1. WHY DID SAINT PETER RC SCHOOL CHOOSE THE OPTION TO OPEN SCHOOL FULL-TIME?
We believe that full-time face to face interaction with our students is the best mode of instruction…good for academics, good for social-emotional opportunities, good for socialization and good for families.
We surveyed our SPS families and the overwhelming response as to opening options was to open full time, so we are responding to their needs and wants. We have the space to follow all CDC regulations for safety and distancing and maintain our traditional small classes. We have completed the required plan, and can and are meeting all guidelines required by all entities.
2. WHEN CAN MASKS BE REMOVED?
Based on all guidelines, masks may be removed when children are safely socially distanced (6 feet in all directions) in the classroom or in gym class when they are socially distanced, and when they are eating. At all other times, where appropriate, masks will be worn.
3. WHAT IS A COVID-19 COMPLIANCE OFFICER?
This person is responsible for all onsite data collection and reporting for our school, for all matters related to COVID-19. This person will also attend to all safety and health compliance in the building, and will interface with local health agencies as needed for information and updates. Any necessary correspondence will be handled through the office of the COVID-19 Compliance Officer. He/she will be a full-time employee of SPS.
4. WHAT IS THE DAILY HEALTH SCREENING CHECK FOR ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT SPS?
Daily health screening will include a temperature check and a series of health questions for all students, faculty, staff and any other individuals (e.g. therapists) entering the building. The health questions include the presence or absence of symptoms and whether there has been any contact with an individual who is suspected or was confirmed as positive for COVID-19.
5. WILL WE HAVE MASS EACH WEEK?
YES…we will have Mass each week. For the present time we will have Mass at 9:00 am on Friday, broadcast live into our classrooms via our smartboards. All students, teachers, and staff will attend at their desks from their classrooms. Father Cole will celebrate Mass and will send his personal messages to the children this way. As we move along in the school year, and we monitor the status of all guidelines, we will begin by inviting one or two classes at a time to enter the Church for Mass (after it has been disinfected following the Friday morning 7:45 am Mass). They will be socially distanced from one another and no other people will attend this Mass during this time.
6. WHEN CAN I GET MY FAMILY THERMOMETER AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE APP FOR MY SMARTPHONE?
Family thermometers will be dispersed to families, along with the “back to school packets,” and fall calendar raffle tickets, in the third week of August. Families will be given times when staff will be available for pick up and when all materials are here on our campus. Please watch emails for these dates.
7. WHAT IS DENSITY REDUCTION?
Density reduction is the rule that dictates how many people can be in a given space. Each of the Governor’s four (4) phases allowed for capacity to increase from 25% upward. If after we, or any entity opens, and the Governor says we need to scale back a bit (decrease density) that means that we can have fewer people in a given space.
While we pray this does not happen, in the event that it does, our plan is to reduce, as the chart in the plan indicates, beginning with the older students first and keeping the youngest students on campus.
8. WILL CARPETS REMAIN IN THE PRIMARY CLASSROOMS?
Carpets will be cleaned and vacuumed each day at the end of school. They will remain in the classrooms and students will have one designated spot where they will sit when the rug is used for that purpose.
9. WILL THE CHILDREN MOVE FROM THEIR HOMEROOM CLASS TO THEIR SPECIAL AREA CLASSES?
Children will remain in their assigned homeroom for all classes each day and the teachers will move to the different classes for their instruction. There are a few exceptions to this rule:
10. WILL STUDENTS EAT IN THE CAFETERIA?
All students with the exception of PreK will eat in the cafeteria (see #12 above.)
11. WILL STUDENTS GO TO THE GYM FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES?
Yes, students will go to the gym for PE, or if the weather is good, they will go outdoors. (see #12 above)
12. WHAT IS THE UNIFORM CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR PREVIOUS?
All students are allowed to wear appropriate sneakers for school every day. If your child is unable to tie their sneakers, please consider having them wear Velcro sneakers. Teachers and other adults needing to regularly tie shoes would be crossing over the social distance barrier we are trying to establish. If a child/parent wants to wear the traditional navy, brown or black dress shoe, they may do so except on gym days.
No students will enter the gym changing/locker rooms at this time. Students who traditionally changed into their gym clothes on gym days, may now wear their gym clothes to school on their assigned gym days. All gym clothes must follow the established dress code policy for SPS.
Masks should be appropriate, however, there are currently no uniform guidelines around masks.
13. CAN OUR SCHOOL TECHNOLOGICALLY ACCOMMODATE ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BEING ONLINE AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes, Mr. Gaynor has worked non-stop, with help from Mrs. Darlene Sprague, one of our SPS Board members, Mr. John Scozzafava, our Director of Maintenance, and Mr. Jamus Jegier, a parent, to make sure everything is in place. Thanks to all!
14. HOW WILL BUS DRIVERS KNOW WHO CAN SAFELY GET ON THEIR BUS?
Students riding the bus to school, and we do expect there will be many fewer students availing themselves of the bus transportation option, will need to show the required “green badge” from the KINSA app in order to enter the bus. More details on that will follow when our online training for KINSA is completed and posted.
15. WHAT IS THE VULNERABLE POPULATION?
EVERYONE
Everyone is at risk for getting COVID+19 if they are exposed to the virus.
Resource: CDC July 30, 2020
16. WILL WE HAVE STREAM ACADEMIES OR ANY AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES…SPORTS?
At this time there will be NO before or after school extra-curricular activities. The ONLY exception to this is our BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS operated by LE3. The information for LE3 is posted on our website and there is an LE3 appendix in our formal reopening plan.
We will monitor our situation daily for the possibility of remote, take home STREAM academies for all students and families that are interested. Programs such as Future City and Sports are on hold at this time.
17. WILL THERE BE THE TRADITIONAL OPEN HOUSE LATER IN SEPTEMBER?
We are planning a virtual OPEN HOUSE this year, with a visit to your child(ren)’s classrooms. More details to follow. No one will be entering the building to walk through the classrooms this year. The traditional Home School Gathering held that same evening will also be operated through a ZOOM gathering.
18. WILL THERE BE A GRADE 8 RETREAT?
We are not scheduling an overnight retreat for our Grade 8 students at this time. We will keep students and parents apprised of an alternative plan for a retreat as we move forward.
19. WILL THERE BE A GRADE 7 AND GRADE 8 TRIP THIS YEAR?
As with the retreat…we are not planning a class trip at this time, however as we move safely through this school year, we will do our best to create alternative plans for making these the special years at Saint Peter’s as they always have been…filled with memories to last forever.
20. MY YOUNGEST CHILD HAS A RED BADGE, CAN MY OLDER CHILD ATTEND SCHOOL?
If any member of the household (student, staff, faculty) has a red badge, all members of the household must stay home that day.
21. I (TEACHER/STAFF) OR MY CHILD(REN) HAD A RED BADGE YESTERDAY, WHEN CAN I/THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL?
Individuals can return to school when they (and all members of their household – students, staff, faculty) have 2 consecutive days of green badges.