Cape Henlopen School District considers reopening plans

LEWES, Del. – Cape Henlopen School District is still considering what the best route for reopening schools might be in the coming school year. The first day of school will be September 16th. But the district outlined three different plans for reopening depending on where the community stands when it comes to COVID-19.

Scenario one would allow for schools to reopen for in-person instruction. That would only happen if there is a low number of cases, hospitlizations, and positivity rate.

The second scenario allows for a hybrid in-person and virtual learning model if there is a moderate risk. That includes a moderate rate of community spread, increased cases, hospitilizations, and positivity rate.

Finally – the third plan would be remote-learning only if there is a significant increase in cases and hospitalizations in the area. The district would also go to option three if there is a high amount of hospilizations and a high positivity rate in the area.

Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings. Staff are also being given the option of wearing a face shield in addition to their masks. Also, staff and students will be required to undergo training on how to properly wear face coverings. The school district says the Department of Public Health has provided over 8,000 masks, 800 face shields, 4,000 gowns, gloves, and N95 masks to the district.

Classrooms will be reorganized to account for at least three feet of distancing – and furniture inside classrooms will be minimized. Additionally, common areas like cafeterias and and hallways will be marked to indicate six feet of distancing. The school district says it will sanitize all of its buildings and ensure access to sanitizing materials.

Each day prior to the start of school, every staff member and family member will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about their health and any possible symptoms they may be experiencing. If a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the district will Division of Public Health and begin contact tracing.

The school district says it plans to educate staff members, students, and their families about the risk of spreading COVID-19.

For the full report on how the district plans to re-open, you can click here.