Aside from health-related personal protection equipment that Scottsdale Unified School District will have on hand when schools reopen, educators will also have the Uniform Code of Student Conduct and the Return to Learn plan as added protection.
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Aside from health-related personal protection equipment that Scottsdale Unified School District will have on hand when schools reopen, educators will also have the Uniform Code of Student Conduct and the Return to Learn plan as added protection.
As preparations are underway, the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board is making sure to have every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed while revamping the school environment during the pandemic, which includes revising certain district documents to specify about covering faces and paying staff if schools should suddenly re-close.
In the absence of SUSD board member, Barbara Perleberg, the Governing Board held a special Aug. 4 meeting streamed live from the Coronado High School Board Room, 7501 E. Virginia Ave., to discuss continued efforts on district plans to reopen school buildings for students and staff on Sept. 8.
Not only was the district’s Return to Learn document referenced --- addressing any and all scenarios for preparing for students and staff to resume learning online and in class --- but so was the district’s Code of Conduct.
As the district makes progress on its Return to Learn efforts, the Governing Board will consider the following at the Aug. 18 meeting, followed by final approval on Sept. 1:
Drafting language for a face coverage policy;
Specifying details on continuing to pay employees during periods of school building closures in light of abrupt closings for the 2019-20 school year;
Meeting proposed public health benchmarks for a safe return of in-person, teacher-led classroom instruction based on forth-coming guidelines set by the Maricopa County Public Health officials.
The district has entrusted SUSD Building Services Director Dennis Roehler to facilitate another health and safety workgroup consisting of two of the board members and even doctors assisting with specific recommendations for upcoming Governing Board consideration.
A list of committee members and meeting minutes was suggested to be added to the district’s website.
Another suggestion: If students plan on putting “inappropriate things” on soon-to-be required masks, possibly expressing themselves in school, they should consult the district’s Code of Conduct for students that outlines standards such as dress/grooming that prohibits risking others’ health and welfare, disruptions to the educational environment, displays of obscene language or symbols on garments, etc.
Dr. Scott A. Menzel, SUSD superintendent, said students will be expected to be properly attired when they come to school and that entails wearing masks just as well as shoes.
He noted the need to provide clarity to the conduct code to include wearing masks among regulations for clothing/accessories.
“What happens if the student doesn’t want to wear a mask?” asked board member Sandy Kravetz, questioning how enforcement and repercussions will be handled.
She was not alone with her concerns as SUSD Vice President Patty Beckman asked about a “worst case” scenario for student offenders who continue taking masks off throughout the day.
“There is always language in the code of conduct that covers that,” said assistant superintendent, Dr. Milissa Sackos, adding the importance of providing additional language to clarify about masks.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sackos said the district will follow the Code of Conduct and “get everybody into the good habit” of wearing masks, which should be as routine as wearing and displaying student identification cards.
Or, face disciplinary action for non-compliance also highlighted in the conduct code, which is accessible on the district’s website.
“It’s going to be a challenge. We are really going to have to resort back to the dress code. It’s not going to be easy but we are going to do it,” Dr. Sackos said about enforcing mask wearing and ensuring that students are properly covered.
In addition to various points of ingress throughout the campus, serving as checkpoints for students to make sure they are wearing masks, she said classrooms will be equipped with some masks available for students in need of one.
Teachers will have spares available to offer students just like they would provide material, such as a pencil, if students are without.
Despite concerns about policy wording and “what-ifs,” along with what was yet needed to comply with the governor’s executive orders on reopening campuses for the upcoming school year, the Return to Learn document already coincides with many of the initial gubernatorial recommendations.
“We are going to do the very best we can. It isn’t easy and we have been very open,” Dr. Menzel said, noting the reason for delaying opening schools until September was for the purpose of having a “soft” run/opening to work out and finalize logistics.
He recognized the efforts of all stakeholders involved in assisting with logistics, who participated in surveys and committees; the SUSD Nutrition Services Director Patti Bilbrey for her work since March to overhaul school meal accommodations since the pandemic hit;
Plus, the tech team was thanked for broadcasting meetings and handling online issues; random SUSD staff who received $2,500 worth of gift cards as a token of appreciation from the district’s community partners who contribute to the Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation.
Dr. Menzel also mentioned two high school students’ heroic efforts of risking their lives to save two drowning females. Although they couldn’t attend the meeting, due to COVID-19 restrictions, he honored them with a commemorative SUSD coin to be delivered for their bravery and courage.
“I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and we see this time and time again,” said Dr. Menzel, describing his pleasure in rewarding staff and students “at a time when there’s a lot of stress and anxiety.”
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