ASD Reopening Guide 2021 by American School of Dubai

2021 Reopening Guide

*Publish date August 26, 2021

Back to School

Publish date August 26, 2021. Subject to change based on directives from the KHDA, Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Education, or UAE Government. This work is licensed under aC reative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Contents Part 1: Guiding Principles Introduction 4

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ASD is proud of the work done in the 2020-2021 academic year to continue to offer schooling in a safe environment, and looks forward to safely resuming extracurricular activities this season.

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ASD’s Commitment, Mission, and Core Values

Rights and Responsibilities in the ASD Community

Part 2: Learning Models Three Potential Models for Learning

Student Support Services at ASD

Part 3: Health & Safety Introduction 11 ASD’s Approach to Safety: Four Pillars of Safety

Specific Areas of Enhanced Protections

Notable Changes for 2021

Part 4: Activities, Arts, & Athletics Introduction—Returning to Play, Perform, Participate

Playing Safely at ASD

Part 5: Meetings, Events, & Gatherings Introduction—Returning to Being Together Again 21

FAQs 22

Guiding Principles

Introduction

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challege our lives in 2021. It has resulted in substantial financial strain, has impacted health and welfare, and has disrupted schooling.

We see opportunities where others may hold on to the past.

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With permission from the Dubai authorities, the American School of Dubai (ASD) is committed to keeping our Al Barsha campus open this school year. We recognize that we must ensure the health and safety of each member of our community; we don’t take this responsibility lightly. This Guide represents updates to the protocols for school reopening for the 2021-2022 school year. ASD is poised to react quickly and be agile to changing circumstances in Dubai and the UAE, so your children’s education will receive minimal disruption. ASD is prepared to transition across a spectrum that includes 100% distance learning and full reopening on either side. In all circumstances, ASD will adhere to the directives and regulations of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the Ministry of Education (MOE), and other Dubai authorities who are managing the pandemic nationwide.

This Guide is driven by core principles: 1) Stay true to ASD’s Mission, Core Values, Student Profile, and beliefs about learning. 2) Prefer and leverage face-to-face learning over distance learning, whenever it is safe to do so. 3) Prioritize student, faculty, staff, and parent health, safety, and wellbeing over other principles. 4) Ensure health and safety policies and procedures are research-based, clearly communicated, supported by the Dubai Health Authority, and effectively administered and appropriately enforced. 5) Promote practices that reduce the risk of the COVID-19 virus transmission and support the school’s ability to be responsive and agile when facing changing health circumstances. PART 1 of this Guide establishes how ASD will plan, act, and make the decisions it needs to make. Members of our community have certain rights, as articulated through the lens of our Mission, but also responsibilities to others. This is a mutual obligation, a “contract”, that we must all uphold so we ensure the aforementioned core principles can be realized. PART 2 of this Guide provides an explanation of how we

will deliver the academic program that our community has cherished over many years of nonprofit excellence. Our approach is biased toward face-to-face learning, as we believe that in-person interactions offer a distinct valueadded proposition as compared to fully online schools, and taps into the strengths of our world-class faculty. PART 3 of this Guide addresses the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and parents. This consideration remains the most important driver in the decisions we will take. This effort includes mitigating risk through precautions we all can take by being socially responsible, staying home if we are sick, practicing good hygiene, and by physical distancing.

PART 4 of this Guide highlights how ASD will bring back the myriad of sports, activities, performances, clubs, and events that make the student experience special. These aspects of the student experience will need to adjust during the 2021-2022 school year, align to our assessment of risk, and be supported by the Dubai authorities. PART 5 addresses new protocols for meetings, events, and gatherings.

It is said that schooling will never be the same postpandemic. Though this period has been stressful on all of us, and many challenges await, ASD’s culture is centered on eternal optimism, and we see opportunities where others may hold on to the past. We are proud of the work done in the 2020-2021 academic year to continue to offer schooling in a safe environment, and look forward to safely resuming extracurricular activities this season.

ASD’s Commitment, Mission, and Core Values The American School of Dubai is an independent not-for-profit, US Curriculum community school, offering what is best about American education in order to provide learning experiences designed to promote the maximum potential of its students.

ASD’S CORE VALU E S —compassion, excellence,

integrity, respect, responsibility—represent a commitment to how we will act as individuals and as a community. It is a contract that is especially important during a crisis. The values allow us a lens in which to set priorities and make decisions. They give us strength during a confusing and emotional time, and they compel us to take an ethical approach to our obligations to others.

AS D ’ S MI S S I O N —We challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world—articulates the school’s purpose, why it exists and the role it plays in society. As with the Core Values, all important decisions are filtered through the Mission, to ensure we are doing right by our students.

ASD will remain committed to its Core Values and Mission throughout these unprecedented times, which will help us weather any challenges we face. We pledge to make all difficult decisions and set all priorities through these lenses.

Rights and Responsibilities within the ASD Community R I GHTS —as articulated in the core beliefs, every student, teacher, staff member, parent, and visitor at ASD has inherent value, and has the fundamental right to expect both emotional and physical safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of our community can reasonably expect a collective concern and response to their health and wellbeing. While ASD community members may be exposed to the virus in the course of their work or studies, everyone is entitled to expect that individuals and the school will make every effort and reasonable precaution to prevent virus transmission.

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We can weather the challenges we will face, while delivering on our Mission in a safe environment, if we all do our part.

R ESPONSIBILITIE S —also inherent in the core beliefs are a number of responsibilities that we must all embrace. They guide our interactions with others, and influence our mindset—which includes putting our own needs and wants secondary to those of others, complying with established rules and policies that are designed to keep us all safe, and adjusting our behaviors and enduring some inconveniences. While liberty is a cherished value in North American culture, we must place common good ahead of our own self-interests. Our respect for each other and sense of duty to the community can be visible in so many ways, including the following:

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1) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus wear masks, wash and disinfect their

hands frequently, and practice social distancing norms;

2) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus interact with each other in and out of

the classroom, and take collective responsibility in promoting health and safety;

3) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus treat others--bus drivers, cleaners,

maintenance workers, cafeteria staff, nurses, support staff, etc--as equal members of the ASD community, and deserving of a safe working environment themselves;

4) How all members of our community adhere to rules and policies while entering our campus, whether

on foot or by bus, following self-screening guidelines for symptoms of illness, and refraining from coming to campus when symptomatic; and

5) How all members of our community and visitors to our campus comply with self-quarantine rules

regarding exposure to COVID-19 and recent out-of-country travel.

The cliché, “It takes a village…”, has never rung truer than during these times. We can weather the challenges we will face, while delivering on our Mission in a safe environment, if we all do our part. If we do not accept this “new normal” in the coming year, our success will be diminished, and we may have to close school again. Our reciprocal obligations to each other will be essential to our success.

Learning Models

Three Potential Models for Learning In anticipation of an evolving situation in Dubai associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, ASD developed three models for learning across a continuum. These models are oriented toward the school’s preference for face-to-face learning. ASD believes regular school will always be a better alternative to distance learning. The pandemic has made distance learning a necessary response as health and safety considerations outweighed our desire to be together, on campus. As we prepare for the new school year, we will be ready for the potential of a changing landscape. While we hope for the continual and gradual opening up of campus activities and events, we must still be prepared to toggle between learning models based on changing circumstances. All three models are informed by ASD’s Mission, Student Profile, and Learning Principles.

Face-to-Face Learning

Blended Learning

Distance Learning

This is the school experience that students are most accustomed to, where they attend school five days a week. Students interact with peers and teachers, and mostly all aspects of the school experience, including a full menu of activities, clubs, and events, are available to them. Learning that happens off campus is mostly in the form of home learning (homework), practice, and student-led activities or projects. Preventative hygiene policies are implemented, supplemented by realistic physical distancing guidelines. The risk of contracting the virus is low enough to allow for greater student density on buses, in classrooms, and in other shared facilities.

This is the model we opened with in September 2020. This model combines aspects of the faceto-face model with coordinated online experiences. When teachers and students are together (on campus), they will take advantage of the opportunities for synchronous learning, advising, coaching, mentoring, and other aspects of the learning experience that are best done in person. When students must be home due to population density restrictions, made necessary to reduce exposure of the virus to our community, they will continue their learning through asynchronous assignments, which will promote agency and self-reflection.

This is the model our community experienced in the final months of the 2019-2020 school year, where the ASD campus was required to close by the Dubai authorities. Students attend school virtually through the school’s online learning platforms, and toggle between synchronous and asynchronous lessons, activities, and meetings. While there are structures in place, and students will continue to collaborate online, it will not be at the same frequency as when they are in school. This model is dictated by the requirement to close campus due to elevated safety conditions in Dubai or due to a potential outbreak of illness in our community. ASD’s improved distance learning model takes into account reflections from lessons learned over the past year-and-a-half.

This is the model that ASD will open with on August 29*. *ASD will also offer a limited online learning option through October 1 for for students who have health conditions that make them especially susceptible to COVID-19 complications, or for families that were are yet comfortable sending their children back to campus.

Student Support Services at ASD Regardless of whether we are learning in person, or temporarily online, ASD’s Student Services team of thirteen Learning Support Services (LSS) teachers, three LSS Instructional Assistants, and twelve School Counselors will collaborate with teachers and parents to support student learning and wellbeing.

Specific Provisions for Students of Determination H EALTH & S AFETY PRO V ISIO N S

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The need for special provisions for arrival and departure procedures, mask wearing, and additional adult support and/or supervision to learn and follow health and safety procedures and routines will be assessed for students with developmental and/or behavioral needs. Any adaptations will be documented and shared with parents and all relevant adults in the school. Teachers or other personnel working in close proximity to Students of Determination who need occasional physical promoting or support will be provided with appropriate PPE and will sanitize their hands before coming into contact with the student. Students who cannot tolerate COVID-related safety procedures with adult support, and who cannot be accommodated without risking the health of other students or staff may be best served by distance learning. Sharing of physical tools/resources will be eliminated where at all possible, and these items will be thoroughly sanitized between uses.

WELLB EI N G & EMO T I O N AL S U P P O RT

• • •

For a small number of students with significant emotional or developmental needs, arrangements may be made with the parents to have the student visit campus prior to the beginning of school in order to meet key personnel in person and become familiar with new health and safety routines, learning spaces etc. These visits will be carefully scheduled and facilitated to meet safety and social distancing protocols. Child friendly and developmentally appropriate materials will be made available to parents to educate and prepare Students of Determination about new health and safety procedures. Provision for safe movement breaks will be made for all students who need them.

PAR EN T PART N ER S H I P

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Learning Support teachers will collaborate with the students, their parents and their teachers to adjust and focus their support to ensure that Students of Determination are able to participate successfully.

Health & Safety

Introduction ASD puts the health and safety of its community above all else. ASD’s leadership team collaborates closely with our local governing bodies, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to implement strategies to mitigate the risk of viral transmission and to support our community members if they get sick with COVID-19. Our shared goals are to keep our communities healthy and our schools open. With the acquisition and analysis of data across schools both locally and internationally, guidance surrounding COVID-19 has evolved. We are truly grateful to be able to reopen our school this year with easing of some of the restrictions that were in place last academic year. We believe this will be possible with strict adherence to the following pillars of safety. The health office team is available and committed to supporting and guiding our families if affected by COVID-19.

General Hygiene for ASD Common Areas

WEAR A FACE MASK

STAY HOME

if you are sick or have a fever

as required

SPEAK SOFTLY instead of shouting

COVER YOUR COUGHS AND SNEEZES with a tissue or your elbow

NO SHARING

water bottles, food, or personal items

WASH YOUR HANDS

with soap and water (20 seconds) or sanitize frequently

RESPECT SOCIAL DISTANCING where possible

ASD’s Approach: Four Pillars of Safety Physical Distancing and Reducing Density

Health Screening and Preventative Hygiene

Infectious disease and public health experts continue to insist on the importance of physical distancing as an effective strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Careful health screening and preventative hygiene practices are paramount to mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission. We have ample evidence to support that physical distancing coupled with specific hygiene practices will reduce the risk of infection with COVID-19. In line with this evidence, ASD will require:

To meet the KHDA requirements and to keep our students and staff members safe, ASD will implement the following layers of support: • Strict 1m distancing in classrooms; desks will be arranged accordingly. We will exceed 1 meter wherever possible to maximise distancing. • Strict 1m distancing in common areas. • One-way campus circulation patterns, as feasible. • Staggered entry and exit plans to minimize crowding • Signs and floor stickers to prompt proper behaviors. • Extra adult supervision in common areas, as well as outside of lavatories. • Evenly divided “Pods” of students in the ELC, students stay exclusively with their homerooms. • Limiting mixing between grades (floors) in middle school. • Adults coming onto campus to drop off or pick up their child MUST be vaccinated or have a negative PCR within the past 48 hours

• Parents must check their child in the morning before sending them to school, and must keep their child home if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of illness, or if their temperature is 37.5 or higher. • Students must obtain a PCR test and share the negative result with the health office before returning to school in case he/she exhibits signs or symptoms of illness that are consistent with COVID-19. • Students will wash their hands (or sanitize them) frequently throughout the day. • Students in Grade 1 and higher must wear a mask at all times (on buses and campus, except when eating). • Students are asked to bring spare masks to school each day, and wash reusable masks daily and dispose of used disposable masks properly. • Face shields, gloves, or other PPE (aside from masks) are optional, and to be provided by families. • Students and staff members will pass through thermal scanning after entering the gate. ASD will not allow anyone to access campus if he/she has any symptoms of illness, or if he/she has not met ASD’s travel quarantine policy. Please note that ASD’s current travel quarantine policy has been revised and allows your child to access campus sooner than 10 days if a PCR is done and is negative. If unvaccinated, the PCR must be done no sooner than day 5 after landing. If vaccinated, the PCR can be done anytime after landing in the UAE. We encourage your children to enter the designated gates to minimize queuing time, and mixing. See page 15 for designated gate information.

Review these Healthy Habits from the Health Office »

Four Pillars of Safety—cont’d Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Communication, Training, and Coordination

ASD’s cleaning protocols are superb and in line with Ministry of Health and Dubai Municipality requirements. The school is lucky to have a strong, well trained cleaning team to implement these enhanced protocols.

The establishment of clear communication channels and training of all members of our community are fundamental to the implementation of health-related policies. With the ever changing COVID-19 landscape, ASD will stay up to date with any changes in the current situation and will adapt its guidelines as needed and as directed by our expert bodies. ASD will ensure that its families are well informed, and will provide clarity so that the stage is set prior to you entrusting ASD with your children when the school reopens.

The following has been put in place for the return to school: • Deep sanitization prior to school reopening • Multiple hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed in strategic locations throughout the campus (inside and outside); teachers will work with students to establish hand-washing routines • High-touch points, bathrooms, cafeteria tables and classroom desks will be cleaned and disinfected frequently, using safe but effective products • Playground equipment will be cleaned between different groups of students • Sanitizing desks after each “changeover” of students • Swimming pools and locker rooms will be sanitized between different groups of students • Carpets, plush toys, and costumes have been removed from the classrooms to reduce viral transmission and to facilitate disinfection procedures. • Sanitizing shared IT devices after each use • Main doors in high traffic areas have been modified and plastic screens have been placed in certain areas to reduce the risk of viral transmission • Special consideration and careful risk assessment will be given to classes thought to pose higher levels of risk such as P.E., Band, Orchestra, and Music • Sanitization of affected spaces in case of a positive case on campus ASD will follow the latest guidelines that are still being formulated by researchers around the world.

Specific Areas of Enhanced Protections Bus Transportation WEAR A FACE MASK

USE HAND SANITIZER

Bus Safety STAY HOME

TAKE YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT

Typically, over 300 ASD students utilize the STS Bus services across 18 vehicles. In an effort to accommodate the needs of our families while working within the health and safety guidelines of the pandemic, STS is prepared to respond: • Bus capacity has been restored to 100% occupancy. • Buses will be cleaned and sanitized frequently. • Each person riding the bus will wear a mask.

if you are sick or have a fever

MAINTAIN 1m DISTANCE

getting on and off

Cafeteria & Food Services

The establishment of a safe eating environment for our students during these heightened times is critical, and will necessitate some changes to practice: • Students will rotate between classrooms and cafeterias for lunch in order to comply with capacity regulations • Students can bring their own lunch, or pre-order from a reduced menu from ASD’s food providers; deliveries from outside restaurants will not be permitted • A portion of the cafeterias will be used as staging areas for the preparation of food delivery to class rooms (for students who pre-ordered food)

WEAR A FACE MASK UNTIL IT’S TIME TO EAT

CHOOSE ALTERNATIVE EATING SPACES

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE WHILE IN LINE

Lunch Safety

FOLLOW SIGNAGE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE ON ENTRY/EXIT

Health Office

WEAR A FACE MASK

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE HANDS Stay WASH FREQUENTLY Healthy on Campus

TELL AN ADULT IF YOU DON’T FEEL WELL RESPECT SOCIAL DISTANCING

COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES

WASH HANDS BEFORE EATING

The Health Office is dedicated to supporting all aspects of health and safety in the ASD community. The health professionals at ASD’s Health Office are leaders in infection control and will continue to promote best practices in disease prevention. Internal drills to simulate different scenarios on campus have prepared the Health Office team to respond efficiently and appropriately to sick students or staff members. Isolation rooms with HEPA filters have been designated for use when dealing with a suspected case of COVID-19, and we will work closely with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) when caring for students or staff members with suspected illness. If a child or staff member develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, then he/she will get isolated immediately, and the parent/guardian will be notified to collect their child from school and take him/her to see the doctor for further assessment and testing. The Health Office, as always, will strive to provide the highest standard of care to students.

E NHANCED PROTE C TIO N S C O N T’ D

Security and Campus Access

The reduction of population density is key to promoting health and safety on our campus. Visitors may access campus only by appointment to take care of essential business that cannot be accomplished through an online meeting. In addition, all adults accessing campus must conduct a health symptoms screening check, and will also have their temperatures checked after arrival at the gate. Masks must be worn and hands washed/sanitized after arrival to ASD. Clear signage will be placed at the gates to further reinforce these policies and procedures. Deliveries will happen after school hours, and there will be limited mixing of contracted workers and students (except for sanitizing purposes). Parent Drop off & Pick up At drop-off and pick-up times, one caretaker may accompany our youngest students enrolled in Grade 2 or below to the classroom, after which they must leave campus immediately. Please avoid overcrowding, maintain a safe distance of one meter from others, and always wear your masks. Per KHDA requirements, parents and guardians will have a ten-minute time limit for pick-up and drop-off. Parents and guardians may not have access to the rest of the school. Parents, guardians, or visitors who enter the school premises, including those dropping off and picking up younger children, should provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken in the previous 48 hours. Please have a copy of your vaccine record or valid PCR to show security when you enter the school. We recommend taking a screenshot of your Al Hosn status if possible. Designated Drop Off Locations (All gates open at 7:45) PreK & K1: Gate 4, then escort to thermal camera K2-G2: Gate 6, then escort to thermal camera G3-G5: Gate 5 MS and HS: Gates 1 and 3 Designated Pick Up Locations PreK: Gate 4 (opens at 12:45), pickup at thermal camera K1: Gate 4 (opens at 1:45), pickup at thermal camera K2-G1: Gate 5 (opens at 3), pickup in ES Gym G2: Gate 5 (opens at 3), students escorted to the gate G3-G5: Gate 6 (opens at 3:15) MS: Gate 4 (opens at 3:15) HS: Gates 1 and 3 (opens at 3:30)

PRESENT ID BADGE WEAR A FACE MASK

GOOD Safe PRACTICE HYGIENE Campus Entry

TEMPERATURE CHECKS & SCREENINGS

FOLLOW CAMPUS SIGNAGE

for essential campus visitors

Fitness Center & Field House

ASD strongly believes in the importance of daily physical exercise and healthy living. The Physical Education curriculum is instrumental to the ASD experience, offering students the opportunity to improve fitness levels, strength and agility skills, and to build healthy sportsmanship. The curriculum has been modified after a careful risk assessment of various sports and activities, and teachers will use the Field House and elementary gymnasium for activities. Swimming pools will reopen with strict guidelines for locker room use. However, only supervised activities will be permitted in the Fitness Center for use beyond PE classes. As always, we will do what we can to find creative ways to keep our students active and engaged, while still keeping them safe, and maximizing the use of outdoor spaces when weather permits.

NO HANDSHAKES, HUGS, OR HIGH FIVES

WASH HANDS BEFORE & AFTER ACTIVITIES

Field House Safety

NO SHARING WATER BOTTLES

COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES

TELL AN ADULT IF YOU DON’T FEEL WELL NO SHARING TOWELS OR PERSONAL ITEMS

Notable Changes for 2021-2022

Physical distancing guidelines are reduced to 1 meter apart

Assemblies and performances are permitted with 1 meter of physical distancing for audiences

Masks are mandatory for ages 6+

Athletics and extracurricular activities are permitted

School sanitation remains a priority

Pools and Libraries will be open

Water dispensers will be available for students to refill their personal water bottles

School trips, camps, and excursions are permitted

Bus capacity has been restored to 100% occupancy

Cafeterias will reopen as soon as permission is granted

Activities, Arts, & Athletics

Introduction At the American School of Dubai we believe a robust co-curricular program of student activities, arts, and athletics is vital to the educational development of the student as a whole, while offering opportunities to serve and strengthen our community.

Athletics and Campus Recreation is pleased to announce the return of competitive sports, in person extracurriculars, and the arts.

Health & Safety Training

Based on the protocols of KHDA and the Dubai Sports council, “Both schools and external sports providers can offer extracurricular activities. Non-sport extra-curricular activities will follow the same protocols that are adopted during school hours. Sports-focused extra-curricular activities will follow the guidelines of the Dubai Sports Council.”

Athletics Conferences (MESAC & EAC)

The Athletics and Campus Recreation teams will work to ensure the DSC guidelines of hygiene, safety, and risk management are followed in full, as we do in the regular school day. These include: • Athletes, and participants of extracurricular activities, 6 years of age and older, must wear masks when not engaged in strenuous activities. • All Coaching staff are required to wear masks at all times. • Social distancing of one meter will be observed, where applicable. • Shower and changing room facilities will be open, cleaning and sanitization will occur after each group of children has used them. • Equipment and facilities will be thoroughly cleaned after use; Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn by cleaning staff when cleaning equipment and facilities in order to limit exposure. • Equipment will be cleaned after use, and limitations on shared equipment will be implemented when feasible. • Registration and attendance for all events & activities will be conducted to ensure proper contact tracing.

The Athletics and Campus Recreation departments will lead health and safety training for coaches, supervisors, and third-party providers, which will be shared with students to ensure Dubai Sports Council guidelines are met and exceeded. These periodic demonstrations and education on how to uphold hygiene protocols will create a positive culture on this issue, and ensure self-monitoring and continuous vigilance for hygiene.

The support and coordination among the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC) and the Emirates Athletic Conference (EAC) member schools has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Both conferences are committed to offering opportunities for member students both virtually and in person where possible. Common agreements regarding hygiene expectations and other control measures for future event-hosting and travel have been created. We look forward to collaborating, participating and competing against our MESAC and EAC schools through our virtual events and are excited to welcome our greater community back to campus in the near future.

Sporting Events, Shows, & Spectators We are excited to offer once again local and regional competitions between the EAC member schools of Dubai, as well as student performances in the theatre. We look forward to welcoming our community to these shows and competitions as soon as we receive official permission to do so.

Play Safely at ASD

STAY HOME

BRING YOUR OWN

if you are sick or have a fever

equipment and gear if possible

COVER YOUR COUGHS AND SNEEZES

NO SHARING water bottles

with a tissue or your elbow

CLEAN EQUIPMENT after use

TELL A COACH OR TEACHER

WASH YOUR HANDS

if you feel unwell

with soap or sanitize before and after activities

NO SHARING

NO HANDSHAKES,

towels or personal items

SOCIAL DISTANCING will be observed whenever possible

high fives, or hugging

WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT when appropriate

Meeting, Events, & Gatherings

Introduction While we are eager to reconnect in person to celebrate our community, we must be patient and adhere to KHDA protocols for meetings, events, gatherings, and campus access. STUDENT SPECIAL EVENTS Special events such as festivals, celebrations, and assemblies can take place within certain parameters. There must be enough space to accommodate all students while following physical distancing recommendations. Interactions between groups of students should be kept to a minimum; entry and exits to such events should be staggered, and event spaces must be cleaned before and after every event. STUDENT PERFORMANCES Performances should be designed with an adaptive approach to reduce risk (physical distancing must be maintained).

SCHOOL TRIPS School trips are allowed as long as they follow all the basic precautionary measures, such as physical distancing, staggered entry and exit and minimising interactions among groups of students. The venue’s capacity must be able to accommodate the number of students with the recommended one metre of physical distance between each. STUDENT GROUP ACTIVITIES Group activities such student camps and sports tournaments must adhere to the guidelines of the Dubai Sports Council.

SPORTS EVENTS Both schools and external sports providers can offer extracurricular activities. Non-sport extra-curricular activities will follow the same protocols that are adopted during school hours. Sports-focused extra-curricular activities will follow the guidelines of the Dubai Sports Council.

FAQs from the KHDA GENERAL INFO

What are the major changes in the health and safety protocols for the 2021/22 academic year?

The major change for the new academic year is that all students must be back at school for face-to-face learning by October 3, except in exceptional circumstances. Provided they comply with health and safety protocols, the following activities may also resume: • Swimming and sports lessons • School trips, excursions and camps • After-hours extra-curricular activities • Performances, assemblies and other events at school or at an external venue We continue to live in uncertain times, and the relaxation in restrictions is a privilege. To continue to enjoy these freedoms throughout the academic year, it is crucial that students, parents and school staff fully comply with the protocols at all times. DISTANCE LEARNING

Can students continue with distance learning this academic year?

From the start of the academic year until September 30, parents will have the choice of distance learning or face-to-face learning for their children. From October 3rd 2021, all teaching and learning at Dubai private schools will be face-to-face only. After this date, students who wish to continue with distance learning must provide a medical certificate issued by Dubai Health Authority. Class groups or grade/year levels may temporarily switch to distance learning if positive cases of Covid-19 are detected. PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Does the 1.5-metre physical distancing still apply at schools?

From this academic year, one-metre distancing is recommended. Schools must take appropriate precautions to ensure that students and teachers stay physically distanced where possible.

SPORTS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Can swimming and sports lessons take place?

Yes, swimming and sports can go ahead. Changing rooms and sports areas will be sanitised after each group of students. All health and safety protocols must be followed according to Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Sports Authority guidelines. GATHERINGS & EVENTS

What kind of events can resume at school?

Assemblies, performances, rehearsals and events can take place, in line with Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

Can schools organise events in external venues? Yes, schools can organise events in external venues. All relevant health and safety protocols must be followed. SAFETY

Will buses run at full capacity?

Yes, buses may run at fully capacity, provided they comply with health and safety protocols around sanitisation and ventilation, among others.

How will my child be kept safe at school?

Schools will still follow thorough Dubai Government health and safety protocols. Similar to last academic year, these will include guidance on sanitisation, teaching and learning materials, and external visitors to the school. COVID-19 VACCINATION

Is it compulsory for school staff and students older than 16 to have a Covid-19 vaccine? Vaccination is not compulsory. Eligible school staff who do not wish to have the vaccine must submit a negative PCR test each week. Students are not obliged to submit negative PCR tests.

Are face masks compulsory in the new academic year? Yes. Students older than six years, staff and visitors to schools must continue to wear face masks.

The American School of Dubai’s mission is to challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world.

ASD Reopening Guide 2021

Articles inside

FAQs

Introduction—Returning to Being Together Again

Introduction—Returning to Play, Perform, Participate

Specific Areas of Enhanced Protections

ASD’s Approach to Safety: Four Pillars of Safety

Three Potential Models for Learning

Student Support Services at ASD

ASD’s Commitment, Mission, and Core Values

Introduction

Rights and Responsibilities in the ASD Community