See COVID Dashboard Spreadsheet 20-21

Core Mitigation Measures to Support School Openings (CDC)

1. Promoting Vaccination: We encourage vaccination of all school community members age 12+ and held school-based clinics in the spring. Students can also be vaccinated at the Back-to-School Bash on August 21. The School Board has voted to require staff to be vaccinated, or in cases such as health exemptions, be tested weekly.
2. Masks and Face Coverings:  Per our masks/face coverings policy, all students, staff, and visitors are required to wear masks covering the mouth and nose inside school buildings and on school buses/at bus stops. For details and exceptions (such as when eating or if there is a medical or other accommodation), please see the policy.  Individuals will be asked to supply their own masks, but disposable masks will be available if an individual has forgotten to bring one. Face shields are also available for students and staff, but they are not a replacement for masks.
3. Social Distancing to the extent possible (3 feet where possible):  Signage and floor markers will reinforce the furniture placement to encourage 3-foot separation.  Floor decals in halls and markings on sidewalks will show direction and reinforce  spacing.  Signage also communicates one-way directions in stairwells or hallways as needed.
4. Screening Testing: We will  participate in a state program for regular COVID testing throughout this school year as an additional strategy to promote safety. The tests will be pooled (or grouped); if the group test is positive, the individuals in the group would be tested further. As part of the same state program, we are hoping to offer rapid diagnostic testing for individuals as needed. To sign up or learn more information, click here.
5. Ventilation: The City is following ASHRAE recommendations to use the highest MERV-rated filters possible for all equipment, coupled with increasing ventilation.  All systems are set for maximum outdoor air at normal occupancy levels.  Any space that cannot use a MERV 13 or 14 filter will be equipped with a portable air cleaner. As weather permits, we will keep windows open. Going above and beyond standard mitigation for K-12 and universities, the City engaged an engineer from Tri-Dim to consult on the best course of action for each building/space and installed UV-C lights and/or bipolar ionization equipment  according to recommendations.
6. Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:  Students and staff will use hand sanitizer upon arrival. Hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms, on all buses, and at all student building entrances, and some classrooms have sinks for handwashing. Schools will teach and  reinforce good hygiene practices such as handwashing,  covering coughs and sneezes, and refraining from touching surfaces when possible.  
7. Staying home when sick and getting tested: Staff and students will be asked to screen at home daily for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors such as close contacts showing symptoms. Students will be asked to stay home and contact a healthcare professional if they are symptomatic or if they know of an exposure to COVID-19. Note: fully vaccinated students/staff who are symptom-free may attend school when close contacts either show symptoms or have suspected/confirmed COVID-19. See guidance in the health section, below.
   CSS Student Home Screening Tool (revised July 28, 2021)
8. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine:  To help us work with the health department for contact tracing, we will implement several measures. Student movement in school buildings and buses will be minimized and monitored, and seating will be assigned. We will fully support contact tracing and subsequently enforce recommendations for quarantine or isolation. The agreement for in-person instruction (signed with registration or re-registration forms) gives permission for Blue Ridge Health Department and Charlottesville City Schools to share contract-tracing information related to exposure or diagnosis of school community members.
9. Cleaning and disinfection: All CCS cleaning products are on the EPA list of disinfectants for COVID-19. Custodians have been equipped and trained with foggers and electrostatic sprayers to support more rapid and effective disinfection of surfaces and entire spaces. Classrooms are equipped with spray bottles with the all-purpose disinfectant cleaner and microfiber cloths to readily address high-touch services such as desktops and door knobs.  A daily cleaning form is used by the custodial staff working with the building administrators, and a color-coded  system indicates whether rooms are: in use or not yet cleaned (red),  ready for use following standard cleaning procedures (yellow), or ready for use following extra cleaning measures (green). 

Other CDC-Recommended Strategies in Place

1. Adequate supplies:  As stated elsewhere, we will supply hand sanitizer, face masks (for those who arrive without them), face shields, disposable gloves, COVID-approved cleaning supplies, and more. Staff such as nurses in need of other PPE will be supplied those items.
2. Shared objects:  As possible, we will minimize use of shared items or will create a plan for cleaning and disinfection (of touch screens, key boards, door knobs, etc).
3. Visitors/Volunteers:  We are limiting volunteer programs and non-essential visitors. Signage reminds visitors to check to see if their business can be conducted by phone,  computer, or outside meeting.  If the principal approves a volunteer or visitor, individuals need to wear a mask, screen for symptoms, and use hand sanitizer.
4. Water systems:  The City has been flushing water regularly to make sure that school water supplies remain safe.
5. Physical barriers and guides: The division has ordered and installed plexi-glass barriers for areas such as reception desks and to support safe 1:1 interactions in classrooms or with specialists. Schools can acquire additional barriers according to their specific needs.
6. Communal spaces: Most or all students will have lunch in classrooms. We will use playgrounds, but we will stagger use and schedule hand-washing before and after recess.
7. Food service:  For most or all students in our schools, we will serve meals in classrooms. Classes are encouraged to eat outside as much as possible, and we have developed safety routines for when this is not possible. Students are still welcome to bring packed meals, but no microwave will be available. All students will wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after eating. Other safety features include a meal pre-ordering system and a touchless system using ID cards for payment. We will  provide additional wheeled waste cans  in the hallways so food waste will not remain in the classrooms. For virtual or quarantined students, families can arrange pick-up at the school closest to them. Find complete meal information here.

Other Strategies:

• Training:  Staff and students will need to be trained on appropriate procedures and mitigation strategies. We will use training videos prior to returning to in-person instruction. Custodial staff received special training. Additional training was also required for nursing staff as well as SPED staff who work with students to assist with medical or personal care.
• Protocols:  We have assembled policies and protocols to guide our return to in-person instruction. All protocols are subject to change based on public health expertise and emerging best practices.
• Outdoor Spaces: We hope to use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, particularly for classes such as gym or choir.  Classes may also go outside for lunch or suitable instruction/class meetings.

Arrival/Daily Schedule:

When students arrive at the bus or the school, they may have their temperature screened and will hand sanitize. They can pick up a grab-and-go breakfast if they wish (breakfast and lunch are free this school year). Then students will go directly to their assigned spot in their classroom. Elementary students will largely stay in their “home” classroom, but we use outdoor spaces as much as possible, particularly for gym and recess. Generally speaking, students will eat lunch in their classrooms. At Buford and CHS, students will follow their schedules to move from class to class following signage and other procedures to encourage social distancing. School hours may be adjusted to allow for the additional cleaning time required for buses between runs.

Note: please make a plan for if your student arrives at the bus or school with a fever or COVID symptoms. See  the transportation FAQ (below) for details.

Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities:

Clubs and athletic activities may resume:

• CHS will follow Virginia High School League (VHSL) guidelines for sports and activities. For further updates, visit gocville.org.
• All other clubs and extracurricular activities will need to follow CCS guidelines and gain building-level approval to be sure that activities are in compliance.

Restroom Use:

High-risk touch points in restrooms (faucet knobs, flush handles, partition locks, ADA railings) will be disinfected at least mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and restrooms will be cleaned nightly. Schools will stagger bathroom breaks to minimize close contact with students from another cohort.  Handwashing is the key to safe bathroom use. Mirror clings in all restrooms will reinforce the importance and basics of proper handwashing. Schools will develop site plans for safe restroom use.

Calendar:

You can find the academic calendar for 2021-22 here. Click “other formats” for a one-page printout.

Furniture:

To the greatest degree possible, individual desks will be used and will be separated by 3′. Furniture will be arranged so that students face in the same direction.

Gym/Recess:

As much as possible, PE and recess will take place outside. We are requiring masks for staff outdoors and encouraging masks outdoors for all students at this time, with the understanding that outdoors is the best time for mask breaks when students and staff are 6ft apart or more.  (Procedures for extracurricular activities are program specific).

Students should wash hands before and after recess or gym. Outdoor playground equipment can be shared within a class, but again, since it will not be disinfected, hand-washing is important. Multiple cohorts can be outside at the same time as long as they are distanced from one another.  Any shared equipment such as balls should be disinfected between classes.

Hours:

• Elementaries (including PreK): 8am-2:30pm
• Buford/Walker: 8:30am-3:15pm
• CHS: 9:05am-3:50pm
• LMA: 9:15am-3:05pm

Early dismissal hours are:

• Elementaries: 12noon
• Buford/Walker: 12:45pm
• CHS: 1:40pm
• LMA: 11:30am

Meals:

We are offering free breakfast/lunch for all students this school year. For most students in our schools, we will serve meals in classrooms. Classes are encouraged to eat outside as much as possible. When this is not possible, we have developed the safety routines including:

• Minimizing talking while masks are off for eating (“mask off = voice off”)
• Assigning seating cohorts during meals, avoiding having students face each other
• Maintaining spacing of 3-6 feet.
• Opening windows during mealtime

Students can still bring packed meals from home, but no microwave will be available. All students will wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after eating. Other safety features include a meal pre-ordering system and a touchless system using ID cards for payment. We will  provide additional wheeled waste cans  in the hallways so food waste will not remain in the classrooms. See more information about meals, below.

For virtual or quarantined students, families can complete a Google form to arrange next-day pick-up at the school closest to them.

Safety Drills:

Schools are still following the schedule for state-required safety drills. We will adapt these processes to accommodate social distancing.

Shared Items/Spaces:

We will limit shared items as much as possible. If shared, items should be disinfected between use when possible. Group work can still happen — students will just need to follow social distancing guidelines. Schools and teachers will use lots of visual cues and reminders. Areas where students will need to share a space or equipment will create a space-specific cleaning plan.

Transportation Info:

See next section for information about transportation.

Volunteers/Visitors:

We are limiting volunteer programs and non-essential visitors. Signage reminds visitors to check to see if their business can be conducted by phone,  computer, or outside meeting.  If the principal approves a volunteer or visitor, individuals need to wear a mask, screen for symptoms, and use hand sanitizer.

Water Fountains:

Students are encouraged to bring water bottles since water fountains will not be open. Bottle-filling stations are available.

How much space will there be on school buses?

Due to severe driver shortages complicated by the pandemic, the City of Charlottesville has fewer school bus drivers than needed, and the schools will have very limited school bus space.  Current estimates show that we will be able to serve a maximum of 200 riders per day for elementaries (combined), 200 for Buford/Walker (combined), and 200 for CHS. (During 2019-20, 2,600 students rode the bus to and from school. This year, we may have a maximum of 600 per day.)

How else can my kid get to school?

To assist families who do not receive bus transportation, the City’s Safe Routes to School program is helping to organize additional supports such as volunteers guiding groups of walkers or bike-riders to school. They have developed new maps to help (see yours below)! Learn more about Safe Routes to Schools and ways you can help! Your PTO might have a sign-up genius or another way to connect families. Or partner with friends, neighbors, and classmates to make alternative plans.

Any changes for car-riders?

There will be more cars in the drop-off and pick-up zones, so we have established alternate locations such as nearby parking lots where we can set up additional sites for car-riders. Stay tuned for  information from your school.  Important note: please stay in the car drop-off lane until your children have cleared any temperature checks or other screenings.

How will I know if my child can ride the bus?

If you requested bus service, your school will let you know if you are assigned a spot or if you are on a wait list. If you are unsure of your child’s status, please do not go to a bus stop. Instead, please help us by finding an alternative way for your child to get to and from school.  Thank you for your patience, and if you know of potential drivers who can help us, please send them to the City’s website!

Note: for children in 1st grade and younger, a responsible adult must accompany the student to and from the bus stop.

How will you select which students to put on the bus initially and which to put on the waitlist?

In the spring, priorities for ridership were determined among students who indicated that they could not get to school unless they had school bus transportation who:

• Have qualifying special needs (IEP’s)
• Are Pre-K students (transportation cannot be a barrier under state guidelines)
• Need Tier 3 supports (this might include English language learners, etc.)
• Siblings of priority students ride can ride as the 2nd child on a  seat

The City’s Pupil Transportation department  is actively trying to identify drivers and solutions. Thank you for your patience.

How will we keep buses safe?

Buses will be cleaned between runs. Families will screen students for symptoms at home, and prior to boarding the bus, students will wear masks and use hand sanitizer. Students may get a  temperature check or screening. For those students who get a bus assignment, we ask them to sit in their assigned seat. Siblings can sit together.

What if my child can’t ride the bus due to a fever/symptoms?

For children in 1st grade and younger, a responsible adult must be at the stop each morning. For older students, we will call families to let them know if their child was unable to board the bus or the student will ride the bus and go directly to the school’s isolation room for prompt pick-up. Please make a plan in case your child gets sent home from the bus or school due to a fever or other COVID symptoms. We will make every effort to contact families in this situation. If one child in a family shows a fever or other COVID symptoms, we will ask for all unvaccinated students in the family to return home and seek guidance from a healthcare provider.

What if my walker or bike-rider arrives at school with a fever or symptoms?

The student will be sent to the school’s isolation room, and the parents/guardians will be notified to promptly arrange for the student (and unvaccinated siblings) to return home.

Why do you have so little space on the buses and why can’t the City just hire more bus drivers?

1. There was a national shortage of school bus drivers even before the pandemic.
2. Many of our drivers are retirees who are at greater risk due to COVID-19; some have decided to step down for their personal safety.
3. The process of getting trained and ready to work as a school bus driver takes a while.
4. We are limiting students to 2 per seat.
5. Want to join our team of bus driver or recommend a friend? Visit the City’s employment site.

• Buford: image | PDF
• Burnley-Moran: image | PDF
• Clark: image | PDF
• Greenbrier: image | PDF
• Jackson-Via: image | PDF
• Johnson: image | PDF
• Venable: image | PDF
• Walker: image | PDF

Eager to see a safe and smooth school opening? Here’s how you can help:

1. Continue to build your family’s good habits — social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-washing. If you or your age 12+ students haven’t been vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider for guidance.  Do your part to reduce our COVID-19 numbers.
2. Get flu shots for your family.
3. Download the state’s COVIDWISE app. This app does not collect personal data, but it does help with contact tracing.
4. Stay up-to-date with Charlottesville City Schools. Complete your child’s re-registration forms in PowerSchool. Still not getting phone calls and/or emails? Want to get texts? Please check with your school office.
5. If your child will be learning in person, make a plan for these situations now:
   1. Transportation to and from school. There will be VERY LIMITED bus space.
   2. Sick days: If your child is sick, please help our community and keep all the unvaccinated students in your household home. Check with your doctor or school nurse for advice.
   3. Unexpected fever or symptoms at the bus or school: We may screen for fevers or signs of illness before children enter the bus or school. Please make a plan now for if your child is not allowed to board the bus or needs to go home from school.
   4. Isolation: If your unvaccinated child is exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms at any point (whether at school, when out, or at home), the unvaccinated students in your household will need to isolate for fourteen days or as directed by a healthcare provider.

Kids will be walking and biking. Want to learn more or find a way to help?

The City’s Safe Routes to School program has created maps and is helping to organize supports to help students safely walk or bike (or scoot or skip) to school. Interested in learning more or helping? Let them know!