RETURN TO THE CIRCLE GUIDELINES

RETURN TO THE CIRCLE

GUIDELINES FOR MA CAMPUS RE-ENTRY 2020-21

JULY 2020

DEAR MA COMMUNITY, Over the past several months, we’ve continued to work through the challenges and complexities of returning to an on-campus learning environment. I’m grateful for the creativity and thoughtfulness of each of our COVID-19 response teams: Teaching & Learning, Transportation, Athletics, Student Life, Technology, and Health & Safety.

We’re now ready to share our Return to the Circle Plan. In the following pages, we outline the new practices and protocols that Marin Academy will be implementing in August to help slow and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Each of us — staff members, faculty, students and families — will play a role in supporting and implementing these new ways of being together when we return to campus. The health and safety of the MA community is a responsibility we all share.

We recognize that life on campus will feel a little different in the fall and that the trajectory of the pandemic is still far from clear. Our plan is based on what we know today, and we will adapt together as we move forward. As always, we remain committed to creating a healthy and supportive learning community.

Travis Brownley Head of School

FOCUS AREAS

As we chart a path toward opening school in August, we’ve focused on developing safe practices and protocols for each aspect of our life together as a learning community.

HEALTH & SAFETY

TRANSPORTATION

Implement physical distancing and

Provide safe and various ways for students

disinfecting protocols that are proven

to arrive and leave campus.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

Support the well-being of all members

to help slow and limit the spread of

of the MA community by holding larger

the COVID-19 virus for everyone in the MA community and the broader communities we impact.

gatherings and events virtually.

TEACHING & LEARNING

STUDENT LIFE

Design a schedule that can flex to

Give students safe opportunities to

meet the challenges of intermittent

engage in MA’s distinctive curricular

and unpredictable closures, as well as

and co-curricular programs, including

the possibility that illness or immuno-

clubs and activities, athletics, BlendEd,

compromised health may keep some

Conference on Democracy, minicourse,

students and faculty away from school

outings, and the Transdisciplinary

for extended periods.

Leadership Program (TLP).

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SAFE CAMPUS, SAFE COMMUNITY

When we return to campus in August, we will do so in a way that can protect the well-being of students, faculty, and staff members. Our approach, protocols, and practices will be based on the most up-to-date guidelines from Marin County Office of Education, Marin County Public Health, California Department of Public Health, and CDC recommendations.

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HEALTH & SAFETY HEALTH CHECKS

Prior to leaving home each morning, all students and school employees will complete a daily health assessment for symptoms and history of exposure to COVID-19.

Upon arrival to campus, additional screening may be performed, including a temperature check with a touchless forehead thermometer.

Students should arrive on campus within 15 minutes before their first class and will be expected to leave immediately after their last MA commitment (whether a class or a co-curricular activity).

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing based on recommendations from Marin Health and Human Services will be practiced throughout campus, aided by signage and floor decals.

Modified traffic flow and one-way exits and entrances, guided by signage, will allow safe and efficient access to all buildings.

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

HYGIENE

Before the first day of class, MA will provide each student and all school employees with 4 face masks, which will be laundered at home weekly. Students can also choose to use their own face covering. Face coverings are required at all times (except in designated snack and lunch locations). Some teachers may use clear protective visors instead of a fabric face mask as necessary for teaching.

Handwashing stations will be added to campus in a variety of outdoor locations. Students and staff members will be asked to wash their hands with water and soap upon arriving on campus and at regular intervals during the school day.

Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available in all classrooms, offices, and at each building entrance.

CLEANING

Cleaning and disinfecting will be significantly increased, and all staff members will be trained and have access to cleaning supplies and essential protective equipment.

Regular disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces will occur using CDC-approved disinfectants deemed effective against COVID-19.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

SC EN 2

COVID-19 SCENARIOS

Staff members and students who are sick or who exhibit any of the symptoms described in the daily health assessment are expected to stay home and to contact their health provider to arrange for a COVID-19 test.

A

O

4

O

EN

RI

RI

SC

For the following COVID-19 scenarios, MA will follow Marin County Public Health protocols:

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E SC

STUDENT LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

ACTIONS Student or staff member will report this information and be sent home and quarantined. Cohort remains OPEN.

A student or staff member tests negative for COVID-19 after any of the reasons in Scenarios 1, 2, 3.

N

A

A student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.

ACTIONS Student or staff member reports this information. Families of students or staff members quarantine and contact their doctor or Public Health for testing. Cohort will CLOSE for 14 days from last exposure, and move to L4 learning.

O RI

1

TRANSPORTATION

A family member or someone in close contact with a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.

IO AR

ACTIONS Student or staff member will be sent home. Cohort remains OPEN.

SC EN A

A student or staff member either exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, answers yes to a health screening question, or has a temp of 100.4° or above.

TEACHING & LEARNING

ACTIONS Student or staff member may return to cohort 3 days after symptoms resolve; however, student or staff member must continue isolation for 14 days if in contact with a family member who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Cohort remains OPEN.

HEALTH STATION

Students or staff members who become sick while at school will stay in a designated space (VAC 102) while waiting to be picked up. This process will help isolate persons who may be symptomatic and limit exposure to the virus.

One or more health professionals will be on hand to assist those who become sick or who have health-related questions.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

FLEX SCHEDULING

Starting in August 2020, we will implement a new schedule that will allow us to maintain instructional continuity in the context of a rapidly evolving global pandemic. Our new quarter on/quarter off schedule with 3 classes each day will help minimize the disruption of possible closures or outbreaks. It’s also pedagogically proven and prioritizes the health and safety of our community. Learn more about this schedule on the Instructional Continuity section of the MA website.

COHORTS

Students will, through their classes, have contact with 50 or fewer students over the course of an entire quarter. This approach is essential to the tracking and tracing that can help slow and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community.

Class sizes will vary, depending upon the number of students each classroom can safely accommodate.

TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT STUDENT LIFE LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTIONS

Using Canvas (a Learning Management System), teachers will create robust course pages so that high-risk individuals or those who cannot attend classes in person can maintain instructional continuity.

Each classroom has been equipped with new audio and video equipment for those same students to attend class remotely if needed.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

All faculty will take a 3-week course this summer on hybrid teaching, redesign their curriculum for the new schedule and potential flexing needed, and develop and polish skills in virtual and blended learning techniques. All faculty and staff members will also be trained on new school-wide health and safety practices and protocols.

ADAPTED LEARNING SPACES

Classrooms and learning spaces will be reconfigured to meet physical distancing guidelines provided by Marin Health and Human Services. This includes replacing tables with individual student desks and arranging them to minimize face-to-face proximity between students. Shared classroom supplies will be limited in favor of individualized "kits."

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT STUDENT LIFE LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

CARPOOLS

BUS/VAN TRANSPORTATION

Students who have not yet done so and would like to request an on campus parking space or plan on riding in a carpool, please review and complete the Parking/Carpool Request Form as soon as possible.

Please submit a Transportation Form no later than July 22 to secure space for a full-year ridership. Each transportation region (SF, Southern Marin, East Bay) will be considered its own cohort and must abide by relevant cohort rules and restrictions.

Student carpools will be permitted. In keeping with Marin County mandates, students must wear face coverings while on route to campus. Student carpool groups will be considered a single cohort and must abide by relevant cohort rules and restrictions.

MA will continue to contract with Michael’s Transportation and KidzJet for student transportation needs. Both companies are taking measures to adhere to physical distancing and other protocols and all riders are required to abide by any health and safety protocols put into place.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

ASSEMBLIES & CLASS MEETINGS

All assemblies, class meetings, and other student or all-school gatherings will be virtual until it is deemed safe for large groups to congregate.

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Clubs will be primarily virtual on Fridays, though other opportunities may exist as well.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Our signature curricular and co-curricular programs including BlendEd, Conference on Democracy, minicourse, outings, MARC, and the Transdisciplinary Leadership Program (TLP) will continue but take on different forms.

STUDENT LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

ATHLETICS

All athletics will be guided by local health official requirements and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). All activities will be held to the same safety protocols and guidelines used during the school day. Look for more information about fall athletics in early August.

FOOD SERVICES

Breakfast and snacks will be available for in-facility pickup, allowing for contactless check-out with plexiglass partitions. All students and staff members must be masked, maintain proper physical distancing, and follow designated one-way flow of traffic markings.

Lunch can be brought from home or pre-ordered from Epicurean.

Lunches will be pre-packaged for each student and delivered to designated classrooms and other areas.

All food service staff members will follow public health department guidelines.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT LIFE

OPEN HOUSE & PARENT DINNERS

MA events for families including Open House and Parent Dinners will be virtual to ensure the well-being of all members of the community. Check the 2020–21 School Calendar for details.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

SHOWS & PERFORMANCES

Art shows, musical programs, and theater performances will be virtual or held in a way that incorporates physical distancing and other protective measures.

MAPA

The MA Parents Association (MAPA) will continue to serve the community but move to virtual meetings and follow all health and safety protocols.

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1600 Mission Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 FOR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT healthresponse@ma.org