YOUNGSTOWN–Ursuline High School’s comprehensive plan for the upcoming school year sets the first day of school as Aug. 20, with freshmen orientation Aug. 19.

School will be dismissed daily at 2:40 p.m., with students now receiving five minutes between each class. Extra time will be used for cleaning.

An alternative online option is available for students unable to be in a traditional class setting due to medical conditions stemming from their own health or family at home. Those students are not eligible for school activities, however — including athletics.

Students opting for the alternative option will follow the online protocol for at least one semester.

The school, however, is anticipating “a shift to remote or hybrid learning” at some point in the year, with classes using Zoom and other technology to complete coursework.

Should the hybrid model need to be instituted, the building will operate at half-capacity. Students will be issued Chromebooks.

In the building, facial coverings will be worn by students, faculty and staff while at school as well as on buses.

Students can access the building at 6:30 a.m., but will wait in designated classrooms until 7:20 a.m.

Parents are encouraged to take their child’s temperature before sending them to school. Fevers of 100 degrees or higher should be kept home from school, the plan states.

The school will still take temperatures of students during arrival each day.

Students with a 100 degree temperature will be sent to an isolation room, where their temperature will be retaken after 20 minutes. A parent or guardian will be called if the temperature does not go down.

The student will be able to come back to school with a doctor’s note.

One-way stairwells will be designated through the school, social distancing, limited students at cafeteria tables and no access to water fountains and vending machines are some precautions the school will set in place. Students will be permitted to carry a water bottle with them through the day.

Students will not be permitted to share materials or lockers.

Entrance to the building will be altered this coming year, with freshmen entering through 9 North, near the auditorium; sophomores at the main entrance on Bryson Street; juniors through 12 North near room 128/gymnasium; and seniors will enter through the cafeteria by using the double doors from the ramp on Wick Avenue.

Students arriving to the school before 7:20 a.m. must use the 10 North entrance.

Volunteers and visitors will not be allowed in the school.

Lunch for ninth and 10th grade students will be in the cafeteria, with 11th and 12th grade students eating in the gym.

If a student tests negative for the virus but has another illness, they should be kept home.

Students exposed to the virus should contact their doctor for instructions.

Those exposed, whether staff or students, are not allowed to return until a quarantine of 14 days is completed and a negative test result is given, as well as a doctor’s note.

For more information, visit www.ursuline.com/zoom for Zoom meetings protocol.