2020 Return Safely to Campus Guide

A PARENT GUIDE TO RETURNING TO WESLEYAN THIS FALL

RETURNING SAFELY TO CAMPUSRETURNING SAFELY TO CAMPUS

RETURNING SAFELY TO CAMPUS

RETURNING SAFELY TO CAMPUS

WE’RE EXCITED TO HAVE OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN IN AUGUST.

Since 1971, our Wesleyan community, guided by our legacy of academic excellence and a foundation of biblical truth, has been committed to partnering with parents to nurture each student to reach their God-given potential inside and outside of the classroom—ultimately equipping them to influence the world for Christ.

In this time of uncertainty for our families and our community, you can be certain that Wesleyan’s mission remains the same. As you will see in the overview of our plan for reopening Wesleyan this fall, our staff and faculty have worked tirelessly to research, identify and implement ways to ensure that your children can receive the full benefit of a Wesleyan education.

To do so, we are constantly assessing the latest information, acting decisively, and developing guidelines and procedures to best serve our families. Below you’ll find our guiding principles for returning to campus safely:

PRINCIPLES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS SAFELY

• Protect the health and safety of students, families, and employees

• Comply as best we can with local, state and federal officials

• Follow Guilford Co. Health Department, NCDHHS and CDC guidelines to develop new procedures and protocols

• Limit intermingling of students

• Maximize our campus space to meet curricular needs while supporting physical distancing

• Maintain some level of familiarity with school routines for learning and emotional well-being

• Set clear expectations for everyone

In the following pages, you’ll find an overview of our plans to return to school in August.

FOR YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Wesleyan will hold our first day of school on campus Tuesday, August 18, 2020, unless, by law, we are required to do otherwise. Here are a few important items as you and your family prepare for August 18:

PRINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS COMING SOON

In early to mid-July, please watch your email inbox for a very important communication from your child’s principal, sharing more detailed plans with you specific to your child’s school division, including dates and locations for New Family Night and Open Houses.

CHECKLIST ITEMS

SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS

Now available by grade level.

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SPORTS PHYSICALS

For fall athletes are required. Please make sure you have scheduled a physical for your student-athlete prior to August 18 so that they may participate in fall sports. Schedule your appointments now!

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IMMUNIZATION

Must be up to date on August 18. If you have a kindergartner, 7th grader, or 12th grader, please check to make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date.

NOTE: 12th graders must now have a meningococcal vaccination booster. Per the NCDHHS website, “A booster dose is required for individuals entering the 12th grade or by 17 years of age, whichever comes first … The booster does not apply to individuals who enter the 12th grade before August 1, 2020. If the first dose is administered on or after the 16th birthday, a booster dose is not required. Individuals born before January 1, 2003, shall not be required to receive the meningococcal conjugate vaccine.”

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLEDGE: A FAMILY COMMITMENT

As part of your commitment, parents must agree to keep children home when they are not feeling well, have COVID-like symptoms, or have potentially been exposed. Each family will be required to sign a waiver that will be made available DATE on our website and must be completed with other medical documents required for the start of school.

LIMITED INTERMINGLING OF STUDENTS

By reducing the intermingling of students, we are limiting the number of potential exposures and, consequently, limiting the number of students who may be quarantined if a student or employee contracts COVID-19. To do so, we are implementing new procedures and protocols, including social distancing in classrooms, staggered recess times, adjusted walking traffic patterns in and around campus, and updated use of classroom and campus restrooms.

CAMPUS CLEANING

Earlier this year, Wesleyan’s facilities team began implementing new procedures designed to keep our spaces sanitized frequently and thoroughly. To do so, we‘ve added several tools to our facilities tool kit, including hand sanitizer stations throughout campus and Clorox 360. In addition, classrooms will have coordinated cleaning protocols, including disinfecting surfaces, hand washing, etc. that will be implemented systematically throughout each school day. These protocols will vary by school division because of different levels of and types of use.

THE WELLNESS OF OUR ENTIRE WESLEYAN FAMILY IS OUR PRIORITY.

The changes Wesleyan is making to spaces on campus to accommodate physical distancing are only one aspect of supporting a healthy campus environment. Keeping our campus health is a collective effort, one we are asking our entire Wesleyan family to support, creating a much better chance of minimizing risk and maintaining a healthy campus environment for our students, employees, families, and community. Here are several ways we are working to make this a reality.

DAILY TEMPERATURE CHECKS / PARENT NOTIFICATIONS

As students arrive daily, Wesleyan will conduct health screenings, which will include temperature checks via infrared monitors. Parents are also asked to notify their child’s teacher and/or School Nurse Shannon Moore if their child is displaying COVID-like symptoms prior to coming to school.

REQUIREMENTS FOR FACE COVERINGS

While students will not be required to wear a face mask at all times, Wesleyan asks that each student bring a mask to school each day in the event that they are needed to meet social distancing guidelines when it is otherwise not possible (examples: during arrivals, dismissals, transition in hallways, etc.).

NURSE MOORE

In an effort to reduce traffic flow throughout hallways, Nurse Moore will visit students in classrooms when needed to address potential health issues.

WAITING ROOMS BY SCHOOL DIVISION

To support Nurse Moore’s efforts, and to further reduce intermingling of students, Wesleyan has established new “waiting rooms” by school division. Unique waiting rooms will be designated for the following: Early Education, Elementary, Middle/High, and Enrichment; specific locations will be announced in future communications.

OUR LEARNING MODELS OUR LEARNING MODELS

PREPARATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING

Below you will find an overview of the types of learning models Wesleyan has prepared for our students to meet the potential needs that may arise in the coming months. As noted previously, unless required otherwise by law, Wesleyan will begin school on campus August 18 with the following level of priority:

WHO All K-12 students

WHEN Beginning August 18

ACCOMMODATIONS Classrooms will be arranged to maximize students’ health and safety, meet social distancing guidelines from the CDC and NCDHHS, and fit the needs of each respective school division. Traffic patterns in and around school will be updated, and when possible in Elementary and Middle School, teachers will change classes rather than students to limit the amount of student intermingling.

WHO Applicable to all K-12 students; specifics determined per situation

WHEN IF the number of students per classroom is limited by state or local officials—in those classes that exceed said number of students only—a portion of the class would meet in the classroom while the other portion of the class would meet and be supervised in a separate location on campus via a Livestream or live recording from the classroom.

ACCOMMODATIONS Technology will be provided in each classroom to enable Livestream/recording capabilities. The two portions of each affected class would alternate locations according to an established schedule by their respective principal.

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WHO

VIRTUAL MODEL

SITUATION 1 - Individual students or classrooms that are in quarantine.

SITUATION 2 - K-12 students (if required by law, see below)

WHEN

SITUATION 1 - If a student or group of students have been exposed to COVID-19 and are required by law to quarantine for 14 days.

SITUATION 2 - If Wesleyan is required by law to close its campus

ACCOMMODATIONS Google Classroom will be used consistently throughout K-12 throughout 2020-21, now with 1-to-1 Google Chrome Books. These platforms will further support and ensure a consistent learning environment for each child.

FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED STUDENTS

Wesleyan will work individually with families of immunocompromised students, including those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, severe asthma, etc. to establish the best learning environment/model for their students. To begin this process, please contact your principal via phone or email.

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

Wesleyan is looking forward to resuming our regularly planned programming this fall. Each program’s operations will maintain health and safety protocols, including physical distancing.

AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMS

As the year unfolds, decisions about the availability of programs such as WISL, Imago Dei, BATL, and GoFar! will be made on a case by case basis. Those programs that are made available for students will operate following guidelines set out by state and local health officials.

ATHLETICS

Our goal is to have as many Wesleyan athletic teams in play as possible throughout the year. To do so, we will follow the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association’s (NCISAA) recommendations and guidelines, along with those of the CDC and NCDHHS.

ARRIVALS & DISMISSALS / EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMMING

Early Morning Arrivals ( 7:00 - 8:00 A.M. )

7:00 - 7:40 A.M.

ALL K-12 students arriving at this time will enter through the Middle School gym entrance where they will be screened and directed to a designated space where they will be separated by grade level and be spaced by visually marked seating and/or wear masks. They will be dismissed by grade level and escorted to their class following marked traffic patterns.

7:40-8:10 A.M.

Entrances with screening capabilities (to be announced) will open at 7:40 a.m. Students will be screened and then should go directly to their homeroom classrooms.

AFTER 8:10 A.M.

ONLY the Main Academy Entrance will be open for late arrivals.

K-12 DISMISSALS

The administration is currently evaluating best practices for K-12 dismissal locations. When Wesleyan’s dismissal plan is firm, we will share that information with you.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (ASP)

Students participating in ASP will remain in their rooms at dismissal and be picked up by their respective ASP leaders rather than walking with their class to car lines. OneHour Care groups will still go to the cafeteria while maintaining physical distancing. ASP grade-specific groups will go to a designated classroom where they will stay for the duration of the day rather than rotating classes. Playtimes will be staggered.

BUS ROUTES (MORNING)

Wesleyan’s established morning bus routes from Greensboro and NW Guilford County will continue with new procedures and protocols for boarding and seating on the bus, in addition to new cleaning procedures. Specific information will be shared with you in future communication.

CHAPEL

Though it will look different, Chapel will continue to be held for each school division when we return to school by implementing physical distancing, smaller group gatherings, and/or Livestream/recordings.

ELECTIVES / SPECIALS

Wesleyan is assessing options about how to best deliver electives and specials this year to minimize the intermingling of other students. Once we have a plan established, we will share this information with you.

FINE ARTS

We are evaluating the use of both indoor and outdoor environments for Fine Arts classes such as chorus and band. Lessons may include, but not be limited to, singing, playing instruments, music appreciation, and music history. The WCA Teaching Studios will continue regular programming while implementing new safety and health protocols.

LUNCH

Early Education and Elementary students, including 4th graders, will order a Flik Dining meal or pack a lunch to eat in their classrooms, with increased sanitizing protocols.

Middle and High School students will have designated, supervised eating areas throughout campus, including the cafeteria, classrooms, and outdoor areas such as the soccer stadium bleachers and picnic shelter. Students will not be allowed to eat in the hallways or connector. For Middle and High School students, FLIK dining will operate food stations in the cafeteria where students may pick up pre-packaged food, and enjoy the nutritious meal options we have come to appreciate from Flik.

MEDIA CENTER

The Media Center will be open for students to check out and return books. Mrs. Mack is assessing potential platforms that would allow students to select books prior to entering the media center to help maintain a healthy environment.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wesleyan is blessed to host many special traditional events throughout the year, such as Grandparents Honor Day, Veterans Day, and Missions Fair. Because these are typically large indoor gatherings, Wesleyan is currently working to assess alternative scheduling and/or organization for these events as we prepare for the fall.

VOLUNTEERING AND VISITORS

To minimize risk and maintain a healthy environment for our students and teachers, we will begin the school year by strictly limiting access to campus buildings to students, teachers, and essential personnel during operational hours. While we understand that some members of our community may be disappointed, it is important to note that we will not resume parent-involvement in birthday party celebrations or in-classroom volunteer opportunities at the beginning of the school year. We are still awaiting guidelines from associations and government officials with how this will work with sporting and other after-school events.

PARENT EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

EQUIPPING OUR PARENTS AND TEACHERS FOR EACH CHILD’S SUCCESS.

In March, our teachers participated in several professional development sessions, equipping themselves to best serve your children throughout the spring months. This summer, they are continuing to work diligently to prepare for the potential demands of the 2020-21 school year. In addition, at the request of many of our parents, we’ve added a Parent Education and Training Seminar to our summer schedule.

PARENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING SEMINAR

GOOGLE CHROMEBOOKS/GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Beginning in 2020-2021, each K-12 student will have a Google Chromebook that may be used and stored on campus. In addition, in the case that a student is quarantined for a specific period of time, the student’s Chromebook will be available to use at home.

To enable parents to best support their children’s academic efforts through Google Classroom, Wesleyan is providing an online parent training seminar that will be available on DATE to teach parents how to understand and gain the most benefit from Google Classroom. We strongly encourage every parent to participate in this seminar. Skills learned will include checking assignments, managing notifications, etc. More information will be provided in future communications.

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

GROWING MATH SKILLS WITH SMALL GROUPS

This session is geared toward helping elementary and middle school teachers effectively use small groups and the latest technology tools to grow students in various math skill areas.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

This summer, Wesleyan is providing beginner and advanced Google Classroom seminars to teachers to ensure that all Wesleyan K-12 teachers are fluent in the use of Google Classroom, thus increasing their classroom’s, and your child and family’s, efficiency and success.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM: CONNECTION WITH RENWEB

This seminar is designed to help teachers maximize the effectiveness of Google Classroom and our parent portal in Renweb.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM: CURRICULUM PLANNING & PREPARATION

In 2020-21, our goal is to ensure continuity and progression of learning. This seminar is designed to help teachers successfully create two weeks of google classroom instruction in case of a teacher’s absence due to COVID or quarantine.

YOU CAN HELP

Creating and maintaining a healthy campus environment is essential for our success and is going to require everyone’s support and participation. Over the summer, families can help reinforce safety protocols.

TEACHING HEALTHY HYGIENE PRACTICES

• Encourage frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer.

• Practice coughing and sneezing into elbows.

• Encourage using tissues to wipe their eyes and face.

• Remind them not to touch their face or face mask.

MAINTAINING PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES

• Continue regular doctor visits and well-child appointments.

• Make sure all immunizations and physicals are current.

• Maintain treatments and prescriptions for children with underlying medical conditions.

• Encourage lots of physical activity and time outside.

MAINTAINING YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

• Ask your child regularly how they are, and allow them to share and ask questions.

• Maintain a routine at home to provide stability.

• Provide opportunities to spend time with friends, even if it is via Facetime or Zoom.

• Pray with them. Reassure them that you and their teachers are there to support their well-being, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

• Reach out for help. Our school counselors and campus pastor are available throughout the summer to provide support.

TEACHING AND ENCOURAGING OUR HEALTH PROTOCOLS

• Visually show and practice keeping six (6) feet apart

• Practice wearing a cloth face covering

NEXT STEPS NEXT STEPS

Since May, four task-based teams made up of faculty, staff, and parents, have met regularly to address the details required to return to school safely and effectively on August 18. Below you’ll find a listing of each team and several topics they have already addressed, in addition to some that are still being evaluated, which will be announced in future communications.

01

ACADEMIC AND TECHNOLOGY TEAM

Learning models, NEW Google Chromebooks 1-to-1 platform for K-12 students, classroom layouts and scheduling for minimal intermingling, solutions to learning obstacles, professional development, parent training, electives/specials procedures, technology needs to meet Livestream/recording requirements.

02

FACILITIES AND DINING TEAM

Accommodating curricular and programming space requirements, establishing new cleaning procedures for our facilities, cafeteria/lunch seating, FLIK Dining preparations/offerings, morning bus transportation, athletic team practices, bus transportation, field trip protocols, athletic program preparations and health/ safety protocols, use of athletic facilities including weight and locker rooms.

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FINANCE TEAM

Identifying and seeking additional funding for financial aid, maintaining faculty and staff for 2020-21, assessing financial resources available and needed to implement state-required safety and health protocols.

04

HEALTH AND SAFETY TEAM

Student arrivals and departures, health screening/temperature monitoring, establishing new hallway and campus traffic patterns, safety protocols for bus transportation, academy office/front lobby safety, classroom health procedures and protocols, classroom and campus restroom use.

TUITION AND FEES

For campus closures requiring more than 14 days (per Board approval) of virtual learning, Wesleyan’s Board of Director’s Finance Committee will examine extending limited credits for unused school activities, classroom fees (field trips, etc.), or general facility savings we have due to a closed campus by either law or quarantine.

A PARENT GUIDE TO RETURNING TO WESLEYAN THIS FALL