The Tome School Re-Opening Overview for 2020-2021 August 4, 2020
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The Tome School
Re-Opening Overview for 2020-2021
August 4, 2020§ that nothing is certain….We are hoping for the best,
preparing for the worst
§ that EVERYONE wants to be in school and for life to go
Before you back to “normal”
read, you § that no one plan is perfect
should know…. § that we weighed the Pro’s and Con’s of several options
and that “the best laid plans of mice and men….”
§ We all want what is best for YOUR child, OUR teachers
and staff, and Our TOME FAMILY!§ We cannot bring in all students/faculty/staff all at
one time as if everything is normal
§ A layered or hybrid approach is safer
§ Remote learning is the safest, although at a
social/emotional cost to children
Assumptions § Every decision must be driven by considering the
health of our students and employees
§ We know we cannot please everyone
§ We will offer a remote option for families who
are not ready to return physically to campus
§ Use of outdoor space is paramount to ensure safety
for our students.§ As we move through the process of returning to school,
we ALL will have to be supportive, community minded,
compliant to the rules, and above all else, caring for
ABOVE ALL one another.
§ The good of our children and community must come
ELSE… above the individual if we are to be successful
§ The challenges that we are presented with will require
flexibility and understanding from all!§ We will offer remote learning for every family who is not
ready to have their child(ren) return to campus
§ We may begin with 100% remote learning for a
determined length of time according to division
§ We have already conducted teacher training using a single
platform for all students K-12 (Google Classroom)
§ We will offer parent and student training in August
Remote § We will be using Google Classroom, remotely and on
campus
Learning § If we are on campus, remote learning will consist of
streaming into a live classroom
§ In the case of a full shut-down: Teachers will conduct
synchronous teaching at least 2-3 days per week,
depending on grade
§ Teachers will be expected to limit asynchronous teaching
§ Packets will still be offered in K-2§ We have divided the school into its three distinct
divisions to keep our students safe and avoid “cross
contamination”
§ Starting dates for retuning on campus will be different
for each division
Three Distinct § Each division will return together based on the
monitoring of the preceding group
Divisions: ONE § The plan means that some students will return to
Tome campus before others
§ Each division will have its own entrance and exit points.
§ Patience: It’s a marathon, not a sprint§ Lower School students are invited to return to campus
on Tuesday, September 1 for those who want to
§ Each class will function as a single cohort
§ Each class will have distinct scheduled recess
§ Students will have temperatures taken upon arrival
Lower School § Students will wear masks when inside the building
§ Specials classes will be conducted in homerooms or
outdoors (except for PE which will be in the gym or
outdoors)§ Middle School will begin the school year on September
1 with remote learning
§ For those who are ready to return, we will invite MS
students back to Tome for a HYBRID schedule with a
tentative start date of September 14.
§ Students will return for either Mondays & Tuesdays (A
Middle School Group) OR Thursdays & Fridays (B Group) until
September 25
§ If successful and safe, a full return to school for Middle
Schoolers will begin on September 28
§ Students will have limited movement. Teachers will
move to students as much as possible.§ The Class of 2021 will begin September 1 with a full
return to campus.
§ Upper School (grades 9-11) will begin September 1
with full remote learning.
§ Grades 9-11 will be invited to return to campus for in
person lessons on September 14 with Hybrid
Upper School Scheduling (Monday/Tuesday group OR
Thursday/Friday Group).
§ If safe, all US students will be invited to return to
campus on starting September 28.
§ Senior Investiture will remain on September 25, with a
plan to have the ceremony in the amphitheater.§ This is a slow integration plan so we can carefully
monitor any outbreaks of Covid 19.
§ The smaller groups will allow us to isolate and properly
trace an outbreak.
DATES § ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
§ If we find that we are putting our population in danger,
changes in dates may occur.
§ To be successful, we all must practice the safest
protocols!§ We will have to stagger arrival times for quick entry
into the building
§ We will have to stagger dismissal for quick access out
of the building
§ We will adjust pick up places/drop offs. Car line will
look different!
Arrival & § Students must report directly to classrooms upon
Dismissal arrival—no gathering before school in the cafeteria.
§ Aftercare specifications will have to be carefully
considered in accordance to state regulations
§ Bus transportation will have to be considered§ We are in talks with other MIL schools to try to
conduct a sport season safely.
Sports § Fall Varsity Sports will be delayed until September 15.
§ We are also working with CCPS to follow state
guidelines to keep our athletes safe.§ Teachers will take classes out of doors as much as
possible.
§ We are purchasing more picnic tables, tents, and
making use of our outdoor tables and chairs.
Outdoor § We will use outdoor spaces like the courtyards,
amphitheater, Darcy’s Dell, tennis courts, etc. for
Classroom/ outdoor classes.
Recess § Lower School recess will be scheduled by class; not by
division.
§ PE Classes can operate in a modified context. No
changing clothes.§ Access to the building will be strictly limited to
employees and contractors only.
§ No major events can take place in the building during
the first semester, including the Halloween Party,
assemblies, visiting students.
Limited Building § Tours would be on a limited basis after hours
Access § TSPO Meetings will resume remotely
§ Jacob’s Closet is open by appointment only. Call the
office to make an appointment.§ We moved the Health Suite to Room 106 in the LS Wing
(formerly a 1st grade classroom).
§ We built an “Isolation Area” for students with Covid 19
symptoms.
Health Suite § Sick children will be picked up from the center doors of
the LS Courtyard .
§ We will follow all regulations and guidelines set forth
by the DPH and by MSDE.§ Face coverings for all employees and students in grades
K-12. Shields may be worn in addition to the face
covering.
§ Scheduled handwashing throughout the day
§ Temperature checks for all employees and students,
either live upon entering or through a reporting app from
home
§ Plexiglass barrier for office personnel
Safety Measures § Touchless hand sanitizers in all classrooms
§ Touchless soap and paper towel dispensers
§ Touchless faucets in bathrooms and classrooms are being
installed
§ Routine cleaning through the day of touch points
(banisters, door knobs, etc.)
§ Doors and windows will be open in classrooms for
improved ventilation
§ Increased air filter cleaning and replacing§ All desks must face in the same direction
§ Desks are set up 6 feet apart. We will use public spaces
for some classes. (auditorium, MP Room, etc)
Classroom § Students will sit at individual desks. No sharing tables
Safety or work spaces.
Measures § Students must bring in their own supplies. No shared
classroom supplies.
§ Each student has to have his or her own shelf, cubbie, or
container to hold books, coats, bags, lunches, etc.Families will play a vital role in making a return to campus
possible. Most importantly, they MUST keep a sick child
at home!
For families who are not ready to send their child to
Family school yet, we will provide a streaming of all classes.
Involvement Families must make a commitment for the child to either
be a “campus student” or a “remote student”. Campus
students cannot “stream” in unless they are absent due to
illness.§ Each family is asked to respond to a survey found here:
https://forms.gle/tL1RZtYKkShaNE7x8 by August 7 so we
can determine how many students plan to return on
campus and how many prefer to remain a remote learner.
§ Please complete the form for EACH child:
What’s NEXT? § This survey is not a final registration for remote or on
campus. It will provide us with the data we need to
move forward with our plan.
§ Closer to the start of school, each child will officially
register as either on-campus or remote.There is no doubt that the benefits of learning in a
classroom with one’s peers greatly outweighs the benefits
of remote learning. Our children’s emotional and social
needs have been greatly compromised during the Covid-
19 closure.
However, as much as I want to see schools reopen, we
Final thoughts: CANNOT lose one member of our school community to
this terrible scourge.
The Tome School has carefully and deliberately
considered all aspects when developing this plan for re-
opening. Personally, I ask for your prayers for
discernment during this difficult time.§ https://forms.gle/tL1RZtYKkShaNE7x8 Don’t forget to fill out the form: § Questions? Email reopening@tomeschool.org
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