REOPENING PLANS - 2020-2021

For students who choose to return to campus for in-person instruction, several new protocols and procedures will be put in place to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. These protocols and procedures are clearly outlined in the sections below.

Pre-K through 5th Grade students will also remain in homeroom groups, or cohorts, throughout the day. Middle School  (6th-8th grade) schedules will be reduced to limit the number of transitions. This will limit the number of individuals they come in contact with. They will remain in their classroom for the majority of the instructional day, but will also have opportunities to go outside for breaks when weather permits.

As we continue to plan for the opening of the 2020-21 academic year and the re-opening of the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Campus, the safety and health of our students and staff is our primary concern and focus. Our COVID-19 response policies and procedures are intended to mitigate, not eliminate, risk.  No single action or set of actions will completely eliminate the risk of infection and/or transmission.  We have implemented several coordinated interventions and plans with the intent to greatly reduce the risk.

• All families will be required to review the screener below before coming to campus. This screener will be sent by the school nurse closer to the opening of the school year. 
• Doors will open at 7:30 am to provide more time for arrival for those families who are able to come to campus early. 
• Families will continue to have the same two arrival options.Parents (wearing masks) may bring students to the front lobby or use carline.
  • In the front lobby and in carline, faculty/staff will take the student’s temperature before students are separated from parents. Temperatures below 100 degrees will be allowed to attend school. 
• All students will sanitize hands upon arrival in their classrooms.

Due to an increase in cases in our area, the 14-day quarantine period may supersede the three-step return to school protocol. Each case is examined individually by the nurse and the principal to determine the safest return date.
 

When a student, faculty or staff has a temperature or answers "yes" to the screeners on the screening tool distributed by the school nurse, he/she will be required to notify the school and follow the recommendations of the CDC. These students are still encouraged to engage in distance learning when feeling able. The school will supply students with the materials needed to remain current on academic learning with the primary focus being on the student's health. Support will be given as needed. The nurse will work with students as they return to school to develop a plan unique to each student which will help with the student (or faculty and staff) return to campus. These guidelines are subject to change as recommendations change from CDC, TEA and TCCBED.

ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENTS FOR:

LAB-CONFIRMED COVID-19 INDIVIDUAL

ALL 3 CRITERIA MUST BE MET:

1. At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery of fever (without fever reducing medication) AND;
2. Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND;
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

1. At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery of fever (without fever reducing medication) AND;
2. Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND;
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID and wants to return to school before completing the 14 day quarantine period, the individual must either;

“CLOSE CONTACT” WITH SOMEONE WHO IS LAB-CONFIRMED COVID-19

1. Individuals who have had “CLOSE CONTACT” with someone who is lab-confirmed COVID-19 should stay home through the 14-day incubation period and are not allowed on campus.
2. Catholic schools should screen individuals after the incubation period has concluded, and if the individual did not experience COVID-19 symptoms during that period, the individual can be allowed back on campus. If the individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay at home until the conditions outlined above [COVID-19 symptoms (not tested or evaluated)] have been met.

“CLOSE CONTACT” defined as :

(a) Being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on while not wearing a mask or face shield), OR
(b) Being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a mask or face shield; if either occurred at any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was infectious.
(c) The period of time for close contact may be irrelevant if the individual with COVID-19 coughed on the other person.
(d) The definition of “CLOSE CONTACT” has been revised over time and may be modified again.
(e) Individuals are presumed infectious at least two days prior to symptom onset or, in the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab confirmed with COVID-19, two days prior to the confirming lab test.

Administration knows that our students will return to school with varying levels of mastery of the material from the last quarter of the 2019-2020 academic year. To obtain a strong initial benchmark, we have moved our beginning of year assessments to earlier in the first quarter.

Students in 1st - 8th grades will take the Renaissance STAR Reading and Math assessments at the end of August and beginning of September.  The assessment will be administered again in January and at the end of the school year.  PK4 students take the Early Literacy STAR Assessment in January and at the end of the school year.  Kindergarten will take the Early Literacy STAR Assessment at the beginning of the school year, January, and at the end of the year. 

Additionally, teachers will give students classroom benchmark assessments to help determine the mastery and gaps of each student. This data is used to guide instruction in the classroom and to support the growth of our students.  Teachers utilize this data to develop individual and small group instruction for their students.  Parents are informed about results through parent narratives report which are sent home.  Administration reviews results of students’ progress and meets with teachers to discuss and form action plans for students. 

• Visitors will not be allowed on campus.
• Parents will not be allowed to drop off forgotten items, including lunches.
• There will be no in-person gatherings or events held on campus until deemed safe. 
• For the time being, birthday treats and birthday lunches are not allowed. 

• Students should bring a small hand sanitizer which parents feel comfortable for their student to use which can remain with them. The school will also have many sanitization stations on campus. We have over 70 gallons of hand sanitizer prepared for the start of the school year. 
• Students must bring their own water bottles. Our refillable water fountains will be regularly cleaned and available for student use.
• Student and staff temperatures will be taken twice daily: once upon arrival and once midday.
• Student movement will be greatly restricted. Pre-K3 – 5th grade students will remain in their classrooms for most of the day with teachers rotating to them. Exceptions may occur with PE and technology. 6^th – 8^th grade students will move for more classes. However, new protocols will be in place to eliminate crowding and still provide distancing. 
• All classrooms have been measured. Student desks will be placed as far apart as possible with all facing the same direction. Some homerooms may shift to other classrooms with additional space. Regular hand-washing and hand-sanitization breaks will be scheduled across all grade levels. All Pre-K3 – 5th grade classrooms have sinks in their rooms allowing our younger students to be closely supervised during handwashing.
• Students will not share supplies. At least to open the year, students will not check out library books or other classroom materials that are not specifically designated to them. 
• With our current guidelines, we require all Pre-K3 – 8th grade students to have masks. Students would need to wear masks during transitions and at other times as designated by the teacher and administration depending on the guidelines at the time.  All teachers will be provided with masks and face shields and will also wear as recommended by the guidelines when school opens. These recommendations will be shared with families in August so that the latest information can be provided. 
• To open the year, Mass will be live-streamed in the classrooms on Wednesdays at 9:00 am.  We will also look forward to having our priests and seminarians visit classrooms for special prayer opportunities when they are able. 
• We know how important recess is for exercise, fresh air and socialization. Weather permitting, our students will still go outside for recess. However, this will look a little different to reduce use of playground equipment. Luckily, we have large areas where students can play. We also have balls and other outdoor recess equipment that can be used and then easily cleaned after each group.

• The school will be outfitted with additional hand sanitizing stations.
• All staff and students will be provided individual hand sanitizers.
• Students will receive instruction on proper handwashing techniques; and visual reminders will be posted throughout campus
• Students will have increasd hand-washing opportunities and supervision. 
• The school will have additional signage on the floor and around the campus reinforcing social distancing.
• Student seating will face the same direction and be spaced 6-feet apart. However, students may sit as close as 3-feet apart if they are wearing masks.
• Reduced use of communal spaces on campus.
• Faculty and staff will clean and disinfect desks and high touch areas daily and before/after lunch, with each transition and at the end of each day.
• Throughout the day, janitorial staff also cleans and disinfects high touch-point areas including, but not limited to, light switches, doorknobs, handrails, etc.
• The following cleaners will be used: Re-Juv-nal Disinfecton, 70% alcohol solution, Bioesque Disinfectant, CleanRepublic

• With our current guidelines, we require all Pre-K3 – 8^th grade students to have masks. Students would need to wear masks during transitions and at other times as designated by the teacher and administration depending on the guidelines at the time. 
• CURRENT GUIDELINES indicate that all students must wear masks, except during designated mask breaks such as P.E. and recess. 
• All masks/face coverings should cover the nose and mouth and fit securely over the child's face.
• Masks/face coverings may be any color and have a design as long as they are school appropriate. 
• All teachers will be provided with masks and face shields and will also wear as recommended by the guidelines when school opens. These recommendations will be shared with families in August so that the latest information can be provided. 
• Clear sneeze guards have been purchased for teachers and students to use at their desks.
• To help your child become accustomed to wearing a mask, see this helpful infographic from Behavioral Invterventions and Solutions, LLC.

Committed to our Catholic Identity and forming leaders who live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, students will continue to attend mass weekly. In the beginning days of our school year, students will attend mass virtually though our parish's livestream in their homerooms. Our school mass will be celebrated on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m.  It is our hope that as the academic year progresses our school community will once again be able to join our parish community in celebrating Mass in person.

Our priests, deacons and seminarians are committed to visiting classrooms and continuing to be a presence for our students.
 

• In an effort to minimize transitions and keep students out of smaller spaces, some auxiliary teachers will move from class to class.
• Students will still be able to go to the gym for PE and outside recess, but locker room usage will be limited and students will not "dress out" for PE. 
• To minimize cross interations, we will keep students with homeroom cohorts as much as possible. 

• Lunch will be eaten in classrooms to foster social distancing. GeoMar will continue to provide a sack lunch option Monday – Thursday with a pizza option on Fridays. These purchased lunches will be delivered to classrooms.
• Extra staff will assist with cleaning after lunch. 
• When it is safe to do so, outdoor lunches will be introduced.

EMERGENCY LUNCHES

• During the 2020-2021 school year, St. Anthony will be unable to accept forgotten lunches. If a student forgets his/her lunch GeoMar will provide an emergency lunch and parents will be invoiced. 

• All students will dismiss through carline. We realize that this may be frustrating for some, especially our middle school students who enjoy Middle School Park & Walk. However, this is the best way for our school to keep students socially distant and safe at the close of our school day. 
• Students will remain in the classroom until their carline number is called. 

St. Anthony of Padua will continue to offer our Beyond the Bell Program both before and after school care. We encourage families to utilize these services only if truly needed. Beyond the Bell will operate under all of the same safety protocols as the school day. Our Beyond the Bell coordinator, Mrs. Aldrich, will communicate regularly with registerd families regarding procedures and safety measures in place. 

• Before school care is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:40 a.m.
• After school care is available from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Note: Dismissal for aftercare will begin after car line is completed. If your child needs to be picked up before 4 p.m. please make arrangements to utilize the car line. 

• All GHCAA Athletics have been pushed back until January.
• Soccer will be will be played the same time as basketball.
• Soccer and basketball practices will start in December and games will begin in January.
• The GHCAA cross country championship meet will be schedule some time during the winter season as well.
• Volleyball will be played in the spring season along with track, baseball and softball.
• Unfortunately, GHCAA Six man football season has been cancelled.
• Students participating in remote instruction are not eligible to participate in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School Athletics or extracurricular activities until they return to on-campus instruction. 

Once a family has chosen the Remote Learning option, the student will remain in that model for 9 weeks, or through the end of the quarter. 

Families who choose for their child to participate in remote learning should have the following expectations:

• Parents with students enrolled in the remote learning program should refrain from taking vacations during school allotted times which would hinder student participation and progress.
• Parents are required to review students’ grades weekly in RenWeb/FACTS.
• Students in the remote learning program will follow school guidelines regarding sick days and the process of making up school work in a timely manner. 
• Students must abide by the Expectations outlined on this page as well as our Technology Acceptable Use Policy.
• Students in Pre K-8th grade will utilize Google Classroom for the submission and reviewing of their lessons and assignments. 
• All students and teachers will utilize Google Meet for live, synchronous lessons.
• When using Google Meet students must use their actual name as their identity. 
• Students should be actively engaged with the live classroom and parents should ensure the elimination of other distractions such as electronics (TV, phones), younger siblings, must be visible on the screen, etc.
• Students learning from home will refrain from messaging to other students in class during the scheduled school day unless otherwise instructed by the teacher to participate in group discussions.
• Assignment submission equal to those students actively participating in the classroom unless prearranged by the teacher. 
• Late assignments will incur the same penalties as in-class students.
• Middle School Students should utilize Chromebooks for school-related learning only and always follow the school technology agreement & Chromebook policies.
• During live class times, students should utilize the chat box feature to ask questions of their instructor. 
• Enrichment classes, such as PE, Fine Arts, Library, and Spanish will be conducted in an asynchronous model. Details about how to access those assignments will be forthcoming.

• Equipment and Resources Needed for Remote Learning
  • Internet access for students between 8 a.m. and 3:25 p.m. Monday - Friday
  • Proper learning environment such as a table or desk for the student to use 
  • Chromebook (or other designated device for each individual learner), charger,  and headphones for each student
  • Materials, books, and supplies as provided by the school, such as textbooks, workbooks, journals, pencils, etc.  It may be necessary to replenish these supplies at various times throughout the remote learning period. The replenishment of supplies is the responsibility of the parent.