2021-2022 School Operating Guidance
As school resumes for the 2021-2022 year, Idaho public schools are still facing many of the same issues that made last year challenging. Superintendent Ybarra, the Department of Health and Welfare and education stakeholders around the state are committed to supporting school districts and charter schools to ensure students have a successful school year.
Latest Guidance
- COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
- Idaho DHW COVID-19 Return to School Flowchart
- Idaho DHW COVID-19 Briefing newsletter - January 2022
- From Vaccines.gov: Find a vaccine near you for children 5-11
- USDE Guidance: How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
- USDE Guide for K-12 Schools and Communities for the 2021-2022 School Year
- USDE Return to School Roadmap
- AAP COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools
- Register for Idaho K-12 School SARS-CoV-2 Screening and Testing Program
- School Testing Menu
- Idaho Back to School Framework 2020 (Updated October 2020)
Instructional Status
How many schools are teaching in person, on line or some hybrid form of instruction? Check out an overview and download specific reports on our new Instructional Status page.
Other Guidance Documents and Resources
-
For additional documents, click the appropriate header below to open a dropdown list.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #87
- Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #88
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #89
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #91
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION 3 – Response #95
- Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION – Response #96
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #87
- Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #88
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #89
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022 – Response #90
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High Schools in School Year 2021-2022 – Response #92
- Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022 – Response #93
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – EXTENSION 3 – Response #94
- Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Administrative Reviews of School Food Authorities Operating Only the Seamless Summer Option in School Year 2021-2022 – Response #97
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Child Nutrition Waiver Update to Address Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures and Supply Chain Issues
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for Service Institutions Operating the Summer Food Service Program duringUnanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022 - Response #101
- Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the Summer Food Service Program during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022 - Response #104
- Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the Summer Food Service Program during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year 2021-2022 - Response #102
- Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements - Response #106
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals Served by Service Institutions through the Summer Food Service Program during Unanticipated School Closures in School Year2021-2022 - Response #103
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closuresin School Year 2021-2022 - Response #105
Q&As
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- CACFP 08-2021 Implementing Guidance
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors - Response #39
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies EXTENSION 2 - Response #40
- Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component - Response #68
- CACFP Off-site Monitoring
- CACFP Sponsoring Off-site Monitoring
- Off-site Monitoring Best Practices Fact Sheets
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFVP)
- FFVP COVID-19 Operations for SY 2020-21
- State Waiver Request to Allow Parent / Guardian Pickup for the FFVP
- State Waiver to Allow Alternative Locations for FFVP
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Nationwide Meal Pattern Waiver COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #70
- Nationwide Meal Service Time Waiver COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #34
- Nationwide Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #33
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow OVS Flexibility for High School Students COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #37
- Nationwide Parents/Guardians Meal Pick-up Waiver COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #35
- Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers through December 31, 2020 Response #52
- NSLP Onsite Monitoring Waiver Request Extension 2: Child Nutrition Response #41
- Potable Water Waiver Request for Idaho Child Nutrition Requests
- State Waiver Request for Fluid Milk Variety
- Statewide Monitoring Waiver Request (Revised November 30, 2020)
- USDA Foods Entitlement Waiver
- Virtual Learning Meal Eligibility During COVID-19 Infographic
- Waiver Request for Continuation of Claiming Percentages in Special Provision Sites
- FNS Nationwide Waiver Extension - FSMC Contract Duration issued January 6, 2021
- FNS COVID-19 Nationwide Waiver - CN Reporting Requirements Response #72
- Nationwide Waiver of Community Eligibility Provision Deadlines in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs Response #82
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- Families First COVID19 Response Act Memo
- Families First COVID19 Response Act Summary
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
SFSP and SSO
- 2020 Waiver Opt-In Form Attachment A
- SY20-21 Meal Comparison Chart
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring for SFSP Sponsors Extension 2 Response #42
- Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring for SFSP State Agencies Extension 2 Response #43
- Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions Response #66
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites Response #64
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility Response #63
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding Response #61
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities Response #67
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children Response #62
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-Approval Visits in the SFSP Response #69
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through School Year 2020-2021 Response #59
- Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program Response #65
- National Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers - Extension 3 Response #60
- Child Nutrition Waiver Update – Response #73
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibilities for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 9 – Response #74
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 6 – Response #75
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 6 – Response #76
- Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 4 – Response #77
- National Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 3 – Response #78
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 3 – Response #79
- Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 3 – Response #80
- National Waiver to Waiver First Week Visits in the Summer Food Service Program for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 3 – Response #81
- Offsite Monitoring School SFAs
- Offsite Monitoring SFSP Sponsors
For previous versions of documents, please email childnutrition@sde.idaho.gov.
Q&As
- SY20-21 SFSP/SSO Questions and Answers
- SFSP/SSO Extension through SY20-21 Questions and Answers #2
- Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks: Questions and Answers #4
- Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-2021: Questions and Answers #5
- Nationwide Waiver to allow SFSP/SSO during SY20-21 Questions and Answers #3
- Off-site Monitoring Best Practices Fact Sheets
-
For district-specific COVID precautions and response plans, contact your local school district.
-
General Resources
- SPED Director's Webinar-COVID 19-Updates- September 22, 2021
- SPED Director's Webinar-COVID-19 Q & A - September 22, 2021
- SPED Directors Webinar, COVID-19 Check-in - March 16, 2021
- Medicaid SBS Guidance for Back-to-School 2020
- SPED Director's Webinar-Schools Reopening 2020-Follow-up #1, August 18, 2020
- Special Education Students ISEE Quick Guide: COVID-19
For additional documents, click the appropriate header below to open a dropdown list.
- IEP Quick Guide - Updated
- Recovery Services Quick Guide - Significant Changes
- Recovery Services Documentation - Updated
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan Quick Guide - Updated September 22, 2021 | versión en español
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan Form - Updated September 22, 2021 | versión en español
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan EXAMPLE - Updated
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan Form (Home/Hospital) - Posted September 22, 2021
- IDLP Service Planning (Optional) - Updated
- IDLP Service Grid Instructions - Updated
- Individualized Distance Instruction Planning Document (Optional) - Updated
- Early Childhood Entrance/Exit Ratings EXAMPLE - Updated
- Early Childhood Entrance/Exit Ratings Form - Updated
- ESY vs. Recovery Services vs. Extended Learning Opportunities Quick Guide - NEW
- Transportation Quick Guide - Updated
- Behavior Goals for IDLP Quick Guide - Updated
- Behavior Goals for IDLP Template - Updated
- Instructional Tracking Log - General Education
- Instructional Tracking Log - Special Education
- Progress Monitoring Options Quick Guide - Updated
- Progress Monitoring Log
- Teacher Planning Form EXAMPLE for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities - Updated
- Teacher Planning Form for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities - Updated
- 5 Cs Process for Planning and Implementing Teaching Across Environments Quick Guide - Updated
- Embedded Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Quick Guide - Updated
- Early Childhood Activity Bag Ideas - Updated
- Early Childhood Daily Schedule EXAMPLE - Updated
- Early Childhood Daily Schedule Form - Updated
- Paraprofessional Quick Guide - Updated
- Transition Services Quick Guide
- DOs and DON'Ts of Behavior in Distance Learning - Updated
- Thinking Functionally Quick Guide - Updated
- Thinking Functionally Infographic - Updated
- Face Coverings Quick Guide - Updated
- Social Distancing Quick Guide - Updated
- Routines and Expectations Quick Guide - Updated
- Student Transitions Infographic
- Implementing School-Based BIPs at Home - Updated
- Behavior in Distance Learning Quick Guide - Updated
- 6 Ways to Avoid Power Struggles
Assistive Technology
Other Resources
- U.S. Department of Education: Letter to educators and parents regarding new CDC recommendations - March 24, 2022
- USDE-OSERS: Providing Students with Disabilities FAPE during COVID 19 and Compensatory Services under Section 504 - February 2022
- USDE FAQ: Using ESSER and GEER funds - COVID - December 29, 2021
- Return to School Roadmap: Child Find, Referral, and Eligibility Under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - October 29, 2021
- Return to School Roadmap: Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - October 29, 2021
- OSERS - NEW - Return to School Roadmap - October 21, 2021
- U.S. Department of Education: Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health Needs during COVID-19 Era - October 19, 2021
- OSEP Return to School RoadMap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs in the Least Restrictive Environment under IDEA - September 30, 2021 | versión en español
- OSERS - Equitable Access to Early Intervention Services and Related Services for SPED Students - August 24, 2021
- OSERS - Return to School Roadmap: Child Find Under Part B of IDEA - August 24, 2021 | versión en español
- U.S. Department of Education COVID 19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs - April 9, 2021
- OSERS COVID-19 Q & A-IDEA Parts B & C, Provision of Services – September 28, 2020
- OSERS COVID-19 Q & A-IDEA Part B Procedural Safeguards - June 30, 2020
- OSERS COVID-19 Q & A-IDEA Parts B & C, Use of Funds, Flexibility in Implementation of Part B Fiscal Requirements – June 26, 2020
- OSERS COVID-19 Q & A: IDEA Parts B & C, Dispute Resolution procedures, June 22, 2020
- U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families
- U.S. Department of Education: Letter to educators and parents regarding new CDC recommendations - March 24, 2022
- Helping Your Child with Academics
- Helping Your Child with Communication at Home
- Helping Your Child with the Foundations of Communication at Home
- Helping Your Child with Routines at Home
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan | versión en español
- Individualized Distance Learning Plan Quick Guide | versión en español
- IRIS Center - Collaborating with the Families of Students with Disabilities module
- IEP Meeting Parent Guide | versión en español
- Progress Monitoring for Parents | versión en español
- Parent Written Notice Quick Guide | versión en español
- TIES Center Parent Resource Videos
- OSERS - Return to School Roadmap: Child Find Under Part B of IDEA - August 24, 2021 | versión en español
- OSEP Return to School RoadMap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs in the Least Restrictive Environment under IDEA - September 30, 2021 | versión en español
-
The White House issued an Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel on January 21, 2021. The executive order requires masks to be worn on “all forms of public transportation as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code,” which excludes “school bus service” from the definition of public transportation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order on January 29, 2021, “pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 264(a) and 42 CFR 70.2, 71.31(b), and 71.32(b).” The CDC order requires masks to be worn “when traveling on conveyances” and defines the term conveyance to “have the same definition as under 42 CFR 70.1,” which includes school buses. The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 Handbook states, “[R]egardless of the mask policy at school, passengers and drivers must wear a mask on school buses, including on buses operated by public and private school systems, regardless of vaccination status, subject to the exclusions and exemptions in CDC’s order.” The State of Idaho Department of Education encourages persons with questions about federal mask orders on school buses to review the following resources:
- ED COVID-19 Handbook
- CDC Order: Wearing of face masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs
Questions should be directed to local school boards.
-
- Addressing Barriers to Learning: Plan Ahead to Support the Transition-back of Students, Families, and Staff
- Addressing School Adjustment Problems
- CDC’s Guiding Principles to A Trauma-sensitive Approach
- Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
- Engaging and Re-engaging Students and Families
- Idaho Crisis Hotline
- National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments
- School Engagement, Disengagement, Learning Supports, & School Climate
- Students and Anxiety Problems
- Support for Transitions
- Teaching Through a Pandemic
- Trauma-Informed Care for Schools Before, During, and After Possible Emergency Events
- What Schools Can Do to Welcome and Meet the Needs of All Students and Families