David Asato
Federal Relief Funds Programs Specialist
April 2023
After three iterations over the course of two years, the final Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plans will be due on July 14, 2023. As we prepare for our last submissions, here are a few tips which we are hoping may help with the process:
While our plans have evolved to keep pace with the changing environment around us, please note that we still need to provide our mitigation strategies tied to health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which we have adopted policies, and a description of any such policies, on each of the safety recommendations established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed on the checklist. When it comes to social distancing, for example, if this is no longer being required within your schools, please note this in your plan. This could, if applicable, also include an ‘unless’ statement such as, ‘Social distancing is no longer being required in any of our schools or offices. We will return to implementing 3 feet of spacing between desks in classrooms if there is a school-wide outbreak.’
Please ensure that you are continuing to meet the minimum safety, academic, social, emotional, and mental health requirements.
When it comes to your district’s policies and procedures tied to health and safety measures, these can be replaced by a commitment to following the policies or procedures of a government agency. For example, instead of needing to provide policies tied to mask wearing, you could instead say that your schools will adhere to the CDC guidance tied to the use of masks and provide a link to the CDC guidance which will be followed.
Please ensure that you are seeking stakeholder guidance when determining whether or not your plan needs to be revised. If you do make modifications to your plan, please also be sure to get stakeholder feedback prior to submitting it to NDE. Please include the date(s) that this revision was reviewed and the date that it was approved within your plan.
When submitting your plans, please upload them to the LEA Document Library (Root Folder 2021) in ePAGE.
For the final review, Reggie Grisham, reginald.grisham@doe.nv.gov, will be reviewing the plans for Douglas, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Nye, Story, Washoe, and White Pine.
As you work on your final plans, please know that Reggie and I are more than happy to answer any questions which you may have or to meet with you to provide guidance. Please also feel free to submit drafts of your plans to us prior to the July 14, 2023 due date if you would like for us to review them and provide feedback. Thank you and we are looking forward to reviewing your final Safe Return plans in July.