MERRIMACK SCHOOL DISTRICT REOPENING PROPOSAL FALL 2020 The

MERRIMACK SCHOOL DISTRICT REOPENING PROPOSAL: FALL 2020 ØThe Process ØThe Considerations ØThe Plan--Part I

REOPENING TASK FORCE GROUPS Dual On Location/Remote Learning Updated 7/6/2020 Monitoring Committee Chair: John Fabrizio Nancy Rose, Director of Media, Library and Technology Naomi Schoenfeld, School Board Member Sharon Putney, Principal Bill Morris, Assistant Principal Michaela Champlin, Assistant Principal Shawna D’Amour, Assistant Principal Bonnie Painchaud, Assistant Principal Michelle Romein, Principal Heather Barker, Director of Student Services Allison Spencer, Librarian Cheryl Smith, Math Coordinator Nicole Rheault, Language Arts Coordinator Deb Barker, School Counselor Mark Merrifield, Technology Coordinator Lynea Forand, Administrative Assistant CO DW SB MHS MUS TFS MMS RFS MES SS MHS MMS MUS MHS CO ELA Team *Michelle Romein, Principal *Sharon Putney, Principal Adam Goodman, Technology Coordinator 5 -8 Jeanette Cote, Language Arts Coordinator Jane Calnan, Language Arts Coordinator *Nicole Rheault, Language Arts Coordinator Holly Lubelczyk, Language Arts Coordinator Nicole Diggins, Language Arts Coordinator Jan Moynihan Cooney, English Department *Allison Spencer, Librarian Melissa Lloyd, Grade 1 Teacher Anna Boghigian, Kindergarten Teacher Amanda Lessard, Special Education Teacher Kim Chouinard, Pre-school Teacher Jen Haeck, Grade 1 Teacher Melanie Swienski-Sadek, Grade 6 Maryanne Sabat, Special Education Teacher Jessica Gott, English Teacher MES MHS MUS RFS TFS MUS MES MMS MHS RFS MES RFS TFS MUS MES MHS

Math Team Unified Arts Team *Bonnie Painchaud, Assistant Principal RFS *Michaela Champlin, Assistant Principal TFS Ron Delude, Math Department MHS Emily Hillman, Music Teacher RFS Mikayla Ramsdell, Math Teacher MHS Rich Greenier, Physical Education Teacher 5 -6 MUS *Cheryl Smith, Math Coordinator MMS Amy Larkin-Perez, Physical Education Teacher MHS Louis Mailloux, Grade 5 Teacher MUS Julie Roy, Unified Arts MMS Laura Howe, Grade 2 Teacher/Math Facilitator TFS Jenn Saucier, Physical Education Teacher TFS Nancy Romero, Special Education Coordinator MUS Erica Mc. Laughlin Pereira, Digital Learning Specialist MES Carole Lewis, Computer Teacher RFS Tammy Lambrou, Business Teacher MHS Sherry Rosswaag, Kindergarten Teacher RFS Patricia Cunningham, Band MHS Alice Donahoe, Grade 4 Teacher MES

Science Team Social Studies Team *Bill Morris, Assistant Principal MUS *Shawna D’Amour, Assistant Principal Adam French, Science Department MHS Rob Huckins, Social Studies Department Jenna Deschaine, Science Teacher MHS Emily Hartmann, Social Studies Teacher Eleni Floras, Science Teacher MHS Luke Woods, Social Studies Teacher Jeff Caron, Science Teacher MMS Jill Silano, Social Studies Teacher Allison Mac. Guire, Grade 3 Teacher/Science Facilitator RFS Ashley Desmarais, Grade 5 Cristy Jenkins, Special Education Teacher TFS Lori Puzzo, Librarian Ashley Sawyer, Grade 5 Teacher MUS Meghan Pearson, Grade 2 Teacher

Schedule Consideration Sub-Committee Task Force Chair: John Fabrizio Sharon Putney, Principal Rich Zampieri, Assistant Principal Mark Merrifield, Technology Coordinator Deb Barker, Director School Counseling Bryce Williams, World Language Adam Caragher, Principal Cheryl Smith, Math Coordinator

Special Education/504/Title I Chair: *Heather Barker Shelley Lefebvre, Special Ed. Coord. Kara Cave, Preschool Coordinator Melissa Terry, Pre-school Teacher Christine Reinart, Special Ed. Teacher Nancy Romero, Special Ed. Coord. Marsha Mc. Gill, Principal Christina Connor, 504 Coordinator Cathy Krammes, Admin. Assist. *Michaela Champlin, Assist. Principal Cristy Jenkins, Special Ed Teacher Christine Damback, Paraeducator Emily Reese, Out of District Coord. Erin Mac. Lean, Special Ed Teacher Meredith Davine, Special Ed Coord. Hope Sette, Special Ed Coord. Stephanie Womersley, Pre. School Tchr Laureen Dorow, School Psychologist Sue Luhrs, Title I Director *Naomi Schoenfeld, School Board Brenda Wygant. Preschool Teacher Betsy Fowler, Special Ed Coordinator Karen Eagan, Special Ed Coordinator SS RFS Sp/s RFS MHS MUS MHS SS TFS TFS SS MUS MMS MES MHS CO SB TFS TFS

Student Wellness Chair: Fern Seiden TFS Kelly Grassini, Nurse RFS Bryan Young, School Counselor MUS Dan Leone, School Counselor MHS Julie Dunn, Admin. Assist. SS Maggie Croteau, Health Teacher MMS Kate Merva, Grade 3 Teacher RFS Bernice Saranita, Music Teacher MUS Diane Donahue, Cota TFS Lindsey Mc. Elhinney, Spec Ed Tchr MMS Kristine Colburn, School Counselor MHS *Deb Barker, School Counselor MHS Cassie Earley, School Counselor MES Bob Walrath, School Psychologist MHS Julie De. Luca, Principal TFS

Infrastructure Task Force Chair: Matt Shevenell Sue Stubbs, Preschool Teacher Lindsay Townsend, Grade 1 Teacher Noel Rosenswaike, Grade 4 Teacher Mary Beth Donovan, Art Teacher Rich Zampieri, Assistant Principal Adam French, Science Department Carolyn Rordam, Art Department Amy Larkin-Perez, Physical Education Teacher Mike Soucy, Athletic Director Dorian Walters, Administrative Assistant Denise Mc. Laughlin, Digital Learning Specialist Marya Coutoumas, Administrative Assistant Marcy Smith, Administrative Assistant Cindy Poirier, MESSA President Jane Ravenelle, Administrative Assistant Melissa Gagne, HR Manager Laura Bobbit, Admin. Assist. /Adult Ed Director Pearl Brattan, Accounting Alisha Hanson-Proulx, Assistant Principal Louise Casseres, Administrative Assistant CO RFS RFS MHS MHS MHS TFS MUS MMS MES RFS CO MES

Food Service/Delivery Chair: Matt Shevenell Dave Dziki, Food Service Director Chris Shanahan, Admin. Assistant Laura Bobbitt, Admin. Assistant, Adult Ed Dir Alisha Hansen-Proulx, Assistant Principal Louise Casseres, Admin. Assistant Deb Jordan, Kindergarten Instructional Assist. Julie De. Luca, Assistant Principal CO Transportation Chair: Matt Shevenell Rich Desmond, Transportation Coord Michelle Bancroft, Bus Company Laura Bobbitt, Admin. Assistant, Adult Ed Dir Alisha Hansen-Proulx, Assistant Principal Louise Casseres, Admin. Assistant CO FS FS RFS MES TFS CO STA RFS MES

Athletics/Co-Curricular Health and Hygiene Chair: Mike Soucy, Athletic Director MHS Chair: Jackie Mc. Mahon, Nurse TFS Dave Babin, MMS Athletics MMS Kelly Grassini, Nurse RFS Michelle Bancroft, Transportation STA Joanne Talbot, Nurse MUS Pat Cunningham, Band MHS Michelle Webster, Nurse MES Mike Dumais, Maintenance MHS Stephanie Davenport, Nurse MMS Harley Hall, Class Advisor MHS Pattie Chouinard, Nurse MHS Peter Bergeron, Administration MHS Karen Hammes, Nurse MHS

Professional Development Chair: John Fabrizio CO Kim Yarlott, Principal RFS Jenna Deschaine, Science Teacher MHS Matt O’Brien, English Teacher MHS Louis Maillou, Grade 5 Teacher MUS Marsha Mc. Gill, Principal MUS Bill Morris, Assistant Principal MUS Harley Hall, Social Studies Teacher MHS

School District Parents Chair: Mark Mc. Laughlin Rachel Paepke, Parent Kim Desmarais, Parent Michelle Mackey, Parent Chrissy Doubleday, Parent Julie Kabel, Parent Lisa Markarian, Parent Mandy Kovaliv, Parent Martha Gagnon, Parent Tim Lewis, Parent Deanna Pearson, Parent Amy Hill, Parent Meghan Beaulieu, Parent Renee Hagopian, Parent Nicole Dalbec-Joyal, Parent Gianne Cruz, Parent Lisa Diepitriantonio, Parent Tammy Dewar, Parent Tara Ponder, Parent CO TFS TFS RFS RFS MES MES MUS MUS MMS MMS MHS MHS

Merrimack School District Parent Survey Results

Merrimack School District Staff Survey Results

Merrimack School District Staff Survey Results

Merrimack School District Staff Survey Results

CONSIDERATIONS • Number of daily new cases in NH on March 16 th - 4 • Number of confirmed cases in NH on March 30 th – 56 • Number of confirmed cases in NH on April 30 th - 96 • Number of confirmed cases in NH on May 30 th – 39 • Number of confirmed cases in NH on June 30 th – 22 • Number of confirmed cases in NH on July 11 th - 33

QUESTIONS Will these numbers rise/decline/stabilize AFTER • A summer of travelers to NH? • Continued phases of state and national reopening? • Will/could/might NH be impacted by rising COVID-19 cases nationally? • If Merrimack closed schools on March 13 th, and the state closed schools on March 15 th, with NH recording 4 daily new cases as of March 16 th, what evidence is there to suggest the situation is significantly different now?

CONSIDERATIONS: RESEARCH AND DATA General Agreements Found in the Research Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • transmission via people with no symptoms, or during the few days before symptoms are apparent, is a primary driver of COVID-19 spread Johns Hopkins study • believe in the power of masks • even in the quarantine bubble keep six feet away • NH DHHS • if we relax our social distancing too quickly, we risk subsequent outbreaks of COVID-19

RESEARCH SUPPORT ADVISORY BOARD Advisory Board helps leaders and future leaders in the health care industry work smarter and faster by providing provocative insights, actionable strategies, and practical tools to support execution. With more than 40 years of experience, a team of over 250 experts, and a network of nearly 5, 000 member organizations, Advisory Board spends more time researching the now and predicting the next than anyone else in the health care industry.

ADVISORY BOARD SUMMARY OF RESEARCH REGARDING TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 AND SCHOOLS • Research Offers Mixed Results • Researchers agree that children are not contracting novel coronavirus at the same rate as adults BUT • Research has yet to show whether children transmit novel coronavirus at a similar rate as adults • Widespread school closures and a low rate of testing among school age children could be contributing to the lower number of reported COVID-19 cases among children • Since most other respiratory virus can and do transmit between adults and children, it would be odd if the novel coronavirus didn’t have some similar likelihood of transmission • Insufficient American data due to near universal school closures since March

QUESTIONS Will/could transmission between children aged 4 -18 and between children and adults to adults in a school setting increase with the reopening of schools? If possible, is it the responsibility of schools to mitigate this potential increase in transmission of COVID-19 in schools? What are the most effective known mitigation strategies?

CONSIDERATIONS As of July 12, 2020, at 9: 00 am 620 active cases of COVID-19 in New Hampshire 355 active cases of COVID-19 in So. Central NH Communities Bedford 44 Goffstown 115 Hudson 10 Londonderry 14 Manchester 54 Merrimack 14 Nashua 71 Salem 33 57% of active COVID-19 cases in NH are in So. Central NH --NH DHHS

QUESTIONS What will impact be on COVID-19 transmission in NH in general, and So. Central communities in particular, AFTER a summer of phased reopening in NH and the US? What will/could/might be the impact on COVID-19 transmission once 4000 students and 850 staff return to school buildings AFTER a summer of phased reopening in NH and the US?

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • We are failing our students with remote learning. It should not continue. I never intended to home school my student. • I feel that all students must return at full capacity with no mask requirement • I refuse to send my child back if face masks are mandatory • It is very unlikely that I will send my child back to school after watching the numbers rise in the south after opening things back up. I need more data before I would take that risk.

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • If my child has to wear a mask all day, he will not be returning • My child will return if their (sic) is a somewhat "normal" school day. . . no face masks, recess and all of the specials are incorporated into the day. • Students should be encouraged to wear masks • I do not want my child to be affected with crazy distancing. He deserves to have normal socialization • My child will only return when we get more information and see how everything goes with the state opening up. We have a high risk disabled child living in the house and it's not worth the risk

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • My child will NOT be mandated to wear a face mask, but instead the school should implement social distancing and increased cleaning • I do not believe the school district can safely open up the schools in the fall. If they could not safely open up for summer school with 4 to 6 students per class in a mostly empty building, they can not open for several hundred. • My child will not wear a mask, not because i don’t like them but he has sensory processing issues and can not keep one on we have tried in many different places. • To force a child to wear one is not ok • Mask for all. • Face coverings in hallways/common areas • Mandatory face covers • Masks for all

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • Children need to live, let them. I heard during one of the online meetings an administrator state "It's our job to protect these kids. " That is incorrect. The school systems job is to educate first, protecting would fall into a secondary role. It's the parents role to protect their children, that includes protecting them from bullies, sickness, overreach, etc.

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • I simply do not see how the schools can realistically keep kids and families safe from the active pandemic in a small enclosed building. We have had trouble preventing our 6 year old from running and hugging cousins and grandparents when we are doing quick grocery exchanges. I don't see how a teacher will keep 20 -30 6 year olds from handing their germs and viruses around when they haven't seen much of other people for months at that point. • During quarantine I watched my 8 year old child fall into a deep depression he actually told me that he felt like he fell in a hole and couldn’t get out of it. The following days my 5 year old was super depressed also. I feel that is just as as the covid crisis. The children more than anyone need some normalcy and consistency back.

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • During quarantine I watched my 8 year old child fall into a deep depression he actually told me that he felt like he fell in a hole and couldn’t get out of it. The following days my 5 year old was super depressed also. I feel that is just as as the covid crisis. The children more than anyone need some normalcy and consistency back.

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • I really think the state reopenings are hugely premature, and when we have had infections of the cleaning staff and at the graduation, which was supposedly socially distanced and careful, how can you possibly handle a full school reopening without just creating an explosion of cases? • September will be just like March unless a miracle happens and I don't see that changing until there is an effective vaccine and better treatments. I would ask you to answer the question of how many infections you are prepared to accept?

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • Right now kids are getting together all of the time with their friends. If they can go hang out at the beach all day, then they can go to school and be productive too! There should be NO reason why they cannot go back to school in the fall. The data has shown that kids are not impacted by COVID and if additionally, safeguards are in place, they should be fine. They NEED to learn and they NEED to go to school. It is not right that we have cheated our children of these opportunities to learn and grow. Remote learning frankly didn't cut it…We 100% support kids going back to school otherwise we are simply just cheating them of their learning and social growth. If some families are nervous, that's their choice and perhaps they can leave their kid at home to do worksheets, but I want more structure and a regular routine for my kid. Otherwise, these kids are just going to keep getting farther and farther behind academically. I have no idea when my kid will "catch up" on missed learning and this is especially important for kids (like mine) who are not deeply self-motivated. They need to be held accountable and if they think it's a free-for-all right now because of "no school", they will never establish a strong work ethic and truly understand the accountability concept outside the home. These are impressionable years and we can't miss out on this opportunity.

CONSIDERATIONS/REFLECTIONS ON SURVEY RESULTS • COVID 19 is a joke just open school back up so I can work

CONSIDERATIONS AND REFLECTIONS HOW HAVE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS REOPENED? • Restaurants • Only take out • Only outside dining • Limited inside dining • Banks • Some branches remain closed • Some branches maintain ONLY drive thru service • Limited live branch services • Movies • Some theatres remain closed (AMC Tyngsboro, Cinemagic Merrimack, Chunky’s Nashua)

CONSIDERATIONS AND REFLECTIONS HOW HAVE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS REOPENED? • Merrimack Town Offices • Reopened June 15 th • Strongly encourages residents to continue to make use of their online tools • Link-Up to date information on how to conduct business with all Town Hall departments either on-line, by mail, by fax, by email • Please note that certain departments may need to adapt procedures specific to their facilities and services. We will learn, adjust and adapt as we move forward, and ask for your help and patience during this time

BEST KNOWN AND MOST READILY AVAILABLE MITIGATON STRATEGIES • Social Distancing • Masks • Hand Washing

SCHOOLS CANNOT DO THIS ALONE SO WHAT IS TO BE DONE? • Balance • Many competing interests, motivations, requirements • Phased in approach to reopening • Consistent with almost every other public or private employer • Periodic re-evaluation of reopening plan • Consistent with almost every other public or private employer • Partnership • COVID-19 is a community problem • All are affected • All must be partners in the best way to address the challenges it presents

SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN A BALANCED HYBRID MODEL Given a school’s responsibility to teach and to protect its students and staff and Given all that remains as yet unknown about virus transmission in an active school setting with full capacity and Given the significant number of variables that schools cannot control regarding virus mitigation THE MERRIMACK SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RECOMMENDING A PHASED IN APPROACH TO SCHOOL REOPENING

THE PLAN-PHASE ONE September 9* thru October 30, 2020 *pending school board approval • Students in each District school divided in half—Group A/Group B • Monday/Tuesday—Group A • Full day schedule in person • Monday/Tuesday—Group B • Full day remote • Wednesday/Thursday—Group A • Full day remote • Wednesday/Thursday—Group B • Full day schedule in person • Friday—All students • Flex Day

REMOTE INSTRUCTION OPTION • Parents/students and staff will be offered the opportunity to learn/teach exclusively remote • Questionnaire to be sent Tuesday/Wednesday of this week • Based on Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act)

THE PLAN--PHASE ONE Next Steps Thru August 2020 • Develop teacher/student schedules in each school based on parent/staff questionnaire results • Develop transportation schedules based on questionnaire results • Develop instructional/curricular plans based on numbers of students fully remote or hybrid attending • Complete plans for remote instruction portion of hybrid model • Consistent schedules* • Consistent platforms* • Consistent academic expectations* • Increased accountability expectations for students* *Based on parent survey results

RE-EVALUATION—October 30, 2020 • Assess data on daily new active cases (local, state, national trends) • Assess data on Merrimack student, staff, family COVID related diagnoses/illness • Assess data on school site mitigation efforts • Re-assess student/parent/staff experiences after two months of phased in reopening

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS • Establish procedures in the event of student/ staff infection • Establish procedures in the event of suspected infection • Establish procedures in the event of return to full time remote learning • Communicate parent/student responsibilities to participate in District requirements for safe schooling • Establish open dialogue concerning the partnerships necessary to achieve our common goals-the education of our students in a safe environment for all members of the Merrimack School District community

A WORD OF THANKS