Phased in Approach to Safely Open Schools

Superintendent's Proposal 

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July 17, 2020

Dear Families,

I am writing to provide an update on the Gilford School District’s planning for opening the 2020-2021 school year.  Safety for the students, staff and community remains our top priority in all three of our schools.

This summer the Gilford School District has had in person camp, title one academic support and provided services at the elementary level.  We are also offering academic academies in person and remotely at the middle school.  At the high school we continue to offer in person and remote competency recovery and summer school in core subjects.  We have also invited our fall athletes back on campus to start small group practices outside. 

Each of the Gilford schools is looking at schedules, protocols and procedures for full opening, a type of hybrid model and a remote learning experience.  We must be flexible and nimble as we transition into the new school year.  We are reviewing the CDC guidelines, the Governors reopening plan and other resources from across the country and world as we develop our plans.

Each school will be sending out a survey to gather data on parent’s decision to send their student to school.  When we open our schools it is important for us to understand the number of students that will be riding the buses and coming to school in person. 

At the last School Board meeting (July 14^th) we targeted the August 4^th School Board meeting as a date to present our plans to the School Board for consideration and decide on a plan to open our schools.  Our plans will have specifics regarding busing, lunch, entering schools, leaving schools, classroom configurations and information regarding our extra-curricular opportunities offered.

It will be critically important that we have the support of families for honest communication with regard to attendance and illness.  Students and staff who are not feeling well will be expected to stay home.  Anyone who has potentially been exposed to someone with Coronavirus must quarantine for 14 days or until they have received a negative test result.  There will be a daily screening process, social distancing and masking.  Details will be forthcoming.

Increased cleaning protocols are already in place and will continue throughout the school year.  We have installed hand sanitizing stations throughout the buildings.  We have ordered electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting the buildings and we continue to purchase personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer.

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.  Despite the loosening of restrictions, it is important that we all maintain high levels of personal hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.  Washing hands, wearing a mask in public places and maintaining appropriate social distance will help us all stay healthy.

Additional updates will be forthcoming.

Respectfully,

Kirk Beitler
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June 17, 2020

Good afternoon,

I hope this email finds you enjoying the spectacular day we are having today.  I wanted to express my gratitude to all the families.  The last three months have been a huge challenge in many ways.  I want to say thank you for your support as we navigated this challenge together.
The Gilford School District is working on plans for next school year.  We will be offering in person and remote programming at all three schools this summer.  Our number one priority is safety for students, staff and the community.  Our priority is to be in school next year in person.  We will keep you updated on our plans as we move through the summer.  We are curious to see the Commissioner of Education's and the Governors recommendations for schools.

Gilford Building Entry Protocol’s

As staff return to school and work in our offices, in classrooms and we start inviting small groups of students back we need to implement the following protocols, as recommended by the CDC, State of NH Public Health, and the Governor's Emergency Order #40 (Exhibit B).

1.  Screening:  All employees and students will be screened, at the designated entry site, prior to being admitted to the building.  Temperatures will be taken using a touch free thermometer and temperatures will be recorded.  If a person has over a 100.0 temperature they will not be allowed in our buildings.

All staff and students will be asked 5 questions:  

1. Are you experiencing any of the following respiratory symptoms:  cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or runny nose 
2. Have you had a fever or felt feverish in the last 72 hours? 
3. Have you been in close contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or who is under investigation for COVID-19?
4. Are you experiencing any new muscle aches or chills? 
5. Have you experienced any new change in your sense of taste or smell?

Your responses will be recorded along with your temperature, which will be taken using a hands-free thermometer.

2.  Face Masks must be worn while in the buildings, when you cannot stay six feet away from others.  While in an individual office or classroom by yourself you do not have to wear a face mask, unless you would like to.

3.  When you enter an office or classroom that is occupied you must wear a face mask.

If you have to visit a school this summer we ask that you call ahead to see if the person is available or if the question could be answered over the phone.

Enjoy the summer.
Respectfully,
Kirk Beitler
Superintendent of Schools

Fingerprinting for Volunteers and Chaperones

The Gilford School District welcomes volunteers in our schools.

A fingerprint background check is required in all Gilford schools for individuals, volunteers and chaperones engaged in the following activities:

Once a thorough background investigation and criminal records check is complete with no disqualifying records and the volunteer has completed orientation, the volunteer will be issued an identification badge to be worn every time the volunteer works in the school.  Click here for complete volunteer fingerprinting procedure.  

Fingerprint clinics are scheduled at the SAU office located at  2 Belknap Mountain Road.  A photo ID is required for identification.  

There are no volunteer clinics currently scheduled. 

The process takes approximately 20 minutes.  New sessions start every ten minutes.

Photos will be taken for ID badge.

Anyone who volunteers in the Gilford School District must complete an annual volunteer affidavit.

Volunteers who have already been issued an ID badge and would like a new badge for the 2020-2021 school year need to complete the Volunteer Affidavit and submit to the SAU office. 

The form can be printed, completed and submitted to the SAU.  

Gilford School District policies JFABD (Admission of Homeless Students), JBAA (Sexual Harassment) and JICK (Bullying and Cyberbullying) must be reviewed annually by all volunteers.