The Weiss School

July

21-22 School Year - COVID-19 Plan

7/29/2021

Mrs. Brittany Theimer

Dear Weiss School Families,

Based on the latest CDC update on July 27th, all vaccinated and unvaccinated adults and students are required to wear masks while inside our school building. We will be following CDC recommendations until further notice. Masks will be optional for when adults and students are outside. We will continue to provide parents with a virtual learning option for 3^rd-8^thgrade students. If you have an Early Childhood-2^nd grade student that must be virtual, please contact Mrs. Pam Tripp at ptripp@weissschool.org to set up a meeting with me to discuss the options. For the 2021-2022 school year, The Weiss School is committed to providing the following three options:

Option #1 - On-Campus Learning Five Days a Week

I want to assure you that my team has worked day and night to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for everyone on campus. My administration, teachers, and support staff have worked diligently to create healthy buildings, healthy classrooms, healthy activities, healthy schedules, and healthy policies to welcome students back on the campus. Our campus COVID-19 plan invests heavily in the critical levers of a safe return to campus, including a robust set of stringent health and safety measures. It is also a plan designed to allow The Weiss School to adapt to the pandemic's changing conditions and still provide for the continuous education of our students. Parents and students will adhere to all on-campus safety measures, procedures, and protocols as detailed in the campus COVID-19 plan.

Option #2 - 100% Virtual Instruction for 3^rd-8^th Grade Students

My team is prepared to provide an outstanding virtual experience for your child. We had an outstanding virtual experience for our students during the 20-21 school year, and I know we will do an incredible job again. Thank you so much for all the positive feedback. It is very important to consider this option if you have a student or family member in your home who is at high risk. At any time, a parent can give a three-day notice when the student is ready to return to the on-campus learning option or hybrid model. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccine is required.

Option #3 - Hybrid Model for 3^rd-8^th Grade Students – Set Schedule for Each Quarter

The hybrid model gives parents the option to let their students participate at school and from home. Because students are returning to campus a decreased number of days, the Hybrid Model presents a moderate risk of exposure to COVID-19. This model requires for parents to create a schedule of virtual and on-campus days that will be set and adhered to for each quarter. At any time during the nine weeks, a parent can give a three-day notice to start on campus learning full time.

The following enhancements have been made to safely open our campus for students and staff in August:

Enhancements

Staffing - Additional cleaning staff has been hired to clean and sanitize high touch areas throughout the day. Additional support staff has been hired to help support teachers and monitor hallways.

Furniture - Additional furniture is in place to create appropriate spacing.

Outdoor Space - Additional space has been created outside for learning and play.

Technology - Fiber has been installed to increase the speed of internet access in all areas on the campus. Classrooms have been upgraded with audio and video equipment that will allow students in remote environments to synchronously participate in classes being held on campus.

Plexiglass - Plexiglass shielding has been installed in areas with fixed interactions. Plexiglass will also be used in classrooms, if needed.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) - The Weiss School has purchased a mask for each faculty and staff member. Parents are required to purchase masks for students. We will have extra masks on campus in case of an emergency.

Additional Sinks and Sanitizer Dispensers - Additional hand washing stations and hand sanitizing dispensers will be placed throughout the campus to allow for regularly scheduled hand washing and hand sanitizing throughout the day. Students will wash their hands upon entry and exit of classrooms.

Water Fountains - We have disabled water fountains, and students will only have access to filling stations located throughout the school.

Enhanced Cleaning - A schedule has been created to sanitize all areas during transition times throughout the day.

UV Air Disinfection Systems - The Weiss School has installed Fresh-Air UV systems in our HVAC.

Signage - Additional signage has been posted throughout the campus to promote all health and safety guidelines.

The following policies and procedures will be adhered to by our school community:

School-wide Policies and Procedures

COVID-19 Testing - All students are required to be tested for coronavirus three days before school starts prior to being allowed to re-enter The Weiss School.
- Walgreens: https://www.walgreens.com/findcarecovidui/covid19/testing (Free Nasal Swab)
- CVS: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing (Free Nasal Swab)
- Vault: https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid ($125 Saliva-Based PCR Testing)

Follow Federal, State, and Local Orders - Our entire Weiss School community must adhere to the directives of applicable federal, state, and local government health departments, including the CDC, regarding social distancing in public and other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Daily Symptom Check - We will be relying on close cooperation from our parents and students regarding morning temperature checks. Please check your child’s temperature before leaving home, and we will check temperatures before your child(ren) exit your vehicle and throughout the day on campus.

Stay Home if Sick - If your child is sick, you are expected to keep him or her home from school.

Travel - Families are responsible for reporting travel to any area that has a COVID-19 infection rate above 10% to the Head of School by email.

Medical School Forms and Emergency Contacts - Parents are required to submit all required student medical forms before the first day of school. Parents must provide at least three emergency contacts who are able to pick up your child from school within 1 hour of receiving a call from The Weiss School if he or she presents with a temperature or becomes ill during the school day. Your child will be placed in a separate room until you arrive.

Social Distancing - All hallways and classrooms will be marked with 6 feet decals for spacing and foot traffic flow.

Aftercare, Clubs & Athletics - Follow all policies and procedures exhibited during the school day.

Physical Education & Taekwondo - Physical Education and Taekwondo uniforms are optional. Students will not be penalized for not dressing out.

Supplies – Sharing of school supplies will be limited.

Face Masks – All vaccinated and unvaccinated students and faculty will wear masks while inside the building.

Increased Hand Washing Throughout the School Day - Students will wash hands frequently throughout the day. Please practice and reinforce good hygiene practices at home, in particular, the importance of frequent hand washing.

Sharing Items - Limit the items your child brings onto campus each day and reinforce policies around not sharing of food, supplies and other items with other students. Teachers are ordering individual supplies for students.

Snack/Lunch - Masks will be removed while eating. Students will have plexiglass between two students eating together. Outside dining is available.

Visitors – We are limiting parents and visitors on campus until the infection rate drops to 3% and below for the safety of our students and staff members. Front office access will be permitted with limited capacity.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Please call Mrs. Pam Tripp at 561-298-3780 or Dr. Tammy Ferguson at 772-418-3905 if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, is exhibiting symptoms, or has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who is exhibiting symptoms consistent with the virus. Please do not send your child to school and please continue to call until you speak with an administrator on campus. Please do not leave a message. Every minute is critical in making sure we can contact trace as fast as possible. Failure to inform the school within two hours of diagnosis may result in your child being removed from campus for 14 days. During this time at home, your child will be able to continue classes via remote learning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of the novel coronavirus include:

Cough
Shortness of breath
Fever
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss or smell or taste

For additional information regarding when a student becomes sick or reports a new COVID-19 diagnosis at school, please refer to the CDC guidelines for the latest protocols that The Weiss School will be following: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/student-becomes-sick-diagnosis-flowchart.html

After reading this letter, please email Mrs. Pam Tripp at ptripp@weissschool.org by Monday, August 2, 2021 to select the learning environment option that works best for your family.

The Weiss School Leadership Team has worked diligently this summer to put in place every safety measure and protocol to ensure everyone's safety on our campus and will continue monitoring our COVID-19 plan throughout the school year. I will be serving as the point person for all COVID-19 related questions or concerns. Please email me at tferguson@weissschool.org if you have additional comments or concerns.

Yours in Education,

Dr. Tammy Ferguson

In the News

2021

News Archive

July

May

April

March

February

January

Select a Date

News Archive Filter