Continuation of In-Person Instruction Plan

Safe Continuation of In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan

Effective August 1, 2021

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PREFACE: The recently passed American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides substantial federal resources to support states and local school districts. As a result, local school districts are required to develop a plan which details the safe return to in-person instruction and ensures the continuity of services. This plan is accessible to our stake-holders and will be monitored and revised as necessary based on ongoing review through September 30, 2023.

MITIGATION STRATEGIES:

1. Last Year – Green Inspiration Academy School (GIA) successfully operated under a hybrid learning plan and began “in-person” learning in January of 2020 and for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Teachers formally and informally assessed students throughout the 2020-2021 school year in a variety of ways to identify and address any learning loss that occurred as a result of school closures. Some of those assessment measures included but were not limited to the following: KRA for Kindergarten, K-3 Third Grade Reading Guarantee diagnostic, iReady in reading/math for grades K-5, State assessments and local measures from textbook series and/or teacher developed. Assessments began later than normal in the fall of 2020-2021 school year but  continued frequently. Teachers provided intervention for those students who showed any signs of learning loss/gaps. Those interventions included but were not limited to: Title I reading services,  IEP services and social emotional/ wellness support times known as “Brain Breaks” in our building. Administrators, teaching staff and classroom aides will continue to analyze data, monitor and continue to address the learning needs of all students as we move out of our hybrid-learning plan. 
2. Fall 2021- Beginning on August 16th, 2021 we will return to pre-pandemic practices. Should health conditions arise, or stakeholder feedback necessitate, GIA will re-assemble their preparedness teams to review conditions and mitigation strategies and make necessary revisions. District preparedness teams include administrators, school nurses, and other staff/community members. Our health protocols are below:

• Physical Distancing: The Districts will return to pre-pandemic protocols. Physical distancing will be recommended in some settings, but not required.
• Handwashing/Respiratory Etiquette: Handwashing and/or sanitizing will continue to be emphasized throughout the school day. Hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the building(s). Students will be encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands when they enter/exit classrooms, the cafeteria, and to/from recesses, on/off school busses. Cough/sneeze etiquette will continue to be taught and modeled.
• Facilities: Cleaning protocols will continue return to pre-pandemic practices but additional sanitizing will take place during times of increased illness among staff/students.
• Contact tracing: Contact tracing will occur as required based upon guidance from the Center for Disease control for all infectious diseases. District staff have been trained on how to take temperatures; close and clean classrooms and are adept at this process due to experience during the pandemic. Professional development will include a review of protocols this year.
• Diagnostic/Screening Testing: Green Inspiration Academy Schools will provide access to COVID testing supplies available upon request. COVID test kits will be utilized wisely in an attempt to keep students safely in school as much as possible.
• Vaccinations: The Districts will not be a host site for staff/community vaccinations. However, updated Vaccine locations will continue to be updated and noted on the school’s entrance doors and posted on the website @www.greeninspirationacademy.com 

STUDENT ACADEMIC NEEDS (Fall 2021 School Year and Beyond):

1. Our Mindset: When school reopens, GIA will welcome students back to a more equitable, safe and dynamic learning environment. One that meets the promise of public education that all students, parents, families, and educators deserve. It is our goal as a community school to provide the following:

• A strong and proven curriculum that provides a rich and varied academic program
• Community support services woven into the fabric of the school that support students and their families
• Family and community partnerships that are deeply engaged, together, in decision-making, governance and support to our children and families
• A highly-qualified and diverse workforce that is supported and included in decision-making and part of shared-leadership teams
• A strong networked grid of public services that support students and their families with deep and targeted investments in our community.

1. Our Action Plan- Teachers will formally and informally assess students throughout the 2021-2022 school year in a variety of ways to identify and address any learning loss that occurred over the last year. Our assessment measures include but are not limited to the following: KRA for Kindergarten, K-3 Third Grade Reading Guarantee diagnostic, iReady in reading/math for grades K-5, State assessments and local measures from textbook series and/or teacher developed. Assessments will begin early in the fall of the 2021-2022 school year and continue frequently. Teachers and support staff will provide intervention for those students who show signs of learning loss/gaps. The interventions included but are not limited to: Title I reading services, 504 Plans, IEP services, Reading/Math intervention programs, PBIS tiered supports and social emotional/ wellness support in our building. Administrators, teaching staff and classroom aides will analyze data and continue to address the learning needs of all students as we carefully monitor the effects of the pandemic closure; remote and hybrid learning. Increased attention, assessment and interventions will be provided to the small percentage of students who are transitioning from virtual instruction back to our buildings.
2. 1. Our Approaches to Address Academic Gap Filling:

In addition to addressing student learning needs, GIA also must fill the gaps where a loss of learning occurred due to the pandemic.  As such, we will initiate a MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) structure in our school. Multiple data sources will be incorporated, including but not limited to the following:

• iReady Assessments
• Off- track on 3rd Grade Reading Guarantee data
• Off-track Middle School data
• Social/emotional needs data impacting academics based on Teacher; Special Education and RTI recommendations/data
• Attendance data

The approaches that will be used to fill academic gaps include:

• Using the data above to meet specific academic and social-emotional needs during classroom instructional hours.
• Increased staff hires for individual instructional support
• Implement off-track individual support for grades K-5
• Implement off-track Middle School curriculum
• Implement a summer program in 2022 with a blend of academic support

2. Our Day to Day Operation for the 2021-2022 School Year:

GIA will return to in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. Details are as follows:

• Classes will begin August 16, 2021.
• In-person learning will be the default learning model for all students. We know that students best learn when they are in the classroom with their teachers and their peers.
• We do not plan to offer concurrent instruction, where teachers are teaching to students who are in-person and remote at the same time.
• Extended School Hours – GIA is adding EXTENDED LEARNING time for students to provide targeted instruction to students who need additional support. Students will remain in school on Monday – Thursday until 5pm.  
• Classrooms have been designed with additional support to address “on track” and “off track students.”
• Technology upgrades will be made and all students will have access to chrome books in school.
• Students who are unable to attend school in person for medical reasons must submit medical documentation to the School’s Front Office. Please note that medical documentation must be kept up to date, particularly as vaccine eligibility and availability becomes more widespread. To reach the Front Office call Mr. Richard Clark @(216) 378-9573.
• For students who are unable to attend school in person, GIA will work with families individually to provide appropriate educational services.
• GIA will provide transportation to those who qualify.

-Additional information will be shared with families via Zoom Meeting and posted on the School’s website at the start of the school year.

STUDENT/STAFF SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS:

Green Inspiration Academy Schools will continue to closely monitor and assess the social/emotional/mental health needs of our students as we have throughout the 2020-21 school year under our Hybrid Learning Plan. Our school Counselors, Teaching, Administrative, and support staff will remain vigilant to the needs of all students. Additional programming, surveys, and/or outside services will be utilized to address any SEL issues. PBIS, Building Level and Intervention Assistance teams will continue to play a vital role in assessing and communicating the needs of students to the appropriate agency (ie. Job & Family Services) if necessary.

Our Fall 2021-22 Initiatives include:  

• Ongoing implementation of social-emotional learning curriculum in Kindergarten through Grade 8.
• A team of Social Workers to work with all students to increase Tier 1staff capacity to address student social-emotional needs, including trauma-informed classroom practices.
• During summer 2022, additional social-emotional interventions and support will be provided to targeted students participating in the academic intervention/enrichment program.
• Additional individualized and small-group enrichment support for targeted students in partnership with several community service organizations.

STUDENT HEALTH NEEDS:

Green Inspiration Academy Schools will provide consultant- based nursing services to tend to the health needs and health screening of our students. Close collaboration and partnerships will also continue with our local emergency responders, law enforcement, and agencies who provide vital health/safety services to our families.

FACULTY/STAFF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS:

Our faculties/staff were back in the buildings for fully in-person instruction in March of 2021 and continued to work with very little disruption throughout the 2020-21 school year. This year we will incorporate a  staff Wellness Programs as we return to pre-pandemic activities. Staff who exhibit signs of needing mental health assistance and/or who approach school staff/leaders because they are struggling will be directed to the appropriate agencies, health care providers, clinics/therapists that may be of assistance to them. Our Medical Mutual Health Plan also provides free access to the many service. Staff who need to utilize any form of leave will be allowed/encouraged to do so in accordance with our negotiated agreements.

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS: Green will continue offering daily food service that meets all federal requirements. All students are eligible to eat free breakfast and lunch at school through June of 2022. Any families that are known to struggle with food insecurity will be confidentially directed to the plethora of local organizations/locations of food pantries and free meal services.

The Green Inspiration Academy Schools’ Safe Continuation of In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan is subject to change through September 30, 2023. Input from our community stakeholders will be taken to inform any changes to this plan when it is reviewed. Continued collaboration and guidance will be sought from the Green Inspiration Academy Health Department.

Respectfully submitted by:  APRIL HART- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 

GREEN INSPIRATION IRN #134197

GIA is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status in its admissions procedures, educational programs, services, activities or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and/or any other applicable federal statute. GIA  will assist students who have Limited English Proficiency to participate in all programs, services and activities. For information regarding civil rights, admissions, grievance procedures, bilingual education and accessibility of programs, services, activities and facilities that are usable by persons with disabilities, contact the Executive Director at, 4901 Galaxy Parkway- Suite-L Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128.