The Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Return to School Guidelines mandated that three plans be made available to families attending Archdiocese schools.
They are:
1) a plan for full opening of the Catholic schools,
2) a remote learning plan for use in the event of a required full closure of the school, and
3) a blended operation for students learning at home for illness, quarantine, exposure, heightened risk, etc., while most other students are in the classroom. Incarnation School’s three plans are detailed in the attachment to this letter.
The full-time, in-person platform that was described a few weeks ago is the main plan for Incarnation School. However, some families may need to enroll in a distance option. This distance option will be available on a quarterly basis. Teachers will provide assignments and resources for distance learning, the school will provide the technology and materials, and the parents and students will complete the work at home. This option will be a reversal from the normal classroom in that it will be parent-driven and teacher-supported. This option is distance learning, rather than virtual learning. Virtual learning requires a live or video recorded component and placing a camera in a classroom with students in attendance creates many privacy and confidentiality concerns.
Incarnation School will follow all mandates from the State of Ohio, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County. Governor DeWine recently announced that masks would be required for all students in K-12 buildings, but the details of this announcement have not been made public by the Ohio Department of Health. Therefore, the mask requirements in this plan may change. We will communicate changes as they happen and use the most current mandates. Please remember that this is an ever-changing situation, and we are being flexible in our plans to allow for updates.
As always, please know that you are all in my prayers. I ask that you keep all teachers, students, and families in your prayers. We are all working to create a better tomorrow for our children and prayer must be at the heart of our endeavors.
- Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 symptoms and remain at home if exhibiting symptoms.
- Take temperature at home each morning – if temperature is above 100.0°, remain at home
- Bring and wear mask when entering school.
- Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 symptoms and remain at home if exhibiting symptoms.
- Temperature should be taken at home each morning – it temperature is above 100.0°, remain at home.
- Masks are required until students are in their rooms and seated at their desks.
- Students riding the bus:
- Early Fives, K, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grade students must enter the doors at the end of the 5th/6th grade hall and proceed to class.
- Prek 4, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade students must enter the doors at the end of the 3rd/4th grade hall and proceed to class.
- Students being dropped off:
- Enter the school through the front doors of the school and proceed to class.
- Students who walk:
- Enter through the correct grade-level doors in the bus lot and proceed to class.
- It is recommended that all students have two masks, should one become soiled or lost.
- Movement around the building is restricted. Students must report directly to their hallway and classroom/locker in the morning.
- Students will wear either a mask or face shield at all times. Please remember that we are awaiting a public health order from the Ohio Department of Health as to whether shields will be permissible at the beginning of the year.
- Students will be provided with either a fanny-pack or lanyard to store face masks.
- The school has additional disposable face masks for students who lose their mask or who forget their mask. This is not an endless resource, so please remember a mask and label all masks with student name.
- Students must frequently wash and/or sanitize hands.
- Students will maintain distance between peers.
- Students must follow coughing and sneezing etiquette.
- Visit the CDC to familiarize yourself with COVID symptoms.
- Students must stay home if:
- Temperature is over 100°.
- There is shortness of breath, persistent cough, or difficulty breathing.
- There is a pending COVID test.
- There has been close and prolonged exposure to COVID in the past 10 days.
- There is a pending COVID test or has a positive COVID test result.
- Families must notify the school nurse if there is a suspected or confirmed COVID diagnosis in household.
- Staff and students who display concerning symptoms during the school day will report to the clinic for further assessment and will be placed in the quarantine area if needed.
- Individuals sent home due to suspected COVID illness will follow protocols established by Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.
- The school will follow the protocols established by Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County if a positive COVID case is identified.
- COVID positive individuals may return to school once ALL three parameters are met:
- They are fever free for three days without fever reducing medication.
- Other symptoms have improved.
- Ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- Students will either eat in the classroom or the cafeteria (50% of the time in each).
- If in the Café:
- All students will have distanced, assigned seats.
- Full food-service with personnel in PPE will be offered.
- Sanitizing tables and seats will be completed by adults.
- If in the classroom:
- Desks will be sanitized prior to lunch and paper placemats will be provided for barrier between desk and food. Students will picnic outside, if weather permits.
- Lunch service will be delivered to the classroom; a la carte items will not be available.
- Grade levels will have assigned times to play on the playground throughout the day.
- All students will have opportunities to play outside (weather permitting), regardless of age/grade, each day.
- Playground equipment will be sanitized between uses.
- Teachers will use green-space around the property for recess if the playground is not available.
- As always, we are working closely with the school resource officer to ensure safety of students when outside the building.
- Visitors and volunteers will be strictly limited in the buildings.
- Any visitors to Incarnation School that will be interacting with staff or students will be required to wear a mask and have assessment screening including temperature check before entry.
- The school will determine whether meetings and conferences are in-person, following social distancing guidelines, or via Zoom.
- No visitors for lunch time in the cafeteria, classrooms or common areas.
- All students and all staff are expected to wear a face mask that covers both the nose and mouth when in the hallway, bathrooms, library, and other common spaces.
- If seated and there is 6 feet distance in all directions between students, then masks may be removed and face shields, provided by the school, may be worn.
- If anyone gets out of their seat to move within the room, then that person must place his/her mask back on. “If you move, you mask.”
- Seating charts will be made and submitted to administration to be used for contact tracing purposes. Administration must be provided a new seating chart if changes are made.
- All desks should be arranged so that students face the same direction.
- Outside class activities permissible upon principal approval, students and staff must wear a face mask while moving. If able to maintain six feet social distancing in all directions between students then face masks may be removed once outside. If anyone stands to walk around or if social distancing is not achievable while outside then everyone must place their masks back on.
- Teachers will sanitize desks, chairs, and face shields throughout the day.
- Prek4-4th grades will sanitize at the end of each day.
- 5-8 grades will sanitize after each class.
- Students will have their own labeled supplies and they will not be shared.
- Should there be a situation where supplies are shared (manipulatives), a strict cleaning protocol will be adhered to for sanitizing.
- The drinking fountains will not be useable, but there are water bottle filling stations throughout the school. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school in all grades and will be able to keep them at their desks.
- Please send a full water bottle to begin the day to avoid immediate need for refilling.
- Students are only permitted to have water in their water bottles, rather than juice, coffee, tea, soda, etc.
- We ask that spill-proof, reusable water bottles be sent with children. We do understand that a disposable water bottle may occasionally be necessary but appreciate the effort to send the other types most often.
- While field trips are still being planned, we will not be attending at the beginning of the year. We are watching the situation closely and will cancel or participate as time passes.
- Deep cleaning and sanitizing will occur each evening and specialized anti-microbial cleaning will occur twice weekly, unless a positive case arises, and then the school will be treated overnight.
- Bathrooms will be cleaned frequently throughout the school day, and common surfaces like: handles, rails, hard surfaces will be sanitized multiple times each day.
- Hand-washing and sanitizing will be reinforced and encouraged, and additional hand sanitizing units will be placed strategically around the school.
- HVAC filters will be changed prior to the start of school and will be run longer each day to improve ventilation.
- An area of the clinic has been partitioned for individuals who display concerning symptoms – they can privately wait in this area until they are picked up from school.
- A cleaning protocol has been established for the clinic if an individual with COVID-19 symptoms is in the quarantine space.
- A Medical Advisory Board has been established to assist with protocols and decisions.
- Hallways will be marked to promote one-way traffic on either side of the hallway with only supervising staff in the center.
- Social distancing is required during class transitions.
- Students and staff are required to wear face masks during classroom transitions.
- Stairwells are specifically marked for traffic flow and patterns.
- Restrooms will have an increase in scheduled cleaning and disinfecting
- Students will be reminded to wash their hands (20 seconds or more) after using the restroom.
- Students are required to wear their masks anytime they are moving/walking, this includes to and from the restroom.
- Center sinks and urinals are blocked off to encourage distancing.
- Two grades (1st-8th) will attend Mass on Friday at 9am.
- Mass will be streamed for students who remain in the school.
- Communion will not be available for students who are in the school, but will be available for students who are in the church. This will be reevaluated after the first quarter.
- Determinations will be made on a club by club basis as the clubs begin to meet and form. Determinations will include: how clubs meet, if they may meet, etc. These decisions will comply with Incarnation School’s Reopening Plan.
- Please remember that CYO and Scouts are independent groups and will set their own policies. These policies must be compliant with Incarnation School’s plan.
- Transportation is determined by the public school districts.
- Masks will be required on the buses.
- Bus Riders:
- Dismissal to buses will be staggered. Students will exit through the door they are directed to and board their designated bus.
- Walk Up Door:
- Parents will line up from the exterior of the main/northern lobby and curve along the exterior front of the 3rd/4th grade wing. Social distancing must be maintained and masks worn.
- Parents must have a sign with their family’s last name (provided by the school).
- Names will be announced and children will exit the building.
- Children will wait in the cafeteria in distanced lines.
- Families are asked to go directly to their cars following pick-up.
- Car Line Door:
- Cars will line up in front of the main/south lobby, facing north, and the line will wind through the Parish Activity Center parking lot.
- Family name signs (provided by the school) will be displayed in the car window.
- Students will wait inside, in distanced lines, until their family name is called.
- Cars will be loaded and will pull forward.
- Face shields, fanny packs, and lanyards remain at school to be sanitized each evening.
- Families must participate for a quarter at a time.
- The principal must be notified via email by August 14 of intent to participate in distance learning for the first quarter.
- Families may not move between distance learning and classroom learning during a quarter, unless a medical emergency arises.
- Families must indicate planned learning style by October 9th for second quarter.
- Families who demonstrate success with distance learning during first quarter will be able to continue, if they choose.
- Families who have difficulty with distance learning during first quarter will meet with principal to decide the best course of action going forward for the student.
- Daily live teaching will not be provided through this option. Teachers will check-in with students/families periodically and will be available via email for questions.
- Incarnation School will provide all materials and technology for students.
- Incarnation teachers will provide daily lessons and assignments.
- Parents are responsible for instruction of students.
- Distance learning will not be reflective of classroom learning. The pacing and activities may be different.
- Letter grades will be earned for completed work.
- Tests and quizzes will be administered via scheduled Zoom meetings, subject to grade level.
- The conduct, academic, and behavior policies in the Incarnation Parent/Student Handbook are in effect for families who are completing the distance learning option.
- Per the Archdiocese of Cincinnati COVID-19 Return to School Guidelines, students who choose a remote learning option may not participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities.
- Teachers will check in with students a minimum of once per week via Zoom or Teams meetings.
- Teachers will be available via email and will respond within one school day.
- Assignments will be graded in a timely manner and feedback will be provided.
- Classroom work and assignments will be posted regularly to SeeSaw and/or Teams and support resources will be provided, as needed.
- Work will be completed and turned in by the due dates set by the teacher.
- Students will communicate with the teacher if there are questions regarding the assignments.
- Students will connect with the teacher for the weekly check-in.
- Parents must establish a good workspace at home with limited distractions, organization, and needed supplies.
- Parents will organize and direct instruction for distance learning option.
- Parents will monitor student progress and ensure that assignments are being completed and turned in by due dates.
- Parents will assist students in advocating for themselves when assistance is needed from the teacher.
- School owned devices (iPads for K-4th and laptops for 5th-8th) will be sent home with students.
- SeeSaw and Teams will be used to facilitate virtual/distance learning.
- The conduct, academic, and behavior policies in the Incarnation Parent/Student Handbook are in effect when the school is in a remote learning situation.
- A remote learning platform will not mirror a typical school day. There are times built into the school day for transitions, brain breaks, silent reading, activities, class discussions, recess, specials, and much more.
- Teachers will create a schedule for direct instruction each day.
- Remote lessons and activities will be developed for students.
- Live teaching and/or videos will be posted daily.
- Teachers will respond to questions and support the students at home.
- Clear directions and assignments will be provided.
- Submitted work will be graded and feedback provided.
- Students will attend class daily and attendance will be taken.
- Assignments will be completed with best effort and submitted by the due date.
- Students will ask questions and advocate for assistance, as needed.
- Students will respect the school owned devices and follow the Incarnation School Device Usage Agreement agreed to at the beginning of the year.
- Students will earn grades for completed work.
- Behavior expectations for virtual classrooms are the same as typical classrooms.
- Appropriate language
- Respect for teacher and peers
- General appearance
- Students must work in an environment that does not distract themselves and their peers (if on Zoom or Teams).
- Parents will support their children and teacher.
- Parents will create an environment at home conducive to learning.
- Parents will help student advocate for him/herself, as needed.
- Communication from school and the teachers should be reviewed often.
- Be sure to encourage time for physical activity and/or exercise.
I know there are likely more questions that haven’t been answered. Please remember that current plans are fluid and may change based upon breaking data or guidelines. I will work hard to keep you apprised of changes if they happen.
Please remember the best defense against the spread of the virus is the commitment we ask of every student, employee and family member to practice safe social distancing, good hygiene and self-care — and wear a face covering — until a vaccine and/or treatment for COVID-19 is available. We care deeply about our students, our employees and our families, and our actions will reflect that.
I was recently sent the following: Remember, you help determine your child’ attitude. Be angry or sad in private. Discuss your frustrations away from the kids. Set them up for success by teaching them to make the best of it. Be a sounding board for their worries and disappointments. Stay positive and model perseverance. May God bless you and keep you healthy and safe as we move into the fall season. We are a strong family and will persevere these unchartered waters.