By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The rally organized by Bobcat Parents for Reopening Our Schools on Monday afternoon drew more media than attendees Monday afternoon in front of the Bowling Green City Schools administrative office.
“This is kind of a sad turnout,” Jeremy Prisk said as he waited for others to join the rally.
After an hour, there were four adults, two children – and nine members of the media.
Prisk was the only person willing to talk to the media.
“These kids need to get back in school,” he said, citing a lower transmission rate for COVID among children.
“They’re miserable,” he said of his two children who attend Kenwood Elementary and the Middle School. “They miss their friends. They miss being in school.”
Prisk, of Custar, brought his children to the rally.
“I brought the kids here to show what an actual peaceful protest looks like,” he said. “It directly affects them.”
The Bowling Green Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday at 5 p.m., with one of the topics on the agenda being a return to classrooms. The district has set Oct. 9 as the date when the online school method would be re-evaluated.
“That was the day we told the community we would make a decision on going forward,” Superintendent Francis Scruci said.
“I don’t anticipate any decision will be made” on Tuesday, he added.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison will be present so the board can ask specific questions about current COVID trends. Scruci said having Robison at the meeting will allow parents to hear directly from the health commissioner.
Last week, Scruci sent out a survey to teachers in order to have their input for the Tuesday board meeting.
One possibility for the district could be to start back with elementary students first, Scruci said.
“The sooner we can get the younger kids back, the better,” he said.
But Scruci has repeatedly cautioned that Bowling Green School District should not be compared to other districts in the area. As the only school district with a university in its community, Bowling Green has seen higher COVID-19 cases than elsewhere in the county.
“We’re not like the neighboring communities,” he said. “The difference with Bowling Green State University is that 60% of the housing in this community are rentals. Students aren’t living in a bubble on campus. They are living in our neighborhoods. That has to be a factor.”
But he added that is just one of many factors that will be taken into consideration.
“We’re going to look at what’s safe,” he said. “The board is taking this very seriously.”
Some parents have asked that the district offer options for families. Scruci said when the decision was made in the summer to start the school year all online, parents were given the choice of NOVA for online all year, or “click to brick” for parents who wanted their children to go back into the schools when deemed safe.
It would not be feasible for the district to offer in-person classes for some, and online for others, Scruci said.
“To ask a teacher to teach online and face-to-face would double their workload,” he said. “Logistically, it doesn’t work.”
A press release sent out by the Bobcat Parents for Reopening noted that every other school district in the county has students in the classroom at least on hybrid schedules. The email criticized Bowling Green City Schools for not providing guidance for families, and questioned if any preparations had been made for opening.
Scruci said the board approved a plan for reopening buildings in July.
“To say we have not shared a plan is frustrating,” he said. “We’ve had a plan since July.”
Following are some provisions in the district’s plan for reopening:
Buildings
● The secondary staff workday will be 7:20 a.m.-3 p.m. Elementary staff workday will be 8:15 a.m. – 3:55 p.m.
● Water bottles will be permitted. Water bottle dispensers will be installed replacing traditional water fountains.
● Upon entering the building, students will be required to go directly to their first period class, homeroom, or grade-level classroom. No congregating in groups in the hallways or outside the building will be allowed.
● No visitors will be permitted in the buildings until further notice.
● No volunteers will be allowed until further notice.
● Students will not be permitted to use lockers in the academic areas of the buildings.
● Masks are required for all staff PK-12 and students K-12 in all common areas and during transitions.
● Fans of any kind are prohibited in classrooms.
● Each building will develop its own dismissal plans based on the uniqueness of each building and grade level.
Transportation
● Students will be assigned specific seats on the bus.
● One student per seat on the bus unless family relation.
● On arrival – students will be dismissed one at a time.
● Masks will be required when being transported by bus K-12.
● No field trips until further notice.
● No Fifth Grade Camp for the 2020-21 school year.
Health and Safety
● Parents will be responsible to take student temperatures and assess at home. If a student has a fever or symptoms, he/she must stay home.
● Staff will be responsible to take temperatures and self-assess at home. If a teacher has a fever or shows symptoms, they must stay home.
● All staff PK-12 will be required to wear masks unless for medical reasons, at which time a face shield that extends below the chin is required.
● Students will be required to wear masks in the classroom K-12. If a medical condition exists, students will be required to wear a face shield instead of a mask. Students with disabilities will be considered on an individual basis.
● If a student develops symptoms/fever while at school, they will be placed in the designated isolation room. Parents will be required to pick up their students within 30 minutes.
● Custodians will be sanitizing door handles and other touch points throughout the day in all buildings.
● Recess will be allowed, but children will be required to maintain social distancing.
Classrooms
● Classrooms will be set up to maintain the recommended 6 feet social distancing.
● Mandatory seating assignments will be made in all classrooms.
● Students will be required to wear masks in the classroom K-12.
● Students will be permitted to take bookbags in the classroom.
● No fans for air movement or cooling are permitted in the classroom.
● No exhaust fans can be used in labs.
● Desks and tables will be sanitized at the end of each class period at the secondary level, while sanitizing of desks or tables will occur at lunchtime and before dismissal at the elementary level.
● Teachers will maintain a 6 feet social distance during instructional time.
Food Service
● Breakfasts and lunches will be eaten in the classroom unless buildings can create a schedule for small numbers of students to eat in the cafeteria while maintaining 6 feet social distancing.
● Delivered lunches from outside vendors are prohibited for staff and students.
● Lunches will continue to be provided for children at home, though the details of the program have not been ironed out.
As of Monday’s COVID update from the district, 12 students are being quarantined for 14 days because they came into close contact with someone having COVID. Two students who tested positive are in isolation.
Scruci said there is now another certainty in life – in addition to death and taxes.
“No matter what decision this board makes, 100% of the people won’t be happy,” he said.
