REOPENING PLAN FOR
2020-2021 Prepared by the The Lycée Français de New York
Revised: August 21, 2020
1
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION
4
CONTEXT FOR THE LYCÉE’S REOPENING PLAN: COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
5
PILLAR I: PHYSICAL SAFETY
8
COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Quarantine Requirement
9
Health Checks
9
Healthy Hygiene Practices
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Social Distancing
12
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
14
Transportation / Drop Off & Pickup
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Arrival Process
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Dismissal Process
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Nutrition
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Cleaning and Disinfection
18
Facilities
19
Management of Ill Persons
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Alerting the Community
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Returning to school after a COVID-19 diagnosis
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Potential Closure in the Event of Widespread Virus Transmission
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PILLAR II: EMOTIONAL HEALTH
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Preparing for the Year
25
Supporting the Community
25
Monitoring emotional health
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PILLAR III: ACADEMIC & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING School Schedule
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Secondary School
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Primary School
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Support families by aligning schedules
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Make learning at home easier for families
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The first two weeks of schools for hybrid model students unable to join in person at Rentrée
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Teaching & Learning
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Maternelle
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Elementary
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Collège & Lycée
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Technology & Connectivity
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Athletics & Extracurricular Activities
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Special Education
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Bilingual Education
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Attendance & Chronic Absenteeism
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STAFFING
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CONCLUSION
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GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
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INTRODUCTION The Lycée Français de New York (The Lycée) is an independent school for students from Nursery-3 to twelfth grade based in Manhattan, New York City. Our mission statement guides us in everything we do: Committed to bilingual French and American education of the highest standard, our mission is to prepare students of many origins to be thinkers, innovators and leaders, at home in the world. We
inspire and encourage each student to excel and seek academic and personal challenge, to discover interests and fulfill talents, to embrace diversity and build community, to uphold integrity and contribute to making a difference. We have prepared this comprehensive plan for Fall 2020 reopening in compliance with the New York State Education Department and Department of Health standards for the year 2020-2021, as available to us as of July 30, 2020. The Lycée, and our Executive Team, is working hard to safely reopen the School to in-person instruction, as much as possible, while also weighing the health requirements needed to keep our community safe. Equity is also at the forefront of our reopening plan priorities. We strive to ensure that each decision we make supports the needs of all students and families and gives them access to the same opportunities and quality of education that the Lycée delivers. Our ability to reopen and continue in person class time relies on all members of our community doing their part. We try to instill a sense of personal responsibility in each of our students, and never has that seemed more important. Each and every member of the Lycée community has a personal responsibility to practice good, common-sense hygiene and safety measures to stay healthy and keep others healthy. We look forward to welcoming students back to campus and rely on the individual actions of our community members to be able to stay open throughout the school year.
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CONTEXT FOR THE LYCÉE’S REOPENING PLAN: COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The Lycée prioritizes clear, frequent, transparent, multi-faceted, and bilingual communication between the School, faculty, families, and all stakeholders in our community. This commitment is even more vital during these times of uncertainty. In developing this reopening plan, we have engaged our School stakeholders and community members. In the Spring of 2020, we appointed a COVID-19 Response Team that consists of selected members of the School’s Executive Team, the School Nurse and the Director of Facilities. This team focuses on physical safety. We also formed an Academic Continuity Team to focus on teaching and learning. Both teams engaged in regular meetings through the Spring to build and reassess plans and policies and disseminate information to the community. In mid-May, a "Sortie/Rentrée" (Year-end/Back-to-school) team was formed to focus on year-end logistics and events at the end of the Spring 2020 period and to start planning for back-to-school. The Head of School is the School’s safety coordinator whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the School’s reopening plan, as well as any phased-in reopening activities necessary to allow for operational issues to be resolved before activities return to normal or “new normal” levels. Our reopening plans have been designed in consultation with third party experts and with input from the broader community. The School formed an Expert Panel which included two MDs, one epidemiologist and a business leader (in the process of reopening a business) to advise, and has consulted with a certified industrial hygienist and building consultants. As we built our reopening plan, which we started in May, we sought the input of representatives of all departments within the School and have encouraged parent participation through the parents association, offering community-wide webinars with open-forum question and answer sessions, as well as multiple student, parent and employee surveys. Parent-guardian and faculty-staff surveys have helped us hone our back-to-school plans, including scheduling, health & safety, and visa challenges particular to our international community. Additionally, we have been in regular communication with all employees to respond to questions and concerns, particularly as it relates to health & safety matters, as well as to address immigration and international travel challenges unique to our teacher population. Spring surveys indicated that 85+% of parent respondents were satisfied with frequency and clarity of
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communication from the School’s leadership, including weekly video messages from the Head of School. It is equally vital to maintain this open communication as we embark on the beginning of the new school year. We need to be completely transparent and make sure that our staff, faculty, parents, and students have a clear understanding of our hybrid model which is the result of prioritizing physical health & safety, emotional health, and pedagogical considerations. It is equally important that all understand what will be expected of them upon return to campus to keep our community safe. We have committed to communicating final reopening schedules and plans by early August. We also will continue to engage in a multi-faceted approach throughout the year to reach all constituencies, including: ●
Regular updates/resource page on our internal portal
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Regular email communication and recorded video messages from the Head of School
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Community-wide informational webinars for major announcements
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The Lycée newsletter (weekly during the school year and monthly in the summer)
These communications are planned to help clarify and inform our entire community, with a focus on health & safety preparations and protocols, support for family and student well-being, and clear plans as to what to expect during the first few weeks of school. A weeklong pre-back-to-school staff orientation program will include health & safety protocol training, mental health training by the Child Mind Institute, training on teaching in a hybrid model, and supporting students in their early days of school. Particular emphasis will be placed on following new COVID-19 protocols safely and correctly, including but not limited to hand hygiene, proper face covering, and social distancing. The School will also emphasize adherence to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the use of PPE, specifically acceptable face coverings when a social distance cannot be maintained. The Lycée has a clear framework for all crisis communications. Our protocol focuses, as a priority, on supporting the family / children who may have fallen ill, with a clear process for outreach to teachers, classmates, and then to the community at large. Our automated emergency communication system
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allows us to have holding statements ready in the event of a major public health alert that would cause the school to close. We began to engage in reopening plans in early May 2020, as soon as New York State prohibited end-of-year reopenings. We articulated our communication to the community around three pillars: Physical Safety, Emotional Health, and Academic and Social-Emotional Learning. We plan to continue doing so.
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PILLAR I: PHYSICAL SAFETY The health and safety of the children and adults in our School is paramount. Health and safety considerations must always come first. Our priority is to reduce and stop disease transmission. The Lycée’s Health and Safety guidelines have been put in place in consultation with both community stakeholders and certified experts, including a certified industrial hygienist, medical doctors, and an epidemiologist. All of our guidelines are in line with the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health guidelines, and rely on fact based, continuous planning. The Lycée closely monitors the WHO, CDC, federal, state and local government recommendations and as such, this policy may be updated periodically. Social distancing, mask wearing and healthy hygiene practices are to be expected and will be enforced at school. It is every community member’s individual responsibility to keep our community safe. Students, parents, and employees will be asked to sign a community health pledge prior to the commencement of the 2020-2021 school year. The Lycée Health Pledge includes a commitment to responsible
measures to stop the spread of infection, to comply with all health checks and other safety measures taken by the school, and to stay home if anyone in the family shows any symptoms or has come into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. It also outlines the Lycée’s physical
safety measures and our commitment to ensuring they are followed at school, for everyone’s safety. The Lycée will trust the community to behave responsibly, understanding the entire community is impacted by individual action. Capacity The Lycee's hybrid model was designed to allow for a reduction of persons in the school at any given time to allow for desks to be spaced 6 feet apart in classrooms and significantly reduce the number of people in public spaces (hallways, meeting rooms, etc...). As a result, we will experience no more than approximately 50% of normal occupancy. See Social Distancing and Facilities (below) for further specifications on how we are working to maintain social distance between individuals in our School.
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COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Quarantine Requirement The Lycée requires all students and employees to get tested for COVID-19, using either a PCR nasal or saliva diagnostic test, before entering the school building at back to school. They must present a negative test on their first day in the building. Tests must be taken within 8 to 10 days of their return to campus in the U.S., in a state not on the New York State travel advisory list. We will be considering a protocol for re-testing throughout the year based on testing availability as well as public health guidance. As of writing there is insufficient scientific data to confirm that an individual with a positive antibody test is conclusively immune from reinfection and unable to infect others. The Lycée will also assist public health departments with contact tracing to the extent possible by: ●
Keeping accurate attendance records
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Maintaining current in-person class schedules
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Logging any visitors (including contractors), including date, time and location in the School
The Lycée will share these records with public health departments, for the purposes of contact tracing, if requested. Need to observe quarantine: the Lycée requires students and employees returning from outside of New York State to follow CDC guidelines and New York State requirements vis a vis quarantine prior to returning to School in person. The requirements around quarantining are explicitly addressed in the Lycée Health Pledge. Health Checks The Lycée is implementing procedures aligned with screening and testing procedures recommended in NYSDOH guidelines. The Lycée is implementing a technology-supported health screening protocol with strict enforcement for students and employees. Daily health checks will be required, at home, prior to admittance to our campus. The health check determines whether the individual has: ●
Knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19
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Tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 14 days
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Has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of greater than 100.0°F in the past 14 days (see below)
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Has traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days.
Screening Nursery-12 Students for Symptoms of COVID-19: ●
Fever or chills (100°F or greater)
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
Subject to answering positively to the survey, indicating no serious concerns about illness, a QR code (renewed every day) will be sent to the email we have on file for the staff member or parent, as such parents will need to forward this code to secondary students or show the code themselves for primary
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students, allowing each student to access the building. At the doors to our campus, QR codes will be scanned and students / faculty will be admitted. Parents of students taking the bus must fill out the same Health screening form each day, prior to boarding the bus, and students will be checked from a current list of those that have certified clear before entering school. We are adopting a strict enforcement policy, and no one will be admitted into the building without passing a health screening. The Lycée will not admit parents or visitors to the School except in limited circumstances. Any parents or visitors who need to be admitted to the School will be required to pass the same health and safety screening as our students and employees. In addition, contractors and vendors will be required to go through the School’s raptor security system, serving both the functions of a background check, and the newly added health screening check. The system has been tested and applicable staff have been trained on how to use the system. All visitors must enter through the 505 east 75st entrance, where a temperature scanner has been installed. No one with a temperature 100°F or above will be permitted entrance.
More detail on the arrival process of students is included under Transportation / Drop off & Pickup. Healthy Hygiene Practices The Lycée will provide training to employees and students for healthy hygiene practices. Hand sanitizing will be mandatory upon entering the building and hand washing facilitated during the day. The CDC recommends regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This should be repeated regularly throughout the day, but in particular, should be done: ●
Before and after eating or handling food
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After sneezing, coughing, or nose blowing
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After using the restroom
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After touching or cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated
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After using shared equipment
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The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (available across the building) when soap and water are not available, and hands are not visibly dirty, is also acceptable. The Lycée will also be providing training, and subsequently expecting, community-wide respiratory hygiene and to respect cough etiquette. The following measures should be observed to contain respiratory secretions: ●
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
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Using the nearest waste receptacle to dispose of the tissue after use;
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Discard mask, use clean mask;
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Performing hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
Signage will be placed throughout the Lycée before back to school to inform and remind our community of proper, healthy hygiene practices, social distancing, and other health requirements. Social Distancing Social distancing will be required as much as possible within the Lycée campus at all times. We have put in place the following precautions and guidance: ●
Observe social distancing by keeping 6 feet apart
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When social distancing is not possible, wear face covering at all times
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In classrooms: o
Space seating and desks at least 6 feet apart when feasible
o
Turn desks to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other)
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o
Desks may not be moved or oriented in different directions, to avoid face-to-face student interactions
o
Sharing supplies (pen, ruler, calculator, etc…) between students is prohibited
o
Teachers are required to wash hands before and after using common equipment/supplies and disinfect the equipment before and after each use
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Non-instructional schedules limit occupation of floors/offices o
Avoid in person meetings or gatherings as much as possible
o
Use tech-enabled solutions whenever possible: conference calls, video conferencing, and other means of communication approved by the school
o ●
Adjust work schedules to allow for some telework and reduce building occupancy
Classroom entry / exit process: o
All doors to classrooms will remain open throughout the school day to reduce the need to touch doors or handles
o
Students should enter classrooms and sit in assigned seats as soon as they arrive to dissuade gatherings in the hallways
o
Students will have assigned seats to ease this process
o
When exiting, teachers will be asked to instruct the front row to leave first, then rear rows next making sure students are all wearing face masks/coverings and are leaving the proper distance between themselves (6 ft if feasible but at least a min. 3ft)
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Circulation in hallways: o
Core of the building will be the "travel lane" moving in circular motion
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o
In the main building, the west stairwells will be the up stairs and the east stairwells will be the down stairs. In the York Wing, the yellow (west) stairwell is the up stairs, and the red (east) stairwell is the down stairs.
o ●
Flow arrows will be clearly marked on walls
Employees arrival times: o
The School will endeavor to stagger employee arrival times to avoid student pickup and dismissal times
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Students within the Lycée campus will be required to wear face masks at all times, especially when unable to maintain a six-foot distance from others or outside of their dedicated instruction space. Teachers and other faculty members will be asked to wear masks at all times (with exceptions outlined below) in order to set a positive, mask wearing culture example to the students. As a general rule, masks must be worn while moving around the building, while in elevators, stairwells, hallways, recess / play areas, bathrooms, or any other space where multiple people are moving around and a six-foot distance is difficult to maintain. Everyone should have their mask with them at all times. In the event of loss or damage, the School will provide a fresh disposable mask. We expect the entire Lycée community to both wear masks to and from the School and comply with any requirements on public transportation or NYC school district transportation. Each family is encouraged to own enough face masks per child to allow for daily washing at home, bringing two for backup is also recommended. Acceptable face masks include cloth masks, either purchased or hand sewn, surgical masks, three-layer, N95, and KN95. Masks must cover the mouth and nose. Face shields may be worn in addition to a mask, but are not an adequate substitute. Specific staff engaged in health screenings, in the health office, monitoring a potentially ill student, or other high risk activity, require a higher degree of protection. N-95 masks, N-95 respirators, or other PPE used under existing industry standards should be used, in accordance with OSHA guidelines, and will be provided by the school. Families and faculty should work together to ensure proper mask
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wearing including mask size and fit. Frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wear of masks should be a collaborative effort. We understand that these necessary provisions can be trying for all community members, and particularly to our younger community members, and have therefore established protocols for breaks from mask wearing: ●
Primary students will be permitted mask breaks, if needed, when they are seated at a distance of at least 6 feet away from others and are having physical or emotional discomfort
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Preschool students in full day pods who have rest time in designated areas, at least 6 feet apart, will be permitted to take off their masks during that time
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All students must wear masks for the entirety of recess time - they may only take a mask break if they are having trouble breathing and are seated at a six-foot distance from others away from the play area
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Any student who is having difficulty breathing should be evaluated by the nurse
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Any employee experiencing discomfort should immediately seek a quiet, socially distanced area to take a break from mask wearing
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Employees may remove masks when when alone in an office, empty classroom, or faculty lounge
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Students and faculty may remove masks to eat and drink in properly designated areas while maintaining social distance
The Lycée aims to maintain a three-month supply of face masks, including three-layer and KN95, (N95 if available), in addition to an ample supply of face shields. Any employee who requires a new mask will be provided with one by the School. Any student who has forgotten to bring a face mask will be supplied a disposable face mask by the school. Repeated instances will be addressed as needed. All storage spaces have been reorganized and reconfigured to allow for storage of three-month supplies of PPE and cleaning supplies.
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Transportation / Drop Off & Pickup The Lycée has never provided transportation to and from its campus. Parents are responsible for making arrangements for children’s transportation to and from the School. We expect the entire Lycée community to both wear masks to and from the School and comply with any requirements on public transportation or NYC school district transportation. Drop-off of Primary students will be staggered according to a schedule, communicated directly with parents, to allow students to maintain appropriate distance. Secondary students will also be expected to arrive at specific times, according to grade. Other than a staggered arrival and pickup schedule, we will continue to use the 75th street entrance for car drop-off but we may need to adjust traffic patterns, as needed. Arrival Process For the Primary, we will be using four entrances: 76th street service entrance, main entrance, drive-through line 1, drive-through line 2. ●
Maternelle – Nursery to Kindergarten o
Parent/guardian (1 person only) has QR codes for the student and scans it at one of the 4 entrances used for Primary
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Elementary o
DOE School buses arrive between 7:45 and 7:50 am and a Lycée employee reviews students' status within the bus ▪
Students who are cleared for entry will wait in the auditorium until they can be brought to their classrooms
▪
We are expecting further NYC DOE guidance regarding coordination of health screenings for students taking NYC DOE buses.
o
Individual families: parent has QR code for student(s) and scans it at one of the 4 entrances used for Primary, which is a condition for drop-off.
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o
If a student dropped off is not listed as having been screened by parents (and therefore does not have a valid QR code), he/she cannot enter the building.
o
At the time of entry defined for each class (which will be clearly communicated to parents), each teacher gathers the students of his/her pod in the 76th street lobby and brings the children to the classroom
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Secondary o
We will be using three entrances: the 75th street main and service entrances and the York Wing entrance
o
Admittance to the School will be staggered by grade and we will be in touch directly with students and families about when they are expected to arrive as part of our general communication around schedules
o
Students scan the QR code which will be sent to them by their Parent or Guardian each day, then badge in and go to their classrooms as soon as they enter the building (no gatherings allowed in the lobby)
o
If the student does not have a valid QR code, he or she will not be permitted to enter the building.
Dismissal Process Students in the Secondary School will be permitted to leave the school unaccompanied at the end of in-person class, and will be required to do so quickly to minimize crowding within the building. Primary Students will be dismissed to a parent or guardian, by grade, in shifts to minimize crowding at exits. Those picking up students will wait outside the School’s doors and should wear masks and remain socially distant to the extent possible.
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Nutrition Lycée students are not enrolled in the School Food Authorities, the Lycée is therefore not required to provide meals to students during the school day. Students who are present on campus for a full day will bring lunch from home. Lunch will be eaten in classrooms, where students will already be socially distant. Appropriate precautions will be taken for students with food allergies. Prior to lunch, students will have a bathroom break to wash their hands and hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms. The other grades will attend in person class for either an AM or a PM session and therefore will be able to have lunch outside the School, either after leaving for the day or before arrival. The Lycée maintains constant communication with parents and students about nutrition, responsibilities of students and families, and what services we will be able to provide. Cleaning and Disinfection To limit the transmission of viral diseases, such as COVID-19, cleaning protocols should be used to clean, sanitize and disinfect common contact surfaces within the School. In review of documentation from the NYSDOH and the CDC a new cleaning and disinfection protocol has been created. Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection of the school will require full commitment and collaboration if all within the school community, including faculty, staff and students. Cleaning workspaces and high-touch surfaces will take place throughout the day and again at the end of the school day. A site-specific risk assessment has been completed to determine frequency of cleaning with a focus on how often areas are used by employees and students, and for how long. Based on this assessment we have put the following procedures in place: ●
The Lycée will use EPA approved disinfectants specifically for COVID-19
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Teachers and students will sanitize desks/chairs: o
After each class ends, once students have departed the classroom
o
Before the students break for lunch/recess
o
Before serving snacks
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●
The maintenance staff will clean and disinfect all classrooms once students and teachers have left for the day
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Common areas will be cleaned by maintenance twice during school hours and again when students and teachers have left the building
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Offices and meeting areas will all be cleaned by the occupant, upon arrival and prior to leaving, and then again by the maintenance team at the end of the day
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The Health Office and isolation room will be cleaned by the nurses at least twice a day, or between seeing any patient – additionally the maintenance team will clean these spaces twice a day
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Bathrooms will be cleaned three times a day by the maintenance team, twice during the day and once after students and teachers have left for the day
Teachers and staff will be properly trained regarding the cleaning and disinfecting protocols, as well as the safety precautions required. Our maintenance staff will also undergo additional training and shifts will be added to provide additional resources. Additionally, the Lycée is instituting a weekly audit to
review cleaning and sanitization efforts to ensure that the tasks are being completed on schedule and that are adequate to maintain sanitization standards set out by the school. Cleaning protocols will be updated regularly, to ensure any changing work practices and procedures are accounted for and in response to changing guidance. We plan to maintain a three-month supply of all required cleaning supplies. All storage spaces have been reorganized and reconfigured to allow for storage of three-month supplies of PPE and cleaning supplies. Facilities When we welcome students and faculty back to our campus for présentiel (in-school) learning it is critical that the physical spaces they occupy are configured and maintained in a way that provides the maximum possible protection from spreading COVID-19.
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Throughout the summer, our facilities and administrative teams have been working with best in class consultants and experts to provide updates to our physical spaces designed to promote reduced contact and physical distancing. We have engaged with TPC engineering consultants and a certified industrial hygienist who have created a virus transmission reduction plan, with a focus on indoor air quality and the highest level of air filtration possible. Additionally, our industrial hygienist has reviewed our reopening plan and made recommendations for routine and non-routine cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection. Alterations to our physical space include: ●
Ventilation: o
Adding enhanced air filtration units (HEPA) to all teaching spaces
o
Upgrades to our ventilation systems to maximize the circulation of outside air into the building
o
Operating all spaces with increased mechanical ventilation mode, all filters for these spaces have been upgraded to a minimum MERV 13 rating and many others with MERV 14 and 15 rating
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Installing clear plexiglass barriers throughout security areas, health offices, meeting and faculty spaces
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Utilizing multiple entrances at arrival and dismissal times, to reduce congestion and maintain physical distance
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Reconfiguring physical spaces to provide for additional classrooms and promote physical distancing: o
A canopy may be added to the 2nd floor outdoor space
o
The cafeteria was converted into additional classrooms
o
Furniture has been moved to provide for 6ft of distance
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o
To reduce the spread of the virus from touching door levers and knobs, doors may be fixed in the open position
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Touchless hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the school
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A temperature scanner has been installed at the security area on 75th street to allow for visitor health screening
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Common areas have increased signage outlining social distancing directives and hygiene requirements, including frequent handwashing
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Touchless fixtures on toilets, urinals and sinks have been installed in all bathrooms
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Stairwells are designated UP or DOWN
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Directions to facilitate circular movement in hallways
All alterations to the Lycée’s physical spaces will be fire code compliant. Fire doors, with closures and automatic hold-opens that are automatically released by the alarm system, will remain unchanged, but are not typically touched during normal use. To the best of our abilities, we will continue to conduct standard emergency drills without deviating from current requirements. An addendum update has been made in our Emergency Operations Plan for new requirements for emergency drills. Management of Ill Persons During the day anyone who is not feeling well will be assessed by the nurses and sent home if necessary. Teachers and other staff will also be educated to observe students or other staff members for signs of any type of illness. Students that feel ill, or are suspected of being ill, will be isolated and assessed by the school nurse. If needed, the nurse will call parents and wait with the student in isolation until parents arrive for pick up. We have designated a planned isolation room for students waiting to leave the School until parents arrive, promptly, for pickup. It is located on LM North and there is a fire stair that leads to the door by the gate on 76st. This will allow the nurse and ill child to use the fire exit to
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meet the parent/caregiver outside of the building (avoiding dismissal times for those pick-ups at drive-through). An employee feeling ill will need to report to the Health Office for screening, and may be asked to go home right away depending on the symptoms. Both students and employees may need to submit a physician note in order to be cleared to return to school by the Heath Office. The Lycée will follow CDC and NYSDOH recommendations, which as of the date of this report, include: ●
Closing off areas used by a suspected/confirmed COVID-19 infected person and not using these areas until after cleaning and disinfection has occurred
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Opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area
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Waiting at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfection. If waiting 24 hours is not feasible, waiting as long as possible
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Cleaning and disinfecting all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, classrooms, bathrooms, lockers, and common areas
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Reopening for use once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected
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Referring to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” for information on “close and proximate” contacts
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If more than seven days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but routine cleaning and disinfection should continue
Alerting the Community All students, teachers and staff are expected to immediately inform the Lycée Health Office if they have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, if they receive a positive notice of Covid-19
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diagnosis, or if they start exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19. The Health Office shall immediately notify the local public health agency. In accordance with New York State guidance, if a student or staff member reports having tested positive for COVID-19, the Lycée will notify the local health department to help determine what steps are needed for the school community. In the case of employees and students, the school will determine individuals who have come into close, prolonged contact with the identified employee or student, and alert the families of all identified students by email. Such children and employees will be expected to quarantine for 14 consecutive days at home. Instruction is then shifted to fully online during the quarantine period for the group of exposed persons. In-person attendance may resume at the end of the quarantine period. Returning to school after a COVID-19 diagnosis The Lycée will follow CDC guidance for allowing a student or a staff member to return to school after exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider based on a test, or their symptoms, or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until: ●
It has been at least ten days since the individual first had symptoms
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AND, It has been at least 24 hours since the individual has had a fever (without using fever reducing medicine)
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AND, It has been at least 24 hours since the individual’s symptoms improved, including cough and shortness of breath.
If a person is tested positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms and continues to have no symptoms for 10 days after the test, they can return to school.
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Additionally, anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the most recent exposure based on the time it takes to develop illness. These rules are effective as of July 30, 2020. They will be amended as and when appropriate. Potential Closure in the Event of Widespread Virus Transmission In the event of widespread virus transmission, the School may modify its operations, including partial or full building closure and transition to Online Lycée, o ur online program, for affected teachers and students. For more detail on Online Lycée, see Technology and Connectivity, below.
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PILLAR II: EMOTIONAL HEALTH At the Lycée we believe it is vital to prioritize social-emotional well-being - not at the expense of academics - but as a core component of a safe and healthy learning experience. Many students have experienced challenging, stressful and for some possible traumatic times while isolated from school, friends, and community. We are therefore focused on listening, empathy and care; like in the rest of our program, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will be woven into everything we do. We understand that it is unrealistic to expect that students will return to instruction as they left it months ago and we will be working closely together in supporting children and adults alike. We plan on monitoring the students' social-emotional needs with our mental health pedagogical and support staff, and will include training as part of pre-back-to-school orientation for teachers and staff. Preparing for the Year During back-to-school training week for teachers and staff, the school will provide: ●
A time for all employees to share and process the impact of the crisis on their own emotional well-being during the past months
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The intervention of an outside mental health specialist on what to expect in students of all ages at the return to school o
We have established a partnership with the Child Mind Institute
o
They will be leading some of our back-to-school preparation work and will be available for follow-up with individual families as needed
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Small group sessions organized by our mental health team to prepare teachers and staff in looking for markers in students of different ages upon their return to school and thereafter
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A regular follow-up in order to respond to the specific needs of all students and adults
Supporting the Community The Lycée has a Specialized Support Team of mental health specialists and specialized teachers who provide emotional as well as academic support as needed. Particular attention will be paid to the
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psychological impact of the pandemic, as well as the disruption to predictable schedule and planning. During the prior period of remote learning, our school psychologist set up regular information/ discussion sessions for parents and members of the specialized support team and counselors met with students virtually. Our school psychologist also guides and provides additional support to individual families on an as needed basis. Monitoring emotional health In June, the Lycée surveyed the parents and Secondary students about their well-being and is incorporating their feedback into the program to ensure that we are being responsive and adaptive to the needs of our community. In general, we found that the services we have been providing were helpful and we plan to continue along this model as we progress to a hybrid model of présentiel and remote learning in the new school year. We will also continue to do periodic reviews and seek feedback through anonymous surveys throughout the year.
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PILLAR III: ACADEMIC & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING For Fall 2020, the Lycée plans to open in a hybrid model, blending in-person learning and online learning. The Lycée made a swift transition in March 2020 to fully online, bilingual learning for students at all grade levels. Building on this experience, the Lycée's 2020-21 academic plan is designed so that our students continue to learn, whether in school or online. The Lycée has translated its bilingual program, built from a core of the French curriculum and integrating aspects of an American independent school curriculum, into a rigorous, engaging online and in-person learning experience for students at all grade levels. The Lycée is a student centered, mission-driven institution that provides a French-American bilingual education of the highest standard. We pride ourselves on giving each student the tools to fulfill their greatest potential. Our program is built around a model of inclusivity and equity, which has been at the core of all our programming decisions. Ensuring access to our program for all of our students is paramount. For students with underlying health concerns or whose family members have underlying concerns that make coming to school too much of a risk; or for families who cannot return to New York City in time for back to school due to immigration or travel restrictions, the Lycée will offer the ability to follow classes remotely. School Schedule The Lycée has considered three scenarios for instruction for the coming school year: fully online, fully present in the building, and a hybrid scenario that combines elements of both. The 2020-2021 school year is expected to begin as the hybrid model, though the School is ready for any of the three scenarios and will maintain flexibility to move from one scenario to the other, as needed. Our hybrid-model, pedagogical plan involves half-day presence in the school for students in most grades. This decision is rooted in our belief that strong student-teacher relationships, made possible by frequent, regular in-person class time, are essential to learning. This structure will allow for:
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Reduced class sizes, typically around 50%
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Physical distancing within the classroom for all grades, respecting the 6 feet of social distancing guidance
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Establishment of cohorts within the Primary to minimize interactions between students; in the Secondary, adoption of a half-day model which reduces interactions
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Minimized downtime spent at the school, allowing us to optimize our students' learning in this half-day model
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Reduced circulation within the building and learning spaces
Our plan is crafted grade by grade, considering the students’ level of development and program content, and is designed to enhance learning for every student. Secondary School Our goal is to combine online learning and présentiel to maximize time of instruction and content delivery. Our online learning has been built on the experience and momentum of Online Lycée, and we have incorporated feedback received from faculty, students, and parents. The schedule balances the levels of online and présentiel classes depending on level of autonomy by grade. At the Lycée, Secondary is divided into two sections, Grade 6 through Grade 8, the traditional middle school is Collège, and Grade 9 through Grade 12, traditional high school, is Lycée. Particular attention has been given to the specific needs of each group when considering the mix of online and présentiel. As of writing, we are expecting the following model along a 7-day schedule: Collège will consist of:
o
4 half days en présentiel
o
2 full days online
o
1 study day
Lycée will consist of: o
3 half days en présentiel
o
3 full days online
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o
1 study day
Each half day will consistently be either an AM or a PM session for each student and only four grades will be in the building each day, a significant reduction to the total number of students. No grade will have two consecutive online days, but a study day and an online day may be consecutive. We are currently developing exact schedules along these principles and will communicate directly with families. For students who need it, primarily for health, travel restrictions or immigration reasons, we are offering a full online accommodation of the aforementioned schedule. This offering is not a separate online track. Rather, students will most likely join in-school classes remotely. This is meant to be limited in scope and/or in time and does not fully replace the hybrid experience. Primary School At the Lycée, Primary is divided into two sections, Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten, make up the Maternelle (preschool), and Elementary c onsists of Grade 1 through Grade 5. The schedule for
in-school learning and online learning time is determined by the students' level of social and emotional development. For students who need it, primarily for health, travel restrictions or immigration reasons, we are offering the ability to follow classes entirely online as a separate track. Students in the Primary School will be organized in pods of 8 to 13 students. Reduced class size facilitates student learning and supports health and safety by keeping small clusters of students together and reducing the number of person-to-person contacts in a given school day. Maternelle and Elementary w ill consist of 4 half or full days en présentiel (in school)
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Nursery and Pre-K school in-person classes take place in the morning each day
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Kindergarten students consistently follow either a half-day morning or a half-day afternoon schedule in person at school in addition to a half day of remote classes. Supervised time at the Lycée for siblings of children in 1st and 2nd grade will be arranged
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Depending on their schedule, all Preschool students begin or round out the day in a live online session with their teachers
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1st and 2nd grade Students will attend class in person four full days a week
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3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students will attend in person class in half day blocks, either half-day mornings or half-day afternoons. Supervised time at the Lycée for siblings of children in 1st and 2nd grade will be arranged.
Friday learning takes place entirely online and is reserved for special subjects, including art, music and science classes. Occasional assemblies and other activities also take place this day in both live and some pre-recorded sessions. Support families by aligning schedules Since we presented the schedule structure in June, we have turned to logistical considerations for working parents, particularly keeping in mind families who live far from the Lycée. We are coordinating between the Primary and Collège so that we can align the presence of students in the building from the same family to reduce back and forth to school for parents and guardians as much as possible. For Collège siblings of Primary students, who live 1.5+ miles from campus, the School is intending to offer supervised, in-classroom, study time while the younger sibling is in class. This will be a classroom with a teacher or staff member present. Proper social distancing and appropriate mask wearing will be enforced. Make learning at home easier for families The school is leveraging the know-how of its dedicated digital learning team and its five-year investment in technology infrastructure to develop programs that are stimulating, challenging and portable for each student. Building on the lessons of Online Lycée, we will take time when students in
younger grades are in school to help them in developing their autonomy for online learning. In Primary, strategies are being developed to consolidate core academic learning in school with homeroom teachers and to make accessing content easier, including engaging, interactive, easy-to-follow platforms for students.
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The first two weeks of school for hybrid model students unable to join in person at Rentrée Families who opt to do the hybrid model are encouraged to be back on campus for the first day of school, having adequately quarantined as required by the Lycée Health Pledge. However, we understand that this may not be possible for all of our families, and as such we will be accommodating those situations. If for whatever reason, a family would like to follow the hybrid model but cannot be back in the school building on the first day, we ask those students to follow présentiel (in-person) classes remotely for two weeks, until September 14th, and to then be reintegrated into présentiel classes in person. Secondary students will be integrated into the live, in-person classes through Zoom and will only miss two to four half-days in présentiel (in person), prior to joining in person classes as of September 14th. For Primary students, homework and assignments will be sent by teachers to families. Teachers will also work with those families to support the students as they typically would if a student was absent for such a period. Given that the first few weeks of school will be focused on reorientation, we do not believe that this option will be a serious impediment to any student. Teaching & Learning The Lycée has developed a continuity of learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year which is prepared for in-person, remote, and hybrid models of instruction. As stated in section School Schedule we are operating under the assumption that we will start with a hybrid model, but are prepared for alternatives. Our academic plan is designed so that our students continue to learn, whether in school or online and is made possible by: ●
Strong, rigorous core: The Lycée has translated its bilingual program, built from a core of the French curriculum and integrating aspects of an American independent school curriculum, into a rigorous, engaging online and in-person learning experience for students at all grade levels.
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Robust technology infrastructure: The school is leveraging the know-how of its dedicated digital learning and operational technology teams and its seven-year investment in technology infrastructure to develop programs that are stimulating, challenging and portable for each student.
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Transformative or Adaptive and flexible teaching: Online Lycée taps the flexibility, ingenuity and considerable digital learning experience of our entire teaching team, whose teaching is transforming in exciting ways in this age of online learning to keep students motivated and engaged in their learning. In addition to engaging teachers' current skill sets, the Lycée has a rich professional learning program in which teachers will have access to peer learning and external professional learning opportunities.
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Partnerships with parents: Lycée parents benefit from regular contact with their children's teachers, special programs, ongoing feedback sessions and frequent surveys to better understand their needs and concerns in the school's online learning models.
Our academic structure and requirements are based on our students' level of social and emotional development. Maternelle Our hybrid bilingual Preschool Program blends an in-person and an online Preschool curriculum that integrates child social and emotional development, project-based learning and plenty of time for play. Students in Maternelle will spend a half day, four days a week, in-person at school, with time for play and recess. In-person time with their teachers four out of five days a week helps build and maintain strong connections between students and teachers, further strengthening student learning. Each child will use a family-owned device that has internet access for online classroom activities. Families who receive financial aid can request a school-issued iPad for the hybrid and/or online school program. Parents maintain regular contact with teachers through an online classroom portal for each student, with easy-to-follow activities posted for at home learning. The development of bilingualism in French and in English in preparation for elementary school is at the center of this program. In the Preschool, students in each pod alternate their days in the school with
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one Francophone and one Anglophone teacher. Friday online sessions take place in English and in French, depending on the class and program for the day. Elementary These years in the French curriculum are essential and rigorous ones for our Elementary school students. In the Lycée's hybrid model, all core subjects in the French program take place in person at school, with the balance of in-school learning and online learning time for children determined by their level of social and emotional development and the academic program at each grade level. For First and Second Graders, the emphasis is on French- and English-language reading and writing. Students will attend class in person for four full days a week, with Fridays reserved for online activities. The two first years in the French curriculum are rigorous ones for our youngest elementary school students. They learn to write in cursive and read, using a kinesthetic approach in a bilingual model that necessitates significant in-person time. Students in each pod alternate their days in school with one Francophone and one Anglophone teacher. For Third, Fourth and Fifth graders the focus is on core French curriculum in preparation for Secondary School. Students will spend four days a week in school in half-day blocks with a Francophone homeroom teacher. All core subjects in the French curriculum, such as reading, math, history, and French, will take place in person in these grades, essential preparation for our students to meet the challenges of our Secondary School program. In the mornings or afternoons, depending on pod assignment, students in third, fourth and fifth grade will continue with regular English classes and bînome bilingual projects with their teachers in live and pre-recorded online learning sessions. Extra tutoring in French and in English for students will be available in live online Sessions. The English Language Learners (ELL) program is available to Grade 3 to 5 students who need it. Collège & Lycée The Lycée's hybrid model in Secondary is rooted in a core philosophy that human interaction is fundamental to learning, with the balance of in-school and online learning time determined by the child’s level of social and emotional development and the academic program at each grade level. Our model has been designed to help our students meet the rigorous requirements of the French program
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(which is expected to be adapted by the French Ministry of Education in light of the pandemic), while also integrating advisory, college counseling, co-curricular activities - hallmarks of independent school education. Teachers, through Heads of Departments/Cycle, were involved in its initial design in May-June. It was presented to parents in mid-June, and we incorporated parent feedback vis vis logistical aspects. In-school and online learning times have been designed to optimize the use of small class sizes (and less downtime), providing for a balanced learning model for students which also allows us to cover as much curriculum as possible. Students are organized in learning communities of 8 to 12 students, with every effort made to keep students together to reduce the number of person-to-person contacts throughout the school day. The Secondary School's seven-day academic cycle gives ample opportunity for students to learn new subjects with in-person and online time for collaboration on projects and activities. In-person learning time with their teachers and classmates takes place three (high school) or four (middle school) half days out of each seven-day cycle. In addition, an online study day is designed to provide students with opportunities for course review, independent study and additional interactions with their teachers. Certain subjects and learning activities are best delivered through in-person instruction. In order to facilitate smaller groups of in-person learning in these subjects, those teachers will be giving the same classes to different small groups throughout the cycle, and will therefore not have time in the in-person schedule to perform additional teaching and advising roles. In order to accommodate this and make sure that each student receives instruction in the variety of subjects the Lycée provides, as well as advising and co-curricular activities, certain subjects that can be more easily adapted to the online model and that allow for asynchronous instruction have been moved online. The Lycée believes that this allows us to appropriately balance the health and safety requirements that we all understand are paramount, with continuity of learning and social and emotional development. Parents maintain regular contact with teachers through open lines of communication. The child's advisor has a birds-eye view of the students' progress in all classes throughout the school year and is available to parents to address concerns.
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Technology & Connectivity The Lycée is committed to the integration of technology into all aspects of curriculum and understands the essential role it plays in education and preparing students for life after school. Our hybrid-model pedagogical plan of blended learning will use technology to combine in-class and out-of-class learning.
Seven years ago, the Lycée initiated a significant investment in digital learning and technology infrastructure, as part of its five-year strategic plan. The plan included investments in technology infrastructure, tech support, and teacher training. The creation of the Lycée's Digital Learning Team, with technology integrators who work with teachers at all grade levels to bring technology, where appropriate and as a tool for learning, into the classroom. The rapid shift to Online Lycée, our online program for all students, in Spring 2020 provided ample experience to build on for the 2020-21 school year. Frequent surveying of our students, parents, faculty and staff, along with regular community meetings for feedback, have helped the school advance its online program to better meet the needs of our parents, and especially working families. In May, the Lycée conducted a survey to assess the Online Lycée program instituted to provide
continued learning during the Spring semester. In general, the survey found that the Lycée technology program and tech support were very effective in delivering Online Lycée. Results showed that 80% of faculty respondents were comfortable with the technology tools they were being asked to use, 75%
said they were able to get the technical support they needed, and 92% said they were mostly or totally satisfied with Online Lycée. P arents were also surveyed and 88% of parents said they were satisfied with the technology tools that they were being asked to use. We are incorporating the results of the survey into our reopening plans and will continue to assess progress throughout the school year. We also understand that access to computing devices and high-speed internet are essential for education equity, and are committed to guaranteeing access to each of our students and faculty members. The implementation of a one-to-one iPad program in Primary and middle school has ensured that all students have access to a Lycée-provided device they can use in school and at home. At the high school level, students bring their laptops from home. We have recently extended our Financial Aid program by launching an Emergency Relief Fund and increasing the total financial aid budget by 31%, which will include providing computing devices (laptop, iPad, or equivalent) to families that need them. Teachers will likewise be equipped to teach either from home (Zoom) or from the
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classroom (simulcasting). In the spring, the Lycée subsidized upgrading teachers home internet connections as need be, and plans to continue doing so as needed. Athletics & Extracurricular Activities Our ability to provide extracurriculars will be guided this year by NYSDOH and CDC guidelines as well as common sense preventative measures. Physical Education will continue in the context of the academic schedules with smaller groups and a list of activities organized on site. Interscholastic sports are currently prohibited and we are in close contact with other league members to determine when and if they can resume. Other extracurricular activities will be facilitated online to the extent possible, including student run clubs and activities. Special Education As it does when school is fully in the building, the nine-member Specialized Support Team will meet with students virtually during remote learning or the hybrid model. The pedagogical team for each class, including the teachers, will continue to meet, virtually, to check in about each student and discuss how to best support each child. The process of identifying and requesting support for one of their students will be the same as when fully in the building. ●
The weekly meetings of the specialized team to review the progress and the needs of the students will take place remotely at the same pace
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All Personalized Plans and IEP for students with a specific learning disorder or other diagnosis will be discussed through meetings remotely, with the pedagogical team and the parents in order to put in place the required accommodations
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Individual follow-up meetings with teachers and with parents will take place virtually as needed and upon the request of one of the parties
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The contact with outside providers and with the DOE will continue as usual virtually or by phone
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Bilingual Education The Lycée is by very nature a bilingual school, and bilingualism is an inherent part of everyday life for our students. Students gain full native fluency in both language and culture, as they move fluidly between our two core languages, English and French. In the classroom, on the playground, in the field and on the stage, they engage with native-French and native-English speaking teachers, coaches, leaders and staff, and each other. Most families at the Lycée speak either English or French. Where English is a second language, and where it is unfamiliar or uncomfortable our faculty and staff are able to communicate in French, where those families are more at ease. The School is uniquely qualified to provide resources to students struggling with language, and all of our students are or become bilingual in English and French. 30% of our student body speak at least three languages. This deep exposure to language and culture offers extraordinary, research-based benefits for students throughout their lives. Attendance & Chronic Absenteeism The Lycée marks attendance every day – both in person as well as online – and analyzes this data throughout the school year. We will work to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism due to illness, special family situation, or other circumstance. The school will reach out to family through all methods of communication and arrange socially distant, in-person meetings where appropriate. The Lycée has ample services to provide to families in need, including: ●
The Specialized Support Team
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Low student: teacher ratios
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A school psychologist
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Technical support team
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An additional financial aid budget
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Additionally, the School will work with students and families to obtain relevant NYSDOE, or other services as needed.
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STAFFING The Lycée is in the process of updating its 2020-2021 Faculty Handbook to include a COVID-19 addendum covering all points of HR policy as they relate specifically to the pandemic. Copies will be distributed to all faculty members and will be available to other members of the community. The Lycée is working to provide accommodations for teachers and staff who need them, including individuals who are medically-vulnerable or in high-risk groups. This is accomplished by means of online teaching or a schedule accommodation. Pre-back-to-school preparations for faculty and staff will involve training and planning meetings. New protocols and procedures will be presented and reviewed so that the entire Lycée team is ready to welcome students starting on August 31, the beginning of the first week of school. Pre- back-to-school training will focus on three critical areas to make sure that we are ready for the new school year under these circumstances: ●
Sanitary training (more detail provided in Pillar I: Physical Safety)
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Mental health for students (more detail provided in Pillar II: Emotional Health)
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, along with departmental work on the hybrid blended learning model
All training will be conducted with the whole staff in small groups and specific to the age of each student group.
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CONCLUSION The Lycée believes it is well positioned to return to a hybrid in-person / online class schedule for the school year 2020-2021. We believe that we are balancing the needs of our students and community through our focus on the three pillars: Physical Safety, Emotional Health, and Academic and Social-Emotional Learning. The Lycée is a community. We have engaged our various stakeholders, sought diverse feedback, and consulted experts in a variety of areas, in the drafting of this plan, and we believe it to be a reflection of our joint commitment to our School mission. Our Executive Team has prepared a comprehensive plan for Fall 2020 reopening in compliance with the New York State Education Department and Department of Health standards for the year 2020-2021, as available to us as of July 30, 2020. We also anticipate that further guidance will be issued, and health and safety requirements will evolve as the situation changes. The Lycée has maintained flexibility and will be ready to adapt quickly to shifting realities and community needs. This document may need to be amended to meet these changes and we will therefore keep an updated copy on the School website, consistent with our commitment to clear, frequent, and transparent communication.
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GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS NYSDOH July 13, 2020 Interim Guidance to K-12 Schools Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure NONPUBLIC REOPENING GUIDANCE - NYSED - July 27, 2020
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