Re-Entry Road Map FAQs (7/24/2020)

Frequently Asked Questions (July 24, 2020) Q. Will masks be worn by Kindergarten*, Elementary and Middle school students all day or only when they are not able to distance?

A: Student desks will be properly distanced and have the added protective layer of a plexiglass privacy cubicle. Masks will be worn all day, but the plexiglass and scheduled outdoor activity will allow for mask breaks as needed. *Updated as of 7/23 – more information to follow from division principal.

Q: Are class sizes remaining the same, and how will social distancing take place in the classroom?

A: On average, St. Martin’s classrooms offer approximately 900 square feet of space. This allows for up to 25 student desks to be safely distanced 4-6 feet apart, and each desk will be outfitted with a plexiglass privacy cubicle for an added layer of protection. Part of a St. Martin’s education is the ability to offer small class sizes, so the maximum number of students will be 22 students per class. That is our upper limit, and most classrooms will hover at around 18-20 students per class.

Q: What are the requirements for the type of mask students will need to wear, and will the school offer SMESbranded masks for purchase?

A: Families may choose the best mask option for their child(ren). Face masks are considered to be an item of personal protection and should be selected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the 2020-21 school handbook (available at virtual Orientation). Likewise, it should fit properly and comply with CDC guidelines.

Closer to the start of school, the PTO will have SMES masks available for purchase through the online school store.

Q: How often will students be encouraged to change their masks, and will there be safety protocols in place for changing masks?

A: We encourage students to wear one mask per day. The school will spend considerable time during virtual Orientation discussing and training students on mask safety.

Q: Are clear face shields being considered as an acceptable substitute for face masks?

A: Face shields will be an option for teachers. A transparent protector will be useful for lessons when students must be able to see the teacher’s face.

Q: Will outside learning and class time be used as much as possible for all grades?

A: Yes. All grade level teachers will be encouraged to hold classes outside of the classroom regularly, when possible.

Q: Will 4th and 5th-graders and Middle School students still be able to have lockers?

A: Yes. There may be a new arrangement of lockers to keep grade-level cohorts together as they would be in their classes.

Q: How will chapel work?

A: SMES students will have chapel every week in a virtual format. Students will be in classrooms, and Mother Taylor will be streaming live from the chapel.

Q: How will art/music/PE and other co-curriculars be handled?

A: Most co-curricular teachers will visit students in their classrooms, with some exceptions. Exceptions and detailed processes will be shared at virtual Orientation. All PE classes will be held in the gym or outside.

Students who usually dress out for PE will wear their PE uniform to school on PE days and remain in their PE uniform for the entire school day, including chapel day.

Q: Will St. Martin’s continue to offer extracurricular activities?

A: At this time, the following is some information regarding extracurricular activities. Many more details will be provided at virtual Orientation.

•

No after-school Enrichment classes this fall

•

No intramurals for Elementary School students this fall

•

Middle School intramural sports programs are under consideration

•

Middle School athletic teams are under consideration based on guidelines from the Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference (MAAC). Once the guidelines are finalized, the school will release information regarding fall sports

•

Other after school activities (Clubs, Drama, etc.) are under consideration, and more information will follow closer to the start of school.

Q: What are the details of the upgraded filtration system and daily cleaning protocols?

A: St. Martin’s has installed a new air-purification system to all its units. This state-of-the-art REME HALO induct air purifier utilizes proprietary Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy technology, which reduces airborne microbials and particulates, thereby minimizing the risks of infectious airborne pathogen transmission.

Installed into the supply plenum of an existing air conditioning or heating system air ducts, the REME HALO in-duct air purifier produces Hydro-Peroxide plasma that is distributed through the air handler, through the duct system and into the conditioned space.

Deep -cleaning and disinfecting protocols for all St. Martin’s facilities and equipment will be guided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for schools. The SMES facilities management personnel will oversee daily cleaning and will be supplemented by an Atlanta-based biological decontamination team using a Clorox Pro T-360 system. Daily cleaning will quickly disinfect high-touch-points with a 3-in-1 product that is deemed effective against viral pathogens. The school is investing in an additional system to supplement the rigorous cleaning schedule already in place. The SMES facilities management team will also undergo training by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council for industry accreditation. Additional questions regarding the cleaning process and associated chemicals should be directed to Dr. Ottley.

Q: If students are eating lunch in their classrooms, will students still have choices for what they eat?

A: Early Childhood students will continue to have lunch delivered to their classrooms. Students will receive a nutritious, hot lunch with the option of a sandwich and fruit. Elementary and Middle School students will have three lunch choices (hot lunch w/ veggies, sandwich/fruit or salad/fruit). Students will go to the cafeteria in a socially-distant manner to pick up their pre-boxed choice and return to the classroom to eat.

Q: How often will temperature checks occur during the school day?

A: Each morning, students will undergo a temperature check in the carpool line or inside the building for EC students. Also, there will be other checkpoints during the day. More information about temperature checks will be communicated during virtual Orientation. Families are requested to partner with the school to assess students’ temperatures each morning at home. If a child presents with a fever over 100.4 F, it is required that the student stay home.

Q: How will the school handle the variety of circumstances should a child or teacher present with symptoms or test positive for COVID-19?

A: Based upon guidelines outlined by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Department of Education (CLICK HERE FOR MATRIX), St. Martin’s has developed specific protocols and processes related to COVID-19 and contact tracing. Given the rapidly changing nature of information and data, additional communications will be forthcoming with the most up-to-date information closer to the start of school. Rest assured, all decisions will be made with the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff as the top priority.

Q: Given the complexity of COVID, is there a plan to support teachers and Nurse Pam should faculty members need to be out due to illness or otherwise?

A: Yes, fortunately, we will have a pool of substitute teachers on standby as well as a substitute school nurse. As new substitute members are introduced into the community, they will be required to follow the same stringent protocols for mask-wearing, social distancing and hand washing to keep everyone safe.

Q: Is at-home virtual learning available to any student or only those that are sick, home-quarantined, or need to because of family medical situations?

A: As stated in the recent Road Map, virtual learning is intended for the small number of students and families that are unable to attend for medical reasons or are unable to attend school. The virtual learning curriculum will be a modified school day offering asynchronous lessons. Families may “opt-in” in two-week increments.

Teachers will work with families to provide meaningful instruction within the confines of their full-time, inperson teaching schedules. As we learned in the spring, there is no replacement for in-school instruction, so we are encouraging families to send their children to school. If you have questions about scheduling virtual learning for your family, please contact your division principal by July 31.

Q: How will carpool run?

A: Generally, all carpool positions will be run by faculty and staff for both morning and afternoon sessions.

Students will no longer have carpool detail until it is determined safe to do so. Faculty and staff will be stationed at cones and in and around all buildings with specific “jobs” including assessing temperatures, unloading or loading students and ensuring students arrive safely to their homeroom classes in the mornings and back to their cars in the afternoons. There are many specific details to communicate, and they will be provided in a separate communication closer to the start of school.