Below are key headlines for how we’re making our school building safe in light of COVID-19. We’ve done our best to go above and beyond the guidance the CDC has provided for safely reopening schools. Our approach is designed to protect the safety of all of our students and staff across three states and 37 schools. If any of our policies change, all students and families will be proactively notified. For questions, please reach out to your child’s school.
Required At-Home Symptom/Exposure Screenings and On-Site Temperature Checks
All staff and scholars must submit a health screening via ParentSquare before leaving for school every day, and will only be allowed in the building once completed and passed. Additionally, scholars will have their temperature taken every day prior to entering the building. Anyone who displays any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home until symptoms subside and they are symptom-free without medication for 48 hours.
Everyone Wears Masks
Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times when indoors, during outdoor arrival and dismissal, on school-provided transportation, and when unable to socially distance during recess. If an exemption is required, a physician must provide documentation (e.g. if wearing a mask induces or worsens a health condition) and schools must develop alternative measures to maximize staff and student safety (e.g. barriers around the desks of students who cannot wear a mask). Our mask policy is posted on the Achievement First website.
Extended Arrival and Dismissal Windows
Arrival and dismissal windows will be longer to accommodate social distancing required, and both will take place outside. Be sure to check the weather for the day, and ensure your scholar is prepared for inclement weather with the right jacket and cold weather / rain gear.
Increased Hand Cleansing
All classrooms will be well-equipped with hand sanitizer, and we’re building in regular hand-washing procedures before scholars eat and after they return from recess. Where hand-washing is not possible, schools will use hand sanitizer.
Individual Chromebooks and Learning Materials
Scholars will have their own Chromebook, which they’ll take to and from school, and their own set of learning materials. Remotelearning.achievementfirst.org includes more information about your scholar’s Chromebook and technology. Instead of cubbies or lockers, all learning and personal items will remain with the scholar at their seat.
Social Distancing and No-Contact Greetings
Our classrooms will be set up to accommodate at least 6 feet between every scholar. While our schedule has minimized the amount of traveling kids will do within the building, there will be at least 12 feet of distance between pods if they’re in the same shared space (such as a hallway). When outside, we expect everyone to maintain 6 feet of distance between each other. We won’t be able to hug or shake hands, but we’re adopting new styles of greeting, validation, and comfort to connect without physical touch (for example, air fist bumps).
Small Learning Pods
Students will remain with the same small group of students for the entire day. A small group of staff members will be “podded” with the students, and rotate into a limited number of classrooms.
Limited Building Entrance
If you need to speak with a staff member, please schedule a phone or video meeting by contacting them directly. If an appointment must be made for an instance that cannot be done via phone/video and is absolutely necessary, please contact the Main Office at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment time.
Meals in Classrooms
Scholars will eat all meals in their classroom. They will, of course, be able to take off their masks during meal times, and will maintain 6 feet of distance between each other. Scholars will wash or sanitize hands before and after meals, and desks will be cleaned before and after eating.
Cleaning of School Facilities and Increased Ventilation
We’ll be actively cleaning high-touch surfaces (door handles, desks, tables, etc.) throughout the day, and custodians will perform nightly deep cleaning of all occupied rooms. Windows will remain open and air conditioners turned on to increase air circulation and classroom doors will remain open at all times unless otherwise directed (e.g. for a safety concern). Scholars are encouraged to bring a sweater / sweatshirt.
Every school day, before leaving home…
- Complete and pass the ParentSquare Health At-Home Symptom Screening.
- Grab your mask! (Keep an extra one in your bag just in case.)
- Make sure all learning materials, including a charged Chromebook, are in your backpack!
- Check the weather and dress/pack appropriately for outdoor arrival / dismissal.
- Don’t forget any other items you’d normally take to school – extra sweater, lunch, etc.