12020 2021 School Opening and Safety Plan - St. Mary's ...
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2020 - 2021 School Opening and Safety Plan 1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
A Message From Administration 3
Health and Safety Protocols 4
Supplies & Protective Equipment 4
Daily Pre-Screening for Symptoms 4
Students and Families 4
Faculty and Staff 5
Face Covering 5
Arrival and Dismissal from School 5
Other Safety Considerations 5
Isolation Rooms 6
Implementing Social Distancing 6
Inside Classrooms 7
Break and Lunch Time 7
COVID-19 Testing and Reporting 7
Action Guidelines 7
Criteria for closing a school 9
Reopening St. Mary’s Academy for in-person 9
learning
Facility Cleaning and Sanitization 10
Protocols
Daily Cleaning and Disinfection of the 10
following surfaces/areas
Daily Cleaning and Sanitizing 10
Handwashing 11
Drinking Stations 11
Indoor Air Quality 11
Instructional Programs 12
Athletics and Co-curricular Activities 14
Appendix I - COVID-19 FAQs 15
Appendix II - COVID-19 Scenario Chart 17
Appendix III - On-Campus Student 18
Requirements
2
A Message From Administration
Dear SMA Families,
As a CSJ community, our concern is always for the well-being of all our
students and employees. As a school serving approximately 250 families
and employing approximately 40, we have a serious obligation to ensure
we are preparing and planning for any and every learning environment
that could create large-scale impact to the breadth of community members and campus operations.
We miss all of you, and we know that recent months have been challenging for everyone. While many
questions still remain about the future, we remain committed to our Belles and their families. Our
educators and support staff have diligently prepared the best possible learning options for our students
while keeping safety as our top priority. The St. Mary’s Academy Administrative Council has held several
meetings and reviewed hundreds of responses from faculty, staff, and family surveys. Our Administrative
Team continues to consider the ever changing guidance from state and local health and education
agencies, and we have collaborated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to offer a comprehensive
2020 - 21 School Opening and Safety Plan.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, our actions have aligned with guidance for schools and classrooms
from the California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This plan calls for providing rigorous, high quality instruction while ensuring a
safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and the community. We know that a variety of educational
options and contingency plans are needed to ensure excellence and equity during this rapidly changing
global health crisis. While we will never be able to eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19 on campus,
we can do everything we can to mitigate the risk. The only way we will be able to create a safe learning
space is with the full cooperation and support from all community members. Please note that as of the
August 2020 publication date of this plan, Los Angeles County remains on the state’s COVID-19 Monitoring
Watchlist, prohibiting us from offering in-person learning. We will closely monitor Los Angeles County’s
ability to meet the requirements, as outlined by the state, for a return to in-person instruction.
By now, most of our families have received information to help them select the best learning options for
their student(s). Parents/Guardians also should be sure that their contact information is updated with the
school so that they receive regular updates by email or phone and are registered with St. Mary’s Academy
through the Remind App (Please call the Main Office for further instruction on how to sign up for Remind if
needed).
We thank you for your support, your commitment to the St. Mary’s Academy community, and entrusting
your daughter in our care. We remain dedicated to the education and formation of all our Belles, no matter
what. Learning will not be compromised, hearts will be nourished, traditions will continue, and our
community will remain strong.
In Christ’s love,
Mrs. Mary Rose Batungbacal Dr. Kris Anderson
Prinicpal Vice Principal
3
Health and Safety Protocols
The health and safety of our students, staff and families is of the utmost importance. When
students return for in-person hybrid instruction, St. Mary’s Academy will look much different due
to new health and safety measures. This plan to reopen our school is based on current guidance
from public health officials and state agencies and will be updated as the situation evolves.
Supplies & Protective Equipment
The following items are set up at the SMA school site:
• Directional walkways and stairs where appropriate
• Messaging signs and floor stickers to reinforce social distancing
• Hand sanitizer at entry points, common areas and every classroom
• Maximum Occupancy signs based on social distancing requirements
• Best practices posters
The following items will be provided to all faculty/staff:
• Disposable masks
• Face shields
• Disposable gloves
• Cleaning wipes
Hand sanitizer stations will be available in every classroom and in key areas around the school
for use. Disposable masks will be available for students to purchase for $1. No-touch
thermometers will be made available for Daily Pre-Screening.
Daily Pre-Screening for Symptoms
Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor temperatures and symptoms of their students daily
before going to school. The school will also screen for the following symptoms:
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Chills, fatigue, muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhea
Students and Families
• Students and adults experiencing symptoms listed MUST NOT attend school. This includes
anyone with a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
• Student absences related to personal illness, quarantine and COVID-19 illness or symptoms
will be excused.
• Students seeking testing due to exposure or symptoms of illness MUST stay home until they
receive their results.
• Families should contact Mr. Reyes via email to notify the school about their child’s absence.
Mr. Reyes can be reached at jreyes@smabelles.org
4
Faculty and Staff
• Faculty and Staff members are required to take their temperature immediately upon arrival to
campus.
• Faculty and Staff must contact Administration regarding their absences.
• Faculty and Staff seeking testing due to exposure or symptoms of illness MUST stay home until
they receive their results.
Face Covering
In accordance with the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Guidance, students and
staff are expected to wear face coverings.
Students must use face coverings:
• While in the classroom
• While waiting to enter campus
• While on school grounds (except when eating or drinking)
• While entering and exiting school
Arrival and Dismissal from School
• All community members, during their assigned rotation to be on campus, will be required to
complete a weekly questionnaire that asks for information about an individual’s intent to
come on campus, even if a community member is choosing to remain at home. Any failure to
complete this questionnaire will be considered by the school an indication by the community
member that they will not be on campus for the following week. All community members must
also complete a health screening questionnaire prior to campus arrival.
• Students, faculty and staff members will be required to wear face coverings and will be
health screened upon arrival. Screening will include a contactless temperature check, and
several screening questions will be asked.
• St. Mary’s Academy has designated three (3) specific student locations and one (1) specific
faculty/staff location for entry and exit in order to limit direct contact with others. The three
student locations are: Main Office, Student Entrance, Main Gym Entrance.
• St. Mary’s Academy will have signage throughout campus to remind students, faculty, and
staff about wearing face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.
• Parents/Guardians and visitors beyond the Main Office lobby will have limited access to
school campuses until further notice.
• The ideal drop off time will be from 7:30am - 8:30am. If a student needs to be dropped off ear-
lier, that student can check in as early as 7am in the library and must remain in that location
until 7:30am. The campus gate will be closed until 7am, so students will not be allowed on
campus grounds before that time.
• Students are encouraged to be picked up by 1:45pm unless they have an after school appoint-
ment time. After school supervision will happen until 2:30pm. Students MUST be picked- up no
later than 2:30pm in order for us to properly clean and disinfect the school campus.
Other Safety Considerations
• Faculty and Staff members will complete training about COVID-19 protocols.
• Common high touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly (e.g. countertops, door
handles, restrooms, student desks, student chairs).
5
• Faculty, staff, and students will be expected to wash/sanitize their hands regularly.
• Schools will limit sharing of supplies between students to the extent possible and encourage
students to take home personal items for cleaning daily.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be installed in every classroom and in key areas around the school.
• Automatic disinfectant sprayers will be installed in all bathrooms.
• Classrooms will be disinfected after every block with an electrostatic sprayer.
Isolation Rooms
• St. Mary’s Academy has a designated isolation room for sick students when school reopens.
• Coach Liz is the school’s designated COVID-19 point person. If a student is found to have
COVID-19 symptoms when entering campus or during the school day, she will be sent to the
isolation room.
• Coach Liz will contact the parent/guardian to come pick-up the student immediately.
Implementing Social Distancing
Social distancing will limit the spread of the virus. St.
Mary’s Academy will adhere to the following strate-
gies to maintain social distancing as much as possi-
ble:
• Desks will be spaced at least 6 feet apart from
each other. Alternative locations on campus will
be utilized for instruction to accommodate
larger class sizes that will still ensure students
are at a safe distance from one another.
• A plexi glass partition has been installed
between the Main Lobby and Main Office.
• Minimize contact at school between students, faculty, staff, families and the community at
the beginning and end of the school day. Unnecessary contact between adults will be mini-
mized at all times.
• During regular school hours, St. Mary’s Academy will restrict non-essential visitors, volun-
teers, and activities involving groups. Appointments will be available for essential non-rou-
tine school business. Visitors who may need to enter campus must comply with all on campus
health and safety protocols and have an approved scheduled appointment only when stu-
dents are not on campus.
• Minimize movement of students and teachers or staff as much as practicable.
• Eliminate large gatherings such as assemblies, award ceremonies, and performances and
implement virtual events for families instead of on-campus gatherings for widely attended
events such as Back-to-School Night and Open House.
• Routes will be designated to reduce face-to-face contact and provide directionality at entry
and exit to lunch, break and other transition times. Directional signage and markings will be
on floors throughout campus.
• Students will not be able to use the lockers and must store all required materials for the day in
their personal backpacks.
• St. Mary’s Academy has a designated isolation room to hold students who show symptoms
while at school.
6
Inside Classrooms
• Classroom space will be arranged to remove nonessential furniture, allowing maximum space
for students and staff.
• Teacher and Student desks will be spaced six feet apart.
• Break and Lunch Time
Students must exit the building immediately after class and will have designated spaces to
eat and/or drink at a safe distance.
• School Meal Services
◊ During in-person learning, students will have accessibility to meals that are prepackaged
and prepaid. Service will be available with newly implemented social distancing proce-
dures and other safety measures.
◊ Microwaves will not be available for student use. Vending machines will not be available
for student use during PHASE 1, or other phases as to be determined.
◊ Students are encouraged to bring their own food and drink that will not require refrigera-
tion or heating while on campus. Sharing of food will not be permitted.
◊ Students are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle. The water fountain stations will
be available ONLY for refilling bottles and not for drinking water from the spout.
◊ GrubHub, UberEats, or any other outside food delivery service will not be allowed.
◊ Families will have an option to personally drop off food for the student and leave food on a
designated food table in the Main Lobby. Food must be clearly labeled for the student.
COVID-19 Testing and Reporting
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Close Contact:
A close contact is defined as a person who is less than 6 feet from a case for more than 15
minutes.
Cohort: A cohort is a stable group with fixed membership that stays together for all courses
and activities (e.g., lunch, break, etc.) and avoids contact with other per-
sons or cohorts.
Action Guidelines*
Student or faculty/staff who experience COVID-19 Symptoms while on
campus (e.g., fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing,
chills, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea):
• Students with symptoms will be placed in the school isolation room
while awaiting pick-up by parent/guardian or emergency contact.
• Faculty/Staff with symptoms will immediately be released to go home to
isolate.
7• Recommend COVID-Testing
• Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 must remain isolated
until:
◊ At least 10 days have passed since symptom first appeared;
AND
◊ At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever
without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND
◊ Other symptoms have improved.
No communication is sent to classrooms or the school
community if there were no “close contacts” identified.
Student or staff with close contact or cohabitating with a confirmed
COVID-19 case
• Students will be placed in the school isolation room while awaiting pick-up by parent/
guardian or emergency contact.
• Faculty/Staff will immediately be released to go home to isolate.
• Quarantine for 14 days from last exposure.
• Recommend COVID-testing.
• Any student(s) or faculty/staff who have had close contact with an
individual who has screened positive are instructed to return home to self-quarantine
as required by the Health Officer Order of July 23, 2020.
• Students and employees that are identified to have an exposure to the case will be
notified by St. Mary’s Academy via email communication.
Faculty/Staff or student with confirmed COVID-19 case infection:
• Notify the Los Angeles County Health Department for > 2 cases or as
needed.
• Persons with COVID-19 who are symptomatic may discontinue isolation when:
◊ At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset; AND
◊ At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of
fever-reducing medications; AND
◊ Other symptoms have improved.
• Persons with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic may discontinue isolation when:
◊ At least 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive COVID-19 test.
• Medical clearance is required to return.
◊ Employees will turn their medical clearance into the Principal.
◊ Students will turn their medical clearance into the Dean of Students.
• Identify close contacts, quarantine, and exclude exposed contacts; could be the entire
cohort for 14 days after the last date the case was present at school while infectious.
• Recommend testing of contacts, prioritize symptomatic contacts.
• Disinfection and cleaning of classroom and primary spaces where case(s) spent
significant time.
• Students and employees that are identified to have an exposure to the case will be
notified by St. Mary’s Academy via email communication.
8Faculty/Staff or student tests negative after symptoms:
• Faculty/Staff or student may return to school 3 days after symptoms
resolve.
• School/classroom remains open.
Criteria for closing a school
The California Department of Public Health recommends individual school closure based on the
number of cases, the percentage of the teacher/student/staff population that are positive for
COVID-19, and following consultation with the Local Health Officer. Individual school closure
may be appropriate when there are multiple cases in multiple cohorts at a school or when at
least 5 percent of the total number of teacher/student/staff cases are within a 14-day period,
depending on the size and physical layout of the school.
The Local Health Officer may also determine school closure is warranted for other reasons,
including results from public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.
Should St. Mary’s Academy need to close the school, we will move immediately to PHASE 0.
Reopening St. Mary’s Academy for in-person learning
St. Mary’s Academy may typically reopen after 14 days and the
following has occurred:
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Public health investigation
• Consultation with the local public health department
*Please note that movement between phases are fluid and any changes to
these guidelines would be made only in accordance with recommendations
from CDPH and the local county health officer.
9Facility Cleaning and
Sanitization Protocols
The safety of employees and students of St. Mary’s
Academy is our first priority. Prior to students and
employees returning, the school has been deep
cleaned and completely disinfected. St. Mary’s
Academy will continue to follow all necessary safety
precautions. In addition to the deep cleaning of all
offices and classrooms, the cleaning steps outlined
below will be followed on a routine basis:
Cleaning is the physical process of removing dirt,
germs, viruses and bacteria, typically using soap and
water. While cleaning doesn’t necessarily kill germs,
by removing them from surfaces and objects,
including hands, the risk of spreading infection is
reduced.
Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs. While disinfecting doesn’t necessarily clean dirty
surfaces or remove germs, it kills germs and can lower the risk of spreading infection.
Sanitizing is removing and lowering numbers of germs to a safe level, as judged by public health
standards.
Daily Cleaning and Disinfection of the following surfaces/areas:
• Horizontal and high touch surfaces (copy machines, tables, chairs, etc)
• Door handles
• Handrails
• Restrooms
• Light switches
• Common areas (i.e. bathrooms, classrooms, main office area, outdoor student spaces, etc)
• Classroom desk/work surfaces in between classes
Daily Cleaning and Sanitizing of:
• Classrooms
• Offices
• Hallways
• Outdoor student spaces
Students are encouraged to bring their own disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers for personal
use throughout the day.
10Handwashing
Handwashing is strongly encouraged as one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of
any biological pathogen, including COVID-19.
• Signage will be posted throughout the school reminding people to wear their mask and to
wash hands.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Thoroughly dry hands.
Drinking Stations
• Students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles and to use environmental-
ly friendly alternatives to disposable water bottles.
Indoor Air Quality
St. Mary’s Academy is ensuring that proper preventive maintenance is being performed on all
heating and air conditioning units and is changing filters on a regular basis.
• The Center for Disease Control recommends increasing air filtration as high as possible (target
MERV 13) without diminishing air flow and enforcing the existing or revised indoor air quality
plan.
• All new heating and air conditioning systems have been designed with MERV-16 (Minimum
Efficiency Reporting Value) filters. These are the most efficient filters commonly available for
institutional systems.
11Instructional Programs
Quality instruction and a commitment to equity for all students continues to be a focus for St.
Mary’s Academy. We know that the needs of our students and families vary, which is why we
have provided a variety of instructional program models for the 2020 - 2021 school year.
St. Mary’s Academy has created a plan that allows families the OPTION to send students to learn
on campus on certain days of the week OR to learn from home at any given time of the first se-
mester of the school year. In any measure we take, our primary goal is to keep all St. Mary’s Acad-
emy community members healthy and safe. This requires changes to the ways we use and move
about our campus.
Based on current guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Cath-
olic Schools (ADLA), we plan to implement a phased approach to ON CAMPUS learning under the
implementation of practical proactive measures and will begin with PHASE 0 until health and
safety conditions allow for on campus learning. Here is a brief overview of the phases we will
follow throughout the first semester of the school year depending on the current health and
safety orders at the time of return.
1213
Athletics and Co-curricular Activities
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has devel-
oped a comprehensive document to help schools prepare for their student athletes to return to
athletic activities and program conditioning. St. Mary’s Academy will resume athletics adher-
ing to the CIF guidelines. With guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Health and
Human Services, California Department of Health (CDPH), California Department of Education
(CDE), Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and CIF, St. Mary’s Academy determines the level and duration
of each phase for a gradual full physical return to athletics and performing arts.
CIF has postponed all fall sports and has an updated sports schedule for the 2020-21 school year.
To view the modified athletic schedules and the full listing of CIF guide- lines please select the
links below:
CIF Sports Calendar 2020-21: https://cifss.org/news/july-20-2020-update-and-2020-21-
sports-calendars/
Guidelines for Return to Physical Activity/Training: https://www.cifstate.org/covid-19/Re-
sources/RTP_Combined.pdf
All field trips are currently suspended and schools will consider virtual field trips when possible.
Assemblies, dances, athletic competitions and rallies are also currently suspended.
14Appendix I - COVID-19 FAQs
What do I do if my student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at home?
If your child is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them home and contact their health
care provider. Please contact Mr. Reyes to report the absence via email at jreyes@smabelles.org.
A COVID-19 related absence is excused.
What if someone in our household tested positive for COVID-19?
If someone in your household tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently under quarantine or
self-isolation, your child should follow the guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of
Public Health (LAC-DPH) on how long to remain at home and when to return to school.
What happens if a student demonstrates COVID-19 symptoms while at St. Mary’s Academy?
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the following steps will be taken:
• The student will be taken to an isolation area where temperature and symptoms will be
evaluated. The student will remain in the isolation area until they are picked up by a parent/
guardian or emergency contact.
• St. Mary’s Academy will coordinate with LAC-DPH regarding the suspected case and all con-
firmed cases on site.
What happens if a positive COVID-19 case occurs at St. Mary’s Academy?
For any positive COVID-19 case, the following protocol will be applied, in accordance with state
and local laws and regulations. School administrators will notify the Archdiocesan designee with
the following information:
• Name of person confirmed
• If known, date of potential exposure
• Date of test
• Last date on school site
• Names of individuals who had physical contact with an infected person or spent 15 minutes or
more within six feet of distance
St. Mary’s Academy will coordinate a response with LAC-DPH. After receiving direction from LAC-
DPH, St. Mary’s Academy will notify students, staff, and families who have been potentially ex-
posed to COVID-19 and provide health recommendations and guidance from LAC-DPH.
A positive COVID-19 case may lead a classroom, multiple classrooms, or the entire school to re-
turn to distance learning for a period of time. Any closure will be determined by school adminis-
tration after consultation with ADLA and LAC-DPH.
The classroom or impacted areas will receive extensive cleaning and sanitation following school
maintenance and operations guidelines.
15How are others notified they were in contact with an individual who tested positive for
COVID-19?
St. Mary’s Academy will work with LAC-DPH to determine close contacts and low-risk contacts.
Individuals identified by LAC-DPH are contacted and given information regarding how long indi-
viduals must quarantine, steps to mitigate contracting the coronavirus, and which symptoms are
associated with the virus.
All Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) notifications and guidelines for
privacy are followed.
16Appendix II - COVID-19 Scenario Chart Source: Long Beach Unified School District 17
Appendix III - On-Campus Student Requirements
Every student is REQUIRED TO:
1. Complete “Intent To Be On Campus” questionnaire by Sunday 11:59pm during the week that
you are scheduled to be on campus. This questionnaire will be completed via Google Forms.
The “Intent to Be On Campus” questionnaire will be located on the school website:
www.smabelles.org.
Every student who intends to be on campus is REQUIRED TO:
1. Complete health screening survey prior to arriving on campus during designated on campus
days for your cohort. This health screening survey will be completed via Google Forms. The
health screening survey will be located on the school website: www.smabelles.org.
2. Get dropped off at school between 7:00am - 8:30am
3. Get your temperature checked prior to entering the school building by a school official
4. Wear a mask the entire day (except when eating and drinking)
5. Practice social distancing
6. Get picked-up between 1:45pm - 2:30pm
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