Fall 2020 Re-Opening Plan and Guidelines
Dear Bethel Families,
Never has it been clearer to the leadership of Bethel Christian Academy that students being at school
learning and interacting with a teacher is the best way for them to gain the most from their education. As a
registered church-exempt school, BCA is legally able to provide in-person schooling in the fall.
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While the alternative model of distance learning was necessary and successful in the spring, it is not the ideal.
Participating in person in the BCA learning community provides opportunities for students to grow and develop
socially, spiritually, and academically that are just not possible from a distance.
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While we understand that there are still challenges and that Covid-19 is still with us, we believe that parents who desire to have their children in school should have that opportunity. Because we believe it is the parent's choice, we are offering options that we believe will provide the best educational experiences with the most flexibility possible within our budget and resources.
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While we encourage all students to attend school on campus, for those who are not yet comfortable with that,
remote learning for 5th – 8 grade will be available. In addition, we will be offering homeschool oversight for all
grades for those who want Bethel’s academic program but would prefer to do it themselves at home.
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Program Options Overview
School will open on August 31 for all students. Information will be sent out in August re: orientations and Back to School events.
Students in 5th-8th grade can attend classes live from home using Google Classroom.
Students of any age can be homeschooled by their parent using BCA’s proven academic program with professional guidance and support.
With all three options, students receive a BCA education and are a part of the Bethel learning community!
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On-Campus Learning Specific guidelines for at least
the 1st quarter of school (August 31 – October 30, 2020) with updates or modifications communicated as quickly as possible for the 2nd quarter. Families that choose this option are required to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the health and safety measures being taken by BCA and of understanding the risks involved in attending school on campus.
Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up Daily Routines/Assemblies Cleaning & Sanitation
Student/Staff Wellness Plan Academic Program
Visitors to the Campus Extended Care/Athletics
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures with Health Screening • All staff and students will be asked to submit to either a temperature screening or symptom screening or both depending on health department guidelines at the time that school starts. The specific details will be provided as soon as they are available. • If morning care is provided, all students will be dropped off at the regular location from 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. and will be spaced out in the gym during that time. If numbers need to be limited, it may be necessary to register in advance. • Specific entrance locations will be assigned to different grade levels at each campus to maximize arrival and health screening efficiency. • Dismissal pick-up procedures will remain the same as usual with parents remaining in their cars as students are escorted to them. Groups will be held in separate locations while awaiting pick-up. • Howard County bus service will not be available.
Daily Routines/Assemblies • Restroom visits for all students will be spread out so that there is minimal contact between classes. Fewer students will be allowed in the restroom at one time, and students will be monitored to encourage proper handwashing. • Recess will be held in the classroom or outdoors on a rotating schedule to minimize contact between classes. Classes will have assigned recess equipment. • Some elementary Specials will occur in the classroom; others will be scheduled to avoid contact in the hallway with other classes. Middle school electives may be limited and scheduled to minimize cross-group contact. • Lunches for elementary students will occur in their classrooms. Middle school students will eat in the lunchroom but will be scheduled to have fewer students in the lunchroom at a time and spread apart.
• Chapel will be conducted remotely to provide spiritual enrichment while keeping class groups separate. No student assemblies will be scheduled for the first quarter.
• Teachers will clean and sanitize all touched surfaces in their classroom at lunch time, at the end of each day, and whenever another group or individual has been in the classroom.
Cleaning and Sanitation
• Custodians will clean and sanitize all other touched surfaces in the facilities several times throughout the day. • Sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the facilities and frequent handwashing will be encouraged. • Staff and students may be required to wear face masks when in the hallways, but they will be optional in the classroom. • Students will be required to have water bottles, and a water bottle filling station will be available.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
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Strict temperature guidelines will be enforced. If a student has a temperature between 99.6 and 100.3 and exhibits other symptoms of illness as described in the BCA Parent/Student Handbook, he or she will be sent home until 24 hours being fever free unmedicated.
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Any student or staff member with a temperature above 100.3 will not be allowed in the building or will be isolated and sent home whether exhibiting symptoms or not. They should be tested for Covit-19 and may not return until fever-free for 72 hours and/or they provide negative results of a Covid-19 test.
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If a confirmed case of Covid-19 occurs in a student or staff member, the building may be closed for a designated number of days for cleaning and sanitizing. Only the grade level of a student who tests positive will be shared. That student and any siblings that attend BCA will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
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If an outbreak of Covid-19 cases occurs, a shutdown of a longer duration may be necessary in accordance with health department guidelines.
Academics When possible, classroom orientation will have desks separated and facing forward. Each class of students will be a selfcontained group with as much separation as possible within the classroom.
• BCA is committed to maintaining the integrity of our academic program. Students will receive instruction, complete assignments, and earn grades reflecting their mastery of knowledge and skills. • Specials and elective classes are important aspects of the BCA program and will be conducted and graded according to school policy. • There will be no field trips during the first quarter of school. Thereafter, field trips may occur but may involve only parent drivers. • If school must close for any reason, instruction will immediately revert to distance learning so that no instruction time is lost.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Visitors to the Campus • Visitors to the school will be limited to the front office and guided tours. Classroom visitors will only be permitted with prior approval by the administrator and only after a temperature check. ("Walk-in Wednesdays" will be postponed for the time being.) • Any visitor entering the school will be required to wear a face covering.
Extended Care and Athletics • Morning and After-School Care will be provided in accordance with the regulations set forth by the MD Office of Childcare. • Student groups will be limited and registering for Extended Care in advance may be required. • A schedule of activities will be maintained that minimizes contact with other groups. •
All food will be served in separate areas to minimize contact with other groups.
• Intramural sports may be offered, but no competitive league athletics will be offered this year.
Students receive live instruction from the teacher in the classroom daily.
Distance Learning Option for 5th – 8th Grade*
Peer interaction and collaboration is possible through the features of Google Classroom.
Students will participate in live-time classroom instruction via Google Classroom.
Assignments are exchanged primarily digitally, but when physical exchange is necessary, a drop-off/pickup system will be employed.
Cost = Same as regular BCA Tuition
*Younger students are not suited to being online for multipole classes per day and Preschool – 4th grade teachers are not able to teach in class and provide remote instruction.
Participation in Specials and elective classes will be limited due to the on-campus nature of some of those classes (e.g., PE, Art) Parents must register for Distance Learning and commit to this model for at least a month at a time to maintain continuity in the classroom regarding students expected to be present each day vs. attending online.
BCA Homeschool Oversight Enrollment in this program provides legal covering in accordance with MD law and provides a means of accessing the excellent BCA academic program and staying connected with the Bethel school community while teaching at home. Tuition = $2, 000 per student + purchase of BCA uniforms.
Participation in school activities and events. BCA uniform required.
BCA curriculum provided with guidance in instruction and assessment.
An experienced educator/homeschooler providing consultation and support (up to 12 meetings per year).
Students in 1st – 8th grade participate in spring achievement testing.
A Final Word‌ The goal of the Bethel leadership is to make decisions in a reasoned, rational, and fully biblical way. We have four priorities: 1. Ensuring the health and safety of students and staff,
2. Providing high quality instruction for our students, 3. Facilitating parent choice, and 4. Ensuring that educational options are within our budget and resource availability.
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We are reviewing guidance from the CDC, the local health department, and other government agencies. We have considered the input, concerns, and desires expressed by
parents and have sought the advice of legal counsel, the Association of Christian Schools International, health professionals, and other local school administrators.
Finally, God’s Word encourages us to trust in Him and not to fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Seeking His wisdom and trusting in Him, BCA is moving forward!
Presented by:
Mrs. Claire Dant, Principal BCA