2020-2021 Pandemic Reentry Plan - Opening Westland's Campus - Westland School
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Westland School Since 1949 2020–2021 Pandemic Reentry Plan Opening Westland’s Campus
Reentry
Overview
04 Context and History
06 Board of Trustees’ Decision
08 Educational Program
Distance Learning Best Practice
Digtal Platforms
Supplemental Learning Apps
12 Optimizing the Outdoors
14 Safety Measures
Restrooms
16 Community at Westland
Community Expectations
18 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
20 FAQs
21 A Note on Communication
22 Mission
2 Westland Westland
School School
Context and
History
“
We were a Over 20 years ago, one of Westland’s founding mothers, Ruth
Hershey, shared in an interview with the LA Times marking
poor school and
Westland’s 50th anniversary: “We were a poor school and we
struggled. We overcame lots of hardships. But we survived on
the strengths of our beliefs.” While certainly the school has
we struggled. grown and professionalized since those early years, we do find
ourselves in a unique, historic time period marked by struggle
We overcame lots
due to COVID-19.
Westland School’s mission begins with our commitment to
of hardships. progressive education and these aforementioned beliefs.
Our mission, our lodestar, outlines the way our teachers are
cooperatively involved and emphasizes the goal of empowering
But we survived children to be self-motivated and to view learning as a process
that will continue throughout their lives. Through an integrated
on the strengths of
social studies and child-centered experience, each Westland
child has a commitment to their group, each group has a
commitment to the school, and the school has an important
our beliefs. commitment to the world around us. Our mission culminates
with diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, issues that must
”
remain at the top priority of our work together.
During this global pandemic, Westland is channeling Ruth
Hershey’s words. We will survive and thrive on the strengths
of our beliefs. These beliefs, articulated in our mission and
Ruth Hershey our living philosophy, are experienced through our daily
commitment to each other and our school community, as well as
our broader Los Angeles community.
4 Westland 5 Westland
School School
Board of Trustees’ Board-Head Partnership:
Time and Attention
Decision
Policies
Strategies
Mission Board's Head's
Westland’s Administrative Team, serving as the Survival Advice
FROM THE STATE: Leadership
Decision
school’s coronavirus task force, is developing safety Independent Schools Major
protocols and practices, scenario planning, and the Must do Distance
reentry plan. This team actively collaborates with Learning if any of the
teachers, the Board of Trustees, health experts, Following Apply:
and outside consultants and experts on an ongoing Partnership
Shared Decisions Authorizations
basis. Leveraging our campus, small size, and --> Your county is on the
Finance Policies
monitoring list.
progressive philosophy, the school has developed Board and Head Enrollment
a multitiered plan that puts community members’ --> Your county has been off Employment terms
safety and children first. We are preparing for both the list for less than 14
days
on-campus instruction and distance learning.
--> there are cases of
COVID-19 in multiple cohorts Operational
Given the circumstances of the coronavirus spread Admissions
and the constantly changing factors, we do expect
within your school
Staffing
Board's Head's
that we will spend more time off campus than in --> at least 5% of your stu- Program Advice Decision
dents and staff have tested Systems
previous years. There are Westland families who positive within the past 14
will choose to participate remotely full time until days
public health conditions surrounding COVID-19
stabilize to the necessary standards.
A note on mask wearing:
While the CA Department of
After L.A. County is cleared, the Board of Trustees Public Health provided in- OUR RESOURCES:
formation on mask wearing
will vote on when students return to campus. for children, L.A. County California Department of Public Health Joffe Emergency Services
is still developing their (CDPH) Progressive Education Network (PEN)
policies. The school is Los Angeles Department of Public Health The American Academy of Pediatrics
following these unfolding Center for Disease Control and Educators (local, national, and
guidelines closely and will Prevention (CDC) international)
communicate the specifics of California Association of Independent Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore
our mask wearing practices Schools (CAIS) Child Psychologists
closer to the school year. National Association of Independent Physicians
Schools (NAIS) Technology Experts
California Independent Schools Business Heads of School Networks
Officers Association (CAL-ISBOA)
6 Westland 7 Westland
School School
the ways offsite learners will connect to the on-
Educational campus groups.
Program Westland’s teachers have been engaging in
professional development opportunities and
committee work throughout the summer. We are
deepening and enriching our understanding of what
makes for meaningful experiences. Teachers are both
Westland students will participate in a full-year, preparing for an on-campus return and developing
complete academic program, beit on campus or their distance learning curriculum with particular
through a distance learning experience. There likely attention towards effectively assessing student work
will be occasions where the entire school will transition and growth and how to even more effectively create
to periods of full-time remote learning. Repeated community online.
closures are possible. Westland teachers are preparing
for whatever the scenario may be. “
Students on and off campus will experience committee Westland teachers are
work, discussions and shares, group and individual preparing for whatever the
pursuit of answering the essential questions of their
studies, specialist classes, and the satisfaction of scenario may be.
preparing for public culminations.
”
Once permitted, on-campus learners will be grouped
in smaller cohorts, working with their head teacher and
associate teacher. By design, there will be a limited
number of adults interacting with cohorts in person.
The size of groups will be in compliance with accepted
guidelines and research. Children will spend the
majority of their time in outdoor classrooms and on the
yards for their play. Once on campus, children will have
specialists, both in person and remotely.
Westland is creating multiple scenarios for remote
learning. Decisions will be made depending on how
many families decide to participate in the full-time
offsite learning program. More information will be
communicated regarding the program, from staffing to
8 Westland 9 Westland
School School
Remote Learning Digital Supplemental
Best Practices Platforms Learning Apps
Ample individual and small group Public culminations inspire children PowerSchool Learning is a Learning Flipgrid is a social learning platform
time helps children be connected to pursue the questions of their Management System (LMS) that for older children to share short
to the work, the teachers, and their study and support their classmates in will be used by students and videos in response to a prompt.
teachers the entire school year. This tool allows students to
classmates. committee work. Class assignments, videos, and asynchronously share their thoughts
announcements will live here, along and learning with classmates and
Easier work sharing allows for more Anti-bias curriculum is an important with google calendar links to online teachers, to provide feedback
direct communication about student component of the Westland classes. We believe this will be an to one another, and to create
work and assessment of academic curriculum. improved experience from Google community through their sharing.
progress. Classroom LMS for students,
Social emotional learning and digital teachers, and parents. An LMS is a Epic! is a digital library that offers
software application used to create, access to books and videos for
Learning Management Systems citizenship programming are both manage, and track online learning. children ages 12 and under. Children
need to allow for ease of use, important. will utilize Epic! for reading for
increased organization, and improved Seesaw is an additional online profit and pleasure as well as for
aesthetics. Play remains essential. platform for students to see their research.
work and submit their work.
Ample sharing of work among Seesaw will be used by Groups One Additional digital tools may be used
students (including cross through Four to enable students to TBD as teachers and staff continue to
receive feedback from teachers, research and explore other learning
group and partnership sharing) see personalized assignments, view apps to enhance and deepen
creates community and boosts video lessons, and to document and remote earning.
accountability. upload evidence of their learning in
multiple formats, including audio,
Children doing work together photographs, writing, videos, and
virtually increases engagement and drawing.
affords them the opportunity to get
Zoom will continue to be used as
help from each other and from their the video conferencing platform for
teachers. large group gatherings, synchronous
lessons, remote classroom meetings,
Providing interesting materials on an learning support, group social
ongoing basis gives a connection to gatherings and parent programming
children’s learning process and the and meetings.
study at hand.
10 Westland 11 Westland
School School
Classroom Spaces + Staffing
Optimizing Group One
Outdoor Classroom: East Yard with a designated school entrance on East Yard
the Outdoors Indoor Space: East side of Auditorium (Whole Group in ½ of Auditorium)
Group Two
Outdoor Classrooms: Sandbox (with flooring) + South Yard lunch eating area
Indoor Space: Group One + Two Classrooms
Group Three
Research and data on the spread of COVID-19 shows Outdoor Classroom: East side of South Yard
Indoor Space: West side of Auditorium (Whole group on west side of Auditorium)
that contagion is greatly minimized in the open air.
As such, once on campus, teaching and learning will Groups Four
Outdoor Classroom: Pond Area + Zen Garden
happen outdoors as much as possible. Each half group Indoor Space: Group Four + Science Classrooms
or cohort of children has a designated outside campus
space with ample shade provided by popup tents and Group Five
Outdoor Classrooms: Area in front of Group Three + Five Classrooms
canopies. Generous designated outdoor play space Indoor Space: Group Three + Five Classrooms
is being reserved for children during their scheduled
breaks. Attention is being paid towards air circulation Group Six
Outdoor Classrooms: Patio space toward West Yard + back corner of West Yard
and supplying these spaces with effective tables, Indoor Space: Group Six Classroom + Library
chairs, and workspaces for the children.
In the case of inclement weather, air quality issues,
technology and instructional needs, each half group or
cohort also has a designated indoor classroom space
that provides for the suggested physical distancing.
Windows and doors will be opened throughout the
day to circulate fresh air, and high-touch surfaces will
be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Adjustments
are being made to the HVAC system to allow
for maximum air circulation and sanitizing.
Air purifiers will be utilized during indoor
instruction. Westland is optimizing
multiple spaces on campus, including
the Auditorium and Library.
12 Westland 13 Westland
School School
Restrooms
Safety Multiple cohorts are assigned to designated restrooms. Dividers between sinks
Measures and urinals are being installed where necessary. Restroom use will be part of the
orientation process for students, including such lessons on physical distancing
practices in the bathroom and proper flushing and hand washing practices.
Protocols are in place for frequently scheduled cleanings.
Group One
Physical distancing practice Sanitization and cleaning processes Adult restrooms off of Patio, porta-potty in East Yard for any emergency need
throughout campus with specific which includes classrooms being
consideration to snack and break sanitized between classes, and the Group Two
time. overall campus being deep cleaned Group One restroom and adult restrooms
every evening. Group Three
Limited campus access for visitors Adult restrooms
and parenting adults. Child-friendly signage posted
throughout campus. Groups Four–Six
Children’s restrooms
Frequent and scheduled handwashing
with additional hand washing stations Designated materials for each child Adults
throughout campus, including to use in their outdoor and indoor Family restroom + 2 porta-potties for adult use (All porta-potties for adult
additional protocols for teachers who classrooms. use will include sinks)
see multiple cohorts.
Protocol for children showing signs of
Mandated health screening for sickness while on campus.
students and employees.
All families following state, county,
Face coverings required for all and federal measures and mandates.
community members (including
protocols for washing and rotating Teachers supporting children to
coverings), as mandated by the understand safety practices with
county. careful attention to social-emotional
learning.
Regular use of non-toxic sanitizing
and cleaning products that meet
environmental standards and current
regulatory requirements, including
the researched-based electrostatic
disinfectant mister.
14 Westland 15 Westland
School School
Community Expectations
Community at Westland families serve a vital role in helping to ensure a safe return to campus
Westland for Westland children and adults on campus. The following expectations ask for
all community members to adopt behaviors in their daily lives that advance our
collective ability to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Westland is asking all
families to abide by the policies, procedures, and orders related to COVID-19
implemented by the state, county, and school and in honor of Westland’s mission
and commitment to the commonwealth of the community.
Community at Westland is our number-one value.
Community building is a top priority for Westland. Keep your child/children Promptly notify the school and
Reflecting on the 2020 spring experience for parents, home when sick and/or when follow instructions if you or
we are prioritizing not only regular opportunities for experiencing any COVID-19 anyone in your household has
parents to learn and reflect, but also opportunities to symptoms. close contact (less than 6 feet
connect and build community–to have fun! away for more than 15 minutes)
Maintain physical distancing as with someone who has tested
These opportunities will be virtual. Due to the limit much as possible. positive for COVID-19.
of visitors on campus, parents will not be allowed on
campus in person (barring emergencies). So community Wear an appropriate face Adhere closely to Westland’s
events like Sings and parent education events will covering. community expectations in the 14
remain virtual. days prior to returning to campus.
Practice recommended frequent
We know that building community will take extra effort. handwashing for twenty seconds. Avoid unnecessary travel while
Working with specific parent committees, the school your child is an on-campus learner
will create ways to build community and connection Avoid large gatherings and any and 14 days prior to an on-campus
environment in which people return.
among old friends and new friends. This is a place
are not observing recommended
where the Westland parent community will shine. behaviors, such as wearing Respond cooperatively and
Though modified, parent committees will remain vital masks and practicing physical respectfully to reminders, and
to the Westland parent experience
“
...the school will
distancing.
Partner with teachers to help
provide gentle reminders to those
who appear to need them.
create ways to build children learn the new protocols
such as following directional signs All community members must
community and on campus. understand their responsibility
to the common good of the school
connection among Participate in the required health community. In order to promote health
monitoring protocols established
old friends and new by the school.
and safety, Westland will proactively
communicate and as necessary take
friends. administrative action regarding the
”
follow-through of these expectations.
16 Westland 17 Westland
School School
Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, & Justice
Westland School will continue to prioritize and work to deepen and grow the
work of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Fortified by multiple years
of work and progress led by the Board of Trustees and the Diversity Leadership
Team, the two strategic plan DEI-themed pillars, and the Assistant Head of
School for Equity, Inclusion, and Counseling, the school will:
Prioritize the development and expansion of
anti-bias curriculum
Provide ongoing professional development for
faculty and staff
Offer parent education opportunities to
both learn about important issues and to
build community where all people know they
belong
Expand affinity group programing
Work towards increasing racial/ethnic
diversity among the student, staff, and
teacher population, paying careful attention
to historically underrepresented groups at
Westland
18 Westland 19 Westland
School SchoolFrequently A Note on
asked Questions Communication
Are Families allowed to change their minds regarding Westland School endeavors to provide clear, informative, and transparent
which program (on campus or remote learning) they communications with important and necessary updates on a regular basis. The
sign up for? school relies on all parenting adults reading all communications. Garnering
Westland will ask that families commit to one 12-week feedback from surveys and office hours, our intentions around communication for
period to support the school’s managing of myriad the 2020-2021 school year are:
details, logistics, and schedules.
How will LAUSD’s decisions impact Westland’s?
Regular letters from head of school will be
LAUSD’s purview is massive. It spans over 750,000 information-based and more crisp
students and over 1,300 campuses. Even compared
to other independent schools, Westland, with our 130 Pastoral and philosophical messages will be
students, has added agility and flexibility to meet the
safety requirements, while still keeping the integrity
mainly represented in the head of school’s In
and essential components of our progressive program. Context blogs, which will be sent out more
What are the key takeaways from Governor frequently
Newsom’s and the state’s most recent mandates? Periodic messages from the Board of Trustees
Independent schools must do distance learning if
any of the following apply: your county is on the will continue
monitoring list, your county has been off the list for
less than 14 days, there are cases of COVID-19 in
Administrative Team Topical Office Hours will
multiple cohorts within your school, or at least 5% of continue during remote learning
your students and staff have tested positive within the
past 14 days. Teacher Office Hours will continue during
remote learning
What about that waiver I’m hearing about?
Westland is currently researching the waiver and will
survey employees and parents for input.
20 Westland 21 Westland
School SchoolMission
Statement
Westland School is an elementary school
committed to progressive education. Teachers
are cooperatively involved in developing and
implementing an integrated, hands-on, social
studies-based curriculum. Westland focuses on
empowering students to be self-motivated and
to view learning as an exciting and rewarding
process that will continue throughout their lives.
We strive for a learning environment that is
child-centered and non-competitive. Each child at
Westland has a commitment to their group; each
group has a commitment to the school and the
school has an important commitment to the world
around us. Westland values experiential learning
to develop problem solving and critical thinking
skills. We believe that learning best occurs when
there is a student population that is culturally,
socially and economically diverse.
22 Westland
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