2020-2021 School Year Reopening Plan

District's free meal service for all students extended through 2020-2021 School Year

All families will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch meals through this school year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the free meal program through this school year. This allows us to continue serving free, nutritious meals to ALL children regardless of income: we will not charge for school meals through the end of the calendar year. Pre-order is still desired so that we can be better prepared for all who want school meals.

Breakfast/lunch meals:

• Breakfast/lunch meals offered on Mondays and Wednesdays 11-12:30
• Grab and Go meals (drive-thru or walk-up welcome)
• Parents can pick up without children present (must provide student names/ID numbers)
• Online pre-orders highly recommended
• Pick-up meals at any location (listed below)

Pre-Order meals, Feburary 2021:

February menus

• Monday, Feb. 1
• Wednesday, Feb. 3
• Monday, Feb. 8
• Wednesday, Feb. 10 (we will provide a multiday meal pack at all meal sites, providing families with food through Mid-Winter Break)
• Monday, Feb. 22
• Wednesday, Feb. 24

MEALS ARE SERVED AT THESE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY LOCATIONS:

• Benson Hill
• Bryn Mawr
• Campbell Hill
• Cascade
• Hazelwood
• Highlands
• Honey Dew
• Kennydale
• Lakeridge
• Maplewood
• Renton Park
• Sartori
• Sierra Heights
• Talbot Hill
• Tiffany Park
• Dimmitt Middle School
• McKnight Middle School
• Hazen High School

COMMUNITY SITES (APARTMENT COMPLEXES):

• Creston Point, 13445 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle
• Royal Hills, 3000 Royal Hills Dr SE, Renton
• Stonebrook, 12210 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton
  • Green Tree & Plum Tree Park apartments are being serviced by school bus stop delivery.

These locations will remain combined with other school sites:

• Nelsen MS – Proximity to Cascade
• Renton Academy – Proximity to Cascade
• Risdon MS – Proximity to Hazelwood
• Lindbergh HS – Proximity to Renton Park
• Talley HS – Proximity to other sites
• Meadow Crest – Proximity to McKnight

You may qualify for free/reduced meals

• Eventually the federal program to provide all families with free meals will end. As a result of lost or reduced hours at work due to the pandemic, many families may now qualify for free/reduced meals. All families are encouraged to complete the application. We’ve created an online fillable form, so families do not need to print and return the form:

• Find the application on this website
• Find the application in your Family Access account

• Families who fill out the form in Skyward can simply submit it online. Those who access the form on this website must print, sign, and email the form to RSD.mealform@rentonschools.us. Families who do not qualify will begin being charged for meals as we start the new school year.

School closures due to snow or inclement weather will look very different this winter. As students are learning from home, we won’t be worried about school buses getting students safely to and from school due to icy road conditions. But we will have to be ready for power and internet outages and disruptions.

Power and Internet Outage Guidance 

Power outages in the Pacific Northwest are a common occurrence during fall and winter months. Internet outages occur from time to time, even when power is maintained. When the power goes out for the teacher or student, learning can continue asynchronously (not live) until power is restored. Attendance will be determined based on student evidence of participation in asynchronous activities.

If an individual teacher/class disruption occurs due to power/internet loss, families of students in that class will be notified. When a schoolwide disruption occurs due to power/internet outage, school principals will call/email families.

NOTE: When inclement weather is forecasted, staff who teach from their classrooms are asked to ensure they have the necessary materials to provide instruction from home. 

Here are a few scenarios to help you know what to do if there are power outages:

TEACHER Power or Internet Outage

Teacher should:

• Contact school to report power is out.
• Send a message to students to engage in asynchronous learning activities.
• Ask school or a colleague to send a message if not able to do so. 

NOTE: If power or the internet goes out during class, contact the school. If your power or internet company provides you with an estimate for when power or internet is expected to be back, alert the school with that information. Otherwise, check in every half hour. 

Students should:

• Log into class as usual.
• Check district email for messages from your teacher or another staff member from the school.
• Continue work on previously assigned learning activities. 
• Participate in asynchronous learning activities that are posted.

NOTE: If a teacher’s power or internet goes out during class, log off of Zoom. Work on known learning activities or assignments, or on other asynchronous learning activities. Attempt to log back into the Zoom session after 15 minutes, and then try again in 30 minutes. Students should attend other classes according to their regular schedule. 

STUDENT Power or Internet Outage

Teachers should:

• Teach class(es) (unless all students in class are unavailable)

Student should:

• When able to do so, let your teacher know the situation. 

TEACHER AND STUDENT Power or Internet outage 

Teacher should:

• Contact school to report power is out.
• Use time for planning or personal PD

Student should:

• Continue work on previously assigned learning activities, as possible.

As Renton School District continues this school year with in-home learning, we’ve partnered with Right At School to provide fee-based child care services for our district students in kindergarten through fifth-grade.

The program will be offered at three separate schools to make it convenient for families to use the service. Families can select any site that fits their need (you do not need to attend the site closest to your home). We will add an additional site if necessary. Current elementary school sites are:

• Hazelwood Elementary
• Maplewood Heights Elementary
• Renton High School (this location will replace the Sartori Elementary program effective Monday, November 23 to allow for identified students with disabilities to return to Sartori on-site to receive services)

Highlights of the program:

• Each site will be capped at 100 students (10 students to 1 adult); and students will have to follow health and safety protocols (including wearing a mask) while attending.
• Families are offered several attendance times during the day; and can select specific days of the week to attend. (Pre-registration for each day/week is required through Right At School.)

• Right at School staff will support students with in-home learning while attending childcare sessions. Students should bring their Chromebooks to Right At School sessions. Siblings will be grouped into learning spaces for opportunities to share a Chromebook.

• Pricing for the camps (weekly billing):

  • Morning Camp, 7:30-11:30 a.m., $30/Session
  • Afternoon Camp, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $30/Session
  • All Day Camp, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 55/Day
    • This price reflects a 35% discounted rate for all participants from regular rates (including free/reduced lunch and educators discounts).

Sign-up now at the camp of your choice:

• Sartori 
• Hazelwood  
• Maplewood Heights 

For more information about this Right At School program, contact, Monique Sargent, Area Manager, monique.sargent@rightatschool.com 425.457.0319; Jennifer Scott - Area Manager - jennifer.scott@rightatschool.com 253.514.3165

Note:

• The fees paid by families for this program are used to pay Right At School employees who are working through the day to take care of children in the program (they are not school district staff).
• We do not have a free childcare program for essential workers for the fall. In the spring Governor Inslee directed school districts to create a free childcare program for students of essential workers. That program ended as the school year ended on July 19. There’s been no directive by the governor to start the program as we start the new school year.

What is the district's decision-making matrix for considering in-person school? 

Governor Jay Inslee released new guidance for returning students to in-person learning in mid-December 2020. The new guidance identifies three categories of COVID-19 activity levels, with recommendations for each category:

• If the transmission rate is high, defined as greater than 350 cases per 100K over 14 days, the recommendation is to phase-in in-person instruction in groups of 15 or fewer students, prioritizing grades PreKindergarten-5 and those with the highest need.
• If the transmission rate is moderate, defined as 50-350 cases per 100K over 14 days, then the recommendation is to phase-in in-person learning, prioritizing elementary and middle school students.
• If the transmission rate is low, defined as less than 50 cases per 100K over 14 days, then schools may begin full time in-person instruction for all schools.

As Renton School District prepares to eventually welcome students and staff back to school, facilities staff are making improvements to mechanical, and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to help mitigate COVID-19 airborne transmission risks.

This presentation will summarize:​

• The functionality of Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (‘HVAC’) systems in district facilities​
• How those systems relate to COVID-19 transmission​
• Steps Renton SD is taking to mitigate risk

See how district custodians prepare for students and staff to return to school.

Watch what students can expect when they return to school.

2020-2021 School Year Sports Seasons

Renton School District high schools will offer an outdoor only off-season conditioning program starting in early February.

The KingCo Athletic Conference (which includes Renton School District schools) is developing a plan for high school athletic participation opportunities to begin February 24 (football) and March 1 for other traditional fall sports (Cross Country, Volleyball, Boys Tennis, Girls Swim & Dive, Boys Golf, Girls Soccer), as conditions and regional metrics allow.

Athletic Directors in KingCo school districts have voted on a sports season structure and presented the plan to the KingCo Board of Directors and Superintendents for review. Details will be communicated once formally approved. 

Together with the Renton Education Association (REA), we have designed daily schedules for elementary, middle, and high school. Our students will have access to live instruction daily, with predictable schedules and routines, and:

• opportunities to connect with teachers and classmates about academic content and for social/emotional connections,
• structured time and support for students who receive Special Education and/or ELL services,
• access to recordings of instruction so they may review again or at another time,
• opportunities to receive 1:1 small group support, as needed, and
• feedback on assignments and learning progress.

Access to Live Instruction will include:

• Short periods of instruction from a teacher to the whole or parts of the class.
• Students interacting with one another as a whole class or in small groups.
• Students working on assignments, receiving support from a teacher or paraeducator.
• Teacher “Office Hours”, where students are working independently, but students and/or families have access to ask questions and get support.
• Small group or 1:1 instruction.
• Other opportunities for students, families, and teachers to interact around academic and/or social emotional learning.

Daily School Schedules

Elementary Schedule 

At elementary, students will be divided into two sessions, either Group A (morning) or Group B (afternoon). This will ensure smaller groups during all instruction and provide families choice. The classroom teacher will facilitate live instruction for Group A in the morning and Group B in the afternoon as described below. Elementary school principals emailed families on Aug. 17  to ask for their preference for l Group a or B.

Middle School Schedule

Students will have access to live instruction and/or support each period.

Employee Safety and Health Requirements:

Due to continued increases in COVID-19 cases, Renton School District will begin the new school year on Sept. 2 with 100% in-home learning. However, some staff will return to their building. All district worksites are subject to Department of Health guidelines for workplace safety, including wellness screenings and temperature checks. Staff should check with their supervisor before returning to their building.

For the health and safety of all staff, here are steps each staff member will take before arriving at work, upon arrival, and through the work day:

Please do not come into the building if you are symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, or nausea). Connect with your supervisor regarding whether remote work is an option or if appropriate leave must be taken.

Daily Health Attestation:

Staff will be required to complete a health attestation daily, either prior to arriving at work or after they have logged into their computer: Daily Health Attestation (Staff should consider bookmarking this site on their personal cell phone to complete this attestation each day before entering buildings.)

Upon arrival:

• Upon entry, staff will screen for temperature in the lobby/front office space using the Seek Scan InfraRed (IR) camera self-serve station. Watch this video to see how to enter your building each day.
• If skin temperature is less than 100.4 F (green light), staff proceed to work.
• If skin temperature is above 100.4 F (red light), a staff member should remove hat, glasses, or extra clothing and retake temperature using the Seek Scan IR camera. If skin temperature is less than 100.4 F (green light), staff proceed to work. 
• If skin temperature continues to measure above 100.4 F, staff will move to a secondary screening station (self-service table) and follow instructions to retake skin temperature with a handheld IR thermometer and/or an oral thermometer. 
• Anyone with a fever should leave the site immediately and message their supervisor.

While at work:

All staff should wear a cloth face covering/mask in all shared spaces (hallways, bathrooms, work spaces that aren't individual offices, etc.). Try to maintain six feet of distance between yourself and others as much as possible.

Next steps in progress: polycarbonate shields are being installed and we will need to modify some work spaces to give greater distance between desks. Thanks to voter support of the 2019 School Construction measure, we are making improvements in the ventilation system at schools and buildings across the district

State Education Office Guidance: Employer Health & Safety Requirements

 A set of rules for school staff health and safety was developed by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), local superintendents, and labor organizations.

OSPI presentation: General guidance to protect employees in school districts as they develop required COVID-19 safety plans and procedures.

Thank you to the 5,296 elementary school families (71%) who completed our K-5 grade In-Person Learning Survey as we consider the potential return to an in-person learning environment.

Survey Results Summary

• K-5 families who took the K-5 grade In-Person Learning Survey: 5,296 (71% of K-5 families)
• Those who say they are open to returning to in-person learning when available: 54.1%
• Those who have concerns about returning to in-person learning: 49.6% 

Reminder: Responding to the survey is NOT a commitment to move to hybrid learning when it becomes an available option. This survey is for planning purposes and informational only. No decisions on in-school learning have been made, given we are still monitoring COVID-19 trend data and are in the early stages of planning for this model.

Our Work Moving Forward

• Continue to provide support to staff on effective ways to engage students during in-home learning.
• Continue to work with Public Health – Seattle & King County, monitoring the COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard and the number of cases per 100,000.
• Continue planning for in-person learning.
• Continue collaborating and bargaining with our labor partners.

When is the first day of school?

All students start school on Wednesday, September 2. We will start the school year 100% online with in-home learning.

When will I learn who my teacher is?

Our teachers, contractually, return to work in late August. They will then begin work to create classroom lists. Class assignments, a daily class schedule, along with plans to meet your new teacher should be completed around the third week of August, and communicated to families by school principals.

How to request a Chromebook for in-home learning

As part of our in-home learning model, students and families are accessing classroom content online. We will distribute Chromebooks to families who need them at the end of August. If your student needs a Chromebook, please complete this form. Look for more information from school leadership later this month with details for your school. 

NOTE: At the elementary level, we will limit Chromebook distribution to one per family. We currently have a backlog of Chromebooks on order and will receive more devices in the early fall.

How will you support students on IEP/504 plans?

Following the state’s guidelines, we will deliver the services outlined in each student’s IEP to the fullest extent possible. IEP services in full remote model will look different than they do when we are following our typical in-building schedules. Students will begin the school year receiving in-home learning. Therapy services outlined in IEPs will be provided remotely as well.  IEP teams will convene remotely to discuss student progress and any changes needed.  If after making changes to instruction, services and/or supports, the team has data to suggest that the remote setting is a significant barrier to progress that cannot be overcome by additional services and supports, the team will meet to discuss in-person instruction. In-person instruction will only happen if it is safe to provide following current health and safety guidelines.

What support will you have for parents who are managing work schedules and multiple children at home?

We know distance learning will present challenges for many families. Our first few weeks of school will focus on building our students’ ability to access and use their devices and learning platforms independently. We continue to work to provide each student their own device to access classroom lessons and materials. We know this will take some time and practice. Teachers will also communicate with families on how to access Zoom links and manage learning platforms.

How are middle and high school students choosing their courses/classes?

Students selected courses (including electives) last spring as part of the annual registration process. Schools conducted this process slightly differently than in past years. Students make course selections based on interest and graduation requirements.

What is your plan to engage students who don’t do well with virtual/ video based learning or don’t have parents at home who can support them in that style of learning? 

Teachers will work with families to create communication plans to ensure that we are responding to student and family needs as best as possible. Teachers will help students learn how to navigate the computer-based learning materials to support increased engagement for students. Teachers will engage students in a variety of ways including whole class lessons, small group lessons and individual check-ins, increasing the personalization of learning for students. Independent learning will include online videos, independent reading and home/family experiences. 

How will you ensure students build the relationships with teachers they need to be successful online?

Just like any school year, our teachers will be working to develop a community in their learning environments in which students feel welcomed and valued.  We will work to establish norms and classroom expectations for learning and interacting with others, even in a virtual setting.  Teachers will engage students in small groups to build community with other students and get to know their students individually.

How will students socialize and interact with each other in their online classroom?

Teachers will spend the first few weeks of school creating school norms and learning expectations to promote a positive learning environment. Our teachers will be working to develop a community in which students feel welcomed and valued. Teachers will host a daily class meeting, in which students can learn about each other and build relationships. Lessons are designed to integrate student experiences that will promote students’ learning about their own identities and cultures while also learning about others.

What is the plan to make virtual kindergarten a fun, play-based learning experience? 

We will work to ensure our kindergarten and preschool students receive instruction that is developmentally appropriate and combines instructional practices that engage students in activities to promote learning joyfully.  We will limit the amount of time students spend on independent (asynchronous) computer-based learning activities and work closely with families to build play and hands-on learning opportunities in their homes. Teachers will deliver live (synchronous) lessons to engage students in meaningful and fun ways.

What is the district's decision-making matrix for considering in-person school? 

The state's Department of Health recently provided decision-making framework to assist local health officers and school districts in making decisions around resuming in-person instruction for public and private K-12 schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Health’s (DOHs) publishes the Decision Tree and K-12 Fall Health and Safety Guidance on their Resources and Recommendations page under Schools and Childcare. Both will be updated as the pandemic evolves and additional science becomes available.

How to access a Chromebook or other device

We will distribute Chromebooks to families who need them at schools through the end of August. If your student needs a Chromebook, please complete this form. Look for more information from school leadership later this month with details for your school.

NOTE: At the elementary level, we will limit Chromebook distribution to one per family. We currently have a backlog of Chromebooks on order and will receive more devices in the early fall.

What technology support is provided through the school year?

To help ensure students can fully engage in in-home learning, we will continue to provide Chromebooks or other devices for all K-12 students. WiFi hotspots are also available for some students, so they have the tools needed to learn from a distance. During the school year, students and families will have access to in-person technology support by appointment in alignment with safety and social distancing protocols. Find that support here.

Please visit the Technology For Student Learning page to find helpful tools for managing your technology, including:

• Chromebook help - what to do when you run into problems
• Guidelines for device care
• Information about digital tools

If you still need additional support, please reach out to your teacher by email, Google Classroom or Canvas.

Access In-Home Learning Digital Tools

Most Digital Tools can be accessed by students through the RSD Login Portal. Learn more about the tools available on our Digital Resources page.

Below are videos for how students and families can access some of our digital tools.  All of these videos have subtitles.  Students and families can change the language of the subtitles to meet their needs.

• Google Classroom (used in many classrooms grades K-12 for sharing assignments, resources and collaboration)
  • How Students access Google Classroom 
  • How Families access Google Classroom
• Canvas (used in many classrooms grades 6-12  for sharing assignments, resources and collaboration)
  • How Students access Canvas 
  • How Families access Canvas
• Zoom (for live video)
  • How Students access Zoom

For more details, watch this video from Canvas for an overview of the platform for students; and there are many tutorial videos available on the Canvas video page.  Also, this video from Google gives a good overview of Google Classroom, even though it is more aimed at teachers than students.

WiFi Options

While Renton School District has provided many of our students and families with hotspot internet accessibility, there is still a need by some families for internet service.

• Comcast - Internet Essentials is an affordable way for homes who receive public assistance to get online. The plan is available for about $10 per month. In addition, they are increasing speeds for all customers in response to emergency measures associated with the coronavirus, and new customers receive two months free.
  • Or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
• Wave - Internet First: This program offers affordable home internet to qualifying households with service costs as low as $9.95 per month. Families are required to apply for this program, but if accepted, will automatically receive 60 days of free service!

As we work to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, Renton School District will work in partnership with 8-10 other school districts across the country in together with the Always Ready for Learning Strategy Lab, a networked learning community facilitated by The Learning Accelerator and Bellwether Education Partners. The work by the group will help us prepare for the return-to-school in the fall and identify and plan for long-term, sustainable change to support student learning in the face of future uncertainty. The work will include:

•  Initial back-to-school plans for effective re-engagement –  including addressing student/teacher connection to school, experienced traumas, learning status, and safety – to accelerate student progress in fall 2020 (be it in-person, remote, or a combination thereof), through targeted support based on needs identified;

• Financially and operationally sustainable roadmaps for longer-term improvement and implementation of system structures and instructional models that ensure rigorous and equitable learning for every student, anywhere; and,

• Connections to other district teams as well as existing experts and resource base for implementation of new models and approaches at scale.

Partnership in the Always Ready for Learning Strategy Lab will enhance the district’s planning that is already underway through the Learning & Teaching steering committee, the SEL steering committee, and logistical/operational planning.

District considering gradual return to in-person learning 

Renton School District Families and Staff,

As we prepare to complete the fourth week of the school year, I want to thank our students, families, and staff for their hard work, flexibility, and grace. While there were undoubtedly some bumps along the road, which is true for the start of any new school year, I am impressed and inspired seeing our students and teachers engaged in learning and want to recognize all that our staff and families have done to support this process.  

Although the school year started with remote learning, we continue to monitor county health metrics to determine the potential for providing in-person learning for our students. As of today (9/23), King County has an infection rate of 51 cases per 100,000 residents as shown by Public Health – Seattle & King County’s (PHSKC) key indicators of COVID-19 activity (data is updated weekly). This rate places the county in the moderate range for COVID-19 activity (25-75 cases/100K residents over a 14-day period). When a county reaches the moderate range, school districts can consider in-person learning for elementary students and students that receive special education services in an ILC classroom in accordance with the Washington State Department of Health’s Decision Tree for the Provision of In-Person Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Given the continuing decrease in cases, during my meeting today with representatives from PHSKC, they recommended that school districts consider having younger students be the first to gradually come back to in-person learning and implementing a phased approach to hybrid and in-person services so that schools, districts, and communities are not overwhelmed.

What this means for the Renton School District
Based on these recommendations, Renton School District staff are starting to develop plans for the potential return of our preschool and elementary students to in-person learning that prioritizes our youngest learners, uses a hybrid schedule, and phases in students by grade level.

Key to the planning process is knowing whether families intend to have their students return for in-person learning or prefer to stay with a remote learning option. To start, families with students in Preschool through 5th grade will soon receive a survey providing an opportunity to share their preference(s). 

Additionally, we are preparing for the eventual opening of school buildings by updating health and safety protocols, creating transportation plans, arranging meal distribution, and addressing a range of other necessary tasks and services. We will also continue conversations with employee groups regarding the potential return to in-person learning.

It is very difficult to predict the future during a pandemic. However, based on the current guidance from PHSKC, we are taking the first steps towards having students return to our school buildings. As we saw this summer, the context, data, and guidance can change quickly. Therefore, we must remain flexible as we move forward. No matter the decision, our guiding principle is, and will remain, the health and safety of students and staff.

We will continue to update you via email, our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you, again, for your commitment and hard work. 

Sincerely,

Damien Pattenaude, Ed.D.
Superintendent