We had tried to answer your questions in order to prepare for you to make the best choice as of this week for 2020-21. We understand that the community infection rate could change which may impact your choice, but we need to begin to schedule students! We are asking you to select as of now, then we can deal with changes as they come.

New FAQ: Duval is discussing delaying the start of school - will this impact DCSS? Yes. Our charter contract says that we will start the same first day as DCPS. If Superintendent Greene chooses to delay two weeks and start August 24, based on local infection rates, then we will probably also delay two weeks. CSUSA has stated that if they do select to go beyond two weeks, we would submit to the Board of Education of Duval County to go ahead and begin August 24th. Dr. Greene is expected to make a decision and announce it by 7/23. We will put out communication when we have more information.

Possible Additional Change: There is discussion currently with our company to require masks, which may mean that face shields would not be accepted as alternative. If desired, they would need to be worn in addition to the mask, not in place of the mask. Face shields are all made differently and may have openings that are not as safe. We would like our teachers to wear face shields for phonics lessons etc. where they would be very important. We will update you when we know of a final decision on whether face shields would be an acceptable alternative to a mask.

Update on Social Distancing: We have increased our order with our CARES Act funding for additional clear personal dividers to provide students breaks from face masks when working independently with a shield at their desk.. We purchased ones that would be easily converted later to testing privacy carrels to make better use of our funds!

Playground/black top areas - We will need some parents willing to volunteer hours on some cool weekend mornings or some evenings as we have ordered specialized playground templates to put more games and exercise stations on our blacktop areas outside and in our car lanes. These will make great stations for socially distanced PE and recess! We will let you know when they are in and when we need help painting.

Water Bottles: The water fountains will be turned off as recommended by the CDC. We are having two fountains (one upstairs - one downstairs) converted to touchless water bottle filling stations. On campus students are recommended to bring water bottles to school.

Thank you as we cannot say enough how much we appreciate your patience, positive communication and engagement during this period of uncertainly. DCSS parents have shown they are a class act and a true school community!

These descriptions are not meant to be all inclusive of policies/procedures, but are meant to be an overview to help the parent make an informed decision for quarter one.

For those parents who do not feel comfortable having their child return to the physical building at this time during the pandemic. Students would learn through our mobile classroom model from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Attendance & grading guidelines are being developed. Please know the expectation is that they are online at total of 3-4 hours per day between the hours of 8am and 4pm and completing assignments daily. Some classes would have set time periods the student would need to be online live this will come from their assigned teacher.

This model is different than in the spring, (which was more of an emergency shut down) where some students worked 1-2 hours in the evening or just "caught up" on weekends. This will be a daily commitment on the part of the student and family. Devices, if needed, will be provided. Lessons will be a combination of pre-recorded videos, live sessions directly with the teacher, and live from the physical classroom sessions. Students will have small group instruction and may be eligible for online tutoring if needed.

Families would be eligible to select the hybrid, or the five day a week at school option at the end of the quarter, or perhaps continue in fully mobile setting for the next quarter. All online code of conduct policies apply and the student is expected to be an active participant in class, not just a passive member of the class.

**Nicknamed "Virtual" to help build understanding but due to specific language in state statue, we will be calling this model "Fully Mobile" moving forward.

These students would have some socially distanced time on campus with their peers and classroom teacher and some days that they would learn from home as a virtual student. This model helps to reduce class size of the students physically present and lessen their exposure to other students each week, perhaps providing a lower risk of illness than a five day a week model. It may be a better fit for a family whose parents have some flexibility with working from home or can arrange some days to support their student, but it also gives more peer to peer collaboration and interaction than a full virtual model.

One cohort would be assigned M/Tues on site, one cohort would be assigned Thurs/Friday on site. All students in this class would be learning at home on Wednesday to allow for additional sanitation of the classroom between cohorts. The fully mobile at home days would be conducted as if they were full time mobile students (see description above.) The on site days would be similar to a five day a week students' experience (see description below.) Before and Aftercare would be available on the two days they are assigned to be on campus if a parent chooses to register and pay for before/aftercare.

We would start with allowing parents to choose which cohort and we certainly would put siblings on the same assigned days.

**Nicknamed "hybrid" because it is a mix, but due to specific language in state statue, we will be calling this model "Flexible"

These students would report to the physical building five days a week during the traditional time schedules we have used in the past. The school day will look and feel different in that we will be following CDC guidelines for social distancing, eating in the room, staggering outside play time and space, not sharing items, etc.

Students will be spaced when possible 4-6 feet apart in the classroom. When they are at a personal learning space 6ft or more from another student the teacher may direct them that they can take a break from their mask, otherwise they are required to be worn for the entire time they are on campus. Outside activities will be without masks but students must remain 6 feet apart. We will not be holding field trips, assemblies, or traveling to resource classes until the current conditions in our community improve.

These students would have more peer to peer interaction, collaboration and face to face time with the teacher. If a student has a fever, or exhibits other signs of illness they will become a mobile student from home until they meet all conditions to return to the physical classroom. Parents will need to understand that if self-quarantine conditions arise then the students will temporarily become fully mobile/virtual students until cleared to return and additional sanitation steps on site are taken. Before and aftercare will be available, but will follow the same guidelines as during the school day.

If a student, or household family member becomes ill or has been exposed to a covid-19 person, the student would become fully mobile to continue their learning (device provided if needed) until cleared to return.

At any time during the quarter, if a parent becomes concerned and wants to switch to the fully mobile option, that would be permitted, but they would remain as a fully mobile student until the end of the quarter before the parent could make a new option selection. With the change, any unused weeks of before/aftercare could be credited to future use, but refunds would not be issued.

#1 - Will students be required to wear masks?

• Safety is our first priority and in order to protect staff & students, during this current phase of re-opening, everyone over the age of two on campus will be required to wear a mask. We are looking into whether we can get approval for students to wear face shields as this is may a better option for those with asthma or sensory concerns.

• Proper fit & comfort is important. Please begin having your students get used to wearing their face coverings. Target, Old Navy and other retailers are currently selling children’s cloth masks both online & in store. We hope to also have Stingray masks and extra face shields for sale at cost in the office.

• We will always have disposable masks on hand in case a student’s mask breaks or becomes unwearable during the school day.
• If a student refuses to wear a mask, or is frequently taking the mask off when not cleared to do so, or if a parent does not want a student to wear a mask, then the student will need to attend class as a fully mobile student, not present on campus.

#2 Will Students get a break from wearing masks or is it ALL day?

• When students are 6ft or more apart at personal learning stations, the teacher may direct students that they can remain in their seats and take a break from their masks.
• When outside playing students will have to stay six feet apart and will not be required to wear masks if actively exercising and not congregating.

#3 What if I need to change the option I select?

• We understand that with changing conditions parents may want to change the way their child is learning and what model they are attending at DCSS. If prior to school starting, they would just resubmit form on which they made their selection the week of July 20th. We would take the most up to date timestamped survey entry from a family. During school, we ask that parents wait until the nine week/quarter to change. Changes may be made during the quarter on a case by case basis through the Principal.
• Infection, illness in the home, or exposure may necessitate students or classes moving to fully virtual/mobile until conditions are met to return to the building for that student or class.

#4 What social distancing & other precautions will be put in place on site?

• Following all CDC, state, local and CSUSA guidelines
• Limiting transitions throughout the day
• Students will be required to wash hands/sanitize hands frequently
• Avoid hugs, handshakes, large gatherings and close quarters.
• Single point of entry for staff & visitors with daily health screenings in place
• Utilize virtual meeting methods with parents and stakeholders when possible.
• Ensure the HVAC systems continue to be maintained as required by the Indoor Air Quality Standard & notify facilities team of any issues immediately.
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch, high-traffic surface areas.
• Train employees on personal hygiene expectations, including increased frequency of hand washing, the use of hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol and, clear instruction to avoid touching hands to face.
• Training around screening of students for health symptoms and building isolation practices as well as privacy guidelines.
• Encourage employees and students who feel sick to stay home.
• Instructional items that are shared must be sanitized between uses
• Students will not be permitted to bring toys from home.
• We will advise children, families, and staff to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• We will always provide adequate supplies for good hygiene including clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and lined trash cans

#5 What Sanitation Protocols Will be Put in Place

• Surfaces will be wiped down nightly and between groups of students
• Water fountains will be turned off - two are being converted to touchless water bottle filling stations
  
• The Clorox Air Ionization System will be used frequently to kill germs/viruses
• Increase the frequency with which we clean equipment, and surfaces, especially doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and restrooms.
  
• Follow regular cleaning protocols and use an EPA-registered disinfectant that is active against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
  
• Cleaning protocols will be followed for cleaning of the isolation area that is used for anyone that presented with a fever or other symptoms

#6 How will drop off /pick up be handled?

• Upon arrival students will report directly to their assigned morning room, unless entering café line, socially distanced for breakfast. No holding areas of large groups will be permitted.
• Drop off requires health screening.
• Tardies will be scanned in using touchless system/ health screening and social distancing. During initial phase middle school students will not be permitted to sign themselves in as in the past.
• Stagger drop-off and pick-up times within reason to allow for social distancing and to avoid a large number of people congregating outside the facility or in front of the facility.
• Children and staff must wash/sanitize hands upon arrival
• Touchless sign in and out will be used when possible. No pen should be shared. “Clean” & “Dirty” pen receptacles will be present and clearly marked
• For dismissal students will remain in their classroom area until their name appears on the screen to report to the loading area.
• Students awaiting pick up in the loading area will use social distancing and stand on visual markers where available.

#7 - What about visitors to campus and volunteering?

• During the initial phase where strict social distancing is in place and we trying to limit exposure, we will not be permitting classroom visitors or volunteers
• Visitors will not be permitted to eat lunch with students during this initial phase of reopening due to social distancing and limiting exposure of students and staff to outside visitors
• School visitors will also be very limited and vendors must go through the same protocols and health screenings.
• Volunteer hours will be reduced for 2020-21 eliminating 1/4 due to 1st Quarter changes.
• We will have some off site - electronic ways to earn some volunteer hours

Our families did an amazing job adjusting to using Edmodo for online learning in the fall. CSUSA schools were all using different platforms. After much feedback and looking at which software was easiest/best, CSUSA has determined that all schools will move to Schoology! We are excited to make a switch to this plaform as it is very similar to Edmodo, but has a better system for students to submit assignments, and it is fully integrated with Powerschool.

As part of Schoology, students will have Microsoft Office 365 accounts with the full suite of programs/software and cloud storage. These are powerful learning tools. The video platform from Teams will be integrated as well, rather than having to also use Zoom.

Schoology will become our new one stop shop for students and parents!

We will be posting parent tutorials to help you become familiar with Schoology starting next week.

The office lobby will open for drop off from 8:30am-2:30pm. Monday-Friday

Drop off registration documents, immunizations, school owned devices if not returning to DCSS, musical instruments, uniform donations, etc. We will not be able to make copies for you of documents at this time, so it is a drop off only.

If you need to pick up student items, you can call ahead and we will place your child's belongings in the lobby for the day. *Medications have been disposed of as of 6/12*

Again, families must sign up for tours, drop in visitors will not be allowed past the lobby.

Devices should only be dropped off if the student will no longer be attending Duval Charter School at Southside.

Lobby hours will be 8:30am-2:30pm Monday through Friday, please ring buzzer.

We are making videos for returning families to show them updates with social distancing.

If you are new to DCSS and have not toured our building or it was many months ago and it would help you have a better start to school being on our campus, we want to give you the opportunity to sign up for a socially distanced tour first!

Masks are required and you must sign up to make sure that we have small groups. Temperature/health checks will be conducted upon entry. Max is three people per family - you would sign up for one time slot and indicate how many you are bringing total.

Please use this link to sign up for a tour time. More times will be added as these fill up. We will offer one Saturday morning date and two evenings. Most of the tours will be during the day time. We have not selected the Saturday yet, but it will be added.

Dates/Times - Sign up for Appointments for Used Uniform Sale

Dates/Times for virtual orientations/meet the teacher sessions!

Dress Code – School Attire Policy

A higher standard of dress encourages greater respect for individuals, students and others, and results in a higher standard of behavior. Our dress code guidelines indicate appropriate school dress during normal school days for every student. Please read the parent handbook for the complete uniform policy.

Our Uniform Donations/Surplus is currently out for laundering. We will be holding appointment time slots for purchasing of used uniforms. We hope to start 7/28 but are waiting to ensure we have the laundered items back.

To shop, masks will be required, social distancing will be in effect - please bring check or different amounts of cash bills to try and have exact cash - less handling of monies.

School Uniforms are currently on sale at our provider RC Uniforms. They are 15% off online or you must make an appointment to shop at the store. They are sending us an updated pricing sheet to update our school website with current pricing.

From the Uniform Store's Website:

11160 Beach Boulevard, Suite 126
Jacksonville, Florida 32246

Our store is located just west of I-295 in the Winn Dixie shopping center behind Arby’s.

Tel: 1-904-646-0493

Regular Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm & Saturday 10am-2pm

Summer Hours (July & August): Monday- Saturday 10am-6pm

We do have some remaining yearbooks which can be purchased through School Cash Online for $25 while supplies last!

We are not taking cash payments in the office, all payments have moved online. You will soon be able to see 2020-21 items for sale in MySchoolBucks

When registering for a MySchool Bucks Account - see below - you will need to select Renaissance Charter Schools (our governing board) not Duval County.

• 2020-21 pre-order yearbook $20 (price will increase in the spring!)
• 2019-20 Yearbook $25
• 2018-19 Yearbook $5
• Car Magnet $5
• Spirit Shirt $12
• Jeans Pass one Quarter $15
• Jeans Pass Semester 1 $25
• Jeans Pass Year $45
• Athletic Fee $75 (only after team rosters are confirmed, not for tryouts)

• School Donation (Principal's discretion - email if you would like it applied to certain item or event)
  
• Helping Hand Donation (pay off other's lunch accounts, supplies for those in need)
• Before/Aftercare Registration Fee $25 starting 7/20

NEW - one payment and be done!

• Gold Package (shirt, year jeans pass, pre-order yearbook, magnet) $75

We are now moving to ALL online payments going through one system! MySchoolBucks started as our meal payment site, but it will now be our site for Before/Aftercare Payments, Meal Accounts, Jeans Pass, Spirit Shirt, Field Trips, Purchasing Items, and donations!

If you do not have a MySchoolBucks account, set one up now!

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home

You will need to select "Renaissance Charter Schools" not Duval County Public Schools

Is your student currently in 6th grade going into 7th grade?

Has your student received the Tdap shot? (Usually at age 12)

Make sure the school has a copy of the Florida Shot Record

You must have this shot in order for your student to start school August 10th. Please visit your physician or clinic (listed below) to get the shot and obtain the Form DH-680 (required to be on this form) as soon as possible.

Florida Department of Health

5220 N Pearl Street

904-253-1420

Duval County Health Department

515 W 6th Street

904-253-1250

Duval County Health Department

900 University Blvd. N

904-253-1620

Once you have received this form showing proof of your student receiving the Tdap shot, please email it to bmerryman@southsidecharter.org or drop a copy by the school lobby M-F 8:30-2:30

Log your volunteer hours on a computer in your Powerschool account (option does not appear on the App)

IF you need to log more volunteer time and have been busy this fall, there are some off-site opportunities that can be done from home...

1 hr: Leave a positive review on Facebook, Yelp, or Great Schools - let shopping families know what you LOVE about Duval Charter at Southside. This helps our marketing team!

1 hr: Choose one of our enrollment/marketing social media posts and share it! That's it... help spread the word using the "share" button

https://www.smore.com/ykswz

Website: https://www.southsidecharter.org/
Location: 8680 A C Skinner Parkway, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Phone: 904-4235348
Facebook: facebook.com/DuvalSouthside
Twitter: @DCSSouthside