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Pandemic Policies Update
August 13, 2021
Dear St. Michael’s Families,
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Back to School time! With an eye towards the prospect of a tremendous year of learning in the healthiest environment possible, the School’s COVID Response Team is sharing the following update about community health protocols. As has been our practice, all of our decisions related to COVID-19 are and will continue to be informed by Virginia law and the collective guidance of the CDC and the Virginia Departments of Health and Education.
As shared in our May Back to School Blueprint, St. Michael’s intends to start the school year in accordance with the 2021-22 Academic Calendar, with a goal of resuming normal operations for in-person teaching with standard sections and classroom density.
While we all had hoped that the pandemic would be in our rear-view mirror for this school year, unfortunately, the COVID landscape continues to fluctuate. As such, we will evaluate our COVID mitigation policies regularly and make updates as needed.
MASKS
At this time, St. Michael’s students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors are required to wear face masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Universal masking is critical in our effort to deliver the full educational experience at St. Michael’s, meet the contact tracing parameters to the extent possible, and thereby maintain our in-person program.
- Masks will be required of ALL persons -- students, staff, faculty, and visitors -- while indoors on campus.
- Masks are not required/optional outdoors -- including outdoor recess, outdoor PE, and classes/meetings/gatherings occurring outside.
- Afternoon carpool is an exception, as masks will be required for ALL at carpool.
- We are currently awaiting guidance from the state and high school athletic leagues to inform our mask policies and protocols among athletes and spectators.
- Gaiters and masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted.
COVID-19 ISOLATION/QUARANTINE/CLOSE CONTACT
St M will follow isolation, quarantine, and close contact guidelines and mandates set by VDH and applicable law. We will also continue to share our weekly COVID-19 dashboard.
ISOLATION
- Isolation is required for all COVID-19 positive students.
- COVID-19 positive students may return to school when:
- At least 10 days have passed since their first symptoms appeared, AND
- The individual hasn’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medication) AND other signs of illness are improving.
- The date of a student’s return to school will be established by the school nurse in consultation with the parent/guardian.
QUARANTINE
- Quarantine is required for any student who was in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.
- A quarantined student may return to school after:
- 10 days without testing; or
- 7 days with a negative PCR or antigen test performed on or after Day 5.
- The date of a student's return to school will be established by the school nurse in consultation with the parent/guardian.
CLOSE CONTACT
- VDH has modified the definition of “close contact” so that a student who is within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student while indoors is not considered a close contact as long as both students are wearing masks. Thus, the numerous advantages of wearing a mask include the ultimate advantage of a student attending school in-person.
DAILY HEALTH SCREENING
- At this time, neither health screenings nor temperature checks are required but may be re-instituted if conditions change.
- Please evaluate your child(ren)’s health every morning. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health, your child is exhibiting any symptoms of illness, or your child or a family member has been exposed to COVID outside of school, please keep your child at home and contact Nurse Maben for input and instructions.
COVID VACCINE
- As students have the opportunity to receive the vaccination, we hope that families will take full advantage of it.
- We are adding an entry field to Magnus Health, our secure portal for student medical records, where parents can indicate the vaccination status of their student and upload their COVID Vaccine Record Card or complete immunization record including COVID-19.
- Please note, if the School does not receive a child’s COVID-19 vaccine records, we will assume that the student has not been vaccinated for the purposes of applicable mitigation efforts.
BUILDINGS and CAMPUS
- Students will be able to use cubbies and lockers.
- Water bottle filling stations, hand sanitizer stations, upgraded air filtration systems, and nightly sanitation remain in place.
- Yay Lunch! will resume for those who elect the service. Lunch will be eaten in the Great Hall, outdoors, in Lower School classrooms, and in other designated areas.
- Again this year, we will optimize the use of outdoor spaces and campus trails for learning, recreation, wellness, and lunch. Students should thus dress daily for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
VIRTUAL LEARNING
Unless circumstances require an adjustment, St. Michael’s will return to in-person schooling only, with NO virtual learning option.
- The School won't have the same personnel available to support an online learning program, but teachers will work on ways to connect with students who are absent due to a COVID-related illness/quarantine and absences will be treated as they were pre-COVID.
- Middle School assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Students should check this site often and email teachers with any questions.
- Lower School assignments will be sent home.
- Teachers will work to get students caught up when they return to school.
VISITORS
- Scheduled visitors are welcome on campus and must wear masks.
- To drop something off or for late arrivals/early pickups, please contact the office for instructions, 804-272-3514.
- Extended Day protocols are outlined in the Extended Programs Policies document located on our website.
The St M faculty and staff join me in expressing appreciation for your continued flexibility and partnership. We respect the trust you have placed in us, and we look forward to working together toward a successful school year. We will evaluate our COVID mitigation plans regularly as local infection rates ebb and flow and make updates accordingly.
Please continue to monitor email for other important communication from the School throughout August. If not done already, please promptly submit all required health forms via the Magnus portal, for which Nurse Maben is on hand should you have questions. Additional forms, including the Parent Partnership and Agreement, will be issued to families soon for signature.
Enjoy what remains of summer! Encourage your children to finish their summer work. Safe travels and be well.
Sincerely,
Bob Gregg, Head of School
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