2021-2022 COVID-19 Policies and Plans MBS

Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 POLICIES AND PLANS For the 2021-2022 Academic Year

August 30, 2021

Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

COVID-19 HEALTH AND WELLNESS GUIDELINES Overview The following guidelines outline our current approach to protecting students, faculty, and staff from COVID-19. Many of our suggested policies will remain fluid until we have solid directives from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vaccination Policy

Vaccination Sites

MBS is not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, but we are highly encouraging all eligible students to be fully vaccinated before the start of the academic year on September 9.

Anyone 12 years of age or older may receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Visit the NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Information Hub for important vaccine information, including a list of vaccination sites: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.

Vaccination is considered one of the most important tools in protecting our community against COVID-19.

Having a high percentage of fully-vaccinated students gives us the best chance of a relatively normal school year.

Vaccination appointments can be made through Atlantic Health System: https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine.html#alerts.

Students who have been vaccinated should submit their vaccination card to the Magnus Health portal.

Additional vaccination sites are located in North Jersey.

Click one of the links below to schedule an appointment: ShopRite: https://vaccines.shoprite.com CVS: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/ covid-19-vaccine Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid/19/landing Rite Aid: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/ covid-qualifier

Currently, vaccinated students are exempt from contact tracing.

Students who plan on traveling on MBS overnight trips, either internationally or domestically, will be required to be fully vaccinated.

When the COVID-19 vaccine receives full FDA approval, we will review and possibly amend this policy.

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

Timing for Vaccination

Lunch

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose.

IMPORTANT: anyone 18 years of age or older is also eligible for the Moderna vaccine, which is administered in two doses 28 days apart. Again, a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose.

Dining services will return to a much more typical selection of food.

In order to keep unmasked students in cohorts, to start the year, students will eat lunch in their advisory locations.

Water and juice stations will be available in the cafeteria. We will no longer be providing students with disposable plastic water bottles. Students should bring refillable water bottles to school.

Mask Policy In accordance with the New Jersey Executive Order 251, MBS will mandate mask-wearing indoors for all students and faculty.

Dress Code Normal (pre-2020) dress code will resume.

See Family Handbook page 28.

Following CDC policy, masks are required on buses for all students.

COVID-19 Within the School Community

• Masks must fit properly and must not have

MBS will establish a standard of care for handling suspected cases of COVID-19 within the School community, following guidelines set by the NJDOH, the NJDOE, and the CDC.

an exhaust valve.

• No gaiters, bandanas, or masks with lettering or non-school logos.

Protocol for Suspected COVID-19 Cases

• Masks will not be required outdoors, unless students are gathered in large groups.

MBS will implement the following standards of care for suspected cases of COVID-19: • Isolate the student and monitoring temperature and symptoms • Ensure pick-up by a parent/guardian or emergency contact within one hour

Transportation According to CDC policies, masks are required on all buses, regardless of vaccination status.

To the extent possible, maximize physical distancing between students on buses. However, the capacity constraints on buses have been eliminated.

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

• Have the Nurse’s Office staff escort the ill

antine, but who do need to MONITOR for symptoms, when... ❏ Student is fully vaccinated/or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. Proof of positive test should be with the nurse. ❏ Student should get a PCR test 5 days after exposure and report testing to nurses office. ❏ Student was between 3 to 6 ft of a positive case and both students wore well-fitting masks the entire time.

student to their car (when possible) to limit the number of visitors in the building

Close Contacts and Quarantines Students who test positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 10 days and can only return to school after a 72-hour symptom-free period.

Under current CDC policy, in a school setting (including school sports), students are considered close contacts and will need to quarantine if contact-traced when…

QUARANTINE DURATION Regional Risk is Red or Orange ❏ Quarantine at home for full 14 days ❏ There is no option to lessen quarantine length with a negative test

❏ Student is not fully vaccinated ❏ Within three feet of a masked or unmasked positive case for over 15 minutes during a 24-hour period OR ❏ Student is not fully vaccinated ❏ Unmasked and within six feet of a positive case for over 15 minutes during a 24-hour period OR ❏ Student is not fully vaccinated ❏ Participating in a sports practice or game with a COVID-19 positive teammate or if a member of their advisory tests positive

Regional Risk is Yellow or Green ❏ Quarantine at home for 10 days without a test ❏ Quarantine at home for 7 days with a negative PCR test result taken no earlier than day 5 When needed, contact tracing notifications will be done via email between 3:00-6:00 pm.

Under current CDC policy, students in a school setting (including school sports) qualify as close contacts who do NOT need to quar–4–

Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

Returning to School Following a COVID-19 Diagnosis

MBS is prepared to assist with contact tracing activities. Each member of the student body has been identified by county, and the MBS Nurse’s Office has contacts in place with the relevant local health departments to receive the latest reports and recommendations.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 may only return to campus when the guidelines set by the CDC and the State of New Jersey have been met. These include: • Following local health department guidance for exclusion and return to school • Requiring students wait at least 10 days after first symptoms appeared AND be symptom-free AND go 72 hours fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication

Families will report positive cases to the nurse, who will keep a confidential record to track students and coordinate return-to-school dates. Any students, faculty, and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days (based on CDC recommendations) and may not participate in extracurricular activities.

Note: Those who test positive, but show no symptoms must remain home for 10 days following the test

Domestic and International Travel: Updates

Doctor note is required for return for athletics

Domestic and International Travel Protocols New Jersey has lifted restrictions on travel, but NJDOH and the CDC have the following recommendations for travel. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ travelers/travel-during-covid19.html

Nurse’s Office Practices The Nurse’s Office will adjust staffing and processes to maintain safety. Changes include: • Increased Nurse’s Office staff to manage students who are ill • Midday cleanings by Nurse’s Office staff and support staff to disinfect doorknobs and other frequently-touched surfaces • Thorough daily cleaning of the Nurse’s Office by custodians

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

COVID-19 Prevention and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

itive cases even if there is no reason to suspect infection.

All MBS students must arrive at school with a face mask brought from home.

During the academic year, MBS may use surveillance testing to identify asymptomatic cases and prevent secondary transmission.

All MBS students and faculty shall self-monitor their temperatures and any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to arriving at school and shall follow up with the Nurse’s Office as needed for further support and guidance.

The School has developed an implementation strategy for surveillance testing and may implement surveillance testing during periods of high community transmission and/or after school breaks.

Temperature Scans Students who are required to participate in testing will have the option to test on their own and present a negative PCR test result within the designated time frame if they choose not to participate in the School’s testing program.

All students, faculty and staff will have their temperature taken by a doorway scanner upon arrival each morning.

PPE for Students MBS will require students on campus take the following actions regarding use of PPE: • Students must wear masks indoors. Masks should be provided by the student; extra masks will be available in the Nurse’s Office in the event of loss or damage to a student’s mask. Students in flagrant violation of the School mask policy may be sent home.

• Masks must fit properly and must not contain an exhaust valve.

• All faculty and staff will be responsible for enforcing proper use of PPE among students.

If MBS initiates surveillance testing, students must be tested in order to be on campus.

All pre-season athletes and coaches who plan to be on campus for practice the week of August 30 must participate in surveillance testing, regardless of their vaccination status. The data received from this surveillance testing will help determine the need for future testing of our School community as we transition back to school.

Surveillance Testing

Diagnostic Testing Policy and Procedures

Surveillance testing is intended to identify pos-

MBS will maintain a limited supply of the –6–

Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Tests. In the event that a student is experiencing symptoms of illness during the school day, they will be sent to the Nurse’s Office for evaluation. If the School nurse determines that the symptoms are possible symptoms of COVID-19, she will administer a rapid test to the student. Prior to the administration of the test, the nursing staff will contact the parent/guardian or emergency contact for notification and consent to treat. The test consists of a lower nasal swab. If needed, the nurse will assist the student in taking the swab.

The test results will be available in 15 minutes.

If the student tests positive, the parents/guardians will be informed and asked to pick up their child immediately. The student must then see a doctor and follow the School’s required quarantine policy for positive COVID-19 cases. MBS will begin

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contact tracing at the end of the school day.

If the student tests negative but COVID-19 is still suspected, the parents/guardians will be notified and asked to pick up their child as soon as possible. In this scenario, he student can return to school when one of the following has occurred:

• They obtain a negative PCR test result and their symptoms have resolved.

• They obtain a negative antigen test result taken no earlier than 36 hours following the school-administered antigen test and their symptoms have resolved.

• They have followed the School’s required quarantine policy for positive COVID-19 cases.

Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

REMOTE LEARNING Remote Learning Guidelines

Caitlin Skobo-Trought, Director of Academic Technology, is available to assist with any technology questions.

Only students who have a mandated quarantine due to a COVID-19 related issue will be eligible for a 7-day or 14-day remote learning period, dependent on NJDOH guidelines.

Any student learning remotely should have their camera on. Students without cameras on will not be considered remote learners and will be marked absent unless there is prior communication between the student and their grade dean.

We will not offer a remote learning option for students who may miss class for travel, college visits, athletic events, or illness unless it is directly related to a mandated COVID-19 quarantine.

Guidelines for Attending Classes Remotely

Students quarantining for COVID-19 exposure will be permitted to Zoom into class, pending approval by the division head (Ryan Liese or Boni Luna).

During the period of remote learning, the policies in the current Family Handbook remain valid. Students and families are responsible for adhering to School policies for remote learning. Students who are learning remotely while school is in session on campus are expected to attend each class and advisory on time.

The Family Handbook section on Student Conduct, Citizenship, and Disciplinary Consequences holds whether students are on campus or remote. Students not adhering to the following protocols can be marked absent.

Teachers do not need to have Zoom running at the start of class and should not do so, unless they have been informed by the division office or grade deans that a student in their class is “Zooming” in due to a required COVID-19 quarantine. Students should not be admitted to Zoom classes unless they or their parents/guardians have reached out to the division head and received permission.

Use of Zoom Software Students in a Zoom class are expected to have their cameras and microphones on, so teachers may ask students to turn cameras and microphones on. No avatars are permitted. If students would prefer a virtual background, the School will make a selection available. Students must choose a virtual background from the official school selection.

Remote students can be provided with asynchronous work or with independent work to be carried out during class if they cannot participate in activities remotely (e.g. science labs).

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

Dress Code and Learning Environment

Attendance Protocol for students arriving more than five minutes late to Zoom sessions: First time: teacher will contact student after class Second time: teacher will contact student, advisor, and class dean Third time: teacher will send a PCF Fourth time: student will be marked absent

Students are expected to follow the dress code.

Students are expected to be situated in a place appropriate to work: sitting upright before a clear surface with space for their technology, books, and other materials in a space as quiet as they can find.

FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS We will work to ensure clean, healthy, and safe facilities and operations that adhere to applicable guidelines.

Cleaning Protocol

• Desks and tables in the classroom will face

MBS will provide deeper, more frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout campus.

in the same direction.

• Wherever possible, seating will be spaced to allow for the recommended social distancing.

• Spaces such as Kirby Chapel, the Boardroom, the Dining Hall, and gyms will be repurposed to serve as additional or alternative classroom spaces as needed.

Key efforts: • Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by our cleaning service at least once a day.

• In science classes, where students are handling lab equipment and other shared materials, students will wear nitrile gloves.

• Water fountains/stations will continue to be sanitized regularly; we will cover/disable mouth dispensers so only the bottle-filling option is available.

Classroom Spaces Our aim is to use classroom spaces in a way that conforms with the applicable guidelines.

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

Moving Throughout the School • All Middle School students will enter through Founders Hall for temperature and mask checks.

• All Upper School students will enter through Grant Hall and go left upon entering the building for temperature and mask checks.

• Students who arrive late will sign in at their division office and will have a temperature and mask check when they sign in.

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Air Purification Our goal is to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by supplying the cleanest and highest quality air possible throughout campus.

Key Efforts:

• High efficiency HVAC systems are in place •

in all buildings Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization Air Purification Systems and UV-C systems installed in all buildings will scrub the air and dramatically reduce the viral load in the air

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FALL ATHLETICS PRESEASON COVID-19 GUIDELINES ➜

FALL ATHLETICS TEAM TESTING AUGUST 30/31

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

WHO TO CONTACT WHEN

In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the School to contact under different circumstances.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS Who to ask if… ...my child is ill or otherwise unable to participate in a school day

Middle School: Rose Borowsky, rborowsky@mbs.net Upper School: Denise Elliott, delliott@mbs.net

...I have any medical questions

Nurse’s Office: Bridget Marcato, bmarcato@mbs.net

…my child needs emotional or social support

Upper School Guidance/Wellness: - Eddie Franz, efranz@mbs.net - Jenna Sumner, jsumner@mbs.net Middle School Guidance/Wellness: - Sam Tuttle, stuttle@mbs.net

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMICS Who to ask if… ...my child needs academic support

Advisor and/or Class Instructor in relevant subject CTL learning specialist, if assigned

...my child has a question about a specific class or assignment

Relevant class instructor

...my child needs technology help

Digital Learning Support: Caitlin Skobo-Trought, ctrought@mbs.net

...I have a question about Academic Policy and Curriculum

Director of Curriculum: Boni Luna, bluna@mbs.net Associate Director of Curriculum: Owen Boynton, oboynton@mbs.net

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

WHO TO CONTACT WHEN (cont’d) In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the School to contact under different circumstances.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMICS ... CONT’D Who to ask if… ...I have a question about the classes my child is registered for in the coming semester or year

Director of Academic Scheduling and Analytics: Rocio Romero, rromero@mbs.net

...I have questions regarding college counseling

General Questions: Noreen Cassidy, ncassidy@mbs.net Assigned College Counselor: - Noreen Cassidy, ncassidy@mbs.net - Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net - Joanne Goldberg, jgoldberg@mbs.net - Lauren Laskey, llaskey@mbs.net

...I have general questions related to my child’s Upper School experience

Advisor and Grade Dean - 9th: Kate Russo, krusso@mbs.net - 10th: Katie Pepper, kpepper@mbs.net - 11th: Kevin McDonald, kmcdonald@mbs.net - 12th: Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net

…I have a question about a particular discipline, placement, or course offerings

Relevant Department Chairs - Art and Design: Pete Donahue, pdonahue@mbs.net - English: Nikolin Eyrich, neyrich@mbs.net - History: Lisa Swanson, lswanson@mbs.net - Math: Miklos Jalics, mjalics@mbs.net - Performing Arts: David Gold, dgold@mbs.net - Science: Chris Payette, cpayette@mbs.net - Wellness: Sam Tuttle, stuttle@mbs.net - World Language: Jen Laviola, jlaviola@mbs.net

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Morristown Beard School

COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022

WHO TO CONTACT WHEN (cont’d) In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the School to contact under different circumstances.

QUESTIONS ABOUT PROGRAMMING AND POLICIES Who to ask if… ...I have a question about clubs or activities

Director of Co-Curricular Activities: Kevin McDonald, kmcdonald@mbs.net

...I have a question about athletics

Director of Athletics: Joanne Dzama, jdzama@mbs.net Director of Middle School Athletics: Mike Sturgeon, msturgeon@mbs.net

...I have a question about diversity and inclusion or equity

Director of Diversity: Klarissa Karosen, kkarosen@mbs.net

…I have a question about behavioral guidelines and rules

Please consult the MBS Family Handbook or contact: Division Head - Middle School: Boni Luna, bluna@mbs.net - Upper School: Ryan Liese, rliese@mbs.net Grade Dean - Middle School; Lisa Swanson, lswanson@mbs.net - 9th: Kate Russo, krusso@mbs.net - 10th: Katie Pepper, kpepper@mbs.net - 11th: Kevin McDonald, kmcdonald@mbs.net - 12th: Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net

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