Return to the Classroom: Guide for Parents

RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM

GUIDE FOR PARENTS

2020-2021

THE GOAL

It has been the goal of the Tuscaloosa City Schools to

return students to full time, in-person instruction as

soon as possible. It remains the belief of the Board

of Education that in-person, high-quality instruction

delivered by a certiﬁed teacher provides students the

best opportunity for academic success.

GREEN

GROUP

REMOTE

STUDENTS

GRAY

GROUP

Staggered Learning Followed

by Full-Time In Classroom

Given improving community health conditions, we are moving forward with plans to transition

students back into buildings for face-to-face learning. This plan includes a two-part approach:

1. Staggered learning for a period of time

Followed by

2. Full-time, in classroom learning

Phase 1: Staggered Learning

By dividing students at each school into two groups and alternating the days that each group is in

school with virtual, independent learning from home, there will be fewer students in the building

at any given time, allowing for safer face-to-face instruction.

Students will be divided into two groups: Green Group and Gray Group.

Local schools will notify parents of each student’s designated group.

Students in the Green Group will attend face-to-face instruction in school on

Monday and Tuesday of each week.

Students in the Gray Group will attend face-to-face instruction in school on

Wednesday and Thursday of each week.

On the days that students are not attending face-to-face instruction in school, they will be

provided virtual/asynchronous instruction. Note that this will take the form of assignments and

learning opportunities for students to complete on their own as teachers will be engaged at the

same time in teaching the students who will be on campus.

Households with multiple TCS students will be in the same group (either Green or Gray) to ensure

parents/guardians need not worry about the logistics complications of one student assigned the

Green Group and another student assigned the Gray Group.

(synchronous)

(asynchronous)

Phase 2: Full-Time, In Classroom Learning

At the earliest date allowed by local health conditions, all Tuscaloosa City Schools will return to

full time, in-classroom operations. All students who have not opted for full-year virtual will return

to in-classroom learning.

Tuscaloosa City Schools is committed to a continued emphasis on preserving the health and

safety of our students and staff. The structures and procedures implemented during our

staggered schedules will remain in place.

• Social distancing, will be enforced to the greatest degree possible.

• Face coverings will be required for all students and all employees throughout the school day.

• Frequent hand-washing and other personal hygiene practices will be followed.

SAME

DIFFERENT

• Schoology is the learning

management system

• Strong, regular communication

• Social distancing, to the extent

possible, masks, hygiene

• All students attend school every day

except full-year virtual students

• Instruction takes place face-to-face

• Participation in all classes as "normal"

TCS will follow the Alabama Department of Public Health Toolkit as it relates to students and

employee travel. In the event self-quarantine is necessary due to travel, students will have the

option to attend school virtually.

Full-Year Virtual Students

Students who signed up for full-year virtual will have a regular school day schedule. However,

TCS will follow screen time recommendations to provide live instruction. Your child's teacher

will provide a schedule for small group instruction and live instruction.

These procedures, expectations, and services will continue for full-year virtual students.

• Students must visit campus to take state-required standardized tests, particularly in the

Spring during the formal annual student assessment window.

• In-person services will be provided as needed, such as small group instruction and

remediation.

• Students retain access to extra-curricular activities such as after-school clubs, athletics and

student events.

• All student rules and procedures - particularly those related to health and safety - apply any

time a full-time virtual student visits his/her school campus.

• Schools and the district are ﬁrmly committed to providing on-going communication, both

regarding issues that concern all students and issues unique to full-year virtual students.

Requests to Change from Virtual to In

Classroom or From In Classroom to Virtual

Requests will be reviewed and approved to change from virtual to in classroom or

from in classroom to virtual only as stafﬁng/scheduling allow. If the student's school

stafﬁng/schedule allows for a change, the request will then be forwarded to the Deputy

Superintendent for approval. There are no guarantees that requests will be granted.

Phased Re-Opening Schedule

Subject to local health conditions

Sept. 21 – Oct. 9 Staggered schedule for Elementary and Middle School students.

Sept. 28 – Oct. 9 Staggered schedule for High School students. High School students

will remain in full time virtual until Sept. 28.

Oct. 12 Full return to classroom, ﬁve days per week for Elementary, Middle and

High School students.

What Your Child Can Expect Each Day

Students and parents should be aware that changes in most procedures are

necessary. We encourage parents to help prepare students for the reality that

school will look and feel a lot different than it usually does.

Here are some points to consider discussing with your student.

• Social distancing rules will require students to be seated as far away from

each other as possible. Students may be asked to sit alone or only with

siblings on the school bus.

• Breakfast and lunch will take place in classrooms or in a setting that

allows for signiﬁcant social distancing, to the extent possible.

• At times, temperatures may be checked as a screening safety measure.

• Break, recess and PE will be different. PE classes will be restricted to

non-contact activities.

• There may be more breaks for handwashing each day. Students may

be asked to wash upon arrival, several times during the day and before

going home.

• Music and art classes and library lessons will be delivered virtually to

elementary students.

• Gifted education services will be provided through a virtual learning

platform.Gifted specialists will collaborate with general education

teachers to assist with planning to meet the needs of gifted learners in

the general education setting.

• Wearing masks may make it harder to understand what the teacher

is saying. It may be harder for the teacher to understand students. It

is important for students to let the teacher know if they are having

difﬁculty hearing what is being said.

• Students will not be allowed to gather before or after school.

• Because of staggering and some families choosing virtual learning for

the year, your child may not see their same friends at school.

Read the TCS transportation plan here.

Daily Check List Before

School Each Morning

Do not send your child to school if they

show any of the following symptoms.



New cough



New loss of taste or smell



Shortness of breath or difﬁculty breathing



Fever or chills



Muscle or body aches



Headache



Sore throat



Congestion or runny nose



Nausea or vomiting



Diarrhea



Fatigue

IF THE ANSWER TO EVEN

ONE OF THESE IS “YES”,

DO NOT SEND YOUR

CHILD TO SCHOOL.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sept., 2020.

How Tuscaloosa City Schools is

Keeping Students and Staff Safe

• Appropriate PPE for all employees

• New hand sanitizing stations

• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting

• Requiring all students, staff and visitors wear face coverings

• At times, temperatures may be checked as a screening safety

• Practicing six-foot social distancing, to the extent possible

Rules & Procedures

For Staggered and

Full-Time, In Classroom:

Tuscaloosa City Schools will fully and rigorously

implement all Alabama Department of Public

Health guidelines for the health and safety of our

students, staff, families and community.

• Social distancing, to the extent possible, is required

for all students. We expect students to avoid physical

contact and maintain distance from others to the greatest

degree possible.

• Face coverings are required for everyone in all school

buildings.

• Students should engage in frequent hand-washing and /

or hand sanitizing while at school.

• Most procedural practices will be adjusted in all schools

- transitions within the school, seating charts and

arrangements, hall/bathroom passes, etc. Each school will

provide detailed communication of required procedures

and will teach them to students.

Face

coverings

are required

of everyone

in all school

buildings.

We remain committed to making

decisions based on changing

circumstances. Thank you in

advance for your patience and

ﬂexibility as we continue to make

adjustments along the way.