Reopening Plan submitted to the new york state education department: july 31, 2020
590 EAST 83RD STREET NEW YORK, NY 10028 | 610 EAST 83RD STREET NEW YORK, NY 10028 | (212) 744-8582
TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Communications/Family and Community Engagement......................................................................... 1 Procedures and Protocols B. Health and Safety............................................................................................................................... 1 1. Travel Policy 2. Identification of Brearley Community Members with Symptoms and School 3. Response 4. Accommodations for Brearley Community Members at Risk 5. Health and Screening at School Arrival 6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene Practices 7. Health Office Procedures C. Facilities........................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Preparation of Buildings 2. Movement within Buildings 3. Cleaning protocols 4. Required Fire and Safety Drills 5. Independent Reopening Assessment D. Child Nutrition.................................................................................................................................. 8 E. Transportation.................................................................................................................................. 8 F. Social-Emotional Wellbeing................................................................................................................ 9 G. School Schedule................................................................................................................................ 9 1. Security and Arrival/Dismissal 2. Lower School Schedule 3. Middle and Upper School Schedules - Grades 5-12 H. Attendance.......................................................................................................................................11 I. Teaching and Learning........................................................................................................................11 1. In-person Learning 2. Before and After School Care and Activities 3. Technology 4. Personal Devices 5. Internet Access 6. Classroom Technology 7. Technology Support J. Technology....................................................................................................................................... 13 1. Personal Devices 2. Internet Access 3. Classroom Technology 4. Technology Support K. Staffing and Human Resources.......................................................................................................... 14 1. Staffing 2. Employees Testing Positive for COVID-19
A. Communication/Family and Community Engagement Included in this document is Brearley’s reopening plan, informed by guidelines set forth by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and submitted on July 31, 2020. This plan is also a result of informed conversation and input from the School’s Board of Trustees and internal COVID-19 Task Forces, which are made up of medical professionals, school administrators, physicians and other experts. What follows is information about the School’s current planning and preparation in the following areas: A) Communication/Family and Community Engagement B) Health and Safety; C) Facilities; D) Child Nutrition; E) Transportation; F) Social Emotional Well-Being; G) School Schedule; H) Attendance; I) Teaching and Learning; J) Technology; and K) Staffing. These categories are based on the guidelines provided by the New York State Education Department. Our goal is to offer a robust program for our students in-person when it is safe to do so and remotely when appropriate. Our actions to achieve this goal are guided by the following principles: u
The health, safety and well being of all members of the Brearley community is paramount.
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ur policies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission are based on research, best practices, O guidelines and government mandates.
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Our policies will be implemented in the context of the needs of the Brearley community and its commitment to equity.
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e commit to communication and education about our policies so that Brearley community memW bers can work together to adhere to them and adapt quickly as changing situations demand.
Procedures and Protocols It is anticipated that the controls used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection will be revised periodically as the level of community contagion changes. Directives from New York State, New York State Education Department, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Center for Disease Control will guide all Brearley Health Office policies and procedures. We will amend our school policies and procedures as necessary to meet the required guidelines. The School’s head nurse, Eileen Racinelli, will act as the designated COVID-19 Safety Coordinator. All Brearley community members with questions or concerns should email healthoffices@brearley.org.
B. Health and Safety 1. Travel Policy
• Anyone returning to school from a state listed on New York State’s list of restricted states, should plan to quarantine following their return from travel (link: https://coronavirus.health. ny.gov/COVID-19-travel-advisory). This quarantine is mandatory and is required before school starts and following any travel throughout the school year, or until no longer required by New York State. As the list of restricted states is dynamic, please be sure to check the list prior to any travel. Considering the significant health and safety risks posed by the further spread of COVID-19, Brearley community members are personally responsible for complying with these mandatory quarantine orders. 1
• The requirements of the travel advisory do not apply where the individual is merely
passing through restricted states for a limited duration (i.e, less than 24 hours) in the course of their travel. Examples of such brief passage include but are not limited to: stopping at rest stops in the course of travel by vehicle, bus, and/or train; or lay-overs in such locations in the course of travel by air, bus or train (presuming social distancing protocols have been followed in transit).
• In addition, please note that a mandatory quarantine order issued by the CDC continues to be in effect for anyone traveling to the US from any foreign country.
Mandatory quarantine requires:
• Staying home for 14 days from the date you returned from the restricted state or international travel
• Not reporting to work or school • Practicing social distancing and ensure appropriate face covering for nose and mouth
if you must leave quarantine (for food, prescriptions/medicines, medical visit/testing)
• Monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. 2. Identification of Brearley Community Members with Symptoms and School Response
• Following CDC guidance, students, parents, faculty and staff will be made aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
• A s of now, we are not requiring COVID-19 testing before returning to school. (Information updated on 8/3/2020)
• Brearley will require a daily declaration from each family and faculty and staff member, via electronic means, that each person coming to school that day is free of symptoms of COVID-19. We are currently evaluating apps for this purpose and using a Google form as an interim measure (www.brearley.org/dailyhealth).
• Brearley community members are expected to report symptoms privately to the Health Office.
This information will be used to make decisions about cleaning, notification of potential contacts, and/or classroom or school closure. Brearley community members can email healthoffices@brearley.org if they have any questions or concerns.
• Faculty, staff and students will be instructed to remain at home and to notify the school nurse
if they have COVID-19 symptoms, are diagnosed with COVID-19, are waiting for test results, or have been exposed to someone with symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
• Students will not be penalized for in-person absenteeism during this period. • Faculty and staff should reference the Staffing and Human Resources section (pp. 17-18) and will receive job protected paid leave under New York State Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave.
• The Health Office will refer Brearley community members to NYSDOH guidelines regarding testing, contact tracing, and quarantining.
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• A s of now, Brearley will follow the guidance below when there is a confirmed COVID-19 case at school. This guidance was released by the Mayor’s Office on July 31 after Brearley’s plan was submitted to NYSED.
“The DOE is working in tight coordination with DOHMH and the NYC Test + Trace Corps to identify, isolate, and prevent spread of COVID-19. In the event that there is a laboratory- confirmed case in a school, all students and teachers in that class are assumed close contacts and will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last exposure to that case. Additionally, DOHMH and NYC Test + Trace Corps will begin an investigation into the risk of exposure to the school community and work with the DOE to issue clear guidance and decisions for next steps based on the outcome.” For the potential investigative conclusions outlined below, all decisions to quarantine classrooms or close schools will depend on the facts of each investigation. (Information updated on 8/3/2020) Conclusion
During Investigation
Post Investigation
1 confirmed case
Close Classroom, transition to remote learning
Classroom remains closed for 14 days; students and staff in close contact with positive case self-quarantine for 14 days.
At least 2 cases linked together in school, same classroom
Close Classroom, transition to remote learning
Classroom remains closed for 14 days; students and staff in close contact with positive cases self-quarantine for 14 days
At least 2 cases linked together in school, different classrooms
Close school building, transition to remote learning
Classrooms of each case remain closed and quarantined, additional school members are quarantined based on where the exposure was in the school (e.g., the locker room)
At least 2 cases linked together by circumstances outside of school (i.e., acquired infection by different setting and source)
Close school building, transition to remote learning
School opens post investigation, classrooms remain closed for 14 days
At least 2 cases not linked but exposure confirmed for each outside of school setting
Close school building, transition to remote learning
School opens post investigation, classrooms remain closed for 14 days
Link unable to be determined
Close school building, transition to remote learning
Close school for 14 days
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• A policy is outlined in the Health Office Procedures, detailing the protocol for returning to
school after a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis (see p. 5). The Health Office will refer Brearley community members to NYSDOH guidelines regarding testing, contact tracing, and quarantining.
• If an adult or student is found to exhibit new symptoms of illness while at school and it is not
possible for them to go home immediately, the sick person will be isolated in a dedicated room in the school. These rooms are located in the relocated Health Office at 610 (Room 7MY) and adjacent to the Health Office in 590 (Room 819W).
• The cleaning protocol developed by the school for isolation areas meets the CDC guidelines.
In addition to waiting the necessary 24 hours or as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting the room, Brearley has developed a three-step process for cleaning the entire space: 1) apply peroxide multi-surface cleaner and disinfectant, 2) apply Virex disinfectant (hospital grade) to all surfaces. 3) run a Clorox 360 machine throughout the space.
• Only students, faculty and staff are permitted to enter the school buildings.
Should anyone else need to enter, such as a repair person or contractor, the visitor will need to complete a required health screening questionnaire. This screening asks visitors if they have any symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19 (www.brearley.org/dailyhealth).
3. Accommodations for Brearley Community Members at Risk
• Students, faculty and staff, or family members who have pre-existing medical conditions that
make them at higher risk for a more severe case of COVID-19 may require additional considerations in order to keep them safe. Individuals should seek guidance from their healthcare providers relative to their health concerns when requesting accommodations.
• Students and their families should consult with their division heads with any questions about accommodations. Employee requests for accommodations can be made to Human Resources and the requests will be reviewed on an individual basis.
4. Health and Screening at School Arrival
• Portable sinks will be set up outside of both school buildings. Hand sanitizer is also available at each entry point.
• Portable temperature scanners will be available at the main entrances to 610 and 590 to screen
Brearley community members as necessary. They will be monitored by a member of the faculty or staff and will be managed in collaboration with the Health Office.
• For students accompanied by parents/guardians/caregivers; adults are expected to remain
outside until their child has been cleared to remain at school. This will be communicated to families in materials they will receive prior to the start of the school year.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene Practices
• Face coverings are required of all members of the Brearley community at all times, with the exception of times that have been designated as mask free, such as lunch. Face coverings are an effective way to mitigate transmission from individuals who are infectious, even when they do not have symptoms. When worn properly, face coverings limit the spread of droplets and smaller aerosols when people breathe, speak, cough, or sneeze. 4
• Education for students, faculty, staff and families will be provided regarding: type of face coverings, how to wear, how to remove and care for face coverings. Face coverings that go over the bridge of the nose to under the chin are appropriate. Bandanas and masks with valves should not be used.
• The School has procured disposable masks and clear plastic face shields for all faculty and staff. Face shields can be worn in addition to a mask for eye protection and additional barrier protection.
• The School will provide each student with two cloth face coverings and will have a supply of disposable masks at school in case a student forgets her mask or it gets wet or soiled on the way to school or during the day.
• Students who for medical reasons cannot wear a face covering will need to participate in the distance learning program.
• Face coverings will be worn by all adults and students while in school. Faculty, staff and students can use a face covering or mask provided by the school or one of their own that meets the school’s criteria.
• Non-compliance in wearing masks will result in a loss of in-person attendance privileges. • Young students will be supported by their teachers in learning how to keep their masks on during the day.
• In addition to lunch time, the school will attempt to identify times during the day when students, faculty and staff can take mask breaks.
• Sensor-operated dispensers with hand sanitizer will be placed in each classroom and throughout the buildings.
• Restrooms will be handsfree, including toilets, sinks, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers. • Frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing will be required during the day, particularly when entering a new space.
6. Health Office Procedures
• The Health Office will: • Maintain communication with and monitor the changing guidance of regulating agencies: NYSED, NYSDOH, CDC
• All cases of COVID-19 will be reported to the NYSDOH according to guidelines. • When a Brearley community member, particularly a student, tests positive for COVID-19
symptoms, the NYSDOH guidelines will be followed to determine when that person may return to school. A return to school protocol will include, at minimum, documentation from a healthcare provider following evaluation, a negative COVID-19 test result, and symptom resolution, or if COVID-19 positive, documentation from a healthcare provider releasing that person from isolation. Notification of Brearley community members for the purpose of contact tracing or quarantining will follow NYSDOH guidance. Anyone who has close contact with someone with COVID-19 should stay at home for 14 days after exposure, based on the time it takes to develop symptoms (incubation period).
• Communicate to parents that they will be required to have a plan in place for the swift pickup of their child in the event of illness. 5
• The School has created isolation areas so that if a student, faculty or staff member becomes sick during the school day with COVID-19-like symptoms, the child or adult can be isolated from other Brearley community members. Children should be picked up by a caregiver within an hour; faculty and staff should arrange to leave school right away.
• Communicate with the NYSDOH and keep track of Brearley community cases. • Monitor attendance records to identify spikes in illness. • Identify students/faculty/staff in high risk categories for COVID-19. • Send out COVID-19 updates to Brearley community members as pertinent new information becomes available.
• Post signage and infection control reminders in highly visible locations that promote protective measures and good hygiene practices such as properly washing hands, properly wearing face coverings and social distancing.
C. Facilities 1. Preparation of Buildings
• The School has not had to make any structural or wall changes to accommodate our new set
up. We meet all requirements in terms of fire code compliance, emergency drill procedures, inspections, plumbing and fixtures, tent permits, and ventilation requirements.
• Classroom setups have been arranged to ensure that each student can be in school in-person and maintain 6’ physical distancing, while in classes and school activities.
• Tents have been ordered for the 590 Play Deck and the 610 Playdeck, with the goal of maximizing our outdoor spaces and using them as much as possible, including as classrooms.
• Directional arrows and floor indicators are in place, clearly marked safety and procedure signage is being prepared.
• Portable sinks will be set up outside both 590 and 610, as previously described. • Lower School Desks will have three-sided detachable polycarbonate barriers for use any time the mask is removed, such as during snack or lunch, to help reduce the possibility of transmission.
2. Movement within Buildings
• Student movement in the buildings will be limited. Lower School students will spend most of
their days in a classroom with regular visits outside. Students V-X will spend most of their time on a specific floor and students XI and XII will spend most of their time on two floors, in addition to time outside.
• Each faculty member will be assigned a seat in an existing or converted office space to work
and eat lunch, if not assigned to lunch duty. Six feet of distance will be maintained between seats and barriers will be installed between them.
• Based on the availability of space, guidance will be provided regarding locations for faculty and students to use when they are not in class.
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3. Cleaning protocols
• CDC guidelines for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing have already been implemented. Non-porous surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected a minimum of 2-3 times during the day shift (6:00 am-2:30 pm). Day cleaning will focus on touch points such as elevator buttons, door handles, tables, desks, backs of chairs, trash and recycling receptacles, railings, light switches, thermostats and other touchscreens (copiers, etc), restroom fixtures and dispensers, water fountains, lockers and handles, etc.
• A thorough cleaning and disinfection (including using our electrostatic sprayers) will be accomplished during the second shift, 2:30-11:00 pm daily. Each room will be sprayed after a cleaning and disinfection occurs.
• Offices will be cleaned during the day and once again during the evening hours. Desk tops will only be cleaned if the area is clear. We encourage each employee to clean and disinfect their own spaces where possible.
• All other materials which may require cleaning (porous materials, laundered items, etc.) will be placed into a bag until they can be laundered and returned.
• A checklist and quick reference card will be given to each employee responsible for the cleaning and disinfection of an area. The employee will sign off on their specific work duties. A supervisor will then inspect all areas making sure the work has been completed properly.
• We are using CDC approved multi-surface cleaners and disinfectants. These products are the leading cleaners and disinfectants in the industry and have been used at Brearley for many years.
• In addition, we use an electrostatic sprayer machine nightly for disinfecting after we complete our routine cleaning/disinfection protocol throughout the day. It is paired with CDC-approved disinfectants. The technology allows for hard-to-reach places to be disinfected.
• All faculty and staff will be informed of these protocols. 4. Required Fire and Safety Drills
• Education Law § 807 requires that schools conduct 8 evacuation and 4 lockdown drills each school
year. Evacuation drills will be done by building, 2-3 floors at a time, staggered all during the same day so as to keep physical distancing. Lockdown drills will be conducted without “hiding”/ “sheltering” but students will be provided an overview of how to shelter or hide in the classroom.
5. Independent Reopening Assessment
• Environmental consulting group Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. (EH&E), which specializes in infectious diseases, has been hired to assess our facilities and plans for reopening. Their assessment includes HVAC system evaluation. While we are still awaiting the final report, their initial findings show that Brearley is well positioned to open due to the fact that we have:
• Been proactive • Have an advanced procurement for key resources • Layered controls (i.e., masks + barriers + spacing) • Addressed factors within our control in accordance with guidance • A nimble plan for changes in community, with flexibility for remote learning at scale in developing our plans
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D. Child Nutrition 1. Brearley will continue to provide nutritious meals to students, with some changes for the upcoming year:
• All Brearley community members will maintain social distancing guidelines during meals. • Students will eat in their classrooms. • Individual, disposable boxed lunches with individual utensils will be delivered by kitchen staff to each classroom.
• Food will still be prepared in our kitchens, but instead of being served in the cafeteria, it will be delivered to students in their classrooms.
• Students will receive individually packed snacks. • We will provide breakfast for students with need who would not otherwise receive breakfast at home.
• Adults who are not on lunch duty with students may eat lunch in their assigned office space or other spaces as identified by the administration.
• Keeping our students with allergies safe during mealtime is always of great importance. • Kitchen staff are made aware of all food allergies and are provided with a list, by grade, of those students who have been diagnosed with food allergies.
• Careful attention to food labels and ingredients is emphasized. • A “no-sharing” and “no trading” of food policy will remain in effect and will be enforced by classroom teachers and proctors.
• All teachers and staff will receive training on recognizing and responding to anaphylaxis. • Epinephrine is kept in the classroom of students with known allergies. • A stock supply of epinephrine is located in the Division Offices and in the Security and Health Offices in the event of an emergency.
• Students will be given the opportunity to wash their hands before and after lunch. • Hand sanitizer is available in touchless dispensers in each classroom. • Hand washing will be promoted by direct classroom instruction and by signage in the classroom and throughout the school building.
E. Transportation 1. Busing
• Brearley students in grades K-6 living in Manhattan, though within a five-mile radius from
school, are provided busing from the New York City Department of Education. We will depend on the city protocols to manage this portion of transportation for our students. Brearley also contracts independent bus transportation for a small group of students living in Brooklyn. We will work with the bus company to ensure that they are meeting the guidelines set forth by NYSED, including wearing face masks and following disinfectant procedures. 8
F. Social Emotional Well-Being 1. Counseling and Wellness Department
• The Department consists of a Director, a School Psychologist for the Lower School, a Counselor for the Middle and Upper Schools, two School Nurses, and a Head Athletic Trainer.
• The Director of Counseling and Wellness is a member of the COVID-19 task force. In August
2020, the Department’s plan will be reviewed and updated to prioritize social-emotional wellbeing with the necessary adjustments to student schedules and classroom configurations.
• For the 2020-2021 school year, the School has engaged the professional development services
of Bank Street College’s Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice (ERP). ERP will provide faculty training throughout the school year to assist in developing emotionally- and trauma-responsive school routines and restorative practices for our students. Additionally, they will facilitate teacher process groups to strengthen faculty’s coping and resilience skills, so they can strengthen the same for their students.
G. School Schedule With two schoolhouses at 590 and 610 East 83rd Street, we have the capacity to teach all students within the buildings while maintaining six feet of distance in classrooms and other spaces. Once we determined that we had this capacity, we constructed our plans according to the number of students that each classroom and each floor of the buildings could contain. We divided students into cohorts: small groups in the Lower School (nine to seventeen students), larger in the Middle and Upper. Groups will be largely restricted to individual classrooms and outdoor spaces in Lower School and classrooms on specific floors of the building and outdoor spaces in Middle and Upper Schools so as to minimize interactions among students and decrease movement through the buildings. Schedules will be shared electronically with students and faculty via our Blackbaud student information system, and parents will receive a sample schedule for the new school year before the opening of school. 1. Security and Arrival/Dismissal
• Students will arrive in the morning at fifteen-minute intervals so that arrival is staggered in all three divisions (Lower School, Middle School and Upper School), thereby decreasing congestion in lobbies and stairwells. We are working to stagger dismissal times, as well. In the mornings, each student will swipe-in and their health attestation will be confirmed prior to entering the building. We will use two entrances in each building and increase the number of personnel there to manage the flow of people.
• Lower School arrival time windows: IV - 8:00–8:10 am III - 8:10–8:20 am II - 8:20–8:30 am I - 8:30–8:40 am K - 8:40–8:50 am
n L ower School students who must be at school early to facilitate a parent’s work responsibilities will be supervised for quiet reading starting at 7:15 am. Due to space constraints, this service will be offered on a limited basis. Students will be arranged at distanced tables by cohort. Parents who wish to use this service should inform the office of the Lower School Division Head. 9
• MS/US arrival time windows: V/VI - 8:00–8:15 am VII/VIII - 8:15–8:30 am IX/X - 8:30–8:45 am XI/XII - 8:45–9:00 am
2. Lower School Schedule
• Cohorts • Lower School grade levels will be broken into small groups with a range of students per group depending on the size of the respective classrooms.
• Individual desks will be arranged in each of the rooms to achieve 6’ physical distancing. • Students will interact only with students in their cohort. • Schedule • Lower School class times will be 35 minutes in duration. The classes have been shortened to anticipate the need for longer breaks after being seated at a desk without the opportunity to move around the classroom.
• All specialty subject teachers (language, art, science, etc.) with the exception of Physical Education will come to the classroom.
3. Middle and Upper School Schedules - Grades 5-12
• The schedules of the Middle and Upper Schools reflect the experience we gained during distance learning in the spring and have been designed to allow us to move easily into distance learning again should we need to do so.
• Class times have been shortened to 40 minutes in order to allow for staggered arrival/dismissal times (described below) and to create longer transitions between classes. Longer passing times in the Middle School will allow for movement, relaxation and refreshment.
• While LS students will stay in the same classroom for much of the day and MS and US classes will mostly be restricted to classes by floor, faculty in these divisions, who are all teachers of a particular subject area, will move from room to room.
• Cohorts n I n Class V, a homeroom will be considered a cohort. In Classes VI-VIII, a half-grade is a cohort. In the Upper School, each grade will be considered a cohort, with the exception of Classes XI and XII, which together will be considered a cohort. n S tudents will mix with one another at homeroom (Class V), half-grade or grade level while maintaining social distance but contact between students in different grade levels will be reduced to an absolute minimum. In this way we are best able to maintain protective measures while preserving the integrity of the academic program.
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n E ach grade has been assigned a particular floor in 610 as its home; its classes will take place largely on that floor. n S tudents may be moved to other classrooms when required by the capacity of a particular room and will be connected to the teacher and other students in the class via Google Meet hardware, software and their own devices. n A ll students will follow social distance guidelines of six feet of separation; desks in the classrooms have been arranged to this end. n W hen not in class, Middle School students will be assigned to rooms on their home floors. n S tudents in Classes XI and XII may leave the building during free periods; students in Classes IX and X and upperclassmen who wish to remain in the building will go into available rooms on their home floors according to the capacity of the rooms and with the assistance of the adult supervising the floor at that time. (Information updated on 8/3/2020)
• Schedule n L ike the Lower School, the Middle and Upper School will meet on a six-day rotation of classes as it did last year, and students will meet their teachers in the full complement of classes, as they did last year, although in shorter periods and with fewer meetings for certain subjects including Music and Physical Education. n T he Middle School schedule is built on forty-minute periods with fifteen-minute transitions between the three morning sessions and the three afternoon sessions. There is an hour-long break for lunch and recess in the middle of the day. n T he Upper School schedule is built on forty- and sixty-minute periods with ten-minute transitions between the two morning sessions and the two afternoon sessions. There is an hour-long break for lunch and other activities in the middle of the day.
H. Attendance 1. When school is in session in the buildings, room teachers in the Lower School and first period subject teachers in the Middle and Upper Schools will take attendance at the start of each day and record it on the portal.
• During both in-person and distance learning, teachers are responsible for recording atten-
dance using Blackbaud and absences/latenesses are reported to the Divisional Office, which in turn will follow up with the student’s family.
• The divisional administrative assistants will monitor the attendance record throughout the day. The division leaders monitor absenteeism by reviewing these records.
• Brearley will monitor absenteeism and reported exposure of students and employees and in con-
sultation with the state and local health department, will determine when a closure is necessary.
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I. Teaching and Learning 1. In-person Learning
• Our goal is to engage students in a robust and rigorous Brearley education whatever the cir-
cumstances - preferably in-person and virtually when appropriate. With the installation of Google Meet audio and video hardware in all classrooms, the ability to provide all students and faculty with devices and access to the internet, the use of Google Classroom as the teaching and learning interface and Blackbaud as the student information system throughout divisions, and an ongoing reimagining and adaptation of the curriculum to the possibilities of the remote environment, we are well prepared for students to learn and faculty to teach, whether in-person or remotely.
• Arts, PE, Science, Athletics and Extracurricular Activities: Our Arts and Physical Education classes, after-school activities and Athletics are the areas of our program most impacted by COVID-19 because they involve larger groups across grade-levels, cannot be socially distanced as carefully as classes during the academic day, and are often dependent on facilities or materials. We are making large-scale adjustments to these programs.
• Arts n T he majority of instrumental instruction will be “asynchronous” with instruments in the Lower and Middle School remaining at home for home practice. n A rt classes will be taught in traditional classrooms and students will have their own material kits, not for sharing. n V ocal music opportunities will be greatly reduced with instruction shifting to the history, theory and appreciation of world music.
• Small vocal ensembles may be able to rehearse and sing outdoors. n D rama activities are being redesigned to emphasize the study of theater, rather than performance.
• Science will conduct some of its labs in-person, and some virtually through the site Labster. • At present we are still waiting for word from our athletics league on whether in-
ter-school competitions can take place (fall pre-season has been cancelled), and we are making plans to maintain team spirit and sportsmanship on the athletic teams through non competitive work out and low-risk activities by cohort, including running, plyometrics and sport skill building.
• Physical Education faculty are also planning for low-risk activities, including yoga, as well as moving as many classes as possible out of doors.
n A ll equipment will be disinfected ahead of time and used in class by one student only.
• Day field trips, overnight trips and student travel are postponed indefinitely. Teachers will investigate virtual field trips in order to supplement the “outside-the-classroom” experience in a safe way. 12
2. Before and After School Care and Activities
• The School will provide before and after school care for Lower School families who require
supervision and care for their child during the hours before and after school. Social distancing will be maintained in this program and Lower School students will be kept in their cohorts. (see p. 9)
• Extracurricular clubs and activities that happen after-school are being redesigned to be flexible
and virtual. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a number of after-school activities but will need to remain in their cohort and on their floors in order to do so, underscoring the need for remote activity planning.
3. Remote Learning
• A family may choose to have the student engage remotely. should contact their respective division leader.
Families interested in this option
• Please be aware that some classes and activities may meet outside and that in those cases we may be unable to connect remotely to them.
• If a family elects to have the student participate remotely, we ask that she remain away from school until designated points in the year (after Thanksgiving, after Winter Break, or after Spring Break) in the interest of consistency of her learning and because of staffing considerations.
4. Communication
• Students and families should contact their division leader with any questions about instruction. J. Technology 1. Personal Devices
• All Lower and Middle School students will receive devices from the School (Chromebooks or iPads, depending on the grade level) both to facilitate learning within the school walls, to ease any transition to distance learning and to provide equitable access through device use to the school program.
• The existing “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” program, as defined in the Upper School Handbook, will continue.
2. Internet Access
• We will provide hotspots to families and staff with inconsistent or unreliable internet access. 3. Classroom Technology
• All classrooms in 590 and 610 are being outfitted with Google Meet audio and video hardware so that teachers may communicate with students in-person and remotely, both those at home and those in other classrooms in the school buildings.
• Teachers in all three divisions will use Google Classroom to simplify and standardize the distribution of class materials, assignments and other necessary information. The use of Google Classroom will also allow a smoother transition to the virtual environment as necessary, surer communication with absent students, and decreased use of paper. 13
• Students will receive extensive training on both their new devices and the use of Google Classroom. • Faculty have engaged in, and will continue to engage in, professional development to extend
and strengthen their ability to use technology effectively in both the brick-and-mortar and the virtual environments.
4. Technology Support
• T he Technology Department will provide ongoing support to students, faculty, and families through its Help Desk.
K. Staffing and Human Resources 1. Staffing
•W e will continue to staff the school in accordance with our goals to provide optimal educational and administrative services to the Brearley community.
•W here adjustments in staffing levels or job responsibility is required, we will provide the necessary training, guidance and feedback to ensure that our staff can perform their job responsibilities professionally and responsibly.
• I n Lower School, the creation of numerous small pods required additional head teachers to teach them, and so several full-time subject teachers with degrees, experience or expertise in early childhood education, and some associate teachers and subject teachers who have similarly significant experience, have been converted temporarily to head teachers.
• I mpacted employees have been notified in writing and have received an amended employment letter outlining the specifics of their new assignment. Further changes will be made as needed.
2. Employees Testing Positive for COVID-19
•W hen an employee tests positive for COVID-19, if they are at school, they will notify the School, leave campus immediately and seek the advice of their health care provider.
• T hey will remain home in quarantine for 10 days or until they no longer pose a risk to other employees. If employees are at home when they test positive, they will remain at home in quarantine for 10 days following the advice of their provider. Additional information on COVID-19 testing protocols will be communicated to all employees in the Staff and Faculty handbooks.
• E mployees will need to verify in writing that they are cleared by their provider in order to return to work.
• A nyone who feels that they were in close proximity to the quarantined employee should let the School know, and remain at home quarantined for 14 days. Close proximity is considered to be less than 6-feet for greater than 15 minutes.
• E mployees who are subjected to mandatory isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 will receive job protected paid leave under New York State Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave.
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