We are proud of our school communities for collectively following health and safety protocols during the start of the school year. Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) recently received guidance from the Florida Department of Health-Collier (FLDOH-Collier), based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information.
For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within six (6) feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, with or without a mask.
The CDC advises school districts to “space seating/desks at least 6 feet apart when feasible.” While recognizing it is not possible to position all desks six (6) feet or more apart in all classrooms, CCPS is spacing students to the greatest extent possible. If a student is determined to be a close contact, he/she may need to quarantine at home for 14 days. If the student is feeling well enough during the quarantine period, he/she should participate in at-home learning by utilizing the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) through your child’s District-issued device.
WHAT CAN WE COLLECTIVELY DO TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?
- Masks/face coverings and social distancing are the top ways to limit COVID-19 transmission (Source: FLDOH-Collier)
- If your child or another member of the household is symptomatic, please keep your child home to protect the school community (Student Health Screener)
- Please ensure your child follows health and safety protocols when out in the community and at home
- Continue supporting your child in wearing masks/face coverings and maintaining social distancing (six (6) feet or more) to the greatest extent possible in order to lower the risk of transmission
WHY DO WE WEAR MASKS/FACE COVERINGS?
The consistent wearing of masks/face coverings will ensure that fewer students would need to quarantine because of exposure to an individual infected with COVID-19.
Masks serve as a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and on to other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. (Source: CDC)
We understand this is a challenging time with ever-evolving health-based information. Therefore, we appreciate your continued support as we navigate these changing conditions.
SEPTEMBER 18 - DISTRICT VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY
For the 2020-21 school year, several additional adjustments were made to the academic calendar, including the addition of four Virtual Learning Days on the following dates:
- September 18, 2020
- October 30, 2020
- January 19, 2021
- March 29, 2021
These Virtual Learning Days will count as part of the required days of instruction. Normally, these would be non-school days for students but are now designated as virtual learning days at home. Designating these (4) days as virtual learning for students allows CCPS to maintain the current academic calendar and not extend the school year.
The District-developed instructional activities, for Friday September 18, through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) will need to be submitted by Sunday, September 20, 11:59 pm. Student attendance for September 18 will be based on participation in the Canvas Virtual Learning Day course. Please ensure your child completes his/her virtual learning assignments. Reminders will be sent home next week from your child’s school.
Elementary Students
Learning activities at the elementary school level will be specifically developed for each grade and will cover English language arts, math, and science. Instructional activities will support skill and concept development necessary for students to successfully meet the expectations of the grade level standards. It is anticipated that these activities will take 2-3 hours to complete.
Middle School Students
Learning activities at the middle school level are designed for all students in grades 6-8 to support the District’s goal of developing college, career, and life ready skills. Middle school students will participate in a real-world simulated activity using the EVERFI FutureSmart curriculum that develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is anticipated that the simulation will take approximately three hours to complete.
Middle school students should also check Focus for any missing assignments in courses and submit if in accordance with teachers' expectations.
High School Students
Learning activities at the high school level are designed for all students in grades 9-12 to support the District’s goal of developing college, career, and life ready skills. High school students will participate in a real-world simulated activity using the EVERFI Venture Entrepreneurial curriculum that guides students through their own personal journey of becoming an entrepreneur, thereby developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is anticipated that the simulation will take approximately three hours to complete.
High school students should also check Focus for any missing assignments in courses and submit if in accordance with teachers’ expectations.
STUDENT NUTRITION SERVICES EXPANDED
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided to ALL students, both in-person and virtual, on campus for NO COST starting Monday, September 14th. Virtual students may pick up NO COST grab and go meals at their closest CCPS school during the following times:
- High Schools: 7:30am - 8:30am
- Elementary Schools: 8:30am - 9:00am
- Middle Schools: 9:30 - 10:00am
Students do not need to be present to pick up meals. Unless CCPS receives a federal extension, this program is scheduled to end December 31, 2020.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your school principal.
