School District of Indian River County Update with Superintendent Dr. Moore

The 2020/2021 school year will be like no other. However, with Superintendent Dr. Moore at the realm, it seems like the right man was chosen for the job at hand. Below is a rundown of what students, teachers, and parents can expect and important dates to remember.

Instructional Model Selection

Fourteen thousand nine hundred forty-two students provided a response for their instructional model choice for the 2020 – 2021 academic year. It represents approximately 98%of our total student population.

“98% of our students have stood up, done their research, reflected, worked with their families, and made the selection process,” stated Superintendent Dr. Moore.

• Traditional Return – 9978 students (67%)
• Indian River Virtual – 2535 students (17%)
• Transitional Distance Learning – 2429 students (16%)

Wellness Screenings

I’m sure many parents are curious about how everything will work upon entry into their child’s school.

Universal wellness screenings will be utilized to identify students in need of temperature checks. Temperatures of students will not be taken unless other symptoms arise.

“The temperature isn’t the first sign or symptom that displays itself. So we need to enhance that by conducting a health screening upon entry, and then when there is an opportunity based on the health screening, we refer that child to our clinic trained professionals,” Dr. Moore said in a statement.

American Academy of Pediatrics & the Florida Chapter of the America Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations:

• Utility of Measures of Early Detection
• Risks to Social Distancing
• Effectiveness of Other Measures

Response to a Confirmed COVID-19 Case

• The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County will notify the district’s designee if a student or employee has been identified as COVID-19 positive.
• To support the health and safety of all school community members, parents/guardians and employees are asked to notify the school’s principal or employees’ immediate supervisor if they receive a positive COVID-19 test.
• As part of the distract notification, the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County will provide recommendations to the district related to the next steps.
• Siblings and family members of individuals with a confirmed COVID-19 positive case will be notified to self-quarantine for up to 14 days based on the Department of Health recommendations.

Considerations for School Closure Due to COVID-19

Closure will be considered in collaboration with the Department of Health if:

• 5% of total students and staff members are identified as COVID-19 positive.
• if 20% of school-based staff members are identified as COVID-19 positive.
• Additional factors considered include positivity rates in the community, occupancy at local healthcare facilities, and availability of COVID-19 testing. The district may take other factors into consideration, as appropriate as related to the initiation school closures.

Dates to Remember

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at 6:00 pm, there will be a Facebook Live Session: Curriculum & Instruction Roundtable Instructional Model Options 2 & 3.

Option 1: Face-to-Face Student Orientations will be Thursday, August 13, 2020, & Friday, August 14, 2020.

Virtual Student Orientations, for Options 2 & 3, will be Tuesday, August 18, 2020, & Wednesday, August 19, 2020.