Campuses and Classrooms
To the greatest extent possible, elementary school students and staff will remain clustered together in their homerooms and/or grade level pods throughout each day. Marion Middle School and Marion High School will be moving to a block schedule in an effort to minimize transitions and student interactions. Student interactions during passing periods will be limited.
**In the event that numerous classrooms/campus locations have been exposed to a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case(s), there is a possibility that the campus may need to be closed for a day to ensure deep cleaning, sanitation and disinfection.
Classroom Sanitizing
- Marion ISD Custodial Staff is following the CDC recommended disinfectants which are proven to kill viruses like COVID-19, as well as others, and are using other products certified by the EPA safe for school
- Custodial staff will also use a disinfectant electrostatic sprayer to complement the deep cleaning process
- Custodial staff will frequently wipe high traffic surfaces, including handrails, door handles, countertops and other surfaces over the course of the day, and after each transition period
- Custodial staff will increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms and common areas throughout the day
- Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed throughout campuses in easily accessible and high traffic areas and maintained throughout the day
- Students will use hand sanitizer as they enter and exit each classroom
- Elementary and Secondary classrooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized at the end of each school day
- Elementary and Secondary classroom seats and desks will be wiped down with disinfectant wipes after each class transition.
Recess / PE / Electives / Assemblies
We will continue important activities related to recess, PE, and other electives with some modifications.
- Faculty and staff will make modifications to activities (when feasible) to increase social distancing; Elementary campuses will remain in their homeroom class/pod to mitigate exposure
- Staff on duty during recess will enhance monitoring of student distancing for student safety
- It may be impractical for students to wear masks while participating in some activities during PE or non-UIL athletic or other extracurricular activities; in these instances, staff will ensure safe distancing
- Campuses will limit or eliminate school-wide /grade level assemblies and large gatherings of students
University Interscholastic League (UIL) / Extra-Curricular Activities
All students will be allowed to participate in any UIL or Extracurricular activities regardless of the instructional model in which they choose to participate.
Visitors, Drop-off, and Pick-Up – Visitors will be allowed on campuses for essential school operations only. Visitors, non-essential to school operations, will NOT be given access to the campus including on the first day of school and during scheduled meal times. All campus visits must be scheduled via an appointment. The number of visitors in the school will be limited to ensure students are safe; therefore, alternative meeting options may be scheduled, including virtual meetings. Any visitors that come on campus must wear a mask/face covering.
All visitors to campuses for meetings will be screened to determine if they have COVID-19 symptoms, are lab-confirmed with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with an individual who is lab-confirmed with COVID-10. If so, they must remain off campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry as previously noted for staff/students.
In an extreme effort to mitigate exposure to COVID-19, we are discouraging all outside items being dropped off at school throughout the day. Students need to come to school prepared for the day in its entirety when they arrive on campus in the morning. However, in the event that it is absolutely necessary for a parent/guardian to make a delivery to a campus, the protocol for entrance into the building is to use hand sanitizer prior to entry into the building and wear a face mask.
When picking up students during school hours, please follow these protocols:
- Call child’s campus, let them know your student will be picked up, and estimated time of arrival
- Use hand sanitizer at the campus entrance door
- Wear mask inside the building
- Enter the building and sign your student out
- Wait outside for your student to depart from building
Traditional campus events such as Open House, Parent Nights, etc., have been temporarily suspended.
Restrooms and Water Fountains - Students’ physical needs are extremely important. Social distancing and hand washing will remain the priorities during restroom breaks. Restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized after each transition period.
Because water fountains have shared surfaces, these will be disabled/turned off/covered. Students are highly recommended to bring full water bottles from home in order to stay hydrated. A no-touch filtered bottle filling station will be on each campus and will be disinfected frequently.
Materials and Supplies – Students will be expected to use their own materials and supplies either in their individually-assigned boxes on the elementary campuses, or in their backpacks on the secondary campuses. No lockers will be used for the 2020-21 school year. Sharing of materials will not be allowed. In instances where technology, books, calculators, etc., are used with multiple students, proper sanitation protocols will be enforced.
Backpacks and Other Personal Items – We strongly encourage the limiting of bringing personal items to the campus. Backpacks and water bottles will be allowed. Please clean your child’s backpack and water bottle on a daily basis.