Plan 1 - In-person Learning with Safety Requirements

IN-PERSON LEARNING WITH NEW SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

In this model, all NDA students and faculty return inperson to the NDA campus in appropriately modified learning settings to accommodate the health and safety requirements outlined by DESE in the June 25, 2020 Initial School Reopening Guidance memorandum along with additional DESE updates.

NDA plans for an in-person return to school five days per week starting on September 2, 2020. See: NDA 2020-2021 Calendar

Reduce Transmission Risk

NDA strives to establish a culture of health and safety that focuses on regularly enforcing these important practices to diminish potential virus transmission. These include: • Rigorous facility and restroom cleaning, new disinfecting equipment/fogger • Personal hygiene and frequent handwashing • Use of masks/face coverings, face shields Grades 2-12, PreK3 – Grade 1 optional • Physical distancing • Reducing interaction between groups • Scheduling arrival and dismissal areas and protocols for age groups • Eliminating food service • Limiting visitors to campus • Staying home when sick • Protecting those most vulnerable to the disease • Purchase and stock PPE and cleaning /disinfectant supplies • Using available testing and tracing capabilities as necessary

Travel Quarantine

Following the order of Governor Baker, faculty, students and families vacationing are instructed to self quarantine for 14 days after travel. In order to start the school year on September 2, 2020 students should be at home by August 19th to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. If a student does not meet this requirement, she/he must become a remote learner for the quarantine period.

Worship

Any liturgy or prayer service taking place will follow the strictest guidelines from the Archdiocese of Boston concerning the reopening of public parish worship. Due to an inability to safely socially distance in the school chapel, we plan to hold Masses in the chapel and live stream them to classrooms. Teachers and students will participate in the Mass by live stream. Participants in the liturgies will be minimal with social distancing and mask usage will be required by all persons in the chapel but not on camera. Quick cleaning of surfaces such as the lectern/pulpit between speakers will be practiced.

As per the Archdiocese’s guidelines and NDA’s in house discussion of best practices, distribution of Eucharist will be suspended until we are able to determine a safe way to distribute the sacrament. For now we will abide by the Pope’s dispensation on receiving Eucharist and will distribute materials such as prayer sheets and prayer cards for the Prayer for Spiritual Communion. Masses will conclude with a few moments of reflection of the Blessed Sacrament.

Utilizing Alternative School Spaces

NDA is blessed with a large facility with many spacious classrooms which allow room to learn safely distanced. If necessary and depending upon types of lessons, NDA will transition our libraries, cafeteria, auditorium, and other appropriate spaces to create learning spaces to accommodate required distance between students and reduce class size to enable additional distancing while adhering to the health and safety guidelines.

Utilizing External Facility Spaces

Creative research-based investments continue to be assessed to define outdoor learning spaces so classes may be held outdoors as often as possible on our large, beautiful campus. Inquiries have been made with the Town of Tyngsborough regarding simple, outdoor, park/shelter type structures.

Thanks to the generosity of an NDA grandparent, seven 20’ x 20’ outdoor tents have been purchased to enhance outdoor learning classroom and learning spaces. We will provide outdoor “Welcome Areas” for the first days of school for our PreK3 to Grade 1 students and their families. Families will be notified of specifics. Families will meet with our Early Years staff each day and staff will take each student to their classroom where the Lead Teacher will be waiting for them.

Research, resourcing and budgeting of tents, building of outdoor structures in concert with strategic plan goal fulfillment of STEAM/ outdoor learning environment continues with COVID-19 plans. Philanthropic and foundation gifts are being sought to support outdoor investments.

Administrative Assistant will manage a schedule of outdoor classroom/learning space usage.

All faculty and staff are equipped with walkie-talkies to offer

constant communication inside and outside the campus. All policies, procedures and protocols serving the NDA community regarding health and safety remain in place with added modifications to meet health and safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outdoor Conditions

Regular maintenance of spraying for ticks and mosquitoes has continued uninterrupted on campus. We are finalizing a plan regarding goose population on campus. Students with insect or other allergies will have access to Epi pens in teacher bags (Lower School) or on their person (Upper School).

Utilizing Alternative School Spaces

NDA is blessed with a large facility with many spacious classrooms which allow room to learn safely distanced. If necessary and depending upon types of lessons, NDA will transition our libraries, cafeteria, auditorium, and other appropriate spaces to create learning spaces to accommodate required distance between students and reduce class size to enable additional distancing while adhering to the health and safety guidelines.

Uniforms

To help further minimize health risks for our students and faculty, NDA intends to take learning outside (weather permitting). Students may be under a tent or sitting on a field for any number of classes.

Our priority this year is safety and creating an environment where students may focus and learn. To that end, NDA will be relaxing its uniform standards in recognition of current circumstances. As we start the year, students may wear their NDA School Gym Uniform for everyday wear. In addition, we have added NDA monogram black yoga pants for girls that may be purchased through JB Pride. Sneakers may be worn daily. This information is also available in the 2020-2021 Student Handbooks and on our website.

Face Coverings/Masks

Students will be required to bring and to wear masks in the building. Students should keep a spare mask in their backpacks. If at any point a student is non-compliant with wearing the mask and other safety protocols and does not comply with a teacher/staff safety request, the parent or guardian will be notified. It will be the discretion of the Administration to issue a non-compliance consequence.

Masks must not contain any offensive messages, prints, or be distracting to the learning environment. Gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable forms of face coverings.

All NDA visitors are required to wear a mask on campus.

Physical Distancing

All members of the NDA learning community and visitors are expected to keep a safe distance, 6 feet, from others while on campus. While this will be difficult at times and a practice foreign to early learners, every effort will be made to encourage safe distancing throughout the school day. Parents/Guardians are asked to continually reinforce this protocol along with wearing masks to assist students in the transition to the new school day environment. To assist students and faculty with social distancing and maintaining best practices physical movement throughout the building, stairways will be well marked and one directional, hallways will be given center lines with foot traffic going one-way on either side. Whenever possible students and staff will move in single file. In addition, health tip signage will be visible throughout the building including: 20 second handwashing, stay home if sick, coughing into sleeve, etc. Faculty and staff will consistently remind students of best practices for staying healthy.

Reducing the Mixing of Student Groups

When in classrooms, all students will have appropriately distanced assigned seating. Assigned seating will assist in contact tracing. In each classroom (in all grades) seating charts will be used. PreK to 5 individual students’ names will be posted on their assigned desk/ seat. Classroom teachers will create and keep assigned seating plan. This practice will allow for easier and more thorough contact tracing. At the elementary school level, students will be restricted to their grade level class to the greatest extent possible.

• Students in Grades PreK to grade 5 will be self contained. • Students in Grades 6-8 will move between academic classes. • Students in grades 9-12 will need to move between academic classes on the Upper School wing.

Personal Belongings/Lockers

Lockers will be assigned but only used as needed and students will be required to carry materials needed for daily classes utilizing personal backpacks. Lockers will be labeled by grade level and specific classes will visit lockers at staggered, scheduled times so students may keep a safe distance from each other when managing personal items. Scheduled time example: Even and odd numbers go

at various times. Lockers will be available to hold weather related items; such as outerwear, coats, hats, boots etc.

Hallways

Students needing to leave class for any reason MUST sign out and have a pass to be in the hallway, and MUST sign back into the classroom upon return.

Elevator Use

Students will need medical documentation as determined by the school nurse to use the elevator. Maximum one student and staff person per trip. All students who use the elevator must exhibit proper behavior and have a personal responsibility to use good judgment while riding the elevator and follow NDA’s published elevator use policy. Due to the square footage of the elevator, use of the elevator should only be made when absolutely necessary.

Assigning Students to Pods

When grouping students into pods (PreK-5), NDA will consult with Parents/Guardians regarding pod assignments in the case of twins or siblings in the same grade level.

Limiting Movement on Campus

NDA will strive to reduce interactions with other groups as students move to specific classes (i.e. science labs, art studio, Makerspace). Teachers will do most of the moving to classrooms to reduce hallway movement and exposure when appropriate by grade level. Students, faculty, and staff will follow all posted signage indicating travel patterns in hallways, classrooms, and other spaces.

Food Service

Food service has been suspended at NDA until further notice; therefore, lunch and snacks need to be prepared at home. Students will eat lunch and snacks in classrooms or outdoors, instead of the cafeteria or common areas to minimize the use of shared items (i.e. serving utensils), maintain appropriate physical distance and support compliance with health and safety. Microwaves will not be available for use. All meal containers must be able to be opened without staff assistance.

***IMPORTANT NOTE: NDA will be a PEANUT and TREE NUT FREE school for the 2020-2021 School Year.*** Please take extra care in preparing lunches and snacks. We have students and staff who are highly allergic and face serious/life threatening reactions to peanuts and tree nuts.

Masks/face coverings will not be worn during meals, NDA will strive for the maximum desired space of six feet between individuals during lunch time seating. Students may eat lunch outside, or in larger alternative space to achieve this goal.

Restroom Use/Handwashing

Regularly scheduled restroom breaks will be built into the school day. Students will be instructed to use classroom hand sanitizer each time they enter and exit a classroom. Restroom breaks will be coordinated with adjacent classrooms to limit the number of students lining up and using the facilities at any one time. Students will be able to receive a restroom pass if they need to use the facilities for any reason. Faculty will log passes for tracing purposes. Masks must be worn in restrooms.

• In restrooms where there are contiguous sinks, every other sink will be taken off line to provide more space for users.

• A maximum of 2 students in restroom with middle stall closed/ unavailable for use.

• All restrooms will have signage on the proper handwashing technique.

• All faculty and students will be required to use NDA provided hand sanitizer as they enter and exit rooms throughout the day. • Other than sign in and sign out procedures, Lower School will need assistance bringing students to and from the restroom. Staff not teaching and other support staff will be vigilant and visible in hallways.

• Upper School - one student may sign out of class at a time to visit the restroom.

• Markers 6’ apart in hallway outside restroom for those waiting.

Arrival/Dismissal Please note the Academy reserves the right to adjust times to address safety concerns. Arrival:

• Students may arrive at school between 7:15 AM and 7:45 AM. • Students must be seated in their assigned homerooms/first period class by 7:47 AM . • Upper School (9-12) Students will enter through the main building side door closest to the gym and will proceed in single file directly to their first period class. Students may not go to their lockers until after morning announcements.

• Middle School (6-8)

Students will enter through the main building side door closest to the gym and will proceed in single file directly to their assigned homeroom. Students may not go to their lockers until after morning announcements.

• Lower School (3-5) Students will enter through the front door to the right of the main stairway. Students in Grades 3-5 will walk single file directly to their classroom.

• Grades PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 Students will enter through the front door to the right of the main stairway and be assigned a seat to wait until an NDA faculty or staff member may escort them to their classroom. While waiting, students will be socially distanced.

Dismissal: Students will be dismissed as follows:

• 1:50 PM PreK students will be escorted single file to ground level Room 22 and exit through the side door, across from the gym. Faculty will assist students into vehicles.

• 2:00 PM Kindergarten and Grades 1-2 will proceed to the auditorium in single file and are seated every third seat. Parents/Guardians drive to the rear of the building. Faculty use walkie-talkies and family card IDs placed in the front passenger side windshield area to announce rides and have children move to auditorium exit and are helped by staff into vehicles.

• 2:15 PM Grades 3-5 students will proceed to the auditorium in single file and are seated every third seat. Parents/Guardians drive to the rear of the building. Faculty use walkie-talkies and family card IDs placed in the front passenger side windshield area to announce rides and have children move to auditorium exit and are helped by staff into vehicles.

• 2:35 PM Grades 6, 7, and 8 students will proceed to the auditorium in single file and are seated every third seat. Parents/Guardians drive to the rear of the building. Faculty use walkie-talkies and family card IDs placed in the front passenger side windshield area to announce rides and have children move to auditorium exit and are helped by staff into vehicles.

NOTE: Families with siblings in multiple grades: older students will follow the youngest sibling’s departure time.

Upper School students (9-12) will exit from the side door across from the gym in accordance with their study and activities schedule. Upper School students will be monitored and reminded of the need for social distancing, single file protocol.

No student should remain at NDA after 4:15 PM without express permission from a Principal.

Transportation

Tyngsborough resident students traveling to and from school on the Tyngsborough Public School bus will enter and exit via the side door next to the large cafeteria. Students will enter single file and proceed directly to their homerooms. For dismissal, students will proceed to the ground level hallway and wait in a single file line, socially distanced, to enter the bus through the same doorway, next to the large cafeteria. The Tyngsborough Public Schools have given their assurance that they are following the protocols set forth by DESE for school bus transportation.

Extended Day Program (EDP): NDA will offer our Extended Day Program. However, due to the new health and safety requirements, the program will be amended from our past service. Students enrolled in EDP will spend time outdoors and quiet time to start homework assignments. EDP will not be offered the first week of school. Service will begin on Tuesday, September 8th.

After school EDP is offered until 6:00 PM. To learn more about EDP, contact Bernadette Fossa at bfossa@ndatyngsboro.org.

ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME MISSION STATEMENT

The Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, a Catholic private school, sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is based on the educational philosophy of their foundress, St. Julie Billiart. The Academy offers rigorous educational programming from PreK through a college-preparatory Upper School.

Our mission focuses on educating the whole person for life through a curriculum rooted in spiritual formation and academic excellence. We nurture a belief in the goodness of God and the dignity of each person. We are committed to community-building, diversity, global justice and service to those in need.

Cleaning and Supplies

An additional custodian has been added to staff to assist in a schedule of sanitizing at key locations in the building (e.g., entryways, restrooms, classrooms) that will take place daily.

Cleaning supplies have been purchased and stocked for frequent cleaning and sanitization of facilities and surfaces, especially high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, hand rails).

All classrooms have hand sanitizer dispensers to be used when faculty/students enter and exit.

Sanitizing wipes will be available in rooms for students Grades 2-12 to wipe their work space.

Middle and Upper School students moving about due to block schedule will use disinfecting wipes to clean desks and chairs. All classrooms will have disinfectant wipes to clean surfaces.

Excess furniture is being removed from classrooms to provide maximum available space for teachers and students.

Area rugs have been removed from classrooms as recommended by DESE guidance.

Square footage of classrooms and seating capacity call for a required 3’ foot minimum to 6’ foot space between desks. NDA has chosen to apply calculations for 6-foot distancing as our preference and goal.

Signage and equipment have been ordered or installed to enable effective health and safety procedures as defined in the Commonwealth’s guidance on required safety supplies for reopening schools.

Significant PPE and equipment purchases include:

• Table top sneeze guards/shields for early learners, extended day program and student study stations. • 70 portable sneeze guards/shields for faculty, nurse’s office and multi purpose use. • 2 disinfectant fog machines to frequently clean, quickly sanitize areas, equipment and furnishings, including playground equipment. • Reception sneeze guard/shield. • NDA has stocked more than the required 3 months recommended by DESE of hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, adult and child masks, face shields, gowns, gloves, wipes and disinfectants.

Ventilation

NDA will consider ways to increase facility ventilation and safely open windows to ensure increased ventilation. Box window fans will be strategically placed to draw air outside of classrooms, offices, isolation room.

Capacity

We have evaluated each classroom for capacity on a case-by-case basis, based on the maximum capacity consistent with health and safety guidelines, distancing at 3 to 6 feet including adequate space for the teachers.

Staffing, Specialized Safety Supplies/PPE and Training

NDA will follow the directions for staffing, specialized safety supplies/ PPE and training. While faculty, staff and students are encouraged to use their own masks, masks will be available in the event of loss, damage, etc. NDA has purchased children and adult size masks.

Staffing Alternatives to Consider for Reducing Class Sizes

NDA will enlist the services of our Specialist teachers and other educators such as instructional coaches (learning specialists) and others who have appropriate certifications to serve as additional teachers or proctors to staff the learning environment. NDA will also enhance our database of educators available for substitute teaching in the event of faculty absence.

Personnel and staffing

NDA will periodically assess the needs of faculty and staff to identify at risk situations that affect managing staff assignments, supporting staff with high risk medical conditions, addressing the need for possible additional staff to assist with instruction, possible additional needs for tutors, and ways to provide additional support including recruitment of volunteers as needed.

Facility Management

Common areas will be closed and re-purposed as necessary. (e.g., cafeteria, library.)

In School Traffic Flow

• Stairways will be one-directional — front stairways will be up only, back stairways will be down only.

• Hallways will be lined and have arrows indicating travel direction to reduce face to face encounters.

• Hallway arrows will also serve as reminders for 6’ social distancing.

• Staff will be reminded that marble blocks in hallways are 3’ x 3’ and can be used to assist faculty and students to be cognizant of 6-foot space measure.

• Front steps and grand staircase will be marked for up and down use only.

Illness

A medical isolation room has been created for students/staff who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. The room is adjacent to the Nurse’s Office. A sink has been added to the Nurse’s office to improve cleaning and handwashing activity. An exhaust fan will draw air out of the room. A clearly defined exit path for staff or students exhibiting symptoms of illness will be charted for timely and efficient departure from the building.

If a student or faculty member present COVID-19 symptoms, NDA will handle each case individually and will follow the guidelines announced by DESE update on July 17, 2020. See DESE detailed information provided at end of this document or visit: www.doe.mass. edu/COVID-1919/on-desktop.html

COVID Coordinator

We have transitioned our current technology teacher to serve as the COVID Coordinator assisting with COVID-19 related reporting, questions, technology concerns and remote learning. The COVID Coordinator will provide support for Parents/Guardians, students and faculty as needed.

Technology

Precipitated by the implementation of remote learning in March, 2020 and guided by our strategic plan, NDA continues research and investment in software and hardware to improve in-person and remote learning capabilities. NDA’s IT Director has instituted site surveys of our campus with service providers for upgraded cable and long range wireless internet access to meet our growing needs. NDA has applied for grants to provide new computer replacements for faculty to aid in remote learning and has purchased 50 cameras and tripods to enhance remote learning student experience. Investments have been made to upgrade platforms to meet current needs.

Screening Upon Entry

Parents/Guardians are required to keep children home from school if they are sick or not feeling well. Checking for symptoms each morning by families and caregivers is critical and will serve as the primary screening mechanism for COVID-19 symptoms and other illness. It is imperative that all NDA community members adhere to a strict policy of staying home if not feeling well.

Academy staff will observe students throughout the day and refer students who may be symptomatic or not feeling well to the school nurse.

Additional safety precautions are required for school nurses and/ or any staff supporting students with disabilities in close proximity, when distance is not possible: These precautions must include eye protection (e.g., face shield or goggles) and a mask/face covering. Precautions may also include gloves and disposable gowns or washable outer layer of clothing depending on duration of contact and especially if the individual may come into close contact with bodily fluids.

NDA has ordered, purchased and stocked PPE (Personal Protection Equipment, face shields, KN95 masks, gowns and gloves) for Academy and Nurse’s use. Funds have been allocated from the Town of Tyngsborough through an ESSER grant to support purchase of additional PPE and sanitizing supplies. Faculty and staff will be trained on the proper use of PPE to diminish the transmission of COVID-19.

Student Supports

NDA Principals, Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students, Guidance Counselors and the Campus Ministry Team are proactively ready and available to address the social emotional health and well being of all students. Our Team is acutely aware of the impact of the pandemic upon children and are available to partner with families to support our student body.

Sports

NDA’s Athletic Director and coaches will follow the mandate of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and state recommendations regarding sports teams, schedules and play.

Tuition

If school is closed due to weather or a public health concern, Parents/Guardians will remain responsible for payment of tuition. The education of each student will continue with virtual/remote/elearning. Teachers will continue to plan standards- based lessons and evaluate student work. Report cards will be distributed at the end of each grading period. If a parent/guardian experiences a hardship and cannot make the regular tuition payment, the principal should be notified as soon as possible to create a payment plan.