CANFIELD — The “Return to Learn” plan for Canfield Local Schools was unveiled Thursday by the board of education.

Superintendent Joseph Knoll said the start of the school year will be pushed to Sept. 8 for middle- and high school students.

Elementary students will have a staggered beginning Sept. 8 and 9, with letters going out soon to the students to inform families which day their child begins.

Starting the school year, dances and field trips will be canceled, but fall sports are still up in the air, depending on state guidance, Knoll said.

The delayed start date will allow teachers additional time to prepare for the school year, Knoll said.

Educators already have been conducting their own professional development, and they will continue.

“They’re going to be working really hard on our Google platform,” Knoll said, in the event that schools will be shut down once again.

If school is closed again this school year, Knoll said that attendance-taking and lessons will continue.

For the remote learning, it’s not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when,” which is why he is having the district form a strong plan.

The traditional, hybrid and emergency remote possibilities will remain, Knoll said, with the online classes still an option for those not yet ready to come back to a traditional setting.

The hybrid plan would have half the district’s students attend class. Knoll said that more discussion needs to take place among administrators to decide how the process will work.

Half would go Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then the following week attend Tuesday and Thursday.

The district is asking Canfield parents to take their students’ temperatures, and keep them home if there is a temperature of 100.4 or higher, or any COVID-19 symptoms.

There also will be daily temperature checks when students arrive at school, Knoll said.

Parents also are asked to drive their kids to school if necessary to help avoid grouping on buses, Knoll said.

Facial coverings for students and staff must be worn in the schools and on the bus, with mask breaks through the day.

To help ventilation, Knoll said that windows, doors and fans will be used.

Students are encouraged to carry a water bottle, as fountains will be shut down, and traffic will have patterns in each school. Book bags will be permitted, as well.

Face shields will be provided for students who cannot wear cloth masks, Knoll said.

Students will help teachers with sanitizing efforts, which Knoll said has been supported by the health department.

The district has purchased about 1,600 “student dividers” to help keep students separated.

The bottom line, Knoll said, is students need to follow their schedules, and communication is key.

“It’s going to be important, as always, to communicate questions with our teachers,” he said.

Regarding enrollment for the Cardinal Digital Academy, the deadline to register is Aug. 14.

In-person registration is 6 p.m. Aug. 11 in the auditorium at Canfield High School.

afox@tribtoday.com