FALL 2020 PLANNING PREPARATION FOR REOPENING: JULY UPDATE Collective Learning, Wellbeing, and Return to Campus
CONTENTS
Introduction 03 | Board Message
Committee Updates 09 | Community & Wellbeing
04 | Executive Message
11 |
Health & Safety
05 |
Community Pledge
18 |
Academics
07 |
Committee Updates
22 | Business & Finance
Schedules 26 | Schedule Information
23 |
Athletics & P.E.
24 |
Arts
25 |
Technology
29 |
What’s Next 2
Dear Steward Community, When we wrote to you in June, we promised to keep our mission statement at the forefront of our decision making about reopening campus: providing robust academics, inspiration, engagement, and care to our student body. With this mid-summer update, we can confidently say that the decisions we have made thus far have been made with those priorities in mind. Teams of administrators, faculty, and Board members have met extensively to create plans for safely reopening campus as well as contingency plans. Preserving the Steward experience for our community, to the greatest extent possible in these extraordinary times, is of the utmost importance. We are currently planning to be open full-time when school starts, as long as Virginia remains in Phase III. In a “normal year,” Steward has some of the smallest class sizes in the city. This makes us extraordinarily lucky in this not-at-all normal year, because – with careful planning – it means we can safely open campus for full-time, in-person learning under Phase III guidelines. We will also offer remote learning to students who need or choose that option. In the following pages, you’ll learn how we plan to do that, with updates from each of the working committees. With hopeful anticipation for the days in which we can greet each other on the Colonnade again,
Dan Frank, Head of School Dan Campbell, Board Chair 3
WE WILL DO HARD THINGS SO THAT WE CAN DO THE BEST THING:
LEARN TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY There are many process changes outlined on the following pages. We, the school’s Executive Council, are confident these are necessary at the start of the school year to best protect our health so that we can gather to learn and care for one another together, in-person and on campus. If the world were “normal,” none of us would choose these rules or processes. But the world is not as we wish it could be, so the daily annoyance of these processes must be set aside so that we can focus on our greatest priority: staying safe and healthy so we can be together. In all our decisions, we have erred on the side of the safest choices in hopes that will protect this important goal. We are asking that every member of this community – parent, student, faculty, coach, and staff member – adhere to the Steward pledge on the next two pages.
Let us be Spartan Strong individually so that we can be Spartan Strong together. Signed by The Steward School Executive Council 4
COMMUNITY PLEDGE
SPARTAN STRONG Community Pledge Being a part of the Spartan community means that each of us must take extraordinary steps to stay well and persistently protect each other, on campus and in the community. Accountable together, I pledge to take responsibility for my own health and the protection of others and help keep the Steward community safe from spread of COVID-19. I pledge to be Spartan Strong individually so that we may be Spartan Strong together. The Spartan Strong Pledge will appear in the parent/student handbook along with other COVID-related policy changes to keep our community safe. This year, the handbook will require your signature.
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COMMITTEE UPDATES
STRATEGIC APPROACH TO PLANNING
Arts
Technology
Our Focus Since March, a Task Force and committees of Board members,
Communications
Athletics & P.E.
administrators, faculty and staff, with input from parents and students, have been working quickly to manage the current
Community & Wellbeing
Health & Safety
situation and plan for the future. Updates on their work since we last communicated in June can be found on the following pages.
Business & Finance
Academics
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COMMUNITY & WELLBEING Planning Committee
The New Normal: Settling In While we are excited about the plan to return to campus full-time, we also know that things will be different than they were when we left campus in March. We’ll feel different. Our routines will be different. Those differences understandably may create uncertainty and anxiety. To help everyone adjust, we are planning orientation (for new and new-to-a-division students) and re-orientation (for returning-to-a-division students) events in August. This will give everyone a chance to reconnect and start getting used to the “new normal” routines that are outlined on the following pages. Details for each event will be shared via email in the weeks to come.
Currently planning for: ORIENTATION & RE-ORIENTATION
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COMMUNITY & WELLBEING Planning Committee
Orientation & re-orientation dates LOWER SCHOOL: ●
Orientation and re-orientation events will both take place on August 27.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: ●
Orientation for new students (including sixth graders) will take place on August 20.
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Re-orientation for returning seventh and eighth graders will take place on August 21.
UPPER SCHOOL:
Currently planning for: ORIENTATION & RE-ORIENTATION
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Orientation for new students (including ninth graders) will take place on August 19.
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Re-orientation for grades 10-12 will take place on August 27-28.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
Introducing: SchoolPass
Planning Committee
EVERYONE: Students, faculty, staff, coaches, and visitors – is required to use this app before coming to campus.
Currently planning for: HEALTH SCREENINGS & PROCEDURES
HEALTH SCREENINGS: Everyone is required to answer a few questions, including a temperature check, in SchoolPass before arrival every day.
ATTENDANCE: Older students will check-in via SchoolPass to record their attendance.
CARPOOL: There are new carpool routes this year. All students will be dropped off according to the directions on this map.
Drop-off notes: Parents are not permitted to park and walk students to the door. We will provide more guidance about carpool in the weeks to come. 11
HEALTH & SAFETY Planning Committee Medical screenings and care TO PREPARE FOR RE-OPENING CAMPUS, WE ARE:
Currently planning for: HEALTH SCREENINGS & PROCEDURES
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Currently hiring a second school health professional
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Moving the clinic to a larger space in the Cramer Center with space for a separate quarantine room
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Planning to perform random health screenings daily, in addition to self-checks
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Classrooms and physical distancing
HEALTH & SAFETY Planning Committee
IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH RECOMMENDED PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES (6 FEET),WE ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE USE OUR CAMPUS. WE ARE: ●
Adding five learning cottages (portable classrooms)
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Utilizing large non-classroom spaces, such as libraries, both dining commons, and outdoor areas, for classes
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Removing excess classroom furniture and placing all desks 6 feet apart
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Limiting and staggering transitions between classes
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Bringing teachers to students instead of students to teachers in Lower School
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Marking designated walking patterns
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Eating lunch in classrooms or designated outdoor areas Additional details will be provided per division in forthcoming letters from your Division Directors.
Currently planning for: PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES
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HEALTH & SAFETY Planning Committee
Currently planning for: FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings ●
All adults and all students in grades 1-12 must wear masks at all times indoors, as well as outdoors when social distancing can’t be maintained.
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The exception to this rule is adults working alone in their offices.
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All students must wear masks in transitions between classes, including outdoors, and when social distancing can’t be maintained.
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Students in JK – K may wear masks in the classroom if preferred by parent
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Everyone must wear a mask onto campus and keep a spare in their bag, locker, or office. All masks must be labeled. Masks must be kept in an airtight plastic bag or plastic container when not in use.
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HEALTH & SAFETY Planning Committee
Currently planning for: FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings ●
Face shields are optional but not required. If they are worn, it must be in addition to a mask.
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Masks must be double-layered with ear loops. No bandanas or gaiters. Patterns and prints must be in keeping with the dress code. Disposable masks may also be worn.
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Masks must fit properly to cover nose and mouth at all times.
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Please purchase ten masks to ensure you always have a clean one available.
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HEALTH & SAFETY Hygiene
Maintenance staff will disinfect high-touch surfaces several times per day and perform routine cleaning nightly. Students, faculty, and staff will also help during class transitions. Cleaning supplies will be provided in classrooms.
Air filtration systems have been upgraded where needed.
Hand washing and sanitization: Additional hand-washing and sanitizing stations will be made available throughout campus. Students will be encouraged to clean their hands regularly throughout the day.
We are using a new vendor this year, “Yay Lunch!�. Parents can order on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Individual lunches will be delivered directly to the classroom. Brown-bagged lunches are also allowed. Sign-up instructions will be provided before the lunch program starts in September.
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HEALTH & SAFETY Planning Committee
Currently planning for: LIMITED VISITORS
Parents on campus ●
Parents are asked to remain in their cars for pick up and drop off.
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All visitors, including parents, are allowed on campus by appointment only.
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If your child is sick and needs to be picked up, the school nurse will walk him or her to the car to meet you.
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If your child needs to leave campus for any other reason during the day, the division assistant will walk him or her to the car to meet you.
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At this time, we are not able to accommodate meetings of parent groups on campus because all spaces are in use.
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ACADEMICS In addition to full-time, in-person learning, Steward will also oď„Žfer remote learning to all students JK-12 who need or choose it. We have also updated our plans for remote continuous learning if we are mandated to close campus as we were in the spring. Details can be found on the following pages.
ACADEMICS Planning Committee
Academics WHAT DOES REMOTE LEARNING LOOK LIKE WHEN CAMPUS IS OPEN? When campus is open, students who are learning from home will be offered a live-stream of classes as they are taking place, with necessary resources posted online. This is in keeping with government regulations. Students may opt-in on a monthly basis except in the case of a medical emergency (including quarantine for COVID-19 exposure), in which case it would be offered on a daily basis. An opt-in form will be sent in August.
Currently planning for: LIVE-STREAMING
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Academics
ACADEMICS Planning Committee
WHAT DOES REMOTE LEARNING LOOK LIKE WHEN CAMPUS IS CLOSED? If we are required to close campus this school year, it will be similar to what students experienced this spring. We have enhanced our guidelines and expectations based on parent and student feedback, the most notable of which are:
Currently planning for: ENHANCED GUIDELINES
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In all divisions, we will be more deliberate and consistent with digital platform use.
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In Lower School, there will be more synchronous learning, including regularly scheduled synchronous learning for visual and performing arts, P.E., and Spanish.
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In Middle and Upper School, classes will meet live for every class meeting and the schedule will be simplified and more predictable.
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In Upper School, the teaching, learning, and grading policies and expectations will be consistent with face-to face learning, including completing comparable work. 20
ACADEMICS Planning Committee
Academics COMMITTED AND FLEXIBLE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 While we have every hope that campus will remain open this school year, we are prepared to return to Remote Continuous Learning if needed. Our overall school size, small class sizes, and ease of faculty-student interaction make it possible for us to flex between the two if needed. In addition, our faculty completed professional development this summer to prepare for this possibility. Read the full, updated Remote Continuous Learning policy here.
Currently planning for: EVERY POSSIBILITY
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BUSINESS & FINANCE Planning Committee
Currently planning for: REOPENING INVESTMENTS
Investments TO PREPARE FOR REOPENING, THE SCHOOL HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS INCLUDING: ●
Adding five learning cottages
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Hiring a second health professional
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Professional development for faculty and staff
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New infrastructure, including signage, HVAC updates, and furniture
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Reconfiguration of classroom spaces to support social distancing
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Health and hygiene supplies
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SchoolPass app
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New technology to enable remote learning
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ATHLETICS & P.E. Planning Committee Athletics We plan to have athletic teams and practices so that students can enjoy this physical and social outlet. We are also planning to offer access to the weight room and trainer during the school year. For competitive play, we continue to work with our conference and state organizations to determine best practices. We hope to have more information from the conference and association for families by the end of July.
Currently planning for: SPORTS & PHYSICAL FITNESS
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ARTS Planning Committee Performing & Visual Arts We recognize that the arts provide an important space for our students to understand the world and express their thoughts and feelings. This is true every day, but especially in these uncertain times. Therefore, we will make every effort to safely include the arts in our students’ Steward experience, by offering all specials and electives.
Currently planning for: ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
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TECHNOLOGY
Technology
Planning Committee
TO PREPARE FOR RE-OPENING CAMPUS, WE ARE:
Currently planning for: TRAINING & IMPLEMENTING
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Implementing a classroom-video solution to enable streaming
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Training teachers in best practices for remote learning
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Streamlining the parent online experience to manage remote learning
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Increasing technology tools to support HyFlex (an instructional approach that combines face-to-face (F2F) and online learning) or blended learning
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Setting up learning cottages with Wi-Fi and interactive teaching tools
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SCHEDULES We have moved to a 4 period a day schedule in Middle and Upper School to add ď„Žlexibility and improved predictability in our on-campus learning, support students who opt to learn from home, and ease the transition to remote continuous learning, if necessary. The Lower School schedule is changed to include shared faculty. In core classes it will feel normal, but in specials, there will be changes to the frequency and length of the class.
SCHEDULE UPDATES Middle and Upper School SPECIFICALLY, THE NEW SCHEDULE: ●
Allows more predictability during the week
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Decreases the number of class transitions during the day by 40%, which decreases time in common spaces
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Decreases transitions to allow for fewer groups of students to use the same spaces each day
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Allows for greater flexibility if we need to move to a hybrid or remote learning model
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Allows time for classroom cleaning
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In the Middle School, the schedule builds in time between classes for staggered transitions.
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In the Upper School, this allows for a decreased number of students on campus since juniors and seniors may arrive late or leave early if they do not have class during first or fourth period (parental permission required).
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SCHEDULE UPDATES Middle and Upper School
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCHEDULE
UPPER SCHOOL
8:00-9:15
Period 1
8:00-9:30
Period 1
9:15-10:00
Community Time/Snack
9:30-10:00
Community Time/Snack
10:00-11:15
Period 2
10:00-11:30
Period 2
11:15-12:00
Lunch
11:30-12:15
Lunch
SCHEDULE
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
PERIOD
1
A
E
D
H
PERIOD
2
B
F
C
G
12:00-1:15
Period 3
12:15-1:45
Period 3
PERIOD
3
C
G
B
F
1:15-2:00
Study Hall
1:45-2:00
Break
PERIOD
4
D
H
A
E
2:00-3:15
Period 4
2:00-3:30
Period 4
WHAT’S NEXT Community preparations
You’ll hear from us throughout the summer with additional details for our transition back to on-campus learning.
If you or your child are worried about new practices, such as masking or regular handwashing, please consider practicing before school starts.
In preparation for the return to school, we ask that you make every effort to maintain social distancing, reduce unnecessary travel, and take safety precautions so that we have the best chance possible for a healthy, in-person school year.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your division director, Lisa Dwelle, or Dan Frank.
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