Proposed plans in place for Aug. 18 FIS opening

Benita Fuzzell

Fulton Independent Schools Superintendent Dr. DeAnna Miller, along with the administrative team of Mancell Elam, Dana Crawford, Kent Green, and Sarah Townsend, have completed one phase of initiating the plan to bring students and teachers back together for the first time since mid-March, with plans to open school for the 2020-2021 year on Aug. 18.

In a letter supplied to students’ parents and guardians late last week, Dr. Miller explained the proposals, which will be presented to the district’s Health Coordinator, Beth Jones as well as the Fulton County Health Department Nurse, for their review and ultimate approval.

While the FIS Board of Education had previously authorized the approval of three options for the 2020-2021 Calendar, each with a different start date, Dr. Miller said Aug. 18 was actually the original calendar approved by the Board in February, prior to the abrupt end of in-person learning for the district and the commencement of non-traditional instruction days through which the 2019-2020 school year was completed.

“We wanted to go ahead and do the groundwork for the plan,” Dr. Miller said on Monday.

In the letter sent to FIS families, Dr. Miller provided an update as to Gov. Andy Beshear’s requirement for face masks to be worn in the event social distancing could not be observed, for students in first grade and older.

“Our goal in all of our schools will be to limit mask times as much as possible, especially in the classrooms, by maximizing our space as much as possible. Masks will be required during times when students can’t be six feet apart of course, but we plan to limit that time as much as possible,” Dr. Miller said.

She noted masks will be available to those who arrive at school without one, and also that small school systems such as Fulton Independent will be at an advantage, as in most cases, class size is small, enabling easier adjustment to providing plenty of space between students.

While the Aug. 18 start date is projected, the Superintendent cautions as new information surfaces relating to Covid-19, the date is subject to change if necessary.

The proposed plan will follow the guidance and safety expectations developed by Kentucky Public Health and Kentucky Department of Education to create a “Healthy at School” environment.

“However, if a parent feels uncomfortable with their child returning to the classroom, we will have faculty dedicated to checking in with students by phone or skype, who will have been provided with materials and plans to facilitate their child’s enrollment in Non-Traditional Instruction. We have the opportunity to be designated as one to one for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, with each and every student provided with a Chrome Book or laptop for technology based instruction. Should a student not have accessibility to internet, we can provide paper copies of all instructional materials and faculty will make sure to maintain contact with each student,” Miller said.

Students who plan to participate in NTI days at the beginning of the new school year must complete paperwork by Aug. 1, to allow for adequate preparation of materials. Dana Crawford may be contacted at 270-970-4456 to initiate that process.

Additional guidelines for school buildings will include temperature checks for all faculty, staff and students upon entering the building; floor markings in key locations to show distancing requirements and arrangement of classrooms to promote social distancing; staggered recess and meal times; daily cleaning and disinfecting of all facilities; disinfection between classes for high touch surfaces; hand sanitizer stations; signage throughout the school facilities to promote proper hand and respiratory safety and safe distancing; and encouragement for students to bring a water bottle to school, for filling at designated water stations. Disposable cups will be provided at fountains.

On buses, masks will be required for students in grades 1-12.

Staggered seating will be implemented when possible and buses will load from from back to front and unload, front to back.

A Back-To-School Day has been scheduled for Aug. 10, with parents requested to contact Asha Jenkins at 270-472-1553 or email, Asha.Jenkins@fultonind.kyschool.us to schedule appointments with students’ teachers for that day.

“I would like to thank our parents, students and faculty for the patience and cooperation shown as we completed the 2019-2020 school year and as we plan to best serve students in the 2020-21 school year. These are definitely uncertain times that we are in but please rest assured that students’ health, safety and academic success are my top priorities,” Dr. Miller said.