Plymouth Christian Academy
REUNITE THE PATH FORWARD
2020-2021
www.plymouthchristian.org
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CONTENTS
03 Guiding Principles
05
04
Letter from the Superintendent
06
Key Areas of Focus
Instructional Program Health & Safety
07
08
Student Life & Logistics
Framework
09
10
Phases-Green & Yellow
11
Let's Summarize
Phases-Orange & Red
12
Moving Forward
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES As we look forward to the 2020-2021 school year working to provide a plan for the re-opening of school, there are some guiding principles that provide the foundation for our plans.
Principle 1: Seek God’s Wisdom In each decision we make, we will seek God’s wisdom. While the Bible isn’t a pandemic response handbook, it teaches us that each human being is made in the image of God and that we should have hearts dedicated to the service of others. We want our decisions to reflect Christ’s love for others. To that end, each decision will be made prayerfully, asking God for wisdom to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of the year. Specific verses that we are leaning into at this time are the following: Expect God's Guidance; (Psalm 47:8) Expect God's Strength; (Deuteronomy 33:25) Expect God's Providential Care; (Numbers 6:24-26) Expect God's Blessing; (Proverbs 3:5-6) (*bullet points adapted from Turning Point)
Principle 2: Keep Our Community Safe Safety is our priority during this time and we are following the guidance of health and educational experts to craft our plans for the 2020-2021 academic year. It is our deepest desire to bring our students back onto campus where they can flourish in their unique school community. We are working with an advisory team within our school community to advise on our enhanced health and safety procedures. We will follow the State of Michigan's Return to School Roadmap “requirements” while continuing to investigate the state’s plan for any additional “recommendations”. You can find that document at the following link: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/whitmer/MI_Safe_Schools_Roadmap_FINAL_695392_7.pdf. We will provide updates throughout the year and we'll keep this plan on our website in addition to updated FAQ's. If you have further questions beyond this plan, please contact us at reunite@plymouthchristian.org. Principle 3: Educate for Eternity Despite this unusual and challenging year, PCA’s mission statement remains the same: “Plymouth Christian Academy, in partnership with parents, educates students from a biblical worldview, and equips them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service.” While parts of our typical school day may look a little different than usual this year, we are as committed as ever to spiritual growth and academic excellence.
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A Letter from the Superintendent The COVID-19 pandemic has, in many ways, changed our educational, economic, societal, and everyday way of life. We face an extraordinary challenge that will require the deployment of our individual and collective expertise to address the needs of students, families, staff, faculty, and school communities. Now is the time for each of us to show conviction and courage in the decisions that are made based upon historical changes in the state of Michigan and worldwide We are conďŹ dent that we will provide an educational environment conducive to academic and spiritual growth while maintaining the safety and security for all students, faculty, and staff. Therefore, we have developed a blueprint that will set the stage for accomplishments throughout the school year. Reopening school is a crucial step to reopening other parts of the economy. Concrete steps to restore, reconstruct, and redesign educational delivery in a safe and comfortable environment is paramount. Plymouth Christian's Smart Start Plan will address processes and procedures that provide a blueprint for the future. This document
presents several strategies and considerations to move forward together as we embrace the new normal of conducting school operations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this document is to provide information so that our families, students, and educators feel comfortable and safe returning to school. The best way to do that is to identify solutions that make transitions to and from online learning and a return to in-person instruction, as seamless as possible. The areas highlighted in this document are ones we feel are of most interest to our families. This is not our comprehensive plan document. With a cross-functional planning team of school and Calvary Baptist Church leadership, teachers, parents, and area educational leaders, this school reopening plan provides a framework for an appropriate, in-person return to school in the fall. We have organized this report under the state of Michigan phases for reopening and four areas that provide the pathway back to school.
Educating for Eternity, Caryn Huntsman, Superintendent
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KEY AREAS OF FOCUS INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Our goal this coming fall is to provide an in-person, face-toface school experience for our students. We recognize that state mandates may dictate the need to move to a distance learning platform at points in the school year. We are committed to providing the highest quality of education possible, whether we are in person or distance learning.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Following the latest research provided from a variety of sources, we will work to keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe. We will continue to implement mitigation strategies and provide ongoing oversight for protocols in the months ahead.
STUDENT LIFE & LOGISTICS
Plymouth Christian offers a uniquely excellent experience with a distinct focus on strong Christian character development and spiritual formation within a caring community. We will maintain the high return on investment parents have come to expect from our school. PCA is developing fluid plans for athletics, fine arts, specials classes, chapels, lunchroom procedures, and extracurricular events for reopening in the fall.
NURTURING COMMUNITY
At the heart of our school is a steadfast desire to care and meet the needs of the “whole” student; academically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. As a school family, we have come to enjoy a culture of care and we are wholly committed to continue to help families thrive, cope and adjust to new norms.
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Instructional Program
While we are planning for a variety of scenarios, our goal is to be on campus this fall. We believe that our small class sizes give us the unique ability to provide in-person learning while keeping our students and faculty safe. Although in-person is our goal, we are preparing to seamlessly transition to distance learning if necessary at some point in the year. Whether we are on campus or distance learning, our commitment to a high-quality education for all PCA students remains the same. All PCA faculty will be using Google Classroom to provide a seamless educational experience whether we are in-person or distance learning Classroom configurations are being investigated to assure we achieve the State’s planned “requirements” We are continuing to investigate State of Michigan plan “recommendations” to provide for social distancing We are investigating technology that would allow for live class/event streaming throughout various portions of the campus Secondary Summer Academic Boot Camp offerings and Elementary Summer Palooza Math, Reading and STEAM resources and activities are available for continuity of learning
Health & Safety
We are committed to provide a campus experience so that the school community experiences physical, emotional, and spiritual safety while in our care. We will continue to implement mitigation strategies as needed and provide ongoing oversight for protocols in the months ahead. Health measures may include but are not limited to: frequent sanitation of high traffic areas throughout the school day, hand sanitizer stations in every classroom as well as high traffic areas, daily health monitoring for students, staff, and visitors Increased emphasis and partnership with families to keep students home when ill Increased emphasis for staff to remain home when ill Safety measures may include but are not limited to: reconfigured recesses, elementary class level cohorts (classes stay together throughout the school day as appropriate), social distancing in classrooms In addition to achieving State of Michigan plan “requirements”, we will continue to investigate their “recommendations” The use of facial coverings will follow the State of Michigan Return to School Roadmap requirements (We will continue to investigate the recommendations) Intensified cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school day Identified an Observation Room equipped with personal protection equipment to monitor students who may become ill during the school day Continued staff, student, and parent education throughout the school year Limiting of guests in buildings Social distancing floor decals Adaptive planning as it relates to limiting shared spaces such as the cafeteria and chapel
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Student Life & Logistics Plymouth Christian offers a uniquely excellent experience with a distinct focus on strong Christian character development and spiritual formation within a caring community. We will maintain the high return on investment parents have come to expect from our school. PCA is developing plans for athletics, fine arts, specials classes, chapels, lunchroom procedures, and extracurricular events for reopening in the fall. Logistical changes to the school day may include, but are not limited to: Socially distanced classrooms, adjusted hallway movement, limiting large group gatherings, lunchroom adaptations, restricted/monitored visitor access, and socially distanced chapels and/or live streaming chapels into classrooms The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) will be the governing body that PCA follows for athletic teams, practices, and events Fine Arts Performances with safety measures in place and limited audience or streaming options Students will be able to check out Media Center books electronically, and have them delivered to their classroom Specials classes held either in their original classroom (based on size of space) or specials teachers travel to individual classrooms Extra-curricular events, activities, and field trips will follow the State of Michigan Return to School Roadmap Phases
Nurturing Community At the heart of our school is a steadfast desire to care and meet the needs of the “whole” student; academically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally. As a school family, we have come to enjoy a culture of care and we are wholly committed to continue to help families thrive, cope and adjust to new norms.
Maintain deep connections with every PCA family Meet the spiritual, academic, social and emotional needs of each student; integrating trauma-based support into the curriculum Continue to reach and serve new families Adjustment to on-campus tours and shadow days to limit visitors in our buildings Parent/teacher conferences may be accomplished via video chat Orientations - flexible according to level of the plan; may be accomplished through Zoom Webinar, prerecorded, or smaller in-person groups Increased emphasis and partnership with families to keep students home when ill Increased emphasis for staff to remain home when ill
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FRAMEWORK As we move into the fall, we have studied various plans from across the country, John Hopkins "School Reopening Guide", CDC resources, local public health departments, and various sources provided from ACSI. From these various sources and taking into account current government mandates, we have created our plans for PCA's reopening this August. The colored levels of our plan correlate with the state of Michigan levels 3-6.
PCA Green Plan
PCA Yellow Plan
PCA Orange Plan
PCA Red Plan
State of Michigan Phase 6
State of Michigan Phase 5
State of Michigan Phase 4
State of Michigan Phase 3
Normal school day with increased emphasis on prevention
In-Person Education Safety measures in place
In-Person Education Strict Social Distancing
Distance Learning Entirely Online
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PHASES What does the day look like in each phase? Level Green School Day In-person "normal" school day CDC & Michigan Department of Public Health guidelines for disinfection and cleaning of our building & facilities Increased emphasis on healthy hygiene and staying home for any signs of illness Increased staff training for social/emotional support for our students Increased vigilance regarding school visitors and tracking of all visitors within our buildings
Level Yellow School Day In-person learning at school with social distancing Elementary class cohort in practice *Cohort: classes stay together throughout the school day as appropriate Elementary Specials may take place in their original classroom, or Specials' teachers may travel to the student's classrooms Elementary & secondary lunch will utilize an adaptive model to allow for distancing & safety Fine & Performing Arts classes and events will take place with safety measures in practice Athletics will follow the direction and guidelines of the MHSAA CDC & Michigan Department of Public Health guidelines for disinfection and cleaning of our building & facilities Increased emphasis on healthy hygiene and staying home for any signs of illness Increased staff training for social/emotional support for our students Reduction in school visitors with tracking of all visitors within our building
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PHASES What does the day look like in each phase? Level Orange School Day In-person education with heightened safety measures in place ELEMENTARY: Elementary classes will function as a cohort when feasible. All specials teachers travel to classrooms. Recess with safety measures in place. Lunch accommodations for social distancing. SECONDARY: Lunchroom accommodations for social distancing, classroom spacing to allow for increased social distancing Increased emphasis on scheduling for both elementary & secondary to reduce hallway density The use of facial coverings will follow the State of Michigan Return to School Roadmap requirements. We will continue to investigate the recommendations. Weekly chapels will take place with flexible scheduling Fine & Performing Arts classes and events will continue with increased emphasis on safety and distancing Athletics will follow the direction and guidance of the MHSAA CDC & Michigan Department of Public Health guidelines for disinfection and cleaning of our building & facilities Increased emphasis on healthy hygiene and staying home for any signs of illness Strict reduction in building visitors and tracking of all who enter
Level Red School Day (No on-site learning) Seamless transition to the use of our Google Classroom platform Seamless continuation of grade-level expectations Synchronous & asynchronous learning will be utilized Strong biblical integration Academic, social & emotional support will be provided, including educational resources Large and small group instruction and support will be provided Spiritual formation & growth supported through online chapels and spiritual life groups
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LET'S SUMMARIZE Ways we stay safe going forward and keep our students in school
Happening Increased cleaning & sanitizing as well as improved air quality
Increased emphasis on staying home when sick
Changes to campus access for visitors
Emphasis on healthy hygiene practices
Possible Temperature checks may be required for students, faculty, staff, vendors, and visitors
ModiďŹ cation of programs and events in compliance with limits on crowd sizes and social distancing measures
Capacity limits to allow for social distancing in spaces such as the lunchroom, auditorium, gymnasium, etc Facial coverings used according to the levels of the State of Michigan Safe Return to School
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NEW NORMAL The new normal of school operations will likely be measured in terms of before and after the pandemic. There will be an "after" the pandemic, and we look forward to that day. For now, overall daily school operations will include highly increased health and hygiene measures and enhanced cleaning procedures. As a school community, we must remain steadfast in our determination to respond to evolving conditions with noteworthy empathy, flexibility, and creativity. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this work, and reopening our school in a manner that is safe and responsive to the needs of families and communities will involve creative and adaptive planning. Teams are currently working on the details for all levels of the plan. We will follow the State of Michigan Safe Return to School Roadmap for direction and guidance.
In preparation for the first day of school on August 24, 2020, we will continually assess the situation and its effects on the calendar. We will communicate with you, our PCA families, throughout the summer in a timely manner as the fine points of the plan emerge. Due to the efforts of this cross-functional planning team, including PCA/CBC leadership, teachers, and parents, our school will be futureready!
RESOURCES Extensive Research For Reopening Plymouth Christian’s blueprint for reopening was carefully crafted within a cross-functional planning team including school and church leadership, PCA teachers, staff and parents. This team drew upon a multitude of resources that informed our research and direction for reopening: State of Michigan Safe Return to School Roadmap: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/whitmer/MI_Safe_Schools_Roadmap_FINAL_695392_7.pdf Michigan Safe Start Plan: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/whitmer/MI_SAFE_START_PLAN_689875_7.pdf American Federation of Teachers, Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities: https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/covid19_reopen-america-schools.pdf WHO, Considerations for School-Related Public Health Measures in the Context of COVID-19: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/considerations-for-school-related-publichealth-measures-in-the-context-of-covid-19 CDC, Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidancefor-schools.html Filling in the Blanks: National Research Needs to Guide Decisions about Reopening Schools in the US: https://acsipdp.s3.amazonaws.com/Misc/JH_200515-reopening-schools+ (002)_Erin+Wilcox.pdf National Association of Independent Schools, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Schools: https://www.nais.org/articles/pages/additional-covid-19-guidance-forschools/#reopenRiskManage Association of Christian Schools International: https://community.acsi.org/coronavirusresources/home Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19 Vocal Music: https://www.unibw.de/lrt7-en/making_music_during_the_sars-cov-2_pandemic.pdf