EVANSVILLE, Ind. – During a nearly two-hour long Facebook Live presentation Tuesday evening, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith outlined more information about the district's new reopening plan.

Smith went through the expansive plan, which includes pages of updated safety measures, health guidelines and other information concerning the start of the school year.

Staggered start dates for students

Smith addressed EVCS's delayed start to the 2020-2021 school year.

Originally set to return to traditional instruction on Aug. 5, the district postponed the start date to Aug. 19 due to an alarming rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Vanderburgh County. As a result, one-half of students will return Aug. 19-21, and the other half will follow suit between Aug. 24-26.

Students with last names between A-J will resume traditional instruction the first three calendar days, and students with K-Z last names will begin their first days during the other three instructional days.

Smith said the move will allow students and staff to adjust to the various safety measures and guidelines, which will include the use of masks and social distancing guidelines.

Student attendance, screening and testing

As previously directed by health officials, Smith has asked parents to self-screen their children for COVID-19 before sending them to school.

"This is a pandemic, and we are trying to do everything humanly possible to stop the spread of the pandemic until we get either immunity or a vaccine," Smith said. "That's why we've taken extraordinary measures that we haven't taken in the past.

"Perfect attendance is out the window this year," Smith said.

Smith also discussed what parents should do if their child is symptomatic, has compromising health concerns or has allergies, migraines or other conditions that mimic COVID-19 symptoms.

If a student contracts COVID-19, Smith said families need to contact their school and health provider to guide them on their next steps.

In the occurrence that a teacher tests positive, Smith said the entire class won't be required to quarantine. However, if a student's family member tests positive, the student will be expected to quarantine for 14 days before returning to school.

School orientations

Smith said back-to-school orientations will largely take place virtually.

For kindergarten and first-year high school students, parents will have the option to book in-person visits to school grounds.

Three operating levels

Smith discussed the three operating levels the district will use as appropriate, from green (lowest risk of spread), to yellow, to red (highest risk) and the metrics EVSC will use to determine each level.

EVSC will consider the overall number of active COVID-19 cases, the average number of hospitalizations and patients in ICU and other related factors. The corporation will also remain in contact with health officials and maintain an updated COVID-19 dashboard on the EVSC website.

The green level allows for all three previously approved learning options for students, including in-person instruction. The yellow operating level would include targeted closures and hybrid attendance. Red would close schools to in-person learning, and students would be instructed virtually.

Prepared for virtual learning

While he doesn't want EVSC to switch back to virtual instruction, Smith said the corporation is more than prepared.

In preparation for the school year, the EVSC has upgraded internet access and will provide hotspots for families that don't have them. All K-12 students will also be able to take devices home for virtual learning.

School-specific guidelines

School-specific guidelines will be outlined on each school website, which will go live by the end of the week, Smith said.

A new school calendar will also be presented to the Board of Trustees during Monday's regularly-scheduled board meeting.

Mental health services and special education

Efforts to address mental and emotional distress among students will be accommodated through a plan outlined by the district. EVSC Spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said counselors and psychiatrists will continue to support the needs of students at all levels.

"We're still going to meet the needs of our students, especially those with special needs," he said.

Despite all of the adjustments and restrictions resulting from the pandemic, the Q&A session made clear the district will comply with students' individual educational plans (IEP) and accommodate students with specific conditions that prohibit them from wearing masks or face coverings.

Limited school visitation

Until further notice, visitors will not be able to eat with students or go into schools, Smith said. And, for parents needing to drop off supplies, they will hand materials to a faculty member at the school's front door.

Cleaning, PPE supplies

To prepare for students' return, EVSC has purchased 200 sneeze guards, 10,500 face shields, 412,000 surgical masks, 57,000 cloth masks, 10,000 N95 masks, 49 foggers, 3,500 sanitizer bottles, 105 water bottle fillers and 50,000 social distancing decals.

Smith said soap dispensers, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available in all classrooms. With these materials, high-capacity areas and touch surfaces will be cleaned on a regular basis.

Bus transportation

Along with wearing face masks, Smith said families who plan to send their children on school buses will have to enroll this year.

The form is available on the EVSC website.

School meals

Smith said school breakfast and lunches will have limited meal options in elementary and middle schools. Students will also be required to eat in spaces outside the cafeteria to accommodate for social distancing.

Plans can still change

While the district plans to go forward with this reopening plan, Smith said anything could change in response to local health conditions.

"All options are on the table," Smith said.

If confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to soar in the county, Smith said EVSC's staggered school start dates could be extended. Rather than welcome back students three days at a time, the interval could change to a week.

Guiding principles

EVSC's guiding principles for the academic year will be based on the health and well-being of students and faculty, the district's ability to meet the needs of families and continued collaboration with community stakeholders, Smith said.

Guidance from the CDC, state and county health department will direct EVSC's safety protocols and health guidelines.

"We want to be nimble and adapt to the conditions of Vanderburgh County, but we are going to take into consideration the conditions that are present with COVID-19," he said.

For a complete look at EVSC's reopening plan, it is embedded below, or visit https://district.evscschools.com.

EVSC details school reopening plans during live Q&A