COVID-l9 Opening procedures

The procedures are guided by the following principles:

• Compliance with local regulations and advice on opening procedures and capacity limits for schools;
• Facilitating face-to-face learning in a safe and practical manner;
• A full risk analysis prior to any change in circumstances;
• Adopting hygiene and health related policies which are research-based, clearly communicated and effectively implemented by all stakeholders;
• Promoting practices and policies which reduce the risk of virus transmission and support our capacity to be responsive to changing circumstances:
• Meeting the needs of our community and above all the safety of our pupils, staff and families including showing respect for safe social distancing.

SCHOOL TIMINGS

The School day is from 8 am to 2:15 pm. Gates will be open from 7.30am each morning and parents are advised to arrive in good time to help avoid unnecessary congestion. Children who cannot attend school for medical or personal reasons will be supported with distance learning. Parents will need to report their intentions in advance and confirm on a weekly basis to the respective principal of school in each section. We are hopeful that most children will be able to attend school where they will benefit from face-to-face teaching.

ITEMS FOR PUPILS TO BRING TO SCHOOL

• At least two face masks for pupils from Year 3 upwards (see more information below).
• Face shield (KGs - Elementary).
• Small bottle of sanitizer for their own personal use.
• Stationery equipment appropriate to their year group.
• Fully charged device and charger appropriate to their year group.
• Water bottle with name.
• Packed lunch

PUPIL MEDICAL FORMS

Parents will complete an updated online school medical form before the start of the year which has been adapted to meet the current situation. This form will be used to identify ‘at risk’ pupils who may need an individualized education plan. The medical form will also include confirmation that parents have read the COVID-19 school return agreement and understand their role and the risks associated with COVID-19.

DAILY MEDICAL CHECKS

Each morning parents will be expected to complete a medical check of their child to confirm there are no symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms are fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, shortage of breath, diarrhea, nausea or headaches.

ENTRY TO SCHOOL

Parents of younger children will be allowed to escort their children onto the campus following clear guidelines to maintain social distancing but are expected to leave immediately after doing so.
All entrants to the campus will wear a face mask and have their temperature monitored.
On entry pupils will be escorted to their classrooms or their allocated outside break areas.
The number of visitors to the campus is being controlled. Parents will only be admitted during school hours either to attend pre-arranged meetings or if they need to collect their children. Junior school parents will enter the campus to collect their children at the end of the day.

FACE MASKS AND VISORS

Face masks are recognized as effective barriers in terms of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Staff, visitors and pupils from year 3 and above will wear a face mask when on campus except during physical activity, eating and comfort breaks.
We will promote the idea that “wearing is caring” and that masks “keep me safe, you safe and all of us safe.”
Face masks will not be required for pupils or staff with a prescribed medical condition including severe asthma or other breathing difficulties.

Our face mask guidance is informed by the CDC and WHO and includes;
• Pupils bring at least 2 masks to school each day allowing for a fresh mask.
• Masks are marked with each pupil's name to avoid confusion. This can be a written name or an ID label on the elastic.
• Parents find a mask that their child finds comfortable and ensures that they know how to fit it independently.
• Masks must be fitted and removed with sanitized hands and either disposed of in allocated bins or placed in a sealable plastic bag for a reusable mask.
• Parents are encouraged to ensure their children are comfortable wearing masks by supporting them to practice wearing them for extended periods at home.

SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CAPACITY REDUCTION

Within school we will maintain social distancing in line with health and education guidelines. We have been advised by health and education partners.
As far as possible pupils will not mix with other pupils during break time.
In the event of an emergency evacuation or lockdown, social distancing expectations will apply as far as is practical and all persons on campus are expected to follow established.
procedures. All pupils will be shown the emergency lockdown and fire evacuation procedures in a video upon their return to school.

CLASSROOMS

Classrooms are set up to ensure a safe social distance between pupils when they are seated at their designated work spaces.
Separators were designed on the KGs tables to respect the social distance in their classes.
Group activities will be limited and will also be organized to maintain safe distancing as appropriate.
There will be the optimum use of ACs and open windows and doors to optimize safe flow of air in classrooms.
We will make the best possible use of outside areas

CORRIDORS

One-way corridors and stairs with distance marking and signage will help staff and pupils move safely through corridors.
Hand sanitizers are available throughout the campus including on corridors and Gate sterilization at the school gate. Clear and consistent signage has been posted to remind all campus users of COVID safe measures.

LUNCH AND BREAK TIMES

Any playground equipment will be sanitized between usage by different groups.
Playground rules and COVID-19 safe protocols will be enforced including no physical contact games or the sharing of equipment including balls.
Senior school students will be in open areas for their breaks. They will be led to these areas by the member of staff who taught them prior to the break and returned to their zones by the teachers who teach them for the next lesson.

CAFETERIA

Pupils will be expected to bring a packed lunch from home each day.
Pupils will be reminded to wash their hands before eating, will not be allowed to share food with their friends and will be seated, maintaining social distance while eating.

BATHROOMS

Bathrooms will be clearly marked to identify users, entry and exit points.
All bathrooms will be supervised to ensure pupils are using the right bathroom and to limit the number of pupils in a bathroom.
Where possible bathrooms will follow a one-way system and alternate urinals and open stations will be removed from use.
Contactless door openers will be used for exit doors for older students and all handles will be cleaned regularly throughout the day.

PREVENTIVE HYGIENE

Staff will promote healthy hygiene practices including regular hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water.
In addition, the frequent use of personal alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended and sanitizers are also available throughout the campus.
Other preventative measures include encouraging pupils to cough or sneeze into tissues or the inside elbow, avoiding touching their face or mask and removing or replacing face masks safely.
The campus is open with open corridors and outdoor spaces.
During the warmer months we will use our independent air conditioning systems in each classroom together with open windows to recycle air and encourage ventilation.
Outdoor learning opportunities will be promoted as much as possible.

CLEANING AND SANITISING

There will be regular cleaning of facilities and shared equipment during the school day including playground equipment, door handles and computer terminals. Classroom desks and work areas will be cleaned by school staff between use by different groups of pupils.
Any shared equipment or common points of contact will be deep cleaned each afternoon.
Pupils will not be allowed to borrow or share equipment with each other. They will also bring their own supplies of hand sanitizers and will use them regularly during the school day. Staff moving between classrooms
will use cleaning materials provided in each room to sanitize their working area and then sanitize their hands.

MEDICAL ROOM

Children who need to visit the medical room will be accompanied by a member of staff and there are separate entrances for pupils with possible COVID symptoms and those with other injuries or possible illnesses. The medical centre has been set up with isolation facilities.
Dr, Rasha and her team will liaise with any families concerning any pupils with COVID symptoms. They will oversee an additional health check during the day for all Junior School pupils

COMPLETE BAN ON SMOKING ON CAMPUS.

No smoking will be allowed by any adult on campus to reduce the risk of transmission through air droplets emission associated with smoking or vaping.

PE AND SPORTS

On days when pupils have PE they will come to school in their PE kit and the Sports department will arrange COVID-19 safe activities. There will be no swimming or use of shared changing rooms in the first half term. PE activities will be non- contact and skills or fitness based while encouraging fun. Full details on PE and Procedures can be read here: PE COVID Procedures .

MUSIC

Private instrumental lessons are encouraged and can be organized with peripatetic teachers on Zoom taking place after school or on home learning days for the first weeks.
COVID secure band lessons for Years 4 to 7 will start in the second week.

LIBRARY

In the first weeks of term the library will not be open to borrow or use books. Books will be available on line and through the Accelerated Reader program. We will provide access to library books from within each class so they are Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds Wear a mask and avoid touching your face Use tissues and dispose immediately after use
Stay home if you have any symptoms
Wipe high-touch surfaces often not widely shared. Reading levelled readers books will be rotated within each class in a safe manner.

ASSEMBLIES / LARGE MEETINGS

All assemblies and large gatherings including parent meetings will be held one to one, via Zoom or pre- recorded video.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

There will be no ECAs in Term 1.

RESPONSE TO PUPIL WITH SYMPTOMS OR CASES

Any pupil who develops possible COVID-19 symptoms while at school will be referred to the medical center where they will be isolated and assessed.
If COVID-19 symptoms are confirmed, the pupil will remain in isolation until they are collected by their parents.
Parents will be contacted by the principal and required to keep the child at home with any siblings until a negative COVID-19 test result for the child with symptoms.
All pupils in the same class will be moved to distance learning for a period of 14 days and the school may close temporarily for up to 2 days.
Any child or member of staff with COVID-19 symptoms will remain at home in isolation for 10 days after the onset of symptoms or until a negative test is carried out. During this time pupils will be provided with home-learning activities and will have online access to classes.
Siblings of pupils diagnosed with COVID-19 will remain at home for 14 days after being isolated from their sibling and will also need a negative test before returning to school.
If a parent or member of the same household is diagnosed with COVID-19, pupils will remain at home in isolation for 14 days.

SOURCES

CDC - Face Masks In Schools
CDC - Considerations for Wearing Masks
CDC - COVID-19 Childcare, Schools, and Youth Programs (Plan, Prepare, and Respond)
CDC - COVID guidance - p42-45 school specific guidance on reopening plans
DFE - Planning Guide for Early Years and Childcare Settings
WHO - COVID-19 School related public health and social measures
WHO - Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
WHO - Cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19
WHO - Considerations for public health and social measures in the workplace in the context of COVID-19