bus, when six-foot physical distancing is not possible. Students will be allowed to remove face coverings during meals, instruction, and for short breaks so long as they maintain appropriate social distance. Students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one.
Because students and staff will need to be prepared to wear a face covering if another person unexpectedly cannot socially distance, they will be required to wear a face covering in all common areas (e.g., entrances and exits) and when traveling around the school.
Face coverings and face shields will be provided to students and staff, if needed, at no cost. Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include, but are not limited to, cloth face masks that cover both the nose and mouth that include, homemade sewn masks, and “quick cut” masks. Surgical masks and N95 masks without valves are also acceptable. Bandanas, neck gaiters, and other single-layer cloth face coverings are NOT acceptable. More information about masks and mask care can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website (CDC).
An employee is allowed to wear their own acceptable face covering if they choose. Employees with healthcare provider documentation stating they are not medically able to tolerate a face covering will not be required to wear one.
Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear in all-day settings such as school, so there may be periods of time when masks are not worn.
Face coverings should not be placed on:
- Children younger than 2 years old;
- Students where such covering would impair their health or mental health, or where such covering would present a challenge, distraction, or obstruction to education services and instruction;
- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious; and
- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.
The district will instruct students, parents, guardians, staff, contractors, and vendors on:
- The proper way to wear face coverings;
- Washing hands before putting on and after removing their face covering; and
- The proper way to discard disposable face coverings.
Infection Control Strategies
Broadalbin-Perth will utilize physical barriers or dividers, alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers, and strict management of hallway traffic inside the school buildings to help mitigate the spread of infection.
The district will provide all employees with a daily checklist to use to ensure their area has sufficient supplies for the day, including face coverings, tissues, hand hygiene supplies, and cleaning supplies.
District leaders will routinely and randomly check classrooms, offices, and other common areas for compliance with social distancing, PPE, hand hygiene, and other infection control protocols.
Management of Ill Persons, Contact Tracing, and Monitoring
During professional development days prior to the start of in-person instruction, Broadalbin-Perth’s school health services team will instruct staff to observe for signs of illness in students and staff, such as flushed cheeks, rapid or difficulty breathing, fatigue, irritability, or frequent use of the bathroom. Additional training will be provided to staff who will be conducting health checks of students and visitors. The district will provide disposable PPE for all members of the health services team and those staff conducting health screenings of students and visitors.
The district requires students, faculty, or staff members who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day to report to the nurse’s office. If there are several students waiting to see the school nurse, students must wait at least six feet apart. The district has designated areas in both school buildings to separate individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 from others until they can go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on severity of illness. One area will be used to treat injuries, provide medications or nursing treatments, and the other area will be used for assessing and caring for ill students and staff. Both areas will be supervised by an adult and have easy access to a bathroom and sink with hand hygiene supplies.
At Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School, the nurse’s office will be physically divided by a new, permanent wall. One half of the office will be used to care for students and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day; the other half will be used for routine treatment and administration of medication. At Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School, the senior high school nurse’s office will be used for routine treatment and administration of medication; the junior high school nurse’s office will be used to care for students and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day.
PPE requirements for school health office staff caring for sick individuals includes both standard and transmission-based precautions. In areas with moderate to substantial community transmission, eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield) should be added. When caring for a suspect or confirmed individual with COVID-19, gloves, a gown, eye protection, and a fit-tested N-95 respirator will be used, if available. If an N-95 respirator is not available, a surgical face mask and face shield will be used.
School health office cleaning will occur after each use of cots, bathrooms, and health office equipment (e.g., blood pressure cuffs, otoscopes, stethoscopes). Health office equipment will be cleaned following manufacturer’s directions.
Disposable items will be used as much as possible (e.g., disposable pillow protectors, disposable thermometers, disposable thermometer sheaths or probes, disposable otoscope specula).
Aerosol Generating Procedures
Respiratory treatments administered by nurses generally result in aerosolization of respiratory secretions. These aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) potentially put healthcare personnel and others at an increased risk for pathogen exposure and infection. The district requires the following PPE to be worn during AGPs: gloves, N-95 or a surgical mask with face shield, eye protection and a gown. PPE will be used when nursing staff is suctioning, administering nebulizer treatments, or using peak flow meters with students who have respiratory conditions.
Treatments such as nebulized medication treatments and oral or tracheostomy suctioning will be conducted in a room separate from others with nursing personnel wearing appropriate PPE. For nebulizer treatments, if developmentally appropriate, the nurse will leave the room and return when the nebulizer treatment is finished.
Cleaning of the room will occur between use and cleaning of the equipment will be done following manufacturer’s instructions after each use.
If Students or Staff Become Ill with Symptoms of COVID-19 at School
The district requires students or staff with a temperature, signs of illness, and/or a positive response to the questionnaire to be sent directly to a dedicated isolation area where students are supervised, prior to being picked up or otherwise sent home. Students will be supervised in the isolation area while awaiting transport home and will be separated by at least 6 feet. Students will be escorted from the isolation area to their parent or guardian. Students and staff exhibiting signs of illness will be referred to a healthcare provider and provided resources on COVID-19 testing.
Return to School After Illness
The district has established protocols and procedures, in consultation with the Fulton County Department of Health, about the requirements for determining when individuals, particularly students, who screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms can return to the in-person learning environment at school. This protocol includes:
- A negative COVID-19 diagnostic test result, improving symptoms, and no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines; OR
- An alternative diagnosis from a healthcare provider of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms; OR
- An alternative diagnosis from a healthcare provider of a confirmed acute illness, such as flu or strep throat, and COVID-19 is not suspected (a doctor’s note with an unconfirmed illness, such as an upper respiratory infection or stomach bug, will not be accepted); OR
- It has been at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms, symptoms are improving, and there has been no fever for at least three days without the use of fever-reducing medicines; OR
- If COVID-19 positive, release from isolation.
The district will refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for faculty and staff seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the faculty or staff member had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.
The district requires that individuals who were exposed to the COVID-19 virus complete quarantine and have not developed symptoms before returning to in-person learning. The discharge of an individual from quarantine and return to school will be conducted in coordination with the local health department.
COVID-19 Testing
Any student or staff member who presents at school with an elevated body temperature (100.0F or higher) or any other symptom of COVID-19 as defined by the CDC will be referred to their doctor for COVID-19 testing. The district will follow established return to school after illness protocols in all cases.
If an individual student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, Broadalbin-Perth will comply with and participate in the state’s contact tracing program. School district leaders will consult with the Fulton County Department of Health to determine appropriate next steps, including whether a closure of the school or district is warranted and for how long.
Any decisions to close school or cancel in-person classes for any length of time will be communicated to parents and the community through the district website, email, SMS text message, and app notification. Information about possible COVID-19 exposure will be communicated through the same means.
All areas where a COVID-19 person might have traveled within the school building will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly according to CDC and DOH guidelines.
In the event that large-scale testing will need to be conducted at the school, the district administration will work with school pediatrician Dr. David Eisenberg, MD of Nathan Littauer Hospital’s Perth Primary Care Center, 518-883-8624.
Contact Tracing
The district will notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the district.
To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the district has developed and maintains a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.
Districts may assist with contact tracing by:
- Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members;
- Ensuring student schedules are up to date;
- Keeping a log of all visitors that includes date, time, and where in the school they visited; and
- Assisting the local health department in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training, and tools provided through the NYS Contact Tracing Program.
If COVID-19 cases are discovered in the school, in consultation with the local health department, Broadalbin-Perth will share the names of all students and staff in any cohort where a positive COVID-19 case was identified.
Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff should not try to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact without guidance and direction from the local health department.
For more information about how COVID-19 containment efforts will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
School Closures
A closure refers to contingency plans, protocols, and procedures for decreasing the scale or scope of in-person education and/or closing the school. Broadalbin-Perth will collaborate with the Fulton County Department of Health to determine the parameters, conditions, or metrics (e.g., increased absenteeism or increased illness in the school community) that will serve as early warning signs that positive COVID-19 cases may be increasing beyond an acceptable level.
At a minimum, the plan will incorporate the following:
- Broadalbin-Perth schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9% after Aug. 1. Schools will close if the seven-day rolling average of the infection rate is above 9%.
- If the Mohawk Valley region remains in Phase 4 of reopening, Broadalbin-Perth schools will reopen if the daily infection rate remains below 5% using a 14-day average, unless otherwise directed by the Fulton County Department of Health.
- If the regional infection rate rises above 9%, Broadalbin-Perth will wait to reopen until the 14-day average regional infection rate is below 5%.
- Once schools reopen, Broadalbin-Perth schools will remain open even if the regional infection rate rises above 5% until it reaches 9% for the 7-day average, unless otherwise directed by the Fulton County Department of Health.
- District administrators will consider closing Broadalbin-Perth schools if absentee rates affect the ability of the schools to operate safely.
- Broadalbin-Perth may choose to modify operations prior to closing to help mitigate a rise in cases. For example, if infection rates are rising above 5%, the district will consider modifying school operations for medically vulnerable students and staff if they are participating in in-person activities. District leaders will consult with the Fulton County Department of Health when making such decisions.
School building administrators will communicate with each other regularly and, if needed, will consider closing school if absentee rates impact the ability of the school to operate safely. If the school has to close to students for in-person instruction because of an increase in illness or absenteeism, all employees will continue to report to their assigned school building and teachers will conduct learning remotely. Essential operations including cleaning and sanitizing as well as food services, will continue as usual.
Because the district is in regular contact with the Fulton County Department of Health, the district will have up-to-date information regarding absenteeism and illness. To the extent practicable, the district will shift specific cohorts of students to remote learning to mitigate the spread of illness before shifting an entire school building to remote learning. Information about any shift to remote learning by cohorts or school buildings will be communicated to employees, parents and guardians with as much advance notice as possible, in their preferred language and in their preferred mode of communication.
For more information about how school closure information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Health Hygiene
The district will emphasize healthy hygiene practices for students and staff by providing initial and refresher education in hand and respiratory hygiene, along with providing adequate supplies and time for frequent hand hygiene. Signs will be posted throughout the school (e.g., entrances, restrooms, cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, auditorium, custodial staff areas) and regular messaging will be shared with the school community. The district will use signage and messaging to remind individuals to:
- Stay home if they feel sick;
- Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering when unable to maintain social distance from others or in accordance with any stricter policy implemented by the school;
- Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE;
- Adhere to social distancing instructions;
- Report symptoms of, or exposure to, COVID-19;
- Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines; and
- Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
Hand Hygiene
Students and staff must carry out the following hand hygiene practices:
- Wash hands routinely with soap (any kind) and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Dry hands completely after washing. Use paper towels to dry hands instead of a hand dryer if they are available.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be rubbed on the hands until it is completely absorbed. DO NOT dry hands if sanitizer is used.
Hand washing should occur:
- Before and after eating (e.g., snacks and lunch);
- After going to the restroom or after assisting a student with toileting;
- After using a tissue;
- Before and after using shared materials;
- Before and after putting on or taking off face masks;
- After coming in from the outdoors; and
- Whenever hands are visibly soiled.
Respiratory Hygiene
The COVID-19 virus spreads from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. Therefore, the district will emphasize the importance of respiratory hygiene.
Students and staff must carry out the following respiratory hygiene practices:
- Cover a cough or sneeze using a tissue. If a tissue is used, it should be thrown away immediately.
- If you don’t have a tissue when sneezing or coughing, sneeze or cough into your elbow.
- Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
- Wear a face covering. Face coverings will keep respiratory droplets and aerosols from being widely dispersed into the air.
For more information about how hygiene information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
The district will ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Cleaning and disinfection logs will be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
Examples of facility types where cleaning and disinfection frequency will be distinguished include:
- Bathrooms;
- Athletic training rooms and locker rooms;
- Health offices and isolation rooms;
- Administrative offices (main office, reception area);
- Frequently touched surfaces in common areas (door handles, elevator buttons, copy machine keypads, etc.);
- Break rooms;
- Cafeterias and kitchens;
- Computer labs;
- Science labs;
- Classrooms;
- Maintenance offices and work areas;
- The bus garage;
- Buses and other school vehicles;
- Libraries;
- Large meeting areas (auditoriums, gymnasiums, music rooms, etc.);
- Playgrounds (cleaning only); and
- Outdoor seating areas (plastic or metal).
Students, faculty, and staff will be trained on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, and information will be provided to parents and legal guardians on ways to reinforce hand and respiratory hygiene at home.
The district will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations around the school as follows:
- For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.
- For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.
- Accommodations for students who cannot use hand sanitizer will be made.
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 will 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.
The district will ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.
For more information about how cleaning and disinfection information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Vulnerable Populations and Accommodations
We recognize that some students and staff members are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, live with a person who is at an increased risk, or simply do not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment. It is our goal that these individuals are able to safely participate in educational activities.
Accommodations for these individuals may include, but are not limited to:
- Remote learning;
- Modified educational or work settings; and
- Additional PPE for individuals with underlying health conditions.
We also recognize that modifications to social distancing or the use of PPE may be necessary for certain student or staff populations, including individuals who have hearing impairment or loss, students receiving language services, and young students in early education programs. Any modifications to social distancing or the use of PPE to accommodate these populations will be done in a way to minimize COVID-19 exposure risk for students, faculty, and staff to the greatest extent possible.
Visitors on Campus
No outside visitors or volunteers will be allowed on school campuses, except for the safety and well-being of students. Parents and guardians will report to the front office and not go beyond unless it is for the safety or well-being of their child. Essential visitors to facilities and contractors will be required to wear face coverings and will be restricted in their access to school buildings. Visitors and contractors must follow all safety protocols as listed above.
School Safety Drills
Broadalbin-Perth will conduct fire (evacuation) drills and lockdown drills as required by education law and regulation and the fire code, without exceptions. Schools will continue to conduct mandatory fire and lockdown drills according to the existing statutory schedule. Drills will be conducted in a manner that maintains social distancing at exits and gathering points outside the building, while still preparing students to respond in emergencies.
Broadalbin-Perth will continue to conduct required school safety drills with modifications, including:
- Conducting evacuation drills on a staggered schedule, where classrooms evacuate separately rather than all at once, but still completing the drill for all students in the school building on the same day;
- Requiring students and staff to wear face coverings during the entirety of an evacuation drill;
- Requiring cohorts of students and staff to socially distance from other cohorts when outside the building in designated evacuation areas;
- Conducting lockdown drills in classroom settings while maintaining social distancing and/or using face coverings;
- Conducting lockdown drills in classrooms without hiding or sheltering, but instead providing students with an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom; and
- Ensuring that all students receive instruction in emergency procedures and participate in drills while they are in attendance in-person, even if they are attending school in-person on only certain days (hybrid model).
Students will be instructed that, if there was an actual emergency that required evacuation or lockdown, the most imminent concern would be to get to safety, and that maintaining social distancing in an actual emergency that requires evacuation or lockdown may not be possible and should not be the first priority.
The district will update its Fire Safety, Evacuation, and Lockdown Plans to reflect these modifications.
Facilities
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the district, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly. In carrying out projects or tasks supporting infection control, requirements will be met for changes associated with building spaces. Plans for changes or additions to facilities that require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP) will be submitted to comply with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC) and the State Energy Conservation Code.
The function, position, and operation of stairs and corridor doors, which have closers with automatic hold opens (and are automatically released by the fire alarm system), will remain unchanged.
The district plans to meet the deadline for submission of Building Condition Survey or Visual Inspections on time. In addition, lead in water sampling will be carried out upon the reopening of school under conditions consistent with when the building is “normally occupied.”
Facility Alterations and Acquisition
Broadalbin-Perth does not plan to alter or acquire any facilities that would require review by the Office of Facilities Planning (OFP), the local municipality, and/or code enforcement officials. The district plans to use available space in cafeterias, gyms, media centers/libraries, and the auditorium as classroom space as needed.
Space Expansion
After reviewing existing floor plans, district leaders have determined that Broadalbin-Perth does not need to expand square footage to enable improved social distancing. The district will instead use a variety of instructional models – including hybrid and remote instruction – to reduce the overall building capacity at any given time.
Tents for Additional Space
Broadalbin-Perth intends to use tents at both campuses as an alternative location for cohorts to use for in-person instruction, weather-permitting. The district will work with the Office of Facilities Planning and the district’s architect to submit their plans for the tents for a building permit and will adhere to all applicable fire and building codes.
Plumbing Facilities and Fixtures
Broadalbin-Perth will maintain the minimum number of toilet fixtures and drinking fountains that must be available for use in each building as established in the building code. The district will continue use of touch-free paper towel dispensers in all bathrooms, and will install physical barriers between toilets and sinks if six feet of separation is not feasible. The district will also ensure distancing rules are adhered to by using signage, occupied markers, and other methods to reduce restroom occupancy at any given time, where feasible.
The water systems will be flushed at both school buildings before the beginning of the school year.
Ventilation
Broadalbin-Perth will maintain adequate, code-required ventilation (natural or mechanical) as designed. To the greatest extent possible, the district will increase ventilation with outdoor air (e.g., opening windows and doors) while maintaining health and safety protocols, particularly for younger students. The district will work with engineers to establish proper filtration requirements that are compatible with existing air handling systems.
New Technology for Air Purification
At this time, Broadalbin-Perth has no plans to implement new technology for air purification.
Child Nutrition
School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely.
For information about how meal information will be communicated, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Meals On-Site
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. Meals may be served in alternate areas (e.g., classrooms, outside when weather permits) or in staggered meal periods to ensure social distancing and proper cleaning and disinfection between students.
The sharing of food and beverages (e.g., buffet-style meals, snacks) is prohibited, unless individuals are members of the same household. Adequate space will be reserved for students, faculty, and staff to observe social distancing while eating meals.
Students will be instructed to wash or sanitize their hands both before and after eating. School meals will be served to students in individual containers (i.e., bags or boxes). Members of the district’s health services team will alert the food services team to any food allergies, and members of the food services team will use established procedures and precautions to prepare and package food for students with food allergies. During meal times, supervising teachers and support staff will monitor students to maintain social distancing and discourage the sharing of food and beverages.
Members of the district’s custodial staff will clean and disinfect common dining areas (e.g., cafeteria) between each cohort of students.
Broadalbin-Perth will continue to comply with all Child Nutrition Program requirements.
Meals Off-Site or Remote
Broadalbin-Perth will provide multiple days’ worth of breakfasts and lunches for students who are learning remotely or are enrolled in a hybrid learning model.
Students enrolled in a 100% remote learning model will pick up school meals twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, at a central location. Families who lack transportation and cannot travel to the school to pick up meals may request that district staff deliver the meals to their homes on Mondays and Thursdays.
Students enrolled in a hybrid learning model will pick up food for their remote learning day(s) on the last day they attend school in-person before their remote learning day(s) begin.
Transportation
The district will conduct transportation activities that are consistent with state-issued public transit guidance and NYSED School Reopening guidelines. Students and school staff must wear acceptable face coverings at all times on school buses (e.g., entering, exiting, and seated) and should maintain appropriate social distancing to the extent practicable. Members of the same household may be seated within six feet of each other.
Students who are able will be required to wear masks and socially distance on the bus to the extent practicable; however, students whose physical or mental health would be impaired will not be required to wear a face covering, but must be appropriately socially distanced. All bus drivers will maintain a supply of disposable face coverings that they will distribute to students who attempt to board the school bus without a face covering.
Safe transportation to and from school via school bus remains available for all Broadalbin-Perth students. Prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year, the district will be asking parents to complete a form verifying their need for daily school-provided transportation for their children or opting to provide transportation themselves for their children. After confirming the number of students who require daily transportation, the district will adjust transportation routes and schedules to accommodate reduced capacity on each bus as well as staggered arrival and departure times. Changes to transportation routes and schedules will be communicated to parents via postal mail, email, text message, and mobile app notification.
Upon arrival at the school, district staff will instruct students to unload buses one at a time to maintain social distancing and direct them to enter the school and walk directly to their classrooms. Students will be required to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before or immediately after entering the building or their classroom.
At the end of the school day, students will be called to board their buses one bus at a time to minimize hallway traffic and help ensure social distancing.
All buses that are used every day will be cleaned and disinfected once a day. High-contact spots, including handrails, will be wiped down after each bus run, depending upon the disinfection schedule.
When outside temperatures are above 45F, school buses will transport passengers with windows and roof hatches slightly open to provide increased air flow.
School buses will not be equipped with hand sanitizer because of its combustible composition and potential liability to the district. School bus drivers, monitors, and attendants must not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.
Wheelchair school buses will configure wheelchair placement to ensure social distancing of six feet.
Whether school is in session remotely or otherwise, pupil transportation will be provided to nonpublic, parochial, private, and charter schools, or students whose Individualized Education Plans have placed them in out-of-district schools that are conducting in-person sessions.
All students are entitled to transportation by the district to the extent required by law. Transportation departments do not have the ability or the right to deny transportation for children who are in foster care, homeless, or attend private or charter schools. Parents who may have missed the due date to request out-of-district transportation because of a reasonable excuse may file a 310 appeal with the Commissioner of Education.
School Bus Staff
School bus drivers, monitors, attendants, and mechanics are required to perform a health self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they will notify the district as per the reporting policies and seek medical attention.
School bus drivers, monitors, attendants, and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield.
Transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics, and cleaners) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment, social distancing protocols, and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Transportation staff will be required to complete the online daily health self-assessment tool daily before they report to work. The district will also perform daily temperature checks on all transportation staff before they leave for their first bus run of the day.
Transportation staff will be encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water before and after each bus run.
The district will provide PPE, such as masks and gloves for drivers, monitors, and attendants on buses, as well as hand sanitizer for all staff in their transportation locations, such as dispatch offices and bus garages.
Drivers, monitors, and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child must wear gloves.
For more information about training protocol for students and staff and how transportation information will be communicated, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Social Emotional Well-Being
We recognize that the social emotional well-being of our students and staff during these challenging times is critically important. The district will make available resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instruction.
The district will prioritize students with mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs for daily in-person instruction and support.
The district has established a school counseling advisory council that involves shared decision-making and is composed of families, students, members of the Board of Education, school building leaders, community-based service providers, teachers, certified school counselors, and other pupil personnel service providers. The advisory council will inform the comprehensive developmental school counseling program plan. This program plan has been reviewed and updated to meet current needs.
The district will provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on how to talk with and support students during and after the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as provide support for developing coping and resilience skills for students, faculty, and staff. Specifically, the district will provide professional development on social emotional health during superintendent conference days and professional development days at the beginning of the school year.
School Schedules
Elementary School Schedule
At the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School plans to offer two instructional models: full-day in-person instruction and 100% remote instruction. The district will ask parents to commit their children to one of the models for the start of the school year. Parents will have the option to change the instructional model their children are enrolled in at specified points throughout the school year.
In the case of a temporary or long-term school closure because of community spread of COVID-19, all students will learn through the 100% remote instruction model.
Secondary School Schedule
At the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School will be offering a hybrid instruction model and a 100% remote instruction model.
Students enrolled in the hybrid instruction model will attend school in-person with their assigned cohort every-other day for instruction in core content areas (i.e., English, social studies, math, science) and special areas (e.g., art, music, physical education, and Spanish for eighth-graders). On days when students are learning remotely, they will complete learning activities for their in-person classes as well as any remote-only classes they are enrolled in, including all college-level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, health, Spanish for students in grades 9-12, economics, and Participation in Government.
In the case of a temporary or long-term school closure because of community spread of COVID-19, all students will learn through the 100% remote instruction model.
For information about how school schedule information will be communicated to students, families and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
School Activities
Extracurriculars and Athletics
There will be no in-person field trips, assemblies, or other special congregate events at the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District during the 2020-21 school year, or until the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. As is practicable, teachers will be encouraged to take advantage of virtual events and field trips with their students.
At this time, interscholastic sports are not permitted. The district will follow all directives and guidelines from the DOH and New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) regarding when and how to resume practices and competitions for interscholastic sports.
When feasible, the district will offer extracurricular opportunities for students virtually or in person, utilizing social distancing and other health hygiene protocols.
Child Care
A written plan is in place for before- and after-school child care programs run by the district. Policies regarding before- and after-school child care programs include social distancing, PPE usage, cleaning and disinfection requirements, as well as mitigating risk of COVID-19 transmission. Protocols regarding how to maintain cohorts, if applicable, or how to group members of the same household will be considered.
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
Broadalbin-Perth will utilize learning management systems in concert with teacher-created lessons in remote and hybrid instructional models that tracks student attendance and time spent on learning activities when students are not attending school in-person. Teachers will log and report their interactions with students on the days that students are not attending school in-person.
Student absences will be addressed with parents and guardians before the students fall behind. Broadalbin-Perth will use a variety of methods to reach out to and engage with students and their families. When needed to address chronic absenteeism, the district will collaborate with the local Department of Social Services.
Technology and Connectivity
Broadalbin-Perth has retained the information it collected in the spring regarding access to devices and high-speed internet for all students and teachers, and will continue to provide devices, information about accessing high-speed internet through regional providers, and, if needed, WiFi hotspots to those who need them.
Broadalbin-Perth will provide professional development for teachers and instructional leaders on effective online or remote learning. The district will provide instruction to teachers, students, parents and guardians on the use of technology being used in hybrid or remote instruction. IT support is available for all students, teachers, and families.
The district will provide multiple ways for students to participate in learning and demonstrate mastery of learning standards in remote or blended models, regardless of student access to devices or high-speed internet.
Teaching and Learning
The school calendar typically includes one or more staff-only days before students arrive at school. Acknowledging the challenges that our teachers and staff have faced this spring delivering remote instruction under stressful circumstances, the district will focus these in-service days on providing support to staff in the areas of social-emotional health and technology integration.
The district is also planning for several days for student orientation, diagnostic testing and screening. This time will allow small groups of students to meet with their new teachers and begin to establish the relationship necessary for a successful school year.
As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.
When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, special education students, English language learners, students who did not engage in remote learning during spring 2020, and students with technology or connectivity needs.
Assessing student learning gaps or areas of need will be critical. Formative assessment before a unit of instruction to assess student understanding of pre-requisite skills will be common practice.
Acknowledging that the typical content in a given grade level or course may need to be adjusted, content will be prioritized to ensure that students receive instruction for the prioritized learning standards, key understandings, and skills necessary for students’ success in future study.
Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.
For information relating to teaching and learning in BOCES special education and Career and Technical Education programs, please see the HFM BOCES website, www.hfmboces.org.
In-Person Instruction
Upon reopening, the number of students in each of our classrooms will be reduced to adhere to CDC guidance regarding proper social distancing. Class size will reflect the need to ensure that students’ desks/seats are positioned no less than six feet apart.
Accommodating a six-foot radius around students will necessitate the identification of additional rooms and common-area spaces that can be converted into classroom space.
Current staffing levels may be insufficient to accommodate the expanded number of classrooms needed to ensure social distancing. As such, at the elementary level, the district is considering the role special-area teachers and teaching assistants might play in supporting core content area instruction and providing adequate supervision of students. At this time, the district does not anticipate needing additional staff to support the hybrid model planned for the secondary level.
All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.
Our schools will minimize the movement of students. This potentially means eliminating assemblies, field trips and other large-group activities. Special-area subjects (e.g., art, music, physical education) may be pushed into the general classroom or take place in the special-area classroom. Whenever possible, students will utilize outside space for physical education instruction. We will adhere to the recommended 12 feet between students when they are engaging in physical activity.
To the extent possible, students will remain in small cohorts when leaving the classroom, such as for recess or any necessary transition, so as to reduce their exposure to additional students.
For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of this reopening plan.
For information about how in-person instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Remote/Hybrid Instruction
Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, Broadalbin-Perth has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.
Instruction will not only focus on core subject areas to the exclusion of special area or elective courses. Consideration has been given to prioritizing hands-on and lab-based activities while students are on-site in school buildings. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.
Student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in-person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.
Remote learning opportunities for secondary students will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers finding ways to provide live instruction and lessons to students. While recording of live lessons is still essential for students unable to attend at a scheduled time, teachers will ensure that students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis.
To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, Broadalbin-Perth will standardize the use of a single online learning platform, to the extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.
For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of this reopening plan.
For information about how remote/hybrid instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Special Education
Broadalbin-Perth will prioritize in-person instruction for students with the highest level of needs, according to their individualized education plans (IEPs). At the elementary level, parents of students with special needs will be encouraged to opt in to the full-day in-person instructional model (five days a week). At the secondary level, students with special needs will be in school for instruction daily to the greatest extent possible.
Special education teachers and case managers will document programs and services provided to students with disabilities, as well as communications with parents and guardians, daily using the documentation form provided by NYCASE.
As much as is practicable, CPSE/CSE programs will be provided in-person, in the school. Case managers will monitor and communicate student progress and share resources whenever feasible.
Broadalbin-Perth will provide access to the necessary accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and technology, including assistive technology, to meet the unique disability-related needs of students.
For information about meaningful parent engagement regarding the provision of services to a child to meet the requirements of the IDEA, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of this reopening plan.
Bilingual Education and World Languages
Because of the limited number of English Language Learners (ELLs) enrolled in the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, the district utilizes an English as a New Language (ENL) program. Broadalbin-Perth is committed to communicating in each parent’s preferred language and mode of communication, and provides professional development for teachers on supporting ELLs and addressing learning gaps.
The district’s ENL teacher will work with school counseling staff to provide social-emotional learning supports to ELLs and their families in their home language. The ENL teacher will also provide instructional units based on students’ most recently measured English language proficiency and use monitoring tools to measure proficiency. The district will continue to use technology in ELL instruction.
The district’s policies are aligned to the Blueprint for ELL/MLL Success and the district’s EMLL Profile supports early learning. Although no students meeting this description are currently enrolled, Broadalbin-Perth is committed to supporting Students with Interrupted/Inconsistent Formal Education (SIFE) and other vulnerable populations.
The district is committed to completing the ELL identification process within 30 days of the start of the school year for all students who enrolled during the COVID-19 school closure in 2019-20, as well as all students who enroll during summer 2020 and during the first 20 school days of the 2020-21 school year. After this, identification of ELLs will occur for all students within the required 10 school days of initial enrollment.
For information about regular communication and engagement with parents/guardians of English-language learners, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
Staff
Teacher and Principal Evaluation System
All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to the district’s approved APPR plan. The district is in the process of reviewing the current APPR plan and will revise it as needed.
Certification, Incidental Teaching, and Substitute Teaching
All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certificates for teaching assignment, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or education law. The district will consider working with educator preparation programs to identify student teachers who can support classroom teachers.
2021 Summer Driver Education Program
The Broadalbin-Perth Central School District will be offering a comprehensive driver education program to any and all BP and regional high school students that qualify to participate in such program according to their date of birth.
Online instruction
The “book study” portion of this program will be offered online with students participating in rigorous discussion on all areas of safe driving.
In-person driving instruction
All participants must participate in In-person driving instruction during the last two weeks of the driver education program. A maximum of four students and one instructor will be allowed in the district-owned vehicle at one time. One participant will sit in the far back seat, two in the middle section seats, and the instructor in the front passenger seat observing the student driver. All participants and instructors will wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose at all times when in the closed confines of the van.
Also, the instructor will ensure proper flow of outside air using the vehicle airflow systems as well as having the windows partially opened when possible.
Lastly, all passengers and instructors will have hand sanitizer available at all times for use immediately before and after touching the driving wheel and all vehicle component controls.