Back to School Guidance January 2021

Back to School Guidance January 2021

Produced in line with Ghana Education Service guidelines &
                  Public Health England

“Schools have paved the way to success for many Africans.They also provide a
   safe haven for many children in challenging circumstances to develop and
thrive.We must not be blind-sided by our efforts to contain COVID-19 and end
                          up with a lost generation”.
                             Dr Matshidiso Moeti
                     WHO Regional Director for Africa

Dear Parents/Care-givers and Staff,

I hope that all families are keeping well and safe from Covid-19 and a very
warm welcome to new parents joining Multikids! We have recently fin-
ished the parent conferences for Term One and I am very happy to report
that our students across all sectors of the school are making good pro-
gress despite the many challenges that the pandemic has brought to our
lives. We are proud of our school community where MKA worked to-
gether with parents to create a dynamic environment for children learning
remotely. Staff who visit families at home have shown tremendous
commitment and this close contact is unprecedented. The onsite trans-
disciplinary health care (TDHCP) sessions provided individualised pro-
grammes for every child and again parents have reported great progress.
The commitment and skillset that our team of teachers and therapists
have demonstrated has been outstanding.
As we negotiate the likelihood of more of our pupils coming into school
for face to face learning in 2021, staying true to MKA’s values has never
been more important in guiding our way forward. Our highest priorities
at this time are the health, safety and well being of the MKA community
and continuing to improve upon delivering our flexible and engaging digital
curriculum so that students maintain high levels of learning, as well as the
full range of hands on services that MKA offers.
The Back to School Guidance below has vital and important informa-
tion which we need to read carefully to prepare ourselves to keep our
whole school community safe - students, staff and parents. We have also
done a thorough Risk Assessment which is attached to this Guidance
document. Financial information about school fees, policy and invoices is
at the end.
We are committed to achieving success and adhering to the protocols
and best practices needed during this time whilst we wait for further
guidance from the Government of Ghana regarding the plan to lift the
lockdown on schools.
In the meantime enjoy your families during this festive season. I wish you a
peaceful new year and renewed hope for a great 2021.
Amanda Budge
Executive Head on behalf of the Senior Team and Advisory Board

Term 2 starts on 6th January 2021

Important information:

5th January - staff in school for training and preparation
6th January - school starts as planned with a parent orientation meeting.
It is critical that all parents attend this meeting for information relating to
how the school will phase in the Hybrid Model. The key topics for the
parent orientation are:
How the hybrid model will work in MKA.
Going over the Risk Assessment and Communication Policy.
We will also have a student orientation meeting on the 6th January in
class groups to welcome students back to school and prepare for the 8th
January, when teaching and learning will start.
Friday 8th January - First day of Teaching, learning and therapy starts with
the same timetable as for Term One for all students
Monday 25th January - Working date for re-opening of school.
Please note that this will not change even if the the lockdown is lifted be-
fore this date.

Key Dates for January at a glance

A quick look at MKA’s Hybrid Model of Education

Guidance Document

             Mitigating the threat of COVID-19

Hazard

COVID-19 is spread in minute water droplets expelled from the body
through sneezing, coughing, talking and breathing.The virus can be trans-
ferred to the hands and from there to surfaces. It can survive on surfaces
for a period after transfer (depending on the surface type, its moisture
content and temperature). People can pick up the virus by breathing in
droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces; then touching their eyes
or mouth.

Possible transmission of the virus between staff and children, into the
wider community.

Risk Consequence

The vast majority of people who become infected with COVID-19 will
have mild to moderate symptoms which will self-resolve, and will not
require further treatment.Whilst COVID-19 illness can be fatal, this
likelihood disproportionately impacts adults and specifically those with
pre-existing conditions.The severity of COVID-19 remains high until a
vaccine or treatment is available in Ghana.

The overall risk assessment detailed at the end of this guidance document
considers actions taken by the school to mitigate risks to pupils, staff and
others presented by COVID, when we open fully for face to face teaching
and learning.

Keeping our children safe
We now know much more about coronavirus (COVID-19) and so in
future there will be far fewer children and young people advised to shield
whenever community transmission rates are high. Therefore, the majority
of pupils will be able to return to school.We note however that:

i) a small number of pupils will still be unable to attend in line with public
health advice because they are self-isolating and have had symptoms or a
positive test result themselves; or because they are a close contact of
someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19)

ii) some pupils who generally remain under the care of a specialist health
professional may need to discuss their care with their health professional
before returning to school. Multikid’s School Nurse in collaboration with
the senior management team (SMT) will carry out risk assessments for
each individual child with their parent/carers; this includes each child’s
health needs. Any concerns, from families, other professionals or school
staff will initiate a further risk assessment.

You can find more advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child
Health at COVID-19 - ‘shielding’ guidance for children and young people.
COVID-19 - ‘shielding’ guidance for children and young people.

Before sending your child to school parents must...
Complete a temperature and symptoms check every day before children
leave home

- key symptoms to check for are: Body Pains, Loss of taste or smell, bitter
taste in mouth, sore throat (these were shared by local medical practi-
tioner)

Ensure that children with symptoms or illness are not allowed to leave
home and follow the guidelines in the Risk Assessment

Ensure that students who have been in contact with a COVID-19 case (or
someone in their household) stay home for 14 days and follow the guid-
ance in the Risk Assessment

Self-isolate for 14 days after travel

Stay informed about the local situation, Multikids protocols and the risks
involved with school attendance

Follow the What to do if...section of this Guidance and check the Risk As-
sessment if not sure.

Make sure that every child has a small bottle of hand sanitiser in their
bags

Keeping our school workforce safe

School workforce

When the Government of Ghana lift school lockdown, we expect that
most staff will attend school.

Individual staff risk assessments will be carried out by the senior manage-
ment team (SMT) through a questionnaire before we return to work face
to face with students. Staff who are clinically vulnerable will be followed
up with a personal interview.

All staff to wear masks and shields around the school at all times except
when in class bubble. PPE to be worn for all personal care as usual.

Training for all staff on correct putting on and off of face masks and PPE’s
to maintain mitigation of risks.

A Safe Environment
1. Rigorous cleaning of school and resources detailed in the Risk Assess-
ment.
Also refer to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-de-
contamination-in-non- healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-
non-healthcare-settings

2. Children and staff to wash their hands frequently throughout the day
with soap and water. Hand Sanitiser will be placed in key points across the
campus.

3. Keeping a safe distance - all staff to practise safe distancing with the
children to ensure that all follow the 2 metre rule. Staff and parents to
find online games and songs to practise with children.

4. Clear signage demonstrating expectations to remind staff and children
of the rules(see example in following pages). Staff and children to find on-
line games and songs to practise with the children.

5. Arriving and leaving school rules clearly communicated to parents,
carers and drivers (see section 15 of the Risk Assessment)

6. Outdoor facilities and playgrounds will be regularly sanitised after use
and washed daily.

Classroom environment
Students will be required to stay in one classroom only and mix only with
their group and teacher. This is called a Bubble. See Section 8 of the Risk
Assessment
One class One Bubble with a maximum of 10 pupils in each bubble
The virus spreads most easily in enclosed environments.Therefore, staff
members will be asked to keep windows open to allow movement of air
during the day. Additional fans will be added

There will be a distance of 1.5 meters between desks and all students will
sit facing forwards Social distancing to be maintained between each
bubble. Follow the 2 metre rule

Lunch either in class or staggered outside for older pupils to avoid shared
spaces

Staff will wear masks and/or face shields

Children over 12 will wear masks if they can manage

Outside spaces will be timetabled for separate play/learning, all outdoor
equipment will be cleaned between different groups

Clear signposting for adults and children on social distancing in
classrooms / corridors /halls /office spaces

Specialist therapists and teachers will join one bubble at a time but must
maintain social distancing (ideally 2 metres) from other adults and children
as far as is reasonably practicable

Resources will be cleaned thoroughly between sessions

No whole school events or assemblies will take place physically – virtual
platforms will be used.

Arriving on MKA campus
While on campus, all teachers and some students are required to wear a
mask or face shield as per the local regulations.

Everyone entering the campus will be asked if they are experiencing any
COVID- related symptoms or if they have been in contact with or cared
for someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days

We will check everyone’s temperature as they enter the school.

Everyone will be required to wash their hands using the Veronika bucket
placed at the entrance to the school

Physical distancing and hand sanitisation will be a regular requirement and
all students must follow the rules, with guidance from staff and the signage
displayed around the school

Additional hand washing and sanitising stations will be made available
around the campus

Parents are only allowed into campus by appointment. Nannies and
drivers are not allowed on campus, unless a one to one support for a vul-
nerable child has been pre-agreed with senior management

There will be clearly defined protocols for movement around the campus
and access to school facilities, bathrooms and corridors. Floors will be
taped with lines for the children to stand behind/follow and there will be
clear marking to help children to socially distance

School lunch & School bus
There will not be a school bus service or school lunch service until fur-
ther notice.

School lunches will only be served when the risk level of infection is LOW
and when we have completely resumed face to face learning

Deliveries of food from home during the school day will not be allowed
due to the risk of contamination from contact and surfaces

Students should bring their food from home with them each day. Food
consumption will be limited to specific locations (indoor and outdoor)
where physical distancing is easily implemented and monitored

TAs will be available as usual to heat food at school for the children and
to supervise lunch time. Children to eat their food from containers
brought from home. Please pack your child’s snack, drink and lunch in a
good sized bag/backpack that is well labelled with your child’s name

No cutlery or plates will be available for use from the school kitchen until
we have completely resumed face to face learning

What do we do if a person becomes infected with
        COVID-19 or shows symptoms?
Ensure that pupils, staff and other adults do not come into school if they
have Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptoms or have tested positive in the
last 7 days.

Anyone in the school who becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough,
sore throat or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their
normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), must be sent home and advised
to follow ‘stay at home: guidance for households with possible or con-
firmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, which sets out that they must
self-isolate for at least 7 days and should arrange to have a test to see if
they have COVID-19. Other members of their household (including any
siblings) should self-isolate for 14 days from when the symptomatic per-
son first had symptoms.

If a child is awaiting collection, they will be moved to a room where they
can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age and needs of
the child, with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window
should be opened for ventilation.

If they need a bathroom while waiting to be collected, they will use a sep-
arate bathroom if possible.The bathroom must be cleaned and disinfected
using standard cleaning products before use by anyone else.

PPE must be worn by staff caring for child awaiting collection if 2m dis-
tance cannot be maintained. More information on PPE use can be found in
the safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care settings,
including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
In an emergency, call WARA (number clearly displayed) if someone is seri-
ously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Anyone with COVID-19 symp-
toms should go immediately for a COVID-19 test at designated testing
centres.

Continued … What do we do if a person becomes
   infected with COVID-19 or shows symptoms
Any staff who has helped someone with symptoms or anyone who has
been in close contact, do not need to go home to self-isolate unless they
develop symptoms themselves (in which case, they should arrange a test)
or if symptomatic person subsequently tests positive.

Everyone must wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and
running water or use hand sanitiser after any contact with someone who
is unwell.The area around the person with symptoms must be cleaned
with at least an anti-bacterial/viral cleaning agent after they have left to
reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. See the
 COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings guidance

All staff in the bubble / group will be informed if another member of
group develops symptoms to ensure informed choice can be made about
attendance whilst testing takes place. Depending on group and level of so-
cial distancing, the group may be asked to isolate until a test comes back
for the person with symptoms.

Finance & Operations

The Board has decided on the following strategy in terms of
tuition fees for Term 2:

Parents will be invoiced before the beginning of term by the Accounts Of-
ficer, as usual. Payment of fees is guided by the MKA School Fee Policy (at-
tached with your invoice) and parents are asked to make sure that they
have read the policy and agreed to the terms and conditions by signing
and returning the form attached.

We appeal to all parents to pay their school fees in a timely manner to
avoid the steps that will be taken if fees are not paid for the services that
MKA provides.

Payment plans will only be available to those parents who have a signed
agreement with the Accounts office. There is no automatic payment plan
in place for Term 2 so please pay your fees in full as per the school fee
policy or seek an official new agreement with Accounts.

It is after much careful thought that we have decided that there will not
be any reduction in School fees for Term 2 of the 2020- 2021 academic
year since we foresee that the school will be re-opening for face to face
teaching and learning.

Please note that any changes to the procedures outlined in this guidance
document may be made in accordance with guideline updates from the
local authorities, the WHO and/or the centres for disease control and
prevention.

Attachment to this document:
Covid-19 Risk Assessment
Communication Policy
There are many links to policies and guidance documents that we have
provided that have helped Multikids implement good practise during this
pandemic.

Appendix
COVID-19 Risk Assessment is attached with this document.
Please make sure that you have read carefully all of the information in this
Guidance.
We look forward to working with you to enable MKA to open safely
Please contact a member of the Senior Management team for further in-
formation:
Amanda Budge       Executive Head
abudge@multikidsgh.org

Farouk Iliasu             Head of HR & Training
filiasu@multikidsgh.org

Anneke Quashie            Principal Primary and Middle School
aquashie@multikidsgh.org