District to offer options for fall

Students can choose in-class or online learning by semester

Summer is coming to an end, and many students are preparing for back to school, but with the COVID-19 pandemic still happening nationwide — things will be a little different this fall.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools also are preparing for the upcoming school year. Staff will be returning to their classrooms on Aug. 17, while students will have a delayed start on Aug. 31.

“We will take the first two weeks to complete professional development with our staff to train them in online classes using Schoology and will delay the start of school for students by two weeks,” says Superintendent Steve Thompson.

The professional development programs will be focusing on social justice and Schoology, a new virtual platform that will be used for online instruction.

Willoughby-Eastlake, like most school districts, will be offering traditional in-school learning and online education.

For those who will be taking the traditional route, bus riders will be required to wear masks, face coverings will also be required for grades 3-12, and when possible, class furniture will be spaced appropriately and will face same direction.

There will be no large gatherings, like assemblies or field trips. In order to minimize the spread of germs on common surfaces, doors will remain open.

Students will be able to eat in the cafeteria and will be distanced to the greatest extent possible.

There will also be assigned seating whenever possible.

Lockers will also not be used this year.

For those choosing to stay home, online learners will be allowed to enroll a semester at a time where students can engage online and do independent assignments.

Willoughby-Eastlake has upped the ante by taking even more measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19:

• Students will not be permitted to bring snacks/ treats to school to share with classmates.

This includes birthday treats at the elementary level.

• All meetings of parent sponsored organizations will be held in a virtual format for example: Boosters, PTO, PTA

• Additional cleaning/ disinfecting will be performed before, during and after school.

Willoughby-Eastlake has purchased Clorox360 machines for thorough disinfection.

• Except in the case of an emergency, there will be no visitors permitted in W-E buildings. This includes elementary school classroom parties.

• Upon entering the building, all persons will have their temperature taken. Any person with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter.

A student who has come to school with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be immediately quarantined and sent home.

Thompson said he is being very cautious.

“Based on the numbers in our county, I believe we can expect them to increase,” Thompson said.

However, if someone does become infected, they will be immediately quarantined in a designated area in their school building.

They will also be sent home and referred to appropriate health care professionals or a COVID-19 testing site.

Areas of the building occupied by a person with symptoms will be thoroughly sanitized. Local health department protocol will be followed concerning the reporting of persons in the building exhibiting symptoms.

A COVID-19 symptomatic person cannot return to school until they meet current CDC criteria for return to work/school.