Raymond School District Shares Updates to Fall Reopening Plan

RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy would like to provide an update on the reopening plan for the 2020-21 academic year.

The full reopening plan, which includes the changes, can be found here. The changes were approved by the Raymond School Board on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

“The initial reopening plan included a recommendation for a review by the School Board approximately 30 days after implementation and these changes were made as a result of that first review,” Superintendent McCoy said. “We will continue to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to make any necessary changes to best protect the health and safety of our community.”

The changes are as follows:

• Students in kindergarten through third grade will now be required to wear a face mask or covering at all times when indoors, on the school bus or outside when social distancing is not possible. Masks do not need to be worn when eating or drinking as long as students are six feet apart, or during masks breaks.
• Parents and guardians will be required to sign their students up for fully remote learning by term and students must complete remote learning for that term, unless an exception is made. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.
• Additional guidance has been provided for types of face covering allowed. This change includes:
  • Prohibiting face shields, gaiters, and gaiters and masks with exhalation valves.
  • Alternative options for students with disabilities who are unable to wear masks. These include increased social distancing, face shields or plexiglass barriers.
• Students in grades six through 12 are strongly encouraged to use district-provided Chromebooks. Those who wish to use their own personal devices must sign a refusal form and personal laptops will not be allowed to be used for in-person learning.

A list of the courses offered remotely at Raymond High School for the first semester have also been added to the plan and can be found here.

The district’s reopening plan will continue to be treated as a fluid document in order to adapt to any changes that may need to be made as the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic changes, and the district has plans in place to switch between hybrid or remote learning as may be necessary.

The School Board will give review the plan again at least once prior to the end of calendar year. 

###