For after school activities during the fall season, the following protocols are in effect:
-Masks are optional for outdoor activities
-We will continue to encourage effective hygiene practices such as hand washing, frequent equipment cleaning, use of individual water bottles, etc.
-For indoor activities:
---Masks are optional for athletes during practices and games.
---Masks are optional for contracted game officials.
---Coaches are required to wear masks when within 6 feet of athletes, but optional when able to appropriately distance.
---Spectators are strongly advised to wear face coverings.
---Event workers are required to wear face coverings.
This information will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary during the fall season as well as prior to the winter season. Please note, the guidance when traveling to opponents’ venues may differ from ours. We will keep you updated prior to away contests.
A variety of before and after school childcare and activities are offered throughout the year at select elementary schools. Informational flyers and registration forms are sent home with students throughout the year for these after school activities. These childcare locations and activities will follow our district protocols and mitigation strategies.
Breakfast and lunch routines are currently being reviewed. Students will have assigned seating for breakfast and lunch. Mitigation strategies in the cafeteria may include the following: Cohort students in the cafeteria such as by classroom; tables will be cleaned between use by different students; space students whenever possible, including space between tables or students sitting in every other seat. As a reminder, due to federal assistance from the USDA, breakfast and lunch will be free for students during the 2021-2022 school year.
Regular cleaning will be conducted daily and high touch surfaces will be disinfected. When someone in a classroom has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 24 hours, the classroom/space will be cleaned, and all surfaces will be sprayed for disinfection.
The ventilation systems run times will be increased both prior to the start of each day and extending longer after the building occupants leave for the day, so that we can provide enough time to exchange air though out the building. We will also increase the amount of outside air that is brought into the building as well as adjusting minimum and maximum air flows to spaces while remaining within equipment design specifications. The filter changes and equipment maintenance will be completed based on established maintenance schedules currently in place.
Weekly area-county school district leadership meetings with Prevea. Weekly meetings between Executive Director of Student Services and ECCCH Health Team. Monthly meetings with Executive Director of Student Services, School Nurses, and DPI School Nurse Consultant.
District COVID Operations Team membership includes: Superintendent, District and School Administration, District Nurse, and local health officials.
More information coming soon.
Our ECASD Covid Operations team meets a minimum of bi-weekly to review the most recent data and guidelines provided by the CDC, Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Eau Claire County City County Health Department. We are poised to respond appropriately based on what we learn from new data.
The ECASD strives to meet the needs of its underrepresented students and families. We must eliminate systemic inequities as we build responsive and equitable learning environments while also partnering with other community connections to support students and families
Students will have scheduled hand washing and/or hand sanitizing within the school day including before and after recess. Students will be taught the following procedures: use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, students will use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer will be provided at entrances to our schools, in classrooms and in common areas of our buildings. Students will also be taught to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or inside of elbow.
Pre-kindergarten (PK) students will attend school four days per week during regular school hours. Students will attend for 3.5-hour sessions in the morning or afternoon, Monday through Thursday.
Elementary (grades K-5) and secondary (grades 6-12) students will attend five days per week during regular school hours.
Eau Claire Virtual School (ECVS) students will attend online five days per week.
Physical distancing will be implemented to the extent possible within each building and classroom but will not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.
Recess equipment such as balls and hula hoops will be assigned to a classroom. Students will play in classroom groups at recess whenever possible. For example, one classroom on blacktop and another on playground equipment.
As our staff and students return to school this year, we must dedicate effort and resources to social emotional learning of all district stakeholders: students, staff, and families. This is crucial due to the past two school years’ impact on our learning and teaching environment.
Through our Equitable Multi-level System of Supports Framework, we offer support for students at the universal, selected, and intensive levels. Under the PBIS framework, all staff are prepared to provide universal instruction through the Character Strong SEL program. In addition, all secondary staff have been trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid as a first step in developing relationships with students and knowing when to refer students for additional support. At the selected level, our counseling staff will be providing interventions based on student data and needs throughout the school year. At the intensive level, there will be opportunities for support such as School Based Mental Health Services and other wraparound services with the County.
We have a Mental Health Coordinator that is actively collaborating with community agencies to provide community support for students and families. This year we are collaborating with the County Department of Human Services to offer a program called System of Care (SOC).This program offers an additional level of support to secondary students who have committed a misdemeanor. Instead of a referral to juvenile intake, the student can be referred to SOC for support and restorative practices.
It’s critical that our staff remain socially and emotionally healthy to ensure the appropriate supports needed for our students. As in years past, we will continue to offer social and emotional supports to staff through the District’s Employee Achievement Program. Additionally, the District will continue to communicate with our employee groups to gain input from our staff to provide them with additional opportunities and supports regarding their social, emotional, and physical wellness.
The ECASD is committed to serving the needs of our students with disabilities. The District will continue to provide a free appropriate public education to our students with disabilities as we align our pandemic response planning to public health guidelines. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plan teams, which includes families, will update IEPs or 504 plans to reflect five days of in person learning or virtual supports/services when enrolled in the Eau Claire Virtual School. IEPs or 504 plans may be adjusted, and services aligned to current COVID-status and the instructional model when necessary. Meetings may be held in person or held virtually utilizing Microsoft Teams.
The ECASD has ensured 1:1 technology for its students and teachers to connect virtually and will provide internet hotspot devices to students without internet access at home. Our learning management systems of Canvas and SeeSaw are the platforms for connecting teachers and students for virtual learning.
Public health officials recommend vaccinations for eligible individuals. If you require assistance in finding or scheduling a vaccination appointment, please call the Eau Claire City-County Health Department for assistance. 715-839-4718
Visitors will be restricted to essential personnel, such as volunteers or visitors for operational or academic support. Visitors will not be allowed to join students for lunch. All visitors to our schools and district buildings will be required to wear a face covering during school hours.
Testing is recommended for individuals if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. With the support of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, ECASD offers free voluntary diagnostic testing on-site to any student or staff member with the assistance of local medical provider, Prevea. Testing is voluntary and will require parent/guardian consent for students under the age of 18. Anyone interested in voluntary testing at school should contact their student's school office.