StJPII Covid Handbook

When the SAINTS Come Marching in...

StJPII COVID Handbook

St. John Paul II Catholic School prepares all students spiritually and academically to succeed in life and to do God’s will.

1 Updated 8/12/2020

Please note that this plan is a working document and will continue to be updated based on response to the changes in state and health guidelines as well as the needs of our StJPII community. StJPII will notify parents of any changes or updates made within the document.

MISSION A message from the Principal...

Dear StJPII Families, As we begin the 2020-2021 school year together, you can be certain that StJPII will always put our Lord and the health and safety of our community first. The Covid-19 pandemic has created many uncertainties, and our school closure last spring prioritized our community’s safety and allowed time for our students, faculty and staff to prepare for online learning. Today, school administration continues to plan for an on-time and in-person start on August 18, 2020. The inherent nature of this pandemic means we must carefully plan for multiple scenarios. School may look different this year, but our goals will remain the same - to prioritize the spiritual, physical, and emotional health and safety of students, families, faculty, and staff. Regardless of learning format, we are prepared to uphold our mission and provide continuity of excellent Catholic instruction that is exceptional, dynamic, interactive, and intentional. While the information outlined in these pages may change in response to circumstances, we will embrace our “Be not afraid…” motto and maintain a safe learning environment that fosters integrity, compassion, and connection.

I would like to thank our parents, families, faculty and staff for their willingness to remain lifelong learners and embrace the opportunity to reimagine the educational experience. Despite the challenges we may face, I am confident that we will have an enriching year full of growth...St. John Paul II, pray for us!

In Him, Rebecca Bogard Principal

COMMUNITY StJPII is blessed with wonderful leadership, teachers, volunteers, and alumni who have built the vibrant StJPII community that we enjoy today. While each of our families and students are unique, we come together as a beautiful and united body of Christ fully committed to StJPII’s mission. The months ahead may present many challenges, but if we join together in partnership and prayer, then we will grow even stronger bonds of support, faith, and love. Rest assured that safety will remain our priority and that StJPII will continue to do our best to provide opportunities and events that will keep us connected as safely as possible.

In February 2020, StJPII began responding to the threat of a global COVID-19 pandemic, forming task forces that evaluated all aspects of operations—from health and safety to continuity of instruction. Every StJPII employee plays a part in ensuring a safe StJPII, and we pledge to continue learning, meeting, planning, and preparing for the 2020-21 school year. As we continue to plan and prepare for our students’ return, we will monitor the situation, adapt as necessary, and stay in constant contact with families regarding our return to campus.

PREPARED RE-ENTRY PLANNING Implementation of these recommendations will be guided by what is safe, practical, acceptable, and in the best interest of our community. Ultimately, whether and how to implement these considerations will be decided by the Principal in conjunction with the administration and in accordance with TEA and TCCBED guidelines.

YES TEA and TCCBED guidelines allow students to meet on campus at full capacity.

Plan 2: Blended Learning NO

Our physical campus will operate at half-capacity allowing for smaller class sizes. Students will engage in a combination of online learning and live teaching in the classroom.

YES Safety measures and precautions such as social distancing, limiting large gatherings, and implementing a closed-campus policy.

YES

Plan 3: Distance Learning NO

Students will continue to learn via a virtual classroom.

Activities and learning experiences will be comprised of instructional videos and materials, live teaching and online lessons.

Plan 1: On-Campus Learning StJPII will have in-person classes daily, but with a number of social distancing and safety measures in place, beginning the academic year with all elementary and middle students returning to campus Fall of 2020.

PLAN 1: ON-CAMPUS LEARNING StJPII administration is preparing for on-campus school operations to begin this Fall. The school has planned to follow all health guidelines and regulations in accordance with TEA and TCCBED. Specific decisions and plans regarding on-campus updates will be finalized and communicated to parents. ●

All students on campus for in-person instruction with remote learning available to families.

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School Arrival and Dismissal will operate at the same times; however, the staggered entry and exit of students will be implemented (only carpool and Brimhurst options will be utilized this year).

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Large gatherings such as Mass, lunch, and recess will be adjusted to accommodate small group sizes to stay in keeping with safety and health guidelines.

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Limited student movement throughout campus

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Employees and students screened before entry

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Enhanced cleaning procedures

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Scheduled handwashing times

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Face coverings, individual privacy shields, and social distance for all students in grades PK-8th

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No shared materials (i.e. manipulatives, etc.)

Preparing for Transitions Following the recommendations from our Task Force, St. John Paul II Catholic School is prepared for periods of transition between on-campus, blended or distance learning. This could be specific to isolated grade levels or classes based on individual exposure.

PLAN 2: BLENDED LEARNING StJPII is planning for a blended model that will allow for face-to-face teaching coupled with online instruction. The faculty and staff are prepared for providing continued learning using a variety of traditional and digital resources. Please click here to view the StJPII Blending Learning plan document.

Two days of online learning

Two days of on campus learning.

Key Components to Blended Learning at StJPII

Continued efforts to fulfill our Catholic mission

In the event that StJPII initiates the Blended Learning Plan, students will be assigned a school color day schedule for weekly instruction. Within 48 hrs., parents will receive notification of lessons and activities. See example schedules.

One day of virtual tutoring and online instruction allowing for the disinfecting of campus.

PLAN 3: DISTANCE LEARNING The St. John Paul II Catholic School Distance Learning Plan (DLP) is intended to describe the actions and approach StJPII will take in the event of an extended school closure. If the StJPII campus is closed and this DLP is activated, the Principal will send email communication to parents and faculty/staff making this announcement and delineating a timeframe for its implementation.

The DLP will consist of faculty setup and communication as well as guidelines for the continuity of instruction. Student instruction will begin within 48 hours of implementation of the DLP. Parents will receive an email from their homeroom teacher with specific instructions. StJPII faculty and staff are expected to be on duty, either on campus, or remotely, as required by the Principal depending on safety conditions. Students will not attend school or come to campus during a closure time period.

Should any teacher be unable to fulfill their Duties, administration will appoint a teacher/staff member to complete necessary instruction and services provided through distance learning implementation.

Please click on the image above to access the StJPII Distance Learning Plan

PREVENT Screening and Mitigation Protocols Closed Campus In an effort to reduce infection exposure within the school facilities, StJPII will maintain a closed campus policy restricting visitors on campus.

Only faculty, staff, employees, and approved maintenance and service personnel will be allowed inside campus facilities.

Personal Protective Equipment ● ●

Faculty, staff and all students (PK-8th grade) will be required to wear face masks and shields.

Teachers may remove their masks during lessons where a mask would detract from the educational process. At that time, teachers will replace their mask with a clear face shield.

Social Distancing ● ● ● ● ● ●

Spacing between desks and tables in the classroom.

Facilitation of arrival and dismissal with adequate spacing.

Privacy shields for each individual student.

Limiting bathroom capacity.

Marked hallways to establish social distancing.

Lunch will be eaten in classrooms to foster social distancing. ECI will continue to provide a prepackaged meal option to be delivered to the classrooms

Facilities ● ● ●

Hallway signage reminding to sanitize and wash hands.

HVAC circulating outdoor air and frequent changing of air filters.

4th-8th grade students will not utilize lockers and will instead store their school supplies in their backpack (rolling backpacks will be acceptable for this year).

PREVENT Screening and Mitigation Protocols Facilities cont’d. ●

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Student movement will be limited. PK – 5th grade students will remain in their classrooms for most of the day with teachers rotating to them. 6th – 8th grade students will move for more classes; however, new protocols will be in place to eliminate crowding and still provide distancing. Disinfecting practices will be implemented in between transitions.

Hand sanitizer stations throughout campuses and in each classroom.

Students must bring their own water bottles clearly labeled. Water fountains will be turned off, but bottle filling stations will remain on.

Students will not share school supplies (calculators, markers, pencils, devices, manipulatives etc.) in the classroom.

Large gatherings such as Mass and recess will be adjusted to stay in keeping with safety and health guidelines.

BASP will continue to operate with appropriate class sizes.

Health and Screening ● ●

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Faculty, staff and students will undergo a daily temperature screening prior to entering campus.

An additional room in our office area will allow for two separate areas.

The nurse’s office will be used for minor cuts and bruises, etc. The other room will serve as a quarantine room for any student exhibiting potential COVID-19 symptoms.

All faculty and staff Covid-19 response trained.

Social emotional learning & support for faculty, staff, students and families.

RESPOND

Emergency Response for COVID-19 When the school has been notified of a confirmed the following procedures will be observed: ● Notify and coordinate with the local health department - the local health department will be abreast of the latest required guidance for appropriate response to COVID-19. ● Communicate with staff, parents, and students- Communication will maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by ADA and FERPA. Communication will be consistent with the school’s Crisis Communications Plan. ● Immediate separation- Symptomatic faculty or student will be removed from the area and isolated to contain and allow for thorough disinfecting of the areas used by the individual. ● Be prepared for dismissal of students and staff for a short-term closure- The local health department will likely advise an initial short-term dismissal to allow time for tracing and required cleaning. Partial school closures are possible if affected areas are limited and can be closed off. Longer term dismissals may be advised. Partial or full closure would apply to the Before and After School Program. Extra-curricular activities, events should be cancelled as well in the event of required school dismissals. ● Transition to Remote - Distance Learning (if advised).

RESPOND Emergency Response for COVID-19 cont.’d ●

Coordinate with the local health department for active disease surveillance and a safe return to school operations.

Scenarios Case 1: A faculty staff member or student is exposed to a close contact that has tested positive for Covid-19.

Follow-Up ● ● ●

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Case 2: A faculty staff member or student has tested positive for Covid-19.

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Communication

Staff/student sent home Staff/student gets tested In the absence of symptoms, student/staff may return to campus 14 days after the contact: unless After waiting a minimum of 3 days (72 hours) but preferably 10 days from contact, and have no symptoms For student– transition to distance learning For teacher – transition to substitute teacher for class coverage If student/staff test positive, see Scenario 2 below School administration notified

Parents will be notified via Constant Contact informing them that an individual in their classroom has had contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Student/staff sent home if not already quarantined Student/staff instructed to isolate for 14 days after symptom onset OR 3 days (72 hours) after resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer (if never symptomatic, isolate for 14 days after positive test) School-based close contacts identified and instructed to test & quarantine for 14 days: In cohort classes, entire class will transition to distance learning School administration notified Local Health Department notified

Parents will be notified via Constant Contact.

Student/staff may return to school 72 hours after resolution of fever and improvement in other symptoms

REFLECT & ADAPT The StJPII Task Force will continue to monitor the ever-changing situation in an effort to adapt to the needs of our community. Please refer to the following for ongoing considerations: Calendar: We will continue to follow our published school year calendar Visitors: Currently campus access remains restricted and school and community have been modified; however, we will adjust based on the current needs and pandemic situation.

Community Events: We will continue to partner with PTO to find alternative ways to allow for parent and community involvement.

Athletics: StJPII will continue to work with West Houston Christian Sports Association and Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association (GHCAA) to monitor the situation to determine when athletics will begin this year. Currently, all sports have been postponed. We will continue to provide updates as soon as possible.

Parent Meetings: All parent meetings, including annual student accommodation meetings, parent nights, and fall conferences, will be held virtually via Zoom or Google Meet.

Friday Mass: Weekly Mass is a vital part of continuing our Catholic Identity at St. John Paul II. All students will participate in Mass through a weekly live-stream. An adapted, rotating schedule will be created in order for in-person student participation.

School Activities: School events such as field trips, Art A La Carte (AALC), high school visits etc. are suspended at this time.

After School Activities: Currently, on-campus after school activities have been suspended for the 1st Quarter.

Before and After School Program (BASP): Before and After care will be provided beginning on Monday, August 31st. It will operate with appropriate sizes.

Together as Saints St. John Paul II Catholic School parents serve an important role in fulfilling our Mission to prepare all students spiritually and academically to succeed in life and to do God’s will and we thank you for your continued partnership with the school.

We will all commit together to follow all safety measures set forth within the handbook policies and procedures for a successful and safe school year. ●

Daily Screening: Parents commit to daily screening procedures.

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Stay Home if Sick: Parents commit to keeping sick children home if they are experiencing any symptoms.

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Face Coverings: Parents commit to provide child with a comfortable face mask that covers from nose to chin.

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Response Time: Parents commit to promptly arrange pickup of a sick child within an hour of being notified.

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Good Hygiene: practice and reinforce good hygiene at home and proper handwashing.

St. John Paul II Catholic School will use the following digital resources to provide communication, instruction and enhance the learning experience of our students.

Google Classroom is for all 3rd-8th grade students. Teachers can create an online classroom, invite students to the class then create and distribute assignments. Within the Google Classroom students and teachers can have conversations about the assignments and teachers can track the student's progress.

Seesaw is a platform for our PK-2 students. This online resource provides engagement that inspires students of all ages to do their best.

Students use creative tools to communicate, learn and create.

ClassLink is a single sign-on platform that students log into where everything they're using in the classroom is right at their ďŹ ngertips. All StJPII will use ClassLink to access lessons, activities and more.

Zoom will be used for all students, PK-2nd. This feature will be used to access online instruction.

DIGITAL PLATFORMS

FAQ’s Remote Learning Details: ●

How long will I need to commit to remote learning? By choosing remote learning, you are committed to the full nine week period.

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What is the deadline to make a decision for remote or in-person learning?

August 3rd will be the last day to select either in-person or remote learning.

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What if attending in-person instruction, can I switch to remote learning? If after attending in-person and decide that remote learning is preferred, the deadline to transition will be August 28th.(this will then be a final commitment for the remainder of the nine week period).

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How will my child receive daily instruction? All students participating in remote learning will be live streamed into the classroom for daily lessons recorded within Classlink.

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What if I cannot sign on at the start of the lesson? We encourage all students to stay on the daily schedule however if you are unable and you need to access later, the lessons are recorded so they are accessible at a later time and will be added to Seesaw (PK-2) or Google Classroom (3-8).

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What if my child has questions, who do I contact? Any questions should be directed to the teacher via email and the teachers will be responding within 48 hours

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How will attendance be taken? All students in remote learning are responsible for completing daily assignments and viewing the daily lessons.

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How will I report a student absence? If your child is sick and cannot attend daily lessons or complete assignments, please send in your absence to acolgan@jp2.org to report absence. (child’s name, homeroom teacher and grade).

FAQ’s Remote Learning Details cont’d. ●

Will grading guidelines be different for remote instruction vs. in-person instruction? No, according to TCCBED guidance, the grading guidelines for remote instruction must be consistent with on campus instruction.(please see parent handbook for grading guidelines).

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What online platform will be used for remote learning? All students will be using Classlink as a single sign on to all resources. More information will be coming with a training for parents and students.

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What will my child’s daily Instructional Schedule look like? A schedule will be sent home by August 14th.

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Will the remote learning day include live, teacher-led instruction for the full length of the school day? The Instructional day will include a blend of both synchronous, real-time, live instruction between teachers and students online, as well as asynchronous, instruction that does not require the teacher and student to be engaged at the same time, learning. Learning opportunities will be on a schedule including the core content areas.

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Will my child still have access to Auxiliary classes? Yes, students in MS will participate in live streamed lessons daily, elementary will have opportunities to participate in weekly lesson activities posted to seesaw(PK-2) and google classroom (3-8).

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What devices or technology should I have, so that my child can access remote instruction? Ipad, chromebook or computer with internet access, if you do not have access to a device, contact Noreen Dooley at ndooley@jp2.org and we will loan one to you.

FAQ’s Remote Learning Details cont’d. ●

Will my child continue to receive intervention services? Any student that is currently on a Catholic Accommodation Plan (CAP) will be adapted to adjust to remote learning.

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Can I change to in-person classes from remote learning before the first day of school Tues., Aug. 18th? The deadline for registering for requests is August 3rd by emailing Cyndi Grunenberg at cgrunenberg@jp2.org.

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Can my child continue with remote learning after the 1st nine weeks of school?

We will revisit this if needed based on the current situation of virus spread.

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Will my child have an opportunity to meet the teacher? Teachers will be sharing a welcome video with all families via email on August 14th.

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Will there be any changes to the attendance policy this year? There will be no changes for students opting to take in-person instruction. Students attending remote learning will have the same daily attendance requirements as those choosing in-person instruction.

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Will remote learning students have access to instructional materials? Yes, we will be sharing details on a schedule for distribution closer to the start of school.

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Will my child be able to participate in athletics? No, if you choose remote learning, students will not participate in athletics. Currently, all sports through GHCAA and WHCSA have postponed schedules.

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Will my child be able to participate in weekly Mass? Yes, a Zoom link will be provided, so that your child may be in attendance every Friday morning.