FAQ

A: If key metrics (testing positivity rates, number of cases per 100,000 residents, hospitalization/ICU rates) were to worsen, the school would consider the need to return to full distance learning. Any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 on campus would result in a close consideration of whether a partial or full return to distance learning would be necessary. In the latter case, the school would make a decision in consultation with the Baltimore County Health Department.

For details of the protocols the school intends to follow in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or COVID-like illness, please follow this link to guidance (updated January 7, 2021) jointly prepared by the Maryland State Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education.

A: As always, students and families may email teachers to set up meetings outside of class time. Teachers will work with parents and students to identify challenges — academic, technological, social, emotional — and provide appropriate counsel. Further, students, parents, and teachers are supported by principals, deans, counselors, and learning resource faculty who are available for consultation and guidance. These support teams are in close communication and, keeping the individual student at the center, bring professional experience, perspective, and a variety of approaches to address any questions and concerns.

A: A: Park provides multi-level support for students and families through a combination of social-emotional learning experiences and programming for all students; professional development for faculty, advisors, and administrators on trauma-sensitive practices; and counseling services as requested or referred.

Trauma-sensitive schools recognize and respond to the impact of traumatic stress on children and adolescents through intentional practices that provide: physical, social, and emotional safety to students; positive and culturally responsive policies and practices; and access to school-based mental health services necessary for students to learn and thrive.

Learning Experiences

In our Lower School, social-emotional learning skills and objectives are integrated into the classrooms as they are woven into the units of study, supported by the classroom teachers, special area teachers, and the Lower School Counselor. Students learn to develop skills of emotional intelligence that allow them to become increasingly able to work through challenges to solve academic and social problems.

The Middle School social-emotional coursework includes a weekly course (SEAL) facilitated by our school counselors, health educator, Director of DEI, administrators, and faculty. Students learn social-emotional competencies and develop skills to deal effectively and ethically with daily tasks and challenges (CASEL).

The Upper School social-emotional coursework includes a semester-long Wellness course that incorporates social-emotional learning competencies for our ninth and tenth graders. All Upper School students also participate in a semester of coursework related to racial justice.

Mental Health Services

Park has three licensed mental health clinicians and one clinical intern on staff to provide individual and small group counseling, consultation, and referral services to students and families. Our counselors provide counseling services remotely via Zoom and in-person. They can be reached directly:

Lower School: Amy Ancona, aancona@parkschool.net

Middle and Upper School: Krista Dhruv, kdhruv@parkschool.net (Schedule an appointment directly with Krista here.)

Middle and Upper School: Porscha Henson, phenson@parkschool.net

A: Park’s Community Agreement can be found here on our Back-to-School site.

In choosing to be part of the Park School community, each of us must recognize our relationship to every other member of the school community. We are raising our children together and we are entrusting the health and safety of all into one another’s hands. Given the nature of the pandemic and the serious health consequences that members of our community might experience as a result of contracting COVID-19, we are taking the added step of articulating a set of expectations that will apply to all of us — students, families, and employees — throughout the year.

At Park, we value the principle of responsible freedom. The Community Agreement engenders this principle — that we will use our freedom in a way that recognizes and honors the truth that our actions have consequences for others and that we must take responsibility for how our actions can impact both those in our immediate community and those in the greater Baltimore region.

Please take the time to discuss the Community Agreement with your family members and, as needed, plan to review it periodically as the year progresses. Failure to comply with the protocols outlined in the agreement, or additional measures deemed necessary, may put members of the Park community at greater risk to contract and/or spread COVID-19. As such, the school will address any failure to comply by either limiting or prohibiting an individual’s access to campus and, in extreme cases, separating an individual or a family from the school community. Each member of the Park School community shares responsibility for the health and safety of all.

A: The school will follow the guidance (updated August 13, 2021) prepared by Maryland State Department of Health and the State Department of Education. Because this is an issue of health and safety, we intend to take an aggressive approach in requiring any individuals who have been in close contact with a student or employee who is a probable case of COVID-19 (as defined by the Department of Health), presenting symptoms or confirmed to have COVID-19, to quarantine according to state guidelines.

The school is required to follow the instructions from the local health department for all matters regarding quarantine, exclusion, and return to school for a person with a positive test for COVID-19 or who has COVID-19-like illness, and those who had close contact with the person with COVID-19 or COVID-19-like illness. If the number of laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 or persons with COVID-19-like illness meets the definition of an outbreak, the response decisions, including possible school closure, will be made by the local health department.

A: When a student tests positive for COVID-19, the school nurse will be in contact with the Baltimore County Health Department as required for reporting, contact tracing, and instructions. Depending on distance and duration of contact, the Health Department will determine who, if anyone, in the student’s class, cohort, division, or family needs to be notified of possible exposure and next steps.

While we will not be notifying the community at large whenever we quarantine a cohort/class/grade/ or division, we have created a summary sheet that we will update daily. Please refer to your Veracross parent portal to view the summary sheet if you have questions about the situation on campus.

A: The school has established an isolation pod for any students or employees who present with COVID-19 symptoms. If the school nurse confirms these symptoms, a parent/caregiver will be called. A parent/caregiver is required to arrive within 60 minutes of notification. Plan for another person to be contacted if you are unable to arrive within 60 minutes of notification. Upon arrival at school, call the health suite and the nurse will meet you in the bus circle to pick up your child.

If your child falls ill with symptoms that are not COVID-like, requires wellness visits, or needs treatment for an injury, the health suite will be available to them, separate from the isolation area.

A: On the advice of medical professionals and our advisory team, the school has determined that requiring flu vaccines for all students and employees will provide an additional protective measure for the entire community. If your child’s health situation precludes them from receiving a flu shot, please contact the school nurse. [Note: The requirement for the seasonal flu vaccination is noted as part of Park's Community Agreement – Policies Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.]

A: All students, employees, and parents and other visitors will be required to wear a mask while inside Park buildings (except while eating/drinking with appropriate distancing).

Outdoors, Pre-K through Grade 6 students will remain masked; students in Grades 7-12 will be masked when outdoor activities don’t allow for appropriate distancing.

Face coverings must fit snugly over the mouth and nose. Coverings made with mesh material or a fabric with holes, masks with a valve, gaiters, and bandanas are not suitable for use in the building. Teachers will reinforce the use of appropriate hygiene practices prior to putting masks on. Masks cannot be shared with friends. The school will maintain a supply of disposable masks at every divisional desk and the front desk, which will be made available as needed.

The use of masks may pose a particular challenge for some people with disabilities and special health needs. In those circumstances, the school will make accommodations accordingly so as to provide appropriate guidance and health and safety. If a family has a particular concern, please reach out to the school nurse.

Signage and support from employees will further help students remember to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.

A: We ask that you explain to your child the importance of wearing a mask indoors and that you practice with them at home (find a helpful resource here). Of course, we will work with students of all ages to ensure their understanding and compliance. If your child struggles to comply, we will contact you and ask you to bring them home, until they are ready to do so. As adults, we will partner with you and your child in this essential requirement.

A: The school is requiring all students and employees to be tested for COVID-19 in late August, and to receive a negative result prior to starting on campus, or follow CDC isolation guidelines if they receive a positive result. We are conducting the initial set of tests prior to students' (and employees') initial return to campus.

Beginning September 8, all students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 will be tested on a weekly basis during the school day. Results will be shared with families and directly with our school nurse.

In the event a student is absent for a weekly test, or does not get tested on campus for any other reason, the family must submit a negative PCR test by 5 p.m. on Sunday before the start of the school week.

A: An outside group conducted a review of every HVAC system on-campus; maximum air dilution as well as effective filtering systems have all been addressed. We’re using the highest level filters our systems will allow, while at the same time adjusting air vents to allow for optimal flow of outside air into our buildings. In a limited number of spaces where we cannot address airflow issues, we have installed air purifiers with the highest rated filtering systems.

A: Movement on campus will be organized in order to reduce mixing of students. Interior spaces, including corridors and other common areas, will be designated as either Lower School or Middle/Upper School. Signage and active guidance from employees will serve to reinforce boundaries inside and outside the buildings.

A: Visits to campus with forgotten lunches, musical instruments, athletic gear, etc. are welcomed. Please contact the appropriate divisional office to arrange a front-desk or “curbside” pick-up/drop-off.

We ask parents visiting campus buildings for an extended period of time (planned classroom visits, meetings, etc.) to present either a proof of vaccination or negative COVID PCR test from within three days upon arrival — or send the record to our designated email address: parentvisit@parkschool.net.

When entering any of Park’s buildings, all parents and other visitors will need to sign in and present a valid government-issued photo identification that will be scanned into Park’s VisitorManagement System (supported by Raptor Technologies).

Please see the Visitors section on our Campus Protocols page for more detailed information.

A: Since we will be encouraging classes to get outdoors more this year, we will not allow any use of Park’s outdoor areas while school is in operation. Campus trails and other facilities are closed to visitors 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Visitors may enjoy campus on the weekends and after 6 p.m. weekdays, as well as any days school is not in session (holidays, etc.) observing all posted restrictions. In accordance with Baltimore County law, ALL DOGS MUST REMAIN LEASHED. For the health and safety of the community, there are no exceptions to this ordinance. In the event that Park personnel observe dogs off-leash, owners will be asked to leave campus.