Return to the Circle

RETURN TO THE CIRCLE

GUIDELINES FOR MA CAMPUS RE-ENTRY 2020-21

October 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.

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 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, 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, mask

Provide safe and various ways for students

wearing, and disinfecting protocols

to arrive and leave campus.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

Support the well-being of all members

that are proven to help slow and limit

of the MA community by holding larger

the spread of 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, 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.

Students should arrive on campus within 15 minutes of 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

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT LIFE

HYGIENE

MA provided each student and all school employees with face masks, which will be laundered at home regularly. Students can also use their own face covering if is on the approved list of options.

Face coverings are required at all times (except in designated snack and lunch locations).

Hand washing stations have been added to campus in a variety of outdoor locations. Students and staff members will wash their hands with water and soap or sanitizer upon arriving on campus and at regular intervals during the school day.

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

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

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

CLEANING

We’ve created several outdoor classrooms to offer alternative locations for teaching and learning.

TESTING

A negative COVID-19 test every two weeks will be required of all employees and students who will be on campus. Tests will be conducted on campus on a routine schedule.

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

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 EPA-approved disinfectants deemed effective against COVID-19.

We have upgraded our HVAC system to a top-of-the-line MERV13 air filtration system.

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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 to quarantine for 14 days.

Cohort remains OPEN.

A student or staff member tests negative for COVID-19 after any of The reasons in Scenarios 1or 2

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 will isolate, contact their healthcare provider 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 to monitor symptoms, and asked to contact their healthcare provider or Public Health. 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 24 hours after symptoms resolve; however, student or staff member must continue quarantine for 14 days if they have had contact with a person 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 immediately picked up. This process will help isolate persons who may be symptomatic and limit exposure to the virus.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

FLEX SCHEDULING

We have implemented a new schedule that will allow us to maintain instructional continuity in the context of a rapidly evolving global pandemic. We have also revised and updated our schedule based on feedback and the most recent research. 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.

ADAPTED LEARNING SPACES

TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT STUDENT LIFE LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTIONS

Using Canvas (a Learning Management System), teachers have created 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 participated in 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.

Classrooms and learning spaces have been 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."

New outdoor classrooms have been created throughout the campus to provide a variety of learning environments.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

CARPOOLS

TRANSPORTATION

Student carpools will be permitted. In keeping with Marin County mandates, students must complete their health assessment prior to leaving the house, practice hand hygiene, and 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.

STUDENT STUDENT LIFE LIFE

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

BUS/VAN TRANSPORTATION

MA will continue to contract with Michael’s Transportation and KidzJet for student transportation needs. Both companies have detailed measures and policies for increased safety and physical distancing. All riders are required to abide by any health and safety protocols put into place by our transportation providers.

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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.

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.

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Clubs will be virtual and we will continue to offer additional optional activities and programs during lunch and after school hours.

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.

FOOD SERVICES

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

Daily lunch options will be limited, pre-packaged, and delivered to designated outdoor eating areas.

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

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HEALTH & SAFETY

TEACHING & LEARNING

TRANSPORTATION

STUDENT LIFE

SCHOOL EVENTS

School events 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