OUR LADY'S ACADEMY 2020-2021 Return to SchoolPlan - Our Lady's Academy 920 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02452
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OUR LADY’S ACADEMY
2020-2021
Return to SchoolPlan
Our Lady’s Academy
920 Trapelo Road
Waltham, MA 02452
Our Lady’s Academy
Commitment to our School Community:
Dear Our Lady’s AcademyFamilies,
We are living through an unprecedented time, a historical event in all our lives. How
the Our Lady’s Academy community addresses this event will determine our
success for the coming academic year. I feel very confident that this academy will be
ready to open with a full in-person model, five days each week, in every grade from
preschool through grade eight. As you will see after reviewing this document, we
have made provisions for us to live stream classrooms in special circumstances as is
necessary. This document will demonstrate to you all that has been done to ensure
the safest learning environment for our students and faculty. This document is a
summation of the recommendations of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and
DESE, The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), medical
professionals along with the educational expertise of our very talented faculty. This
is a living document. Amendments will be added in response to the
recommendations of the CDC and DESE. I truly believe that we will be offering high
quality instruction in all grades where students and faculty will work together in a
God filled environment.
We are more than excited to welcome OLA students back to school this fall. Doing so
will require significant adjustments to our existing practices and protocols, but we
are confident in our ability to welcome your children back to school, to keep
students and their families safe, and to ensure a positive learning experience in a
safe environment for all our children.
In May, we formed a Steering Committee. Following is a listing of the steering
committee members:
Chandra Minor –Principal
Frances Stuart – Director of Instruction
Donna Cantera-Davis – Pre-K Teacher
Kristina Kovacevich – KindergartenTeacher
Darci Hamann – Third Grade Teacher
Patricia Fothergill – Middle School Math Teacher
Jacqueline Ashba – After School Director &Religion Teacher
Sharon Micco – Parish Manager
Jennifer Braverman – SchoolNurse
Kelly Fahnoe – PTO Parent Representative
Felicia Forger –Parish Religious Education Director
I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of this committee. These
individuals have dedicated their time and expertise for the benefit of our students
and the Our Lady’s Academy community. Their work will continue as we prepare for
reopening scenarios given the uncertainty of the spread of the disease and the
impact on theCommonwealth.
This reopening advisory team, is a representative group of parents, staff, medical
persons and administrators whose goal is to develop the protocols you will find in
this document. the team represented the varied grade levels that will be impacted,
learning, health and safety, transportation, and professional learning. The work of
the team and its subcommittees is framed by three central goals:
1. To safely welcome children and staff back to Our Lady’s Academy.
2. To ensure all students receive a developmentally and academically appropriate
education that is rigorous, aligned, and when appropriate, will go beyond the rigor
of Massachusetts Frameworks.
3. To ensure that all students enjoy a school experience that builds and maintains
their closeness to God, social experiences, academic confidence, and independence
as learners and future citizens in a faith-filled community.
As mentioned above, this document is a living document. As we receive new
directives from the CDCand DESE, we will be ready to adjust what we do and how we
do it. For now, the information in this document will give all constituencies
important information that will help to guide all in providing our students with the
best education possible.
Please make note of the following:
• Before September 8th , there will be an opportunity for parents and students to meet
the teacher and bring supplies to the school. These short visits will be scheduled
in 15-minute increments with your child’s homeroom teacher. Masks will be
required. More information willfollow.
• Staggered virtual curriculum nights will be scheduled the week of September
21 st by each gradelevel team.
• See the chart below for return dates for each grade level:
Tuesday, 9/8 Wednesday, 9/9 Thursday, 9/10
Kindergarten and Kindergarten, Middle K-8 and
Middle School students School, and 1st-5th grade Pre-Kindergarten (3&4)
return. students return. and TK students return.
• September 8-11th will be early release days. (11:30 dismissal)
• After school care will begin September 14th.
• Hot lunch program will begin September 14th.
This document will serve as a roadmap that the Our Lady’s Academy community will
follow to safely bring our staff and students back to school where teachers can teach
and where students can learn.
Sincerely,
Chandra Minor
PrincipalTable of Contents
State and Local Guidance ....................................................................................................... 2
Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention COVID-19 Guidelines ..............................................2
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education .......................................................................2
Our Lady’s Plan ...................................................................................................................... 3
Preparing for Multiple Scenarios: .....................................................................................................3
Three Learning Models for 2020-2021: .............................................................................................3
Remote Learning for All Students ........................................................................................... 5
Health Protocols: .................................................................................................................... 6
Protocols for Possible COVID-19 Scenarios .......................................................................................8
Protocol: Student Is Symptomatic At Home ......................................................................................8
Protocol: Student Is Symptomatic At School .....................................................................................8
Protocol: Staff is Symptomatic at Home ...........................................................................................9
Protocol: Staff is Symptomatic at School ..........................................................................................9
General Safety Guidelines......................................................................................................10
Health and Safety Supplies: ............................................................................................................ 10
Classroom Protocols ....................................................................................................................... 10
Recess Protocols ............................................................................................................................. 12
Meals and Nutrition ....................................................................................................................... 13
Safety Drills .................................................................................................................................... 13
OLA Cleaning Protocol ...........................................................................................................13
Classroom Areas: ............................................................................................................................ 14
Cleaning and Disinfecting Outdoor Play Areas: ............................................................................... 14
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures ...........................................................................................15
Buses .............................................................................................................................................. 15
Pre-K and Kindergarten Arrival Procedure ...................................................................................... 16
Arrival Procedures for Grades 1-8 ................................................................................................... 16
Pre-K Dismissal ............................................................................................................................... 17
Kindergarten-8th Grade Dismissal ................................................................................................... 18
Bus Dismissal .................................................................................................................................. 18
1State and Local Guidance
Members of the committee have maintained regular contact with the Department of Public
Health (DPH) and have drafted re-opening plans in compliance with recommendations and
requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention COVID-19 Guidelines
Our Lady’s Academy will apply the same criteria as the CDC uses to screen for COVID-19
symptoms. A wide range of symptoms have been reported from people who have tested
positive for COVID-19, ranging from mild to severe. Additionally, symptoms may present 2-
14 days after exposure to COVID-19, and may be identified as one or several of the
following:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
Families will be required to screen their children prior to arrival at school each morning.
Teachers and Faculty will also be subject to self-screening and reporting. More information
can be found under Health Policy.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Facilities and operations guidance for Our Lady’s Academy has been adapted from the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. With emerging data, scientific and
medical literature, and guidance from national and international health agencies, DESE has
developed detailed protocols to guide schools, both public and private, to safely return to
in-person learning. The guide includes critical health and safety requirements related to:
mask wearing, handwashing, physical distancing, cohorting, cleaning and disinfecting,
ventilation and movement protocols. DESE has also published guidelines for enrichment
classes such as music and gym, where additional safety measures are required. The
resulting protocols developed for Our Lady’s Academy can be found in the General Safety
guidelines.
2Our Lady’s Plan
Preparing for Multiple Scenarios:
We have prepared for a safe re-entry for all students and staff, understanding that
circumstances may shift and require us to move into a “fully remote” model. We have built
flexible approaches that allow students to be in school as much as possible, along with the
continuum provided by DESE.
In alignment with state guidance, we look forward to having your children return to Our
Lady’s Academy in September. We are committed to responding to available information
about the spread of COVID-19 and will shift to remote learning as needed and articulated in
this document.
Three Learning Models for 2020-2021:
We have been asked by DESE to prepare for three models, In-School, Hybrid, and Virtual. A
brief description of each model and how each model pertains to Our Lady’s Academy
follows:
In- School Model- All learning will take place in school five days a week for all students.
The scheduled date of entry is September 8th for Kindergarten and Middle School,
September 9th for Grades 1-5, and September 10th for preschool. We are able to do this
because our large classrooms and small class sizes allow for the required distancing of four
to six feet. However, unlike other in-school models offered, at Our Lady’s Academy, we will
be able to live stream all classroom activities to the homes of any child with a pre-approved
condition which prevents them attending in-person, for example:
• Living with an elderly family member that is immune compromised.
• A child that may be immune compromised.
• A child that may have come in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual and is
quarantined.
If you have a situation that warrants consideration, please contact the office.
To accommodate these situations, we have purchased Owl Pro streaming units. The Owl
Pro is in high demand and may be delivered to Our Lady’s Academy shortly after school
begins. Please note that these will only be available in classrooms in which students have
received pre-approval based on extenuating circumstances that would inhibit them from
returning to in-person learning. We have worked hard to create a plan in which we feel
meets all the safety standards necessary to welcome children back into our building. While
we are proud to be able to offer this technology, we must acknowledge that it is in no way a
replacement for in-person learning, especially for our youngest students.
Formative and summative assessments will continue to be the tools that faculty will use to
inform their instruction for those physically in the classroom and those at home. Due to
physical distancing and hand sanitizing protocols required throughout the day, shorter
3lessons will be necessary. Depending on teacher preference and classroom set-up
methodologies may vary. Although the students will be sitting following the social
distancing guidelines, conversation between and among students will continue for the in-
school and at home student. Conversation and collaboration are key to having students
share ideas and to learn from one another under the guidance of the teacher. Our Lady’s
Academy is blessed to be able to offer an in-school model allowing the students to return to
as close to normal educational experience as is possible.
Assessment:
We will use the September MAP Assessment data to determine student growth and
achievement since March 2020 to support and drive instruction. We will follow our
curriculum’s pacing guides in all core subjects and grade levels. We will continue to examine
the protocol for gym classes which should be held outdoors whenever possible. Art, music,
STEM, computer and language teachers will go to the classrooms whenever possible.
Students with Disabilities:
As we prepare for reopening, we will continue to develop plans to ensure a review of each
child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to determine those needs. All schedules will
follow the guidelines of safety required as directed in our protocols. Our resource teacher
will work with a small cohort of students with IEPs, either in class or in the resource room.
Time will be scheduled for the resource room to be sanitized between sessions.
Hybrid Model- This model divides the student population so that each group receives part
in-school and virtual learning using alternating schedules. This model requires students to
be at home part-time and reduces the direct instruction with the teacher. Again, since our
classrooms are large and class sizes are small at Our Lady’s Academy, we do not see the
need for a hybrid approach to learning in the fall. At present, we can accommodate all our
students in classrooms from four to six feet of distance, going beyond the recommended
three feet in DESE guidelines. The hybrid model will be used by schools whose class sizes
are too large to accommodate the distance requirements for students in the fall. Our Lady’s
Academy will not admit additional students if class distancing cannot be followed for all
classrooms and grades.
Remote Model- Will be implemented only if there is a shutdown required of all schools.
This requires all learning to take place virtually. Our Lady’s Academy is fortunate to have a
faculty that is well acquainted with a variety of platforms for virtual learning. We will also
offer additional training to those faculty members who would like to advance their
knowledge in a preferred platform. We provided training to our grade level teams on the
platforms that they will be using and over the summer the faculty trained each other on
their respective platforms. In grades Pre-K thru Grade 2 teachers will be using SeeSaw and
Zoom, teachers in Grades 3-8 will be using Google Classroom, Google Meet and Zoom. We
will be obtaining a school Zoom license for the fall. We will also have training for students
and parents when school begins in the event of another shut down. We will also have
technology available for students who do not have the technology required at home.
4Given the differences between a remote and in-person approach to learning, the teachers
worked this summer on adapting teaching techniques and learning effective strategies.
Remote learning will include but not be limited to adapting our curriculum to remote
learning and creating and cultivating new teaching materials and procedures. As you know,
teaching is an art and no two classrooms are alike. Our teachers have learned from the past
and are developing plans and building skills to deliver an improved remote learning
experience, if needed.
Although remote learning was challenging; we learned a lot from comments and responses
from our parent survey. The biggest concern was the variety of different platforms used
across the grade levels. Consistency can be challenging, and we are working on making all
the platforms more accessible and user friendly. Overall, families reported that remote
learning provided more direct access to the curriculum, kept their children engaged, and
they had more communication with their teachers. We are aiming to build upon these
successes, as well as working to maintain consistency across grade levels and classrooms.
Remote Learning for All Students
In the event that the school needs to shift to a fully remote learning model, teachers and staff
are prepared to support students and families. Remote learning for all students in the event of
school closure will include the following:
1. Daily/weekly task calendars will be sent to families before the beginning of each
week. These are important for remote learning to help families organize their students’
learning and to maintain two-way communication between teachers and families.
2. Students will be assessed per guidelines in the Our Lady’s Academy Parent Handbook
in all learning domains except “Specials”. “Specials” will be assessed as Pass/Fail for all
grades K-5.
Middle School “Specials” Grading System:
• Students excelled on all assignments. (Entered in RenWeb as a 99).
• Students met teacher expectation on the assignment/activity (Entered on
RenWeb as a 90).
• Student met minimum teacher expectation for this assignment/activity
(Entered on RenWeb as an 82).
3. Attendance will be taken daily and marked in RenWeb to ensure that all students
are meeting OLA’s expectations.
4. Protocols will be in place for reporting and resolving technological complications and
acquiring necessary educational materials to support learning.
5. Students with IEPs will continue to receive services.
56. Online engagement expectations will remain consistent with in-person learning
expectations. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and
grading/feedback will be relative to engagement during online lessons.
Paper Packets:
OLA will be implementing a plan for parents to access material online through either
SeeSaw or Google Classroom dependent upon grade level. However, at times during remote
learning, early childhood and primary students may have their instruction supported with
paper packets of schoolwork. When necessary, teachers will communicate this to parents.
Parents will be given information at least a week in advance regarding packet pick-up. We
will have a designated area outside the main office. A clearly marked bin will be used for
parents to drop off assignments. Parents are encouraged to share completed work on-line if
possible.
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten students will participate in daily live lessons via Zoom. Teachers and
students will submit lessons and work via the SeeSaw online learning platform. Scheduling
and developmentally appropriate expectations will be addressed by teachers during
curriculum night and at the onset of remote learning.
Primary Students (K-2)
Primary students will participate in daily live lessons via Zoom. Teachers and students will
submit lessons and work via the SeeSaw online learning platform. Teachers will submit
feedback via SeeSaw and grades will be determined based on submitted work, online
engagement, and formative assessments performed during online sessions. A
comprehensive and consistent schedule will be provided before the onset of remote
learning.
Upper Elementary and Middle School (3-8)
Upper Elementary and Middle School students will participate in daily live Zoom/Google
Meet lessons, as well as watch and work via recorded video lessons. Teachers and students
will submit lessons and work via the Google Classroom online learning platform. Teachers
will also submit feedback via Google Classroom and grades will be determined based on
submitted and timely work, consistent online engagement, and assessments. All grades will
be uploaded onto the Renweb portal for parents and students to access. A comprehensive
and consistent schedule will be provided before the onset of remote learning.
Health Protocols:
● Children and staff cannot come to school if they feel sick and/or have any symptoms of
COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or who has
traveled to a known COVID-19 hotspot.
6● MyMedBot app will be implemented for parents and staff for daily self -reporting of
their health before arriving to school each day. Students and staff may NOT attend
school until they have completed the MyMedBot daily attestation.
● Masks are mandatory for all students and staff members. Masks must be 2-3 ply and fit
snugly around the nose, mouth, and chin. Gaiters and bandanas are not permitted as
they have been shown to be less effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 than
masks (CDC). Mask breaks will occur throughout the day.
● Two nurses will share the health position. The nurse’s hours will align with student
hours. They will be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns.
● A contract between the school and parents will be distributed before school begins.
This form must be signed and returned to school. This contract will state that parents
will attest and adhere to our school’s strict protocol before sending their children to
school. Consistent with applicable law and privacy policies, staff and families will self-
report to the school if they or their student have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive
COVID-19 test, have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or traveled to a
known COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days. Children must not attend school if
they are ill.
● We will isolate any staff or student who shows signs/symptoms of COVID-19 in the
Conference Room. Parents will be notified, and the child will be sent home.
● Suspected contaminated areas will be closed off and will not be used until after
cleaning and disinfecting.
● Hand washing and sanitizing will occur upon entering and exiting the classroom,
before eating, after coughing and sneezing, and after bathroom use.
● Shared objects will be disinfected between classes/use.
● COVID-19 manifests similarly to other respiratory illnesses in children. According to
the CDC, children may be less likely to present with or have a fever and may have only
gastrointestinal tract symptoms. A student or staff member leaving school because of
symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to contact their Health Care Provider to
discuss testing and medical care. In the absence of testing, students and staff must
follow local Health Department guidelines for quarantine.
● If a student in a class tests positive for COVID-19, that class, as well as any staff
members who have come into contact with that student, will be quarantined for at least
14 days. During the 14-day quarantine, if physically able, students/staff will switch to
remote learning until the quarantine period is over.
● According to the CDC, DPH, and AAP, existing school immunization requirements should
be maintained and not deferred because of the current pandemic. Additionally, although
influenza vaccination is generally not required for school attendance, in the coming
academic year, it is highly encouraged for all students. Our Lady’s Academy will hold a
flu clinic for staff and encourage all staff members to participate.
● As part of our contract for reopening, all students, faculty, and staff must stay home if
they are feeling sick or have symptoms associated with COVD-19.
● All OLA families are required to ensure all contact information is updated and provided
to both the Front Office and the School Nurse.
7● Isolation and discharge protocols for OLA students who may become ill during the day
will follow.
Protocols for Possible COVID-19 Scenarios
While specific protocols vary, there are some common elements for each possible COVID-
19 scenario:
ü Evaluate symptoms
ü Separate from others
ü Clean and disinfect spaces visited by the person
ü Test for COVID-19 and stay at home while awaiting results
ü If test is positive:
- Remain at home at least 14 days and until at least 3 days have passed with
no fever, improvement in other symptoms and without the use of medication
- Monitor symptoms
- Notify the school and close contacts
- Answer the call from local Board of Health or MA Community Tracing
Collaborative to help identify close contacts to help them prevent
transmission
- Secure release from Contact Tracers (local Board of Health or Community
Tracing Collaborative) or Primary Care Provider for safe return to school.
Protocol: Student Is Symptomatic At Home
All students are required to participate in daily screenings via the MyMedBot app. If a student
or other person living in the same household is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, been
exposed to someone with COVID-19 or traveled to a COVID-19 hotspot, they should not come
to school. They should inform the School Nurse that they are experiencing COVID-19
symptoms or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or traveled
to a known COVID-19 hotspot they should not come to school. They should inform the School
Nurse they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and should contact their Primary
Healthcare Provider who will advise them of their next appropriate steps.
Current Massachusetts DPH guidance is that all symptomatic individuals in Massachusetts,
even those with mild symptoms, should be tested. An individual who does not wish to be
tested should instead isolate for 14 days and until asymptomatic plus 3 days without the use
of fever reducing medications.
Protocol: Student Is Symptomatic At School
1. Although families are the most important first line of defense for monitoring
symptoms, teachers will play an important role in referring possible symptomatic
students to the School Nurse.
2. Teacher calls the Nurse to inform them that they have a possible case. Nurse comes
to get the student from class.
3. Nurse will evaluate the student for symptoms (as listed above) of COVID-19.
84. If a student is suspected to have COVID-19, that student will be isolated in the
Conference Room. There is no specific capacity limit, but all students in the COVID-
19 waiting room must be as far apart as possible, and no less than 6 feet. Strict mask
wearing covering the nose, mouth and chin at all times for every person in the room
will be enforced. Students can work on schoolwork while waiting. Caregiver will be
contacted for immediate pick-up.
5. Students may not ride the school bus home. Caregivers and students should wash
their hands upon arriving home, change their clothes, and contact their Primary
Healthcare Provider for further guidance.
Protocol: Staff is Symptomatic at Home
All staff are required to participate in daily screenings via the MyMedBot app. If a staff
member or other person living in the same household is experiencing symptoms of COVID-
19, been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or traveled to a COVID-19 hotspot, they should
not come to school. They should inform the School Nurse that they are experiencing COVID-
19 symptoms or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, or
traveled to a known COVID-19 hotspot and contact their Primary Healthcare Provider who
will advise them of their next appropriate steps.
Current Massachusetts DPH guidance is that all symptomatic individuals in Massachusetts,
even those with mild symptoms, should be tested. An individual who does not wish to be
tested should instead isolate for 14 days and until asymptomatic plus 3 days without the use
of fever reducing medications.
Protocol: Staff is Symptomatic at School
1. As noted above, staff must stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-
19, been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or travels to a known COVID-19
hotspot or has any other illness.
2. If a staff member experiences any symptoms during the day, they should follow the
school’s protocols for getting another adult to cover their class mid-day, if needed,
and see the School Nurse to be evaluated for symptoms.
a. If COVID-19 Symptoms are Absent: The staff member should follow the
school’s protocols for being excused due to illness.
b. If COVID-19 Symptoms are Present: Staff member will immediately leave
school and will follow up with their Primary Healthcare Provider. All
students and staff members who have come into contact with that person
will be notified, encouraged to notify their Primary Healthcare Provider, and
will commence with a 14-day quarantine period.
9General Safety Guidelines
Our Lady’s Academy staff and families have an important role in keeping our children safe.
All staff and families can help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 in our school
community. Families can help by checking their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms
and keeping them home from school if they are sick or have had close contact with a person
diagnosed with COVID-19. OLA families will utilize a secure web-based app called
MyMedBot for daily reporting. OLA staff have the same obligation by checking themselves
daily before coming to school. Before returning to school in September, members of the
OLA community (staff and families) will be obligated to sign a contract affirming that they
will not enter the premises if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. In
accordance with Massachusetts state travel policies, all students should not have traveled
outside of New England within 14 days prior to the start of school or receive a negative
COVID-19 result.
Health and Safety Supplies:
OLA has ordered personal protection equipment (PPE) and other health and safety
supplies through Waltham Public Schools’ ESSER Funds. These items will be used to
supplement parent donations of supplies to classrooms. Here is a list of the items that
have been ordered:
• 48 Purell Touchless wall hand sanitizer dispensers
• 36 cases of Purell refill hand sanitizer
• Six cleaning and sanitizing tubs for early childhood manipulatives/toys
• Plastic Face shields one box – 100 count
• Disposable gowns – 40 pieces
• Disposable ear loop facemasks – 60 boxes
• Disposable children’s face masks – 100 count
• 60 Plexiglass partitions
• Nine boxes of disposable nitrate gloves
• 10 cases of MediClean disinfectant spray plus
• 10 cases of Renown Antibacterial Foam hand soap
• 30 cases of Lysol disinfecting wipes
• Five cases of Lysol Spray
• Social distancing decals and signage
Classroom Protocols
OLA teachers and staff are committed to maintaining a safe environment for our students
to return to school. In compliance with DESE guidelines and CDC recommendations, the
following protocols will be implemented and enforced in all classrooms:
10Physical Distancing and Ventilation:
• 4-6 feet of distancing between students will be maintained in all classrooms.
• Desks in classrooms will face the same direction.
• Extra tables will be placed in Pre-K/TK classrooms to maintain physical
distancing for children.
• Classrooms that have activity tables will be outfitted with plexiglass partitions
whenever necessary. Plexiglass partitions are installed on all teacher desks.
• Doors and windows will remain open whenever possible for ventilation as well
as to avoid multiple people touching handles.
• Whenever possible, shaded spaces will be utilized as outdoor classrooms.
• Elementary and Pre-K students will be kept in the same cohort group
throughout the day to minimize contact with other individuals and/or materials.
• All middle school content classroom teachers will rotate to classrooms so that
the cohort classes remain the same to the extent feasible.
Face Coverings:
• All teachers and staff are required to wear masks at all times.
• All students (PreK-8) will be required to wear masks in the classroom, while
entering and exiting the building, and when unable to maintain at least 6 feet of
distancing. Medical Exemptions must be identified prior to the first day of school
and reviewed by the school nurse, the child’s teacher, and the front office.
• Frequent mask breaks will be given throughout the day.
• 2-ply masks which fit snugly over the nose and chin are required.
Students who refuse to comply with this rule will first be given a verbal warning
and will be sent home if the offense is repeated.
Hygiene Habits:
• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be mounted on the walls outside of each
classroom and students will sanitize upon entrance.
• Healthy hygiene habits will be enforced, including sanitizing, and washing hands
with soap and water before and after meals, after bathroom breaks, and after
outdoor play.
Student Supplies:
• Students’ supplies should be kept separate at all times.
• Students are required to bring in a closed container with their own school
supplies such as crayons, pens, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, paper etc. as
directed by the classroom teachers.
• All students in Grades 5-8 will are required to bring their own devices.
• In K-4, classroom iPads will be available for sharing if permitted by parents. All
shared iPads will be sanitized after each use.
• Students who do not wish to share iPads, may be bring their own device (as
permitted by the teacher).
• All coats and backpacks will be hung in classrooms. Locker use is not permitted.
11• Students will keep their personal supplies in their desk, cubby, or designated
space in the classroom.
• Students are required to bring their own water bottles. Water fountains will only
be used to fill water bottles. Mouth pieces will be covered and locked.
Hallway and Bathroom Protocols:
• Hallways will be clearly marked to encourage social distancing.
• If students must move between classrooms, class periods will be staggered by
cohorts to limit the number of students in the hallway.
• Bathroom breaks will be scheduled for each class throughout the day.
• Bathroom use must follow the school guidelines, limiting the number of students
to three at a given time.
• Grades 5-8 girls’ bathroom will now be the bathroom located in the cafeteria.
• Masks are required in the hallways and bathrooms.
• Students must wash and dry hands upon exiting the bathroom and sanitize
before returning to the classroom.
• Teachers will monitor hallways and bathrooms to prevent lingering and to
ensure students are following social distancing protocols.
• Signage will be placed as reminders in all bathrooms to encourage healthy
hygiene habits and social distancing.
Additional Measures:
• All shared class manipulatives will be sanitized between use. A sanitation tub
will be provided.
• Gloves and eye protection will be provided when needed (i.e. science/ STEM).
• All students will enter and exit the building through designated grade level
doors as directed in OLA arrival and dismissal procedures.
Recess Protocols
Enforcing physical distancing while children are on the playground will be difficult and
may not be the most effective method of risk mitigation. Emphasis will be placed on
cohorting students to limit the number of students on playground areas. Three to four
classes will be assigned to designated times in separate areas across campus. The
following protocols will be enforced:
• Masks may be taken off outside at recess IF students can maintain a distance of 6
feet or more and are not participating in physical activity. If students are closer
than 6 feet, they MUST wear masks.
• If students are participating in ANY physical activity (with other students) such
as running, hopping, skipping, jumping, they MUST wear a mask AND maintain
at least 6 feet of distance. (DESE guidelines state that masks can be removed
during physical activity ONLY if 10ft of distance or more is possible and with
masks, students must maintain 6ft of distance.)
12• All recess games, including the structure, must be contact free- students should
never touch one another.
• Students and teachers must ensure that after snack, all trash is disposed of
properly.
Students who refuse to comply with recess rules will first be given a verbal
warning. Appropriate consequences will be enforced if the offense is
repeated.
Meals and Nutrition
To ensure that students remain in cohorts and maintain the required 6 feet of distance
during mealtimes, all students will be eating their lunch in their classrooms under
supervision. Classes who are unable to maintain the required 6 feet of distance, will be
assigned designated areas for lunch and will remain in their cohorts. Desks/areas will be
sanitized prior to serving food. Students will also be required to wash hands before and
after meals. The meals ordered through our meals program will be delivered to the
classrooms by staff. OLA Staff will follow all safe food handling requirements. To minimize
contact, heating of lunches in grades K-8 WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
Safety Drills
Fire Drills: In accordance with the state fire drill guidelines, we will continue to follow
protocols mandated by the state of Massachusetts with some exceptions:
• All students will file silently so they can hear all directives from staff.
• Students will follow along the sidewalk to the church, no crossing of the parking
lot will be allowed.
• Some classes’ egress may be rerouted to the rear parking lot to prevent crowding
at the middle school exit.
• Masks are required.
• Social distancing will be enforced.
ALICE Drills: ALICE Drills will continue, keeping in mind students will be required to wear
masks.
OLA Cleaning Protocol
OLA will schedule sanitation and disinfection procedures that meet or surpass CDC
guidelines. Elements of the plan include the following:
• Each day after school and/or before school, all classrooms will be cleaned
and sanitized with a cleaner/disinfectant used in a portable fogger. This
cleaning solution has been approved for school use.
• Classroom tables and/or desks will be cleaned and sanitized, following the
13latest DESE guidance, each morning before school, each afternoon after
school, and before and after meal service. OLA will use EPA-registered
disinfectants and sanitizers for use against COVID-19. We will ensure that
directions are followed for proper application and ventilation.
• We have established a safe and secure space for the storage of cleaning
products. Cleaning products will not be used near children or staff to
prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.
• During the school day common spaces such as bathrooms and frequently
touched surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, handles, light switches, etc.) will be
cleaned at a minimum of every two to three hours surpassing CDC
guidelines. Additional cleaning/disinfecting will be performed on these
areas after children and staff leave for the day.
• We will develop a schedule to increase routine cleaning and disinfecting of
all areas of the school.
• OLA will use only single use, disposable paper towels for cleaning. Sponges
will not be used for sanitizing and disinfecting.
• Use of shared objects (e.g., gym equipment, art supplies, toys, games) will
be limited when possible, and cleaned between use.
Classroom Areas:
• The ventilation system in the early childhood wing has been upgraded and
now meets air quality standards. We are presently inquiring about the
feasibility of improving the remaining building ventilation system.
• Children’s belongings will be stored separately in individually labeled
containers, cubbies, or areas.
• All classroom desks, chairs, and work areas will be cleaned daily under
teacher supervision.
• Children’s books, like other paper-based materials are not considered a
high risk for transmission and do not need cleaning or disinfection
procedures.
• Teachers will follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and
disinfecting electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, mice, and
remote controls. We encourage students in Grade 4 to bring in their own
devices. Students in Grades 5-8 will use their own devices. The remaining
school owned devices will be distributed.
• Water fountain use will be restricted to the filling of water bottles only.
• Water fountains will be sanitized three to four times daily.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Outdoor Play Areas:
A schedule will be developed to ensure that all equipment in the OLA playground areas
will be cleaned with foggers as often as possible. This will include all play structures, play
tables, benches, and any other outdoor frequently touched surfaces.
14Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Masks are required by ALL parties (students, parents, staff) during drop off and dismissal.
Buses
The following are the guidelines submitted by the Waltham Public Schools.
Parents who intend to use bus transportation, if available, should review these
guidelines to determine if they are comfortable with the protocols presented.
OLA will contact the bus company to request an increase in cleaning of buses
between routes.
We are awaiting specific guidance from DESE relative to safe transportation of students on
busses and assessing our capacity to offer transportation services to our students who rely on
them. This section provides families with some details about our planning at this time, and
more information will be available in our final plan this August.
Per Waltham School Committee policy, K-8 students who reside more than 1.5 miles from
their school are eligible for transportation, and students in grades 9-12 who reside more
than 2 miles from the school are eligible for transportation. Students attending Waltham
Public Schools, Minuteman High School, or Our Lady's Academy that reside in these
transportation zones will be transported in accordance with health guidelines. Masks/face
coverings are required to be worn by everyone on the bus during school bus transportation.
Students will be transported primarily on 77-passenger vehicles and reduced capacity will
be necessary to follow proper distancing guidelines.
Students waiting for, transported on, or leaving the school bus, are expected to conduct
themselves in accordance with proper rules of conduct such that it does not interfere with the
safety of each passenger or the driver’s operation of the vehicle. Riding the bus is a privilege.
Any misconduct, which may endanger the safety and/or well-being of the occupants of the
bus, will result in the suspension or immediate loss of bus privileges. The school bus is an
extension of the classroom thus, all school rules apply to the school buses, as well. Complete
detailed information can be found in the Student Handbook and all students, parents and
caregivers are responsible for adhering to these practices outlined as such.
● Monitoring student’s physical distance at bus stops will be the responsibility of parents
and caregivers.
● Maximum capacity on 77 passenger vehicles with 3 feet distancing requirements is 21
students at this time. Due to the limited seating capacity parents and caregivers are
encouraged to consider alternative transportation options.
● Transportation is provided to and from authorized bus stops nearest to the student’s home
address.
● Bus stops may be changed to locations that will allow for shorter routes so that busses will
arrive to the school on time.
15● Each vehicle will have signage to communicate proper distancing, hygiene, wearing of
masks, and behavioral expectations for riders. Everyone on the bus, regardless of age, is
required to wear a mask.
● Every student will have an assigned seat on the bus to ensure proper distancing and that
information will be shared to each student and to the family by the school. Students will be
assigned one to a seat, or two students per household in one seat, in alternating rows.
● Bus windows will minimally be half-open at all times except in inclement
weather.
● Bus cleaning will be conducted regularly at the bus yard using approved products.
● Bus evacuation drills will be conducted in the safest manner appropriate.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Arrival Procedure
● Pre-K and Kindergarten students will enter and exit through the early
childhood doors nearest the playground.
● Kindergarten and 7:45 Pre-K students will arrive between 7:45 and 8:05 am.
● During this time, a Kindergarten and Pre-K teacher will be stationed at the
entrance to check-in Kindergarten and Pre-K students using the MyMedBot app.
● At 8:40-9am, Pre-K aides will be stationed at the doors to check-in students who
are scheduled for this arrival time using the same process.
● NO parents will be allowed in the building. Teachers will be responsible for
helping children get to the classrooms.
● Students who arrive after their scheduled time block will have to enter through the
office and will be considered tardy.
● If busing is available, Kindergarten bus students will be dropped off at the
crosswalk near the early childhood entrance to ensure safety and in adherence to
the check-in procedures
● Pre-K/Kindergarten parents will park in a designated area of the parking lot
and walk children to the Early Childhood entrance.
Arrival Procedures for Grades 1-8
● We will follow the same arrival procedures as previous years.
● Arrival time for grades 1-8 is between 7:45 and 8:00am.
● Grades 1-4 will enter and exit through the Nurse’s entry door, allowing 6 feet of
distance and go directly to their classrooms.
● Grades 5-8 will enter and exit through the middle school door, allowing for 6 feet
distance and go directly to their classrooms.
● During these times teachers will be positioned at the entrances to enforce social
distancing, masks, and to ensure health checks have been processed.
● No parent will be allowed in the building. Students who have arrived after the
scheduled time block will have to enter through the Main Office and will be
considered tardy.
16This plan ensures that we are following social distancing guidelines in adherence to EEC and
DESE standards. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) also advises against parents
entering the building. This not only protects our students, but our teachers as well.
Pre-K Dismissal
1:00 Pick-up Procedures for Pre-K
• At 12:55 all Pre-K/TK classrooms will have their 1:00 children packed-up and
outside their doors in the hallway by their classrooms in designated spots.
● Between 12:55 to 1:05 p.m. there will be two Pre-K/TK staff at the early childhood
door to greet parents.
● Other Pre-K/TK staff will monitor the children in the hallway and assist with
walking children to the door to meet parents.
● NO parents will be allowed in the building.
● Parents should notify their child’s Pre-K/TK classroom teacher 24 hours in advance
if someone other than the parent is picking up a child.
● When children are being picked up from the early childhood door, Pre-K/TK staff
will ensure that the person doing the pick-up is authorized to do so and will check
for identification.
● Parents who arrive after 1:05 p.m. will have to enter the school through the Main
Office. The classrooms will be notified of the parent’s arrival and the children will
be escorted to the office by Pre-K/TK staff.
● Marks will be made to ensure social distancing for parents waiting on the sidewalk
to pick-up children.
2:20 Pick-up Procedures for Pre-K
● After school prayers, all Pre-K classrooms will have their 2:20 children packed-up
and seated in designated spots in the classroom.
● Between 2:15 and 2:30 there will be two Pre-K staff members at the early childhood
door to greet parents.
● Pre-K students with older siblings on pick-up will be dismissed together. Siblings
coming down to the Early Childhood wing will wait in the hallway outside the
appropriate classrooms for dismissal.
● Other Pre-K staff will monitor the children in the classrooms and assist with walking
children to the door to meet parents.
● NO parents will be allowed in the building.
● Parents should notify their child’s Pre-K classroom teacher 24 hours in advance if
someone other than the parent is picking up a child.
● When children are being picked up from the early childhood door, Pre-K staff will
ensure that the person doing the pickup is authorized to do so and will check for
identification.
● Parents who arrive before 2:15 p.m. or after 2:30 p.m. will have to enter the school
through the Main Office. The classrooms will be notified of the parent’s arrival and
the children will be escorted to the office by Pre-K staff.
17● Marks will be made to ensure social distancing for parents waiting on the sidewalk
to pick-up children.
● Pre-K parents will park in the designated section of the parking lot and walk to the
Early Childhood door to pick-up children.
Kindergarten-8th Grade Dismissal
See attached diagram
• Cars will enter their grade level lane, pull all the way up to the cone, and turn
engines off.
• Some grade levels may have multiple lanes dependent upon the number of cars
picking up.
• If necessary, an overflow lane will be available.
• Older Siblings will go with the youngest family member’s class.
• Grades K, 2, 4, 6, and 8 come out at 2:20, using their assigned entry/exit door. Their
teacher will walk them to the empty lane to the right of their grade level cars.
• Once all kids are in their car, the teacher will pull the front cone, and the whole lane
will exit. This process will be repeated for Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 at 2:25.
Bus Dismissal
If bussing is available, students will board buses in the designated bus lane. Students
should load before the crosswalk on the Pre-K side. Students will wait in designated areas
before boarding and teachers will monitor and enforce social distancing rules.
This plan ensures that we are following social distancing guidelines in adherence to EEC and
DESE standards. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) also advises against parents
entering the building. This not only protects our students, but our teachers as well.
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