This is the final part in a three-part series of Bluffton school reopen plans by building. For previous articles click for elementary information, and click for middle school information.

By Mike Minnig
high school principal
As the 2020-2021 school year is nearly here, we are excited to get started and welcome you back.  

We are looking forward to a great start of the year and hope to continue it throughout the school year.  In order to do so, I would invite you all to review Dr. Denecker’s letter to parents dated Aug.18 on the school’s website.

 The letter shares information regarding students learning in either platform of in-person or online instruction and highlights the Friday online learning day for all students.  This letter will outline the routines and policies that have changed to help provide as safe as learning environment as possible for our students.

During this ever changing time, these guidelines may change as this COVID-19 crisis changes. Over the past six months we have all faced these changes that have occurred quickly and the Bluffton Community has demonstrated flexibility and understanding to meet these challenges.  

As changes happen, our goal is to keep you informed as soon as possible.  If you do not have the school alert system app, please install this on your phone.  You will need to visit the school’s website at www.blufftonschools.org to sign up.  

On the website’s home page, under the “Parents” heading, click on “Parent Alert System” and follow the simple steps to subscribe to alerts.  Feel free to contact the office if you have any questions.  

Face covering  
Masks or gaiters are required for all students.

Masks or gaiters are required for all students that ride a bus.

Mask breaks will be given for short periods of time when students can walk outside and/or be socially distant in a large inside area.  

Each student will be provided both a mask and a gaiter during registration days. 

Universal Safety Precautions
All staff and students will be required to have their temperature checked at the beginning of each day.  Any person with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be sent to the nurse for further examination.

Hand sanitizer will be available in high traffic areas and classrooms.  Handwashing for 20 seconds will be encouraged.

Signs, posters, and other methods to reinforce the importance of frequent hand washing/sanitizing and proper prevention strategies will be posted throughout the building.

Cleaning protocols are established paying close attention to high touch areas and shared materials. 

The sharing of supplies and materials will be minimized to the extent possible with all shared items being sanitized between each use.  

Water fill stations have been installed.  Drinking fountains have been disconnected.  Please send in a water bottle for your child each day. This will be what they use to get water at lunch also. 

Classrooms
Safety protocols for sanitizing the classroom will be followed by teachers and staff.

Disinfecting will occur at the conclusion of each class period before students rotate to their next class. Students will clean their own space prior to exiting class so the next student sits in a clean working space. 

Students will be spaced out as far as possible, seated facing one direction, and will utilize plexi shields in rooms/labs with tables.

Seating charts will be consistent to assist in contact tracing.

Book bags and personal water bottles are allowed throughout the school day. 

Chromebooks
Each student will be given a chromebook to take home each day/night. 

Students should plan to charge these every night and bring their chargers and devices to school with them Monday-Thursday. 

There will be spares for students to check out and return in the office before school lets out should they forget theirs.

Restrooms
One student at a time may use the restroom during class time.  

Students may utilize the restroom in between classes and handwashing will be encouraged.

Students will use hand sanitizer from their classroom before and after using the restroom.

Art/Music/Industrial Technology/Physical Edducation/Library  
Students will not share art materials and supplies with other students.  

Any machinery or equipment that needs to be shared will be sanitized before and after each use.

In music, any instruments for use will be sanitized before and after using.

Physical education and library will be held in their designated areas and will follow safety requirements of sanitizing their area after and before student arrival.  

Use of outdoor spaces and larger venues on our campus will be done as much as possible.

Main Office Visits Procedures/Visitors
Visitors are not permitted unless approved by the principal.

Parents entering the high school will be required to wear a mask and should only do so in the event of an emergency. 

Students will be asked to use their own phone to call home from the office area. In the event they do not have a phone, exceptions will be made. 

Meet the Teacher and Open House
“Meet the Teacher” and Open House are cancelled for this school year.

Teachers will be posting a video introducing themselves and their classrooms.

Arrival/Lockers
Students should plan to enter the building every day wearing their mask or one will be provided.

Students should report directly to their homeroom unless they are eating breakfast or need to put their coat in their locker. 

Parents and adults are not permitted to enter the building unless granted permission by the principal.

Student temperature checks will occur during first period during announcements. 

Dismissal
Students will dismiss from exits that they have in the past. 

Parents are not permitted to enter the building unless granted permission from the principal.

Masks should be worn during dismissal until outdoors. 

Breakfast/Lunch/Birthday treats/Incentives  
Students will sanitize their hands before and after lunch.

Students will need to be seated in the same seat everyday at lunch.

Breakfast will be available for students in the cafetorium that arrive before 8 a.m.

No self-service foods or pump condiments.  Individual packaged condiments will be served.

No visitors will be permitted to eat with students.

Treats should not be brought in from home. 

Remote learners can pick up lunch in the MS cafetorium from 12-12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Fridays.  Lunches are served for everyone-those who purchase and those who qualify for free or reduced lunch.  

Incentives will be done “in house” this year inside classrooms. 

Transportation  
Masks are required by bus drivers and all students.

Hand sanitizing stations are on each bus.  Students need to utilize when entering the bus.  

Disposable masks will be provided to students if they forget their mask.  

Students will be assigned to seats.  They will not be allowed to change seats once seated.

Siblings will sit together.

Windows may be opened to allow for fresh air ventilation.

Cleaning and sanitizing protocols will be followed.  Seats and high-touch surfaces (handrails, isles, and windows) will be sanitized.

Field Trips are suspended until it is deemed safe to schedule. 

Progress Book
All student (online and in school) grades will be updated weekly on Progressbook

We will provide student and parent login information during the first week of school. 

We encourage parents to utilize the text notification feature of progress book to keep track of student progress. 

Remote/Online Learning Expectations
Google Classroom will be used as the remote learning platform for all classes.

Students are expected to be actively participating and staying on top of their studies each week. 

Teachers will post a weekly syllabus for each class by 8 a.m. Monday mornings. Outlining the week ahead and due dates.

Parents of online learners may pick up a chrome book and required text books at the high school on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 from 8-3 p.m.

If at any point you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to call, email, or schedule a time to meet with me.  Amidst all the changes, we look to forward to giving our students a little bit of normalcy to provide a positive learning environment to meet their educational, social and emotional needs.  It will take a group effort to do so and I look forward to working with each or you to make it happen.