Frequently Asked Questions

Capital School District has compiled a list of frequently asked questions that families and the community may have as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please choose the section you would like to view below to learn more.

Capital School District Return to School Plan

 Frequently Asked Questions 


What does Hybrid Learning look like?

Capital has transitioned into the Hybrid Learning Model. Students have been split into three groups. Group A attends in person learning on Monday & Tuesday with virtual learning Thursday and Friday. Group B participates in virtual learning Monday and Tuesday and attend in person on Thursday & Friday. All families choosing to remain on virtual learning are in Group C and they continue with virtual learning Monday through Friday. Below is an example of what a hybrid schedule may look like. 

Learning Plan graphic

How will hybrid learning for William Henry Middle School work with it being closed due to the damage from the tornado? 

As you know William Henry Middle School (WHMS) suffered extensive damage as a result of the tornado in August, which has resulted in Central Middle School (CMS) and William Henry Middle School sharing space at CMS. WHMS has transitioned to the East Wing of CMS. The east wing entrance has been converted to the WHMS Office Suite, which can be accessed from the circle around the front of CMS. Teachers will share classrooms for Hybrid Instruction to make use of limited space. The devastation from the tornado has made moving to hybrid even more challenging. Teachers at WHMS and CMS will be working from the building 3 days a week and will work remotely on the remaining 2 days. Grades 5 and 7 will work at CMS Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Teachers in Grades 6 and 8 will work from the building on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  To make hybrid work, this was the best possible approach. 

What is the plan for Dover High School Students?

Students who choose the Hybrid Learning Approach will be placed into a cohort that will enter the building two days/week for face-to-face learning. Students who choose to remain remote, will continue to zoom with their teachers for the first 30-minutes of class. Instructional methods will remain consistent as our teachers will continue using our online curriculum resources as the foundation for their content delivery. Face to face time will be additional time to reinforce taught material and to provide personalized help to students who are attending in person. Students attending remotely will continue to be able to remain on the zoom for a longer period of time for additional help, or connect with their teacher during their extra-help/office hours for assistance.

 

When will my child return to school full time?

The Capital School District will continue to follow the guidance for school reopening as outlined in the Governor’s School Reopening Plan which is guided by the recommendation from the Division of Public Health. The district will continue to communicate full time reopening updates as they are available.

How will students stay safe during the days they are engaging in in-school learning?

The Capital School District will follow the Delaware Department of Education guidelines for returning to school. Staff as well as students in kindergarten through 12th grade must wear masks covering their nose and mouth. Additional protocols such as social distancing and good handwashing practices will be followed. All staff and students will have access to hand sanitizer and school nursing staff during the school day. Custodians will frequently clean classrooms and high touch areas throughout the day in accordance with CDC guidelines. In addition, deep cleaning will occur every evening. Families will be provided with COVID -19 screening questions which should be completed at home prior to coming to school each day. More information about safety protocols will be provided to families prior to the start of in person instruction at school.

Will meal delivery continue as it had been to those who choose Virtual Learning over Hybrid Learning?

Capital’s Child Nutrition Department has entered into the second phase of the Capital School District's feeding initiative. In addition to the current meal delivery schedule, we are now providing curbside meal pickup for children under the age of 18 from 3 to 6 pm on Monday through Friday. Onsite meals can be picked up at Dover High School, Central Middle School and all elementary schools. Students will be provided meals in school on the days when they are engaging in in-school learning.

My child is struggling and needs guidance. How can I get help from a counselor school-based mental health worker? 

School Based Mental Health Team members continue to be available to address individual needs. Capital has a Counselor Communication Request process for students and families who would like additional, social, emotional or mental health support from a counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).  Check out the Family Resource Center if your child needs support. In addition, in the event a staff member notices that a student may be experiencing challenges they can connect them to the appropriate support person using the Tier II referral form.   

What can I do to mitigate the impact of COVID-19?

There are several things that our staff, students and families can do to remain healthy and safe:

Add your phone to the COVID-19 Fight – Download the COVID Alert DE App
Wear a face covering in public
Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet from others)
Practice good hand hygiene
Cough or sneeze into your elbow
Clean frequently used surfaces often
Don’t go to work if you are sick
Anyone can get tested for COVID-19 – even those with no symptoms
Help us stop the virus; answer the call from our contact tracers – the phone number they call from is 302-446-4262, or your caller ID will say DE PUBLIC HEALTH
Capital School District will have onsite voluntary testing on November 4-5 at Dover High School and East Dover Elementary.

We welcome your partnership as our students and staff return to the school buildings. Instruction may not be delivered in the same approach as in years past, but please know that this year will be a special year of learning and growing for every student.

What is the Student Success Guide and how can one access it?

The new 2020-2021 Student Success Guide is now available online. This is a wonderful resource for both students and parents to help our children become successful students. The goal of the guide is to help our students reflect on the Portrait of a Senator; students who are Learners, Respectful, Honest, Engaged, Compassionate, Accountable, Responsible, and Determined. This guide helps families and students understand both the behavioral expectations, as well as the supports available throughout each of our schools and the District. We encourage you to review its contents and keep it as a handy reference. If you have any questions, please talk to a teacher, staff member or school administrator.

What is the status of the two new interconnected middle schools?

The Capital School District’s Board of Education approved the design for the two new interconnected middle schools that Becker Morgan Group, the architect group, presented during the July 9, 2020 board meeting. The resolution adopted during the meeting approved the design development plans and elevation to be submitted to the State of Delaware Department of Education and Division of Facilities Management. During the recent September 16, 2020 board meeting, the Board of Education adopted Resolution No. 21-144 approving the Construction Documents package as required by the Department of Education School Construction Manual to allow submission for permits and approvals. Learn more about the design for the two new interconnected middle schools by watching a video created by Becker Morgan with an introduction by our Interim Superintendent Dr. Sylvia M. Henderson, where you will have a generous look at the design points and layout of the schools. View the video here.

 

How will families receive communication from the Capital School District?

Capital School District continues to prioritize communication with all of our students, families, staff and community members, particularly during this unprecedented time. The district has established a communication plan for timely and effective dissemination of information to our school community regarding virtual and hybrid learning models, social and emotional well-being, health and safety precautions, and other topics of interest to our Capital families.

Communication is shared through a variety of methods including, but not limited to district and school websites, the mass notification system, social media, and Capital School District Board meetings. Additional information is periodically shared via US mail. If you are not receiving district and school calls or mailings, please contact your school directly to update your contact information.

When is the next board meeting?

The next board meeting will be held on February  17, 2021 at 7 pm. You can get more information on any board meetings by visiting the following link:

https://www.capital.k12.de.us/discover_capital/public_meetings



Helpful Links

Capital School District - COVID-19 page: https://bit.ly/csdstayhealthy

Capital School District’s 2020-2021 Student Success Guide: https://bit.ly/3bjagxw

Capital School District Meal Delivery information: https://bit.ly/csdmealdelivery

Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/

Delaware’s COVID-19 Page: https://de.gov/coronavirus

Department Department of Education: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/

Two Interconnected Middle Schools Design video: (Link to video)

General COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Will the district continue to supply meals to students? If so, how?

We are now providing meals through the Summer Food Program. The schedule is the same as it was during the end of the school year with COVID-19 Remote Learning. For more information including routes and times, please visit: http://bit.ly/csdmealdelivery  There will be no meal delivery on July 3, 2020.

Will the district communicate if there is a potential exposure to COVID-19?

Where appropriate, we will directly communicate information out to any potentially exposed individuals.

How can I help?

At this point, Capital continues to operate on a fluid basis so that we are planning for potential longer-term closures while providing as much support as we can to our students and families. For now, things you can do.
a. Follow the WHO Standard Precautions
b. Stay home when possible.

 

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