COVID-19 POLICIES AND PLANS - For the 2021-2022 Academic Year Morristown-Beard School
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Morristown-Beard
School
COVID-19 POLICIES
AND PLANS
For the 2021-2022 Academic Year
August 30, 2021
COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
COVID-19 HEALTH AND WELLNESS GUIDELINES
Overview
The following guidelines outline our current approach to protecting students, faculty, and staff from
COVID-19. Many of our suggested policies will remain fluid until we have solid directives from the
New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE),
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Vaccination Policy Vaccination Sites
MBS is not mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, Anyone 12 years of age or older may receive the
but we are highly encouraging all eligible stu- Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
dents to be fully vaccinated before the start of
the academic year on September 9. Visit the NJ Department of Health COVID-19
Information Hub for important vaccine infor-
Vaccination is considered one of the most
mation, including a list of vaccination sites:
important tools in protecting our community
https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
against COVID-19.
Having a high percentage of fully-vaccinated Vaccination appointments can be made through
students gives us the best chance of a relatively Atlantic Health System: https://www.atlanti-
normal school year. chealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavi-
rus-covid-19/covid-vaccine.html#alerts.
Students who have been vaccinated should
submit their vaccination card to the Magnus
Additional vaccination sites are located in North
Health portal.
Jersey.
Currently, vaccinated students are exempt from Click one of the links below to schedule an
contact tracing. appointment:
ShopRite: https://vaccines.shoprite.com
Students who plan on traveling on MBS over-
CVS: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/
night trips, either internationally or domestically,
covid-19-vaccine
will be required to be fully vaccinated.
Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/find-
care/vaccination/covid/19/landing
When the COVID-19 vaccine receives full
Rite Aid: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/
FDA approval, we will review and possibly
covid-qualifier
amend this policy.
–2–
COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
Timing for Vaccination Lunch
The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses 21 days Dining services will return to a much more
apart. A person is considered fully vaccinated typical selection of food.
two weeks after the second dose.
IMPORTANT: anyone 18 years of age or older In order to keep unmasked students in cohorts,
is also eligible for the Moderna vaccine, which is to start the year, students will eat lunch in their
administered in two doses 28 days apart. Again, advisory locations.
a person is considered fully vaccinated two
weeks after the second dose. Water and juice stations will be available in the
cafeteria. We will no longer be providing students
Mask Policy with disposable plastic water bottles. Students
In accordance with the New Jersey Executive should bring refillable water bottles to school.
Order 251, MBS will mandate mask-wearing
indoors for all students and faculty. Dress Code
Normal (pre-2020) dress code will resume.
Following CDC policy, masks are required on See Family Handbook page 28.
buses for all students.
COVID-19 Within the School
• Masks must fit properly and must not have Community
an exhaust valve. MBS will establish a standard of care for han-
dling suspected cases of COVID-19 within the
• No gaiters, bandanas, or masks with School community, following guidelines set by
lettering or non-school logos. the NJDOH, the NJDOE, and the CDC.
• Masks will not be required outdoors, un- Protocol for Suspected
less students are gathered in large groups. COVID-19 Cases
MBS will implement the following standards of
Transportation care for suspected cases of COVID-19:
According to CDC policies, masks are required • Isolate the student and monitoring tem-
on all buses, regardless of vaccination status. perature and symptoms
To the extent possible, maximize physical distanc- • Ensure pick-up by a parent/guardian or
ing between students on buses. However, the ca- emergency contact within one hour
pacity constraints on buses have been eliminated.
–3–
COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
• Have the Nurse’s Office staff escort the ill antine, but who do need to MONITOR for
student to their car (when possible) to limit symptoms, when...
the number of visitors in the building ❏ Student is fully vaccinated/or has tested
positive for COVID-19 in the last 90
Close Contacts and Quarantines days. Proof of positive test should be with
Students who test positive for COVID-19 will the nurse.
need to quarantine for 10 days and can only ❏ Student should get a PCR test 5 days after
return to school after a 72-hour symptom-free exposure and report testing to nurses office.
period. ❏ Student was between 3 to 6 ft of a
positive case and both students wore
Under current CDC policy, in a school setting well-fitting masks the entire time.
(including school sports), students are consid-
ered close contacts and will need to quarantine QUARANTINE DURATION
if contact-traced when… Regional Risk is Red or Orange
❏ Quarantine at home for full 14 days
❏ Student is not fully vaccinated ❏ There is no option to lessen quarantine
❏ Within three feet of a masked or length with a negative test
unmasked positive case for over
15 minutes during a 24-hour period Regional Risk is Yellow or Green
OR ❏ Quarantine at home for 10 days without
❏ Student is not fully vaccinated a test
❏ Unmasked and within six feet of a ❏ Quarantine at home for 7 days with a
positive case for over 15 minutes negative PCR test result taken no earlier
during a 24-hour period than day 5
OR
❏ Student is not fully vaccinated When needed, contact tracing notifications will
❏ Participating in a sports practice or game be done via email between 3:00-6:00 pm.
with a COVID-19 positive teammate or if
a member of their advisory tests positive
Under current CDC policy, students in a
school setting (including school sports) qualify
as close contacts who do NOT need to quar-
Updated 8/30/21 –4–
COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
MBS is prepared to assist with contact tracing Returning to School Following a
activities. Each member of the student body has COVID-19 Diagnosis
been identified by county, and the MBS Nurse’s Students who test positive for COVID-19 may
Office has contacts in place with the relevant only return to campus when the guidelines set by
local health departments to receive the latest the CDC and the State of New Jersey have been
reports and recommendations. met. These include:
• Following local health department guid-
Families will report positive cases to the nurse, ance for exclusion and return to school
who will keep a confidential record to track • Requiring students wait at least 10 days
students and coordinate return-to-school after first symptoms appeared AND be
dates. Any students, faculty, and staff who test symptom-free AND go 72 hours fever-free
positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home without the use of fever-reducing medication
for a minimum of 10 days (based on CDC
recommendations) and may not participate in Note: Those who test positive, but show no symptoms
extracurricular activities. must remain home for 10 days following the test
Domestic and International Doctor note is required for return for athletics
Travel: Updates
Domestic and International Travel Protocols
New Jersey has lifted restrictions on travel, but Nurse’s Office Practices
NJDOH and the CDC have the following The Nurse’s Office will adjust staffing and pro-
recommendations for travel. cesses to maintain safety. Changes include:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ • Increased Nurse’s Office staff to manage
travelers/travel-during-covid19.html students who are ill
• Midday cleanings by Nurse’s Office staff
and support staff to disinfect doorknobs
and other frequently-touched surfaces
• Thorough daily cleaning of the Nurse’s
Office by custodians
Updated 8/30/21 –5–COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
COVID-19 Prevention and itive cases even if there is no reason to suspect
Use of Personal Protective infection.
Equipment (PPE)
All MBS students must arrive at school with a During the academic year, MBS may use surveil-
face mask brought from home. lance testing to identify asymptomatic cases and
prevent secondary transmission.
All MBS students and faculty shall self-mon-
itor their temperatures and any symptoms of The School has developed an implementation
COVID-19 prior to arriving at school and shall strategy for surveillance testing and may imple-
follow up with the Nurse’s Office as needed for ment surveillance testing during periods of high
further support and guidance. community transmission and/or after school
breaks.
Temperature Scans
All students, faculty and staff will have their Students who are required to participate in
temperature taken by a doorway scanner upon testing will have the option to test on their own
arrival each morning. and present a negative PCR test result within
the designated time frame if they choose not to
PPE for Students participate in the School’s testing program.
MBS will require students on campus take the
following actions regarding use of PPE: If MBS initiates surveillance testing, students
• Students must wear masks indoors. Masks must be tested in order to be on campus.
should be provided by the student; extra
masks will be available in the Nurse’s Office All pre-season athletes and coaches who plan to
in the event of loss or damage to a student’s be on campus for practice the week of August 30
mask. Students in flagrant violation of the must participate in surveillance testing, regard-
School mask policy may be sent home. less of their vaccination status. The data received
• Masks must fit properly and must not con- from this surveillance testing will help determine
tain an exhaust valve. the need for future testing of our School com-
• All faculty and staff will be responsible for munity as we transition back to school.
enforcing proper use of PPE among students.
Diagnostic Testing Policy and
Surveillance Testing Procedures
Surveillance testing is intended to identify pos- MBS will maintain a limited supply of the
–6–COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Rapid Tests. In contact tracing at the end of the school day.
the event that a student is experiencing symp-
toms of illness during the school day, they will If the student tests negative but COVID-19 is
be sent to the Nurse’s Office for evaluation. If still suspected, the parents/guardians will be no-
the School nurse determines that the symptoms tified and asked to pick up their child as soon as
are possible symptoms of COVID-19, she will possible. In this scenario, he student can return to
administer a rapid test to the student. Prior to school when one of the following has occurred:
the administration of the test, the nursing staff
will contact the parent/guardian or emergency • They obtain a negative PCR test result and
contact for notification and consent to treat. The their symptoms have resolved.
test consists of a lower nasal swab. If needed, the
nurse will assist the student in taking the swab. • They obtain a negative antigen test result
The test results will be available in 15 minutes. taken no earlier than 36 hours following
the school-administered antigen test and
If the student tests positive, the parents/guardians their symptoms have resolved.
will be informed and asked to pick up their child
immediately. The student must then see a doctor • They have followed the School’s required
and follow the School’s required quarantine poli- quarantine policy for positive COVID-19
cy for positive COVID-19 cases. MBS will begin cases.
–7–COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
REMOTE LEARNING
Remote Learning Guidelines Caitlin Skobo-Trought, Director of Academic
Only students who have a mandated quarantine Technology, is available to assist with any tech-
due to a COVID-19 related issue will be eligible for nology questions.
a 7-day or 14-day remote learning period, depen-
dent on NJDOH guidelines. Any student learning remotely should have their
camera on. Students without cameras on will not be
We will not offer a remote learning option for considered remote learners and will be marked absent
students who may miss class for travel, college visits, unless there is prior communication between the
athletic events, or illness unless it is directly related student and their grade dean.
to a mandated COVID-19 quarantine.
Guidelines for Attending
Students quarantining for COVID-19 exposure Classes Remotely
will be permitted to Zoom into class, pending During the period of remote learning, the policies in
approval by the division head (Ryan Liese or the current Family Handbook remain valid. Students
Boni Luna). and families are responsible for adhering to School
policies for remote learning. Students who are learn-
Teachers do not need to have Zoom running at ing remotely while school is in session on campus are
the start of class and should not do so, unless they expected to attend each class and advisory on time.
have been informed by the division office or grade The Family Handbook section on Student Conduct,
deans that a student in their class is “Zooming” in Citizenship, and Disciplinary Consequences holds
whether students are on campus or remote. Stu-
due to a required COVID-19 quarantine. Stu-
dents not adhering to the following protocols can be
dents should not be admitted to Zoom classes un-
marked absent.
less they or their parents/guardians have reached
out to the division head and received permission.
Use of Zoom Software
Students in a Zoom class are expected to have their
Remote students can be provided with asyn- cameras and microphones on, so teachers may ask
chronous work or with independent work to be students to turn cameras and microphones on. No
carried out during class if they cannot participate avatars are permitted. If students would prefer a
in activities remotely (e.g. science labs). virtual background, the School will make a selection
available. Students must choose a virtual background
from the official school selection.
–8–COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
Dress Code and Learning Attendance
Environment Protocol for students arriving more than five min-
Students are expected to follow the dress code. utes late to Zoom sessions:
First time: teacher will contact student after class
Students are expected to be situated in a place Second time: teacher will contact student, advisor,
appropriate to work: sitting upright before a clear and class dean
surface with space for their technology, books, and Third time: teacher will send a PCF
other materials in a space as quiet as they can find. Fourth time: student will be marked absent
FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS
We will work to ensure clean, healthy, and safe facilities and operations that adhere to applicable
guidelines.
Cleaning Protocol • Desks and tables in the classroom will face
MBS will provide deeper, more frequent clean- in the same direction.
ing and disinfecting throughout campus. • Wherever possible, seating will be spaced
to allow for the recommended social
Key efforts: distancing.
• Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned and • Spaces such as Kirby Chapel, the Board-
disinfected by our cleaning service at least room, the Dining Hall, and gyms will be
once a day. repurposed to serve as additional or alterna-
• In science classes, where students are tive classroom spaces as needed.
handling lab equipment and other shared
materials, students will wear nitrile gloves.
• Water fountains/stations will continue to
be sanitized regularly; we will cover/disable
mouth dispensers so only the bottle-filling
option is available.
Classroom Spaces
Our aim is to use classroom spaces in a way that
conforms with the applicable guidelines.
–9–COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
Moving Throughout the School Air Purification
• All Middle School students will enter Our goal is to reduce the risk of COVID-19
through Founders Hall for temperature transmission by supplying the cleanest and high-
and mask checks. est quality air possible throughout campus.
• All Upper School students will enter
through Grant Hall and go left upon enter- Key Efforts:
ing the building for temperature and mask
checks. • High efficiency HVAC systems are in place
• Students who arrive late will sign in at their in all buildings
division office and will have a temperature • Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization Air Purifi-
and mask check when they sign in. cation Systems and UV-C systems installed
in all buildings will scrub the air and dra-
matically reduce the viral load in the air
➜ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
➜ FALL ATHLETICS PRESEASON COVID-19 GUIDELINES
➜ FALL ATHLETICS TEAM TESTING AUGUST 30/31
– 10 –COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
WHO TO CONTACT WHEN
In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the
School to contact under different circumstances.
QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Who to ask if…
...my child is ill or otherwise unable to Middle School: Rose Borowsky, rborowsky@mbs.net
participate in a school day Upper School: Denise Elliott, delliott@mbs.net
...I have any medical questions Nurse’s Office: Bridget Marcato, bmarcato@mbs.net
…my child needs emotional or social Upper School Guidance/Wellness:
support - Eddie Franz, efranz@mbs.net
- Jenna Sumner, jsumner@mbs.net
Middle School Guidance/Wellness:
- Sam Tuttle, stuttle@mbs.net
QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMICS
Who to ask if…
...my child needs academic support Advisor and/or Class Instructor in relevant subject
CTL learning specialist, if assigned
...my child has a question about a Relevant class instructor
specific class or assignment
...my child needs technology help Digital Learning Support: Caitlin Skobo-Trought,
ctrought@mbs.net
...I have a question about Academic Director of Curriculum: Boni Luna, bluna@mbs.net
Policy and Curriculum Associate Director of Curriculum: Owen Boynton,
oboynton@mbs.net
– 11 –COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
WHO TO CONTACT WHEN (cont’d)
In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the
School to contact under different circumstances.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMICS ... CONT’D
Who to ask if…
...I have a question about the classes Director of Academic Scheduling and Analytics:
my child is registered for in the coming Rocio Romero, rromero@mbs.net
semester or year
...I have questions regarding college General Questions: Noreen Cassidy, ncassidy@mbs.net
counseling
Assigned College Counselor:
- Noreen Cassidy, ncassidy@mbs.net
- Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net
- Joanne Goldberg, jgoldberg@mbs.net
- Lauren Laskey, llaskey@mbs.net
...I have general questions related to my Advisor and Grade Dean
child’s Upper School experience - 9th: Kate Russo, krusso@mbs.net
- 10th: Katie Pepper, kpepper@mbs.net
- 11th: Kevin McDonald, kmcdonald@mbs.net
- 12th: Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net
…I have a question about a particular Relevant Department Chairs
discipline, placement, or course offerings - Art and Design: Pete Donahue,
pdonahue@mbs.net
- English: Nikolin Eyrich, neyrich@mbs.net
- History: Lisa Swanson, lswanson@mbs.net
- Math: Miklos Jalics, mjalics@mbs.net
- Performing Arts: David Gold, dgold@mbs.net
- Science: Chris Payette, cpayette@mbs.net
- Wellness: Sam Tuttle, stuttle@mbs.net
- World Language: Jen Laviola, jlaviola@mbs.net
– 12 –COVID-19 Guidelines 2021-2022
Morristown-Beard
School
WHO TO CONTACT WHEN (cont’d)
In the uncertainty of the year, please use the following as a guide for who at the
School to contact under different circumstances.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PROGRAMMING AND POLICIES
Who to ask if…
...I have a question about clubs or Director of Co-Curricular Activities: Kevin McDonald,
activities kmcdonald@mbs.net
...I have a question about athletics Director of Athletics: Joanne Dzama, jdzama@mbs.net
Director of Middle School Athletics: Mike Sturgeon,
msturgeon@mbs.net
...I have a question about diversity and Director of Diversity: Klarissa Karosen,
inclusion or equity kkarosen@mbs.net
…I have a question about behavioral Please consult the MBS Family Handbook or contact:
guidelines and rules
Division Head
- Middle School: Boni Luna, bluna@mbs.net
- Upper School: Ryan Liese, rliese@mbs.net
Grade Dean
- Middle School; Lisa Swanson, lswanson@mbs.net
- 9th: Kate Russo, krusso@mbs.net
- 10th: Katie Pepper, kpepper@mbs.net
- 11th: Kevin McDonald, kmcdonald@mbs.net
- 12th: Lindsay Johnson, ljohnson@mbs.net
– 13 –You can also read
