Summary:
- Drop off and Pickup will be done using outside doors from the classrooms only.
- The capacity of the classroom depends on square footage. The range is 14-16 students per classroom.
Parent Helpers
- Parent Helpers will be allowed during the 2022-2023 school year. Sign-up lists will be distributed to parents.
- Parent Helpers are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and submit a copy of their vaccination card or Excelsior Pass prior to entering the classroom.
Health
If their child does have a symptom of COVID-19 they will need to keep them out of school until they have had their child tested for COVID-19 and receive a negative test result. If any teachers present any of the symptoms of COVID-19 they will stay home until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result.
PPE & Masks
When will masks be required for students, parents and teachers: Masks are optional unless a student, parent helper or teacher has a symptom of COVID (which they have tested negative for) or if they have been considered a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID, such as an immediate family member.
Children and their families will be required to provide their own masks. The school will have masks available if a situation arises and a child or teacher needs one. We ask that families also have 2 backup masks for their child in their extra set of clothes bag.
Teachers will be provided Masks if they choose to wear them, but are also able to wear their own if they prefer.
When masks are not worn outside, they will be on student's wrist.
Children and their families will be required to provide their own masks. The school will have masks available if a situation arises and a child or teacher needs one. We ask that families also have 2 backup masks for their child in their extra set of clothes bag.
Teachers will be provided Masks if they choose to wear them, but are also able to wear their own if they prefer.
When masks are not worn outside, they will be on student's wrist.
Healthy Hygiene
Students will wash hands or use hand wipes before and after snack time. Hands will also be washed after using the restroom, blowing/wiping noses and if a student puts their fingers in their mouth.
Drop off & Pickup Procedures
For Dropoff:
- We will be using the outdoor entrances only going directly into the classrooms.
- Parents will be encouraged to use umbrellas in the rain/heavy snow. If inclement weather, remind parents to send students in boots/raincoats with a hood.
- If the line is long when parents arrive, they are free to wait in their cars until the line is shorter.
- Parents will bring students to the door.
- We ask parents to monitor their children for symptoms of COVID before bringing them to school. If a student, or parent helper for the day or teacher, does exhibit any symptoms they are encouraged to administer a COVID test result before entering the classroom to be sure they do not have COVID and must wear a mask to school until the symptom has subsided. In order to improve the flow of drop off and pickup, parents are asked to reach out to their child's teacher with any questions or concerns. All communication should be via phone, text and/or email. Teachers will do the same.
- A child's temperature may be checked at school if they seem to be under the weather. If the child does have a temperature a parent or designated person will need to come pick them up. The child will need to remain out of school until they have been fever free, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours.
- Parents will wait in a line outside.
- Teachers will dismiss students one at a time. If there is any important information that needs to be communicated a teacher may ask a parent to wait until all the other students have been picked up to have a conversation, or will contact the parent via phone, email or Bloomz message.
Supplies & Backpack
- All students will use a backpack to carry their belongings (folder, spill-proof water bottle, extra masks, etc.
- Students will go to retrieve their backpack prior to/at dismissal one at a time.
- During winter months, if students are wearing snow gear for outside play, we encourage parents to send them with a large reusable shopping bag to collect their wet belongings.
Classroom Setup
- Windows will be open at all times students are in the classroom to increase air flow. Students may need an extra layer of clothing during the cooler/colder months.
- Children will have their own school supplies to use and not share. These items will be kept in a pencil box or bin, and marked with their name. All students will have a set of extra clothes kept in the classroom, just in case.
Snacks & Water
- Children will be required to wash hands before and after snack & water time with soap for 20 seconds.
- Snacks will be provided by the school. Shelf stable.
- Snacks will not be shared.
- Children will bring spill-proof water bottles to school with them daily.
- Teachers and parent helpers will wear gloves to distribute snack.
Outside Time
- Outside time will be split between the classrooms OR be in separate places on the property (Nun's Walk, Front lawn)
- A permanent fence has been installed along the perimeter of the front lawn area.
Music & Movement
- Outside as much as possible.
- A fence has been placed for safety from the road or traffic.
Shutdowns & Closures
If Bethlehem Central School District closes, we will follow their lead, as we have done in past years.
Positive Case Closure
Positive Case Closure
- THIS IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY!
- Parent co-chairs will notify parents via email.
- Teachers will be given a 2-3 business day grace period to provide digital materials for learning, however, a link will be provided for digital resources and instruction for that period. Teachers will have pre-prepared 10 days of lessons.
- Tuition will not be refunded for the duration of the closure.
Training
Handwashing: Both teachers and children will need to wash their hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Handles will need to be turned off with a paper towel, and thrown in the garbage.
Healthy habits: Students & Teachers will need to practice using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn’t available, covering sneezes and coughs with tissue/elbow (and washing hands with soap afterward) avoiding touching face, maintaining distance and wearing a mask when required. We urge parents to practice this at home with their child.
Disposal of PPE: If a disposable mask is being worn and becomes wet, it should be removed and thrown into the garbage. If it is a reusable cloth mask, it will need to be placed in a paper bag so it can be laundered. Hands should be washed, and a new mask should be put on.
Handwashing is required when: when teacher deems appropriate, a teacher adjusts their own or a child’s mask, before and after snack, and prior to entering the classroom.
Signs will be printed and posted throughout the school.
Teachers and parents will learn the symptoms of COVID:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Healthy habits: Students & Teachers will need to practice using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn’t available, covering sneezes and coughs with tissue/elbow (and washing hands with soap afterward) avoiding touching face, maintaining distance and wearing a mask when required. We urge parents to practice this at home with their child.
Disposal of PPE: If a disposable mask is being worn and becomes wet, it should be removed and thrown into the garbage. If it is a reusable cloth mask, it will need to be placed in a paper bag so it can be laundered. Hands should be washed, and a new mask should be put on.
Handwashing is required when: when teacher deems appropriate, a teacher adjusts their own or a child’s mask, before and after snack, and prior to entering the classroom.
Signs will be printed and posted throughout the school.
Teachers and parents will learn the symptoms of COVID:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Children Will Stay Home When:
Please keep your child home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms. These are in addition to any current symptoms in our sick policy:
● Fever (100.0°F and above)/chills
● Cough/shortness of breath
● Fatigue
● Muscle/body aches
● Headache
● New loss of taste or smell
● Sore throat
● Congestion or runny nose
● Nausea or vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Fever (100.0°F and above)/chills
● Cough/shortness of breath
● Fatigue
● Muscle/body aches
● Headache
● New loss of taste or smell
● Sore throat
● Congestion or runny nose
● Nausea or vomiting
● Diarrhea
When there is a positive COVID-19 Case within the school community:
If the school has a case of COVID-19 we will:
- TVN families will be notified of a positive case within their child's class via email.
- School and classrooms will be properly cleaned and disinfected according to CDC Guidelines
Returning to School after Illness
According to the CDC, the following steps are strongly recommended in order for your child to return to school:
- Evaluation by the student’s medical provider AND COVID-19 testing.
- If the COVID test is NEGATIVE:
-
- If the COVID test is POSITIVE:
- The child remains out of school. They must isolate for 5 days, and if they are symptom free or symptoms are subsiding they can return to school and must wear a mask for 5 days.
- If a parent chooses for their child not to have a COVID -19 test, then the child cannot return to school until:
- It has been ten (10) days since the onset of symptoms AND three (3) days since the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medication AND has
- Documentation of a completed evaluation by their medical provider.
Management of Ill Persons
Process for Ill Students:
If the Child is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, the Child will be moved to an outside area near classroom if weather is appropriate OR bench outside fellowship hall. Child’s parent or guardian will be notified for immediate pickup by Teacher remaining with the student. Teachers will notify the Education Director and parent co-chairs to notify parents a sick child.
Process for Ill Teachers:
If teachers have the symptoms of COVID-19, they will need to have a COVID-19 test done in order to return to the classroom. If the test is positive, that teacher must remain out of the classroom until a negative test is provided. If the teacher starts to become ill during school, the teacher must leave the classroom and notify the Education Director.
If the Child is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, the Child will be moved to an outside area near classroom if weather is appropriate OR bench outside fellowship hall. Child’s parent or guardian will be notified for immediate pickup by Teacher remaining with the student. Teachers will notify the Education Director and parent co-chairs to notify parents a sick child.
Process for Ill Teachers:
If teachers have the symptoms of COVID-19, they will need to have a COVID-19 test done in order to return to the classroom. If the test is positive, that teacher must remain out of the classroom until a negative test is provided. If the teacher starts to become ill during school, the teacher must leave the classroom and notify the Education Director.
Cleaning & Disinfecting
Teachers will disinfect with a paper towel and appropriate cleaner** high touch surfaces such as door knobs, toilet handles, light switches, phones, desks and sink handles before class starts and end of the class session.
Teachers will wipe down tables before, after snack, and end of the class session.
Cleaning done by the church will be recorded into a log that will include date, time, and scope of cleaning. The school will provide all necessary cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Sanitizers and surface cleaners used are included in the approved list put forth by the CDC. All surface cleaners and disinfectants will be kept out of the children’s reach.
**Depending on sourced materials, this may be a bleach mixture created daily OR disinfecting wipes OR other cleaner approved by the CDC.
Toys will be handled the following ways:
Cleaning & Disinfecting after a confirmed case of COVID 19:
The church (our landlord) will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting hallways, outdoor knobs and fixtures, fixtures and knobs within the hallways, bathrooms, and floors within the classrooms. Toys used will be disinfected upon return by TVN. TVN will also disinfect tables and chairs.
Teachers will wipe down tables before, after snack, and end of the class session.
Cleaning done by the church will be recorded into a log that will include date, time, and scope of cleaning. The school will provide all necessary cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Sanitizers and surface cleaners used are included in the approved list put forth by the CDC. All surface cleaners and disinfectants will be kept out of the children’s reach.
**Depending on sourced materials, this may be a bleach mixture created daily OR disinfecting wipes OR other cleaner approved by the CDC.
Toys will be handled the following ways:
- We will no longer require parents to take turns cleaning toys.
- They will be cleaned and disinfecting periodically and if there is a case of COVID-19 in the classroom.
Cleaning & Disinfecting after a confirmed case of COVID 19:
The church (our landlord) will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting hallways, outdoor knobs and fixtures, fixtures and knobs within the hallways, bathrooms, and floors within the classrooms. Toys used will be disinfected upon return by TVN. TVN will also disinfect tables and chairs.