WATCH LIVE: JC Schools re-entry plan calls for masks, social distancing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

JC Schools released its re-entry plan for the 2020-2021 school year Wednesday morning.

Included in the plan are guidelines for mask-wearing, increased and frequent sanitation, social distancing in classrooms, COVID-19 school closures, as well as, limiting visitors into school buildings.

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District leaders said "we must all acknowledge that returning to in-seat education will introduce a greater risk of exposure in spite of our best efforts."

Staff members will be required to wear face masks when social distancing is not possible, according to the plan. It included all middle school and high school students are required to wear a mask when unable to socially distance themselves.

The district said all students are required to wear a mask if they are riding a bus to school. Student and staff dress codes also apply to masks.

The plan said exceptions can be made to the mask rule for students and staff that have medical concerns. District officials said stricter mask rules could be implemented during the school year.

Desks in classrooms will be spread out as far as possible to allow for social distancing, the district said.

"Staff and students must do their very best to maintain as much distance as possible from others within school buildings," the plan said.

The plan included all non-essential furniture will be removed from classrooms for sanitation.

Seating charts will be required in classrooms and buses to limit exposure to coronavirus, the re-entry plan said. It added students are expected to go directly to their designated classrooms after arriving to school and avoid congregating in hallways.

According to the plan, students or staff that have COVID-19 symptoms will be moved to a designated sick area.

The district included school buildings may be closed if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 at school.

"If JC Schools receives official notification of a student or staff member testing positive for COVID-19 who attended school the day they test positive, the impacted school or classroom will be closed for the remainder of the day, or longer if necessary," the plan said.

All school activities will be canceled if a building is closed because of coronavirus.

District leaders said thermal cameras will be installed at each school building to check for people with high temperatures.

"Students and staff who are sent home with a temperature must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and may return to school if accompanied by a doctor’s note with a diagnosis not related to a respiratory illness, influenza or COVID-19," according to the plan.

The plan said school custodial staff will sanitize high-touch areas frequently throughout the day. Classrooms and other common spaces will be sanitized anytime a new group of students goes into a new area.

Cleaning and hand sanitizer will be available throughout school buildings.

All non-essential visitors and parents will not be allowed into school buildings, according to the re-entry plan. Other essential visitors will have to go through the main school entrance and wear a mask wihile inside.

The plan said district parents need to submit virutal class enrollment for their children by Aug. 3. Parents may not hear back about their child's enrollment until the week of Aug. 10.