(Canton, Ohio) – The Canton City School district is returning to class full-time this year.

Grades PreK-5 will return to school tentatively on August 24 and August 25 and attend every day, all day. Transition grades (PreK, Kindergarten, and third grade will start on Monday) joined by everyone else on Tuesday at the elementary buildings.

Grades 6-12 will attend class in person two days per week also beginning the week of August 24. Students will be divided into two groups, based alphabetically, with exceptions given to blended families with different last names. Group A will attend school on two designated days and Group B will attend on two different days with all participating in remote learning on-at-home days.

All students will have the option of virtual school only. Designated teachers will teach online classes and be responsible for ensuring those students are being served remotely. Interactive lessons will be designed and delivered by CCS teachers.

Parents have been asked to complete a survey indicating which option they have chosen.

Face coverings will be required for students attending in-person classes and when riding buses or not seated at their desks. District staff will also be required to wear face coverings. The district will have masks available for those who need them.

Plans are reportedly still in the works related to how best accommodate students in career and technical programs. Additionally, officials explained students with special needs will receive personalized plans based on the student’s individual progress.

Parents are expected to receive a survey that will ask them to select whether they plan to send their child to school. Those who choose online learning will be asked to commit to it for nine weeks.

Social Distancing

• Officials confirmed that desks will be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
• Students will remain in the same group throughout the day. Elementary staff will rotate between classrooms to reduce the congestion during class transitions. Middle and high school students will have block scheduling.
• Breakfasts and lunches will be served in classrooms to minimize student transitions.
• Hallways and sidewalks will be marked to indicate social distancing and flow of travel.
• Recess will be held in specific areas by class to keep students in their own groups.
• Assemblies and field trips have been canceled.

Cleanliness

• Use of shared items will be limited or will be cleaned between use. Each student will be given their own iPad.
• Spaces will be cleaned and sanitized more often. The district also reported it has increased air-flow in nearly all buildings.
• Visitors and volunteers will be limited.

Transportation

• Students who ride the bus will be required to wear a mask and will be given assigned seats.
• There will be a maximum of two students per seat when possible.
• The seat behind the bus driver will remain empty and each bus will have an empty seat reserved for a rider who may feel ill.
• The sanitation of buses will increase.
• Fewer students are expected to be transported this year. The district approved paying $250 to families for 40 students, who mostly attend a charter or private school, in lieu of transportation.

Facemasks

• The district is expected to release a face-covering policy that includes consequences for those who violate the rules.

COVID-19 Symptoms

• Staff will receive training on how to spot the symptoms of COVID-19.
• Students and staff will not receive temperature checks at school, but families are advised to check for symptoms at home.
• Every building will have a designated area for students and staff who have developed symptoms.