Saint Brendan School

Covid Reentry Plan

Dorchester, MA

(revised) October 28, 2020

We are delighted to be able to welcome back our students and staff to a new school year beginning on August 31st. We have been planning and preparing for this for several months and are ready to safely welcome our students, families and staff back to school. Attached you will find guidance and policies to ensure everyone's safety. Saint Brendan School has a Covid Task Force consisting of the principal, assistant principal, school nurse, school secretary, early childhood teacher as well as parental input. We have repeatedly consulted with the Governor's Reentry Task Force, The Catholic Schools Office, The Center for Disease Control, The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, The Department of Early Education and Care, Boston Public Schools, Mayor Walsh's Office, Department of Public Health, The American Academy of Pediatrics, local pediatricians and a strategic planning company.

This document lists the changes that have been made due to the Covid-19 restrictions. It is the responsibility of the entire Saint Brendan School community to understand and adhere to these guidelines. The health and safety of everyone is everyone's responsibility.

This document is predicated upon agreeing to an “all day everyday” educational experience. If your child is not going to participate in a full day program there is an option for a full day remote experience beginning on the first day of school or at any other time during the year. If your child is enrolled in a part-time Pre-K program there will be an option for a part-time remote experience beginning on the first day of school or at any other time during the year.

It is expected and vitally important to the good health of all of us while we reopen Saint Brendan School, that students and families are socially responsible, exercise sound judgement and precaution in all their activities to reduce the transmission of this virus. Face Covering, repeated hand washing and social distancing on a consistent basis in all areas of your daily routines is vitally important to the school being able to stay open safely.

While this is uncharted territory and the first day of school will be like no other, it is the intention of Saint Brendan School to continue to provide academically rigorous instruction in a safe environment while adhering to all safety requirements and best practices. We will continuously monitor our plans and policies, make adjustments when and where necessary and will regularly communicate any and all changes with families.

It is the intention of Saint Brendan School to return to school in a full in person learning model but will reevaluate daily with medical and educational personnel if we need to utilize another plan. In this document you will find our three plans which are all subject to change and revision as circumstances warrant. While these plans reflect very careful and deliberate consideration, there are situations and scenarios that no one can foresee. Unforeseen circumstances will be evaluated as they present themselves.  

“Students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy."

Table of contents:

In Person Learning Plan

Arrival:

Students in grades K 2- 6 will enter the building at 8:00 am through all three doors alphabetically (see below). The doors will be closed at 8:05 to maintain proper social distancing for younger students. The ground is clearly marked with yellow socially distant markers that are a minimum of 3 feet apart. Siblings will stand together on one marker. Parents are to practice social distancing in the school yard at all times. Students will receive hand sanitizer upon arrival and therefore must be hands free at all times.

Students in K1 will enter the building at 8:05 am through the archway door. The door will close at 8:15. NO other students will be allowed to enter the archway door at this time.  All students need to go to the flagpole door after 8:15.

Students in PK will enter the building at 8:10 am through the archway door. The door will close at 8:20. NO other students will be allowed to enter the archway door at this time.

Any student that is late must go to the flagpole door. Although the archway door will be open for the K1 and Pre-K students no one else is permitted through that door after 8:05 to maintain proper social distancing protocol. The door will close promptly at 8:15. If students are not in the building by 8:15 they will be marked tardy. These policies are put in place in order to minimize contact and allow staff to begin uninterrupted instruction within their own classrooms. If a child is repeatedly tardy, thus not following the safety requirements in the building, that child may be asked to learn remotely.  

Dismissal:

Pre-K students will be dismissed to a parent or an adult on their pick up list from the archway door at 2:15.

K1 students will be dismissed to a parent or an adult on their pick up list from the archway door at 2:20.

K2 students will be dismissed to a parent or adult on their pick up list from the archway door at 2:25.

Grade 6 students will be dismissed at 2:20 from the flagpole door.

Grades 1-5 will be dismissed at 2:30 from the door they arrived through:

The only change to the dismissal policy this year is the doors the students are leaving from. Once a child is dismissed from the school the responsibility for that child's safety lies solely on the parent. If your child is unable to get home safely based on your personal plan and comes back into the building for safety purposes (repeatedly not picked up on time) your child may be asked to learn remotely.

If your child is going home with another student please notify your childs teacher to ensure they are dismissed through the correct door. If you do not receive a reply from your child's teacher indicating they have received your message please call the office.

Lunch/Recess:

Students will be required to wash their hands prior to eating lunch.

Students in grades 2-6 must eat lunch with 6 feet of distance between each child facing the same direction. There will be four separate lunch and recess sessions to safely accommodate students. Grades PK-1 will eat in their classrooms. Grade 2 will eat in their classroom in two separate sessions to allow for 6 feet of distance while eating. Grade 3-6 will eat in the cafeteria one class at a time to allow for 6 feet of distance. All lunch surfaces will be sanitized directly after each session.

Lunch boxes are permitted but should be handled only by the student. Please make sure all objects containing food or drink (thermos, juice box, plastic containers, straws, water bottle, yogurt, plastic baggies etc.) can be opened independently by the student. Lunch staff will wear gloves to assist students in Pre-K and K1 who may require help with this in the beginning of the school year.

An opportunity to purchase an individually wrapped cold lunch and milk will still be available.

The school yard is divided into four sections to allow 4 classes to experience recess at a time. Students will stay with their own class at all times. Students in grades 2-6 will be masked unless they are greater than 6 feet apart.

Staff will monitor lunch and recess and there will be no parent volunteers.

Classrooms:

All student tables or desks in grades 1-6 will have a distance of 3-6 feet between them and students will all be facing the same direction. All student tables or desks in grades PK-K2 will have a distance of 3-6 feet between them. Rugs have been removed from all classrooms. Anything that is not easily cleaned will also be removed from the classrooms.

Any material that is shared will be sanitized between each use (i.e. books, art supplies, technology equipment etc.).

Since Saint Brendan School has passive ventilation, each classroom must have at least one window open. Fans will be used to circulate air in and out of the windows. Classroom doors should remain open as much as possible to ensure proper ventilation. Each classroom will have a HEPA air purifier.

Specials:

Music, art and computer classes will be held in the classroom with the specialist. Phys Ed will be held outside whenever possible. When that is not feasible Phys Ed will be held in the classroom or canceled. We are following the specific guidelines in regard to specials promulgated by The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Departmentalized Instruction:

Grades 3-6 will be departmentalized for instruction in math and science/social studies. Grade 3 and 4 will switch instructors while students stay in their classroom. Grades 5 and 6 will switch instructors while students stay in their classroom.

After School Activities:

Afterschool programs have been suspended until atleast January 2021. Afterschool enrichment programs are being offered by grade level.

Hallways and Stairwells:

Hallways and stairwells have been marked with yellow arrows directing the flow of traffic throughout the building. Each arrow is 6 feet apart with a circle marker in the middle to reference 3 and 6 feet of distance when standing or walking in the hall.

Bathrooms:

Only half of the stalls in each bathroom will be used allowing for compliance with CDC regulations. Nonusable stalls have been clearly marked. CDC issued hand washing instructions are visible in each bathroom to remind students of the need to hand wash. Bathrooms will be cleaned repeatedly throughout the day.

Masks:

A face covering of the mouth and nose is required for all staff and students in grades 2-6. Masks must fit snug against the face. It is strongly encouraged by The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Saint Brendan School that students in grades Pre-K-grade 1 wear a face covering as well.

Masks/face coverings cannot display any inappropriate message or design that is in opposition to the teaching of the church or containing political, cultural or social message. No bandanas.

In the case that a student's mask is unwearable, a disposable mask will be provided.

Daily mask breaks will be instituted by the individual classroom teacher.

If a student in grades 2-6 does not wear a mask, remote learning will be provided.

If a student in Pre-K-grade 1 who is not wearing a mask needs to visit the school nurse due to Covid like symptoms, that student will be required to put on a mask while being evaluated. All teachers will have extra masks in their classrooms.

Travel:

Communication regarding out of state travel in accordance with the Commonwealth's  August 1st travel order, all staff, students and family who have traveled out-of-state are asked to notify Saint Brendan School to ensure they have complied with the order of quarantine or proof of negative Covid test upon arrival to Massachusetts. Please note that the list of low risk states that are exempt from this order is frequently updated.

Travel is highly discouraged to any high risk areas.

Positive/Suspected Positive Covid Tests:

Saint Brendan School has protocols in place for dealing with suspected positive cases and confirmed positive cases. In addition, many unique situations are presented by children and we will use our best judgement and training to ensure the safety for all involved. These policies are based on the recommendations for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will be modified as warranted by the CDC. We have a Registered Nurse on staff 3 days a week and all staff are trained in First Aid, CPR and COVID 19 awareness.

In accordance with the CDC guidelines, any child that presents with Covid like symptoms will be masked, moved to isolation, parents will be notified and must pick up the child within 30 minutes.

When the school is notified that a student tested positive for Covid-19, students' families will be notified by email stating that there has been a Covid-19 positive student in their class. Close contacts will be notified directly and must quarantine for 14 days. Students do not need a negative test to return after 14 days. Testing is highly recommended.

Information about specific students, family members or staff of your child's class will be communicated through email. It is the parents responsibility to check their email several times a day. All information will be kept confidential and no identifying characteristics will be provided. If you wish to be notified by phone or letter please notify secretary Barbara McDonagh in writing.

Questions about any aspect of this virus including transmission, symptoms, suspected exposure or positive cases should be communicated to the school nurse for a confidential resolution. mmclaughlin@stbrendanschool.org

Individualized Remote Learning Plan

Saint Brendan School Individualized Remote Learning Plan is an option students can utilize at the parent’s request. Families may select an Individualized Remote Learning plan even if the school is utilizing an in person or hybrid model. Students in quarantine will need to utilize the remote learning plan. If a family wishes to receive instruction remotely, a written request must be provided to the classroom teacher with as much notice as possible. With the exception of a quarantine isolation, all requests for remote learning will be on a monthly basis. If you choose a remote learning experience for your child it is the responsibility of the parent to consistently communicate with the child's teacher and obtain all materials from the school that are necessary to all assignments including textbooks, worksheets and consumable workbooks.

Wherever possible, remote learning will mimic a typical in person learning experience. There will be times when the teacher is instructing outside. Due to limitations of wireless internet access outside there may be circumstances that an alternative lesson will be provided.

Guidelines:

• Teachers will give families a Zoom link with as much time as possible that they must log into by 8:15 am to avoid being marked tardy
• If a student is having trouble accessing the internet or Zoom link please contact the teacher immediately to try and remedy the problem. The classroom teacher will do what they can to help the student get logged in without disrupting the rest of the students learning. Please be aware that internet outages or Zoom malfunctions can occur, these issues will be solved on a case to case basis
• Students must be seated at a desk or table during remote learning
• Students must be present and engaged during all learning activities
• Camera and microphone must be on at all times or a student will be marked absent
• Students must be dressed appropriately with no hoods, blankets or distractions around them
• Students are required to wear headphones. Headphones will be provided if needed.
• It is the expectation of Saint Brendan School that a remote learner will have the benefit of adult assistance.

When choosing for a student to participate remotely it is the understanding that everything that happens throughout the school day is confidential between the students and teacher. Parents should not discuss other students' interactions, behavior or comments.

All School Remote Learning Plan

Saint Brendan's All School Remote Learning Plan will be used in the event that the entire school goes remote.

Guidelines:

• Wherever possible, remote learning will mimic a typical in person learning experience including full group instruction, small group instruction and independent work.

• Teachers will give families a recurring Zoom link that they must log into by 8:15 am to avoid being marked tardy, they may also receive a small group link
• If a student is having trouble accessing the internet or Zoom link please contact the teacher immediately to try and remedy the problem. The classroom teacher will do what she can to help the student get logged in without disrupting the rest of the students learning. Please be aware that internet outages or Zoom malfunctions can occur, these issues will be solved on a case to case basis
• Students must be seated at a desk or table during remote learning
• Students must be present and engaged during all learning activities at all times
• Camera must be on at all times or a student will be marked absent
• Student must mute themselves at the discretion of the teacher
• Students must be dressed appropriately with no hoods, blankets or distractions around them
• Students are required to wear headphones. Headphones may be provided if needed and as supplies last
• Students must be on their own individual device or they will be marked absent
• Students cannot join another classes Zoom (siblings included)
• It is the expectation of Saint Brendan School that a remote learner will have the benefit of adult assistance in matters of technology but will not be a partner in instruction or complete work for the student

When participating in remote learning it is the understanding that everything that happens throughout the school day is confidential between the students and teacher. Parents should not discuss other students' interactions, behavior or comments.

Chromebooks will be available to students in grades 2-6 and may be available for students in Pre-K-K2 if available.

All School Remote Schedule

PK

K1

K2-6

Hybrid Learning Plan

In the event that Saint Brendan School needs to work within a hybrid model, students have been assigned to an A/B cohort. Students in cohort A will receive in person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays. Students in cohort B will receive in person instruction on Thursday and Friday.

The days that students are not receiving in person instruction they will be learning remotely. Everyone will remote learn on Wednesday while the building is being sanitized.

Siblings have been placed in the same cohort to accommodate families. There will be no switching from one cohort to another. Remote instruction during hybrid will replicate the regular school day. Students in grades 2-6 will be able to take a chromebook home for their remote learning days.

*This draft will be revised as conditions in the commonwealth and city dictate.

Revised on October 28, 2020 by Maura Burke, Ashley Tringale & Maureen McLaughlin.