20-21 Safety Plan

List of 13 items.

• Overview of the Planning Process

  The Task Force researched and modeled various opening scenarios and developed strategies for the fall reopening to best serve our community. Throughout this process, the Task Force prioritized the health, safety, and wellness of all community members while keeping our mission and community values at the center of this process.  The Task Force closely followed the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and recommendations. The members of the Task Force are community representatives from all divisions of the school, and medical and professional representatives.  Additionally, the Task Force reviewed the thoughtful feedback from parents collected through survey. 

  
  

  Task Force Members:
  Pandemic Coordinator: Jake Doll
  Head of School/Pandemic Director: Christine Heine, Ed.D.

  Athletics Coordinator, Health Plan Coordinator with Nurse: Christina Aulbach 

  Communications, Policy Coordinator, Development Coordinator: Laura Burkey

  Lower School Coordinator, Student Policy Coordinator: Kari Miller 

  Middle School and Upper School Coordinator, Student Policy Coordinator: Matt Trump

  YCP Health and Safety Coordinators: Dr. M. Howie, Dr. E. Barr, and Amy Downs

  YCDS Health Coordinator: Colleen Simpson

  Policy Coordinator for faculty and staff, Policy Coordinator for Health and Safety: Kristen Rambeau-Myers

  Admissions, Financial Aid Response Coordinator, New Family Coordinator: Jamie Graham 

  Safety Plan Document Coordinator: Jill Bashada

  Facilities Coordinator, PPE Coordinator: Kevin Feil, Dr. Ken Martin

  York College of Pennsylvania Crisis Response Team

  YCDS Curriculum and Instruction Team: Mary Hunter, Will Estes, Jenn Wisnom, Jenn Kauffman, Jamie Graham, Elia Filippone  

  Visioning Committee for Student Success: Christine Heine, Molly Wertz, Kristi Spies, Paige Hoke, Stacey Filippone, Elia Filippone, Chrissa May, Jake Doll, Jamie Graham, Laura Burkey, Jillian Giese

• Return to School - Teaching and Learning

  It will take all of us working together to make this successful, and we are dedicated to transitioning the community back to campus with detailed training, unwavering compassion, and ongoing communication. Our learning scenarios for Fall 2020 will allow YCDS to adapt to changing conditions and provide continuity of learning, connection, and authentic engagement for our students.  York Country Day School plans for all students to return to campus on August 25, 2020. We will operate using our normal daily schedule, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. As students and faculty return to school, the School will focus on safety protocol training, social and emotional wellness, and becoming better acquainted with new, temporary protocols and daily routines.

  
  

  Before-school and after-school enrichment programs will continue to operate on a limited, pre-registration basis. Division Heads will send this information directly to parents.

  
  

  The YCDS Task Force will continue to monitor public health developments, policies, and procedures. The School will continue to communicate changes, enhancements, and important announcements.

  
  

  There are three learning scenarios for Fall 2020 learning.  They are: 

  
  

  Scenario 1: On-campus learning model – students return for in-person instruction, with modifications to promote safety and mitigate exposure to COVID-19.

  
  

  Students return to campus in grade-level cohorts and remain with grade-level cohorts throughout the day. Some Middle and Upper School students will have limited cross-cohort blending in foreign language and mathematics. Grades 11 and 12 are one combined cohort and remain so throughout the day.  As much as possible, all cohort classes and activities will take place in their designated area only (in addition to outdoor spaces whenever possible) to mitigate exposure.

  
  

  YCDS has arranged for spacious outdoor tents to be installed mid-August. These tents, along with new and numerous picnic tables placed throughout the grounds will provide ample opportunity for outdoor classes, outdoor recess for all grade levels, despite weather conditions, and a lunch seating option. Our School will take advantage of good weather and use the outdoors as a place to learn, play, and study. 

  
  

  All YCDS classrooms have been inventoried for size and accessibility to ensure physical distancing for each student and faculty member.  

  
  

  Scenario 2: Hybrid learning model – an option for all families to accommodate those not comfortable or who may be immuno-compromised to attend in-person, will learn remotely from home, with synchronous instruction and asynchronous coursework as well. The hybrid learning model will differ by grade and by division. Details of the hybrid learning model day will be shared directly by Division Heads to parents. An addendum to the YCDS Student Handbook related to remote instruction will be shared in August by Division Heads with parents and students. 

  
  

  Some students will choose to participate in remote, live instruction. YCDS has invested in a number of new technologies, such as Logitech cameras, which integrate with Zoom and microphones to better enhance sound delivery and reception.

  
  

  All faculty members engaged in intensive professional development to better prepare for live remote instruction and to incorporate Google Classroom as a universal, streamlined platform to access materials, assignments, grades, and communication.  

  
  

  Scenario 3: Remote learning model – all students move to remote learning from home, with live instruction, adhering to state or county orders or if the administration feels it necessary to close campus due to COVID-19 exposure.

  
  

  In the event that York Country Day School will not be permitted to open due to state or county orders, or if the Administration finds it necessary due to COVID-19 exposure, faculty are trained, equipped, and prepared to host live virtual instruction four days per week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Wednesday serving as an asynchronous learning day for students. Daily schedules will be dependent upon grade level.  Additional information will be shared by division heads.

• Daily Home Health Screening and Community Pledge

  Families will be required to perform a Daily Home Health assessment each school day prior to their child’s arrival.  This information will not be collected by York Country Day School. Instead, all community members will be asked to sign and to honor the YCDS Community Pledge. All families will be asked to begin daily screening two weeks prior to returning to school.  This will be required earlier for student-athletes planning to arrive for summer team training sessions (See: Athletics Health & Safety Plan). This document will be shared with families on July 15, under separate cover,  and must be returned by August 19.  All parents must check their child for signs and symptoms of possible illness before attending school each day.  YCDS employees will monitor students for symptoms throughout the day. 

• Flexible Attendance Policy

  We will honor and promote a flexible attendance policy. Any community member exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19 will remain at home and monitor health closely. Any student who has encountered direct exposure to COVID-19 should quarantine for 10 days before returning to campus, symptom-free. Students may participate in class sessions through remote instruction. This will provide continuity in learning. Faculty and Division Heads shared grade-specific schedules with families in August.

• Health and Safety

  York Country Day School will take preventative measures to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and other resources. 
   
  Cleaning and disinfecting schedule
  There will be increased cleaning across campus by our custodial services team. The frequency and type of cleaning for each space will be determined by its purpose and volume of use. Many academic spaces will be cleaned often throughout the day, and more common spaces will be cleaned twice per day. Designated high-traffic areas, such as door handles, hand railings, and restrooms, will be cleaned multiple times per day. Antiseptic wipes will be available in classrooms. Custodial services has ordered antiviral fumigation equipment to use regularly.
  
  Face Masks
  

  All community members will be required to wear face masks, as per the order of the PA Secretary of Health, while on the YCDS campus, in classrooms, and outside.  Students will be given many face mask breaks throughout the day.  Students are expected to have several face masks available for use each day in case one is soiled during the academic day. 

  
  

  Face coverings should:

  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the face
  • Be secured with ties or ear loops
  • Allow for breathing without restriction
  • Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

  The School will have a supply of disposable face masks should one be needed.  
  
  

  Face coverings must be either a solid color or pattern. Face coverings should not contain writing, logos (other than brand logos), symbols, or graphics that can be viewed as distracting. 

   

  According to many health agencies, face shields are not a substitute for masks rather an additional safeguard. 

   

  Physical distancing 
  To the extent possible, community members will practice physical distancing in combination with other everyday preventative actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing will be employed at all times, in all spaces, for all community members. 
  
  In order to promote physical distancing on campus, YCDS Community spaces, including the student lounge, senior lounge, study rooms, dining and living rooms, and couch areas, will be allocated to cohorts. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer stations will be available in areas throughout the building.

  
  Wearing of face covering is required by all school members when moving through common spaces. 
  
  Hallways are now one direction and marked accordingly throughout the building. 
  
  Outdoor spaces at YCDS include the playground, basketball court, and athletic field areas outside of the gymnasium and rear Lower School entrances. Additional gathering areas will be sectioned off for outdoor classroom or recess use, where possible.
  
  Students will remain in cohorts and will use scheduled outdoor spaces for classes and recess. Daily monitored outdoor activity will be promoted, whenever possible.
  
  When outdoors, students and employees will adhere to School guidelines related to physical distancing and face covering policy.

  
  Hand sanitizer stations will be available at the entrances for students and staff to use to exit/enter the building.

  
  Following the CDC guidelines, the playground at YCDS will require routine cleaning and will be subject to disinfection by YCDS facilities and building staff, as needed.
  
  Signage will be placed throughout the campus on best practices.
  
  All large gatherings and events will be virtual.  
  
  Hand hygiene

  Community members will wash hands frequently throughout the day. Additional no-touch hand sanitizer dispensers are installed throughout the building, along with touchless soap and paper towel dispensers in the restrooms. Signage is placed throughout the campus on best practices. 
  
  Lunch 
  All students will eat lunch within their grade-level cohort in their designated classrooms or outside spaces. Both hot and cold lunch selections will be offered, and selection will be electronically submitted by parents two weeks in advance through the lunch order system. Chartwells will box all student lunches, and deliver to student cohorts during regular lunch times. Students must supply their own snacks for snack time. Lunches from home can be sent with students, if a family chooses.
  
  Water
  All water fountains will be turned off throughout campus.  Students will be expected to bring a refillable water bottle to school each day. Students may refill their bottles at one of our many contactless water refill stations in the building. 
  
  Arrival and departure 
  The School has designated five access points for student cohorts to enter and exit the building each day to promote physical distancing. 
  
  Social and Emotional Health
  We will continue to prioritize student social-emotional wellness as your child transitions back to school and throughout the coming year. Mr. Thomas Nemetz, Coordinator of Mental Health and Wellness, will be working collaboratively with community members to provide support and resources. We will continue and enhance Responsive Classroom methods, advisory, and both grade and virtual divisional assemblies to address issues that impact our students, our communities, and current events that impact the lives of our students.  

• Physical Education

  Physical education will be restructured as a whole-child approach to incorporate physical activity, outdoor activities, and wellness outside of the gymnasium setting. Outdoor physical activity will be thoughtfully crafted to reflect the most current research and national standards in school. All students will spend time outdoors during PE classes, recess, and during breaks.

• Athletics

  York Country Day School is awaiting a decision from the PIAA about the fall athletics program. Voluntary athletic activities will begin for fall sports starting the week of July 26, 2020. The following is a summary of measures, which will be put in place based on the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pennsylvania Department of Health, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and multiple healthcare providers. 

  • All coaches and athletes will sign a community pledge before participating in athletic activities.
  • All athletes, coaches, and staff will attest to daily home screenings before athletic activities. Screenings include temperature and symptom checks.
  • Athletes must come dressed for workouts wearing a face covering. Locker rooms will not be available until further notice.
  • Coaches and athletes must wear face coverings unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet. Athletes are not required to wear face coverings while engaged in workouts, but must wear face coverings when on the sidelines and anytime 6 feet of physical distancing is not possible.
  • Athletes must bring their own water bottle to workouts. Hydration stations will be available for refilling.
  • Athletic training procedures will be adjusted to limit time in close contact and allow for physical distancing to be practiced.
  • Athletes will remain with their assigned coaches and in small groups for the duration of training sessions. Teams will not be combined for training.
  • Coaches will phase athletes into activity by completing an acclimation period of strength and conditioning and individual skill work at workout sessions before advancing to team drills.
  • Team huddles, hand shakes, and high fives are not permitted.
  • Disinfection procedures will be set in place to ensure clean equipment after each workout.
  • All head and assistant coaches will be trained and provided with adequate supplies to meet the guidelines

  
  The full Athletics Health and Safety plan can be obtained and reviewed by contacting the YCDS Athletic Department. Any preseason activity prior to the PIAA official fall season start date of August 17, 2020, is voluntary. Winter and spring sports will begin off-season workouts at a later date, yet to be determined.
  
  The athletic department will continue to monitor local developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic to adjust athletic policy as needed to protect all athletes in our care. 

• The Arts and Electives

  York Country Day School will continue to offer performing arts, fine arts, music, robotics, digital media, and other electives. Certain modifications have been made to align with the safety recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Additional information was shared by the Division Heads in August.

• Transportation

  Field trips 
  All off-campus field trips are currently suspended. 
  
  Bus Transportation to and from YCDS 
  York Country Day School is working in partnership with local school districts as they begin to finalize their transportation schedules. Bus transportation changes will be dependent on student location.  

• YCP Connect

  Students in grades 11 and 12 will receive additional information related to York College of Pennsylvania classes as it becomes available. Mr. Doll will communicate with parents and students related to these updates.

• Campus Access

  Until further notice, all nonessential visitors including parents, guest speakers, college representatives, and alumni, are prohibited. For business-critical visits, such as postal mail carriers and food vendors, all visitors are expected to adhere to CDC recommendations, which includes the requirement to properly wear a face covering while inside York Country Day School. 

• Communication and Outreach

  The School will communicate regularly via email and social media (Facebook and Instagram) with all families. In addition to our regular communication, the School will send helpful reminders about safety precautions.  

• Parent and Student Orientation and Training

  York Country Day School will provide families with training sessions to promote best practices for remote learning. During August 2020, families will be offered three different training sessions to access and navigate learning platforms. Division Heads will share these dates with families directly.
  
  YCDS students will receive orientation and training related to community safety procedures, daily routines, and technology during the first week of school.