Reopening Statement Updated 7/31 July 2nd, 2020 | Posted in News, Uncategorized July 31, 2020 Dear Parents, I hope you and yours are well and doing your best to keep cool as we approach the end of this steamy month of July. I am pleased to share this update from Centreville Layton School’s Reopening Committee regarding our plan and protocols to date for reopening this fall. Our plan thus far was developed in accordance with the state’s reopening guidelines and within its three school reopening scenarios. To refresh your memory, the scenarios put forth by Governor Carney and Secretary of the Department of Education (DOE), Dr. Susan Bunting, are: Scenario 1 – GREEN – Minimal Community Spread – Few cases with minimal increases. Low percent positive cases. Low numbers of hospitalizations. Schools are open for in-person instruction. Scenario 2 –YELLOW- Minimal to Moderate Community Spread – Moderate levels of community spread. Moderate percent of increased cases, percent positive and hospitalizations. Schools may use a hybrid model of remote learning and in-person learning options with precautions in place Scenario 3 – RED – Significant increase in cases, percent positive and hospitalizations. School buildings are closed – remote learning only Governor Carney’s School Reopening Task Force guidelines can be found by clicking here. During a conference call with independent school leaders Wednesday, Governor Carney stated that, “…unless the situation were to dramatically change, I do not foresee issuing any order for schools not to reopen.” While this is encouraging, the Governor has not rendered his final decision regarding the scenario under which schools will reopen. Per his statement, however, we have been/are planning for the in-person and remote option reopening scenario – YELLOW. Centreville Layton’s Reopening Committee, made up of faculty and administration, has been working diligently and thoughtfully to develop plans for our safe return to campus. We have been guided by public health data/information, recommendations from local, state, and federal agencies, and the unflagging dedication to our students and faculty to provide a safe and healthy learning environment and the best possible learning experience for our students this fall. Along with these organizations we have received expert guidance and support from Delaware’s Department of Public Health’s (DPH) independent school liaison. By clicking this link you will be redirected to the CLS reopening plan framework for the 20-21 school year. If you have any questions please feel free to call or email. I will be delivering updates as we continue to plan for the very safest return to school. Sincerely, Bart Reese July 17th Dear Parents, I hope you and yours are healthy and happy and that you’ve been able to enjoy the summer so far. As I’ve alluded to in several previous emails, I appreciate and respect your fortitude through this health crisis and your patience with us as we navigate it together. As of today, we are just under eight weeks away from the start of the 2020-2021 school year. And, I am happy to report that yesterday afternoon Governor Carney and Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) introduced DE School’s Reopening plan. Governor Carney and Dr. Bunting proposed three reopening scenarios, based on the level of COVID-19’s community spread. As you can see from the information below, each scenario, for which we have begun developing protocols, requires different instruction modes. Governor Carney informed us that we would know by “early August” which scenario will be in place for DE schools to start the year. Scenario 1 – GREEN – Minimal Community Spread – Few cases with minimal increases. Low percent positive cases. Low numbers of hospitalizations. Schools are open for in-person instruction. Scenario 2 -YELLOW- Minimal to Moderate Community Spread – Moderate levels of community spread. Moderate percent of increased cases, percent positive and hospitalizations. Schools may use a hybrid model of remote learning and in-person learning options with precautions in place Scenario 3 – RED – Significant increase in cases, percent positive and hospitalizations. School buildings are closed – remote learning only Now that we have the state’s guidelines, the CLS Re-Opening Committee can move forward in earnest in developing our plan. As we do so, and in anticipation (hope) of opening under scenario 1 or 2, our work moving forward will be based on the following guiding principles – We understand how difficult these past few months have been and the next few months might be (hopefully not too much longer). We understand that you are making difficult decisions/choices for your family in these uncertain times and we support you. With the students’ and faculty’s health and welfare driving our efforts we will do all we can to safely deliver our in-person/”live”, student-centered, team supported academic and co-curricular programs. Keenly aware that we may have individuals unable to join our in-person program we will provide an at-home option. While delivered by way of an alternate platform from the in-person program, we aim to provide a dynamic, meaningful and stimulating learning experience. As we continue to refine the details of our plan regarding – Health and Safety, Program: in-person and remote, Facilities and Operations – I will be in contact. If you have any questions please feel free to call or email. Again, thank you for your patience and support. Please stay safe and healthy. Sincerely, Bart Reese July 2nd Dear Parents, I hope you are enjoying the first official days of summer and that you and yours are healthy and happy. Our campus has never looked more beautiful and the new gymnasium and auditorium/multi-purpose space are almost completed. All we need now are students!! To that end, we are so excited to be back on campus for in-person teaching/learning this fall and we are working on a reopening plan to do so safely. As I have stated on several occasions, the health and welfare of our students and faculty are of paramount importance and will drive every aspect of our reopening plan. As I write this, Governor Carney is reviewing his Education Task Force’s recommendations for school reopenings this fall. In anticipation of this report, the CLS leadership team has begun to develop its own general plan. Upon receiving the state’s official guidelines, we will begin to refine the details of our reopening plan and disseminate it promptly. The key components to our general plan include protocols for: Social Distancing Facemask requirements Cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing Hygiene Health screening and monitoring Visitors to campus As we continue to develop our reopening plan, I ask you to continue to be cognizant of the fact that – as COVID-19 goes, so will the state’s guidelines and decisions (what’s in place today could look different tomorrow). That said, we are focused and planning for a safe reopening and transformative fall. Best and be well, Bart