Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021
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Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020–2021
We look forward to welcoming students and teachers back
to campus at the start of the 2020–2021 school year!
We believe — and the American Academy of Pediatrics home and they will have access to our program from
confirms — that it is far preferable to have our students a distance so that students remain connected and
learning in school rather than remotely for their social- engaged in their learning.
emotional development, their psychological health and
their intellectual growth, as long as public health data In this document, you will find the specific details of the
continues to support that model. plan and the sets of procedures and policies that will
guide our work as a community of learners — students,
We also understand that being on campus together families, faculty and staff — during the 2020–2021
involves increased risk of COVID-19 transmission school year and while the COVID-19 pandemic is
and that participation in our on-campus program is ongoing. This plan outlines the measures that NCCS is
voluntary. Our intention is to mitigate that risk as putting in place to mitigate the risk of the spread of
much as possible while maintaining the integrity and COVID-19 as the school reopens campus with guidance
richness of our program and an exceptional and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
joyful student experience that are hallmarks of a Occupational Safety and Health Administration and
Country School education. Connecticut Departments of Health and Education.
School will, out of necessity, look different than it has This is a “living” document and will be updated
in the past. We will have new procedures, including as guidelines, procedures and policies change. It
wearing face masks and practicing physical distancing, may be modified as necessary, until otherwise
throughout the school day. Nevertheless, we are rescinded by the school. Updates will be posted to
confident that students will continue to find their www.countryschool.net/safe. The policies set forth in
learning environment to be welcoming and inspiring. this addendum are intended to either supplement or
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and expert supersede the school’s existing policies. Therefore, if a
faculty, ample physical space including vast outdoor policy in the Parent and Student Handbook and/or the
spaces, robust technology and — most importantly — Enrollment Contract conflicts with a policy in this plan,
a shared commitment to our community values that the policies in this plan shall govern. Please take the
makes this possible. time to carefully read this plan, including reviewing it
with your children. It is important that families
Just as we believe that being on campus is preferable, understand the school’s expectations and policies,
we also know that the circumstances may change and that families know to whom they can direct their
locally and regionally and that we must be responsive questions or concerns.
to those changes. Therefore, we are prepared for many
possible scenarios, and have designed our approach Parents with questions about this plan may contact
to be flexible so that we can move from on-campus Chief Financial Officer Victor Catano, who serves
to distance learning quickly and efficiently with a as the school’s official COVID-19 co-coordinator, at
minimum of disruption to our students, teachers and vcatano@countryschool.net.
classroom atmospheres. We also know that some
families will opt to have their children learn from (Version 3.0, Nov. 21, 2020)
revisions marked in purple
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 2
“Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being and provide our children
and adolescents with academic instruction, social and emotional skills, safety, reliable nutrition,
physical/speech and mental health therapy, and opportunities for physical activity, among other benefits.
…[T]he AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a
goal of having students physically present in school.”
— American Academy of Pediatrics, COVID-19 Planning Considerations
In this plan you will find:
Guiding Principles. ....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Flexible Scenario Planning. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
A Healthy Learning Environment. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Campus Health & Safety Measures.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Community Expectations................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The Cougar Pledge........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Student Experience....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Distance Learning. ....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Prioritizing Social-Emotional Well-being.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Dining.. . . . . . . . . . ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Arrival & Dismissal. ....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Our Calendar At a Glance................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Changes to Our Physical Campus. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
General Campus Guidelines............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Thank You. . . . . ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 3
As we plan, we are committed to the following
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Safety and Well-being First
We know that students learn better and teachers teach better
when we first attend to both their physical and emotional health.
An Exceptional Academic Program
Our program — as always — will challenge students to
question, explore and engage with their learning in ways
that ignite their curiosity and build connections.
Design for Flexibility
Our plan recognizes the dynamic nature of our current situation
and is built in a way that will allow us to pivot as necessary to
meet the needs of our community as conditions shift. We are
committed to providing equitable access to our students as well
as addressing the individual needs of students and families.
Informed Decision Making
We will continue to base our decisions on the most up-to-date
information available from local, state and national resources,
independent school and state education guidelines, as well as our
internal expertise and knowledge about childhood education best
practices. We will continue to meet and/or exceed all mandated
guidelines and hold ourselves to high educational standards.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 4
FLEXIBLE SCENARIO PLANNING
While our intention is to be physically at school, if we need to shut down the campus for a period of time,
we will pivot to our distance learning program for all students.
We recognize that circumstances may call for families to elect or be required to keep children home
when school is in session on campus. With this in mind, we have designed our program to accommodate
for various scenarios.
• Students electing or required to remain home because • Our revised school calendar and schedules for
of COVID-19-related circumstances will have access to the year allow for a transition to distance
our program from a distance. learning with minimal disruption.
• If a grade-level or class of students needs to remain • Standardized classroom communication systems
home due to a COVID-19 case or exposure within that make access to lessons and assignments easy and
group, the group will move to distance learning for consistent whether on campus or at a distance.
the designated quarantine period.
Return to Campus Plan Fall 2020 | 5
A HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
We understand that being on campus together involves increased risk of COVID-19 transmission.
In order to mitigate the risk of potential transmission on campus as much as possible while
maintaining an optimal student experience, we will employ universally accepted strategies.
Each reduces risk to our community’s health and, when used together, they reinforce one another.
This means that even in the temporary absence of one or two of the strategies, the risk of
transmission remains mitigated because of the presence of the others:
Face mask-wearing Physical distancing
Redesigned spaces
by all students and of the appropriate Regular handwashing
to support
adults in Beginners measure — a minimum and hygiene
lower density
through Grade 9 of 6 feet in most cases
Routine cleaning Cohorting of students
and faculty to minimize Use of outdoor space Optimized ventilation
and sanitization of
interaction whenever possible of indoor space
“high-touch” surfaces
Restricted visitor Virtual meetings
access to campus and events
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 6
CAMPUS HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES
Physical Distancing Hygiene
• Limiting close face-to-face contact with others • The Health/Safety Staff has provided basic
(physical distancing) is the best way to reduce handwashing and hygiene recommendations to
the spread of COVID-19. Guidelines and help prevent the spread of infectious disease.
recommendations for physical distancing can This includes specific information about the
be reviewed here. classroom. Recommendations for handwashing
• Plexiglass barriers are being installed on and other hygiene can be reviewed here.
faculty workstations where physical distancing
guidelines may be more difficult to meet.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Routine cleaning of all areas of the school
Face Coverings will occur daily.
• Face masks will be required for all students and
• Cleaning and disinfecting of bathrooms and
adults on campus. Regular face mask breaks will targeted “high-touch” areas will occur twice a day.
be incorporated into the daily schedule.
• Students will be trained to assist with cleaning
Additional information about face masks and their own desks.
coverings and mask breaks can be reviewed
here. CONTINUED ▸
• Students are expected to come to school with
two clean face masks every day. The school will
have a limited number of face masks on hand for
students who forget theirs. It is important
Care Courageous
that face coverings are comfortable and fit well.
Face masks that have elastic bands Boldly! Original
that slip over the ears are best. Gaiters,
buffs, bandanas or other coverings that
United
leave significant space between
the nose/mouth and open air are not allowed.
Giving
Face masks with built-in vents are also Awesome
•
prohibited.
Face coverings should be
Are you being Resilient
appropriate in keeping with
the school Dress Code.
cougar careful? Strong
Our Wellness Team invited students, parents, faculty and
staff to participate in a "Community Health Slogan" contest
and was pleased by a large response of creative ideas, just
a handful of which are included throughout this document.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 7
CAMPUS HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES (CONTINUED)
Health/Safety Office Campus Signage
Protocols and Procedures • New campus signage specific to the procedures
• Our Health/Safety Office will continue to provide and policies outlined in this guide will be installed.
safe care to students and employees who present It is important for all members of the community
with non-COVID-19 symptoms, and has established to follow the directions on those signs in the
procedures for potential COVID-19 cases to ensure interest of everyone’s well-being and safety.
students and employees who become sick at school
or who arrive at school sick are isolated immediately,
that their emergency contacts are called and Shutdown Plan
that they are sent home as soon as possible. • Depending on the regional and local
• The Health and Wellness Team will educate circumstances, we may decide to shut
employees and students on the proper use and down our campus operations temporarily.
importance of face masks, handwashing, proper Read the shutdown plan here.
hygiene, physical distancing and cleaning. • If the governor closes schools in
Connecticut, we will close our campus.
• In the event of other circumstances, the
Positive Case Policy COVID-19 School Shutdown Committee,
• In the event of a positive case of COVID-19, composed of school, board and New Canaan
our positive case policy takes effect. Health Department Leadership, and advised
The policy can be viewed here. by groups of medical experts and other school
• We will notify the New Canaan Health personnel, will convene to decide whether
Department and coordinate our response those circumstances warrant campus closure.
with them and other towns depending on • In the event of a shutdown, we will
the hometown of the affected individual. commence our distance learning program.
• Our Health Office team are trained contact
tracers. They will identify and notify all those who
came into contact with the affected individual.
• We will notify the community of the presence
of a positive case, consistent with guidance
from the New Canaan Health Department.
Six feet apart
• In all communications, we will maintain the
confidentiality of the affected individual’s identity.
but together
• Those in contact with the affected individual
by heart!
will quarantine at home consistent with
the criteria established by the Centers for Disease NCCS:
Control and local Departments of Health. Navigating COVID
Conscious Students
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 8
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
Our ability to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our
students, parents/guardians and employees depends on all of us.
As part of a caring community, we understand that our health
and safety depend on one another, particularly at this time.
We ask that all members of the NCCS community adhere to this
pledge as a promise to responsibly protect our health and the
health of others and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Parents, we need
While we will not expect a formal reporting of health on a daily basis,
your partnership. we expect every family to assess the health of their child(ren) every
day, and for students who exhibit any symptoms of illness to remain
We all have to play our part to home. Such daily assessment and shared commitment to the
keep our students, teachers, community’s health is critical.
and community safe. It is
essential that all families The virus that causes COVID-19 is highly contagious. It is possible to
follow the following: develop and contract COVID-19 even when individuals follow all of the
safety precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and
• Keep sick children home! Prevention, the state of Connecticut and the school. We are following all
• Follow travel guidelines & coronavirus guidelines issued by the CDC and other experts to reduce the
self-quarantine if needed spread of infection. However, by engaging in on- or off-campus activities,
• Report a positive case students can never be completely shielded from all risk of exposure or
immediately illness caused by COVID-19 or other infections.
• Make sure your child arrives
each day with two clean, If the school is concerned about the health of a student, the possible
properly-fitted face masks exposure to COVID-19, or a concern the school’s policies have not been
• Teach and model good hand followed, the school reserves the right to require the student to either
washing hygiene (1) be tested for COVID-19 and provide proof of a negative test before
• Reach out if you are returning to campus or (2) remain off campus for 14 days.
concerned about your child’s
emotional well-being
• Maintain up-to-date Self-Certification
physicals and medical forms Prior to school commencing and at other times throughout the school
• Minimize your time (following breaks or due to other external factors), school families will
on campus — Help us be asked to certify their travel to any state identified by the state of
limit number of people Connecticut as being high-risk for COVID-19, and that they are not
on campus experiencing any symptoms of illness, and have not knowingly come
• Avoid hosting or attending into contact with anyone who has or subsequently tested positive for
large gatherings COVID-19. We will also ask families to acknowledge the assumption of
• Practice and model risk inherent in their child/ren’s return to campus.
CONTINUED ▸
social distancing
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 9
THE COUGAR PLEDGE
I promise to care for my family’s personal health, the health of all Country School
community members and the health of our surrounding community.
I will…
Follow all health and safety guidelines outlined by the school.
• Follow all directions given by faculty and staff and displayed on school signage. Individual activities
and facilities may have more specific requirements based upon the unique risks presented.
• Wash my hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
• Follow physical distancing and face-covering guidelines, both on-campus and off campus;
avoid hosting or attending large gatherings where proper social distancing measures are not feasible.
• Keep my clothing, belongings, personal spaces and shared common spaces sanitized, and not
share personal items with others, particularly items such as eating utensils and water bottles,
which could spread the COVID-19 virus.
Screen my (or my child’s) health every day.
• Stay home (or keep my children home) and not enter campus facilities if I (or my children) feel sick.
• Monitor for the symptoms of COVID-19 and report to a medical professional if I (or my child/ren)
experience a fever of 100.40 F (380 C) or higher, dry cough, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated
shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms
related to COVID-19.
Promptly report any known or potential cases of COVID-19.
• Self-isolate in accordance with the CDC and state of Connecticut guidelines if I (or my children)
test positive for COVID-19.
• Participate fully and honestly in contact tracing.
• Stay home (or keep my children home) if I (they) have been exposed to someone who is sick or
has tested positive for COVID-19, demonstrate symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact
with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19.
Avoid unnecessary travel and quarantine if I (or my child/ren) travel to areas identified by the state of
Connecticut as being high-risk for COVID-19.
Ensure that my children are up to date on all vaccinations as required by state law and, in addition,
get vaccinated for the seasonal flu in the fall.
Help our children understand — using positive language — how important they are to keeping
all of us healthy.
• No person or group of people is responsible for this virus, and I will not blame the presence
of COVID-19 on anyone in my community.
• Remember that not everyone is affected equally by COVID-19. By complying with COVID-19
health guidelines, I will help those who are most vulnerable stay safe.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 10STUDENT EXPERIENCE
We have reimagined our physical spaces, daily schedule and routines according to the new
health and safety guidelines so that teachers and students can feel comfortable, connected
and able to focus on the good work of teaching and learning.
Principles of Design
Low-Density Flexibility
Learning Cohorting for
Spaces Distance
School Day Designated Learning Spaces
Students will continue to experience a broad-based and Materials
curriculum of English, History/Social Studies, Math, We have ample room across our four divisions and
Science, Arts, Languages and Physical Education/ 75-acre campus to create a low-density and physically
Athletics. They will continue to have morning distanced environment. Each learning community will
meetings/advisory, study halls, recess and other have dedicated use of campus spaces. (For example,
familiar activities throughout their day. in Upper School the lower level will be dedicated to
9th grade, the main level will be dedicated to 7th
grade, and the upper level will be dedicated to 8th
Smaller Learning Communities grade. In Middle School, there will be a 5th grade
We have reimagined our homeroom model based wing and a 6th grade wing.) In some cases, students
on new health and safety guidelines. Students and will travel to learning spaces that will be cleaned
teachers will form learning communities that remain and dedicated to their use for a period of time; and
together throughout their school day, with limited in others, teachers will “push in” to classrooms.
exposure outside of their immediate classroom and/ Common spaces and playgrounds will not be
or grade level. Wherever possible, teachers will work occupied by more than one grade-level at a time and
with only one grade level in a given term. In order to will be routinely cleaned. Each grade-level will have
limit interactions between and among large numbers its own recess equipment which will be cleaned
of people, students will be grouped by classroom regularly. Student materials and athletic equipment
(Early Childhood), grade level (Middle School and will also be designated for individual use whenever
Upper School) and House (Lower School). Houses are possible and will be cleaned and disinfected
learning groups within a grade-level. Details of each frequently. Students will not use lockers. Students
grade-level plan will be shared at Divisional Forums may attend school wearing athletic gear.
the week of Aug. 16.
CONTINUED ▸
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 11STUDENT EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)
Communication
We have reimagined and streamlined our approach
to classroom communication. Course pages will
offer consistent, clear communication portals for
teachers, families and students. They will also
serve as a way to organize curriculum and increase
accessibility for students on campus and at home.
Teachers in Beginners through Grade 9 will post timely
information including announcements, activities and
assignments in this central location. Whether in school
or learning from home, students, teachers and/or
families will log on to their course pages each day and
find everything they need for their school day.
Physical Education and Athletics
Physical education and athletics are an integral part
of the educational experience of our students.
Students in Early Childhood and Lower School will
continue to participate in physical education, with
additional attention to physical distancing as well
as sanitizing practices. Middle and Upper School
students will continue to participate in the seasonal
sport of their choice, and although interscholastic
competition within the Fairchester league has been
cancelled at this time, we are committed to providing
a positive, meaningful and robust athletic experience
while prioritizing the health and safety of our
student-athletes and broader school community.
Students will participate in PE and Athletics in
grade-level groups, and our curriculum at all
levels will continue to focus on sport-specific skills,
fitness, participation, sportsmanship, and overall
success and growth as an athlete.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 12DISTANCE LEARNING
We continue to operate with a mindset of flexibility In the event that the campus must close, structures are
and are prepared for distance learning scenarios. We in place to ease the transition to full distance learning
are planning for online access to our program whether for teachers and students, including daily and weekly
one student is learning remotely or the entire school schedules which will generally remain unchanged and
is. There is tremendous importance in students feeling consistent use of course pages that serve as a central
connected to other students and their teachers when communication portal. Additionally, our programmatic
accessing school from a distance. objectives and our commitment to assessing student
progress towards those objectives will not change
Students who opt to learn from home while campus is under any scenario.
open will continue to be members of their classroom
communities, engaging at a distance. They will The education provided by the School through distance
connect with their teachers and classmates through a learning is considered a continuation of the School’s
combination of Zoom whole and small group activities educational program. The rules and responsibilities of the
as well as independent work. Students in Grade 3 and up student are the same as if the student was participating
will work towards accessing our program independently in learning on-campus, including those outlined in the
while students Grade 2 and below will need support school’s Distance Learning Expectations.
from an adult. Students in Grades 1–9 who are learning
from home can expect their day to follow a similar
schedule as on campus. Early Childhood schedules will
be adapted to meet the needs of our youngest learners.
Class assignments and announcements will be available
on course pages in a central location. Students learning
from home will have regular check-ins to help them stay
on track to meet their learning objectives.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 13PRIORITIZING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
We know that in order to be available for learning, we must first attend to students’ social-emotional needs.
Our Wellness Team will guide our efforts and serve as valuable resources to students, their families, and
our faculty and staff community.
Focus on Relationships Home-School Partnership
During the first weeks of school, teachers will focus on Children learn best when the significant adults
establishing psychological safety with their students and in their lives — parents/guardians, teachers, and
among cohorts. It is essential to building a productive other family and community members — work
classroom community that all students feel seen, together to encourage and support them. This basic
known, heard, valued and cared for before and during truth is a guiding principle as we think about, plan
the work of academic learning. Through intentional and engage in our return to school. Home-school
relationship-building lessons and explicit teaching, partnership is indispensable to address all of a
we will lower the barrier to communications and child’s developmental needs at any time. During
connections that face masks could pose for children. the return-to-school process, the meaningful
involvement and partnership of parents/guardians
and support from the community are essential.
Caring for Our Adult Community We will continue to solicit feedback from families
Teachers’ well-being is critical. We will prioritize our via surveys and other forums.
faculty and staff mental and physical health, monitor
stress levels and be vigilant for signs of stress and
burnout. We will offer proactive interventions for all Additional Resources for
members of our adult community, create explicit points All Community Members
of connection, communicate regularly and provide clarity Our Mental Health Team (comprised of our
of expectations. Our Leadership Team will also continue Wellness Team along with several parents and
to solicit genuine feedback from our faculty and staff. NCCS community members who are specialists
in mental health fields), along with the Office
of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Business Office,
Supporting Teachers in Enrollment Management & Financial Aid and many
Developing Classroom Practices other administrative offices are available to support
Faculty and staff will receive training, support and faculty, staff, students and families in a variety of
coaching on social-emotional and behavioral topics ways. Our Parents’ Association is another source of
including recognizing signs of stress and anxiety, community and connection for our families.
understanding behavior as communication and
providing positive reinforcement for students.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 14DINING
Working in partnership with FLIK, our food service provider, we have developed plans for a safe and
physically distanced lunch experience both in the Dining Hall and in the classrooms. Middle and Upper School
students will eat daily in the Dining Hall. Lower School students will eat a FLIK box lunch in their classrooms
for the 2020–21 school year.
• Lunch periods will be 30–35 minutes long, with • In an effort to continue to promote environmental
little or no overlap between grades. sustainability wherever possible, students in the
Dining Hall will use lunch trays and silverware as
• Faculty will supervise lunch periods to ensure physical opposed to paper products. Drinks will be served in
distancing and the following of all procedures. bottles or cartons, as the juice and milk machines are
now prohibited.
• Lunch tables will be cleaned before and after
each lunch sitting. • All students will be asked to bring a refillable
water bottle to school each day. Water fountains
• Each table has been modified with a plexiglass have been disabled, but hands-free water bottle
partition to create individual space for four students refill stations will be available.
per table.
• Traffic flow patterns upon entry, in the serving
area and in the dish room will limit students’ passing. Box Lunch Service
A tent has been added to the north side of campus for • Students who receive a box lunch will make
additional dining space. choices from a menu of healthy options.
• FLIK will deliver box lunches to each
classroom daily.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 15ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
Arrival and dismissal times are modified slightly and staggered to reduce traffic density on campus and entry
and exit to buildings. Parents/Guardians should remain in their cars during drop-off and pick-up, except to
help a child out of the car, in which case they must wear a face covering and remain in the vicinity of their car.
Anyone who opens doors or windows must wear a face covering. Read the detailed Arrival, Dismissal &
Transportation Policies & Procedures.
Parent/Guardian Drop-off and Pick-up page on our parent Resource Board. At this time,
Students in Beginners through Grade 9 will be Connections, Enrichment and Homework Central
dropped off at the car line for each building and are postponed until further notice.
will be picked up at designated locations. Families
with children in multiple divisions will be able to
drop off and pick up at one location. Students will Bus Transportation
be directed to designated grade-level entry and exit
We will continue to offer bus transportation and
doors to decrease density and encourage physical
are partnering with our transportation provider,
distancing.
DATTCO, to design a bus system that
incorporates COVID-19 guidelines and
Before & After School Programs recommendations. Individual protocols, including
Plus Program offerings will be significantly modified but not limited to assigned seating, potential bus
this year in order to best adhere to our health and monitors and the use of face masks, will be
safety procedures. Early Birds and Extended Day are articulated for each bus route depending on
available to students and are specifically designed ridership.
for families who require necessary coverage beyond
the school day. For details, visit the Plus Program CONTINUED ▸
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 16CAR LINE SCHEDULE 2020-2021 revised 11/17/20
GRADE DROP-OFF PICK-UP CAR LINE LOCATION
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Beginners 3/4 8:30–8:45 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Bus Circle
Beginners 4/5 8:15–8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Thacher Car Line
Beginners 4/5
8:15–8:30 a.m. 2:30–2:45 p.m. Thacher Car Line
Full Day
Kindergarten 8:00–8:15 a.m. 2:45–3:00 p.m. Thacher Car Line
LOWER SCHOOL
Grade 1 8:10–8:20 a.m. 2:50 p.m. Lower School Car Line
Grade 2 8:10–8:20 a.m. 2:50 p.m. Lower School Car Line
Grade 3 8:00–8:10 a.m. 2:50 p.m. Lower School Car Line
Grade 4 8:00–8:10 a.m. 2:50 p.m. Lower School Car Line
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade 5 8:00–8:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Middle School Side Entrance
Grade 6 8:00–8:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Front of Middle School
UPPER SCHOOL
Grade 7 8:00–8:10 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Stevens Building Main Circle
Grade 8 8:05–8:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Stevens Building Main Circle
New Athletic Center Drive
Grade 9 8:00–8:10 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
(Stevens Lower Level Rear Entrance)
• Middle & Upper School students may sign up for an optional extra help/study hall in their grade-level cohorts M, T, Th
or Fri, and will be dismissed to buses or car line at 3:50 p.m.
• Parents will not be allowed into divisional buildings during drop-off or pick-up. If you need to drop something off for
your child during the day, park and call the main number (203) 972-0771 and someone will meet you outside.
• Families who have a child (or children) in Lower School as well as a child (or children) in Grades 5-8, may drop off all of
their children at one stop on the Main Circle. Lower School siblings should exit on the right side of the circle (Stevens
Building side). Lower School students will be met and directed to the Welles Building. At pick-up, Lower School
students who have siblings in Grades 5-8 will be escorted to the Grace House Terrace to join their older siblings.
• Ninth grade families may drop off and pick up any children in their family in Grades 5-8 at the ninth grade drop-off
location. They should drop off Lower School students in front of Lower School.
• At dismissal, bus students will be walked to individual buses by grade level.
• The Main Drive Gate will be closed from 8:40 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The Ponus Ridge entrance will remain open throughout
the day.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 17OUR CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
SEPTEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 DECEMBER 2020
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31
1 All School Opening Day 12 No School (Fall Holiday) 5–6 No School 21–31 No School (Winter Break)
(details to follow) 13 No School (Parent Conferences,
7 No School (Labor Day) (Professional Development) All Divisions)
28 No School (Yom Kippur) 23–24 No School
29 No School (Professional Development)
(Professional Development) 25–27 No School (Thanksgiving)
JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 MARCH 2021 APRIL 2021
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
1 No School (Winter Break) 11–12 No School 15–26 No School (Spring Break) 2 No School (Good Friday)
4 School Resumes (LS, MS, US Parent 29 School Resumes 12–13 No School
18 No School Conferences, & EC (EC Parent Conferences &
(Martin Luther King Jr. Day) Professional Development) LS, MS, US Professional
19–20 No School 15 No School (Presidents’ Day) Development)
(EC Parent Conferences &
LS, MS, US Professional
Development)
MAY 2021 JUNE 2021
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 1 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 No School: All Grades
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Half Day Dismissal
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30
30 31
For the full school calendar, including more
10 No School 11 EC Closing Day
(Professional Development) 14 LS and MS Closing Day
division-specific and Parents’ Association dates,
28 No School 16 US Closing Exercises or for instructions to synch your device, please visit:
(Professional Development)
31 No School (Memorial Day)
www.countryschool.net/calendar
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 18CHANGES TO OUR PHYSICAL CAMPUS
With a deep understanding of and commitment to our program and values, we have thoughtfully
defined and designed teaching and support spaces as well as procedures for safe and efficient
operation in all spaces on campus.
Health/Safety Office • Isolation rooms in each building will be available in
• The Health Office footprint has been the event that there is a need to isolate a student
expanded to include additional space for while awaiting medical attention.
treatment and isolation. • Athletic training space in the new Athletic &
• The Health Office will have its own outside Wellness Center is being outfitted for
entrance and exit. satellite treatment of cuts and bruises and
other minor injuries, as well as for potential
Health Office overflow.
Teaching Spaces
• Teaching spaces have been redesigned to
support physical distancing and recommended
space capacity; in some cases, classrooms have
been reassigned to new spaces.
• As required by the state of Connecticut,
the Beginners program will follow standards
and guidelines provided by the Office of
Early Childhood.
• Classroom furniture has been rearranged or
removed to enhance traffic flow. Individual
student desks will be used in Kindergarten
through Grade 6 to support physical distancing.
Outdoor Spaces
• The use of outdoor space for teaching purposes
is strongly encouraged whenever possible.
• Tents will be provided in certain areas to
facilitate greater use of outdoor space.
• Face masks can be removed outdoors during
faculty-supervised activities where physical
distancing can be maintained.
CONTINUED ▸
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 19CHANGES TO OUR PHYSICAL CAMPUS (CONTINUED)
Playgrounds/Recess Spaces HVAC
• Recess spaces and playgrounds will • The Operations team has thoroughly reviewed
be designated for each grade level the latest data and recommendations on
and/or classroom according to a coordinated COVID-19 in indoor environments from the
schedule. American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and
• Students must wear face masks on the Air-Conditioning Engineers.
playground, but they may be removed during • All windows will be fully functioning and have
faculty-supervised recess games window screens.
and activities where physical distancing • Each building on campus has a different
can be maintained. HVAC system. These systems have been
• Metal and plastic playground surfaces examined by specialists and optimized with
will be routinely cleaned. regard to COVID-19 recommendations.
• The front gate will be closed daily after arrival • Modifications to increase fresh air intake include:
to create additional outdoor play space in the increased fan operation, additional system
driveway and around the main circle. programming and undercutting of
• Access to the gaga ball pits will be prohibited. some classroom doors.
• Additional system modifications include,
installation of MERV 13 filters, and in certain
Restrooms situations, the addition of ionization strips to
• The capacity for all restrooms has been mini-split heating and cooling units.
determined based on square footage, and
capacities will be posted on restroom doors.
• Wherever possible, restrooms will only be used
by classroom communities or cohorts.
• Marks on corridor floors outside restrooms will
encourage physical distancing while waiting.
• Forced-air hand dryers will be disabled.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020 -2021| 20GENERAL CAMPUS GUIDELINES
In order to support the program and the return of students to campus, we have developed some general guidelines
designed to decrease the number of people on campus and help reduce the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Staff on Campus
• Staff will support the student experience to the
extent possible including, but not limited to
arrival and dismissal, lunch and recess duty.
Staff responsibilities that can be performed
remotely will continue to be performed
primarily from home when possible.
Visitors to Campus
• Except for certain preapproved, scheduled
appointments, visitors will not be permitted on
campus.
• The Safety/Security Team has developed
policies for visitors to campus which can
be reviewed here.
• The Operations Team will continue to work
directly with the Admission Office to design
policies specific to the needs of admission visits. Events on Campus
• Tutoring is not permitted on campus at this • Parent events and gatherings will not be permitted on
time. campus during the week at this time.
• We are working with the PA to determine
Parents/Guardians on Campus if some small weekend events later in the fall might be
• Except for certain preapproved, scheduled possible.
appointments, parents and/or caretakers/ • Virtual meetings and events continue to
guardians will not be permitted on campus other be encouraged.
than for dropping off and picking up children.
• Parents/Guardians are expected to wear Guidance Regarding Playdates & Parties
face masks and practice physical distancing We believe that socialization is an important part of child
when on campus. development, but it is important to plan playdates and
parties differently at this time to meet health and safety
Animals on Campus guidelines. In accordance with state guidelines, we
• Dogs will not be permitted on campus during
recommend that playdates and parties be limited to small
school hours at this time.
gatherings, be held outside and socially distanced, and
• Smaller animals in cages and tanks are permitted,
that children wear masks. Students may not leave campus
provided they do not interfere with classroom
for a playdate or party in a vehicle other than that of their
arrangements and physical distancing.
family or on a different bus than usual.
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 21THANK YOU!
to our Wellness Team, Operations Team, Instructional Team, Faculty & Staff
A special thank you to our Return Important Contacts
to Campus Task Force Members • Victor Catano, Chief Financial Office,
• Arlety Bowman, JD, Trustee COVID-19 Co-Coordinator,
• Vanessa Brown, MD/JD, Parent vcatano@countryschool.net, (203) 801-5651
• Aaron Cooper, Head of School • Beth Lenhard, School Nurse,
• Rebecca Comizio, School Psychologist blenhard@countryschool.net, (203) 801-5636
• Arman Gokgol-Kline, Trustee • Josh Ziac, Director of Safety & Security,
• Reshan Richards, Director of Studies COVID-19 Co-Coordinator
• Pam Safford, Director of Enrollment jziac@countryschool.net, (203) 801-5626
Management & Financial Aid
• Nancy von Euler, Executive Director,
Horizons @ NCCS Useful Documents
• Josh Ziac, Director of Safety & Security • Distance Learning Expectations
• Face Covering Policy
• Guide to Physical Distancing
Additional Advisors & Sources • Handwashing/Hygiene Policy
• Rick Branson, Executive Director of • Positive Case Policy
Connecticut Association of Independent • Shutdown Plan
Schools (CAIS) and member of the governor’s • Travel Advisory for Visitors to CT
commission on reopening K–12 schools • Travel Guidelines
• Jenn Eielson, Director of Health, Town of • Visitor Management Policy
New Canaan • Voluntary Participation
• Dr. Harrison Pierce, School Physician
• Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale School of Health Due to COVID-19, circumstances will require that the
• American Academy of Pediatrics school’s policies, practices, and procedures, including
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, those described in the school’s Parent and Student
and Air Conditioning Engineers Handbook and/or this Plan, change from time to time.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention New Canaan Country School reserves the right to
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School modify or change any or all such policies, practices,
of Public Health and procedures in whole or in part, at any time, with or
• Safety & Security Directors Group for without notice. The school will attempt to provide timely
Independent Schools notice of any substantive policy changes, but it cannot
• Stamford Health guarantee that such notice will be provided.
• State of Connecticut
• University of Vermont
• World Health Organization
Cougar Strong & Safe Plan 2020-2021 | 22GO BOLDLY + safely!
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