• School Operations & Logistics


    Physical Entry Points & Signage

    • Entrance and exit doors will be designated at the front office to reduce the chance that people meet face-to-face.
    • Social distancing signage will be posted in the front office and in hallways to serve as reminders for students and staff members.
    • Signage and markings of six feet of spacing will be posted to remind students and staff to always stay six feet apart in lines such as in the cafeteria, bathroom entrances, locker room entrances, and bus waiting areas. 
    • Limit the density of people in school facilities to no greater than 50% maximum occupancy will be enforced to ensure social distancing of at least six feet apart between people.
    • Directional reminders will be posted on the walls and/or floor.
    • Signage on the proper use of face coverings will be posted throughout the building.
    • Middle and high school students will be asked to go through the search lines as they enter the campus.  A “fast lane” will be available for students who do not bring a book bag or bring a clear one to expedite the process.
    • After entering the school, students will be asked to report directly to their first classroom.  
    • Visitors will be allowed in only the front office.  Visitors are discouraged from coming to schools unless it is absolutely necessary.
    • Schools will limit activities involving external groups in the schools.
    • Deliveries must be coordinated through school principals.
    • Parent-teacher conferences must be held in a virtual meeting or by telephone.

    Classroom Practices

    • Custodial staff will create a schedule/chart for checking hand sanitizing stations regularly throughout the day. 
    • Custodial staff will create a schedule that allows for cleaning and sanitizing in between classes, at the beginning and end of days, etc.  
    • Custodial staff will create a plan for trash removal throughout the day and identify additional staff/volunteers as needed. 
    • Schools will consider assigning specific content-area teacher leads for cleaning materials in their areas. 
    • All desks will be six feet apart, if feasible, and facing in the same direction.
    • Students will be asked to bring only essential items (device, homework, etc.) into the schools.  If students must bring a bag, a clear one is recommended.
    • Teachers will limit the sharing/handling of school supplies, books, and other materials.
    • Classroom activities will include age-appropriate activities that encourage sound personal hygiene practices.


    Restrooms & Water Fountains

    • Water fountain use will be suspended.  Students are encouraged to bring bottled water from home.
    • Schools will stagger normally assigned times for access to restroom facilities.
    • Markings will be placed on the floor to designate physical distancing when using the restroom facilities, including access to stalls and sinks.  

    Nutrition Services

    • Students will be allowed adequate time to wash and sanitize hands before and after meals.
    • Schools will extend and/or stagger meal times to promote social distancing while ensuring adequate time for students to consume their meals.
    • Cafeterias will discontinue the use of any self-service food or beverage distribution. For example, food should be individually wrapped or served/handed directly to students.  This also applies to events outside the typical school day. As always, cafeterias should ensure the safety of children with food allergies.
    • Cafeterias will prepare boxed or bagged meals as alternatives as needed for unique situations and for homebound students as needed or required in the IEP or 504 plan.
    • The district office will develop written materials for families to help them understand new meal service models and to combat misinformation as required in the DHEC School Operations Guidance.
    • Water fountain use will be suspended.  Students are encouraged to bring bottled water from home.  
    • Staff will ensure that all non-disposable food service items are minimally handled and washed with hot water and soap or in a dishwasher, or disposable food service items such as plates and utensils should be used. 
    • Schools will ensure spaced seating in the cafeteria, and longer meal periods should be scheduled if other options such as pre-packaged meals are not served in the classroom.

    Transportation

    • Buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice per day after the completion of morning and afternoon routes with an electrostatic handheld sprayer and EPA-approved disinfectant incompliance with the AccelerateED Task Force Guidance and Recommendations (https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/covid-19-coronavirus-and-south-carolina-schools/accelerateed-task-force/accelerateed-task-force-fall-recommendation-final/) and CDC guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/bus-transit-operator.html).
    • Protocols for sufficient social distancing between students and transportation staff will be followed at all times on school transportation vehicles.
      • Students and bus drivers/staff will be required to wear masks while riding on a bus to school.
      • The front seats directly behind the bus driver on the left and right should not be utilized.
      • The number of students on the bus will be a maximum of 67% of standard capacity, where practical.
      • Three students should not sit on one seat.
      • Seating will start with one child on a seat and then two children on the next seat following this pattern down the right row.  The left row will start with two children on a seat and then one child next seat following this pattern down the left row.
      • Students will be loaded from back to front when possible.
      • Students will be unloaded from front to back.
      • Household members will, if possible, be paired together on the seat.
    • Each bus will have a seating chart for tracking and supporting contact tracing, if necessary.

    Fiscal Services

    • Plans established for budget managers to submit additional costs not incorporated in the 2020-21 Superintendent’s Comprehensive Budget.
    • HCS will track additional costs and prepare to apply for CARES Act Funding.
    • Procurement Services will assist budget managers with the attainment of goods and/or services to ensure that procurement policies and procedures are adhered to.
    • All financial/payroll policies and procedures remain in effect.