Strong Middle School Community,
First, I wanted to thank everyone who attended our modified orientation on Wednesday. For the students who were unable to attend, we will have an extensive in house orientation the first week of school. Students will have a chance to meet with their teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers and support staff through scheduled classroom visits. During the first week, students will have a workshop on our Covid-19 protocols, school policies and expectations. Chromebooks, textbooks and student id’s will also be issued during the first week. For our virtual academy students, a separate orientation and parent meeting will be scheduled.
As of today, the federal government has mandated masks on all school buses and the school district will follow the federal government and CDC’s recommendation of masks for all teachers, students and school visitors while entering a district building. Also, any district employee or student traveling from out of the country will be expected to quarantine for 14 days or 7 days with a negative covid-19 test.
As we continue to finalize our Back to School Plan for the 2021 – 2022 school year, we have compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
Due to the ever-changing health situation, please check the district’s website at https://www.melnapschools.com/apps/pages/COVID19-Updates for updated information.
We are looking forward to seeing our students face to face.
Sincerely,
Donald Fish
First, I wanted to thank everyone who attended our modified orientation on Wednesday. For the students who were unable to attend, we will have an extensive in house orientation the first week of school. Students will have a chance to meet with their teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers and support staff through scheduled classroom visits. During the first week, students will have a workshop on our Covid-19 protocols, school policies and expectations. Chromebooks, textbooks and student id’s will also be issued during the first week. For our virtual academy students, a separate orientation and parent meeting will be scheduled.
As of today, the federal government has mandated masks on all school buses and the school district will follow the federal government and CDC’s recommendation of masks for all teachers, students and school visitors while entering a district building. Also, any district employee or student traveling from out of the country will be expected to quarantine for 14 days or 7 days with a negative covid-19 test.
As we continue to finalize our Back to School Plan for the 2021 – 2022 school year, we have compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
Due to the ever-changing health situation, please check the district’s website at https://www.melnapschools.com/apps/pages/COVID19-Updates for updated information.
We are looking forward to seeing our students face to face.
Sincerely,
Donald Fish
Strong Middle School’s Back to School Plan FAQ - Face to Face Instruction
What is the weekly schedule for face to face instruction?
Students will attend five full days of face to face school with a regular bell schedule and regular school calendar.
Will students change classes at Strong Middle School?
At this time, we do not have plans to require students to be cohorted. Students will move between their six classes over the course of the day. Students will be organized through seating charts etc… that will still allow for contract tracing if there is a positive case detected.
What will specials look like for students at Strong Middle School?
We will continue to offer Physical Education, STEAM, Spanish, Band, Computers / Coding and enrichment classes. These classes will be held in the teachers dedicated classroom.
Students who have Physical Education class scheduled for the first card marking will not be expected to change for class. For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that students wear appropriate “gym shoes” to school. If weather permits, Physical Education class will make every attempt to conduct class outside.
Will students be able to share manipulatives, communal classroom supplies?
Yes, but teachers will develop a system for sanitizing materials after use.
How many students will be in a classroom and how will you ensure social distancing?
Classroom sizes at Strong Middle School are back to the standard level with the exception of the Virtual Academy students.
All classrooms will be equipped with masks, sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer and student dividers. Classrooms will be sanitized and cleaned at the end of the school day by building maintenance staff in compliance with the approved CDC guidelines.
Dividers will be provided to all classrooms and used when social distancing of 3 feet is not possible
What is Strong Middle School’s restroom policy?
To promote the safest environment, restroom breaks and hall passes will be permitted for emergency use only. Restrooms will be cleaned several times throughout the day.
What is expected when students arrive at Strong Middle School in the Morning?
First period begins at 7:55 a.m. Students will not be permitted to enter the building until 7:40 a.m. To reduce students congregating outside of school where they will be unsupervised, we are asking parents to drop your students off between 7:35 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
There will be 4 designated doors for drop off. Each designated drop off and student entrance will be clearly labeled with signs located at the curb. At 7:40 a.m. a staff member will be located at each entrance to greet students and enforce mask mandates as each student enters.
Only students eating breakfast at school will enter the building at the first set of doors (entrance 2) on the west end of the building.
6th Grade will enter the building at the main doors (entrance 1) closest to the office.
7th Grade will enter the building at the next set of doors (entrance 17)
8th Grade students will enter the building (entrance 16) at the far end of the building
Will students be able to use their lockers at Strong?
As of today, the decision has been made at the district level to limit locker access for all students K-12. At the end of the second week, this will be revisited. In the meantime, students will be expected to bring backpacks to school each day. Backpacks will be used for all personal items, school issued Chromebook and textbooks. Backpacks and coats will be allowed in all classrooms and the lunchroom.
What are the procedures for students changing class periods?
Tape and arrows have been placed on the hallway floors with direction arrows to encourage traffic flow and to limit student congregating.
Cup dispensers will be provided for students at each drinking fountain. Students are encouraged to bring a personal water bottle. Our water bottle fill-up station is located in the cafeteria.
How will Strong Middle School ensure the safety of the students during lunch?
Strong Middle School provides three lunch periods. 6th Grade students eat “A” lunch from 11:07 a.m. – 11:37 a.m., 7th Grade students eat “B” lunch from 11:”41 a.m. until 12:11 p.m. and 8th graders eat lunch “C” from 12:16 p.m. until 12:46 p.m.
In order to create the safest lunchroom environment and maintain social distancing, one half of the student body will have lunch in the cafeteria while the other half of the student body will have lunch in their classrooms. This will be done by grade level and on a rotating basis.
As per district policy, boxed lunches will be provided for students. Students are permitted to bring their own lunch to school.
Students eating in Cafeteria
Students will be spaced out in the cafeteria. Seats have been labeled throughout the cafeteria.
Students are encouraged to remain seated to promote social distance. Trash containers will be placed near each labeled eating area throughout the cafeteria to promote social distancing.
Students eating in Classrooms
Students will receive their box lunch and return to their classroom.
Dividers will be provided to all classrooms and used when social distancing is not possible.
How will students exit the building at the end of the school day?
In order to eliminate congregating in the school, all students will be escorted out of the building as soon as the school day ends at 2:54. Only students who are on a fall sports team, attending after school tutoring, or participating in an after school club are permitted to remain in the building in their designated area.
What are the procedures for Open House?
Open House at Strong Middle School is scheduled for in person on Thursday, September 9. All staff and parents and students are required to wear masks. In order to limit the amount of people in the building at one time we will provide two time slots.
If your student’s last name begins with an “A” through “M” we are asking you to arrive at 5:30 pm.
If your student’s last name begins with an “N” through “Z” we are asking you to arrive at 6:15 pm.