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Wednesday, August 05, 2020 - COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan

Vincent Smith School

2020-2021 COVID-19 Reopening Plan *

August 2020


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

COVID Plan Reopening Information and Introduction

 

Part One: Reopening the School Campus

  • Reopening Planning Process and Participants
  • Communication with School Community Members and Stakeholders
  • Back to School Orientation
  • Daily Arrival Screenings and Designated COVID Area
  • Daily Arrival and Dismissal Procedures of Faculty, Staff and Students
  • Classroom Instruction, Spacing and Procedures
  • Hallways and Doorways
  • Lunch Periods and Cafeteria Spacing and Procedures
  • Physical Education, and Gymnasium Spacing and Procedures
  • Outdoor Play Spacing and Procedures
  • Additional Group Spacing and Procedures
  • Student School Supplies
  • Transportation of Students
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
  • Other PPE Requirements
  • Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures
  • Restrooms
  • Plumbing, Ventilation and Fire Code Compliance
  • Guidelines for Increased COVID Risk
  • Modification of School Safety Drills
  • Social-Emotional Well-Being
  • Student Services, Modifications and Accommodations
  • Professional Development
  • Attendance and Absenteeism
  • WiFi, Connectivity and Devices
  • Advisory Against Leisure Travel
  • Outside Visitor Access
  • Use of Facilities Outside the School Day

     

    Part Two: Monitoring the Health of School Community Members

  • Monitoring the Health of Students, Faculty and Staff
  • Appointment of a COVID-19 Coordinator
  • Protocol for Collecting Information about COVID-19 Cases

     

    Part Three: Containment and Prevention of COVID-19

  • Containment of COVID-19
  • COVID Symptoms Upon Arrival
  • COVID Symptoms During School Hours
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting After Symptoms
  • Procedure for Positive COVID Results
  • Procedure for Negative COVID Results
  • Contact Tracing

     

    Part Four: Closure of School Campus

  • Shutting Down If A Serious Outbreak Occurs
  • Shutting Down If Required by Government Agency
  • Plan for Continuation of Program Under Shutdown

 

Summary of Reopening

 

PART ONE: REOPENING THE CAMPUS

Reopening Planning Process and Participants

Families will be presented with two options for learning: full- time, in-person learning or full-time, remote learning (Zoom). Parents will commit to one option for their child by August 14, 2020.

Communication with School Community Members and Stakeholders

Communication regarding the school’s reopening plan will be disseminated to school community members through email, posts on the school’s website, Zoom meetings, and phone/text blasts. The reopening plan may be updated as guidelines evolve, and all parties would be notified of changes.

 Communication will be provided in the languages spoken by families. The school’s population does not serve any ELL or international students

The school will periodically survey (online) school community members to inquire about the efficacy of instruction and specific educational and social-emotional well-being in order to make adjustments as necessary.

 Signage will be posted and visible to all school community members, including outside visitors, throughout the school’s campus with school safety protocols and COVID-19 prevention that adhere to the CDC guidelines.

Back to School Orientation

Prior to the first day of school, a virtual orientation will be required for all school community members, where new school procedures, social distancing and safe health practices (hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, face coverings) will be informed. Any questions or concerns will be addressed at this time.

 It is very important that all school community members understand the safety requirements, protocols and expectations to ensure all parties stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus. We will structure the training plan to effectively disseminate information to all.


Daily COVID Screenings and Designated COVID Area

A daily online screening questionnaire will be required for any student, faculty and staff member to enter the school building each morning. The questionnaire must be filled out online prior to their child’s departure to school each day. The short list of symptoms/conditions in the questionnaire will include (but is not limited to):

  • Having knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has had symptoms of COVID-19
  • Having tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19
  • Having experienced any symptoms of COVID, including a temperature of 100 degrees or greater in the past 14 days
  • Having traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID per the New York State Travel Advisory, in the past 14 days

The science lab has been converted to a designated COVID quarantine area, which will only be used for individuals displaying illness or COVID symptoms. The science lab is located next to the nurse’s office and has a separate outdoor entrance/exit for minimal COVID spread through the rest of the school building. This area will be supervised and contained by the school nurse and an adult. This area will be cleaned immediately after each use.

Daily Arrival and Dismissal Procedures of Faculty, Staff and Students

Each school day, student arrival will be staggered, and one entry point will be utilized for each building. Students will not be permitted to enter the school building until 8:15am when temperature checks will begin. The school day begins at 8:30am.

 Buses and parent drop-offs will be individually unloaded. Parents should not exit their cars or enter the building.

Students will be required to wear masks when exiting the bus/car and use hand sanitizer before entering the building. Upper school students will be unloaded at the upper school building; lower school students will be unloaded at the lower school building.

Temperatures and observation of overt symptoms will be taken of all school members prior to entering the buildings at the two entry points. Temperatures will be logged daily for each student, faculty and staff member. An oximeter is available for


 

additional screening purposes. Students will then go directly into homerooms where six feet of physical space is maintained.

 If a school community member presents with overt symptoms, a fever of 100 degrees (or more), or reported exposure to COVID at the time of arrival, he or she will be denied entry into the building and directed to the designated COVID area where COVID protocols will be implemented.

 Daily student dismissal will also be staggered, and one exit point will be used from each building. Students will be released from their homerooms (of no larger than six students) based on bus/parent arrival, in groups of no more than six, while maintaining six feet of physical spacing.

Classroom Instruction, Spacing and Procedures

The instructional program of classes will be conducted in person five days per week for those who have selected in-person learning, and five days per week for those who have selected remote learning. The school day will begin at 8:30 am and end at 3:10 pm.

 For those students engaging in remote learning, technology will be utilized to include him/her in each class in his/her schedule in order to engage in synchronous learning using Zoom. Google Suites and other digital platforms will also be utilized to provide educational instruction, assessment, communication and promote group work.

 All students will be provided their differentiated instruction and will be assessed formatively on a daily basis and summatively at the end of each instructional unit. Teachers will utilize data driven instruction to deliver curriculum based on NY State standards. This method will be utilized for both in- person and remote learning.

For students choosing remote learning the model will be synchronous learning. Teachers will prepare lessons for both in-person and remote learning following our curriculum based on NY State standards.

Students will take their standard core classes and specials in accordance with NY State standards. Upon successful completion of course curriculum students will be granted the appropriate credit toward graduation.

 Classrooms have been arranged with limited seating to achieve six feet of physical space between all persons in the rooms.


 

Physical classroom size will dictate the maximum number of students allowed in each class adhering to NY State Department of Health Guidelines. Markings will be displayed on the floors in each classroom to designate each desk location. Desks will face the same direction and clear desk dividers will provide additional separation between all persons. Hand disinfecting breaks will occur routinely throughout the school day.

 Three additional rooms have been reallocated as classrooms to provide additional space and outdoor areas will serve as additional classroom space as needed. Outdoor classes will be held whenever possible.

If schools are forced to close, synchronous remote learning will take place for all school community members five days per week using faculty and student schedules.

 Note: Total student population as of September 3rd, 2020 will be approximately 55 to 58.

Hallways and Doorways

To regulate flow of students between periods, arrows will designate traffic flow in all hallways and staircases throughout school campus. Color-coded floor decals will be arranged at six feet apart in the hallway in order to maintain physical spacing while classrooms are disinfected between periods. All school community members will be required to wear masks when traveling in common areas.

 To maintain proper building security, outside card access will remain in effect. At each building entry point, hand sanitizer will be available to promote proper hand hygiene. Building entry/exit push-bars and door handles will be disinfected.

Classroom doors will remain open to minimize unnecessary contact with commonly used doorknobs.

Lunch Periods and Cafeteria Spacing and Procedures

The cafeteria has been arranged by limiting seating to achieve six feet of physical space between all persons in the room.

Markings and signage will be displayed on the floor and walls, indicating direction of movement and seat placement.

 Lunch periods will be divided into six 20-minute groups to limit the number of persons in the cafeteria at one time. Face masks will be required when not eating or drinking, and when moving about in common areas.


 

Proper hand hygiene will be enforced before and after eating, both verbally and visually. All table and seating surfaces will be cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectant between each lunch group by a supervising adult. The outdoor areas and gymnasium will serve as spill-over dining halls as needed to maintain adequate distancing protocols.

 No food will be served by the school and students will be required to bring their own complete lunches each day. Signage will be displayed to remind all persons not to share food and drink. Food allergies will be monitored and accommodated for.

Physical Education and Gymnasium Spacing and Procedures

NYSDOH guidelines for physical spacing will be achieved in the gymnasium for physical education classes or recess through the limitations in class size and through the use of outdoor areas. Locker rooms will be closed to all students.

Consequently, students will not be required to change for physical education at this time.

 If a physical education lesson requires students to be less than six feet from one another, all persons will be required to wear face masks. Commonly used equipment will be disinfected after any use. Latex gloves will be available for use during activities where shared equipment is required (e.g. badminton rackets).

 Games considered high risk as defined by the DOH guidelines (e.g. contact sports) will be prohibited until further notice.

Outdoor Play Spacing and Procedures

Outdoor play spaces (e.g. playground) will be in compliance with existing NYSDOH guidelines.

 Playground area use will be limited. Regular cleaning and disinfecting will occur after each use of the playground.

Students will be required to wash hands before and after use of the playground or other outside areas.

 Students playing outside in low risk activities, maintaining physical spacing guidelines, do not need to wear masks. Low risk activities pertain to games or activities that do not involve prolonged close physical contact. Games considered high risk as defined by the DOH guidelines (e.g. contact sports) will be prohibited until further notice.

 Students will be encouraged to play in open areas and to have zero contact with common surfaces.


 

 

Additional Group Spaces and Procedures

Six feet of physical spacing will be achieved in spaces where students congregate (e.g. library, lobbies, hallway, locker rooms) by displaying floor/wall markings to indicate proper spacing.

In the library, limited seating will maintain six feet of physical spacing.

In the building lobbies, arrows will designate traffic flow to maintain social distancing protocols. Students, faculty, and staff are prohibited from gathering in lobby areas at all times.

In the hallways, arrows will designate traffic flow throughout school campus. Color-coded floor decals will be arranged at six feet apart in the hallways to maintain physical spacing while classrooms are disinfected.

 Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear masks when traveling through any of these common areas. Although cancelled until further notice, all assemblies will abide by social distancing protocol and will be staggered in small groups to achieve successful physical distancing.

Grading Policies

Grading will be consistent across each individual building level (lower school, upper school).

 Teachers will maintain the same scale of grading, whether the student is attending in person or remotely. Class lessons will be adapted for both modes of learning.

 School community members will be informed of grading policies during virtual back-to-school orientation.

Student School Supplies

Each student will have his or her own personal classroom

supplies, provided by the school. Each child’s supplies should be labeled and stored as to not be mixed with another child’s school supplies. Students will be discouraged from sharing supplies.


Transportation of Students

The school will collaborate and communicate with outside bus companies to ensure that proper CDC guidelines and New York State guidelines are being followed and students are being safely transported. The school does not maintain its own transportation vehicles or company. Transportation for each student is provided by their district or parent.

 Students will be required to follow the mandates regarding face masks/coverings and physical spacing as governed by the individual bus companies. All parents/guardians will be required to ensure their child/children are not experiencing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and do not have a fever of 100 degrees or more prior to them boarding their method of transportation to school.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

All faculty, staff, and students will be informed of mask wearing at the virtual orientation prior to the start of school. The school maintains protocols for face masks throughout the school day in accordance with public health guidelines.

 PPE inventory (e.g. masks, face shields, gowns, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, etc.) will be maintained by the Office Manager. Supplies will be counted on a weekly basis and maintained with a 30-day supply at all times. Supplies will be purchased through various medical and cleaning supply companies. The school nurse maintains separate PPE inventory, which is provided by an outside agency (BOCES).

Acceptable face coverings for COVID include, but are not limited to, cloth-based face coverings (e.g. bandana) and surgical masks that cover both the mouth and nose. Face shields without other face coverings are not considered adequate protection against COVID. In the event a school community member forgets his or her mask when arriving to school, a surgical mask will be supplied to them by the school.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to supply their own masks if preferred, but the school will supply as needed. Teachers will be directed to wear face masks or coverings during all instructional times or whenever others are present.

Students will be required to wear masks while indoors when six feet of physical spacing is not possible and will be provided with mask breaks frequently throughout the day. Each family is encouraged to supply five or more cloth face masks to reduce environmental waste. Face masks should be labeled with the child’s name or initials. Cloth face masks should be washed,


 

disinfected, or replaced after each day’s use and must not be shared.

All school community members will be required to wear masks when traveling through common areas. When seated at six feet of physical space, school community members will be permitted to remove masks.

Face Mask Breaks and Compliance

Mask breaks will be conducted frequently throughout the school day, in both upper and lower school classes. Mask breaks will be organized and supervised by the classroom teachers.

If a student does not comply with mask protocol, he or she will not be permitted to enter the school buildings or classrooms, and/or will be escorted to a secluded area where the supervising adult will wait for compliance or for pickup by a parent.

 Should a student be medically unable to adhere to mask or safety protocol, the individual will be required to partake in remote learning.

Other PPE Requirements

Kitchen and custodial staff will follow any special PPE requirements mandated by the CDC and NYSDOH.

The school nurse is provided by BOCES and will follow the requirements set by the CDC and State Department of Health as well.

The designated COVID area staff member will be provided with appropriate PPE.

Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures

A cleaning service, following State guidelines, will be utilized daily to ensure proper disinfecting of the school campus.

Hand sanitizing stations will be provided at entrances to all buildings and common areas. Hand sanitizer will be supplied to all classrooms and will be available in all bathrooms.

Disposable wipes and/or disinfecting spray will also be available and used in all facilities for wiping down surfaces. Students, faculty, and staff will be prompted to wash hands frequently. Corridor, office spaces, common areas, shared equipment and devices (e.g. laptops, copy machines) will be cleaned on a daily basis in accordance with the State’s general guidelines for business.


 

Ample time will be allotted for all school community members to engage in proper handwashing, especially after restroom breaks, recess, using shared equipment or other high-risk activities.

If COVID cases are discovered at school, the immediate response will include closing off areas or classes where individuals were infected. Deep cleaning of the school’s campus will be initiated when an active COVID case is identified based on positive test results.

Restrooms

All restrooms are restricted to one person at a time. Signage will be displayed to indicate usage and prompt proper hand hygiene.

Plumbing, Ventilation and Fire Code Compliance

Touch-free water bottle filling fountains will be available in each building. Drinking fountains have been replaced with touch-free water bottle filling fountains where possible; the use of all other drinking fountains will be prohibited. School community members will be required to bring their own water bottles daily.

The School will increase the fresh air rate in all classrooms through screened sliding doors and windows for those rooms without screened sliding doors. Additionally. air conditioning units and HVAC units will be maintained with high efficiency Hepa filters of a MERV rating of 13. Air conditioning units have been serviced to insure the capability of additional capacity and usage.

Any alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure, and every appurtenance connected or attached to any building or structure, will be in compliance with the requirements of the 2020 New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (BC).

Guidelines for Increased COVID Risk

Faculty, students and staff have been explicitly instructed not to come to school if they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms or who have knowingly been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID in the past 14 days.

All school community members will be required to have their temperatures taken prior to entering the school buildings in the morning. School community members will also be required to follow explicit instructions if feeling ill during


 

school hours and advised to stay home if feeling ill or if presenting with a fever of 100 degrees (or above) outside of school hours.

If a school community member has been diagnosed with COVID or has had exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID, CDC guidelines for quarantining will be required.

Those with negative test results (provided by a doctor’s note) will be required to return back to work.

For faculty and staff with a higher likelihood of COVID-related illness or who live with a person at high risk, the school will advise that they take higher-level precautions in physical distancing, wearing additional PPE (N-95 masks), and disinfecting classrooms, offices and other commonly used areas in order to prevent illness.

For students with a higher likelihood of COVID-related illness or who live with a person at high risk, an option for remote learning will be offered.

Modification of School Safety Drills

School safety drills (e.g. fire drill) will be modified to ensure proper physical spacing of six feet between individuals.

The school will continue to conduct safety drills in a manner that maintains physical distancing at the gathering points.

Whenever possible, safety drills will be staggered to reduce the number of individuals moving about and to reduce common area congestion. Additional exit points will be used where possible.

Social-Emotional Well Being

A school-wide comprehensive SEL/counseling program and plan is utilized, and will be maintained to reflect the current health issues.

The school year will begin slowly, giving students ample time to readjust and understand the “new normal.” The school psychologist and social worker will be available for meetings with faculty and students as needed to provide support regarding the pandemic and moving forward. The administration, school psychologist, and social worker will also keep in frequent contact with all families and provide additional support as needed.

Weekly social skills classes will continue to be implemented in every student’s schedule, with safe social distancing practices.

Counseling will also continue, both individually and in groups,


 

with safe social distancing practices. Emphasis will be placed on physical and emotional safety and supporting students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily log notes for each student will record qualitative data to ensure appropriate support and the use of evidence-based strategies.

The school will provide an open forum to families and other school community members via periodic Zoom meetings, website notifications, and emails to assess the school community needs.

The school will continue to provide mental health, behavioral, and emotional support resources and referrals to any school community member in need.

Student Services, Modifications and Accommodations

As a special education school, access to the necessary and applicable accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, and technology (including assistive technology) will be ensured to meet the unique disability related needs of all students.

Related services will continue as scheduled, in person or remotely, following the student’s schedule. Safe physical distancing practices will be used in person.

Our school does not partake in any extracurricular activities.

Professional Development

Professional development opportunities for faculty and staff will be scheduled and conducted virtually prior to the beginning of the school year. Faculty or staff travel to outside workshops will be discontinued until further notice.

Focus of professional development will be on transitioning back to school given the new reopening guidelines and procedures, safe hygiene practices, and how to support students physically and emotionally. Faculty and staff will be educated in emotional or behaviors signs of trauma, and strategies and procedures to follow to promote resilience and healthy coping skills.

Faculty and staff meetings will be held weekly to ensure best practices, address questions and/or concerns, and provide updates regarding guidelines and procedures. Meetings with administration and individual faculty/staff members will take place as needed, both in person or remotely.


Attendance and Absenteeism

The school will continue to use Rediker (student information system) to collect daily attendance of faculty and students.

Parents will be required to submit daily screening questionnaires regarding COVID symptoms and exposure prior to their child’s departure for school in the morning. Modes of parental communication regarding attendance will remain flexible via phone call, text, and email.

For school community members who are absent for three or more consecutive days for non-COVID related excuses, a doctor’s note is required.

If 10 percent of the school’s student population is absent due to COVID-related illness, the school will close and follow local/state health guidelines.

Parents will be informed of rules and regulations regarding educational neglect, absenteeism and truancy.

WiFi, Connectivity and Devices

The school will ensure that all school community members will have access to devices and high speed broadband internet in their places of residence. All school community members will be provided with support in these areas as needed. Any school community member without internet access or devices will be provided with the necessary support or materials.

Advisory Against Leisure Travel

Students, faculty and staff have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel domestically and internationally. Individuals will be questioned regarding recent domestic and/or international travel.

For employees engaging in travel that requires a state-governed 14-day isolation, the employee will inform the school and strictly follow CDC guidelines.

Parent and Outside Visitor Access

The school will suspend outside visitor access until further notice.

Parents should schedule appointments to meet with a faculty or staff member for a mutually agreed-upon time. They will be required to complete an online screening prior to entering the school campus on the day of the appointment. Prospective families will schedule appointments to meet with administration and receive virtual tours through Zoom.


 

Should an outside vendor (e.g. electrician) require access to school grounds, he or she will be required to complete the online screening and complete a temperature check upon entry. Postal and delivery services will be required to leave all mail and packages at the security booth.

Use of Facilities Outside of the School Day

All facilities of shared use (e.g. gymnasium, cafeteria, computer lab) will be disinfected every night by a professional cleaning service.

There will be no additional use of school grounds and facilities by anyone outside of the standard school hours.


PART TWO: MONITORING THE HEALTH OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Monitoring the Health of Students, Faculty, and Staff

The school maintains a plan for regular monitoring of health of all school community members, as well as a plan for safeguards should one become sick or symptomatic in school:

Emergency operation plans will be reviewed, updated and implemented continuously.

Parents will be provided with a protocol to observe for signs of illness in their child(ren) that require staying home from school.

Cleaning and disinfecting efforts will be intensified through the following methods: PPE and sanitizing products will be maintained with adequate inventory. Temperatures and observations of overt symptoms will be taken of all school community members prior to entering any building each morning. Appropriate instructions and signage will instruct staff and students of correct hand and respiratory hygiene. Hand sanitizer stations will be strategically placed throughout school campus.

Disinfecting agents will be available in all classrooms and commonly shared spaces to wipe surfaces. Healthy hand washing practices will be frequently advised to all school community members. Commonly used surfaces (e.g. door knobs, light switches, keyboards) will be wiped down frequently with EPA- registered disposable products.

Teachers will receive training at the start of the school year in how to identify pediatric symptoms of COVID, and will refer any students they see exhibiting such symptoms to the nurse.

Absenteeism will be monitored, particularly if absences appear to be due to respiratory illness.

Large school gatherings (e.g. assemblies, holiday events) will be canceled until further notice to prevent improper physical spacing.

Information regarding stay-at-home procedures will be provided to all school community members prior to returning back to school.

CDC guidelines will be monitored and reviewed to identify any additional strategies the school can use.


Appointment of a COVID-19

Coordinator

The COVID coordinator is John Baldi, Head of School. He will serve as the liaison between school community members (e.g. faculty, staff, students, and families) and other independent school Heads. He will also coordinate as needed with State and Regional Public Health Officials.

The COVID coordinator’s responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the school’s reopening plan, as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels.

Protocol for Collecting Information About

COVID-19 Cases

The school has developed a protocol indicating that faculty, students, and staff have been asked to immediately inform the Coordinator and school nurse that they are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms, as well as a protocol for having symptomatic students tested.

If a faculty/staff member or student should become sick or symptomatic during the course of the school day, he or she will be sent to the designated COVID area for the school nurse to assess temperature and symptoms. Should the nurse find a temperature of over 100 degrees or find COVID-like symptoms, the student will remain in the designated COVID area. Parents will be notified immediately to retrieve his or her child within one hour of the initial contact by the school nurse. Faculty/staff members will be required to leave campus immediately. COVID testing will be advised in both cases and results will be required by the school, unless advised differently by State and Local Health Officials.

The school will contact local health officials, including the CDC, in order to respond with alacrity to any “hot spots” of infection on campus and to undertake proper contact tracing.


PART THREE: CONTAINMENT AND PREVENTION OF COVID-19

Containment of COVID-19

The school has a procedure in place, consistent with applicable health guidelines set by the CDC, concerning the containment of students and/or employees who test positive for COVID-19 or have had contact with someone who has.

COVID

Symptoms Upon Arrival

Should one arrive to school with a fever of 100 degrees or higher, COVID-like symptoms or reported COVID exposure upon the temperature or symptom check, he or she will be denied entry into the buildings and sent directly to the COVID area to be evaluated by the school nurse. The individual will be sent home with instructions to contact their health provider for assessment and testing.

COVID

Symptoms During School Hours

Should one become sick or symptomatic during the course of the school day, he or she will be separated and sent to the designated COVID area to be evaluated by the school nurse. Should the nurse find a temperature of over 100 degrees or find COVID-like symptoms, the individual will remain in the designated COVID area. In student cases, parents will be notified immediately to retrieve his or her child. In staff/faculty cases, he or she will be discharged for the day and sent home. COVID testing will be advised in both cases and results should be reported to the school, unless advised differently by State and Local Health Officials.

Cleaning and Disinfecting After Symptoms

As advised by the CDC, a potential two- to five-day school dismissal will take place to disinfect thoroughly, using a professional cleaning service, and contact tracing will be conducted. Local health officials will be notified for further instructions. Communication regarding possible COVID exposure would also be provided to staff and parents. Given the contact tracing results, the school will follow CDC guidelines for minimal/moderate or substantial community spread.

Procedure for Positive COVID Results

If positive COVID test results are returned, the individual will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days as advised by the CDC.

To return to school after positive COVID results, the individual will need to:

  • Be free of symptoms for at least 10 days
  • Have no signs of fever, without fever reducing medication, for at least three days
  • Display improved symptoms, including absence of cough or shortness of breath), for at least three days

 

 The individual will also require a doctor’s note indicating negative COVID results after a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

If an individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 but does not get evaluated/tested by a medical professional for COVID-19, it shall be assumed that the individual has COVID and may not return to work/school until the three criteria listed above have been met and proper COVID testing has been completed.

Procedure for Negative COVID Results

If negative COVID test results are returned, the individual must not have a fever, without the use of fever reducing medications, for 24 hours.

Contact Tracing

In the event of a positive COVID case among school community members, the school will contact local health officials, including the CDC, in order to properly undertake contact tracing. The school is required by New York State to support the DOH in tracing all contacts of the individual, in accordance with the protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program. Confidentiality will be maintained as required by federal and state law regulations.

The school will be responsible for notifying faculty or families of students that have come into close contact with a person with COVID. Please note that medical privacy laws explicitly prohibit the school from revealing the name of the individual who testedositive for COVID.


PART FOUR: CLOSURE OF SCHOOL CAMPUS

Shutting Down If A Serious Outbreak Occurs

The school maintains a protocol for an orderly shutdown if a serious outbreak occurs on campus, and relevant state/local authorities require a shutdown.

 

If a serious outbreak occurs and a shutdown is required, local health officials will be immediately notified, as well as all school community members. The individual’s identity will be kept anonymous.

 

Parents and bus companies will be notified and emergency early dismissal protocol will be followed. Instructions and support for remote learning would be provided to all school community members. Synchronous remote learning would begin immediately thereafter, following the regular class schedules, until further notice.

Shutting Down If Required by Government Agency

The school will follow the instructions of the Governor, or the appropriate governmental agency, should the Governor determine that a statewide shutdown is required.

 

Synchronous remote learning would begin immediately, using the school’s remote learning plan. Regular daily schedules would be followed.

Plan for Continuation of Program Under Shutdown

The school intends to continue synchronous remote learning if a shutdown were to occur. Specific procedures for Zoom and requirements (e.g. attendance) will be communicated to all school community members.

 

Synchronous remote learning (via Zoom) would begin if the school is required to shut down due to a serious outbreak of COVID-19.

Having completed remote learning from March 2020 to June 2020, students and staff will follow their regular schedules and engage in virtual classes until further notice. The school’s curriculum will be administered through live teaching using Zoom and additional live tutorials after school hours.

 

If the reopening of schools is delayed for September, all school community members would be informed that synchronous remote learning would take place immediately until further notice.

Students and staff would follow their regular schedules and engage in virtual classes.


 

All questions and/or concerns regarding instruction or technology will be communicated by and directed to the Head of School.

  

Summary

The school has every intention to reopen and provide parents with a choice of instruction mode for students. Parents can opt for: option A, remote instruction until a time where there is a comfort level to send their child back to school; or option B, in- person instruction where the students will return to school following the restrictions and protocol the school has set forth.

The school will provide an open forum to families and other school community members via periodic Zoom meetings, website notifications, and emails to assess the school community needs.

School protocol is to follow the guidance of the CDC, State and Local Health Departments, New York State Education Department, the State Office of Independent and Religious Schools, the Governor of the State of New York, and any other State or Local Authority. 

* This document is fluid and can change based on evolving rules, regulations, requirements, obstacles, or necessity arises or changes. The plan is subject to change at any time by the school or according to government guidance. If changes are made, the school community will be notified as soon as possible.

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Vincent Smith School is a private day school for students with learning disabilities in grades 1-12. The School offers a well-integrated program of studies for boys and girls, utilizing a multi-sensory approach to learning.  For more information, visit our website www.vincentsmithschool.org