August 2021 Reopening Plan

AUGUST 2021

Introduction

Immaculate Heart Academy has a profound sense of care and compassion for students, faculty, and staff. Working with the best information available, IHA has developed this plan in order to conduct the mission of the school, while providing our students and staff the safest and healthiest environment possible. This plan will aid in navigating the reopening of our school to allow staff, students, and families to feel as safe as possible under the circumstances, and to reduce the impact of COVID-19 conditions as we return to school.

The guidelines referenced in this plan are based on health data and guidance from experts in the health field and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the State of New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) The Road Forward. Updates will be made to this plan based on information provided by the aforementioned organizations and applicable federal, state, and local agencies.

This plan is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Sources CDC

AAP

AAP Guidance for Safe Schools

NJDOE

Guiding Principles

In order to ensure the continued wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff, the following guiding principles have been put in place: 1. Student, faculty, and staff safety 2. Guidelines from various health professionals and organizations 3. Comprehensive educational outcomes 4. Support for parents/guardians

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Summary

IHA will open in September 2021 for all students.

There is no remote/virtual learning option.

Students and staff are required to wear masks at all times when indoors on campus.

Students’ desks will be three (3) feet apart.

Vaccinated persons are not considered to be close contacts.

Extracurricular activities will continue in-person.

All students and staff members must wear their IDs at all times.

Every classroom and entry point is equipped with a touchless hand sanitizer dispenser.

Custodians will be disinfecting high-touch areas throughout the day and performing a more intense disinfecting routine each afternoon.

All families are required to sign and return Immaculate Heart Academy’s Social Contract.

Health and Safety

Any student or employee exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 without other obvious explanations or who have tested positive for COVID-19 are prohibited from entering school grounds until they have met all of the criteria for returning to school established by the appropriate health departments.

The CDC states that COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever with a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4° Fahrenheit • Chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea • Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19

This list may not include all possible symptoms. CDC updates to this list can be found here.

Protocol for Symptomatic Staff and Students • Students and staff members who become ill or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 will immediately report to the Health Office and will be safely and respectfully isolated from others.

• The student’s parents/guardians will be contacted and the student must be picked up immediately.

• Staff members who are ill or exhibit symptoms will be sent home immediately.

• If it is medically determined that the individual’s symptoms are associated with COVID-19, the appropriate health departments will be notified. The appropriate health departments will determine contact tracing steps and procedures.

Readmittance to School Procedures IHA will follow CDS, CDC, and appropriate local health department guidelines to determine when a student or faculty/staff member may discontinue isolation and return to school. The appropriate health department will be the final arbitrator to decide when a student or faculty member may return.

The school nurse will serve as the primary contact person and liaison between the appropriate local health department and all students and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who were required to isolate for symptoms related to COVID-19.

• Any student or staff member who suspects they are ill and receives a COVID-19 test may not attend school while awaiting the results of the test.

• Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 and is directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation once they have met the requirements of the appropriate local health department and as instructed by their treating medical professional. The current guidance is: o At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset, and o At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and o Other symptoms have improved.

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Any student or staff member whose COVID-19 test comes back negative should follow normal illness exclusion rules (24 hours without fever before they can return to school). o If a clinician has a suspicion that the illness may be COVID-19 despite a negative test, the student/staff member must follow general guidance related to COVID-19, which would include waiting at least 10 days from symptom onset and at least one day from resolution of symptoms prior to returning.

If the individual should be quarantined based upon a known exposure, whether that individual has a positive or negative test, then he or she would need to wait 14 days from last possible exposure prior to returning.

Vaccinated persons are not considered close contacts and do not need to quarantine but should self-monitor for symptoms.

All individuals returning to school or work from a COVID-19-related illness and/or symptoms must provide written medical clearance documentation. This applies to both positive and negative results. Any questions should be directed to the school nurse.

In the event that the appropriate health department has requirements for returning to school that are beyond the above listed steps, IHA will follow its directives.

Mask Policy

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All students, staff members, and visitors are required to wear a mask while indoors on campus.

Masks must cover your mouth and nose.

Masks must fit snuggly.

Neck gaiters are only acceptable if they contain ear holes or loops.

The use of a bandana as a mask is not permitted.

Face shields may be worn in addition to, but not in replacement of, a mask.

If a mask with a valve is worn, it must be covered with an additional mask.

Masks must be fastened around the ears or head.

Masks may not contain logos, letters, words, or pictures, unless it is an Immaculate Heart Academy Campus Shop mask.

The IHA administration will make the final decision about the appropriateness of masks.

In addition to wearing masks, everyone at IHA is reminded to:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or use the inside of the elbow.

Classroom Policies

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Desks will be placed in socially distanced rows.

Students are required to wear their masks.

All studies will take place in assigned rooms.

Students should avoid sharing electronic devices, books, instructional materials, etc.

Hallways and Stairwells Students may use their lockers.

Students may sit in the hallways before homeroom and during locker break while wearing their masks.

Students who wish to eat breakfast should do so in the cafeteria.

Students who wish to eat a snack during locker break should maintain a social distance of at least three (3) feet.

Common Areas

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Students are required to maintain social distancing in all common areas.

Arrival Procedures

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Parents/Guardians will receive a questionnaire each morning and must respond if there is an affirmative answer to any of the questions. If the answer is an affirmative yes to any of the questions, parents/guardians must keep their daughter home and notify the school nurse.

Students and staff may enter the building through any of the rear doors.

Academic Schedule

IHA will follow a six-day rotating schedule.

Homeroom will begin at 7:45 a.m. and run for 15 minutes.

The daily 45-minute class period has moved from the afternoon to Period 2. (Please note that this is not a reduction in instructional time but a change to when the 45-minute period takes place).

There will be a 15-minute break at the end of Period 2 at 9:45 a.m.

During this break, students may sit in the hallways, visit the cafeteria, or meet with teachers.

There will be four (4) 30-minute lunch periods (one period per grade level).

Each grade will also have a daily 30-minute study period either before or after lunch.

Students must remain socially distanced while eating.

The last class of the day, Period 13, will dismiss at 2 p.m.

The A through E-day bell schedule will run as follows:

7:45-8:00 Period 1: 8:00-9:00 Period 2: 9:00-9:45 9:45-10:00 Periods 3-4: 10:00-11:00 Periods 5-8: 11:00-12:00

Periods 9-12: 12:00 - 1:00

Period 13: 1:00-2:00

Homeroom 60-minute class period 45-minute class period 15-minute Locker Break 60-minute class period 30-minute lunch/ 30-minute study for 9th and 10th grades

60-minute class period for 11th and 12th grades 30-minute lunch/ 30-minute study for 11th and 12th grades

60-minute class period for 9th and 10th grades 60-minute class period

The F-day bell schedule will run as follows:

7:45-8:00 Period 1: 8:00-9:00 Period 2: 9:00-9:45 9:45-10:00 Period 3: 10:00-10:45 Periods 4-7: 10:45-11:45

Periods 8-11: 11:45 – 12:45

Periods 12 - 13: 12:45-2:00

Homeroom 60-minute class period 45-minute class period 15-minute Locker Break 45-minute class period 30-minute lunch/ 30-minute study for 9th and 10th grades

60-minute class period for 11th and 12th grades 30-minute lunch/ 30-minute study for 11th and 12th grades

60-minute class period for 9th and 10th grades Activity Period

Distance Learning Procedures • •

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Distance learning is available only to students who have been directed to quarantine by a qualified health official.

Students and families must submit a written directive to quarantine from a qualified health official to the school nurse, Patricia Conaton, before the students will be allowed to attend class remotely.

Students who are completing an approved quarantine will attend each class using the teacher’s Zoom link.

All homework is expected to be submitted by the assigned dates even though the students are not in school.

All students are required to take all assessments in-person and on-campus. Any assessment that is scheduled during a student’s directed quarantine is to be made up when the student returns to campus.

Attendance Policies: • Students must log into Zoom at 7:45 a.m. for their homeroom.

• Students must log into Zoom at the appointed start time for each class.

• Students must remain logged in, and engaged with the class, until the teacher dismisses them.

• Students must contact their teacher if they are experiencing a technological issue.

Personal Presentation/Appearance Policies: • Students’ faces must be fully visible for the duration of the class period.

• Students must be sitting at a well-lit desk or table. o If students must be in their bedroom due to family circumstances, students should be sitting upright, their space should be neat, and they should have a designated workspace that is not distracting to their classmates.

• Students should be fully and appropriately dressed for the day when participating in online classes in order to best support the academic mindset required for a productive school day. Dress should, at the very least, reflect what is acceptable attire for a dress down day.

• Students should leave their cellphones and other electronic devices in a separate area.

Cellphones should not be next to the MacBook and should not appear during the class. o An exception to this rule is if the student is using a secondary device to access Zoom while using their MacBook for note-taking or other academic, teacher-approved use.

• Students are not allowed to create personal backgrounds for any Zoom sessions that are distracting, insensitive, or offensive.

Technology Policies: • Students’ cameras must be turned on and functional for the entire class period.

• Student audio must be turned on and functional. o Students should test the audio function on both their MacBooks and their phones and be prepared to use their phone as a back-up audio device. o Students must mute their microphones when they are not speaking.

• Students must name their Zoom account in accordance to the following naming convention in order to facilitate attendance: o Last name, First name • Students should commit to running only Zoom, an appropriate note-taking program, and any other website as directed by the teacher during the class period. Students are required to close ALL other browser windows to increase internet functionality.

• Students are required to use headphones in order to minimize audio feedback and to limit outside distractions.

• Students should work as near to a wireless router as possible.

• Students are absolutely prohibited from recording any part, video or audio, of the Zoom class in order to protect the privacy of all participating students. Any student found to have violated this policy will be referred to the Assistant Principal of Students with the potential for expulsion.

Grading and Attendance Policy

To receive credit for the courses for the year, students are expected to complete all requirements for each course. The grading policy is located in the Student Handbook. All academic and attendance guidelines outlined in the Student Handbook remain in effect.

Regarding attendance for quarantining students, an online class meeting is the equivalent of an in-person lesson. Therefore, attendance is mandatory. Absences will be reported to the Main Office and the Assistant Principal for Students. When a student is absent, whether for in-person or distance learning, the parent/guardian should report that absence to the Main Office. If a student is absent with any COVID-19 symptoms previously mentioned, the parent/guardian should also report that absence to the school nurse.

Absences: • Parents must call in an absence (both on-campus and online) to the Main Office prior to 7:45 a.m.

• Both on-campus and online student absences will be noted in Genesis for teacher reference as usual.

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes unless a parent has provided an absence note.

Health Office Protocol

Illness at School: Staff: If displaying any of the CDC listed symptoms, stay home. If you start to notice any symptoms while in school: • Report to the school nurse to be assessed immediately • Monitor and track your symptoms • Discuss and assess with the school nurse • Go home • Contact your medical professional

Student: If displaying any of the CDC listed symptoms, stay home. If you start to notice any symptoms while in school: • Report to the school nurse to be assessed immediately • Separate/Isolate at the direction of the school nurse • School nurse will contact student’s parents/guardians to be picked immediately • Document/track symptoms • Parent should contact the student’s medical professional

Extracurricular Activities/Clubs/Athletics

Immaculate Heart Academy recognizes that our athletic and extracurricular activities are a vital part of our community. It is our intention to follow state and local guidelines as well as the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) in our return to extracurricular activities upon the reopening of school in September.

IHA will: • Adhere to all applicable social distancing requirements during any extracurricular activities.

• Maximize the use of technology and online resources to continue extracurricular activities without additional person-to-person contact when necessary.

• Limit the use of school facilities to school-sponsored extracurricular activities and groups.

• Permit staff moderators to choose to hold club meetings or activities virtually if they are unable to be held in person with proper social distancing.

Social Contract

Students and parents/guardians are required to complete and sign the below social contract before school begins. Do not print out this version; contracts will be sent to parents/guardians for electronic signatures before the start of school.

Student Name: _____________________________________________ Class of 20____________

Please Print

IHA Blue Eagle COVID-19 Safety Pledge

I Promise to…

Protect Myself I Promise to regularly monitor myself for COVID-19 symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, muscle pains, sore throat, or any loss of smell and/or taste and to regularly record my temperature for any fever at or higher than 100.4 F. If I am experiencing any of these symptoms or any other COVID-19-related symptoms, I promise to report them to parents if at home or the Immaculate Heart Academy nurse if at school.

I Promise to review the questionnaire that will be sent each morning and respond if there is an affirmative answer to any of the questions. I Promise to stay home and have my parent/guardian notify the school nurse immediately if any answers are affirmative.

I Promise to maintain all necessary personal hygiene including frequent hand washing with soap and water, as well as the frequent use of hand sanitizer.

I Promise to obey all IHA-mandated safety policies as required by IHA administration, faculty, and other staff members to keep myself safe.

Protect My Fellow Blue Eagles I Promise to wear an approved facemask covering my nose and mouth at all times while indoors on school property.

I Promise to be mindful of social distancing and to move purposefully from class to class without gathering in groups.

I Promise to remain home if it is determined by appropriate health professionals, including those connected to IHA, that I am sick.

I Promise to be tested for COVID-19 in accordance with IHA and state and local health department guidelines to protect our IHA community if I show symptoms or believe I’ve been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

I Promise to obey all safety directions given by the IHA administration, faculty, and staff members to keep my fellow students and the IHA faculty and staff safe.

Protect the Immaculate Heart Academy Community and Surrounding Neighborhood Communities I Promise to maintain accurate logs of where I have been and with whom for purposes of contact tracing to protect our IHA community and our surrounding neighbors.

I Promise to practice appropriate social distancing and to wear face coverings/masks in accordance with state government mandates/CDC guidelines when I am in the community at large.

I Promise to be accountable and to hold friends and all IHA community members accountable!

We believe that every word of this promise is critical to keeping Immaculate Heart Academy healthy and safe. We need every member of our IHA community to be a leader when it comes to protecting the health of others and themselves.

___________________________________________ Student Signature

__________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature