COVID Action Plan for Parents

The school will use the current guidance from the CDC or from the state department of health to base decisions.

Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s temperature before coming to school. As a school, we discourage the practice of using fever-reducing medication to temporarily lower a fever. We ask parents to be especially vigilant and keep any student who is running a fever at home.

There will be hand sanitizer stands at all major entry points of the school as well in other areas of the school (e.g., cafeteria, athletic complex, etc. etc.) In addition, there will be wall-mounted units in each classroom. We encourage the entire school community to use these devices.

We will not assign lockers at the start of school nor will we use hooks in the hallway for backpacks. Students will carry backpacks into classrooms and use the hooks only for athletic equipment.

We will also no longer use phone pockets in the classroom. Students will place their phones into their backpacks; it is a disciplinary infraction if a student’s phone is not in their backpack during class.

We will use the final two minutes to quickly wipe down and spray classrooms.

We will provide two (2) masks per student or faculty member.

• These will be required during class changes AND any time social distancing can’t be maintained.

• A faculty member can choose whether to require students to wear masks in class.

• Lower school students (K3-5) are required to bring masks to school and wear them into the building. They may remove them when in their classroom. Lower school teachers will instruct students on other times when it is necessary to wear a mask.

• We recognize that family considerations may dictate a student being in a non-school issued mask.

  • All these masks must be blue, black, gray, or white with a single solid color or purchased from Tattnall Square Academy.

  • A small manufacturer’s logo is permitted.

  • A monogram or name to identify the owner is permitted.

  • A gaiter or buff style mask that covers the lower portion of the face is permitted.

  • Masks and gaiters/buffs purchased from or issued by Tattnall Square Academy are allowed.

• Students are allowed to wear a plastic face shield - IN ADDITION TO - an approved mask

We will disable all traditional water fountains. The only fountains will be those that are designed to fill water bottles.

We will conduct periodic deep cleaning sessions with our custodial staff, in addition to the post-class cleaning described above. The cafeteria staff will clean between lunch shifts, including wiping down and spraying the tables.

We will not make students dress out for PE class, UNLESS they are in a weight lifting class. We made this decision for the safety of our students in weight lifting. While in locker rooms, all students will be required to wear a mask and exit the locker room as rapidly as possible.

• The PE faculty will wipe down all equipment between classes.

• The same locker room protocol will be used during extracurricular activities.

We will make all efforts to limit large-group activities and create an atmosphere which both provides social distance and maintains our unique school culture.

• Chapel will be modified to limit the number of students in Trojan Hall at any time.

  • We will not have All-School Chapel until further notice.

  • Lower School Chapel will be split so that only half the lower school attends Chapel in Trojan Hall. The other half will conduct Chapel in their classroom.

  • Middle School and Upper School will conduct separate Chapel services.

This is a major point of concern for the entire Tattnall Community. As such, we need to adopt and accept that we are working together for the good of the school.

School doors will not be unlocked until 7:30 AM.

All students and faculty will have their temperatures checked before being allowed to enter the school buildings.

• Any student or faculty member who registers a repeated temperature check of 100.4 or higher will be asked to leave school or sent to a quarantine room to await pickup.

• In this case, a return to school is not allowed until at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • Students/faculty who miss school or are sent home with a fever and/or COVID-19 symptoms must provide a doctor’s explanation and diagnosis before returning to school.

All students and faculty must wear a mask from the time they exit their vehicle to the time they are in a classroom or the cafeteria if they are eating breakfast.

The following entry points will be used:

• Lower via the soccer field parking lot. Students in the downstairs classrooms will enter the building through the outer class doors. Students in the upstairs rooms will enter through a marked, predetermined door.

• Middle school, including the 6th grade, will enter and exit through the Lakecrest Drive doors.

• 9th and 10th grade will enter through the doors adjacent to the science labs.

• 11th and 12th grade will enter through the doors at the Main Office.

Visitors to campus must check in through the Main Office or Lower School Office for a temperature screening. This includes all vendors who spend more than a few moments in the building. Visitors will also be required to wear masks while on campus.

As a school, we are very much aware of the issues regarding social distancing with our lunch periods and break periods.

The senior lounge will be closed during both break and lunch periods.

Until further notice, break will be conducted with students reporting to their 3rd period class. Clubs and class officers may sell snacks and drinks in the hallways.

The lunch area has been expanded by utilizing the lobby area of the Athletic Complex for lunches. This area is reserved for 8th grade, 11th grade, and any seniors who choose to remain on campus.

To limit movement of people on and off campus, the school is not allowing lunches to be delivered to school or for students to sign out of school to leave and get lunch. Seniors will still be allowed to utilize their off-campus privilege. Non-seniors choosing to not utilize the school’s cafeteria services will be required to bring their lunch.

We are determined as a faculty and staff to provide the highest quality education we can regardless of the situations. We also recognize that each family has special concerns and needs that they need to address. To that end, we are providing students the option for Off-Campus Learning.

We are planning to open school in Phase 1 with all students having the option to attend either traditionally or Off-Campus.

Families that opt for the Off-Campus scenario must be aware of the following ideas:

• This option is for one-month at a time with fixed deadlines to make a selection.

• Teachers may not be able to livestream their classes so students may have to work with class notes, assignments, problems through Schoology.

• Teachers will be encouraged to make daily contact with students in the Off-Campus scenario in order to make an assessment of their progress.

• All major assessments; i.e. tests; will be conducted on campus with a proctor.

• There are no grading allowances made for students who choose to be Off-Campus Learners.

• Students selecting Off-Campus Learning will NOT be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities for the duration of their time off campus only.

If the school feels it’s compelled to use Phase 2, we have to focus on the following concepts:

• The Lower School will remain in session because it is very difficult to develop the skills needed without face-to-face instructions. Classes will operate as self-contained units with teachers moving between classes instead of students moving between classes.

• The Middle School may be forced to also shift to teachers moving to classes; with the understanding that this may not be available with all classes and students.

• The Upper School will shift to hybrid classes with two days in class and three days off campus.

  • The goal at this time would be to use synchronous learning with all students.

• All school levels will maintain attendance records.

If the school moves to Phase 3, the goal is to continue education with all students shifting to a distance-learning scenario.

• Classes will meet in both a synchronous and asynchronous environment.

We all recognize that one of the biggest concerns of the school community is the potential for a community transmitted situation arising. We are trying to handle these cases in the best way for the safety of our students and the continuity of the educational process.

Anyone who is identified as being in direct exposure/close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) will be instructed to follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine.

• As stated previously, we will maintain social distancing when possible and adhere to wearing masks throughout the day; therefore, a student may NOT be considered in close contact with a confirmed case and would not necessarily need to quarantine. However, we respect the comfort level of our individual families and will allow a transition to Off-Campus learning if needed.

• Students or staff who have an immediate family member (within their current household) test positive for COVID must follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine. Students impacted by this case will be allowed to transition of Off-Campus learning.

• Students/faculty who miss school or are sent home with a fever and/or COVID-19 symptoms must provide a doctor’s explanation and diagnosis before returning to school.

• The school will take some or all of the following steps, as warranted by circumstance:

  • Temporarily close affected areas to allow for a deep cleaning by both our custodial staff and if needed, a contracted company.

  • Mandatory quarantine periods as provided by CDC guidelines.

  • CDC guidelines for returning to school will be followed by both students and faculty.

Potential COVID Exposure Definition- Anyone who has had direct exposure/close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with a person who tests positive.

Individuals with a potential COVID exposure should inform the school immediately and the individual must follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine.

• In the event of a positive test for a student or family member, Lower School students and parents should contact Mrs. Hayslip in the Lower School Office. Middle and Upper School students should contact Mrs. Cheek in the Main Office.

• The school will contact all affected families by email as soon as we receive a confirmed positive test result.

• Within these conversations, the school will attempt to explain the nature of the contact as to duration, proximity, and use of PPE.

• Students/faculty who miss school or are sent home due to COVID-19 concerns (fever in excess of 100.4 and/or COVID symptoms) must provide a doctor’s explanation and diagnosis before returning to school.

Definition- anyone who has had direct exposure/close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with a person who tests positive.

• Individuals with a potential COVID exposure should inform the school immediately and the individual must follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine.

• In the event of a confirmed case of a student or staff, administration will work to determine who has been in close contact and proceed accordingly.

Anyone who is identified as being in direct exposure/close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) will be instructed to follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine.

• As stated previously, we will maintain social distancing when possible and adhere to wearing masks throughout the day; therefore, a student may NOT be considered in close contact with a confirmed case and would not necessarily need to quarantine. However, we respect the comfort level of our individual families and allow a transition to Off-Campus learning if needed.

• Students or staff who have an immediate family member (within their current household) test positive for COVID must follow the most recent CDC guidelines regarding quarantine. Students impacted by this case will be allowed to transition to Off-Campus learning.