We are excited for the 2020-2021 school year and hope that you share in our excitement! The entire 6th grade staff would like to welcome you to the middle school and are looking forward to meeting you. This year is very unique and we embrace the opportunity to partner with each of you in making this the best year of your educational journey!
Due to the uniqueness of this year, we felt it best to provide some answers to frequently asked questions below. If your question is not answered below, please contact us and we will get the question answered or put you in contact with the person that can.
1. Are students required to wear masks?
Yes, students are required to wear masks on buses, in the hallways, and when making transitions. Masks are also required in the classrooms, per Governor Dewine’s orders.
Will students that have asthma or other medical issues be required to wear a mask?
Students that have a doctor’s excuse will not be required to wear a mask. Please notify each building office with the appropriate documentation.
2. How will teachers maintain social distancing in the classrooms?
Pleasant is working to minimize the risk by eliminating and reducing furniture. Pleasant will also be providing each student with a portable, clear, tri-fold shield. We will do our best to physical distance. Lunches have been rearranged to promote physical distancing. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee 100% social distancing.
3. Will the school be taking students’ temperatures before they enter the building?
No, the school will not be taking student temperatures. Parents/Guardians are expected to take their student’s temperature AND look for symptoms before sending their student to school each day. Do not send your child to school if they have a fever (greater than 100.4 degrees F), or exhibit multiple symptoms, such as: shortness of breath, sore throat/cough, diarrhea, or any other symptoms attributed to COVID-19.
4. If a student has a fever (or other COVID symptoms) will they be required to quarantine at home for 14 days regardless of diagnosis?
Parents are to contact their primary care physician. Pleasant Local Schools will follow guidance from Marion County Health Department.
5. What factors will determine which plan the district is in?
We will work closely with the Marion Health Department to make decisions regarding which plan we are in. Further, each building has the potential to be on a different plan depending on the exposure levels specific to each building.
6. Will the attendance policy change due to the school requiring students to stay home that exhibit symptoms?
The district will adhere to the attendance policies put forth by the state of Ohio. Whenever a student is home sick, please contact each building office so we can document the absence.
7. If a child in a class tests positive for COVID-19, will the whole class be required to quarantine?
We are going to rely on the guidance from the Marion Health Department and medical professionals when making decisions to quarantine.
8. What will the protocol be for allowing children to return after they have been sick or had a fever?
Our policy states that in order for a student to return (not diagnosed with COVID-19), they must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication. For those students that have tested positive for COVID-19, we will adhere to the Marion Health Department’s regulations and guidance to ensure a safe return to school.
9. What is the protocol if a student, staff member, or family member of either one has a positive case of Covid-19?
Parents are to contact the Marion County Health Department and Pleasant Local Schools.
10. Is there a way to minimize kids in the halls in middle school by having teachers rotate instead of the kids for the basic classes?
MS will be turning off the bells and staggering release times for classes to minimize congestion in the hallways. 2nd and 3rd floors in the MS will be one way and in the 6th grade wing, we will split the hall and have kids stay to the right.
11. How does that look for gym, in a non air conditioned school, with a mask on?
Teachers are designing lessons that promote physical distancing and will go outside as much as possible.
12. How will IEP meetings take place if visitors aren’t allowed in the building?
All IEP meetings will take place via Zoom. Your child’s teacher will work with you to set up a date/time that works for you.
13. Will the busses be running at full capacity?
Parents will be asked to fill out a transportation document in Final Forms. Routes will be adjusted based on the responses. We cannot guarantee physical distancing on the bus.
14. Will visitors/parent volunteers still be allowed into the school?
No, buildings are closed to all non-essential personnel for the school year. Parents are asked to ring the office doorbell for the MS and someone will meet you at the door. Sign in’s & sign outs will be electronically.
15. Will classes still rotate specials or other classes?
PLMS will continue to transition to classes, although they will stagger times in the hallways.
16. What will students’ days on IEP’s look like? Will they still have inclusion? Will they be pulled?
PLMS will continue to be on an inclusion model with targeted, specific support times scheduled throughout the day.
17. What is the status of fall sports? Will spectators be allowed?
As of right now the OHSAA has approved sports for the fall. We are monitoring and adhering to the OHSAA and State guidelines in regards to spectators - please refer to the OHSAA website for documented guidelines. (www.OHSAA.org)
18. In the event that kids need to stay home for fever or exposure, will they be able to "zoom" in to regular classes at the Middle School? How will this impact their overall attendance expectation?
If a child has to stay home due to exposure or a covid diagnosis their work will be provided to them via Canvas which is a learning management system that our district staff will be using. Their absences will not be held against them in terms of passage of classes.
19. Will kids be allowed to come into school late if they have an excused appointment or is it an all or nothing day?
Yes, kids can come in late and can leave early. We will be following our normal procedures for this.
20. How and how much information will we (parents) be provided in the event of suspected exposure?
Pleasant Local Schools will work in collaboration with the Marion County Health Department and follow their guidelines.
21. In the event of moving from a PLAN A to PLAN B or PLAN C, would that ever happen in the middle of a school day (early dismissal)?
As typical, parents need to be prepared for an early dismissal in the event of weather or any other calamity.
Yes, students are required to wear masks on buses, in the hallways, and when making transitions. Masks are also required in the classrooms, per Governor Dewine’s orders.
Will students that have asthma or other medical issues be required to wear a mask?
Students that have a doctor’s excuse will not be required to wear a mask. Please notify each building office with the appropriate documentation.
2. How will teachers maintain social distancing in the classrooms?
Pleasant is working to minimize the risk by eliminating and reducing furniture. Pleasant will also be providing each student with a portable, clear, tri-fold shield. We will do our best to physical distance. Lunches have been rearranged to promote physical distancing. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee 100% social distancing.
3. Will the school be taking students’ temperatures before they enter the building?
No, the school will not be taking student temperatures. Parents/Guardians are expected to take their student’s temperature AND look for symptoms before sending their student to school each day. Do not send your child to school if they have a fever (greater than 100.4 degrees F), or exhibit multiple symptoms, such as: shortness of breath, sore throat/cough, diarrhea, or any other symptoms attributed to COVID-19.
4. If a student has a fever (or other COVID symptoms) will they be required to quarantine at home for 14 days regardless of diagnosis?
Parents are to contact their primary care physician. Pleasant Local Schools will follow guidance from Marion County Health Department.
5. What factors will determine which plan the district is in?
We will work closely with the Marion Health Department to make decisions regarding which plan we are in. Further, each building has the potential to be on a different plan depending on the exposure levels specific to each building.
6. Will the attendance policy change due to the school requiring students to stay home that exhibit symptoms?
The district will adhere to the attendance policies put forth by the state of Ohio. Whenever a student is home sick, please contact each building office so we can document the absence.
7. If a child in a class tests positive for COVID-19, will the whole class be required to quarantine?
We are going to rely on the guidance from the Marion Health Department and medical professionals when making decisions to quarantine.
8. What will the protocol be for allowing children to return after they have been sick or had a fever?
Our policy states that in order for a student to return (not diagnosed with COVID-19), they must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication. For those students that have tested positive for COVID-19, we will adhere to the Marion Health Department’s regulations and guidance to ensure a safe return to school.
9. What is the protocol if a student, staff member, or family member of either one has a positive case of Covid-19?
Parents are to contact the Marion County Health Department and Pleasant Local Schools.
10. Is there a way to minimize kids in the halls in middle school by having teachers rotate instead of the kids for the basic classes?
MS will be turning off the bells and staggering release times for classes to minimize congestion in the hallways. 2nd and 3rd floors in the MS will be one way and in the 6th grade wing, we will split the hall and have kids stay to the right.
11. How does that look for gym, in a non air conditioned school, with a mask on?
Teachers are designing lessons that promote physical distancing and will go outside as much as possible.
12. How will IEP meetings take place if visitors aren’t allowed in the building?
All IEP meetings will take place via Zoom. Your child’s teacher will work with you to set up a date/time that works for you.
13. Will the busses be running at full capacity?
Parents will be asked to fill out a transportation document in Final Forms. Routes will be adjusted based on the responses. We cannot guarantee physical distancing on the bus.
14. Will visitors/parent volunteers still be allowed into the school?
No, buildings are closed to all non-essential personnel for the school year. Parents are asked to ring the office doorbell for the MS and someone will meet you at the door. Sign in’s & sign outs will be electronically.
15. Will classes still rotate specials or other classes?
PLMS will continue to transition to classes, although they will stagger times in the hallways.
16. What will students’ days on IEP’s look like? Will they still have inclusion? Will they be pulled?
PLMS will continue to be on an inclusion model with targeted, specific support times scheduled throughout the day.
17. What is the status of fall sports? Will spectators be allowed?
As of right now the OHSAA has approved sports for the fall. We are monitoring and adhering to the OHSAA and State guidelines in regards to spectators - please refer to the OHSAA website for documented guidelines. (www.OHSAA.org)
18. In the event that kids need to stay home for fever or exposure, will they be able to "zoom" in to regular classes at the Middle School? How will this impact their overall attendance expectation?
If a child has to stay home due to exposure or a covid diagnosis their work will be provided to them via Canvas which is a learning management system that our district staff will be using. Their absences will not be held against them in terms of passage of classes.
19. Will kids be allowed to come into school late if they have an excused appointment or is it an all or nothing day?
Yes, kids can come in late and can leave early. We will be following our normal procedures for this.
20. How and how much information will we (parents) be provided in the event of suspected exposure?
Pleasant Local Schools will work in collaboration with the Marion County Health Department and follow their guidelines.
21. In the event of moving from a PLAN A to PLAN B or PLAN C, would that ever happen in the middle of a school day (early dismissal)?
As typical, parents need to be prepared for an early dismissal in the event of weather or any other calamity.
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
Our breakfast and lunch menus are posted on the "forms, documents and calendars" page. Go to the page to download the most recent menus for the middle school.
Pleasant Middle School - Centennial Video
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AWESOME JOB STUDENTS AND STAFF!
Check it out!
AWESOME JOB STUDENTS AND STAFF!