Hammond Safety Protocols During COVID-19

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Task Force for Campus Reopening Fall 2020

Safety Protocols During COVID-19

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Campus Reopening Dear Hammond Families,

Next week the 2020-2021 school year will begin in earnest. I am extraordinarily grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly over the summer months to prepare for the opening of school. We are ready to hear the sound of laughter and enthusiasm fill our classrooms and playgrounds once again.

We as a nation are facing unprecedented times. Schools across the country are working to create the best possible scenario for a return to the classroom. While we recognize that we are navigating uncharted territory and that no plan is perfect, we have worked without pause to implement protocols and strategies that strike a balance between keeping safety our top priority and providing the best Hammond experience possible.

We will always place a premium on the irreplaceable relationship that exists between student and teacher, and which are best supported through in-person, on-campus, instruction and interaction. With that comes a commitment to establishing safety and wellness protocols that will help keep the Hammond community healthy. While COVID-19 may impact our on-campus instruction and normal activities during the 2020-21 school year, we are developing unique and creative ways to overcome challenges presented while retaining as much of the Hammond experience as possible.

You have our commitment that we will continuously assess information and develop appropriate guidelines and procedures that best support the varied needs of students and ensure the well-being of our school community.

This document will be updated as circumstances dictate. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey and the trust you have placed in us as educators.

All the best, Chris

Important School Dates August 10 August 11 - 14 August 17 - 18 August 19

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DIVISIONAL UPDATES FACULTY/STAFF TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDENT ORIENTATION & PROTOCOL TRAINING FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

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Orientation/Training Dates 2020-21 Start of School Important Dates all school/general

first day of school - Wednesday, August 19, 2020

New Family Tailgate: POSTPONED (originally scheduled for Sept. 11, 2020) Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2020, School Holiday Picture Day: Monday, September 14, 2020

lower school

New to Hammond Lower School Orientation (Parents & Students) Monday, August 17, 2020 / 9:00 – 10:00 am – Lower School Fitness Center

Back to School Safety Zoom for All Lower School Families: Monday, August 17, 2020 / 5:00 pm

Link for Zoom will be emailed to you. (Zoom webinar will be recorded)

Lower School Carpool Parade Tuesday, August 18, 2020 / 9:00 – 10:00 am Optional for all Lower School families to drive through our updated carpool procedures

middle school

5th Grade (All Parents) Orientation Zoom Sunday, August 16, 2020 – 5:00 pm

Link for Zoom will be emailed to you. (Zoom webinar will be recorded) 5th Grade Student Orientation Monday, August 17, 2020 / 8:30 am – 11:00 am - Bank of America Theater

8:30 am – All 5th graders arrive (students only)

6th Grade Student Orientation

Monday, August 17, 2020 / 1:00 – 3:30 pm – Bank of America Theatre

1:00 pm – New 6th graders and Parents (parents dismissed at 1:30 pm) 1:30 pm – All 6th graders arrive (students only) 7th Grade Student Orientation

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 / 8:30 – 11:00 am - Bank of America Theatre

8:30 am – New 7th graders and Parents (parents dismissed at 9:00 am)

9:00 am – All 7th graders arrive (students only) 3

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Orientation/Training Dates 2020-21 Start of School Important Dates (continued) 8th Grade Student Orientation Tuesday, August 18, 2020 / 1:00 – 3:30 pm – Bank of America Theatre

1:00 pm – New 8th graders and Parents (parents dismissed at 1:30 pm)

1:30 pm – All 8th graders arrive (students only)

upper school

9th Grade Student Orientation Monday, August 17, 2020 / 9:00 – 11:30 am - Upper School Gym

9:00 am – All 9th graders

10th Grade Student Orientation Monday, August 17, 2020 / 1:00 – 3:30 pm - Upper School Gym

1:00 pm – New 10th graders only

1:30 pm – All 10th graders 11th Grade Student Orientation Tuesday, August 18, 2020 / 9:00 - 11:30 am – Upper School Gym

9:00 am – New 11th graders only

9:30 am – All 11th graders 12th Grade Student Orientation Tuesday, August 18, 2020 / 1:30 – 3:30 pm – Upper School Gym – All 12th Graders

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• All Back to School Nights and Open Houses will be determined at a later date and details will be emailed out.

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Expanding the Classroom What to Expect in 2020-2021 ›

The Hammond Experience - on campus teaching and learning as well as remote, real-time classroom access for students who are unable to return to class for reasons related to COVID-19.

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Classrooms in grades PK-12 will be equipped with technology that allows students to actively participate in classes.

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Should health concerns dictate a reduction of students on campus, when at all possible, students in PreK, K, and 1st grades will remain on campus due to the importance of interaction between younger students and teachers.

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Improved and expanded remote learning, with a primary goal of increasing student/teacher engagement, in the event health and safety concerns dictate the closure of campus.

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In order to mitigate exposure to our school community, we will be limiting guests and other visitors to campus and in buildings. Parents should not enter buildings without a previously scheduled appointment.

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Student athletes in grades 6-12 can expect to return to athletic activity with modifications to meet the policies and protocols of the school.

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Extended Day after school programs will be open with some modifications to meet the policies and protocols of the school.

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All performances beyond the curriculum will be adjusted to meet the school guidelines and requirements as necessary.

What is Hybrid Learning at Hammond?

Hammond's hybrid learning model incoporates face-to-face instruction with the additional option of participating in class remotely via live cameras, microphones, and speakers in every classroom. Hybrid learning provides maximum flexibility by allowing families the option of keeping a student home, and for those whom sickness or exposure dictates a remote learning environment. ›

Hybrid learning is not designed to accommodate vacationing families; therefore, those utilizing remote learning for issues related to Covid-19 must commit to a 10day minimum of hybrid learning.

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It is very important that parents notify the divisional office when a student is absent for sickness so that teachers may prepare appropriately.

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We understand that there will be times a student is ill and not well enough to participate remotely. Please know we are prepared to accommodate these instances and assist the student with making up missed classwork.

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The Hammond Framework Keeping Hammond Healthy › ›

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Healthy Hammond Wellness Pledge to be signed by every family.

Schoolwide procedures and schedule adjustments to accommodate physical distancing whenever possible.

Use of face coverings(see page 8) when physical distancing is not possible.

Modifications to campus routines to help promote a healthy environment.

Additional hand-sanitizing stations and increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

Reconfigured classrooms and assigned seating to help with contact tracing should the need arise.

Two nurses on campus to serve the needs of our school community should students become sick.

Dedicated space to isolate sick students from the rest of the school population until they can return home

Enhanced Technology to Serve Various Modes of Learning › ›

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State-of-the art, real-time video technology for each classroom Continued one-to-one use of laptops and iPads to supplement learning in the event of forced campus closures ZOOM remote learning as needed for campus closures HawkNet, Hamond's learning management system

Teaching and Learning Options › ›

On-Campus Teaching and Learning Remote Learning

Interruptions to the School Year Should a forced campus closure occur, Hammond will be prepared to transition to new and expanded remote learning immediately.

Young Learners and Remote Learning In the event a forced campus closure occurs, Hammond will prioritize continuing to offer on-campus instruction for our youngest students, if possible, recognizing that young children require supervision and care in addition to face-to-face learning.

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Safety Procedures Training Returning to campus will look and feel differently for everyone. We are placing a heavy emphasis on safety protocols.

To ensure everyone is familiar with these changes, along with new safety protocols and guidelines, we will provide schoolwide Safety Procedures Training by grade level. During training, students will learn new practices and procedures to be used at carpool time, during the school day, and for all after school activities. Middle and Upper School small group training by grade level will be provided before the official start of school on August 17 and 18. Lower School protocol training through a family ZOOM session will be held August 17 at 5:00 pm.

To support safety protocols, Hammond is making adaptations to campus which include (and are not limited to) establishing traffic patterns into, out of, and throughout all campus buildings; spacing of desks in classrooms; the addition of plexi-glass dividers between desks (where appropriate), restricting gathering sizes and occupancy in meeting spaces and places; and replacing all HVAC filters with increased filtration efficacy.

Healthy Hammond Protocol Training › › › › › ›

Arrival and dismissal expectations Entering and exiting classrooms and buildings Materials use Lunches and snacks Recess, outdoor breaks, and extended day Healthy hygiene practices

While we are preparing for potential interruptions and may need to adjust the school calendar accordingly, it is our intent to be on campus. As always, we will communicate additional information as the situation warrants.

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Maintaining a Healthy Hammond Healthy Hammond Wellness Pledge It takes every family to help keep the Hammond family healthy. In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone, each family will be asked to complete a Healthy Hammond Wellness Pledge. Families must complete the Wellness Pledge by logging in to their School Doc account. (You will receive an email from School Doc requesting you complete this pledge.) This pledge ensures that 1) students who feel sick stay home, and 2) students who have COVID-like symptons, or have potentially been exposed, do not attend school. This form will be provided prior to the start of school. Students are required to communicate with the school nurse before returning to campus after COVID-related sickness.

Maintaining a Healthy Campus To further support a healthy Hammond, we are asking families to perform daily temperature checks of their children before coming to school. If a student's temperature is 100° or higher, they must stay home from school. We will also have the ability to check temperatures at school. Dedicated spaces are being created on campus for students who present symptoms and need to be removed from the school population until they can go home.

Face Coverings Face coverings should fit appropriately and be worn to cover the nose and mouth.

During the day, students will have opportunities to remove their face covering when physical distancing can be met. However, when physical distancing is not possible, students are required to wear a face covering. Students have the option of wearing either a cloth face covering or a specially-designed shield provided by the school.

• Cloth Face Coverings - Any face mask or gaiter that is solid in color or patterned, but contains no messaging, is acceptable. Face masks and gaiters must fit and be worn properly (covering the nose and mouth) so as to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Solid colored face masks are available through Land's End, our school uniform provider, in various sizes.

Bandanas or scarves may not be worn in lieu of a face mask or shield.

• Face Shields - Hammond will provide a face shield for students with a medical exemption to wearing a mask. These shields wrap around the sides of the wearer's face and extend below the chin. Students must apply to the school nurse for a medical exemption. When able to maintain social distance, teachers will be able to utilize shields provided by the school.

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When to Stay Home

The following COVID-19 protocols apply to all employees, students, parents, or visitors to Hammond's campus.

Hammond School Nurse Jessica Crosland (803) 726-6402

Experiencing COVID-like symptoms with or without fever: New/Persistent Cough Loss of taste/smell Difficulty Breathing

Known exposure to a positive COVID-19 case

Stay home.

Call your doctor.

Call school nurse.

Tested positive for COVID-19

Fever free without medication for 24 hours

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Call your doctor.

Call school nurse.

Call school nurse.

Symptoms Improving

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Completed self-quarantine for 14 days since exposure without symptoms

Stay home.

Stay home.

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Transition to Hybrid Learning

Completed self-isolation for 10 days since date of test.

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10 days since symptoms first appeared

Call nurse before returning to school.

RETURN TO SCHOOL

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Fever-free, symptom-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

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