FALL 2020 PLANNING PREPARATION FOR THE FALL: JULY AND AUGUST 2021 UPDATE Collective Learning, Wellbeing, and Campus Life
Introduction 03 | Task Force Message 04 |
CONTENTS
06 |
Task Force Updates
Community Pledge
Planning Updates 08 | Community & Wellbeing 22 |
Arts
11 |
Health & Safety
24 |
Technology
18 |
Academics
26 |
Communications
20 |
Athletics & P.E.
28 |
Logistics
Questions 33 | Questions 2
Dear Steward Community, It is with joyful anticipation that we plan for the opening of the 2021-22 school year. At this time last year, we were hopeful and determined but also a bit uncertain. This year, we KNOW we can do this. This community is Spartan Strong. While things are certainly looking up, there are still many precautions to consider. We are thrilled to see vaccination numbers rising, but we must remain vigilant. Our JK - grade 6 students are not yet eligible for vaccinations, we have immunocompromised individuals in our community to protect, and we are tracking the Delta variant. The guidelines outlined in this document will likely flex as the school year progresses. Our Task Force and Health Advisory Group will remain attuned to both Steward community needs as well as the ever-evolving recommendations and rules from the CDC and government. We are full of optimism as we prepare for the school year, and excited for the possibilities in the year ahead. With gratitude for all you have done and will do to support the health and vibrancy of our school community,
The Steward COVID-19 Task Force
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COMMUNITY PLEDGE
SPARTAN STRONG Community Pledge Being a part of the Spartan community means that each of us must take extraordinary steps to stay well and persistently protect each other, on campus and in the community. Accountable together, I pledge to take responsibility for my own health and the protection of others and help keep the Steward community safe from spread of COVID-19. I pledge to be Spartan Strong individually so that we may be Spartan Strong together. The Spartan Strong Pledge will appear in the parent/student handbook along with other COVID-related policy changes to keep our community safe. The handbook will require your signature.
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TASK FORCE UPDATES
STRATEGIC APPROACH TO PLANNING Arts
Our Focus
Technology
Since March 2020, our COVID-19 Task Force has been working quickly to reimagine every facet of Steward’s
Communications
Athletics & P.E.
operations on an ongoing basis. As government-mandated and recommended protocols shift, so do we — all with the wellbeing of our
Community & Wellbeing
Health & Safety
community and every individual within it at the forefront. Updates on the Task Force’s work and
Logistics
Academics
our plans for the coming school year can be found on the pages that follow. 7
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
Campus Initiatives The 2021-22 school year will be different from both last year as well as pre-pandemic life — we are in a transitional time. Our returning students and new students will need support as we settle into our “new normal.”
TO FACILITATE THAT, WE HAVE: ●
Hired a new school counselor, Jentae Scott-Mayo
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Created The Center for Engagement, which combines our work in health and wellness; diversity, equity and inclusion; community service; and socio-emotional learning
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Chosen the school-wide theme of play for the school year, led by the Bryan Innovation Lab Continued on next page →
Currently planning for: COMMUNITY BUILDING AND RE-BUILDING
*All protocols are subject to change.
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COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
Campus Initiatives Continued The 2021-22 school year will be different from both last year as well as pre-pandemic life — we are in a transitional time. Our returning students and new students will need support as we settle into our “new normal.”
TO FACILITATE THAT, WE HAVE:
Currently planning for: COMMUNITY BUILDING AND RE-BUILDING
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Decided to offer in-person events from the outset, including (just to get us started!) orientation, fall social, live musical performances at Convocation, the fall play with an audience, and athletic competition and spectating. We will consider COVID-19 in all event planning, including the possibility of masking indoors and capacity limits as needed.
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Planned to allow visitors and volunteers on campus, with COVID-19 protocols in place.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTH & SAFETY
Daily Check-in Protocols: SCHOOLPASS: All students, faculty, and staff will complete a daily health screening. More details can be found in the Logistics section.
Health and Hygiene Protocols: DISTANCING AND CAPACITY LIMITS: ●
Students will be seated at 3 feet of distance as often as possible, per CDC guidance. ○
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Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
Students who are uncomfortable with being seated near other students may contact their teacher or dean of student support.
Events and large group gatherings may have capacity caps and required masking if indoors.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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Health and Hygiene Protocols:
HEALTH & SAFETY
MASKING POLICY FOR THE START OF SCHOOL* *This policy will be reevaluated at least bi-weekly by the Task Force and Health Advisory Group in hopes that we may safely change the policy to require less masking as soon as local circumstances, guidelines, and mandates change.
All students, faculty, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status: ● ●
Masked indoors Masks are optional outside
Indoor exceptions may include: ● ● ● ●
Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
● ●
Athletes during competitive play/team practices Individuals alone in a room Individual speakers at indoor events, as long as six feet of distance can be maintained Playing wind or brass instruments as long as six feet of distance can be maintained When eating or drinking Reasonable accommodations under the ADA or religious accommodations under Title VII
*As with all information in this document, this policy is subject to change
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HEALTH & SAFETY Health and Hygiene Protocols: SANITIZATION ●
High-touch surfaces will be cleaned daily.
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Classrooms still will be stocked with cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer.
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Hand-sanitizing stations still will be available campus-wide.
FACILITIES
Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
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We are continuing to use the Learning Cottages as classroom space.
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Upgraded ventilation systems are still in place.
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Waddell Terrace will again be tented and used for educational, lunch, and social space.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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HEALTH & SAFETY Health and Hygiene Protocols: VACCINES
Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
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As we do with all vaccinations, we will request information in Magnus Health, and it will be accessible to the school nurses only. We will use this information only for contact tracing purposes.
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While we recognize the need for individual and family choice with the COVID-19 vaccine, we must also acknowledge that the higher our percentage of vaccinated individuals, the freer we may be in our interactions. We encourage our community to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as it provides both individual and community health benefits.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
CDC & VDH Guidance CONTACT TRACING & QUARANTINE The CDC and VDH have changed their guidelines regarding who will need to quarantine if they are deemed a “close contact” of someone with COVID-19. Close contacts will NOT need to quarantine, per the CDC and VDH, if one of the following is true: ●
The exposed individual is vaccinated;
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The exposed individual has had COVID-19 in the last three months and is currently asymptomatic; or
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If both the exposed individual and the person with COVID-19 were masked and at least 3 feet apart.
More details can be found in this three-page VDH Infographic.
Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
*All protocols are subject to change.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
Testing MIRIMUS SALIVA-BASED TESTING PROGRAM Steward will continue to conduct an opt-in, saliva-based testing program through Mirimus. ●
It is optional for most but strongly encouraged. ○
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Students, coaches and teachers who are competing in interscholastic sports and extracurricular performing arts will be required to test while in season to participate in those games and performances.
It will include both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and adults; we want to be cautious of breakthrough infections.
NURSING STAFF
Currently planning for: NEW PROTOCOLS BASED ON VDH GUIDELINES
We have hired Kendall Tate Hrabak, RN ‘01 as our second school nurse. She will join Rebecca Heck, RN. *All protocols are subject to change.
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ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS
Academics New protocols will ease COVID-19’s impact on the structure of our academic program. ●
The libraries, theatres, music and art classrooms, and Bryan Innovation Lab will return to their originally intended uses.
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Supplies may now be shared.
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Classroom group work is now allowed.
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Students will now attend art and music classes in the Cramer Center.
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CAL tutoring will be offered one-on-one, following distancing and masking guidelines.
Remote learning will look different too. We will still offer
Currently planning for: REDUCED IMPACT ON ACADEMIC STRUCTURES
remote learning to students impacted by COVID-19 quarantine (for exposure) or isolation (for active virus). However, it will be asynchronous and will not include live classroom viewing. More details are available on our Quarantine Status Learning Plan. *All protocols are subject to change.
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ATHLETICS & P.E.
ATHLETICS & P.E.
Currently planning for: INCREASED COMPETITIVE PLAY
Athletics ●
Athletic seasons will occur at their regular times of the year.
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All varsity teams will have competitive schedules.
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All athletes will be unmasked outdoors.
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Buses will operate with reduced density, full masking, and open windows.
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There are no special limitations or protocols for outdoor spectating.
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Locker rooms will function as normal for both P.E. and athletics.
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We are awaiting guidance from VISAA and TCIS regarding policies for spectating and play indoors (masks, capacity, etc).
*All protocols are subject to change.
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ARTS
ARTS Performing & Visual Arts In the 2020-21 school year, the arts faculty and students performed their most creative feat: enabling creative participation despite pandemic restrictions. This year, we are thrilled to bring back live performances for both theatre and music. Some COVID-related restrictions will be in place, particularly around capacity, which will be communicated regarding individual performances. We are also so happy to allow visual arts classes to return to their colorful spaces in the Cramer Center.
Currently planning for: A RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES
*All protocols are subject to change.
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TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
Technology The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how vital in-person connection is and how technology can facilitate learning and community when in-person isn’t possible. Following the technology improvements of the 2020-21 school year, this year we will:
Currently planning for: ADDITIONAL UPGRADES
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Install permanent equipment to live-stream performances from the Robins Theatre, as well as a mobile unit to be used around campus;
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Boost wi-fi capacity;
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Expand athletic-streaming options; and
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Upgrade faculty and student iPads.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNICATIONS Transparency in Communications We will continue to provide regular updates about our strategic approach, priorities, policies, and procedures as we did last year. In addition, we will maintain our COVID-19 dashboard and notification system while they remain applicable.
Currently planning for: CONTINUED TRANSPARENCY AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR FAMILIES
*All protocols are subject to change.
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LOGISTICS
LOGISTICS
Daily Logistics SCHEDULES This coming school year, we will return to the pre-COVID academic schedule, which brings many benefits, including shared community time across the divisions. ●
All divisions will start at 8 a.m.
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Lower School finishes at 3:10 p.m.
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Middle and Upper School finish at 3:20 p.m.
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You will receive additional information about schedules and teacher assignments from your division director on July 29.
LOCKERS ●
Currently planning for: KEEPING SCHOOL RUNNING SMOOTHLY
Lockers will be used again as they were pre-COVID.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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LOGISTICS
Daily Logistics SCHOOLPASS AND CARPOOL ● ●
We request that parents remain in their cars during carpool. This year, parents may roll down their windows. All students, faculty, and staff will fill out a SchoolPass screening before coming to school each day. Students in JK-8 are required to show their “green screen” during carpool. We will send a separate communication with detailed SchoolPass information.
DRESS CODE ●
Currently planning for: KEEPING SCHOOL RUNNING SMOOTHLY
The Steward Dress Code will return to its pre-pandemic standards and can be accessed in full online.
*All protocols are subject to change.
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LOGISTICS
Daily Logistics LUNCH We are bringing Meriwether Godsey back to provide lunch service. Full details, including a required form for all students, were sent on July 23. ●
JK-fourth-grade students will eat outdoors as much as possible or in their classrooms when necessary. The Lower School Dining Commons may be used for grade-level lunches as we assess the feasibility.
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Fifth-grade students will eat as a grade level in the Middle School Dining Commons.
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Sixth-grade students will typically eat in their classrooms. Continued on next page →
Currently planning for: KEEPING SCHOOL RUNNING SMOOTHLY
*All protocols are subject to change.
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LOGISTICS
Daily Logistics LUNCH CONTINUED ●
Seventh-grade students will typically eat in the Dining Commons.
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Eighth-grade students will typically eat outdoors, as the weather allows.
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Upper School students are strongly encouraged to eat outside and will also be able to eat in the Dining Commons with limited seating to decrease density. Some classrooms and the library will be open for lunch as well.
Currently planning for: KEEPING SCHOOL RUNNING SMOOTHLY
*All protocols are subject to change.
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QUESTIONS .
QUESTIONS? Please contact the following LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
Ingrid Moore Director of Lower School ingrid.moore@stewardschool.org
Susan Atkinson Director of Middle School susan.atkinson@stewardschool.org
Adam Seldis Director of Upper School adam.seldis@stewardschool.org
Jay Parrish LS Division Assistant LS@stewardschool.org
Karen Ashworth MS Division Assistant MS@stewardschool.org
Lee Healey US Division Assistant US@stewardschool.org
Direct Line:
☎ 804-565-2310
Direct Line:
☎ 804-565-2312
Direct Line:
☎ 804-565-2308
SCHOOL NURSE nurse@stewardschool.org
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