PS 34 School Year 2020-2021 COVID 19 PLAN
Welcome to our COVID response page. Here you will find all the critical information about how PS 34 Oliver H. Perry Elementary School is changing the way we operate to reduce the risk of COVID infection and keep our students learning.
Safety is our priority and we are doing everything we can to make sure everyone here at PS 34, staff, students, and families are safe.
Please check back regularly, as we will update the information here as conditions change.
Last updated: September 5, 2020
Blended Learning Schedule For Fall 2020
We will be implementing Model 1B which will allow most classes to be split into 2 groups, (Cohorts) and attend school 2-3 days a week.
We are starting the school year with a "Blended AB learning "schedule. That means that your child will be in school for some days and working from home for some days. Please note that if officials consider the infection rate to have reached unsafe levels the schools will close, and all students will return to remote only instruction. Check this page for updates.
- Group A will be in school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays with alternating Mondays and working from home Thursdays and Fridays.
- Group B will be in school on Thursdays, Fridays with alternating Mondays and working from home Mondays and Wednesdays.
- If you need to switch your child's in-school learning days, contact Assistant Principal, Alain Beugoms at Abeugoms@schools.nyc.gov
- If you would prefer a 100% online learning schedule for your child this year, we are offering that as an option. Contact Deise Kowalski, Parent Coordinator at Dkowalski@schools.nyc.gov.
- The school day will run from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Take a look at our PS 34 September 2020 calendar updated 9-9-2020.pdf
Key Contacts
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 plan, please contact:
Ms. Deise Kowalski, Parent Coordinator, Dkowalski@schools.nyc.gov
Mrs. Carmen Asselta, Principal, CAsselt@schools.nyc.gov
Mr. Alain Beugoms, Assistant Principal, Abeugoms@schools.nyc.gov
Phone
718-389-5842
SAFETY
Our school has implemented a number of changes to ensure everyone's safety.
Your Responsibilities While in the School Building
We have put safety procedures in place to keep our students and staff healthy.
- Masks: Masks must be worn at all times by all adults (teachers, staff, and visitors) and by students while in the building.
- Handwashing: Students and staff are expected to wash hands thoroughly before and after eating, after using the bathroom, if exposed to body fluids (like saliva or a sneeze), and at other times necessary throughout the day.
- Drop-off and pickup procedures: Please maintain social distancing between families during drop-off and pickup. Parents are not allowed to enter the building with their child unless arrangements have been made in advance with the office. Please move through the drop-off and pickup line as quickly as possible to make room for families behind you.
- We will be using both schoolyards for arrival and dismissal more information coming soon.
- Visiting our school: We are limiting visitors to the school during this time. Parent and community volunteer and in-person programs have been suspended until further notice. Most parent-teacher conferences and other meetings can be held virtually. All visits must be pre-approved and scheduled with the office.
- While in the building: When you enter the building, please check-in at the front desk. Make sure to bring a valid ID. During check-in, you will be given a nametag and reminded to wear your mask at all times.
- Traffic flow through the school and common areas: Please keep at least 6 ft. distance between yourself and others and follow the arrows and sign instructions for moving through the building.
- Illness: Students and staff exhibiting signs of illness or having a fever must stay home. If you or someone you know has COVID-19 (or shows symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing or fever), it is required that you stay home or at a designated care facility for a minimum of 14 days. Please contact us via phone or email as soon as possible.
- Directions for local COVID testing: Please visit the NYS Coronavirus Find a Test Site page to find a test site closest to you.
Safety Precautions Taken by Our School
In addition to asking everyone to wear masks, wash hands, and maintain social distancing, our school has taken several steps to improve the safety of our staff and students. These steps have been recommended by local health authorities to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- Change in class sizes: We've reduced the average class sizes. Classrooms with in-person instruction have been reduced in size by 50%.
- Increases in Cleaning Frequency: Our custodial team is committed to cleaning all classrooms daily. In addition, all classroom teachers are provided with sanitizing wipes to wipe down surfaces and shared resources on an as-needed basis throughout the school day.
- Hand sanitation: All bathrooms have been stocked with extra soap for frequent hand washing. In addition, we have provided teachers with hand sanitizer for the classroom and added hand sanitizer for the classroom and added hand sanitizer stations in common areas.
Guidance for Blended & Remote Learning
How Blended Learning Works
"Blended learning" combines in-class instruction and at-home learning. This allows us to limit the number of students in the building each day for safe social distancing, while still ensuring that students can benefit from direct interaction with teachers and classmates.
- When students are in the school building for their class day the teacher will provide direct whole-class instruction and small group instruction. These days will be used primarily to introduce new topics, provide small group and one-on-one instructional support, and conduct assessments to monitor student progress towards standards.
- Students will be assigned additional activities to work on independently for their at-home learning days. These activities will allow students to apply and practice what they learned in class. There may be a combination of technology-based learning activities and offline worksheets, projects, and writing assignments. At-home learning activities are an important part of the learning process and will be graded.
Take a look at the Checklist for Parents on Planning for In-Person Classes Back-to-School-Planning-for-In-Person-Classes.pdf
Remote Learning Expectations
During hybrid or 100% remote learning, your child is expected to complete all assignments provided by the teacher. At the same time, we recognize that working independently at home is different and difficult for many students, so we want to provide flexibility.
- Students and families should check Class Dojo and Google Class daily for important updates from their teachers. You can find your teacher's email in the Staff Directory.
- At-home assignments for the week will be posted in Google Class
- When signing in for virtual classes or meetings, students are expected to be on time, appropriately dressed, and ready to learn. We suggest signing in 5 minutes before class starts. Please try to reduce background noise and distractions as much as possible.
Tips for at Successful Remote Learning
At-home learning will look different than a typical school day. The amount of time your child should be expected to engage in learning activities will vary by age and grade level. The expectations below are guidelines
- Make sure your child has a quiet place to work (ideally a desk or table) and the school supplies they need. Try to remove distractions like the television or other technology not needed for learning.
- Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess. Routines and schedules are extremely important for children at school, and this is no different in their at-home school. Children will function best if they maintain their routine as close to normal as possible.
- Students participating in live remote lessons must adhere to the rules set forth by their teacher
- Parents should ensure that toys, pets, and other distractions are not a disruption during your child’s live interactive learning.
- Parents need to have their children logging daily and complete assignments as requested by the teacher.
Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety. - Help students "own" their learning. No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or experts. Give support and encouragement and expect your children to do their part. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.
NYC Department of Education Inforation
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!
Learn how the DOE is preparing for the Return to School, our Guiding Principles and Our Planning Process for opening schools by visiting the Link to DOE’s Return to School 2020 page
Learning Preference Option
School Year 2020-2021 Learning Preference Options
If you want your child to continue all-remote learning in the fall, Let us know by completing the Learning Preference form
This fall, the Department of Education is requesting that schools offer a combination of in-person and remote learning. You can choose from two options:
1. 100% Remote Learning(all online, from home): Opt-in to have your child learn 100% remotely at PS 34 in the fall. To choose this option for your child, fill out and submit this form. If you are having difficulties completing this form online, call 311. https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference
OR
2. Combination of In-Person and Remote Learning: Your child can follow their school’s schedule, a mix of in-person days at school, and remote learning days from home. To choose this option, no action is needed: the school will be in touch about its schedule and programming plans in the coming weeks. Please visit the Return to School 2020 for information. If you chose 100% Remote Learning but want to change your child’s preference back to Blended Learning, complete this form.
- Any family who chose 100% Remote Learning will have the option to change back to Blended Learning at a few specific times during the school year. (Specific time periods will be announced)
Polish:
Rok szkolny 2020-2021 - Wybór sposobu uczenia się
Jeśli chcesz, aby Twoje dziecko kontynuowało naukę zdalnego nauczania w jesieni, powiadom nas, wypełniając ankietę Wybór sposobu uczenia się do 7 sierpnia.
Tej jesieni Wydział Oświaty zwraca się do szkół aby zaoferowały połączenie nauki poprzez uczestnictwo w zajęciach szkonych w szkole i zdalnego nauczania. Możesz wybrać jedną z dwóch opcji:
1. 100 % Zdalnego uczenia się (wszystko online, z domu): Zapisz się, aby Twoje dziecko uczyło się 100% zdalnie w P.S. 34 jesienią. Aby wybrać tę opcję dla swojego dziecka, wypełnij i prześlij ten formularz. Jeżeli masz trudności z wypełnieniem tego formularza online, zadzwoń pod numer 311. https://www.nycenet.edu/surveys/learningpreference
LUB
2. Połączenie nauki poprzez uczestnictwo w zajęciach szkolnych w szkole i zdalnego nauczania: Twoje dziecko może kontynuować naukę według harmonogramu szkoły, który polega na połączeniu dni bezpośredniego uczestnictwa w zajęciach szolnych i dni zdalnego nauczania w domu. Aby wybrać tę opcję, nie należy nic robić: szkoła skontaktuje się z Państwem odnośnie harmonogramu zajęć i planu nauczania w najbliższych tygodniach. Więcej informacji można znaleźć na stronach szkolnego website w witrynie ,,Powrót do szkoły 2020.”
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020
Zmiana wyboru sposobu uczenia się
• Jeżeli wybrałeś 100% uczenia się poprzez Zdalne nauczanie, ale chcesz zmienić swój wybór na Uczenie się mieszane, wypełnij ten formularz ponownie do 7 sierpnia.
• Każda rodzina która zdecyduje się na 100% Zdalnego nauczania, będzie miała możliwość powrotu do Uczenia mieszanego w kilku określonych momentach w ciągu roku.